We were lucky to catch up with Christopher Wesley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Christopher, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I found my purpose by tending to my own trauma.
By the time I was a pre-teen, I’d already taken the worst of the abuse in my father’s home. When the courts finally placed me with my mom, I thought I might find some relief, but therapy—the one thing I knew I needed—wasn’t an option. My mom dismissed the idea. “I’m not paying someone to tell me I’m to blame,” she said.
Oddly enough, I was lucky in a twisted sort of way.
My father’s cruelty wasn’t limited to his children, though. He manipulated anyone within reach, planting doubts and insecurities with quiet precision. Looking back, it feels like he was grooming me to carry on his legacy. The beatings and mind games at home were paired with lessons in social warfare. I’d watch him dismantle strangers in subtle ways, and on the drive home, he’d break down his tactics for me—like he was passing on a trade secret.
His plan backfired. I was sensitive, yes, but also intensely strong-willed. I never bought into his warped worldview.
What I couldn’t escape, though, was the pain. Understanding his methods didn’t make the blows or the words hurt any less. But oddly, those lessons—the ones he hoped would mold me in his image—became tools I used to survive once I was in my mother’s house, facing a different kind of psychological abuse.
Where my father had taught me to spot weaknesses in others, I turned that same sharp focus inward—not to tear myself down, but to find my strengths. Piece by piece, I used those insights to rebuild myself in the absence of professional help.
By fourteen, when I discovered music, I finally had something that felt like mine. It became my refuge—a space where I could create and control when everything else felt unstable.
I’ve always known my story isn’t unique. Abuse and trauma leave marks on far too many people. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this—your past doesn’t have to define you. If you’re willing to put in the work, you can rewrite your story. You can take back your power and decide who you’re going to be. That’s the message I want to embody and spread.
And that’s the reason I’m here.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been chasing meaning—searching for it in the cracks of my fractured childhood and the echoes of questions that had no easy answers. At five years old, abandoned by my mother and left with a father who confused discipline with cruelty, I learned early how to survive by building inner worlds—places where light could leak through the dark.
Art and storytelling weren’t just hobbies; they were lifelines. They gave me a way to process what I couldn’t say out loud and helped me reimagine myself as someone more than a victim. But back then, survival wasn’t enough. I wanted more. I wanted transformation.
That call came in high school, in an art class where my efforts were dismissed as “too easy” because I had natural talent. When I pushed harder to grow, my efforts were still rejected. For a time, I gave up creating altogether. But instead of extinguishing my passion, that experience planted a seed—one that would eventually grow into a defiant, unshakable belief: art isn’t about approval; it’s about truth.
That belief became the foundation of my work. I realized art and stories aren’t just for walls or books; they’re medicine for the human condition. They can heal, transform, and inspire. So I set out to build something bigger—something that combined art, fiction, and coaching into a framework that invites others to rewrite their own stories.
Stepping into the unknown, I created Anthrotonik Art—a philosophy that blends visual art, immersive storytelling, and transformational coaching. It’s rooted in the idea that we don’t just experience art; we become it. Each collection, each story, and each coaching session is an invitation for people to explore their own depths—to face their shadows and emerge transformed.
This journey hasn’t been easy. The art world prefers to keep its boundaries clear—visual art here, literature there, self-help over there. What I created didn’t fit neatly into any one box, and I faced resistance from those who couldn’t see beyond the edges of what already existed.
But that’s the beauty of breaking boundaries—once you do, you find others who’ve been searching for something more. Collectors, readers, and coaching clients started reaching out to tell me that my work spoke to something they didn’t even know needed words. They weren’t just buying art or reading stories—they were stepping into their own transformations.
What makes my work different is that it doesn’t end when the painting is hung on a wall or the last page of the story is turned. It’s designed to keep evolving—just like the people who experience it. My fine art collections invite reflection and connection, while my fiction challenges readers to solve puzzles and face their fears. And through coaching, I guide others to rewrite the narratives they’ve been trapped in, helping them transform pain into purpose.
Right now, I’m preparing for two major launches that continue this mission.
The first is my next fine art collection, As Far As the Why Can See. It’s a visual exploration of purpose—how far we’re willing to travel, both inward and outward, to find the answers that drive us. Each piece is an invitation for viewers to question their own horizons and see beyond what feels possible.
The second is The Ghost of Truth, my newest fiction release set in The Wilderness Saga universe. It’s more than just a story—it’s an interactive experience that will extend beyond the page into immersive events I have planned throughout 2025 where readers can step into that world to decipher puzzles and hidden codes to unravel secrets buried in the narrative. Like life, it challenges readers to confront the unknown and trust their instincts.
This chapter of my journey is about expansion—of ideas, of experiences, and of what’s possible when art and story intersect with transformation. I believe we all have the ability to step into new versions of ourselves, to break free from old patterns and write the next chapter differently.
So whether you’re here for art that makes you feel, stories that make you think, or coaching that helps you grow—there’s a place for you in this journey. Because as far as the why can see, there’s always more to explore.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three most important qualities, skills, and knowledge I’ve relied on are often the ones others dismissed or overlooked.
First is curiosity. I’ve always questioned everything—not to be difficult, but because I wanted to understand. That habit drove the people who tried to control or mistreat me absolutely nuts. There’s nothing more frustrating to someone who thrives on power than hearing “why?”—especially when they can’t justify their actions. My curiosity became a filter, helping me separate those who deserved my respect from those who didn’t, whether they were family, bosses, or authority figures.
Second is self-care. And no, I don’t mean the version marketed as candles and face masks. Real self-care is knowing what feeds your soul and protects your peace. It’s choosing who you let into your life, carving out time for play, and allowing yourself moments of stillness. For me, it was a survival skill—learning to create spaces where I felt safe and grounded, even if I had to build them from nothing. Through my Anthrotonik approach to life, I’ve come to call these places my Breath Spaces.
Last is knowing your why and your purpose. I tie these together because they form the foundation of mental resilience. Knowing what drives you—and why—creates a kind of armor. It won’t make life easier, but it will keep you steady when everything feels impossible. Most people aren’t taught to prioritize this kind of self-awareness, especially in Western culture, but it’s a skill worth fighting for. It’ll carry you through challenges you never thought you could face.
These qualities didn’t just help me survive—they helped me take back control and build something better.
They’re not flashy or glamorous, but they work, and they last.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal collector, reader, or client is someone who stands at a crossroads—someone who feels the pull to evolve but hasn’t yet uncovered the full shape of their next chapter. They’re visionaries, dreamers, and seekers—people who sense that their story isn’t finished and are ready to dig deeper to discover what’s been hidden beneath the surface.
Whether they’re an art collector searching for more than decoration, a reader craving stories that challenge and inspire, or a leader looking to rewrite the narrative that’s been holding them back, my clients share one key trait—they’re willing to feel. They’re not afraid to confront their emotions, ask hard questions, or face the discomfort that comes with growth.
I work best with those who value meaning over convenience, depth over surface, and transformation over transaction. My ideal clients understand that art, storytelling, and coaching aren’t just tools for entertainment or self-help—they’re catalysts for profound change.
They may not always know where they’re headed, but they’re committed to the journey. They’re drawn to the unknown, to puzzles that need solving, and to experiences that blur the lines between reality and imagination. Whether they’re exploring my upcoming fine art collection, As Far As the Why Can See, or stepping into the immersive world of my new fiction release, The Ghost of Truth, they’re people who embrace mystery and growth.
Above all, my ideal clients are curious. They believe there’s more to life than what meets the eye and are willing to take risks to uncover it. They’re ready not just to consume art and stories but to step into them—and to emerge transformed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.christopherjwesley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christopherjwesley
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherjwesley
- Other: Discover Your Self-Care Type to Live Your Purpose:
https://mailchi.mp/wesleycreative/self-care-type-assessment
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