Alan Sands – The SandMan
Hi, I’m Alan! I’ve been doing hypnosis since 1977, but my journey took off seriously in 1993. I had some unique advantages and a few challenges along the way.
Advantages – My father performed stage hypnosis, and I tried it out in high school. But at 17, I knew I wasn’t ready, so I took a break. At 32, I jumped back into hypnosis with renewed passion.
I started performing comedy magic in elementary school, following in the footsteps of my father, George Sands, a full-time professional magician. In my late 20s & 30s, I shared stages with Hypnotist Terry Stokes Sr. His influence shaped my career, and I consider him one of the best. As a Boot Camp student, you receive Terry’s book, Stage Hypnosis My Way. It provides practical wisdom to help along the way.
I also studied and highly recommend Ormond McGill’s New Encyclopedia of Stage Hypnosis, available here: http://alansands.com/encyclopedia. It’s a must-have for every aspiring stage hypnotist.
As a registered student in our class, we send you “Stage Hypnosis My Way, by Terry Stokes, Sr.”
Challenges
When I started, formal training for stage hypnosis didn’t exist. There was no one to teach the ins and outs like there is today, like Marc Savard, Terry Stokes, Richard Barker, Justin Tranz, Jim Wand (deceased), Jonathan Chase (deceased), Alex William Smith (aka Jonathan Royle also in England) Jerry Valley (deceased), Tommy Vee, Michael DeSchalit, Kevin Lepine, Don Spencer, Barry Jones, Rich Guzzi, Michael Anthony, Justin James.
I attended Jerry Valley’s first Stage Hypnosis Training class with Ormond McGill & Shelly Stockwell in 1999 and again attended Jerry’s class in 2015 with Tommy Vee & Michael DeSchalit. But I wanted more—a hands-on, immersive experience for beginners. That’s why I created this Boot Camp: to give aspiring hypnotists the real-world training I wished I’d had.
And that is how our STAGE TRAINING was created.
I wanted to give back. Stage hypnosis has allowed me to travel around the world performing – but I also want people to have the jumpstart I did not have.
Lisa Kunschick (alias Misty Knight)
Hi, I am Lisa…
I began studying hypnosis in 1983 with the help of some legends: Ormond McGill, Charlie Tebbetts, and James Russell. Their guidance shaped my approach and my career.
Advantages
I was young and ready to learn.
I trained with some of the greats of hypnosis, including Ormond McGill, Charlie Tebbetts, and James Russell. They influenced and shaped the way I practice hypnosis.
I spent years studying and was very gung ho.
Disadvantages
I was passionate and eager to learn. My early mentors gave me the tools to develop my skills and confidently dive into hypnosis. But I was young. I immediately started advertising for clients; they looked at me like a little kid.
Challenges
Youth can be a double-edged sword. Starting young meant clients sometimes didn’t take me seriously. My mentor suggested switching to stage hypnosis, where my age wouldn’t matter. I began performing at house parties and eventually found my way to clinical hypnosis, building a successful 14-year practice in Escondido, California.
What We Offer: Real-World Experience
At our Boot Camp, we provide what we wish we’d had when we started:
- On-Stage Experience: Perform for live audiences, show after show.
- Personalized Coaching: Receive direct guidance from two experienced mentors.
- Demo Creation: Capture high-quality video footage and photos to build your portfolio.
- Production Essentials: Get support with costumes, music, and all the technical details that make a show professional.
Fairs are the perfect training ground, giving you fresh audiences for every performance. This setup lets you polish your skills, try new material, and grow as a real-time stage hypnotist.
The Evolution of Boot Camp
In October 2013, Alan launched this hands-on training program, mentoring newcomers Dr. Dan Anders and Brian Varano. Since then, our program has grown, providing participants with live show experience and video footage for detailed review.
Our curriculum covers everything: sound systems, video equipment, microphone techniques, and sales strategies. It’s an immersive learning environment, delivering skills that usually take years to develop. To date, we’ve coached 48 individuals through 18 sessions, with many returning for advanced training, which speaks to the effectiveness and value of this program.
Our Teaching Philosophy
- Explain: We tell you what we’re going to do.
- Demonstrate: We show you step-by-step.
- Practice: You do it with our guidance and support.
Success Stories
Many of our students have built thriving careers, performing full-stage hypnosis shows and earning impressive fees. Here are a few highlights:
- Michael Mayo – Performs regularly and continues to grow his career.
- James Dayley is a full-time stage hypnotist who has repeatedly returned to refine his craft.
- Lynx Kim is a full-time entertainer who has mastered stage hypnosis and magic.
- Kegan Remmey – Travels the world, delivering comedy shows and wowing audiences.
- Michael Darvy – Known for his unique style and engaging shows.
- Marc Marshall (HypnoMarc) – Combines comedy and hypnosis for unforgettable performances.
You can learn more about me on my bio page: http://alansands.com/bio.
Lynx Kim ~ ASEVariety.com/magicians/lynx-the-animator/
Kegan Remmey ~ ASEVariety.com/hypnotists/kegan-remmey/
Michael O’Clair alias Michael Darvy – ASEVariety.com/hypnotists/michael-darvy/
Marc Marshall is HypnoMarc – ASEVariety.com/hypnotists/marc-marshall-hypnomarc-comedy-hypnosis-show/
