Life coach – Natalie Donna.com

Randy Spelling may be the son of the legendary, late Hollywood producer, Aaron Spelling, and has starred in shows such as NBC’s Malibu Shores, Sunset Beach, A&E’s reality show, Sons of Hollywood, as well as appearing in Beverly Hills 90210 (along with his sister, Tori) and 7th Heaven. But he has successfully managed to move away from the notoriety of the ‘Spelling’ mantle, and ultimately follow his own calling. Having battled his own addiction before overcoming it, Randy Spelling is now using his own experiences, battles and intimate knowledge, to help others overcome their own demons and ultimately live a fulfilling life.

After moving away from the ambience of Hollywood life, Randy Spelling has a new lease on life – a spiritual calling, working as a life coach in Portland, Oregon. It’s a life far removed from the trials, tribulations and excesses of his former life as the son of one of the entertainment industry’s greatest pioneers. In sitting down with Randy, he provides a thought-provoking interview, ultimately revealing a totally opposite side to the preconceived notions of the stereotypical Hollywood rich kid. On the contrary, he is humble, warm, genuine, and honest, with an endearing personality and an innate sense of tranquillity and inner peace. It’s fair to say that Randy Spelling can be considered a prime example of the Hollywood star, who’s escaped the pitfalls so commonly associated with stardom, and successfully paved his own path in life. Ultimately, he’s avoided becoming one of the Hollywood tragedies that plague so many in the industry.

In a revealing and intimate interview, Randy candidly speaks about his former life under the glare of the Hollywood spotlight, as well as his own battle with addiction. He talks about his most important roles thus far, as a dedicated husband and doting father to two young daughters, as well as his influential role as a life coach. He discusses his close relationship with spirituality, and ultimately how he was finally able to find happiness and fulfilment in his life. At only 35, he possesses wisdom well beyond his years. In fact, Randy Spelling is a living testament that one can overcome any obstacle holding them back in their life by taking a holistic approach in order to lead a successful life.

Natalie:Randy, your late father, the great Aaron Spelling produced some of the most successful television shows, some of which I grew up watching. Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, 7th Heaven, Charmed, to name but a few. What was it about your father’s ability to create shows which highly resonated with audiences?

Randy: I think my father had a knack for storytelling, showing relationships and entertainment. And I think there was a good blend of all of those three in his shows. And a lot of his shows throughout the years, whether it was a show like Dynasty, which was all about wealthy people who had all these problems, and it was dramatic. He did shows like that and then he did shows like Beverly Hills 90210, which at the heart of it, had some very poignant messages for teens and parents. There was another one he did called Any Day Now, which was about two friends and their relationship. It dealt with racism and bringing many issues to light. I think he really got into showcasing relationships and what drove people internally, whether it was what they wanted, what they dreamt about, what they fantasized about. He touched upon a lot of that.

Natalie: Randy, you started your career at only 17 years of age. How equipped were you, mentally and emotionally to handle the fame and all that comes with it, the ups and downs?

Randy: (Laughs) I would like to say that I was pretty grounded with it. But fame is a weird thing, you know, looking back in retrospect. It’s weird when people know who you are, and recognize you, and look at you. On the flip-side then when you’re used to that, it’s weird when people don’t look at you and recognize you. So, for me I was used to it because I always saw my sister have fame recognition or my father, so it wasn’t brand new and I enjoyed connecting with people. So, when people would come up and say hi or whatever, I really enjoyed it. So, that aspect I liked. I really never got too far into the celebrity tabloid, because the celebrity element of it wasn’t for me.

Natalie: So, it never appealed to you?

Randy: No. I do like connecting with people. I did like when people came up to me because it gave me a chance to talk to more people than I normally would have. How cool is that? But being famous just to be famous? No, that isn’t for me.

Natalie: Randy, was it easy trying to move away from the shadow of being the son of one of the biggest entertainment moguls in Hollywood?

Randy: No, it wasn’t easy. There was nothing easy about that. That being said, I’m not saying that life was so hard moving out of the shadow of Aaron Spelling. I am a person who wants to find similarities in people, not differences. I spent a lot of my life trying to be, and wanting to be, similar to everyone else. As a kid this was no exception. I wanted to just be “normal” and not have anyone judge me for who my family was or where I came from or how large the house was that I grew up in. I lived in a…my parents built a house [the Manor] that was bigger than the White House. So, for me it was always wanting to be like everyone else. I didn’t want to be different, and be perceived as the guy that has it all. Especially at times when I was hurting just like everyone else. People expected me to be a producer or actor because that’s what my family does. And I did feel pressured to do that because everyone around me thought that was what I would do. So, for me, it was hard to find my own identity outside of who my family was.

Natalie: Outside of the Spelling name obviously?

Randy: Yes

Natalie: In 2007, you starred in A&E’s reality television show, Sons of Hollywood alongside Sean Stewart (son of British rocker, Rod Stewart) and David Weintraub (producer and entertainment executive), which chronicled the attempts of the sons of Hollywood to build their own careers.

Randy, how difficult was it to try to establish your own career/identity away from being the son of Aaron Spelling? Did this ultimately put pressure on you to live up to the Spelling name and essentially the public’s preconceived expectations of you?

Randy: I have a few answers. (Laughs) Okay, where do I start with that one? Yes. For me I always felt like it was harder because there was more expectation. Going into auditions I heard many times, “Wow, you’re not as bad as we thought you’d be. You’re actually pretty good”. And I wouldn’t say that I had the thickest skin, so for me it really made an impact, because the audition process is strange enough, where you’re going in standing in front of someone, who’s sizing you up, and looking at how you look, how you speak, how tall you are, what your build is, can you act, can you not act. Having that added, “Oh, his last name is ‘Spelling’, and is he working as an actor just because of his father?” I felt like it was a hard hurdle to overcome.

Then in regards to that show, The Sons of Hollywood, that was probably the show that gave me the idea, hmm, that maybe I don’t want to be in Hollywood in this way anymore. It was an extremely hard show to shoot, and this actually wasn’t a scripted reality show which is rare and I think that was part of the problem. I think it was because a camera was on us all the time, shooting our whole lives, putting these three people together that otherwise wouldn’t have lived together. So, that part was kind of a scripted element, because we all moved into a house together. Then, we would have to find or embellish these moments of drama. I also, I didn’t want to do reality, and my agent at the time, my manager just said you know that it would be a good career move. I think you should do it. Then I thought, oh, I probably don’t want to do that. Finally I succumbed to it. I knew it was my choice, but right when we started filming the show, a month into the show my father passed away and having to deal with that anyway was extremely difficult. Having to deal with it on a show, on camera, just sent me into a tail-spin. I have to be thankful though for that experience because had it not have been for that show, I may never have changed courses in my life.

Natalie: That must have been incredibly hard.

Randy: It was.

Natalie: Randy, your previous response pretty much answers this. But what was behind your decision for a scene change and move away from the hustle and bustle of the Hollywood lifestyle to a quieter, so called “normal” existence of suburbia in Portland, Oregon?

Randy: There were a few factors involved. They weren’t all at once. So, first and foremost, after my father passed away and shooting that reality show, I really had to do some soul-searching. I felt like whatever I was doing in my life up until then wasn’t working for me. Whether it was the people I was surrounding myself with, the choices I was making, the lifestyle I was living. I just wasn’t happy. I wasn’t fulfilled and I wanted to do something different. So, I did do some soul-searching. I changed some things in my life, and when I did that, I opened myself up to doing something different out of the entertainment business.

I mean, I didn’t walk away from the entertainment business, per se, I just, when I asked myself “What do you want, Randy? What, what’s in your heart? What do you want? Do you want to be 30, 35, 40, living the same life?” My answer was “No”. I had always been in to psychology and spirituality. That was part of me, no matter what. And, you know, I found life coaching, not so much as a profession but I thought it was really interesting. I thought to myself, Why not go to school and study it? If it sticks as a career, great, but it would be really good skills to have anyway. I took a course and I fell in love with it and I started practising on everyone I could. Sisters of friends, cousins of people I knew coming to me as a client, and I just had to coach a certain amount of hours in my course. So, changing professions gave me the flexibility. I didn’t need to stay in Los Angeles to be a life coach. Although, it’s a good place to practise, because there’s a lot of people that need it there. And then, I met my now wife and we had that discussion. She asked me, “Do you want to live anywhere else?” I said, “Maybe.” When I thought about having a family, I didn’t want to raise kids in Hollywood. I really wanted to go to a different place, to just do something different.

Natalie: Since 2009, you have worked as a life coach. What influenced you to move away from the limelight, and focus on a career dedicated to changing lives, encouraging, supporting and motivating others?

Randy: Officially since 2008, but unofficially I started before that. This might sound really cheesy but it’s like being a student in school. There’s some subjects that you really love and you want to do the homework for and you’re interested in reading the material. Then there’s some subjects that it isn’t just that interesting. And for me, acting was like that for a while. I remember the first time being on set. The feeling I got. I was 16 and I was being fitted for a wardrobe and there was a creativity on set, and there was a feeling of…you know, I was a kid, I was a teenager in high school when all of a sudden there were these adults and all of these creative people. I thought, “Wow. This is cool, this is fun.”

When I was 27, it just didn’t have the same appeal. So, something that I became really passionate about was what makes people tick. And then, of course, I went through my own struggles in my own battle with finding what brings me fulfilment and happiness. And then I started to find that even with other people, the problem might look different or sound different, but underlying we all want to have more happiness, more connection, better relationships, be more fulfilled. And so, I started to see all the similarities that we all have, and I started to feel more connected to people. Saying, “Wow. Well, no matter where you come from, no matter what continent you’re on. We all want similar things”. And so, if I can find a way to help other people while helping myself in the process, great! I’m constantly learning, growing, changing, evolving. If I can do that through being a life coach that sounds like something I want to do.

Natalie: Randy, how did your own personal struggle with addiction help form the foundation of Being in Flow?

Randy: Well, addiction is just one of many problems that I help people with. I work with people around career, relationships, better communication, finding a deeper sense of spirituality and meaning, happiness and much more. But addiction is a large problem that many are facing. And I think that it’s become pretty rampant lately. It seems like everyone knows someone, or a friend of a friend who has struggled, is struggling. And even if it’s not drugs or alcohol, maybe it has to do with food or sex or consumerism, shopping too much, or gambling. I mean, being attached to the smartphone and having to check, oh, who Facebooked me, who tweeted me. I mean, I see it all the time.

I think we’re faced with a real challenge. I think things are so fast-paced now compared to how they were thirty, forty years ago. Back then, people wrote, they sat down and they wrote letters. Then, when they worked, they brought home documents, they brought home papers. Now there’s email. Things happen so quickly. And people are in touch all the time without any delay. And because of that it seems like there’s this, I need information and I need it right now epidemic. And the ability to wait for things has become more difficult, because we can go to the computer and get a fact instantly. So, yeah I think it’s a real challenge for people to slow down enough to connect to themselves, to connect to others, to take the time to become aware of our needs. And what happens is when people aren’t aware of their needs, and their internal landscape, they want to fill it with something. That filling it with something, can be all the things that I mentioned before. So, yeah I think there needs to be a real spotlight shined on what’s happening and what the problems are, why we’re facing such a struggle.

Natalie: Randy, Would you say that addiction’s become an epidemic?

Randy: I read a statistic that 1 out of 10 people have had some sort of addiction problem. I would even venture to say it is higher than that, given that the statistic is probably for alcohol and drug abuse. So, yes, I would say that is an epidemic.

Something I hear so often is people wanting to know their place in the world, people wanting…I don’t know if you hear this often or not, but they’re wanting to know their purpose. And it’s so funny because I feel like a hundred years ago, people weren’t having that conversation. It’s like you worked, and this is what you do and that’s it. You don’t ask too many questions. Now there seems to be more of a conscious questioning. Why am I here? What is this all about? And I think, for a lot of people life is just overwhelming because it’s fast. People want to fit in, they want to know what their place is in the world. If they don’t feel like they have their place and know what their purpose is, then there’s this big search. There’s a big emptiness. In steps addiction to try and fill the emptiness or mask that pain.

Natalie: Randy, do you believe that having experienced addiction first hand and having overcame it, has given you the knowledge and wisdom to be able to help others that are facing the same types of negative life choices?

Randy: Yes. However, how I work with people now is a culmination of wisdom, practice, and various spiritual tools that I have learned and studied. Having had addiction just gave me a better understanding of it first-hand. So, I know what it is like to be in it and what it is like to be out of it.

Natalie: Have you always been a spiritual person?

Randy: Yes. I wasn’t always aware of that term. But yes.

Natalie: How has spirituality shaped your life?

Randy: I think it’s the one thing that pulled me through. I was close to death many times. And I’m not exaggerating. I believe for whatever reason that I probably could have died, but there was a reason why I didn’t. And you know, I had some real quote on quote “dark years”. And then when I came through that, and my life took a totally different turn. And now I look back, I realize that it all played a purpose. It’s like if I never walked the walks, so to speak, I wouldn’t have needed to work on myself as much as I did. And working on myself as much as I did, seeking answers and really going within, changed everything.

Natalie: As the father of two young daughters, how important do you think it is for them to have a normal upbringing from the excesses of Hollywood life?

Randy: It’s important. I mean, it’s one of the reasons why we’re here. Yes, I can’t define what normal is anymore. I don’t even know what that is. I just…I use the analogy of Christmas, because I do like Christmas time. And I want to create meaning for them. So, it’s not about opening ten gifts. It’s about, maybe opening one or two gifts, but instilling a meaning or a value, and an appreciation for experiences and not just things.

Natalie: And now looking back, do you think that it would have made a difference to your life during adolescence if you had been raised away from the spotlight?

Randy: Maybe. (Laughs). Did you ever see that movie Sliding Doors? I mean, it’s kind of like that. It would be interesting. It would be an interesting exercise to write a story of what I think my life would be like if it was totally different. But it’s not and you know, I’m thankful for every part of it, exactly how I grew up, everything that happened, because I like who I am and I’m happy that I am who I am, and I’ve lived the life that I’ve lived.

Natalie: Now at 35, I’m sure that your attitude, experiences and knowledge have ultimately shaped the individual that you have become. Was there a time in your life, where you felt that the mistakes of the past defined you as person?

Randy: (Laughs) Well, that’s a good question. You ask some great questions! Absolutely. I believe that is part of the human condition, at least up until now anyway. It can be all too easy to let our past define us because we believe that we are the past. It can be too easy for someone to say something negative and then we believe it and then turn around and tell ourselves that story.

By the way, I finished writing a book. Hopefully, it will be out within the next year. One of the things I talk about in the book, is how I would let stories define who I was. I remember something one way, then I tell myself that. I talk about it over and over until it’s become this crystalized version. And then it’s…it would be something that weighed me down. I think I focused on my mistakes too much. I focused on who I wasn’t, what I didn’t have, what I didn’t get, what I didn’t accomplish as opposed to the opposite – who I was, who I am, what I am capable of, what I can accomplish. And when I made that peace, everything changed. It’s really a great question Natalie, because that’s one of the things I work with people on is stopping that old story of empowering your mistakes.

Natalie: These days tabloids are rife with the headlines surrounding the “curse of the child actor”. Having grown up in the industry, you experienced both the glamorous side of Hollywood, as well as its so called “dark side”, I’m sure that you see past the sensationalism of the tabloids and negative media attention and speculation surrounding these so called child actors gone bad.

Do you believe that behind the vices associated with Hollywood life, such as sex, drugs, alcohol and money, there is in fact a catalyst for these stars’ derailment?

Randy: I don’t have a wordy answer. I have a few words that come to mind. Excess, availability…

Natalie: Would you say exploitation?

Randy: No. it’s hard to see exploitation, because these child actors or anyone who’s a child in entertainment, whether it’s music, whether it’s…it’s still choosing to live a lifestyle. If there’s nothing to be tabloid-worthy, and if they weren’t out at a club or doing whatever, you know, drunk-driving or they weren’t flipping off a cop, or whatever… It wouldn’t be in the tabloids. What is really sad to me, is that there are magazines and masses of money made by showing people’s pain. Why not have magazines to show people’s triumphs? And there’s certainly been plenty of celebrities who…take Meryl Streep, for instance. She has a life and she’s an actress. She’s a star, but you don’t see her in tabloids.

So, I think there’s a way of being in the entertainment industry and not being a tragedy of the entertainment industry. But hey, having grown up in Hollywood, there’s a lot that’s right there. There’s a lot of debauchery, and a lot of excess that’s all behind these doors that are open to them. And I think, it’s hard enough growing up, becoming who you are and learning who you are as a teenager, and then dealing with the ego part of it. The fame, the money, the excess. It can be tricky for some to handle.

Natalie: And as such, do you believe that these addictions or destructive behaviours are in fact a means of escape from the pressures and expectations that come with notoriety at such a young age?

Randy: I think that it’s part of it. Sure. I mean my own belief is that there’s usually something deeper than that, that someone would use a substance as a crutch. But there’s a trigger, such as fame or…too much pressure, too much this, not enough that and then a substance or alcohol becomes easily relied upon.

Natalie: Randy, how different is your life now compared to having grown up in one of the most famous entertainment families in Hollywood?

Randy: Significantly different. Gosh, I don’t even know how to answer than. I mean, night and day (laughs). It’s almost like a different lifetime. Granted, I’m not hurting by any means and I live a nice life, but it doesn’t look anything like the way I grew up.

Natalie: One of your mottos is “Heal Your Past, Live Your Present “, which I must say highly resonates with me as it would with many others. How does this motto translate into how you live your life, and ultimately what you would like to instil in your children?

Randy: It’s a two part answer. I don’t know how it translates to what I want to instil in my children. They don’t have much of a past right now so (laughs). But in terms of how I live my life, I think I needed to heal my past in order to live my present. Otherwise, I would be living my present always looking at the past. And I see it every day with people. A good example is people will be in relationships with one another and will be reacting to something the other one says, and it’s not even what the other person says but it reminds them of you know, their father saying this to them when they were five, and it brings up all of that. They’re not even in relationships in the present time.

So, I don’t think people need to spend years and years and years and years dwelling on the past, but I think if anyone asks themselves truthfully, is there anything from the past that you would like to improve? Is there anything from the past that you feel holds you back from living your best life? I believe that if someone’s honest, there’s always something that will come up. So, I do think it’s important that we either ask each other, or ask ourselves these questions so we can keep updating our software, because otherwise, it’s like we’re on a computer with Windows from ‘95. We’re going, “Why is this so slow? What? My screen’s frozen”.

Natalie: Randy, those analogies are great!

Natalie: Randy, the very foundation of your role as a life coach, is to guide individuals on their own journey into self-awareness, a deeper understanding of what makes them who they, what has ultimately shaped the individual that they have become, as well as the choices that have led them to the point that they are currently at in their life. You also help them to identify obstacles in their life, which can hold that individual back from reaching their full potential, and live the life that they ultimately aspire to or envision for themselves.

How difficult is it for an individual to break through their self-defeating attitudes, behaviours, insecurities, and negative self-fulfilling prophecies?

Randy: I see people change in a couple weeks. I also see that some people take longer to work through, let go of and make the necessary shifts. Time isn’t so important as much as a willingness to breakthrough mixed with patience. For instance, I had a client who came through my doors two months ago, and that was a once a week. Her life is drastically different right now. Her outlook on life and herself is drastically different. I have some people who might not be as willing to look at the things that they need to look at. I feel like the change that people want is dictated by them, and how open and willing they are to look at things differently.

Natalie: So, ultimately they have to be willing to change and work toward it?

Randy: Yes, and let go of certain things. Let’s say someone is dealing with something in life and their so identified with a particular role. If they say “I’m just not pretty enough. I’ll be never Claudia Schiffer (laughs), Kate Moss. I’ll just never be that. I am so ugly”. I would ask, “Why do you compare yourself to Kate Moss?” “Well, she’s beautiful. Everyone loves her”. “Yes and, is your name Kate?” Their reply, “No.” My reply, “You’re you. If you try to be someone else and compare yourself to someone else, it is a set up for failure and self- suffering. If someone isn’t willing to let go of a role that they’re identified with, as being the one who’s not attractive, then it’s going to be very hard for them to change until someone says wait a second, yeah, that’s not very kind. Why am I comparing myself to a top supermodel? What’s one thing I can find about myself that I appreciate, that works? Just one thing, even though it might be little. Those small things can be expanded upon to really turn things around, so the self-image changes.

Natalie: Spirituality means different things to different people. How do you interweave spirituality into the messages and coaching strategies that you employ during your sessions?

Randy: Good question. That is also based on the individual. So, if someone is Christian and that’s their faith, I might use examples that apply to them to meet them where they are at. Like if someone is more into, you know, Buddhism, or I guess my own definition of spirituality which is just being more in touch with spirit, then I’ll use more examples of the universe and universal truths, and talk with people about this sort of spiritual concept, to break them down into everyday liveable realities. At the end of the day, I work with people on love, acceptance, gratitude and compassion. In my book, that should encompass all religions and all human beings as those principles do not discriminate nor do they alienate.

Natalie: Would you say spirituality for you, is more of a way to live your life?

Randy: Yes. I mean, I feel like spirituality is a part of…spirituality is life. I mean, life isn’t separate from spirituality. It took me years to go, “Oh, I’m going to be spiritual now”. But was I not spiritual before? I think it’s just… it’s your values, it’s your morals, it’s what you find is the truth for you. I think that’s spirituality.

Natalie: Do you believe that spirituality is integral to the healing process or a way to live your life accordingly?

Randy: Not necessarily. I don’t think someone has to. Spirituality, that term, has become almost like a non-religious religion. You know, I don’t even know what it means anymore, or how to define that. But that is what I like about it. Once something is defined, it loses some of its magic and mystery, loses its power. I would say for me, spirituality is anything that un-limits somebody. So, yeah, anything that is unlimited.

Natalie: Randy, has spirituality brought a peace and purpose to your life, and if so, in what respect?

Randy: Yes. Spirituality has brought peace. It’s brought purpose. I’ve also had to change how I view life. You know, I was waiting for some big spiritual enlightenment. And I get little moments of spiritual enlightenment all throughout my day, whether talking to you, our shared connection. I have moments with my daughter where I’ll be greatly challenged, because I’m so frustrated about something, and she’ll turn and she’ll say something to me. And in that moment it makes me question, redefine everything that I was thinking at that moment. So, I feel like life is spiritual. Everything that we do, it can be greatly spiritual. It just depends on how you look at it. So, for me, yes I’ve learned a lot in life, even more seeing the spirituality, the God in everything.

Natalie: Also, what spiritual message would you like to instil or share with others, especially those with pre-existing biases, beliefs or misconceptions?

Randy: My spiritual message is ask questions. Find your truth. Don’t limit yourself. Love who you are.

Natalie: Do you believe that a lack of spirituality or reluctance toward spiritual beliefs can hinder an individual’s development in the formation of one’s beliefs around the meaning and purpose of life and its connection with others?

Randy: I think that’s just it. Our beliefs are our spirituality. So, if you believe in a God that’s sitting in heaven, deciding if you’re going to a good place or a bad place. That’s your spirituality and that dictates how you see the world based on that. If you believe life is meant to be about pain and suffering, that’s going to be part of your spirituality. If you believe that we’re meant to discover ourselves and that everything happens the way that it needs to for our own development, then that’s your spirituality.

It depends on what the definition of spirituality is. And for some people to find their spirituality is in their perceived relationship with God or a higher power, or the universe, or creation or source or Jesus or Buddha, etc. And for some, going to church is spiritual. That’s their connection. For some, you know, they sit in their room and meditate, and they feel their connection. I think connection is a big word, in terms of spirit. Whether it’s your own spirit, whether it’s an outside force that came be to God. There’s still a connection there.

So, yes I guess the question is how does one find connection? I don’t think anything has to hinder one’s growth. I do think that beliefs shape our reality. So, if you believe that the world is square, then the world’s going to be square until, you’re like Christopher Columbus and see it round (laughs). I think beliefs either limit people or drive them beyond them, depending on what it is.

Natalie: And the notion around spirituality is not a clear-cut concept, is it?

Randy: This might be very esoteric, but I think that’s the thing a lot of people struggle with in defining G.O.D, in defining God. What is that? Well, that’s religion. Oh, that means this and that, and it’s like, how do you define something that I can’t define? I can’t pretend to define that cause I don’t know. I know what I feel, and I know that when I look in my daughter’s eyes and she says something to me Natalie, that I’m completely amazed by, and it makes me in that moment think, “Wow, this place is amazing. We human beings are fascinating, amazing”. That’s it to me. That’s an example. But I can’t define that. It’s just an example that I connect to and say, “Oh yes, right there. That feeling, that’s it”.

Natalie: Randy, during your experience as a life coach so far, have you found that most individuals have been receptive to your spiritual teachings, or do you feel that spirituality is a subject which some individuals are reluctant to embrace?

Randy: You know, it’s a good question. I coach people, I coach business men and women who want to change their career, or want to improve, you know, certain things in their jobs. We don’t discuss spirituality. They come to me. I let someone dictate what they want, so I ask questions. They tell me what they want, I ask more questions till we get to a desired outcome. Again, for me it’s all spiritual. Someone’s looking to improve something, someone wants something. I’m facilitating them with something. I don’t sit there and bring my spiritual tool-chest into the equation all the time. It depends on the person, if someone wants to go there or not.

Natalie: Randy, you currently conduct workshops in both Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles. Do you have any future plans to further expand your workshops or life coaching sessions to other parts of the United States?

Randy: Those are two big cities and I have lived in both. But I have clients all over. I have clients in Australia, I have clients in England. I have clients in Sweden, Norway. So, I work with people through Skype or telephone. Even do workshops and tele-workshops, so distance does not limit someone working with me thanks to technology. In terms of workshops, because of my children being so young and finishing my book, I haven’t done that much traveling in the past year. But because my book is going to be coming out, I’m probably going to have to do a bit more traveling. So, I will open up my in-person workshops to some different places. But I do offer in-town retreats for anyone who wants to come here. I make individualized workshop retreats for their needs.

Natalie: On a less serious note, can you tell us what a day in the life of Randy Spelling is like?

Randy: Oh, okay. I’ll try to give you the abridged version. Wake up. Three minute meditation. Go get my youngest daughter. Change her diaper. Then go in and get my older daughter. Watch them play for five minutes. My wife takes over. I go down and make breakfast. And if it’s a workday, I will get ready to go to work and work for six or eight hours, and I come home and same thing. I do dinner (laughs). Help my wife get dinner ready for the girls, and then usually we’ll go on a walk around our neighbourhood. And then it’s bath time. Then I put one to bed. Leah [my wife] puts the other one to bed. We take turns with both girls. And then, usually after that I make some food for myself and then I either do some work stuff or I’ll sit with my wife. We’ll talk about the day and hang out for a little bit. Once in a while, we’ll watch a movie and go to sleep. Because my daughters are so young, we are tired! Yes, it’s just life. Task, task. Got to get this done, got to get that done. You change her diaper. Yes, it’s quite busy right now.

Natalie: What are your hobbies/interests?

Randy: I love food. I would say, I’m coo coo about food. And I’m a fact research nerd, so I’m really pretty vocal and passionate about the food system, where food comes from, health and just looking out for the planet. I want to make sure that my daughters have a nice, taken care-of earth when I’m not here. They can have the choices, eat the foods they want and get the nutrition that they need.

Natalie: Very eco-friendly practices?

Randy: Yes. Not everything. But yes. For instance, the whole, you know, pesticide, genetically-modified food debate. I would say I’m pretty passionate about it. That’s one of my hobbies. I do like exercise, I do like writing a lot. That’s it. Being out in nature. Going to a film. Seeing new things. Love that. I don’t always have time for those things, but I make sure I get them in when I can (laughs).

Natalie: Randy, you said that your book should be available within the next year?

Randy: I think so. I’m talking with publishers right now. So, depending on what publisher I go with. I guess it will be up to them when they slate the book for release. So, I won’t know. Hopefully, it will be within the next twelve months, but maybe I’ll put something on my website where people can pre-order, be put on the list.

Natalie: Anything you want to tell us? Tid-bits that can wet our appetite?

Randy: It’s a bigger version of this interview. This was just an appetizer (laughs). Now I am hungry!

Natalie: Fantastic. Can’t wait!

Randy: I mean, I talk about some of the struggles I’ve had with my own addiction, growing up. There’s a good amount of bringing these spiritual concepts down to earth in a way that people can use them on an everyday basis to better themselves.