I met today’s Guest Mentor performing magic at an outdoor networking event four of us co-hosted. Dan DeMuth’s place was a perfect spot for the gathering. Actually, the event was Coach Dan’s idea. His backyard is a huge putting green. Perfect for a magic show before throwing golf clubs and developing new relationships. 
“The Amazing Hondo” showed me a blank card and then placed it on the ground in front of me. When I bent down to turn it over, the card wasn’t blank. The card was a picture of me. 
I am still scratching my head in wonderment.
A magic entertainer’s life has always intrigued me. Today, we will uncover how John Hughes becomes “The Amazing Hondo,” who has performed for some greats like Mohamed Ali, Harvey McKay, Bob Hope, and Dinah Shore. DOWNLOAD
John grew up in what he describes as a 1950s authoritarian and unstructured home where he learned to be obedient and play it safe, as did his three other siblings. Early on, he realized an independent streak that I would identify as an entrepreneurial characteristic. A desire to forge one’s own path and take the necessary financial and self-leadership risks to make a living from your craft.
Before he could exercise his entrepreneurial tendencies, he played it safe, like he was taught. He became a good student realizing he loved math and had an inner sense to teach others and have fun. Practicing magic card tricks became his teen hobby and sports an outlet for camaraderie and competition.
Professionally John started his career as a math teacher and coach at Cretin-Durham Hall, his alma mater. Hall-of-Famer Paul Molitor and MN Twins catcher Joe Mauer attended the same school. The performer in John began emerging as his two favorite sports of basketball and baseball were fodder for solving probability equations in math classes. What was Joe Mauer’s batting average? Let’s figure it out. Applying real-life situations made math come alive for his students. Magic card tricks were the reward incentivizing his math students to complete homework assignments and promote teamwork.
“The Amazing Hondo” arose out of a request from peers to perform his “Mathemagic” show at a national conference in San Francisco. John practiced 35 hours for a 2-hour magic performance in front of a three-way mirror where his hands could take on a life of their own as John moved into a meditative state. Memory work and mental gymnastics are steady companions. There was no stopping John. He went from Mr. Hughes, the amazing teacher, and coach to “The Amazing Hondo,” speaker and entertainer.
“The Amazing Hondo” took advantage of opportunities that helped him hone his craft, release debilitating beliefs, and springboard out of a life ‘playing it safe’ and into the magical world of entrepreneurship. When does it make sense to take your next leap of faith? “The Amazing Hondo” has some answers for you.
Please do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.
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After listening, do the following three C.A.L.M. Activities:
- Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Answer this question, where in your life are you playing it too safe? Look in a mirror as you answer the question. Ask yourself, what do I want? What is my inner voice whispering to me? Write down what you learn. Take the next best step.
- Apply Self-Compassion: Relax into the moment letting your feelings surface after doing the adventurous task above. Identify in your body where you feel the emotion. In your stomach? Your throat? Relax your shoulders. Squeeze and release your toes a few times. Place your hand over the body part where the emotion feels strongest. Let the warmth of your hand soothe your heart or stomach or shoulder or low back or the back of your neck. When you are ready, release your hand and take the next best step.
- Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate the honesty and insight “The Amazing Hondo” brought into our conversation. I appreciate the effort it took to practice and perfect his craft. I appreciate John’s uncanny ability to share his life while keeping listeners in mind. His engaging personality and desire to be of value bring value. I hope he knows that he is enough and being himself is enough. I appreciate who he is today and cherish the gifts he shares so openly, bringing fun and joy, and magic to our lives. He truly is “The Amazing Hondo.”
Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, “The Amazing Hondo.” I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”
“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator
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Podcast Guest Mentor
“The Amazing Hondo,” creator of “Magic with a Message,” is a sought-after speaker, entertainer, emcee, and auctioneer. His engaging, personalized, humor-filled presentations have inspired and captivated worldwide audiences for three decades, primarily in the business, educational, sporting, and non-profit sectors.
Hailing from St. Paul, MN, Hondo graduated with honors from Winona State University. He later taught math at his alma mater Cretin-Derham Hall, where Hall-of-Famer Paul Molitor and MN Twins MVP catcher Joe Mauer were also educated.
Hondo discovered in the classroom that students learn more (and more quickly) when they’re captivated and having fun. Boredom has no place in the classroom nor at your next meeting or conference. Today, Hondo is still that profound professor, and your audience is his classroom. Hondo shines a light on ‘your magic’ by wrapping a meaningful message around ‘his magic.’ Hondo will hold them in the ‘palm of his hand’ while inspiring them to greater ‘heights of wonder.’
Hondo believes that we are all magicians, providing amazement to those we serve. We do that by believing in and trusting one another, staying true to our FUN-da-Mentals, and exceeding expectations.
Hondo lives to make his performances at meetings and events more fun and memorable. 
Episode 292: The Magical Life of “The Amazing Hondo”
Author: Nancy A. Meyer, M.A.
Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything). Nancy’s compassionate and collaborative approach reinforces resilience while maintaining accountable conversations supporting how you redefine your lead while redesigning your business. Nancy calls this “Dual Innovation Leadership.” Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring in Dual Innovation Leadership. She has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today! Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are while inspiring them to breakthrough into new dimensions: As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator), As a Competent Business Owner (Practitioner) As a Mentor (Role Model) As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master! Start by subscribing to WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and...
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