OF all the places Fraser Penman thought he would put his hypnosis skills to use for the first time, a barber’s shop was perhaps what he least expected.
“I’d learned language patterns and the barber was chatting away about hypnosis so when I said I could do it they shut the shop after my haircut and I hypnotised them,” the 29-year-old tells The National.
Originally from East Kilbride, Penman (below) is a qualified hypnotherapist and entertainer, having performed sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and garnered millions of views on TikTok.
He’s been described as “Scotland’s answer to Derren Brown” and is preparing for a show in Paisley next month.
In an exclusive interview with The National, he spoke about his struggles growing up, what inspired him to choose his current career and previewed his latest show.
Struggles growing up
Penman explains that he was bullied growing up on account of a rare genetic condition he was born with.
“I was bullied physically and mentally because of my albinism. I was attacked by people just for looking different,” he says.
“From about age 14, I died my hair jet black, wore fake tan and makeup and just did everything to avoid being myself really.
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“Over the years it left me feeling like I was living a double life. When I was studying at university I was diagnosed as dyslexic as well.
“I had a bit of a nervous breakdown and I was so anxious and depressed that I was days away from committing suicide.”
A crucial conversation
Despite being in such a dark place, one conversation with his brother helped Penman to begin to see things differently.
“I remember this phone call with my brother where he asked me what I wanted to do and out of nowhere I told him that I’d love to be a hypnotist but then gave him a bunch of reasons why it wouldn’t work out,” he says.
Penman adds that he has always been fascinated with mentalist Derren Brown and the possibilities of influencing people’s minds.
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“I gave my brother all these reasons why it wouldn’t work out but he gave me one reason why I should go for it and that was my happiness.”
Chasing a dream
From there, Penman’s life changed entirely. He’d already been studying hypnosis in his spare time through DVDs and self-teaching.
Before he took to TikTok and the stage though, he made himself his first patient, telling himself that “you are enough”.
“The next day I shaved off all my hair, binned the tan and make-up and spent two years studying to become a clinical hypnotherapist.
@rsullivan1991 I didnt believe it before… I do now! @Worlds Most Unique Hypnotist #hypnotist #funny #jibberish #foryou ♬ original sound - Sully 🏴
“I’ve worked with clients and secured management and an agent. I’ve spoke at conferences and the Fringe festival and been invited on podcasts and hypnotised some of Scotland’s biggest influencers.”
He says that his role has helped people overcome their personal challenges and build up their self-confidence.
Penman also explains that there’s now also the possibility of him heading to LA and Vegas for some new shows.
What to expect
Penman’s new show – A Night of the Mind – is heading to the Tannahill Centre in Paisley.
He stresses that people will have heard of magicians using “sleight of hand” but that he stands out by using “sleight of mind”.
Although much of his work has focused on helping people overcome challenges, it’s also about entertainment and he says the show is “family fun” (although only those over the age of 18 make their way onto stage).
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“I want to take the audience on a journey of their imagination by pushing the boundaries of what we’re physically and mentally looking for.
“It’s a show where everyone can leave their nine to five and take them back to a time when they were a kid at Christmas.”
Tickets for the show are still available HERE but are selling fast.
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