Andy Chaleff

Andy Chaleff is a mentor and advisor to business leaders, entertainers, and non-profit organizations that are changing the future of education and parenting. He’s also an author who recently released his second novel, The Wounded Healer, giving readers real-life tools to combat negative thoughts that wreak havoc on their physical and emotional well-being. Published by Koehler Books, The Wounded Healer is available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and Audible.

Based on a true story, The Wounded Healer chronicles a three-month trip that he took alone through the U.S. in 2018. Throughout the novel, Chaleff shares 44 stories as he crisscrosses the country asking thousands of people one question: If you had one last chance to write a letter to someone you loved, what would you say?

As a thought leader, Andy’s clients will often refer to him as a “lightning rod of truth.” He has a unique way of pointing out the essential with humor and clarity. This talent has made him the go-to man when things aren’t going well between people in companies or when important decisions are being made. He invites the world to join him daily on his talk show broadcast, A Wonderful Chaos, each day called, a podcast that promotes meaningful dialogue with a wide range of guests, from best-selling authors, including Russell Shorto and Tim Freke, to changemakers including Jane Elliott, creator of the Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes experiment and Juan Mann, founder of the Free Hugs Campaign. He places a special focus on human stories that connect to raw emotions, with guests suffering from ADHD, PTSD, cancer, and those who have spent years in prison.

I’m so excited for you to connect with Andy, check out his work and new book, and follow along as he continues to share his powerful practice of radical self-love.

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

I am presently working on a first of a kind space for people to share their deepest struggles with a large dose of joy and self-acceptance. Dare I say self-love. It was the byproduct of community who read my second book, The Wounded Healer. In the book I reference an exercise which asks people to say the thing that is hardest to say and follow it with #anditsfuckinggreat. In a matter of days we had hundreds of statements shared throughout social media.

How did you get started?

Most of my life has been about running away from pain. My mother was hit and killed by a drunk driver when I was 18 years old. The pain of that moment was so great that I left the US soon afterwards and I have been travelling around the world ever since. I got good in business and did not like who I had become, which led me to sell everything that I own and live like a monk for 10 years. After my mentor died, I came back into business, but now with a strong sense of self-trust, which was guided by love.

What inspired the work that you're doing?

I am inspired by everything. I love the underdog. I love seeing people trying. I see life as the journey and the outcome may or may not be what we had expected. If we love this moment, then good things tend to happen. If we live in dread in hopes that we will finally reach the outcome we envisage later, it does not tend to end well. At least not in my experience.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion is the daily broadcast I do called A Wonderful Chaos. I love inviting people to join me for an hour of reflection, laughter, tears and raw humanity. I love highlighting people and stories that are not obvious. I love giving people a sense of safety so that they can share their stories and feel a deeper sense of meaning in their lives. I love it when people feel seen. Not the casual compliment, but the deep compassion that is our shared humanity.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

I love my wife. We do not have any kids so in many ways we have banned together to create a supportive and loving union. I think happiness is not all that difficult, although we often make it that way. I see gratitude as one of the key elements to a happy life. I wake up daily in gratitude. So much so that I often have tears in my eyes.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

I am very intentional regarding my thoughts. One might say that I live a life of constant meditation. I do not attach too much weight to my thoughts. I feel a lot of freedom in laughing at who I am and what I apparently believe. I see freedom comes when we are no longer a slave to the ideas that are floating around in our heads.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

My younger self would have never thought that my older self would have ever written a best-selling book. I was easily distracted and did not like reading as a child. I still don't like reading. And yet putting my thoughts down in writing has become its own journey.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

About 10 times a day I will hear a thought in my head that is not serving me and say (whatever is not feeling good) and its f*cking great. By doing that, I make peace with any thought that is taking me away from this moment.

What is your biggest dream?

That I will live my life with love. That when challenged with oppression or anger, I will meet it over and over again in love and inspires others to do the same.

To learn more about Andy and his work visit his website www.andychaleff.com and on Facebook @joinawonderfulchaos and you can find his Facebook group here and on YouTube here

Joy Corner is an interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here

Andy Chaleff - Author, Speaker & Mentor