In a groundbreaking approach to personal and professional development, The MindShift Coach is pioneering a holistic methodology that combines cutting-edge research in neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and leadership coaching. Founded on the principles of transformative growth and empowerment, this innovative coaching platform is specifically designed to help high-achieving leaders unlock their full potential and navigate the complexities of today’s fast-paced world with resilience, adaptability, and purpose.

Join us for a conversation with The MindShift Coach Founder and seasoned hypnotherapist, Jacqueline Young, as she shares her professional insights on the transformative power of hypnosis and why she has chosen to refocus her brand.

1. Unlocking the potential of the human mind is indeed fascinating. What sparked your interest in hypnotherapy, and what inspired you to establish The MindShift Coach?

My past work in education, with a focus on neuro divergent learners and their families, ensured that I stayed up to date on mental wellness, neuroscience, neuroplasticity, and current brain research—all paths that eventually led me to hypnosis and how to work with the unconscious mind’s resources. At the same time, I had used hypnosis as a client and achieved lasting results, so I knew it worked. Once I learned about the science and the importance of the work in this field, I was hooked. I built my brand on extending this focus on education both about hypnosis itself and how the mind and brain function and empowerment, which is the ultimate goal for my clients. To address the second part of your question, I’ve chosen to shift just slightly to a new brand – The Mindshift Coach – to focus on a more specific audience of high-achieving leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives. This shift allows me to go beyond hypnosis alone and integrate a broader range of transformative strategies, helping these professionals cultivate resilience, clarity, and alignment. My goal is to empower them to create positive, high-performing work cultures where both individuals and organizations thrive.

2. How does hypnotherapy intersect with scientific psychiatric studies?

Hypnotherapy and psychiatry have much in common. Hypnosis has been proven to enhance neuroplasticity, helping the brain rewire thought patterns for lasting change. It works effectively alongside cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to break negative cycles and is highly beneficial in trauma treatment, pain management, and addiction recovery. Studies using brain imaging reveal that hypnosis influences key neural networks, calming overactive thoughts and regulating stress responses—much like meditation or mindfulness. I personally My practice utilizes and highlights the importance of parts therapy, recognized within psychiatric fields as a powerful intervention, and as a key component in addressing limiting beliefs and trauma.

3. What physical benefits can individuals expect from hypnotherapy, and how do these benefits manifest?

Hypnotherapy has incredible physical benefits that many people don’t realize! Hypnosis can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even boost immune function by promoting deep relaxation and reducing inflammation. It’s widely used for pain management, helping individuals with chronic pain, migraines, and conditions like IBS by altering how the brain processes discomfort. Hypnosis also improves sleep quality, supports the body’s natural healing processes, and can aid in breaking habits like smoking or emotional eating. These benefits manifest through real physiological changes—such as balanced hormone levels, improved nervous system regulation, and reduced muscle tension—demonstrating the power of the mind-body connection.

4. How does hypnotherapy influence self-esteem and leadership development, and what specific techniques are employed?

Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool for building self-esteem and developing strong leadership skills by reshaping subconscious beliefs and reinforcing confidence. Many leaders struggle with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or fear of failure, but hypnosis and mindshifting helps quiet the inner critic and replace limiting thoughts with empowering ones. Through techniques like guided visualization, positive suggestion, and mental rehearsal, individuals can strengthen their self-worth, enhance decision-making skills, and develop a calm, confident presence. Hypnosis also helps leaders learn how to regulate emotions, improve focus, and handle high-pressure situations with ease, fostering authentic and resilient leadership.

5. What unique challenges do men face that necessitate a specialized program, and how does the psychology of men differ from that of women in this context?

Before creating separate male and female groupings for my Mind, Body, and Spirit Coherence course, I interviewed many men and women to understand their unique needs. Men often face societal expectations, traditional gender roles, and internalized beliefs about strength and vulnerability that differ significantly from women. Many are conditioned to suppress emotions, prioritize logic over intuition, and view seeking help as a sign of weakness. This can lead to increased stress, burnout, and difficulty processing emotions healthily.

Psychologically, men are more likely to compartmentalize experiences, take a solution-focused approach to problems, and struggle with expressing deeper feelings. My specialized program acknowledges these differences and creates a space where men can develop emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-awareness in a way that feels accessible and empowering while honoring their strengths. Hypnotherapy and mindset coaching help reframe outdated beliefs, build confidence, and foster authentic leadership.

6. Please elaborate on the leadership courses offered by The MindShift Coach. What specific skills or knowledge do participants gain?

At The MindShift Coach, our leadership courses go beyond traditional training by integrating neuroscience, hypnosis, and mindset coaching to create lasting transformation in how leaders think, feel, and perform. Designed for leaders and professionals who want to reclaim their power, align their mind, body, and spirit, and lead with purpose, integrity, and clarity, these programs focus on resilience, self-mastery, and influence—the core of exceptional leadership.

What Participants Gain:

• Mastering the Mind – Harness neuroplasticity to shift unhelpful thought patterns, overcome self-doubt, and cultivate a growth mindset.
• Stress & Burnout Recovery – Learn mind-body coherence techniques, including breathwork, self-hypnosis, and nervous system regulation, to build resilience and recognize and deal with overwhelm.
• The Psychology of Influence – Develop strong communication skills to inspire, motivate, and lead effectively with a Servant Leadership ideology.
• Self-Agency & Confidence – Overcome imposter syndrome and lead with authenticity, integrity, and conviction.
• Vision & Purpose Alignment – Use deep subconscious work to reconnect with purpose and develop a mindset that supports long-term fulfillment.

Unlike traditional leadership programs focused solely on strategy and skills, The MindShift Coach recognizes that leadership starts in the mind. By leveraging hypnosis, participants experience deep mindset shifts that lead to lasting behavioral changes, enabling them to lead with confidence, clarity, and resilience.

7. What exclusive programs does The MindShift Coach offer for women educators, and how do these programs address their unique needs?

Women educators engage in leadership and decision-making differently from their male counterparts. My practice addresses these differences while building upon the strengths women inherently bring to the profession. We tackle over-achievement, people-pleasing, and perfectionism—a trifecta that often causes disharmony, stress, and overwhelm. Many women also struggle with setting strong boundaries and need to redefine success on their own terms. My programs are client-focused, often involving women who wish to learn together in a supportive environment.

8. Can you provide an overview of the adolescent and school support services offered by The MindShift Coach?

With my background as a principal, coordinator of special education, superintendent, and CEO of a school board, I understand the challenges parents face when dealing with their child’s school, as well as the difficulties schools encounter when engaging with parents. My interventions help both parties find solutions that prioritize the child’s well-being rather than escalating conflicts. Additionally, I support students struggling with anxiety, overwhelm, or lack of focus through individualized coaching, especially as we continue to see residual effects from the COVID years.

9. Congratulations Jacqueline Young on being awarded “HOLISTIC WELLNESS INSTRUCTOR OF 2024”! How does this recognition impact your work as CEO and Founder of The MindShift Coach, and what initiatives do you intend to implement to expand the scope of hypnotherapy?

Thank you so much for your kind words! I am deeply honoured by both this recognition and the one platform offered by this publication! To be truthful the recognition is meaningful given how new my business is and how much I’ve been able to accomplish. But overall I will simply continue to focus on the path I have set for myself. I will simply continue to do the work I love and that I know is making a profound difference for my clients. I am accepting more speaking engagements and actively acquiring these opportunities where I can expand my audience and influence. I am currently rebranding which I think helps people get past their preconceptions and old notions of hypnosis. I am also actively focusing my work with C suite executives and entrepreneurs looking for coaching that will enhance their leadership in powerful and long lasting ways. I have had so much success with these clients in these coaching relationships and they feel so much better about defining the type of leader they truly want to be and embody. In fact, I’m betting that many of your readers would love this type of coaching! But all in all my work continues to be all about understanding the mind and learning how to work with and embody the opportunities and resources provided by the mind, body and spirit and enjoy both professional and personal growth.

Company Name: The Mindshift Coach
Founder: Jacqueline D Young
Website: https://openmindshypnosis.ca/