90 Seconds with Michael

A chat with Michael Mahoney about our audio programs

Some people want to simply go to our audio programs information quickly, some ask for a little more information about the programs which Michael Mahoney the man behind our audio programs development answers below.

Not just CD's & downloads - or streamed programs now too, no! Our audio programs contain serious therapeutic  responses to some of the most         serious, quality of life limiting conditions faced  by many in society.

Why did you go down the path of producing Health Assistance Programs?

Quite simply, I wanted to make a positive difference to those who were not well enough to come to my practice for help, my audio programs provide another option, sometimes the only option for those with difficult conditions.

It started with the IBS Audio program 100, over 24 years ago, and now we have 17 titles to offer. I entered the profession to help others, and while that may sound a little weak these days, it is none-the-less true and developing our programs seemed a cost effective way of meeting my aims to help as many people as I can.

How long does it take to produce your audio programs ?

This depends. I have heard of therapists who churn out an audio recording at the rate of 1 a week or more!
Ours are much different, and take much longer to develop. For example our IBS Audio Program 100 took 5 years to develop, and had three years patient piloting.

It was the first on the market, and is trusted by users in 45+ countries now.   So going for quantity rather than quality is not our way. I insist we develop quality products, which are really aimed at the problem presented.

All Hypnosis programs are the same aren’t they?

The quick answer is no. See above!
Our self help audio programs are professionally recorded by qualified sound engineers in professional recording studios. Our programs are researched and structured and most have listening schedules to optimize the sessions.

Listening schedules? 

Yes, they are simple to follow and are a suggested guide.  Anyone who knows 1 + 1 = 2 will be able to follow the schedule and maximize the audio programs effectiveness.

It is of course at the users discretion whether they listen to the program in the suggested way, and it makes sense to get the most out of it.  

It is only a matter of reading the accompanying booklet and looking at what session to listen to on what day. Simple!

In fact I have had emails from users where English is not their first language who have said the IBS Audio Program 100 not only helped their IBS, but their English too, so that’s great to hear, I would never have thought about that aspect of the recordings.

Look, I have worked for over 36 years with clients in my practice, I understand the pain, frustration, the worry and fear, and all the rest that goes with many health conditions. That is why I have spent years developing programs to best meet the needs of the IBS sufferer, the Anxiety and Stress sufferer, those in pain through Osteoarthritis, or emotional recovery from breast cancer, the people who cannot sleep, or lack confidence for whatever reason. I am passionate about doing all I can for them.

What would you say your audio programs USP – Unique Selling Proposition are?

Now you are getting complicated! Seriously this is an easy one for me to answer.Our customers get audio programs specifically developed for their presenting problem, not audio programs put together simply to make a quick buck!.

Our audio programs are developed for the specific issue mentioned in the title. I don’t believe just throwing audio programs together is the right way of doing things.

These are serious conditions, and should be taken seriously, I and Healthy Audio Limited do.

The IBS Audio Program 100 for Irritable Bowel Syndrome in adults.

The IBS Audio Program 60 for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)/ Recurrent Abdominal Pain (RAP) in children.

The Anxiety Audio Program 120 for those who are anxious, and need a structured approach to this problem.

Emotional recovery after breast cancer for breast cancer survivors

Emotional Renewal 110 for those who have had difficult journeys, or have been victims on some way.

Confidence and self esteem for those who need to address negative thought patterns, and other titles besides. Including Osteoarthritis, Burnout.

Another USP (you started it!) is that I have been in practice since 1986, I am not someone who simply wanted a change of career or someone who has been in a profession and wants to make some money while awaiting retirement!  This is my vocation; I truly believe this is what I was born to do.

Another USP is that I put all my 36 years of experience with patients into my recordings so it is not just a CD set or download or streamed program being purchased. I try and give as much in my recordings as I would give in one to one sessions.

I guess not least is the fact we have been helping people with our programs for more than 24 years now, we are not a ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ company, which is more important than ever in this day and age.

People want good products and good service, and I believe we deliver both, in a professional and timely way, and we are often told we do, so that is satisfying to know.

What if I don’t believe in hypnotherapy?

Then don’t buy any audio programs!
Though the medical profession have recognized hypnosis as a valid treatment option since the middle 50’s.  In the UK, in 2008 the Governments’ health organisation the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) gave the green light for doctors to prescribe hypnotherapy for the treatment of IBS, after 12 months of ineffective drug treatment.

I would much rather people take time to consider my work, and come to them when they are ready, rather than doing them reluctantly.

The old saying comes to mind here ‘When the student is ready, the teacher will appear’  Simply when the time is right, you will get the most out of our audio programs.

What has been your biggest disappointment?

In the late 1990’s I sent the IBS Audio program 100 to a publicity company in London to see what they thought of it.

Now, I should say, that this program took me years to develop, I raised money on the equity in my home to develop it (no research grants were available, IBS drug companies said no to helping me develop it, over the counter medicine companies said no too, and I wrote in total to 24 of them) when the reply came back from the PR company, it read that the IBS Audio Program 100 was ‘unmarketable’ and ‘should be forgotten’.

My first big disappointment was getting that letter. The second came several years later, because I did not keep the letter, because now the program has helped thousands of people in over 40 countries.

What a bad call that PR Company made. But what kept me going is what keeps people looking for a solution, drive and determination to make a difference, and that is what I hope all my programs do for those who use them.

Then the work and the time and effort put into developing them, will all have been worth it.

What is your proudest achievement?

I have a few, though I don’t feel comfortable with the word proudest, being invited to the Queens garden party at Buckingham Palace in July 2011 as a direct result of my “innovative health solutions” referring to my hypnosis programs, that is really high on the list.

Winning several innovation and research awards for my work in IBS and Cancer are some of the highlights of my career.

Contributing to the funding and organizing of the UK’s first IBS awareness evening at Liverpool University years ago is another,

Receiving an email from a grateful user of my work, who I will never meet, who has put time aside to write to me, that is a wonderful feeling too.

What annoys you?

What frustrates me rather than annoys me are people who email for help, and don’t say thank you. 

I often spend lots of time putting an answer together (my typing style is search & stab!) and then nothing, not even a thank you.

That frustrates me, though I should know by now that people are often desperate for information to help them to move on. If nothing else I hope in hindsight they reflect and realize that I, or others in the company tried to help them.

You never know, their search may lead them back to our audio programs!

How long will you carry on?

I have lots of work to do, other important titles are in the pipeline, as long as I have my health, and the belief I am doing good, I will continue the work I believe I am meant to do.

Which is your favourite program?

This is difficult, as they are all special to me. The IBS Audio Program 100 started it all for me, so that holds a special place in my affections.

The anxiety Audio program 120, is one of the largest program I have developed with resource libraries and lead in programs. That was a challenging program to develop.

The Emotional recover after breast cancer program, has been widely reviewed by cancer professionals and deemed to be a valid treatment option, and that is special too.

I think this leads us back to somewhere near where we started. Simply, no matter what the condition whether IBS, Anxiety, confidence, Cancer recovery, Chronic Pain, or any of our other programs including Insomnia and stress, if it is affecting the individual's’ life negatively, it should be classed as serious.

Excerpts from an interview with Michael Mahoney July 21st 2009 – updated in 2011 and 2015 and 2022