Let the Beauty We Love Be What We Do
My favorite poet, Jalaluddin Rumi said that. I’ve always tried to live my life this way.
For the past two years, I have run two successful businesses and though I tell all who ask that they should follow their bliss and do what they love…
I have struggled to find my own bliss - my true life’s purpose.
In fact, I’ve had this blog sitting here, untouched, for 8 months. Because I couldn’t begin it, I couldn’t distill the essence of Jaime Mintun until I identified for myself what my essence is.
Over time, I’m sure my story will change. But less than 48 hours before writing this, I had a life-changing experience that set me free and identified my bliss. I just never expected it to be in the one place I’d fought not to look at these past two years…
In January 2006, I joined an exciting group of entrepreneurs dedicated to charity, wealth, and spirituality. Little did I know, the man who created this group was forming his very own cult. For six months, my life spiraled out of control as I became enrolled deeper and deeper into his group. Along with my fellow members, I was convinced to keep our activities secret and we shared our deepest desires and secrets for spiritual awakening.
And then the nightmares started. I was afraid to sleep and afraid to be awake. Regardless, I would encounter terrifying attacks. I mistakenly took refuge in the leader of our group and entrusted him to help me. “You must move to Florida if I am to help you,” he told me. And so I did. I left everything behind, sold everything I owned, and I went. “If you don’t, the attacks will continue and you will suffer a horrible death.”
Now the words sound ridiculous. But at the time, I believed.
“You cannot trust anyone but me. Not even yourself.” And so I went. And I suffered his daily assaults and abuse for the most traumatic three weeks of my life.
When I returned to California, I was homeless and broke. Emotionally devastated, I could barely function. But I couldn’t lay down and die. It would mean that he had won. And so I promised myself that I would create a positive result from my dire circumstances, and in less than 30 days of my return home, I was earning over $10,000 per month. After six months of earning my new income (by providing my marketing knowledge and skills to clients), I began coaching other entrepreneurs and marketers to offer their knowledge to paying clients.
I now coach over 100 marketers and run a successful marketing firm that boasts celebrity clients, including best-selling authors, Fortune 1000 companies, mega media firms and social networks.
I still haven’t been able to heal what happened to me. I’ve been silent for two years. I’ve carried the shame for two years. And until recently, I thought it was all my fault.
I’ve chosen to create a new story for myself.
And I’m not stopping there. More importantly, I have found my purpose. I always tell others to “follow your bliss.” What I didn’t realize until now is that often our bliss is smack dab in the middle of the one place we’re terrified to look: our pain.
I’ve discovered that the only way I will heal is to help others heal the same wound. I now seek to work with charities and companies to raise awareness about online predators, rape & abuse, and cult persuasion tactics. And I am building my own company dedicated to teaching women and men how to take our power back and give to others so that we may receive that which empowers us. Join me on my journey. I will be raw and honest. Because after two years…

This blog chronicles my life as a willful, sometimes fearless woman navigating a new self-awareness.
I have many facets, many things to heal, and many more things to celebrate.
This is my exploration of each.
Dan Kalis
June 12th, 2008 at 4:50 am
Hey Jaime…I found your site through the Rhodes Brothers promotion of your 10k Weekend program…which I’m very excited to learn more about. But the reason for this post is to give you kudos for being a victor in the face of tribulation (re: your above story). I think what you’re putting together for awareness is awesome! I’d highly recommend checking out and possibly networking with my college friend Erin Weed, who started an organization called Girls Fight Back. She speaks all over the country, posts videos and blogs and all sorts of other outreach to teach women how to protect themselves against all sorts of predators. Seems like you’d really dig it. Her site is girlsfightback.org. My brother and I are also launching a web-based turnkey fundraising program, free to all sorts of non-profit organization, particularly ones we align with. Let’s keep in touch. Cheers and prosperity!
Rob B.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:33 am
I’m proud of you!
Jaime Mintun
July 15th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Dan, thank you! I will check out your friend’s website. It sounds great. I appreciate your words and support.
Jaime Mintun
July 15th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
And Rob, THANK YOU!
George N. (G ~ from Myspace)
July 16th, 2008 at 4:01 am
Hi Jaime
You are very inspirational to me, your actions speak volumes. If you look in retrospect that experience gave you the necessary mirror so you could look at yourself and see the veiled potential. You’re a remarkable person for overcoming you see I can relate. I was lured into a religious cult when I was sixteen. I saw through the deception only after a few months however that experience showed me the power of the intellect. It can be used for good or evil. One must see true intent. There is no religion higher than the truth. Keep going…namaste. ~ G
Winnie Lim
July 16th, 2008 at 5:28 am
Hi, I applaud your courage to open up yourself and share your personal story in an effort to help others as well. I was just wondering about the same question – whether I should start sharing my personal stories – when I discovered your blog. Synchronicity is amazing.
Best wishes.
Jaime Mintun
July 16th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
George it’s shocking to me as I realize how many people have been lured into similar situations. Two books I read that really helped me understand how cults and persuasion work were:
“Influence” by Robert Cialdini
“Persuasion” by Dave Lakhani
And I couldn’t say it better. “There is no religion higher than the truth.” I might just have to quote you on that!
Bryan Jones
July 24th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Jaime, awesome story. I understand it, but from a different angle. I had gone through similar circumstances years ago and I vowed to not let anything (or anyone) do that to me again. I appreciate your transparency because that is one of the signs of genuine healing taking place.
I have a question about your Make $10K In a Weekend package.
I am considering (very strongly, I might add) getting the “Make $10K In a Weekend” package. I wanted to find out about the 5 websites templates you mention.
Do you have a picture or show a sample online of the websites so I can get an idea of how they look?
Jaime Mintun
July 24th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Bryan, I agree that transparency points to genuine healing. It took me all this time to be able to be honest about what happened.
I’m now working on forgiveness. It’s hard. But beautiful nonetheless.
I responded to your inquiry about Make 10K by email and at http://www.warwagonblog.com.
Let me know if you have any other questions. And if you would ever like to share your story with me, I’d be honored to hear it. Send an email to support@settletheweb.com and ask me to email you from my personal address.
Bryan Jones
July 25th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Jaime, the email is on it’s way. I’m telling you my life story (well, only part of it
so look for the email soon. Thanks for taking the time to “listen.”
I also have a very important question to ask you. You’ll see it in the email.
Bryan
Sacha
July 28th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Hey Jaime,
I found your blog thru your friend Rachel Rofe’s site.
I commend you for attacking your fears and pulling through the terrible scenario you found yourself in.
Too many times in life we acquiesce when in our heart of hearts we know the answers already.
A book I thoroughly recommend is “The True Believer” by Eric Hoffer. It’s like 50 years old but still as relevant today as back then.
Keep the faith, you’re an inspiration!
Greg Poulos
July 29th, 2008 at 8:48 am
You are amazing.
Deb Vadnais
July 29th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Jaime, you’re amazing! It’s only two years — look at your strides! — many people carry their shame and pain in silence for a life time. Wow! Your power and the clarity of your voice are phenomenal. Thank you so much for your authenticity. You are truly a wayshower.
Best wishes,
Deb
Jaime Mintun
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Sacha, I will take a look at “The True Believer.” Thank you for the recommendation. Also thank you for comment!
Greg, thank you. From you that means a lot.
Deb, awww…thank you! Two years felt like a life time, and honestly it’s because of the incredible people in my life that I was able to begin healing now. Thank you for your inspiring words.