In this exclusive interview, Chic Icon magazine is honored to speak with the world-renowned Hollywood’s Acting & Business Trainer Bernard Hiller, who has revolutionized both the artistic and business worlds with his unique methodologies. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and having lived in Germany before moving to New York City, Bernard’s journey from Broadway musicals to coaching Hollywood’s elite has been nothing short of extraordinary. Bernard Hiller has trained some of the top talents in the industry, including Cameron Diaz, Jeff Goldblum, Lindsay Lohan, and many others around the globe. His revolutionary film acting techniques and success methods have garnered international acclaim, and his transformational masterclasses, which have been conducted in over 26 countries, consistently sell out.
Recently, Bernard brought his expertise to Dubai for an exclusive, “How To Live An Oscar-Winning Life” workshop, organized for the community by Igor Sivov. This event underscores his commitment to fostering ideas, talent, and creatives across the globe. Bernard’s techniques have been praised by the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Baz Luhrmann, and Nadja Swarovski. He has transformed not only actors but top CEOs and Fortune 500 companies – making Bernard a true “Transformational Wizard.”
In this interview, Bernard shares his insights on authenticity, success, and the intersection of how acting plays a real role in all our lives. His belief in the power of love, creativity, and joy shines through as he discusses his unique journey, methods, and his vision for helping individuals become the artists and entrepreneurs of the future. Join us as we delve into the mind of Bernard Hiller and explore the wisdom of a man who has dedicated his life to helping others shine bright.
Chic Icon: Can you walk us through some of the exercises you employ to guide individuals toward self-discovery and personal growth?
Bernard Hiller: Absolutely. My approach to teaching is rooted in a deep understanding of human behavior, psychology, and the belief that true transformation comes from within. One foundational exercise I use involves self-reflection through a mirror. By encouraging individuals to confront themselves and examine what they see, they uncover underlying issues related to self-worth and learn how to start loving their uniqueness – what’s truly special about them. This process allows individuals to reconnect with their innermost selves and identify areas where they may have lost touch with their values. “Sometimes the parts you don’t like about yourself are your gift.”
Another key aspect of my teaching revolves around the concept of acquiring more self-love. I firmly believe that love is the cornerstone of personal development and fulfillment. Do you love yourself enough to change, grow, or ask for help? Through exercises and introspection, I guide individuals in rediscovering their inherent worth and learning to prioritize their happiness and well-being.
I also recommend that they learn to express their emotions every day, to either journal them or stand in front of a mirror and say them out loud. This is so you can release all the feelings you have within you, with a powerful voice and emotional connection. Human beings are emotional people and if you do not express yourself and release all the feelings bottled up inside, you will not be able to connect to your power. Unexpressed emotions will slowly destroy your energy, health, and soul.
Furthermore, I emphasize the importance of daily rituals and habits that cultivate positivity and empowerment. I start each day with inspiring music and affirmations to surround myself with supportive influences. These practices serve to recharge your “happiness battery” and set the stage for success. You must do things and plan things to bring you joy and happiness. In this business, you must resonate at a high level of energy to attract more success, love, and joy in your life. Feed yourself with positive affirmations, and even write yourself an email every day, telling yourself all the words you need to hear to conquer the obstacles that will come your way and have a successful day.
Chic Icon: Can you speak to the challenges that many of your students and clients encounter as they embark on this journey of transformation?
Bernard Hiller: Well, transformation is not without its obstacles, and many that I work with face common challenges along the way. One primary hurdle is overcoming ingrained beliefs and societal conditioning that undermine self-esteem, confidence, or pursuing dreams. Whether it’s internalized criticism or external pressures to conform, individuals often struggle to break free from limiting beliefs and embrace their true potential.
The journey toward self-discovery can require a willingness to confront uncomfortable past truths. It’s natural to encounter resistance and fear when delving into the depths of one’s psyche, but it’s through this process of facing and overcoming challenges – that’s when true growth occurs. This transformation is not linear and may involve setbacks and moments of doubt. Persistence and resilience are essential qualities that my students harness as they navigate these obstacles and continue moving forward on their journey.
Ultimately, the rewards of self-discovery and personal growth far outweigh the challenges encountered along the way. By embracing vulnerability, fostering more self-love, and committing to lifelong learning, individuals can unlock their full potential, living their lives with purpose and authenticity.
Chic Icon: Let’s talk about the role of coaching and finding the right mentor. How can individuals discern if they’ve found the right coach for their needs?
Bernard Hiller: The key to finding the right coach lies in discovering someone whose life you aspire to emulate. Whether it’s in the realm of career, personal, or fitness development, the ideal coach is someone who embodies the qualities and achievements you seek for yourself. Just as you wouldn’t seek fitness advice from someone who doesn’t exemplify physical health, you shouldn’t entrust your personal growth to someone whose own life doesn’t reflect the success and fulfillment you desire. You wouldn’t ask someone who is living their nightmare to help you achieve your dreams now, would you?
Chic Icon: Speaking of success, do you consider yourself the best in your field?
Bernard Hiller: I believe I am the best for those who resonate and connect with my approach and philosophy. Every individual is unique, and finding the right coach is a deeply personal journey. I know I’m not the right fit for everyone. However, I am confident in my ability to facilitate meaningful transformation and empower those I do work with to unlock their full potential. Many coaches will motivate and inspire in the areas in which the student must improve or change, but I focus on what they need to become to transform into the accomplished individual. Motivation lasts a few weeks; transformation lasts a lifetime. Their success is my success.
One thing that I do think is particularly unique is combining life coaching, acting release exercises, and business strategy – which no one else has done before. Acting is holding up a mirror to our humanity and understanding the complexities of human nature, emotions, dreams, and passions. So, if you do not understand it yourself, then you are not able to be an emotionally available and passionate person. This approach has produced unprecedented results for those I’ve worked with.
Chic Icon: What inspired you to develop your unique method, and can you share some examples of the exercises you’ve created?
Bernard Hiller: My technique is a culmination of years of experience, and understanding of why people behave a certain way. I identified common challenges, such as difficulty expressing one’s emotions and disconnecting from their heart and instincts. In response, I developed a series of exercises aimed at addressing these issues and fostering genuine self-discovery and empowerment.
One example of such an exercise is the “I Feel” exercise, where participants are encouraged to express various emotions freely. Another involves having a conversation with your heart as a means of reconnecting with one’s innermost feelings and intuition. These types of exercises are designed to bypass the analytical mind and tap into the wisdom of intuition. The heart is where true creativity, strength, and inspiration reside.
Chic Icon: How do you strike the balance between the mind and the heart in your teaching?
Bernard Hiller: I believe the key is to prioritize the heart over the mind, recognizing that the mind should serve as a tool rather than the master. While logic and reasoning have their place, true wisdom and inspiration stem from the heart. By cultivating a deeper connection with our emotions and intuition, we can access a wellspring of creativity and authenticity that transcends mere intellect.
Chic Icon: Do you have your own teachers, your own masters?
Bernard Hiller: Sure. I have mentors that don’t even know they’re my mentors. I’m always learning. I had a wonderful teacher, someone who’s no longer with us, Wayne Dyer, a very famous American life coach. Les Brown has been another influential figure. I’ve read thousands of books on happiness and success, becoming an expert on why people do the things they do. My success lies in helping people become the person they need to be to achieve their dreams and goals. Many people talk about their dreams, but the crucial question is: what kind of person would you need to be to win? It’s about transformation. I teach people how to embody the traits necessary for their aspirations, whether in running a company or as a creative. This brings about more success, happiness, and love. These lessons come from my book, “The Revolutionary Guide to Acting”. They transform individuals into who they were meant to become. Listen, we’re all in show business – in every aspect of life. We need to present ourselves effectively, whether in business, as an artist, or in our personal interactions. With my techniques, I also teach people how to become a dynamic public speaker.
Chic Icon: What is the secret ingredient of success?
Bernard Hiller: In business, you have to fall in love with the product you’re selling. In life, you are the product, so you need to fall in love with yourself to know what you’re selling. For instance, dynamic speakers must understand what makes them unique and what their gifts are. It’s like having a store—you need to know what you’re offering for others to buy. I help people develop a great presentation, connection, and passion to attract attention. It’s about refining their “storefront” to draw people in, even if not everyone’s buying.
Chic Icon: How do you find the balance between how you want to look and appear to others and who you really are?
Bernard Hiller: The key is to ensure that you are authentic. You can’t just wear a beautiful dress and expect to be seen as beautiful if you’re sad inside. My goal is to help people genuinely become their best selves, not just play a part. Authenticity is essential; it means making your soul visible to the world. It’s about being real, powerful, positive, and sometimes unrealistic and even unpopular. Sometimes people don’t like your authenticity. Successful people often start off being misunderstood or seen as crazy. True authenticity connects you to who you really are, despite societal expectations.
Chic Icon: Is there a difference between your techniques for teaching acting and for teaching self-awareness?
Bernard Hiller: No, I use my unique techniques for both artists and business people. Business people often find these techniques new, exciting, and transformative. In acting, you’re only as good as you are as a human beings. We all play different roles in our daily lives—partner, friend, mother, father, lover, business professional—and need to be effective in each one of them to have a successful life.
Chic Icon: Could you elaborate on the purpose behind your coaching?
Bernard Hiller: Certainly, the coaching I provide aims to help individuals uncover their innate gifts and talents, which can only be fully realized through dedicated training. My focus is on guiding individuals to become the best version of themselves to achieve their goals. I believe life’s design revolves around three key components: our thoughts, actions, and reactions. When working with clients, I emphasize the importance of cultivating the ability to respond effectively to challenges. For instance, I often invite accomplished artists, actors, and business professionals to share their experiences at my seminars. It’s intriguing to note that many of them were initially met with discouragement and criticism, yet they used these setbacks and negative comments as motivation to move forward. This resilience is a vital aspect of success.
One of life’s secrets lies in maintaining a youthful mindset, as the future belongs to those who think and feel young. Age is not solely determined by numbers; rather, it’s about retaining the optimism and limitless potential of youth. I aim to help individuals reconnect with their passion, instinct, and enthusiasm they may have lost along the way. By reclaiming these attributes, individuals can embark on a journey toward what I refer to as their “Oscar-winning life.” This entails living a fulfilling and impactful life, worthy of accolades for navigating life’s challenges with grace and resilience.
At the end of the day, I urge individuals to surround themselves with a supportive, loving network and believe in their ability to achieve the extraordinary. By embracing the mindset of possibility and aligning with like-minded individuals, one can surpass even the wildest of dreams and goals.
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