Meet Chris Canfield | Magician and Motivational Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Canfield and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I seem to have always been a ‘risk taker.’ Maybe watching my parents and all these game inventors take a risk on a new venture helped. Although I’m pretty sure I don’t even look at it like that. I’ve spent my life pushing boundaries and forging ahead into unknown and unexpected areas. I understand others look at this as risk taking. I’m endlessly curious and I love to create. Accepting our fears, learning from them, and moving forward despite them can be seen as ‘taking a risk’ but I prefer to look at it as ‘stepping into what’s possible’. I’m sure it helps that I’m a perennial optimist.

I can give a couple of examples of where ‘stepping into what’s possible’ has worked out. First, with the tech company. When I showed up there wasn’t a clear direction beyond ‘computer security’. This morphed into the idea of, ‘what if we could rid the world of passwords?’ The perceived risks were that no one had done this before and was it even possible. I figured out a way to do it, perhaps because I approached it from this different perspective. I wasn’t afraid of taking a chance and failing. The desire to succeed and push through and create something new propelled me forward. I’ve now got patents for this and it’s used by federal financial institutions, health care companies, and lots of other businesses.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We haven’t talked about this yet, but something that sets me apart is the fact that I was born without a right hand. So right from the beginning I had to figure out how to navigate a world designed for two hands. And work within social structures around being perceived as ‘different’ or ‘other’. I talk about this a lot and I know it’s given me a unique perspective of the world. Among other things I’m a compassionate observer. Growing up was a life of endless problem solving without realizing it. Tying my shoes, playing sports, typing, fitting in. You can imagine it’s a long list. But to me it was just another day. When I decided I wanted to pursue magic and set a goal of performing in the Close-Up Gallery at the Magic Castle, all I had learned up to that point guided me. At first the risks were time and possibility. How long would it take to achieve this goal and what sacrifices would I need to make? What about my family? What magic could I perform with one hand and would I have to invent ways to do it? Would it be good enough for the premiere room in the premiere venue in all of magic? I have pretty high standards for myself. I was determined that if I was going to pursue this it had to be at a very high level. I knew the powers that be at Castle would not settle for less, nor should they. But I also had something in my back pocket. Magic was a love my father and I shared. Sadly he passed away when I was only sixteen. It took me years to allow myself the space to even look at magic, much less consider performing it professionally. Performing magic would require me to confront some of the deepest memories I have of him. He took me to see David Copperfield when I was ten years old! This was the added emotional risk. I knew that if I could accept all the baggage that came along with the goal I might be able to do something amazing on the other side and inspire others, and I would be able to reconnect with my father and our love of magic in a new way. I’m happy to say I made my debut earlier this year in the Close-Up Gallery at the Magic Castle and I already performed a second run. I was even featured in magic’s largest trade publication for the performance. It wouldn’t have happened if I had let any number of things knock me off the path. I also have to thank my very patient and supportive wife and children.

The obvious factor that sets me apart in this art form would be my uniqueness as a single-handed magician. There have only been a few professional-level magicians recorded throughout history who have faced physical challenges. I certainly stand on their shoulders. Of the few around today I’m thankful to count them as friends. Of course I’d like to think what I have to offer goes far beyond a physical challenge. It does provide a platform. But it’s the intention behind it that counts. Whereas maybe when I was younger my ambition was a position of ‘look at me’ for acceptance, it’s now matured into ‘look at us.’ Look what we can do if we push past our fears and doubts. If I can do this, imagine what’s possible for us all. That’s far more relatable and impactful and really about others as it should be. But the most important factor to overcoming our challenges happens behind the scenes. I wouldn’t be here now if I didn’t start there. It comes down to seeing the goal, putting in the hard work, pushing through fears, and crossing what I call the ‘chasm of the unknown’. That’s the real secret. I spent countless hours practicing for five years before I even officially stepped into the magic arena. No tricks. No performances. Just practicing the skills. I knew this was a long-term plan and I wasn’t kidding. But if I didn’t set the goal, put in the work, push through the fears, and step into the unknown, none of what followed would have happened. I’ve built a keynote around this very topic because there’s so much to say. I’m extremely excited to share these magical experiences I’ve put together with others, both through the wonders of magic with my unique take on the art and passing along what I’ve learned about the process of creation to encourage others to create their own magic.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’ve hosted enough folks from out of town to know what we take for granted here in LA is entirely new to them. For locals these are probably going to seem familiar. And perhaps it’s time to revisit what we have and appreciate it all over again.

The Museum/Music Day. Traveling to the Broad and LACMA gives you a sense of the LA layout. From the mid-Wilshire area to downtown. We can experience some of the best modern art the museums of LA have to offer. Since we’re in downtown, we could take in a concert that evening that the Disney Concert Hall, Frank Gehry’s architectural dream. We’ll take the escalator to catch the Nimbus cloud exhibit on the way up. Hopefully Dudamel is conducting!

The Movie Day – We’re going on the Warner Brother’s Studio Tour. I’ve watched this evolve over the years and (full disclosure) happen to know the person who runs the department. This is the best tour you’re going to find that gives you the inside track on how movies are made within the walls of a real working studio lot. Then at night we’re going to a film screening at the legendary Hollywood Forever Cemetery where we’ll watch an iconic film close to the resting place of those who made them.

The Dodger Day – We’ll take in a game and experience the Dodger Dog. A time of relaxing and looking off into palm trees and Chavez Ravine. Hopefully ‘I Love LA’ plays at the end.

Griffith Park Day – The Griffith Park area is such a confluence of different experiences. Maybe a quick trip through the Gene Autry Museum of Western History. We’ll definitely check out the iconic Observatory and the skyline views. Later we’ll head over to the old LA Zoo area to catch Shakespeare in the Park. I’m almost hesitant to mention it because I think it’s one of LA’s most underrated yearly events. As much as they deserve all the recognition they can get, I want it to keep its quaint feeling. Which it thankfully has!

The Magic Castle – Of course when I have guests in town we’re hitting the Magic Castle, the private invite-only magic club in Hollywood. You’ll be amazed by the talent you see within these walls. Of course I’m heavily biased, but it is one place you can’t miss if you have the chance. There is no place on Earth like it!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Aside from many mentors who have helped shape and guide me, I’ve been revisiting Steven Pressfield’s ‘The War of Art’ the past couple of days so it immediately comes to mind. First of all, every artist or creative should read it to see what we’re up against. I hadn’t looked at it in many years. In rereading sections I realized it’s become a compass. So many things that were revelations the first time through are now baked into my subconscious mind. I think I’ve been quoting it to myself without even realizing it. It’s amazing to see how far I’ve come in this battle. It serves as a treatise on what will come at you once you embark on creative endeavors. Better to know ahead of time and have your defenses ready.

Website: https://canfieldmagic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriscanfieldmagic/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-canfield-magic/