Nathaniel Drew joined us for a Genius Bootcamp in 2015 and later sent me this message:

"Hey, thank you for your genius Bootcamp. It was an amazing experience. ...My life has changed quite a bit. A lot of positive manifestations that keep gaining momentum." He added, "My wife saw a video of you ...[and] approached me in tears because she related with your story so much. She read The Jackrabbit Factor and had me watch the video. In a month's time we went from $19k/year expecting to be starving artists for the rest of our lives to over $70k/year and much more to come on the horizon. Thank you for sharing your world of abundance with us. It really means a lot to us. ... Thanks again."

I replied, "Great to hear, Nathaniel 🙂 I'd be happy to spotlight your story in an upcoming newsletter, if you would like to [send more details]. No hurry, just an open invitation."

Turns out, he’s got a fantastic story—and I’m so glad he took the time to share it!

He recounted the last several years in his own words:

“I don’t want to be a starving artist anymore!” I said angrily, standing outside my mobile home. I’m not sure if I was saying it to my wife, or myself, or God, or the Universe.

You see, when my dear Emily and I started talking marriage during our courtship, I told her, “You know, if you marry me, you’ll be the wife of a starving artist for five or ten years.” Not only was she okay with that—she was excited about it.

At the time.

But after living the starving-artist life for ten years, we started noticing other people making real money… even artists doing exactly what I was doing—yet earning far more than I was.

I had written music for musicals, commercials, short films, long films, and even some incredible feature films!

 Nathaniel Drew's Salt Lake Pops Orchestra on set for a music video

(Nathaniel Drew’s Salt Lake Pops Orchestra performing with Alex Boyé and Lindsey Stirling)

Still, so many times both she and I would get so frustrated. We knew how talented I was. We knew my compositions were technically amazing—and I’d won plenty of awards. But we had very little money to show for it.

(Nathaniel Drew conducting the Salt Lake Pops Orchestra)

Just after our tenth anniversary, I hit my breaking point. Mad for the last time. I cursed myself, the universe, my wife, my kids—anything that could possibly be blamed. Anger and blame, after all, felt better than the depression I’d been through. At least now I was taking back my power.

One night, after a torturous day at my studio, I closed the old, heavy front door to our warm trailer.

“Hey, did you get that video I emailed you?” she asked.

“Uh, yeah, the rabbit one?” I said, a little annoyed.

“Yeah, [about] The Jackrabbit Factor! It really has changed the way I look at things!” she said, hopeful, but trying not to seem too excited.

Now, to appreciate the weight of this moment, I need to rewind.

When Emily and I married, it took seven long years—and many fertility treatments—before we gave up on the idea of having our own children. The moment we stopped resisting? We had our first son, Liam. Then, eighteen months later, our second, Peter.

She should have been the happiest mother alive… but she was depressed. So, she made a decision: she would train for a triathlon. That summer, she committed fully—running every morning, signing up for smaller races, roping in her sisters and a niece to run with her or watch the kids while I scored my latest film.

I’d never seen her so determined. She even ran a half marathon in the process. By the time she crossed that triathlon finish line, she called it “easy” and “fun”—and wanted more.

That empowerment led her straight to Leslie Householder’s materials.

“I haven’t looked at it yet, but I’ll watch it tomorrow if you want,” I told her.

“You should watch it right now!” Emily said excitedly.

So, we sat down together and watched Discovering Your Hidden Resources. I didn’t know what to expect… but as it went on, I began to feel something stir. Excitement. Possibility. We talked for hours afterward—about the law of attraction, emotions, and what we really wanted.

The following weeks were electric. I started getting up at 5 a.m. to vlog The 7 Day Journey. I fixed up the house, cared more about my appearance, explored properties that made me happy. My priority became simple: feel joy as much as possible.

I walked more. Slept well. Exercised. Meditated. Focused on joy. And in the process, I began believing in myself again—feeling powerful, alive, in control.

Within the first two months, I made more money than I had the entire previous year.

Opportunities snowballed. My brother-in-law and I partnered in business. A $50 million development funded in March. I created a luxury resort with a restaurant and spa. And yet—I knew this was just the beginning.

One day, I felt inspired to visit my alma mater’s new library. The energy there was incredible—students buzzing with ideas like cartoon thought bubbles above their heads. On a whim, I headed toward the president’s office. Along the way, I ran into members of the music department talking about a planned new music building. Suddenly, it clicked: This was why I was here.

I landed a meeting—something they rarely grant—at the perfect time. In that meeting with the president, the deans of arts and music, and others, I found them another $30 million for the arts building. I also proposed, and created, the first social media wing/program in the world for the arts. They wanted me to lead their marketing, too.

From there, it was pure momentum—introductions to the former mayor, state legislators, Facebook. Doors opening everywhere.

And through it all, I kept listening to my inner being. I felt source energy flowing through me, and the manifestations came fast. The funny thing? It didn’t even surprise me. It felt natural.

I am, and always have been, a powerful creator. The only reason money hadn’t flowed before was that I hadn’t allowed it.

I’m not just a musician. I’ve been expanding my whole life. Now, I embrace it—welcoming joy, happiness, money, amazing relationships. Every moment is my choice.

I choose happiness. I choose wealth. I choose love.

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•   To discover how to start choosing more effectively now, read The Jackrabbit Factor (FREE!)  
•   If you want more step-by-step guidance on creating the life you really want, join me in the Mindset Mastery program.
•   If you want my help overcoming that giant obstacle right in front of you, learn more and sign up for Genius Bootcamp.