Something to Say

For those who know me, you probably know that Jason Matson is someone I created to write poetry. And if you didn’t know that before, now you do. Jason Matson is really me, Rob Cochran, a 37 year-old hypnotherapist/life coach in Seattle, WA.

Jason came to exist out of a need I had to express a part of myself that is potentially too controversial and radical for my professional self.

Some time ago, I created a profile on tribe.net, a networking/community web site as a way to promote my practice as a hypnotherapist and life coach. I would post announcements, workshops, and participate in “tribe” discussions in hopes that people would look at my profile, which was mostly an advertisement for my business. This worked great, and I actually got a few good clients from my postings.

But not all of my postings were business related. Sometimes, I would express my opinions about this or that - opinions that were sometimes very expressive of my feelings and not very “therapeutic” in nature. I quickly learned that being emotional and expressive may be good for my soul, but it’s not very good for business.

Prospective or potential clients expect a “hypnotherapist/life coach” to be somewhat well adjusted and free of emotional turmoil or conflict. After all, I’m paid to help people deal with conflict and create balance in their life, so naturally, they expect that I should model the results they expect to achieve from working with me. Most of the time I do. But what people often don’t understand is that maintaining balance and emotional well-being is an on-going process.

Think of riding a bike; you can build up enough momentum to coast comfortably for a while, but eventually, you have to either begin peddling again or slow to a stop and put your feet on the ground.

Just like anybody else, I have to maintain balance, and sometimes the hills and rough terrain can be a challenge. But when you’re in a therapeutic business, most prospective clients expect to see you coasting comfortably along a smooth and level path because they haven’t learned yet that balance is not in the path, but in the peddling.

I felt like I had a lot to say, but didn’t feel comfortable expressing myself as Rob Cochran, Hypnotherapist & Life Coach.

So I created Jason. As a poet, it’s perfectly acceptable for Jason to be broody and sensitive. Jason can be controversial when needed, and playful and silly when he wants to. Jason carries no credentials, has no expectations, and has nothing to loose by just being himself, which is really just me when I’m not being “Me”.

I realize some may think it pretentious of me to have this alter-ego, but the honest truth is, I really don’t care. I don’t mean that in a bitchy-queeny way, but its just the plain truth. Unflinching honesty is something Jason is really good at. As I spend time being Jason, I am discovering that the qualities I admire in Jason, are really parts of myself.

So now that you know, I’d appreciate your discretion about Jason’s true identity. Not because it’s supposed to be a big secret or anything, but because I take Jason Matson seriously, and I ask that my friends do too.

Jason was born because he has “Something to Say”. I’m not sure if anyone will listen, but either way, he is becoming something of a hero for me. My own personal hero, which I wish to share, and become.

So keep talking Jason, and I'll keep peddling. Eventually, we'll get to where ever we're going. There's no hurry though. As you have said, "What's at the end of a road more oftent than not, nothing but a big ol' parking lot." Life is a trip after all, and the balance is in the peddling.