Debra Heslin is a renowned wellness expert and the founder of Debra Heslin Wellness, Inc., a platform dedicated to helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals through a combination of NLP, HeartMath®, and Hypnosis techniques. Debra has developed a holistic approach to wellbeing that addresses the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit. Her passion for empowering individuals to achieve optimal health and wellness has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor, sought after by clients worldwide. Through her coaching, training, and speaking engagements, Debra has helped countless individuals achieve their personal and professional goals while living happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. MysticMag chats with Debra.
Can you tell us about your background and how you became involved in the fields of NLP, HeartMath, and hypnosis?
I used to work in corporate America, moving from Australia to New York at the age of 23. I was raised in Australia, and my father was a preacher, and my background was very strict. Shortly after moving to the United States, I began a desktop publishing business which I ran in New York for 18 years. During that time, I transitioned into the airline industry, working my way up the corporate ladder and became the General Manager of John F. Kennedy airport for a major airline responsible for over 1,800 flight attendants.
Although I was financially stable and marrying the man of my dreams, my three daughters were doing fabulous, I was at the effect of my job and allowed it to cause me a lot of stress and anxiety. I struggled to cope with the chaos at work and maintain my composure. My sleep was affected and as a result I felt I was unable to cope.
Feeling I needed something to make me feel better fast, I went to a psychologist on Long Island telling him about how I was feeling. To my surprise (and later gratitude) he told me I didn’t need medication – I needed to learn how to deal with stress and work on what was making me unhappy. He recommended a book and suggested that I continue practicing yoga, which I was already doing, and go on a yoga retreat. The book led me to explore the connection between the mind and body. I started to study coaching and training methods under different mentors like Jack Canfield, Brendan Burchard, Janet Bray Atwood, and many others. That eventually led to NLP after Jack Canfield suggested that I check it out.
After completing my first NLP training, my coaching business really took off. I learned that there is no one formula for success – everyone’s journey is different. I began to understand how the mind can have a strong impact on the results we achieve. Since then, my coaching business has expanded and my clients have seen great results. I feel fulfilled helping people achieve their goals and am grateful for the path that has led me to where I am today.
How do you approach helping clients achieve their goals through these modalities? Can you walk us through a typical session or program?
When working with my clients, my first priority is to understand what they want to achieve and what is holding them back from having that now. Typically, it’s limiting beliefs and doubts that prevent them from getting the results they desire. These obstacles are often self-created, and their mindset may not be aligned with their goals.
To help them overcome these challenges, I use a process that involves listening to their language, both what they say and what they don’t say. We dig deeper to identify the underlying issues beneath the surface problem or challenge. Often, what’s stopping them from achieving their goals is rooted in blame, stories they tell themselves, memories, or beliefs that don’t serve them.
Once we’ve identified these issues, we work to remove them, focusing on what they want to achieve instead of the reasons why they cannot get what they want. By shifting their mindset and overcoming these obstacles, my clients can achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
Can you share some success stories of clients you have worked with? What were their challenges, and how did you help them overcome them?
I have worked with various individuals and helped them achieve their goals. One of my clients, an attorney, has been working with me for quite a few years now. He also ended up becoming a student and attending the NLP training course. We worked together setting various business goals and overcoming any doubts. Implementing strategies that worked for him. Today, he is highly successful in his business with four law offices.
Another client came to me 18 months ago after experiencing some of life’s major stressors, including a divorce and job loss. Instead of blaming others, he took control of his life, and within 18 months, he transformed himself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He is an inspiration to many. I’m grateful to have been able to guide him, and the credit goes to him as he did the work. I challenge my clients, but ultimately, they are the ones doing the work, and the more they put into the process, the better and faster the results. It’s a journey, and I’m honored to be a part of their journey.
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest developments and research in these practices and how do you incorporate new insights and techniques?
I’m always eager to learn and improve myself. In fact, I’m attending another training in Portugal in two weeks to study different energy techniques on how to heal the body through movement. I believe that physical fitness is just one aspect of wellness. Emotional, spiritual, and mental fitness are equally important, and they all manifest into our physical bodies. That’s why I’m constantly learning and teaching others how to align all these areas of wellness so that we don’t just cope with life, we thrive in it. I’m always looking to raise my level and help others do the same.
What advice do you have for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in your line of work?
Well, funny enough, I now teach what I learnt that propelled my business. I teach two NLP Practitioner Certification Trainings a year and one Master Practitioner Certification Training, which can be found on my website. Of course, studying extensively in anything you are passionate about is key. It’s important to really immerse yourself in your passion and learn everything you can about it. Finding a mentor or someone who’s already successful in the field you want to pursue is an added tool. That’s exactly what I did – I found someone I admired and wanted to emulate, and I studied under them to learn as much as I could. The key is to never stop learning and keep expanding your knowledge and skills.
If you would like to find out more about Debra Heslin, visit https://www.debraheslinwellness.com/ or follow on https://www.instagram.com/debraheslin/ or https://www.facebook.com/debra.heslin
