STORIES & INSIGHTS interview with CANVAS REBEL: Meet Bryan Vignery

Original Article Posted here: https://canvasrebel.com/meet-bryan-vignery/

We were lucky to catch up with Bryan Vignery recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Bryan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Defining Moments

Introduction:

My life story begins in an environment where hard work and connection were valued, shaping my perspective on life. However, my journey took a significant turn due to the beliefs and experiences I encountered early on.

December 1991

One of my life's pivotal moments was failing out of college in December 1991. At the time, it felt like a disaster, but in retrospect, it was a catalyst for change.

My college years were marked by a focus on social life over academics. I was desperate for connection, leading to excessive partying without ever turning to drugs. Despite maintaining a facade that fooled many, my life was spiraling out of control. I was a hard worker at my job in Aggieville, but academics were my Achilles' heel.

The loss of a defining relationship in my first year at Kansas State University left me searching for identity, leading me to prioritize new relationships over my studies. This pursuit distracted me from my architecture degree, which I found overwhelming. I continued this lifestyle for over two years, ignoring the consequences until I was hit with academic probation, revealing a dismal 1.6 GPA.

Receiving that letter was a wake-up call. I was lost, unsure of my direction, but knew change was necessary.

January 1992

Moving to Kansas City to help my sister with her children was a life-saving decision. Here, I reconnected with my passion for music, particularly drumming, which had always been my escape and strength. Within weeks, I received an unexpected call from a former teacher, leading to my involvement in a music project. This opportunity introduced me to my mentor Gary, who would become a pivotal mentor in my life.

My first studio recording as a drummer was for the Kansas Special Olympics in 1993, marking a shift from taking to giving. This project and subsequent ones opened doors to bigger dreams, including recording in Nashville, where I began to believe my childhood dream of performing could become reality.

January 1995

Under Gary’s mentorship, this period further solidified my career in music and personal growth, preparing me for more significant opportunities and character development.

January 1998

By 1998, I was at another crossroads, physically fit but spiritually empty. My mentor introduced me to a personal development seminar that challenged my self-perception and introduced me to concepts of purpose and love. This seminar was transformative, leading me to commit to community involvement and volunteerism, which began to fill the void in my life.

I started facilitating camps and seminars for adults, revealing my purpose in helping others find theirs. These were deep-dive psychology based seminars that helped people overcome the obstacles that were getting in their way of being effective in life. By leading these seminars, my understanding of spirituality started superficial but became a guiding area of life after attending a church service on the advice of my mentor. The experience was profound, leading to my acceptance of a personal relationship with Jesus. This defining moment forever changed my trajectory in life and ever since I have been about helping others experience true freedom through Christ.

Conclusion:

From academic failure to rediscovering music, mentorship, and faith, each defining moment has taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, the importance of giving back, and the power of personal transformation. My journey illustrates how life’s lowest points can lead to the highest forms of personal growth and fulfillment.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

The rearview mirror of our life holds many things. Looking into the rearview mirror of life can be both motivating and awakening, especially when intentional steps have been taken on your journey. As I have a reflective look into my own life’s rearview mirror, acknowledging the deliberate steps that have positioned me here, right now. The Defining Moments.

Since 1992, I’ve been on a journey of influence. Never in my wildest dreams as a child did I imagine I’d become an influencer. I was always the one influenced, following the crowd to fit in, believing I had no value to offer others. This led me to live a life of submission to external forces, whether healthy or unhealthy, creating havoc in my life and potentially in others’ lives. I wouldn't have stepped into a position of influence without first embracing the past that once convinced me I would not be an influencer.

Growing up in a shame-based family sets one up for defeat before they even begin to grasp the truth. Truth is what God has designed for your life; it's a reflection of Him in our lives. He is truth, and thus, we are created for truth. Embracing Him leads to true freedom.

From the age of four, music was my gift, providing glimpses of worth where I found little elsewhere. It was my saving grace, offering a taste of true acceptance, which we all crave. Our behaviors often stem from this internal drive for acceptance. When we align this desire with its Source, freedom emerges.

I was handed a platter of shame-based, self-defeating thoughts, such as “not good enough,” “insufficiencies,” “inadequacies,” and other shameful, self-defeating thoughts that controlled every aspect of my life. My distorted thinking positioned me for disaster, which began at thirteen and robbed me of true freedom. I clung to deceptions that masqueraded as freedom, continuing to buy into the lies.

From age eight, I searched for significance, exploring many potentially destructive paths, often mistaking selfish desires for true significance. I persevered, feeling there was something greater I was meant for, though I didn’t fully understand what or how to achieve it. Why should I have purpose? The real question was, why not?

The past doesn’t define me, but it has molded me into who I am today—a man capable of contributing to the greater good. I can now write this, having escaped potential destruction, enjoying life from a place of purpose. There was always a plan for my life, even when I didn’t understand it. All those years of searching paid off, leading me to understand and embrace a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He created us for a purpose beyond our human comprehension. He is enough. I am enough.

The past doesn’t define me, but it has molded me into who I am today—a man capable of contributing to the greater good. Since having these realizations, I have been able to build a successful career as a Life Coach, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Author, and Public Speaker. I can now write this, having escaped potential destruction, enjoying life from a place of purpose. There was always a plan for my life, even when I didn’t understand it. All those years of searching paid off, leading me to understand and embrace a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He created us for a purpose beyond our human comprehension. He is enough. I am enough.

Through all of these experiences, God has given me the ability to share my purpose, which is to influence, inspire, and impact people the way that others have impacted me. I do this through coaching, counseling, and speaking engagements. I also really enjoy intensive work with groups of people in a private setting.

Most of my day is spent in the counseling setting, where I work primarily with married couples and individuals. I see a variety of types of clients, ranging from those struggling with anxiety, depression, and addictions.

The Intentional Way is the branded ministry in which both my wife and I are actively involved. Under this umbrella, we offer “The Intentional Marriage,” a specialized ministry focused on strengthening marital relationships. My wife also provides services in fitness and spiritual coaching. Additionally, my activities include my counseling practice, intensive personal growth work, and public speaking engagements, all of which are encompassed by The Intentional Way.

My wife Stephanie has authored a devotional called “On a Fast Track with God Devotional and Action Book.” Together, we’ve written a series of devotionals named "Fit Mind, Fit Body, Fit Spirit; The Fit Lifestyle Series." We are currently in the editing phase of our latest book on marriage, which has not yet been officially titled. We anticipate its release in early summer 2025.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

For nearly 14 years, I dedicated myself to leading deep, immersive personal growth and spiritual formation seminars across the nation. These weren't your average workshops; they were intensive, multi-day events designed to go beyond surface-level self-improvement. Each seminar was meticulously structured to facilitate a profound journey into self-awareness, healing, and transformation. We delved into the complexities of human experience, addressing everything from personal traumas to spiritual blockages, offering participants a safe, nurturing environment to confront and work through their deepest wounds.

The seminars utilized a blend of psychological insights, spiritual practices, and therapeutic techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and narrative therapy to help individuals unpack their past traumas. We explored topics such as forgiveness, identity, purpose, and connection with the divine, aiming to foster not just healing but a rebirth of sorts into a life of greater freedom and authenticity.

My role in these seminars was multifaceted: I was a guide, a facilitator, and often, a co-healer. Witnessing the transformations—people shedding layers of pain, fear, and misunderstanding to embrace a life of peace and purpose—was like having a front-row seat to the human spirit’s resilience and capacity for renewal. I learned invaluable lessons about empathy, patience, and the nuanced art of helping someone heal. Understanding when to push, when to listen, and when to simply be present became second nature.

These years of leading these intensives were not only about aiding others but also profoundly shaped my own approach to life and work. They enriched my skills in private practice, where the insights and methods from these seminars directly informed my one-on-one sessions. The trust built, the lives changed, and the success stories from these seminars have been foundational in establishing my reputation and effectiveness in both my private practice and in conducting further intensive work.

This period of my life was transformative for my career, teaching me that healing is not just about addressing symptoms but about understanding the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. It’s this holistic approach that has continued to be the hallmark of my work, ensuring that I help people not just survive but thrive, living in freedom from their past and stepping confidently into their future.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Over the years, I have cultivated deep connections with numerous business leaders and pastors within our community, fostering relationships that have proven mutually beneficial. This network has enabled me to communicate the value of referrals, ensuring that those I’ve worked with or for understand how much their recommendations mean to my work and ministry. My commitment to service has also led me to volunteer extensively; I’ve spent hundreds of hours speaking at various conferences and church events, from leadership summits to spiritual retreats.

These speaking engagements have not only been a platform for sharing my insights and experiences but have also positioned me to directly engage with individuals at a personal level. When I speak, whether it’s about overcoming life’s challenges, personal growth, or spiritual awakening, I aim to resonate with my audience on a human level. When my words strike a chord, it provides a sense of comfort and hope to those listening, affirming that they are not alone in their struggles. They see in me someone who has navigated through similar trials and come out stronger, which in turn, instills a belief that they too can find a way through their issues with guidance, support, and faith.

This visibility has not only expanded my reach but has also deepened my community involvement. People who hear something that speaks to their heart or situation feel motivated to reach out for further help or to explore the services I offer, whether it’s counseling, mentorship, or simply a conversation that provides clarity or encouragement. This cycle of speaking, connecting, and helping has become a cornerstone of my life’s work, allowing me to make an impact one person, one event at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.intentionalway.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followtheintentionalway/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theintentionalway
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanvignery/
• Twitter: https://x.com/bvignery
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BryanVignery