Exploring Life & Business with Meryl Bradley of Meryl’s Mystic

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meryl Bradley.

Hi Meryl, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Summing up my story can be challenging, but I will do my best. I’ve learned that every step is connected even when it doesn’t look this they are. Every chapter has led to the next, and it’s been a wild ride so far.

I’m the kind of person who loves to try new things and pursue activities that light me up. I’ve always been a natural performer; throughout my life, I’ve been a dancer, an actor, and a singer, I love karaoke and have even MC’d & DJ’d a few times. But I never knew what I wanted my career to be; half the time, I never had a plan; I’d wait for an opportunity to present itself, and most of the time, I said, “let’s do it.”

So, when my family pushed me to do something, I went to The Aveda Institute Denver for cosmetology when I was 20. Being naturally friendly and creative, I took to the industry easily. I then moved to New York for two years, where I continued my beauty education and enjoyed experiencing living outside of my home state of Colorado. New York helped me realize how sensitive and empathic I am and taught me to value myself.

When I returned to Colorado around the beginning of 2010, I landed at The Bad Kittie Salon on Colfax. I was fortunate to grow a thriving career while moonlighting as a burlesque performer, ‘Meryl Wanna .’ Right around 28, I learned that my dreams of becoming a professional performer would probably not happen, and I was searching for passion and fulfillment in my hair career.

And then, just a few months after my 30th birthday, in February 2016, the unthinkable happened. My only sibling and younger brother, Kai, died of a drug overdose at 26. This was the first significant loss in my family, and it not only affected us greatly but impacted the many friends and families we grew up with in Littleton, CO. It’s completely changed my life, to say the least.

But my connection to my brother didn’t go away; it just changed. I quickly saw signs, felt his presence, and heard my brother speak to me. Before, I just had one foot inside the spiritual door, and Kai, in spirit, had pulled me in completely.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been interested in spiritual, metaphysical, and Wiccan practices. As a child through my teen years, I was fascinated by the rituals involved in church services while at the same time reading about witches, eastern philosophy and checking my horoscope in the newspaper daily. Never shared with anyone that I was trying to figure out what I believed, except for my mom; she was always supportive of me exploring my spirituality.

In my 20s, I became more vocal about my journey, still collecting information and experiences; I started building a deep relationship with my intuition and regularly practicing different modalities. As I neared 30, I started reading tarot and oracle cards to my friends and family. I loved talking to anyone who would listen about astrology and the universal energy at play, i.e., how the moon and the planets affect how we feel and behave on earth. Mostly my cosmetology clients.

There was no way I could continue denying my connection to the spirit world, and I’ve dedicated myself to honing & strengthening my gifts.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The loss of my brother was extremely tough and a huge turning point. My life has been touched by more grief; my Grandpa and Granny, who helped raise me, passed in November 2017 and January 2022, respectively.

And sadly, in December 2020, my dad was struck by a drunk driver and killed instantly, which was a huge shock and has created another significant shift in my journey. The grief and trauma of sudden loss have been one of the hardest things to adjust to, but it’s also continued to guide me in my purpose.

Before the loss of my brother, I had constantly questioned and doubted my gifts. It had been relayed to me by many other spiritually connected psychics and mediums that I was also a psychic medium, and I was supposed to be doing what they were. I thought, ‘sure; sometimes I would pick up things but not like these talented folks.’

My brother, in spirit, showed me how right they were. Looking back, I realize there were many incidents when my brother and I heard, saw, or felt ghosts. In hindsight, I didn’t actually remember random details about my hair clients; I was psychically channeling them without even realizing it.

Knowing your path only automatically gives you some answers; I still hit roadblocks and must be open and flexible when a pivot is needed. And similar to many of my clients, my spirit guides push me outside of my comfort zone and often encourage me to find the answers myself.

Some days, accepting and embracing my path is still a struggle. I always compare it to characters like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Neo from the Matrix, the proverbial “Chosen One.” I have not chosen this path; it has chosen me. Luckily, no one expects me to save the world, but sometimes I carry the weight. I’ve been instilled with a gift; ignoring it does more damage than good, but the way is not easy.

I’ve had to learn to stand in my power and not let others who may not believe in what I do affect how I feel about myself. Something that isn’t talked about enough is that stepping into and embodying your authentic self, changes who is around you.

In addition to “coming out of the spiritual closet,” my grief journey has caused many I thought were friends to distance themselves from me. Folks were way more supportive of my coming out as queer than they were of me being strong in my beliefs. Rejection is never easy, but learning forgiveness is one of the most challenging tasks towards healing but the most necessary.

Lastly, one of the biggest lessons of my spiritual journey is that being spiritually connected doesn’t mean I have it all figured out or that my life is all “love & light.” It’s work and a daily practice that I re-commit to constantly, especially living in a society that doesn’t support it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
In 2018, I began my transition from hairstylist to coach, even though, at the time, I didn’t know I would be a coach. I became a certified Tarot Reader through Biddy Tarot’s online courses. I started working with coaches and mentors to harness my combined experience into a path that was fulfilling & successful.

I’m a Spiritual & Relationship Coach, but I’m also a tarot-reading psychic medium and an armchair astrologist; I always learn more. I can channel spirit guides and feel my connection to the spirit world strengthening daily. Using my skills & gifts to help others, especially women & the LGBTQIA+ community, through their human experience has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

With Meryl’s Mystic, I empower Witches, B*tches, & Dudes to “complete” themselves to attract and maintain healthy soulmate relationships.

Recently, the grief journey has shown itself to be a big part of my story & journey, and my work now includes supporting folks in deep grief, helping them heal and embrace their new normal after a significant loss.

Everything in our lives our connected and intertwined and constantly shifting. Our spirit guides love to deliver the messages we need to hear, not necessarily the ones we want to hear. So, my work isn’t limited; I’ve also had the pleasure of helping folks with their careers and purposes.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and are any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
First, it made me appreciate how far we’ve evolved as humans, especially the internet. To stay connected virtually was an absolute gift for me. I know there are many flaws in it, and there’s always someone who exploits a good thing, but it is an incredible tool that is more integrated into our lives than we want to admit. And I’m always trying to focus on all the good the internet and social media can do.

The great thing about my tarot reader certification was practicing with clients worldwide through an online forum. That experience helped strengthen my abilities & my trust in my abilities; it also taught me that energy and spirit know no boundaries. Now, most of my readings and sessions are virtual, and I love that capability.

On a personal level, although I was an essential worker during the shutdown, I needed the opportunity to step back from the world. I used to put way too much on my plate and found solace in the opportunity to simplify my life a little. To go within, re-evaluate, and re-establish what is important to me.

Overall, the pandemic showed me that, more than ever, deeper, more authentic connections are vital to our survival. Connection to ourselves, each other, the earth, and our communities need to be healed. And that realization showed me how important my work and purpose are.

Pricing:

• 30 1-on-1 Sessions $66
• 1 hour 1-on-1 Session $111
• 1.5 hour 1-on-1 Session $150
• Monthly Private Coaching starts at $222/month 4-month minimum.
• For private Events, Parties, and Weddings $150 for the first hour, and $50 for every additional hour. 2-hour minimum

Contact Info:

• Website: www.merylsmystic.com
• Instagram: @merylsmystic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merylsmystic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Meryl’sMystic
• Other: https://merylsmystic.as.me/ 

Image Credits
The Well Multimedia https://www.thewell.media/ @thewell_multimedia