I received an email from a YouTube morning show called Good Mythical Morning. I’d never heard of it. They were interested in having me come on the show to be interviewed. My first thought – will they make fun of me? Of us? Of cuddling?
I watched a few episodes and was immediately impressed with the production values – beautiful sets, ridiculously thought-out pranks, costumes, excellent sound and two super-talented guys as hosts. The tone was irreverent, upbeat and absurd.
Yeah, they could easily make fun of us.
Let’s Negotiate
I told them that I was really interested but wanted to know the approach they had in mind. They began the process of scheduling me and I said it again – it depends on what you’d like to do and the tone of it.
A few mornings later I had the idea for a “bit” that I could do with the hosts that I thought would be hilarious, fit in with the format of the show and wouldn’t trash our budding industry. I called It “Cuddle Olympics.” I asked if they’d like to hear about it. No response. It’s possible, I figured, that they’re not used to getting creative ideas pitched to them by their guests.
They scheduled a call with me and pitched their idea – to see if our cuddle poses could calm the hosts after being put in a stressful situation. I pitched one aspect of my Cuddle Olympics idea: to have the hosts try to competitively guess our cuddle poses just by what the poses are called. The creative team ultimately chose to do both bits. I was psyched.
What It Was Like
I arrived to the sound stage on a Monday morning and was blown away by the number of production staff, the beautiful set and the plushly decorated “green room” I was put in while I waited. They gave me a bag of swag including their new book, socks and a gorgeous black mug with their cool logo. I was nervous/excited.
They told me it was time to get started and ushered me to the set. There were cameras, lights, a fancy teleprompter and a hive of busy production professionals doing their thing. That’s when I saw it. As I sat on the couch waiting for the hosts to arrive, I read what was written on the teleprompter. It was what the hosts were going to say when introducing me and Cuddle Sanctuary:
Nowadays you can make anything into a profession – like a professional pet therapist or a professional pet couple’s therapist or a professional pet couple’s therapist’s therapist…
My spirits sank with a thud. “This was a mistake,” I told myself. “I’m a clown to them,” I realized. “I”m about to be made a fool of.” Thank goodness the shooting didn’t start at that moment.
So Serious
I sat there and had an inner talk with myself. The heaviness that I was feeling wasn’t going to help anyone. It wouldn’t help me. It wouldn’t help the show. And it wouldn’t help anyone out there watching.
“Jean, forget your precious brand, forget your ego, your image of yourself and your rigid idea of what’s acceptable and what’s not. Surrender your seriousness and tap into your inner jester. This ride is already in motion, so try, sweetheart, just try to have fun.”
The Result?
I left the set that day feeling happy. I felt downright comedic. I had a feeling that what we shot was going to be really good. It was going to be hilarious. I think I killed.
The videos came out last week. So far there are more than 5,300 comments. A lot of them sound like this:
The videos have been viewed over a million times, and Cuddle Sanctuary’s Instragram following has increased by several hundred. (And more people have signed up for my consent webinar today.) But perhaps what’s most important is that there are a lot of people out there (maybe thousands!) who had never heard of the concept of professional cuddling and who now have a favorable association with it.
I surrendered and got the best result I could hope for.
I surrendered and had more fun.
Can You Let Go?
Let’s try this now. Is there anything in your life that you’re holding too preciously? Do you find yourself feeling rigid, humorless and sort of miserable about it? I invite you to let it go.
Perhaps more often, we can take ourselves a smidge less seriously and witness more happiness and success flow into our lives.
Show me the Darn Videos!
Okay, okay you don’t have to yell. : – )
Jean, I admire you so much. With their background in comedy, it could have felt painful, but you are so incredibly kind and joyful, it would be hard to not embrace cuddling. The day your segment aired, my best friend (who is also a GMM fan) texted me to say she couldn’t wait for us to try the poses you instructed Rhett and Link in. It helped us embrace the idea of cuddling and comfort. I’m hopeful that you’ll be returning to the show again someday, but regardless, know that you have a place in the hearts of Mythical Beasts around the world.
I am thrilled to hear about you and your bestie trying it out!
I really enjoyed seeing that episode, you seem like such a nice lady.
Aw Amelia. That made me smile. Thanks for watching!
What a wonderful piece about your experience 😀 the Mythical family were happy to have you! <3
Why thank you!
You were hands-down one of their best guests! Glad to hear you had a good time.
I’m really flattered, thank you!
You were lovely on the show and watching it really did spark my interest on the subject of cuddle therapy. Also I didn’t know cuddle Olympics was your idea! That was hilarious. I’m glad you had a good time on set and I agree that sometimes it pays to let go and have fun.Adults in this society aren’t all comedians, so we don’t have as many opportunities to “embrace our inner jester” but I agree that we should take advantage of the opportunity when we can. Rhett and Link actually wrote a chapter on this subject, “embrace immaturity,” in their book of mythicality! And since they are comedians they do like to poke fun when they have guests/field trips but at the end of the day they are respectful and present their subjects in an educational/interesting manner. They’ve been to a bee farm, a glass blowing place, and more. All in all, this is a wonderful article! I really appreciated your personality, insight and behind the scenes perspective. Have a lovely day!
Thank you, Claire! : )
It was super funny. We were laughing intensely and we really needed it then. We replayed the parts where ypu screamed and tried to flick the cockroaches off of them probably 10 times.
I am really glad that you did the show, rhett and link are some of my favroite entertainers and i think you should totally be on their show again.
Cuddling is awsome. I never knew it was something that could be done professionally….but cuddling is certianly thr best therapy.
Hi Sonya. The idea of y’all watching me scream over and over is hilarious!
Jean, as a devoted mythical beast for many many years I have to say you are definitely in my top 5 “celebrity” guests. Trying some of the cuddle positions with my fiancé have greatly reduced her stress and I am much more relaxed. Thank you so much for being YOU on G.M.M. Hope to see you again on there considering I am in Connecticut. Remember always be your mythical best!!!
Freddy, I am so touched to hear that you tried these poses with your fiancé. Stay warm! (I hear it’s cold there!)
I loved the episode, honestly one of the best gmm segments in a while. You were so nice and hilarious, and I’m so glad they had fun with the cuddling! Hopefully they could have you again 🙂
Thank you, Kaia. Fingers crossed!
CUDDLE QUEEN JEAN
Younreallybwere a fun guest to watch! You interacted with them in a fun way, and I think we all saw it as a different, but lagitament thing. I can see how cuddling can be very helpful, especially with people who struggle with different kinds of social anxiety. I personally appreciated that you were looking out with Link when the cocraches were crawling on his neck!! I had the creepy crawls and I was at home on my couch in Minnesota!! Thanks for letting your spirit free to make this such a great bit, and embrace a little immaturity!!!
Aw Amber it’s great to hear from you. It was truly so much fun.
You were an absolute joy! I’ve been a fan of Rhett and Link for years and years now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that they always go into things with open minds and hearts. You were able to show that cuddle therapy is a really wonderful thing, and that it’s not scary or uncomfortable. I had previously heard of professional cuddling and cuddle therapy through some less-than-favorable news write-ups and had this preconceived notion that it was somehow “creepy.” Your appearance on GMM, and the amount of fun you brought to these two goofballs and their whole crew by just being yourself was honestly so inspiring! I got to see first hand that yeah, this isn’t something weird–it’s just good people trying to do good things.
Wow, that means so much to me. Thanks.
Jean, I was wanting to personally commend on the bravery with the cockroach on Link’s face!!
I think cockroaches are my spirit animal. ; – )
Aww Jean you was wonderful, it was so funny having you on the show, you’re one of the best guests I’ve seen on the show
Thank you so much. >blush<
You’re awesome, Jean! I had no idea that professional cuddling was a thing. I think my husband and I should try these poses. I had so much fun watching you on GMM.
Thank you – yessss, try them!