Derek Jameson has become a perfect example, to me, of someone who evolves the right way, in the right direction. His music and voice always spoke to me and I’m impressed by his knowledge of health and fitness. When he started to be vocal about his spiritual journey, it made so much sense. His posts, personality, and demeanor always had a tinge of peacefulness to them so I wasn’t surprised at all to find out he was also in the know about meditations, angels, and guides.
I’ve always believed in higher power and that there are entities who guide us, protect us, and lead us to other souls that are part of our journey. I’m thankful that those entities led me to Derek because knowing him for as long as I have has been a total pleasure. I also knew I could totally trust him to do a reading for me. I would highly recommend heading over to his website after you read our interview to schedule something for yourself. You can also check out his other services and jewelry too!
I was very impressed and pleased with my own nine card reading. So pleased that all of my bragging piqued the interest of at least one of my friends to reach out to Derek for her own. That makes me extremely happy too, when you trust and believe in someone, you want your friends to benefit as well!
I always love talking to Derek Jameson on social media, via email, and in person – so I could have asked him hundreds of questions. For now, I hope you enjoy the ones I chose:
Q: You definitely embody the term “Multi-Talented” – Musician, Trainer, Guide, Healer… am I leaving any out? Tell me how you got started on the music first and where that journey has taken you.
Derek Jameson: Lol! I am sure there are more titles that can be squished into description, but we can leave it at a digestible amount.
I started off performing as a character at a Paramount theme park in Northern California at 15 years old. Hiding behind a big head allowed me to explore my creative side and still be hidden away. I was very shut off from the world when I was young. Being made fun of started in 5th grade, so I had a few years under my belt to really base my self-worth on what others thought about me haha! At the same time I was writing lyrics and playing basic chords on the piano. It was a way to express the dark that was burrowing inside of me. This creative outlet allowed me to be free. Since then I was in bands and winning awards. My solo projects have gotten me signed to a label under UMG, songs in film, TV, and allowed me to have my own tour in Asia. Now, I am collaborating on projects with other artists, DJ’s, and producers with an aim to move people to feel.
Q: How did you get into the Physical Trainer part? What has that been like for you?
Derek Jameson: Going back to self-worth, I would look at magazines and feel like I should look like the guys I see on them. I was reallllllly skinny. In retrospect I completely understand that it was my journey of learning to build armor and make myself stronger so that I could teach others how to. I discovered that if we have the idea, then it lives inside us waiting to manifest. I wanted to help uncover what they already had inside them. I thought this was done through physical fitness, but now I see that it was SO much bigger than that. Being a trainer has allowed me to bring people out of the dark. It has given me radio, TV, and film opportunities as well. Being in Los Angeles, I have had the opportunity to work with high-profile entertainment clients to assist them on their journey. People want to say “luck.” I know it’s just about knowing what you want and following your inner guidance.
Q: When it comes to physical training are there certain things you can say we should never eat or is that something that varies from person to person? Is there a big list of no-no foods one just need never consume?
Derek: This is a funny question because you can’t tell ANYONE what to do or not to do. They have to figure it out for themselves you know? How else do we learn how to tune into what FEELS right for our individual needs and desires at that particular moment? I have had to go from eating Mama Celeste pizzas just to gain weight to eating organic and plant-based nutrition to be healthy and honor my body. It all has served it’s purpose within my particular life plan. Right now you might love eating chicken and that totally works for you. That’s great! However, you may wake up tomorrow feeling that chicken no longer serves this vibrational space you are in and it’s time to eat more plant based and organic. It’s all for good if you are listening to what your body is telling you. It’s about learning. So, I never tell anyone not to do anything unless they are asking for help and I then tell them how to manipulate and modify what they are doing to meet their expectation.
Q: In your experience, what are some of the most common questions and concerns individuals have when they come to you for spiritual guidance/healing?
Derek: They typically don’t even know what they want, but they know they need something. I typically get first timers who have trust in me enough to sit with me. The issues they are facing typically arise naturally. Many are going through a major cleansing and shift in their vibration and they don’t fully know how to approach it. I bridge that confusion by clearing out the unnecessary helping them to realign to their inner being and offer soul support. You would think it would be a lot of relationship stuff, but it’s been more about aspects of their life that aren’t working. This just goes to show you that we are ALL connected and everyone is going through this major shift. It’s so beautiful lol!
Q: Being a Guide and Healer does actually fit into the whole Physical Trainer part for sure. How did that begin? Tell me a little about where it’s taken you so far.
Derek: I mix spiritual development in with my training clients. Sometimes it’s through clear exercises, but mostly they are receiving vibrational tunings within the conversations we have during sessions. I realized the biggest issue with physical fitness is the word physical. It’s removing the other planes of existence. We also need to focus on the mental, emotional, and spiritual. If they aren’t aligned in all these areas, they won’t see the results they want because they never learned how to SEE themselves truly for the energy they are. They just see this outer casing that ends up not mirroring the inner being. It took me a while to discover this missing component and how to fully integrate it, but it’s proved to be extremely effective. If you can’t see yourself as perfect already, you will never be fully present with yourself and thus always seeking outside validation.
Q: When you did my 9 card reading (which I highly recommend) we touched on realizing one’s purpose. What are some common things that prevent us from realizing our true purpose, path, or calling?
Derek: Self worth is the most detrimental component to seeing, trusting, and carrying out true life purpose. Everyone is talented. Only some have the balance of self worth that allow them to surrender to what they came her to do. No one’s life purpose is your life purpose. So, comparing yourself to what others are doing isn’t even a valid activity. Fear is an illusion that tries to keep you from what you came here to do. Everyone knows what lights them up. If they say they don’t it’s because they have fear surrounding it that they aren’t ready to face. People must choose to look at themselves in the mirror in order to walk through it.
Q: We are always talking about and hearing there are major shifts going on. What do you do if you aren’t feeling them? Does that mean they weren’t for you or are you just not open enough to feel them?
Derek: If people aren’t feeling the shifts taking place, that’s just their life plan. Again, not everyone’s life plan is the same. We make pre agreements before coming into this life and we also choose the time we start to awaken. If people aren’t feeling the shifts, it’s because they don’t necessarily want to or are ready for that. That is all okay. That’s what people like you are there for. Sometimes your simple post, suggestion, or experience is the seed that plants in the minds of those who are ready. That is what you are here for. They will then have their own journey, but you planted the seed that allowed them to feel the sun.
Q: What is one thing you absolutely cannot live without and one thing you wish we could all live without?
Derek: Peace of mind. Fear.
Q: In regards to music, who are some artists you’d like to do collaborations with?
Derek: Most of them are not well-known, but in their style communities. Haelos, Birdy, Vini Vici, Matt Nash, Kaskade, EDX
Q: Where can we find you, your work, and your music online?
Derek: QHHT Past Life Regression Healings. Music collaborations with DJ’s, artists, and producers coming out in 2019. Spiritual readings and healings. More amazing-ness!
Here’s something from Derek’s YouTube channel for Wonderful Light Body:
Kaden James is someone who not only has many gifts, he also has the talent of knowing HOW to share them. I’ve known Kaden for years now, have interacted with him almost daily on social media, and have always found our exchanges positive, uplifting, and important. He wrote a truly wonderful Christmas story last year, ‘All I Have to Give’ (available on Amazon). I think it’s the perfect holiday book to read to your children, have your children read, and to read yourself. It makes a great stocking-stuffer or holiday gift too! We tend to lose sight of the true meaning of the Holidays with all the shopping and gift giving. This book puts that all in perspective in such a lovely way! As Kaden ends the book: “When life is tough and you feel you have nothing to give, remember that what you have is always enough, for the most precious gift we can ever give is love”.
When I first came across Kaden, he was pursuing a career in music, his songs have been featrued on a few MTV shows and I was thrilled for him. He was also doing some amazing modeling (just check out his Instagram to see how great he is!). Kaden is definitly someone who is always evolving and searching for the next way to help people, so it was very natural for him to get into life coaching and empowerment as well.
One thing I have always noticed about him is that he takes time to connect and thank me for my support. But, really, he is the kind of soul I want to support. It’s a natural meeting of souls who want the same thing for our world. I am so interested in everything that is for Social Good, that helps others on their journey in life, and that helps all of us get along, as well as get ahead in life (and that doesn’t always mean in material ways). Kaden absolutely gets that.
I could go on for paragraphs about how amazing he is, but I really want you to enjoy this interview that has been a few years in the making!!
Q: Tell us a little about you. How did you get into life coaching and empowerment?
Kaden James: I was in a place where I was feeling very stuck in my life and knew I needed a radical shift in my approach to live. I had always enjoyed hearing how others had gained success and moved their lives forward and I just started studying experts that really resonated with me. I knew I needed to learn what they knew. After having dinner with a mentor friend of mine, and giving him some advice on some things he had been going through, he said “Wow, you really have a talent for this. You should think about becoming a professional life coach”. I had never even considered what I had done for him or other people I had helped in life as a career. I had always just enjoyed making people feel good and getting there lives on track was much easier for me than getting my one on track. So I was sitting there thinking – I NEED A LIFE COACH! So I went home that night and researched some coaches and then reality hit in the form of how much money coaching cost. I am by no means knocking the prices of others who lend their expertise to help people, this is VALUABLE work that we do… I just didn’t have those kinds of resources to create an ongoing relationship with a coach so I enrolled in a course where I could learn what coaches knew and make payments, like student loans to learn. I dove in full force, got certified and then started gaining clients and working with people who had different budgets – the goal was always the same to help people get the life they want, and by helping others do this I am getting the life I want. It’s a beautiful flow of energy that really elevates and great coach/client or teacher/student relationship. I think of it as a partnership and I learn a lot form those I have the pleasure of working with.
Q: I love the term SpirLit! explain what that means to you.
Kaden James: I have always felt that we all have light within us when we are born and through life’s troubles and hardships sometimes that light dims but as long as you are alive there is an ember within you that can be fanned into a beautiful flame that lights up your spirit and the world. It is your job to discover the ways you have blocked your light and then shine brighter than ever. Spirlit came to me while meditating on this concept and is a way I am putting more light into this world. Look out for Spirlit.com launching in the new year to produce content that helps charities reach a wider audience and as a platform that shines a light on people doing kind things in their communities. I hope you will join us and become a “Guardian of Light” which is what we call our members. It’s a very exciting time to be AWAKE and to be willing to spread the light of love across the world.
Q: You’re also a model, your pictures are always so well done. Do you have say over that sort of thing or does it come from picking the right photographers? Or maybe both? How did you get started with that industry?
Kaden: Thank you. Modeling started out as a way for me to make a little money and gain confidence. I would then reinvest what I was earning into music and other things that were important to me. I have always been an artist and felt that I had more to say and offer the world than just some nice images, but with that said I have had a lot of fun with it. I have met some really tremendous people and have been able to spread word about things that are important to me with this platform.
Q: You wrote a book, ‘All I Have to Give”. What inspired that story and then how did you go about getting it out there?
Kaden: I felt a tugging at my heart last year around the holidays to write. I hadn’t yet built up my businesses and was struggling financially. I was left wondering what I could get my loved ones. I knew I could just force myself to work odd jobs and spend my time that way, just hustling away or I could use my time to write. My heart won that battle and “All I Have to Give” became the gift I gave to my loved ones. It’s something I am even more proud of as I read it again this year. We have raised money for two very deserving charities and I as I wrote the story I connected with the real meaning of the holiday season, it was pure and powerful. I hope others who read it will feel more connected with the spirit of the season as well.
Q: What is the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received? (Material item and non material item)
Kaden: Material item- I was given a scrapbook that my mother put together that showed them as children, then when they met and finally when they had me and our lives together through the years. It was so thoughtfully made and I treasure it.
Non material I love a good hug from loved ones during the holidays and also just chatting and being present (pun intended) near a Christmas tree.
Q: In your opinion, what is the best gift you’ve every given?
Kaden: All I Have to Give: this book is deeply meaningful to me and my hope is that it will continue to touch people for many years to come. That’s a gift that keeps giving and I love that.
Q: I remember finding you through your music. Is that still something you are pursuing?
Kaden: I have always loved music, I will always have more songs in me. I have a few unreleased works, one of which I want to lend to a youth homelessness charity, I was homeless for a time and lived in a shelter so this is my way of honoring the people who help in this area as well as help other young people who go through these hardships. I am still working out the best way to do this. It’s a deeply personal song called “Don’t Leave Me Lonely” and is about not knowing your direction or who you are supposed to be in this world. I have also been writing music for a musical called “The Fall”.
Q: What is one thing you absolutely cannot live without and one thing you wish we could all live without?
Kaden: I can’t live without my connection to Spirit. I wish we could all live without hate, it’s a poison that harms everyone.
Q: Where can we find you online, besides following you on Instagram at @Kaden? Or is Instagram your main platform?
Kaden: I have a few little homes online: KadenJames.comYouTube.com/Kaden and of course Instagram and you can check out @SpirLit as well.
Q: What’s coming up for you in the new year?
Kaden: I will be launching a Daily Playbook, to help people adopt good daily habits like daily goal setting, positive thinking, gratitude and a way to check in with themselves and best of all it’s easy and fun. So be on the lookout for that. I will also be releasing more GOOD STUFF! So please connect with me online and join the party.
*********
I definitely encourage you to join the party. Here’s a video from Kaden’s YouTube channel so you can see how relatable he is and how passionate he is about what he does:
I was recently introduced to a company and movement I immediately clicked with called Shine the Light On. Shine the Light On is on a mission to bring a voice to mental health issues impacting youth. I’ve had a few phone conversations with the charismatic founder, Eli Brown, who has impressed me even more! You should head over to the website and check out the Our Storyvideo to see him in action speaking on stage and giving away t-shirts like a rock star! But, it’s not all fun and games, on the homepage you can view a video explaining more about the company and the Our Cause page tells you that “with every purchase, STLO donates one educational program to advance mental health in youth.”
The facts may be a bit shocking to some but “1 in 3 youth from all walks of life suffer from mental health related issues. Two out of three suffer in silence due to fear of rejection and alienation.”
From the first moment I spoke to Eli, I felt like I knew him and his own struggles. His battle with his issues began after he was sexually assaulted at a young age. The shame and difficulties navigating his feelings were familiar to me in my own experiences and struggles as a youth. I know his story will resonate with many young people and adults and his advice is important.
As with all Social Good issues, the most important part is that WE CAN HELP others in what may seem like a small way. Buying a shirt or a few shirts may not seem like much but once you see what they are doing you realize that collectively, it will help a great many people. After you read our little chat, be sure to head to Shine The Light On to check out the merchandise for yourself.
Q: For those who aren’t familiar, tell us a little about you and how Shine the Light On came about?
Eli Brown: Shine the Light On is a clothing company that uses thought provoking designs to let people suffering from mental illness know they aren’t alone. People wear the clothes
and become billboards, carrying the message with them. We work with non profits to partner and send this message throughout the communities who need to hear/see it.
We want to shift the conversation from reducing the stigma to acceptance and for every purchase we donate one educational program to help advance mental health in youth.
Q: As you have said, when we suffer certain traumas in our lives or carry certain secrets, we tend to feel we can’t talk to anyone about it because they won’t understand. Looking back, do you think now that you could have come forward earlier?
Eli Brown: Looking back now, having gone through sexual abuse I think I could have said something earlier and gotten help. It can be embarassing and difficult. As far as sexual abuse, there is a lot of shame and embarrassment. I was pretty uneducated on the symptoms of depression and anxiety so I thought it was normal freshman college issues. I went through sexual abuse at the age of 14 and kept it inside for years. At 18, 19, I turned to drugs and alcohol to cope. That caused the mental struggles to grow.
Q: What advice would you give to anyone who is suffering in silence or struggling with their mental health?
Eli Brown: The best advice: Find a support network that will help you get assistance. Guidance counselor, teacher, health professional. Reach out so you can start to receive help. Telling one person or two people creates a support group of your own and will give you the courage to go forward to seek out professionals. A friend or family member, talking it out with them helps you to get guided and ready to talk to professionals.
Q: Movements like Shine the Light do help to erase some of the stigma that surrounds mental health issues but there is still lots of work to do. What would you say to loved ones of anyone who is struggling?
Eli Brown: The stigma around mental health is definitely decreasing. I can say that when it comes to the people who reach out to me, I can only listen with no judgement. Hear their pain and their story, and then help them to seek professional help. Validation and support are key.
Q: You’ve been open and honest about your own struggles and the things you have done to self medicate. We see so often that individuals get to the point of overdose and many times it ends tragically. Are there certain signs we can look for in the ones we love that could prevent things from going so far? There is a difference between experimenting as we grow up and abusing to escape. Is it a difference that can be caught in time?
Eli Brown: I do think it’s something that can be caught. It depends on whether people want to act upon it. Weight loss, sleeping in, suddenly pale complexion. There are tons of signs but sometimes it’s difficult to confront someone about it. I went from being a high performance athlete, playing tennis, getting up early, eating healthy to not working out, not eating healthy… you may notice changes.
Q: I know you have some exciting things going on and coming up, can you tell us some of your future plans for Shine the Light On?
Eli Brown: One exciting thing is that we are going to start donating a significant part of proceeds to affordable housing for people who struggle with mental health and addiction. We have found that being able to afford a place to live can be difficult for those you are dealing with these issues and trying to seek help.
Another thing is that we will be launching in Europe. Mental health awareness is different in each city in the states and each country in Europe. The Royal family in the UK is on the leading edge in that. They are doing some ground breaking things for the people there and they have been open to doing what it takes to help.
Q: I ask this of everyone, What is one thing you absolutely cannot live without and one thing you wish we could all live without?
Eli Brown: One thing I can’t live without is this little book I carry with me where I write daily activities, phone numbers, notes. I love writing stuff down. I keep all of my notes and numbers in there. And ice cream! I love ice cream so I’d definitely say that.
I wish that at meals people could live without their phones. I don’t what it is, it really bugs me. People are out on dates or together in groups and are on their phones instead of paying attention to each other. People should pay less attention to technology during intimate dinners or gatherings and more attention to the people who are present there in the moment.
Q: Since you are so open about your own story and have spoken about it at events, do you have any particular stories that have touched you in surprising or memorable ways?
Eli Brown: I think one of the main things that surprised me is how many people there are that are impacted by mental health. When I was going through it, I felt like I was alone and I’ve found out so many others are going through it. So many of the stories I hear are impactful. Always very, very impactful stories after I speak somewhere or meet people through my work.
Q: I LOVE the partnership of Social Good and fashion, would you consider doing clothing for other causes?
Eli Brown: Yeah, when we initially started that is something we discussed. I think as we go on we will continue to Shine the Light on other social causes that impact youth.
Q: Where can we find you and Shine the Light online to learn more and to order some items so we can proudly and stylishly support?
You can go to our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and visit the Website for more info on us, to find out where I’ll be speaking, where we will be featured, and of course to order our clothing.
Q: Since you are someone who had a vision and made a success of it, what advice would you give to those who have passions, dreams, and visions but are having a difficult time getting stared or haven’t been able to overcome certain fears that come along with pursuing them?
Eli Brown: One of the most difficult things to do is to stay focused and to stay tight on your vision.
There was too much feedback on what I was trying to do. I was getting sidetracked listening to eveyone else.
My biggest piece of advice is once you have that vision established, stay on that course until you start to see the vision becoming a reality.
Tommy: I want to thank Eli for sitting down with me for this interview and I definitely look forward to working with him more. I’m proud to be one of the brand ambassadors for Shine the Light On and would love to do something possibly for the LGBT community with them at some point in the future.
