Raising Awareness Through Energy and Conscious Leadership – Exclusive Interview with Craig Cooke
- Brainz Magazine
- 12h
- 6 min read
Craig Cooke is a successful Conscious Entrepreneur, award-winning and bestselling Author, Business Mentor, Speaker, and Doctor of Chinese Energetic Medicine. His diverse background exemplifies a journey of success. He founded a digital marketing agency in 1996 with $1,300 and a computer, and grew it into a five-time Inc. 5000 company, winning Best Places to Work and Top Places to Work four years in a row. He successfully sold the company in 2019 to a strategic buyer and now serves as a Business Mentor, incorporating energetic practices from his experience of medical qigong. Through his work that combines mindset, mastery, and energetics, Craig mentors CEOs and Founders to accelerate business growth and personal success.
Craig Cooke, Mentor, Author, Speaker & Conscious Entrepreneur
Who is Dr. Craig Cooke?
This is a question that all of us get asked at some point, but I would like to offer a unique response. I could respond by utilizing several labels, such as “I’m a CEO, Mentor, Doctor,” etc., but I prefer to answer this question at a much deeper soul level. I am a unique, divine expression of the creator experienced as joy. That’s who I really am.
What inspired you to blend ancient Eastern energy practices with modern business strategy?
It really began with my studies in Chinese Kung Fu when I was a teenager. When I started my company at the age of twenty-five, I applied principles I learned from martial arts to building and operating my business. That is the core concept of my book, “Business Kung Fu.” The energetic practices came into play when I started focusing on medical qigong. This came about in 2014 when I met a medical qigong practitioner who helped me get back to being centered and balanced during a time of high emotional and mental stress. I started training under this master in 2015, and the practice had a profound impact on me. It enabled me to achieve higher levels of performance and success, which inspired me to blend these practices into the professional world.
How does your work in Chinese Energetic Medicine help business leaders reduce stress and perform better?
Business leaders are under extreme stress from the daily demands of responsibilities and obligations of the relationships and situations they manage. These include employees, clients, vendors, investors, and family. On any given day, life can surprise us with unexpected, unpleasant surprises that knock us out of balance. Usually, the emotions we experience from these events can be highly charged, and it is these emotions that spin us out and knock us off our center. So, the question is, how fast can one get back to center and maintain balance? This is what my work does for business leaders.
Energy medicine helps regulate the nervous system. It alleviates stress and helps to remain calm and focused. When we operate from a centered place of calm and focus, we can navigate challenges more effectively. We can have clarity of mind and make better decisions. We can lead others from a place of calm confidence, inspiring teams to problem solve and execute efficiently and effectively. Operating in this manner leads to higher levels of performance. I know this as a fact, for I experienced it myself.
What is qigong, and how can someone new to it benefit personally and professionally?
Qigong is an ancient practice that originated in China thousands of years ago. It literally means “life force energy skill.” There are three traditional branches of qigong: martial, medical, and spiritual. I am experienced in all three.
There are numerous benefits both personally and professionally. From a personal standpoint, qigong provides a multitude of health and wellness benefits. Some of which include reduced anxiety and overall stress, improved circulation, better balance, healing of bodily functions and systems, especially among chronic conditions, and more. From a professional standpoint, beyond what I have already mentioned, it really helps one operate at a higher level and function amidst the chaos of the professional world. It helps you evolve to a better person, which enables you to have more positive and productive interactions with others. Eventually, this leads to better results in all your endeavors.
How do your workshops and classes help clients transform their energy and mindset?
I teach numerous qigong exercises and meditations that work with our energetic anatomy. Just like we have a physical anatomy, we have an energetic anatomy. Qigong enables us to heal, transform and optimize our energetic anatomy, which then impacts our physical body and our spirit – our heart and mind coherence. Qigong exercises and meditations integrate the mind, body, and breath in specific patterns and protocols for a desired outcome. This ultimately leads to a transformative shift in mindset as a whole new world is opened up to the practitioner.
Can you explain how your book Business Kung Fu connects ancient wisdom to modern leadership success?
I have a great example from chapter one in my book. I provide a success framework titled “The Five Elements of Success.” It is based on the Chinese Five Element Theory, which provides an ancient view on how energetic phases operate and constitute our entire reality. The five elements from this model include fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. These elements operate in cycles and have relationships with each other that are dependent on a conditional state of balance, excess, or deficiency. Based on my practice of Chinese Kung Fu and Qigong, I developed a solid understanding of this perspective, and it inspired me to create the Five Elements of Success. I fuse this ancient wisdom with my modern experience as an entrepreneur, which was comprised of many failures on my journey towards success. I also based it on my observations of other entrepreneurs and business leaders as I witnessed their journey. The Five Elements of Success I identify are Passion, Discipline, Expertise, Confidence, and Faith. It’s a model that resonates with practically everyone I introduce it to.
What common challenges do your clients face before working with you, and how do you help them overcome those obstacles?
Every client is unique and has their own set of challenges. Some are full of anxiety. Others are held back by fear. Many have excessive worry. These are emotional disturbances that can be alleviated. My doctoral thesis provides examples of how these conditions can be addressed through qigong. Readers can read the PDF or listen to a summary podcast here. My energetic practices help clients overcome these types of challenges.
Some clients have needs solely on their business. This is where I provide advisory and consulting services. Typical challenges include organizational culture, strategic planning, digital experiences, operational efficiencies, and leadership development. I take a collaborative approach to problem-solving. I utilize empathy through active listening and questioning, guiding my clients through problem-solving and overcoming business challenges.
How does your approach differ from traditional coaching or consulting services?
There are many excellent consultants, coaches, and advisers in the marketplace. However, I do have an extremely unique approach through my incorporation of energetics. I also base my operating system on three pillars: mindset, mastery, and energetics. It is through these three pillars that I guide clients along their journey, balancing the Five Elements of Success to accelerate business growth and personal fulfillment.
What results can someone expect after engaging with your one-on-one mentorship or programs?
Typical results lead to a new perspective, a shift in mindset, and a more positive outlook on life. A balanced sense of being that is ready to navigate challenges and overcome. These are the personal results that are more qualitative in nature. On the business side, it provides improvements in operational effectiveness and efficiency, which positively impact the bottom line.
What is the most powerful transformation you’ve seen in a client’s life or business?
I have received incredible feedback from clients. Many talk of transformation, but one example that stands out is from a tech entrepreneur. He essentially stated that I changed his life. He has undergone a profound transformation, removing blockages and being able to control and lead with his energy. This has translated into becoming a better leader and developing the strongest organizational culture he has ever had. You can watch his testimonial here.
What advice would you give to someone who’s curious about energy medicine but isn’t sure where to start?
My first recommendation is to try it out. In fact, readers can visit my website here and download a free qigong exercise that helps cleanse the three bodies (physical, energy, and spirit bodies) and even reduce anxiety. If it resonates, then I recommend taking a deeper dive by signing up for one of my programs or workshops when available. However, if there is a little hesitation to jump in, I also offer a self-directed mini-course and workshop, “A Taste of Qigong” and “The Dao of Qi.” These allow for personal, private practice anytime, anywhere. But once you step into the water, get ready to swim, as it’s an amazing journey of transformation that opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
Book a free, fifteen-minute consultation meeting to inquire about mentorship from Dr. Craig Cooke.
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