"Your mindset is the key that unlocks the door to your potential."
Craig Siegel is a value-based and high-energy Global Keynote Speaker and a rising thought leader, as featured in Entrepreneur and endorsed by some of the world’s most well-known celebrities, entertainers, athletes, and entrepreneurs, such as Rob Dyrdek, Ed Mylett, Frank Grillo, Andy Grammer, Marie Forleo, Dr. Shefali, Tom Bilyeu, Bethany Hamilton, Suzanne Somers, Alicia Silverstone, Eric Thomas, Darryl Strawberry, and NFL Hall of Famers Brian Dawkins, Edgerrin James, and more.
Craig, a New Yorker born and raised, always felt he had a bigger purpose, even from a young age. When the pandemic hit, he sensed a spiritual calling. He left his lucrative and comfortable job on Wall Street and went all-in with his passion and purpose to help people upgrade their mindsets and fulfill their potential.
Craig’s unique combination of energy, motivation, inspiration, charisma, and business success has led to the meteoric rise of Cultivate Lasting Symphony (CLS), a contagious, never-before-seen explosion that has impacted millions of lives worldwide.
Removing limiting beliefs is the key to success in all areas of life. Most people feel unworthy, Craig helps people release the negative beliefs they have cultivated over time and implement positive and constructive thoughts.
This, in turn, creates powerful and positive beliefs that change their behaviors, ultimately leading to brand-new results in their relationships, business, and all facets of life. He illustrates the power of the second thought.
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Table of Contents
What led you to make the decision to leave your lucrative Wall Street career and start your own business during the pandemic?
Craig Siegel: My decision to leave my lucrative Wall Street career wasn’t an easy one, but I was tired of going to my job and feeling unfulfilled.
So, during the pandemic, when I thought we would only be out for two weeks, I took that time to reassess things and decided to go all in on my passion — which was all things mindset and personal development.
At the time, I didn’t know much and didn’t post much on social media. When I started, I only had 300 followers on Instagram (which is basically equivalent to -0 on social media). However, I decided there was no better time than the present.
I stepped out of my comfort zone and pushed myself to become available for all that’s meant for me. I had been studying NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) along with all things related to personal development, so I went all in, and the rest is history.
When I started CLS, I had no expectations other than wanting a better life for myself and wanting to make a difference. I wasn’t doing this for the money; I was doing it to survive. I was scared of going back.
While everyone was day drinking and watching Netflix, I was working 20-hour days, 7 days a week, because I genuinely love this work and want to help as many people as possible.
Can you talk about your experience of reinventing your life and business, and how it has transformed you and impacted the lives of others?
Craig Siegel: It was truly life-changing and transformative. I don’t feel like what I am doing now is just work; I genuinely love every aspect of it. Before starting CLS, I didn’t believe you could be truly really happy in work and relationships. I started running marathons to challenge myself.
Suddenly, things felt different, and I was operating at a whole new level. I went from barely being able to run a mile to finishing 6 marathons. It showed me that anyone can make a fresh start, no matter their age.
These experiences changed how I see things and how I run my business and allowed me to create my CLS Community which has changed thousands of lives around the world and led to lifelong friendships. It feels amazing to know that CLS has helped so many people transform themselves, as well as their businesses and their lives.
This thing has catapulted toward success, like a rocket ship, in the last 2 years, and we’re just getting started. I’m excited to see what lies ahead.
What inspired you to write “The Reinvention Formula,” and what can readers expect to gain from reading it?
Craig Siegel: I was inspired to write “The Reinvention Formula” because I believe that most people are destined for more than what they’re currently doing.
Each of us is meant for greatness, and readers can expect to feel inspired to take action for themselves and readers can anticipate feeling motivated to take action for themselves and pursue their life’s aspirations.
We only have one life to live, we must live it to the fullest each day and with no regrets. I always like to say, we can’t end life in dealership quality. We have to make the most of it. I hope my story inspires them to make bold moves and embrace the messiness of life, so they too can experience amazing and fulfilling lives.
How did you manage to secure a book deal with Wiley for your first book, and what advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Craig Siegel: I never thought this early on in CLS that I would get a book deal but Wiley reached out to us. I am super blessed that they reached out because I’d always thought about writing a book. but their coming to the table pushed me to do it sooner, and I am so glad I did.
My advice is to be yourself, not just in your career, but in all areas of your life. When you are real and authentic, that’s when opportunities and doors open up.
When you lean into the power of YOU, that’s when you’re truly in alignment, operating at a frequency that will attract all that’s meant for you. When you aren’t, people know. People can smell inauthenticity, especially on social media, from a mile away.
Never feel like you have to be something you’re not, and know that we are all worthy. Continue to show up and embrace the process.
We hear you have a Tedx talk coming up, what does this mean to you and what is your mission behind it?
Craig Siegel: Yes, I discovered that I have been selected to be a TEDx Speaker at TEDxUMKC in Kansas City, MO, on Saturday, October 7th. This opportunity means everything to me. Ever since I started CLS, my mission has been to become a TEDx speaker, not solely for the prestige, but because it would enable me to have a greater impact on more people’s lives and help them live life to the fullest.
Moreover, it brings to fruition my desire to be on more stages. Being on stage is when I truly feel alive. While I have been fortunate to grace many stages around the world, this particular one is the one I believe will leave the most significant impact.
What are some of the key principles and strategies that you teach to help people upgrade their mindsets and fulfill their potential?
Craig Siegel: Yes, know that you are worthy of everything. One exercise I often like to discuss is: If you could be anyone in the world, who would it be, and why? What traits do they possess that you want to emulate?
Why, and what do you need to do to adopt their mindset in order to fulfill your own potential? Now, try moving to a new position in the room. Experiment with a different chair or stance, and truly immerse yourself in their shoes.
Channel their frequency and ask yourself what they’d do in this scenario or situation. Attempt to grasp how they would feel, think, and respond, etc. Remember, you’re not just shifting physically; you’re also shifting energetically. So many people live so much of their lives stuck in their old story that they often can’t see a way out.
Burn the bridges, and step into the frequency of your new life. This perspective exercise is one way to help quantum leap into all that’s meant for you.
What role do you believe mindset plays in achieving success, and how do you help people cultivate a bulletproof mindset so they can as well?
Craig Siegel: Having a positive mindset is everything. People feed off of energy, so it’s contagious. It’s like a magnet. When you are confident and believe in yourself, anything is truly possible. I am not saying that every day will be perfect or go how you want, but having a positive mindset will definitely help you reach your goal.
It’s not about what’s happening, it’s about how you see it. You can turn any situation into a positive one, which opens up more chances and makes a bigger impact.
I help people by telling them that they have all the tools, they just need to execute and believe it’s possible. Once you do there is no turning back.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your work as a global keynote speaker, mindset coach and top podcast host? What impact do you hope to make in the world?
Craig Siegel: The most rewarding aspect of my role as a mindset coach and global keynote speaker is the profound impact I’ve had on the lives of others. Witnessing individuals shift from the confines of their uninspiring 9-to-5 jobs to a state of transformation after making a courageous bet on themselves, enabling them to actualize their true purpose and dreams.
The impact I hope to make is one that will live on long after I am gone, and that is to never give up on yourself or your dreams. The CLS Experience Podcast is the catalyst for what CLS – living authentically within one’s purpose and sharing incredible stories of personal journeys, highlighting where they are today.
Our podcast has had the privilege of hosting illustrious figures from diverse walks of life, including luminaries like Ed Mylett, Frank Grillo, Doc Amen, Alicia Silverstone, Suzanne Somers, Darryl Strawberry, and NFL Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins. If you told me where I’d be today, I wouldn’t have believed you. I didn’t know everything when I began, but whatever you desire is possible.
With a positive mindset and belief, you truly can do anything. Never stop believing. Age is irrelevant, whether you’re 25 or 75, it’s never too late to embark on a fresh chapter, start something new and truly live the life you want and one you are meant to.
How do you stay motivated and maintain your energy levels while juggling multiple roles as a podcast host, entrepreneur, and speaker?
Craig Siegel: What motivates me is that I am living my true purpose. If I feel tired or out of alignment, I focus on the good things I have going on and the blessings in my life like my family, the amazing company I have built, The CLS Community, and my amazing fiancé Olesya (and of course our brand-new puppy, Whiskey).
If needed, I take a walk or go for a run, and that usually brings me back to where I want to be.
What is your vision and mission for the future of Cultivate Lasting Symphony, and how do you plan to continue helping people transform their lives?
Craig Siegel: My vision for the future is to continue to grow Cultivate Lasting Symphony and make it the biggest company out there, impacting millions of people, and having a lot of fun doing it.
I believe in lifelong learning and personal growth. I may not know everything, but I know a lot. I want to keep challenging myself to improve because nothing is impossible when you believe in yourself.
I plan on helping people transform their lives by giving them the tools and tactics I used to build CLS and be there for them as a mentor, guide and teacher and show them how they can be the best version of themselves, as the opportunities are truly endless when you put yourself out there and are open to the process.
No dream is too big, but you must believe for it to become reality.
How can people connect and work with you?
Craig Siegel: They can reach out to us via our website – https://www.cultivatelastingsymphony.com/
Find out about The Reinvention Formula book and join our launch team here – https://www.thereinventionformula.com/preorder
Connect with me @craigsiegel_cls on all social media platforms
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Craig Siegel for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
