I was interviewed by a journalist from Cape Town, South Africa, for an online publication called MysticMag. The link to the article includes offers for psychic readings, which is not something I endorse. However, I found Sarah Kirton well intentioned and wanted to honour the interview by posting a link to her article here:
Reflecting our True Selves – Susannah Kenton
Sarah Kirton – Contributor to MysticMag
Published On May 15, 2024
Susannah Kenton is a multifaceted individual with a passion for personal development and the performing arts. Her journey began in her teens when she co-authored a bestselling book on raw foods with her mother, leading to numerous collaborations and a lifelong quest for research and discovery in the field of personal development.
Alongside her writing, Susannah has pursued a career in acting, voice over, entrepreneurship and coaching, leading to diverse experiences such as singing on river boats in Paris, filming a documentary in Africa, and studying shamanic healing in the Peruvian jungle. Her work has been influenced by esteemed teachers like Byron Katie, Eckhart Tolle, and Michael Beckwith, and she has honed her skills in various modalities including affirmative prayer, hypnotherapy, EFT, and nutritional consulting. Susannah has conducted workshops worldwide on wellness, creativity and empowerment, impacting organizations and individuals alike with her unique blend of wisdom and experience. MysticMag has the opportunity to connect with Susannah.
Susannah, what inspired you to focus on helping individuals reconnect with their dreams and live with more freedom, fulfillment, and joy?
As I’ve journeyed through life, I’ve observed both others and myself. It seems that as we age, our lives often narrow, constrained by self-imposed limitations and fixed identities. My passion lies in reigniting people’s ability to dream and envision a future full of possibilities, no matter their age. I help individuals expand their horizons, encouraging them to create a life that feels abundant, inspired, and deeply fulfilling.
Your work emphasizes the importance of living a life infused with pleasure. How do you help individuals prioritize pleasure in their daily lives, and what impact have you seen this approach have on their overall well-being?
For me, pleasure is not just a luxury but an essential part of life. Our society often emphasizes hard work, striving, and achievement, but I believe we should also prioritize pleasure, joy and play. Watching children, it’s clear that they are rarely celebrated for simply enjoying life; rather, accolades come for academic or other achievements. I think it’s crucial to reconnect with our capacity for pleasure and play. Balancing these elements in our lives can significantly impact our well-being. In my coaching and workshops, I help people remember the importance of pleasure and guide them in incorporating pleasure, fun, and play into their daily lives as a form of self-care. It could be as simple as dancing to a favorite song in your living room to start your day. Practicing pleasure is as important as completing chores or tasks on your to-do list. As we make pleasure a priority wellbeing soars.
In your experience, what are some common challenges people face when trying to break free from unhealthy habits or negative thought patterns, and how do you help them overcome these obstacles?
Unhealthy habits can lead to a negative self-image that spirals us downward. To overcome these habits and the negative thought patterns that accompany them, we need to identify the underlying stories that drive us towards addiction. Bringing these stories into conscious awareness allows us to make new choices. One of my favorite tools for shifting such habits is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or Meridian Tapping. This involves tapping on specific meridian points while focusing on the issue at hand. It helps us rewire neural networks associated with the habit, creating new possibilities and breaking us free from unhelpful patterns. For example, if someone is struggling with binge eating and the self-criticism that accompanies it, EFT can help them establish a new way of relating to food and to self. It creates a shift in perspective towards empowerment and wellbeing. EFT works not just on the mind but also on the body’s energy system, changing blood chemistry and stress responses. It’s a powerful tool for transforming harmful behaviors to more positive and resourceful ones.
Your approach emphasizes going deeper to find solutions. How do you guide individuals to explore and address the underlying beliefs and emotions that may be holding them back?
I believe that when people feel stuck, it’s often because they’re trapped in a story that doesn’t reflect their true selves. This confusion can lead to great suffering, but I see that suffering as a breadcrumb path that can also guide them back to their authentic truth. Some of life’s most challenging and painful moments can be the catalyst for profound positive transformation. I hold space for an individual to acknowledge the beliefs or emotions that are causing them to suffer, but we don’t dwell in that suffering. Instead, I guide clients to connect with a sense of “Source” within. Once a person discovers this connection it becomes a touchstone that they can return to and resource themselves from. By nurturing this connection, stories of suffering dissolve and the person gets to create a new life from a place of greater authenticity and freedom.
You offer a range of services, from nutritional consulting to mindfulness practices. How do you integrate these different modalities into your practice?
I view people as multidimensional beings. I approach each individual in a way that I feel is most appropriate for them. For example, if someone is experiencing anxiety or depression, there might be a nutritional aspect to consider. Improving their nutrition could alleviate their symptoms, just as starting a meditation or breath practice could. I work intuitively, listening to what feels like the most powerful way to help someone shift into a more fulfilling life. I draw on various tools and healing modalities to best support the person or group I’m working with.
