Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Glaser.
Tom, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, I was always told that I was sensitive and a good listener. I was drawn to creative play, performing, writing, and deep conversations.I always thought I’d become a teacher. It did not go unnoticed that these interests were not typical of most boys, and I was teased brutally for being different. My family wasn’t able to be there in ways that I needed given all of that on top of my parents’ alcohol use and their own mental health struggles.
All these interests, activities, and experiences serve me well as the psychologist, author, educator, and yoga teacher I am today. Even the trauma of being bullied and family dysfunction helped form my deep understanding of and appreciation for the trauma so many of my clients and students are in recovery from.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Following my passions was often a struggle in and of itself. Bucking the trends as a teen in a conservative area of Michigan in the 1970s led to verbal abuse and even threats of violence. It is near impossible to come away without internalizing at least some of the negative messages.
Coming out as gay in the 1980s was similarly risky. Yet all along I felt the pull to be true to myself, and I didn’t want to live my life from fear but from truth and integrity. So I followed my heart as much as possible and found support and community where I could. Surrounding myself with love, and seeing some really good psychotherapists myself, I slowly learned to love myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
A Licensed Psychologist and life coach with over 35 years of experience, I am also a bestselling author and yoga instructor.
The experiences of being mercilessly bullied by peers and growing up with a “rageaholic” mother, on top of being a highly sensitive person (HSP) became the foundation for working skillfully with trauma survivors in psychotherapy and helps bring sensitivity to my teaching. My book, “Full Heart Living: Conversations with the Happiest People I Know,” is an Amazon.com bestseller.
Based on my book, ‘Full Heart Living Conversation Sparks’ is an interactive card game that helps build lasting connections with friends and family and enhances self-discovery.
I teach workshops on Resilience, Enhancing Relationships, Embracing Self-Compassion, Finding Purpose, Highly Sensitive People, Mindfulness, and more.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Being with children, spending time with animals, being in nature, moving my body, spending time with loved ones, diving deep into meaningful subjects that help people (including me!) live better lives, and sharing what I know.
Laughing with friends, eating delicious meals that are also nutritious, making greeting cards for loved ones’ special occasions, reading fiction, singing, acting, music, and musical theater. Why? Because these activities help me feel alive; they make my heart sing.
For 25% off “Full Heart Living,” Enter FULL at checkout at https://itascabooks.com/products/full-heart-living-1. Get Full Heart Living Conversation Sparks at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XTNBFY2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_kXb3Fb5FEJJ1Z
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fullheartliving.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullheartliving/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fullheartliving
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-glaser-69774910/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TomGlaserLP
- Other: https://tomglaserlp.com/
