Craig Shoemaker is a talented comedian who believes that ‘winning with humor' is something we can all achieve. He has accomplished amazing successes in his career. He has performed comedy for four US Presidents and has won awards for his outstanding performances. He's been on TV and Broadway and even won Emmy Awards. Craig is not only a comedian but also a writer and producer. He has written books for kids and even made movies. You might have seen him on shows like Parks & Recreation and Fresh Prince of Bel Air. He's been recognized as one of the top stand-up comics in the world. Craig is also a speaker and coach who teaches people how to use humor to succeed. He has traveled all over the world to share his message and also offers a course called, Winning With Humor. Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify Contact Info Website: www.WinningWithHumor.com Blog: www.CraigShoemaker.com Course: Winning With Humor by Craig Shoemaker Most Influential Person Michael Beckwith Effect on Emotions Craig Shoemaker shared his thoughts on how mindfulness has helped him handle his emotions. He called it “pause for the cause,” which means taking a moment to free himself. By pausing and focusing on his breath, he experiences a positive transformation. Craig's negative feelings, like resentment and anger, turned into gratitude and happiness. This shift in his mindset allowed him to approach situations differently, without fear. Whenever he takes this pause, it always works for him, instantly changing the atmosphere and avoiding conflicts. Breathing plays a crucial role in this process, as it brings a sense of calm and clarity. Craig Shoemaker was already practicing this technique even before it became trendy. Thoughts on Breathing When asked about breathing, Craig Shoemaker mentioned that his wife teaches breathwork and has taken him through it. He described breathwork as a powerful experience that makes him feel incredibly high, even more so than drugs. Deep breathing often leads Craig to burst into uncontrollable laughter, which he believes is a form of deep breathing that energizes the body and brings joy. He expressed the importance of laughter and unity among people, highlighting a moment when participants in a course he was involved with were captured laughing together. In addition, Craig emphasized the beauty of collective oneness and encourages people to appreciate and embrace it. Suggested Resources Book: Conversations With God Neil Donald Walsh Book: Lovemaster’d: a digital journey to ultimate love and happiness by Craig Shoemaker App: Craig Shoemaker is releasing his own app called ‘Laughermations'. They will contain funny bits called ‘GiggleBits'. Bullying Story Craig Shoemaker shared a story about his experiences with bullying and how mindfulness could have made a difference. He explained that growing up without a dad made him vulnerable, which unfortunately led to him being targeted by a kidnapper. But apart from that, he also faced intense bullying at school. He described it as being beaten up severely, like a piñata, as if candy would come out of him. It was incredibly painful and humiliating. Craig shared an example from when he joined a football team in eighth grade. Despite being very small in size, he chose to play as a center to feel included. However, the popular guys on the team treated him poorly. They would punch him in the face during huddles and continue to physically harm him in the locker room. They tore his underwear and subjected him to wedgies, making him feel ashamed and unable to confide in his mom. The constant beatings took a toll on him, to the point where he attempted suicide. Craig's intention was not to end his life, but to make those who hurt him feel remorseful. Craig emphasized the importance of mindfulness in such situations, explaining that he would respond with consciousness, evaluation, research, and self-reflection rather than getting trapped in ec