5 Most Popular Articles of 2016

For five years I have written on this blog about hypnosis as a tool for health, wellness and exceptional living. The focus of my editorial has been to engage, educate and, when appropriate, entertain, while dispelling the misconceptions that exist about the practice of visualization.

I am incredibly appreciative of the time you’ve invested with me and for the Emails I have received from readers – both the compliments and the criticisms.  (Yes…I get those too.)

Today, I spent a few minutes reviewing a readership report for 2016.  I’ve included below links to the most popular articles I published this year, each of which attracted more than 1,000 visits.

Have a wonderful New Year!

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Do you have plans New Year’s Eve?  Join me at Professionals in the City’s annual party at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC.  It’s a wonderful event with a myriad of exceptional entertainers.  I am set to perform two shows at 10:45 PM and 12:30 AM.  Type in the code “Marc” when purchasing tickets and you will receive a $5 discount.

Loved Me/Hated Me:  High Schoolers Rate the Hypnotic Experience (9.27.16)

After my visit to Walt Whitman High School, students shared their candid assessment of my talk and hypnosis demonstration.

Hypnosis Revealed: Video of My Talk About Hypnosis to High School Students (11.22.16)

My entertaining talk at Northwest High School about hypnosis -- what it is and what it isn’t.

Dental Hygienist Talks Health, Wellness and Hypnosis (2.3.16)

A leader in the mid-Atlantic dental community talks career, health and what it was like to be hypnotized.

Richard Montgomery High School Psychology Curriculum Comes Alive (4.8.16)

Recap of my talk about and demonstration of hypnosis to more than 150 high school students.

Cross Fit Competitor Gives Hypnosis a Try (8.24.16)

This athlete goes all in when it comes to her physical training.  Will hypnosis give her the mental edge required to be a champion?

CrossFit Competitor Gives Hypnosis a Try

I write frequently on this blog about how professional and collegiate athletes employ visualization as a tool to improve performance in competition, remain positive and more quickly recover from injury.

Here is a link to my article about the Washington Capitals’ Braden Holtby.  And here is the piece about the University of Maryland basketball team entitled How the Lady Terps Achieve Zen.

What about amateur athletes?  For them, participation is typically about passion and wellness. Can hypnosis enrich their competitive experience?

To answer those questions I sought out a woman who trains and competes in CrossFit.  Statuesque and in pristine physical condition, she explained why she made the leap about two years ago from CrossFit as a personal vehicle for health to competitive environments.

“I like to try new things,” she explained.  “CrossFit competitions give me the chance to measure my progress in strength, cardio and endurance against others.  I also enjoy the competitive side of it.  It is motivating.”

Her most recent competition failed to produce the desired result.  She placed eighth out of 18 competitors, which she found personally disappointing.

“My engine wasn’t prepared to go the whole day,” she explained.

We talked about hypnosis, what it is (and isn’t) and how it allows an athlete to improve focus and concentration.  It was time for a simple hypnotic induction and “confidence” visualization, which took about 20 minutes.

She enjoyed the process, although failed to achieve a deep state of hypnosis.  I suspect this was partly a result of the environment which was somewhat distracting.

When asked her opinion of hypnosis, her comments were insightful.

“It’s similar to guided meditation in terms of stress relief,” she said.  “The hypnosis process encourages more self confidence.”

CrossFit combines speed, strength and agility.  (Photo source: Crossfit.com)