Brett Cotter, the founder of Stress Is Gone, established the organization in 2008 with the mission to provide effective stress relief tools accessible to everyone.
After experiencing the power of holistic healing in his own journey, he wanted to share techniques that could be easily applied to manage stress and trauma. Over the years, Stress Is Gone has evolved into a comprehensive resource, offering techniques such as the Stress Stopper Breathwork and the core 3 Laws of Stress Relief.
In his interview with MysticMag, Brett shares how his work has reached high-risk groups such as military veterans and inner-city youth, offering them a path to healing and transformation.
What inspired you to establish Stress Is Gone, and how has the organization evolved since its inception in 2008?
When I saw how effective the tools, techniques, and approaches were working in my own healing journey, I wanted to share them with everybody. I had a holistic healing company before Stress Is Gone, which was open from 2001 to 2005. It was very esoteric in nature and wasn’t to relatable. In 2008, I wanted to create something anyone could use, that would contain honed techniques, tools, and approaches that were coming through in my coaching sessions, workshops, and meditations.
The website you see now for www.StressIsGone.com is the 4th generation and our membership site is the 2nd generation. Our offerings are always evolving, and the tools layer upon and interconnect with one another. As time goes on I learn how to teach the principals more simply.
Can you explain the core principles of the Stress Is Gone Method and how it helps individuals manage and alleviate stress?
Fifteen years ago I wrote the 3 Laws of Stress Relief, as overarching principles that encompass everything we do. They are:
The 1st Law: The memories we repress create more stress.
The 2nd Law: Assessing routine stress can surface repressed memories.
The 3rd Law: Resolving repressed memories makes daily stress much less.
Around the same time I created our first breathwork method which was certified by the American Institute of Stress in 2012. The technique is called Stress Stopper Breathwork. It is the fastest way I have found to naturally activate the body’s Relaxation Response.
We use these principles and practices to surface and release the painful emotions imprinted on repressed memories from childhood. As this happens our life becomes less stressful, we feel more safe, and we naturally become more confident.
How do your programs cater to high-risk demographics, such as military veterans and inner-city youth, in terms of stress relief and trauma processing?
One of the many things that separates our approach is we know how to get to the source of the stress and guide the individual through letting go of the emotional pain.
I have worked in inner-city schools, after-school programs, correctional facilities, the VA, military bases, and natural / community disaster sites, and received grants to have more veterans attend our retreats.
When I am in the room with any of the above groups, it’s always the same process I bring people through to release stress, anxiety, and emotional pain from traumatic memories. We assess the routine stress, surface the repressed stress, and use a few techniques to release the trauma from the mind and body.
I also utilize our non-profit from time to time to run programs that help very high-risk demographics such as homeless veterans, natural disaster survivors, etc.
We also lead retreats all throughout the year. Our next retreat is for women and starts March 28th at the Himalayan Institute in Pennsylvania.
Could you share a success story where your approach significantly impacted an individual’s ability to manage stress or recover from trauma?
There are endless turnaround success stories of comeback victories because that is what Stress Is Gone is, my comeback story that I now share through my actions. A client success story that always brings a smile to my face is the one of Rick Williamson. Rick was suicidal when we met, and after some coaching, he became a Peer Support Specialist helping others. Here’s an abbreviated version of his testimonial.
“I was depressed and suicidal. In 45 minutes that all changed. I owe my life to Brett. I learned how to cope with PTSD and be at peace within myself.” – Rick Williamson, Army Veteran, Peer Support Specialist, MT
You can see a video of Rick here.
What role do your mobile apps and online resources play in providing accessible stress relief tools to a broader audience?
Our membership site is our flagship product. Every day my wife and I teach live relaxation classes via Zoom to help our members maintain balance. We set up a beautiful membership website and for $15 a month, you get 25 live sessions, replays, and our masterclass. Our new mobile app is called PTSD Keys. It predicts and stops your stress in real-time, in the heat of the moment. Now my books are helping more and more people especially, The Stress Is Gone Method, and The Suicide Prevention Family Handbook.
How does your organization collaborate with other entities, such as hospitals, schools, and non-profits, to promote stress management and mental health awareness?
We work with NYC Schools, non-profits, and corporations regularly. Typically we lead live sessions for high-stress groups and supply clients with relaxation products to maintain a low-stress state. Last year I began training crisis line operators and peer support specialists in my Suicide Prevention Protocol. This helps mental health professionals feel more confident and clear in very high-stress situations.
Find out more at: www.stressisgone.com
