Wayne Walker is not just a hypnotist; he's a catalyst for positive change, dedicated to guiding individuals towards their desired destinies. Despite facing adversity in a broken home with an alcoholic mother, Wayne's early exposure to hypnosis during kickboxing training sparked a deep-seated passion for helping others unleash their inner potential. As the founder of Reflective Mind Hypnosis, Wayne offers personalized assistance to clients across the country, driven by his relentless mission to make each day better than the last.
Wayne Walker, Seasoned Professional Speaker and Trainer
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life so we can get to know you better.
My siblings and I did not have a great childhood or stable home. I grew up worse than some but better than most. Many kids grow up in a homes with instability and chaos. It sucks, but it is what it is.
My mom and dad divorced when I was around five years old, and my mom kept moving us to try and keep our dad out of our lives, and he finally just disappeared altogether. She was a raging alcoholic, and my siblings and I would deal with this throughout our childhood. When I was around twelve or so, Mom had one of her alcohol-fueled blow-ups. My brother, sister, and I moved in with our grandparents to live full-time. Our Grandmother became our primary caregiver. The step-grandfather was a cutting horse trainer and contributed little to our raising. We spent most of our time at their house anyway.
It wasn't until I was 18 that I could reconnect with my dad. The memories of my dad were good ones. In my many conversations with my dad, I learned that my mom's drinking was the catalyst for their divorce.
As a child living with not only an alcoholic but a person who was constantly in a depressive mode, always angry and just not a person who should have been a parent. As I grew into adulthood, listening to the tells of the family's past and then asking pointed questions, I discovered things about my mom and her upbringing. And it was clear why she was the way she was, which was through no fault of her own.
The Angel Next Door
Michael Shewmake and his wife lived next door to my grandparents. This man would be instrumental in my development in the coming teenage years. I believe he was a person that God put into my life for a reason.
Mr. Shewmake, an ex-Marine, was also a police officer on the local police force, and he trained dogs. During the spring and summer, I was responsible for mowing our extensive property with a push mower every week. By the time I was done, it was time to mow again. It seems that all I did was mow. I was mowing next to the fence one day, and Mr. Shewmake's garage was open. He had a bag and other assorted equipment and was punching and kicking the bag. I stopped and turned off the mower to watch him. He then turned and saw me. I asked him, "What are you doing?" he walked over to me and told me he was practicing Tae Kwon Do, a form of Korean martial arts. My eyes widened with curiosity, and then he asked, "Do you want to learn it?" of course, I said yes, and he told me to be at his garage at that same time the next day. I was about thirteen years old then, and this was the start of my martial arts journey. God put me where I needed to be when I mowed my grandparent's yard the day I saw Mr. Shewmake working out in his garage. When Mr. Shewmake opened his Tae Kwon Do school in Terrell, Texas, I was one of the first students and, at seventeen years old, the first Black Belt student. I paid for my lessons, and my sister's, from the very start. I could not wait for Tuesday and Thursday night classes when the school was open.
Martial arts gave me direction at that time and in my life. Mr. Shewmake was my main male role model then, and I owe a lot to this man in many ways.
Train, Train, and Train Some More
I was singularly focused on what I wanted: to become a Black Belt. I was not interested in team sports, although I played them a few times during my childhood; I didn't particularly like relying on others to win or lose. I would much prefer to do it myself. As a child, I was on the small side, not outgoing, but I liked making new friends and connecting with people. Like most kids between eight and sixteen, I was a bit goofy. Being in martial arts made growing up a little bit easier for me. The small stature of my body and mind did not make a difference in martial arts. Martial arts was all about me, no one else, and I liked that. I did grow and fill out throughout high school.
Because the martial arts school was only open on Tuesday and Thursday nights, it was not nearly enough for me. So I trained outside of class. Every day, I devoted one to two hours, sometimes more, to training with my friend who lived next door and was also a student at the school.
In my training, I conditioned myself to absorb and ignore pain. This wasn't anything anyone told me to do. I just did it because, for me, it made sense. I would do pushups, sit-ups, and anything else I thought would strengthen my body. Living on a small ranch, we had horses that needed feed and hay, so the truck would be loaded with it when my grandfather came home from getting feed. I would run down to the barn to unload it. The bags of feed weighed fifty pounds each, and those were heavy bags to pick up at eleven. I have horses today, and those fifty-pound bags are still heavy. I used to unload the feed out of the truck as a way to get stronger.
As time passed, I could hoist a bag of feed on my shoulder and dump it into the large barrel in the feed room. But eventually, I could carry two bags at a time. This did not happen overnight, it took time. I got stronger. There were times when I asked my grandfather to put another bag on top of the one that was already on my shoulder so I could carry three bags, a total of 150 pounds at a time. He would back the truck up and get it as close to the feed room as possible. I would have him pull the truck forward so the distance was more significant. Then there was the hay. The average bale of hay weighed seventy-five to one hundred pounds or more. Throwing hay will make you not only strong but "country strong," as they say. We were working on our "core" before anyone came up with the term.
All through high school, I trained and got physically stronger. At the same time, I started conditioning my body and mind to absorb pain and not show it or acknowledge it.
The very act of getting stronger with purpose or intention reinforced my subconscious mind to accept and overcome pain. And soon, it was a self-feeding process where every act reinforced the other. Once the subconscious mind accepts whatever you are trying to do as it is programming, it will not deviate from it. The body will break before the mind gives up, or you will consciously allow the mind to give up.
At around seventeen, I started kickboxing and fought in non-professional events. My first match was with a much more experienced fighter. I thought I was going to waltz in an knock this guy out or at least finish all the rounds of the fight. To say I was ill-prepared is an understatement. I had trained hard but was not nearly enough to finish the job. At the start of the first round, this guy overwhelmed me, got me in a corner, hit me in the floating rib area, and all air decided to vacate the premises, end of the fight, technical knockout (TKO) in the first round.
After the fight everyone around me said "good try" or would make excuses for me such as "he was bigger or stronger, more experienced and so on." All I know is that I lost and it was my loss alone. I would not be deterred or fight again, but I would do things differently. I would get out of the small town and into the big city to train where the big dogs were. In the meantime, I still trained locally, and my best friend brought a guy named Davis Cox to watch me train, who was educated in some sort of psychology thing. When I finished my training workout, he approached me and said, "Scooter," my nickname, "why don't you let me hypnotize you to help your training?" I asked him what that was, and all he said was it would help me. If it helped, and I needed all of that I could get, I was game for it. So we set up a time to meet in a barn because it was quiet, secluded, and had the space Davis wanted to do his magic on me. I remember him starting the process, being very relaxed, and then I was simply gone; I was in a deep state of hypnosis.
He conditioned me that when I heard the bell to start the fight, I would go into hypnosis and tap into some inner resources. Today, it's known as "in the zone," and typically, a person doesn't come out until the end of the fight. This served me well because I was singularly focused on destroying my opponent. I felt no pain; I was tapping into all the muscle memory I had developed. I was calm, and everything clicked. My timing also improved fivefold. I worked with him several more times, reinforcing this beneficial conditioning.
When I was training in boxing, I was introduced to the term "telegraphing," which is simply something a person does before doing what they intend to do. This is not limited to boxing. Telegraphing is everywhere, and if you pay attention, you can spot it and use it to your advantage. In the physical realm, being able to spot a telegraphing move can make it seem you are faster than you are. Hypnosis helped me to spot "micro" movements in the boxing ring, and to this day, people consider me fast. I'm probably a little faster than the average guy. I have an excellent ability to spot telegraphing in movement. This leads me to the next thing called "anticipation."
I submit that you can learn to anticipate many things without consciously thinking about it. If you have to think about it, it's already too late. How would one learn to do this? Through hypnosis, of course. We all have this ability; we do not generally know how to use, develop, or tap into it, but we all have it.
It could also be called "listening to your gut instinct," or maybe your guardian angel is trying to communicate with you, guide you, and protect you. When Davis was working with me, he broached all these areas in some way, and to this day, they stuck with me; they are a part of my natural self. These things do not just disappear or have a shelf life.
The other thing that happens is that those other areas of who you are begin to develop due to the openness of the aspects you work on. While Davis was working with me, he never mentioned anything about "timing" or even broached the subject, yet my timing improved drastically. Very little happens in a vacuum. The subconscious will fill the gaps with something, but one needs to be mindful because what the subconscious mind fills the gap may not be good. I call this the "ripple effect" Davis became a trusted friend and confidant in many ways before his passing.
This is but a small glimpse of how hypnosis has affected me conditioned me, and served me well long before I ever trained to become a hypnotist. The process of hypnosis affects us all. Stop for a moment and reflect on your own life, maybe about a certain event and how that one event shaped you and served you well. Or maybe how that event negatively affected you and it haunts you to this day.
While still in high school, I got married and was expecting a child, and it was a sudden and drastic transition into adulthood. Despite the circumstances, I have no regrets and would have stayed in the relationship if things had been different. Being so young and so many thing out of my control. The union gave me a wonderful and amazing son. Following my marriage's end, I joined the U.S. Army as a communications specialist and was assigned to the 197th Infantry Brigade A Company at Fort Benning, Georgia. There, I joined the All Army Karate team and traveled to various locations nationwide and abroad to do outreach demonstrations. I also competed in numerous tournaments and competitions.
After completing my service, I returned to Texas for about six months before departing for California to work at a construction company where my father was a Vice President. Although we had little history together, my dad and I were able to develop a closer relationship over time. We were about as close as I hoped before his passing.
Growing into my young adult years, I developed an interest in the mind and what makes people do what they do. Because I chose the field of sales as my work, I attended many seminars by many of the most well-known speakers. Some of these speakers were Zig Ziegler, Brian Tracy, Tom Hopkins, Tony Robbins, and Dennis Waitley to name a few. I have read many books from these people and other books about personalities, eye movement, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), and emotional freedom tapping (EFT). When I was training to be a hypnotist in the late nineties, I was exposed to tools such as handwriting analysis, pendulums, and specialties such as the occult, past lives, and spiritualism. Some of the things I studied were interesting. Being interested in it doesn't necessarily mean I had bought into these things, but I can appreciate a person's perspective and how that can be their reality. As a hypnotist, I work with many people from various backgrounds and beliefs, so I must put aside my belief system and biases to be effective for them in overcoming their issues or helping them grow and change into the person they want to be, whatever that person looks like.
When I decided to learn hypnosis and go to school for it, I had no interest in pursuing it as a business. At the time, I was in construction and in the process of taking over my dad's construction business in Los Angeles. It was not until several years later that I decided to pursue the business side of hypnosis and see clients for fees. I even did comedy hypnosis shows, and this is where a lot of my clients came from.
Because of my background and exposure to so many different things, I feel I have a unique style and ability that works very well. The interesting thing about people who become hypnotists and hypnotherapists is that they really want to help people. As a group, hypnotists are exposed and educated about on how the subconscious mind can support patients during medical treatments and in recovery.
At the drop of a hat, a well-trained and confident hypnotist may demonstrate hypnosis with practically anyone, at any time, in any place. They will leave people amazed at what just happened with their subjects. Every person who becomes a hypnotist has a unique story as to their "why." I find that very few people start out wanting to be a hypnotist, which is good because they bring life experiences that can be a tremendous benefit when working with clients.
Today, my wife and I have a ranch where we live with seven dogs, raise a few heads of cattle, have a horse or two, a three-legged pony and a miniature donkey, goats, chickens and sometimes pigs. My wife's and my kids are grown so it's just us, but we always help people who need it.
Can you share a bit about the journey that led you to establish Reflective Mind Hypnosis and what inspired you to specialize in hypnotherapy?
I created and started Reflective Mind Hypnosis when I became serious about what I "sortta" wanted to do. I spent a lot of time on deciding on the name Reflective Mind Hypnosis. I wanted it to be a name and a focus of what I did. When we look in a mirror at ourselves, we rarely like what we see. I wanted to help people change that perception. In the years I did hypnosis, I always had another job to make my money and used the income from hypnosis for the extra stuff. Looking back, I should have jumped headlong into hypnosis as a business for many reasons. I do not get wrapped up in what I call myself; hypnosis is what I do, what I use to help people. Being considered or hanging the title of a "hypnotherapist" on myself is not important. I consider myself a person who is good at helping people see the best in themselves and then using hypnosis to solidify that change and growth.
What specific areas or issues do you primarily address through your hypnotherapy services?
What I find is that many people struggle with Anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, all caused by past experiences of one sort or the other. People come to me when they have tried everything else and it failed, or they want to "try" hypnosis to see if it will work for them. People do not like taking pills or medications nowadays. They know there is a better way to be the person they want to be. I help people overcome anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, become a non-smokers, or lose weight to get healthy, sleep better, or even become more confident to tackle fears and phobias. I work with athletes, owners of companies, and other high-powered people to get the edge.
How do you ensure hypnosis's safety and ethical practice in your sessions?
As a hypnotist, I know the fine line between ethical and manipulative practices. Safety is paramount, and I ensure that my clients are secure while in the "magic chair." Inducing hypnosis is relatively easy, but once a person is under, I must consider the outcome of any suggestion or intervention I make. I always ask myself, "At what cost?" before proceeding. This means that I will not cross certain boundaries, even if a client requests it. Often, clients are unsure of what they want, so I spend time getting to know them and building a rapport based on trust.
Around 10% of people who approach me for my services are turned away for various reasons. Money is not the determining factor; my focus is on helping people. During the initial interview, I assess whether I can help a person or if they will resist the process. I have an ego and like to be successful, so if I feel that I cannot achieve a certain level of success with a client, I may turn them away. This doesn't mean I won't work with them in the future; they may just need more time to prepare for my approach.
Could you elaborate on some success stories or testimonials from clients who have benefited from your hypnotherapy treatments?
I have a 97% success rate in helping people become non-smokers, but I say this with a caveat. I spend time in the interview process with the people who come to me to quit smoking. I ask specific questions and expect certain answers; if I do not get them, I eliminate them from working with them. I get emails occasionally letting me know they are still not smoking, which makes me happy.
I have worked with children that are mid to high-functioning autistic, which has changed the lives of everyone in the family for the better. Of getting an email from a client who states they are feeling different and performing better and are surprised.
All of my clients benefit from working with me because my focus is change and growth so they can become the person God meant them to be.
In what ways do you personalize your approach to meet the unique needs and goals of each client?
I use different tools and approaches, such as a personality test, looking at a person's handwriting, or how I can challenge and push a person. As a martial arts instructor and having owned schools and been the head in instructor at a couple, I know how to challenge and push a person to grow and develop a belief in themselves. I look at a person and see where and what they can be, not where they are now. I help people to stop living in the past. The past is what we learn from, and it's not something we should be dragging behind us.
Beyond individual sessions, do you offer additional resources or support to help clients maintain their progress outside of therapy?
I provide customized audio recordings for reinforcement. These are an essential part of my program and my approach. There is a method to my madness, I do not do things when working with my clients without careful thought.
Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.
I do not look at things in the way of best or greatest; I look at what I do and accomplish as growth to allow me to help others where and when I can. Every client that I work with is special and unique.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?
I would want the medical profession to understand what I do more and see its value. However, that change would mean less money for their industry.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
My junior high school teacher, Mrs Frances, attended our church. One Sunday, my Grandmother and I walked to the rec center/Sunday school class building and met her in the driveway. My Grandmother had never met here. When she saw me she smiled big, hugged me and then asked who I was with, so I said my Grandmother. Mrs Frances then told my Grandmother how much she liked and enjoyed me in her class. However, then she said, "Scooter, which is my nickname, and my family still refers to me today by that name, Mrs. Frances said, "Scooter is my guy in the white hat, he is always trying to protect and help people." To this day, when I think about that moment, I get emotional. That one statement has guided me in many things in my life and guides me in what I do.
Before every session with a client, I say a quick prayer, asking for guidance, wisdom, and understanding. I also ask for insight to see what is hidden. I believe I am just the working part providing the effort and movement. My role is to lead people to the place where they can make changes and achieve growth that they may have been struggling with for their entire life.
I want to leave the readers of this article with this. Life can be challenging, and we all face difficult situations. Some people could not grow up in the best places or circumstances. Most of us wanted "better" in many areas. We should never dwell on what we did not have or blame others for where we are in this life. It may not be your fault; however, returning and reliving your past life provides you nothing. However, we can learn from everything we experience, even horrible things. There are always lessons to learn, and we can grow even in dire circumstances if we have the right direction, inspiration, and mindset. But we must change our subconscious and internal programming to support what we want instead of constantly battling and beating us into submission, forcing us to live with failure. The most unfortunate thing is that we do not even know this is occurring.
