Meet Clare Cunningham

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Clare Cunningham . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Clare , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
One might say I found my purpose pretty early on in life. It was there from before birth! I knew I was destined to be a performer and it was evident it was my main passion as a child. Even at three years old I proclaimed I wanted to be a rockstar! I didn’t know anything else and went in the complete opposite direction as all my peers!
Even when I was told I should focus on getting a ‘real’ job I was determined to take my gift of music and writing and use it to tell my story and bring love and inspiration to those around me.

Fast forward almost 3 decades later and I can most assuredly look back on everything I endured growing up and even into my adult years (physical, sexual and mental abuse) and know it all served it’s purpose because my main purpose in life is to help those around me through my music. I can relate to people with mental health issues and empathize with victims of all kinds of abuse. I’m here to show people that there IS hope and light at the end of tunnel and if I can do it so can you.

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?
My story is definitely a long one, so long in fact I decided to write a memoir (still in progress) so if anybody would really like to learn more or get a better insight, outside of this interview, than simply go to https://www.clarecunninghammusic.com/memoir

I do always put a little disclaimer out there (!) that I followed a very ungodly pathway for a long time before restoring my faith at the end of 2020, so some of my older music and the bands I was in (Thundermother) may not signify who I am or what I advocate for today. But there’s a beauty in seeing the evolution process I guess!

If I were to describe myself/my brand, I would say that I am filled with love for this world and those around me. I come from humbling beginnings and have seen and endured a lot of adversity throughout my life. Once I handed my life over to Christ I became a new creation and no longer let the guilt and shame of what I’ve been through define me. Learning to remain as present and focused with the day ahead and not getting consumed in yesterday or tomorrow.

I have a strong calling on my life to bring hope and inspiration to those around me and my music is very inspirational. One might call it social conscious music. Because of the things I’ve seen and gone through, I have a level of understanding and empathy that allows me to connect on a deeper level with those around me who suffer or have suffered also. I want them to know that they too like me will see it through another day.

As a mental health advocate, I want to use my platform to be a voice for those who feel they can’t express themselves or are too afraid to speak up, and be a vessel of inspiration, hope, love, truth, and faith for those around me so that nobody ever feels like they are in this world alone. I had a very suppressed voice growing up and even in a lot of my adult years so I now feel it’s my duty having found that voice to give back and advocate for the stigmatized conversations that still prevail today.

I released a song off my album ‘Helping Hand’ called ‘A Voice’ which touches on this exact subject matter

Link to song : https://hypeddit.com/j203je

‘MERCY’ https://hypeddit.com/s4h3du

‘HELPING HAND’ https://hypeddit.com/sx49zq

‘DEAR IRELAND’ https://hypeddit.com/o8htlp

I have a passion for working with non-profit organizations especially those that help people and families of victims of crime or abuse or trauma. Volunteers of America is the predominant one I continue to work alongside but there are a lot of others too.
Anything that brings awareness and hope to those who are suffering in this world I will get behind. And I’ve also started giving my testimony in churches and want to to get involved with more ministry work too and get into schools, youth groups, and one day prisons and anywhere I can spread my story to bring hope.

Music has been my only career. I have been very fortunate to be gifted with songwriting which started out as poetry as a child. I get to be a vessel to my Savior and pour out my own feelings which help me and then in turn can help those around me. I can’t explain what it’s like when I perform. I feel like I go to a completely different place and there are times when I sing certain songs of mine that I get full body chills, knowing that the line/song I just sung has resonated with somebody in the room. A lot of people get emotional at my shows, especially men, and that to me is always confirmation that I’m fulfilling my calling.
I’ve had endless amount of people approach me both in person and online telling me I’m making a difference or that I saved them or a loved one from committing suicide. Wow. That’s what real success looks like to me. No likes, money or fame will ever compare to the feeling that I’ve brought somebody out of the darkness and into the light.

My last few records are very metal health and faith focused. Most notably my EP ‘Mercy’ (2022) and my latest worship album ‘Helping Hand’ (2023)
I’ve still a long way to go but there’s a lot more coming and I will do everything in my will power to make a small difference and impact before I leave this earth with my music.
I also come from Ireland and so my culture is something I am very proud of and I released an EP back in 2021 called ‘Dear Ireland’. I’m currently finishing up songs for my next Celtic record which will be out soon so stay tuned!

I’ll be starting out a new venture in 2024 and getting together a band for some tours and going to take each day as it presents itself and continue doing what I am called to do. I am always open to new opportunities so if you are reading this and feel I may be a fit for something you have, then please reach out!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I definitely had the ‘gift of the gab’ (an Irish saying!) so communication skills were definitely my strong suit. My father was a self employed life insurance broker so I got to witness first hand what it was to ‘sell’ your brand to those around you. I quickly learned how to show a level of self-confidence and believe wholeheartedly in what I was doing and saying. Despite others around me thinking or saying differently. I always felt deep in my core that the pathway I was on was definitely carved out for me so I had this insatiable willpower to keep moving forward (and still do) even if I was told I was making a mistake. Imagine if I’d listened to that the critics?! Please don’t be swayed by other people’s opinions. There are people in this world who don’t want you to succeed because it makes them feel less than, unworthy and lazy and they want to keep you down on their level. It causes them to have to look inward and when they don’t like what they see in themselves they will start to berate you and knock you down to feel better about themselves. Stay as far away from these people and mindsets as you can. It’s toxic. Go be a go getter and shine.

My father always told me ‘Do anything with enough conviction and nobody will ever question your motives’! He was right. I learned that people can smell authenticity and weave out the bullsh*tters from those who genuinely care about their passions and callings. So believe in yourself and your confidence will grow.

I also want to touch on the fact that I played a lot of sports and was very active growing up (and still am) Despite this not being hand in hand with my musical career, I truly believe that playing in teams and learning skills outside my chosen field, helped in the formation and development of a mental toughness that otherwise I may not have had the pleasure of receiving. When you push your body physically it leaves the rest of the day manageable and helps combat stress, anxiety, depression and a host of other issues. The combination of keeping active and healthy kept me on a straighter road. The upside to also having a body I was somewhat proud of physically also helped. Unfortunately in my line of work as a performer, physical looks matter. That being said I always struggled with self love so this has been an area I’ve really had to work hard at.

I encourage everybody to move their bodies. Specifically those with sedatory jobs that may have them sitting for long periods of time. This does not mean having to go to the gym 7 days a week but research shows that it doesn’t take much exercise to make a positive change to your mental health and can keep you reaching for pills to combat your symptoms!

I also encourage people to do what you LOVE. You will be much happier and so will those around you because you will radiate! Why choose a job or a partner or a lifestyle that keeps you in a place of unhappiness or unrest? I understand that not everybody has the luxury of following their passions and sometimes a lack of financial abundance can keep you from doing what you want but be on the pathway that is getting you closer to that. NEVER give up. As somebody who did (and trust me it wasn’t easy) I decided to silence out the noise and negativity around me and I now find myself in a place in life where I love waking up and absolutely I’ve what I do. I want to make a difference and impact in this world and my platform allows me to do this so I feel completely grateful and blessed. You owe it to yourself to be happy and this has a great effect also on your mental health and well-being.

Lastly, I encourage everybody to stay true to themselves. You have a holy spirit inside of you that is so alive and guides you. This has got nothing to do with religion and everything to do with you as a creation. When you have a ‘gut’ feeling about something (good or bad) listen to it. We all have our own inner workings and nobody else can feel what you feel. I also encourage you to never succumb to doing things that makes those around you happy but leaves you feeling the opposite. You will be left with an empty shell of yourself and feel lost. Let those around you find their own way. We can not be held responsible for how other people feel or act. Always tend to your own needs and wants first and create a balance within yourself, so that you can be the best version of yourself for those around you.
Listen to your inner voice and you won’t go wrong!

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
When I handed my life over to my Lord Savior Jesus Christ, the enemy came at me – HARD! Not liking losing what he once had he’s been very angry. He tries me daily and some days and weeks are definitely harder than others. It’s a constant battle. Only this time I know who wins the war. He tries to tempt and lure me all the time and it’s difficult at times discerning what’s him and what’s GOD.

Before I walked with the Lord, I was caught up in a very ungodly world that consisted of witchcraft, the occult, and a host of other activities that did not give me the peace and joy I now have. It’s a world I was so entrenched in that I had no idea how deep I had gone or how dark the road really was.

I succumbed to many addictions and was desperately searching for answers to what my future held. I let all my past traumas continue to define who I was. I suffered chronic anxiety, and depression and had contemplated taking my own life at one point.

I’ve unfortunately seen things I can never unsee and been a victim to some horrendous people in my life who abused me in every way shape and form including cult leaders who basically took me to the pits of hell. I cussed out the Lord and hated anything that had Jesus attached to it. Looking back, I was so broken.

When I eventually hit rock bottom there was nowhere else to go only into the light. Thank you so much to my Savior for never letting go of my hand and for taking me back despite everything I did and said. He truly is my Saving Grace.

Walking with the lord is so beautiful but it’s incredibly challenging in a world full of manipulators and light stealers. So please don’t think my life is perfect or that I’ve got it all figured out, far from it. The only difference now is that I’m not alone and I no longer let my past define me or concern myself with my own wants and needs. I am walking in HIS will and calling on my life and will use my testimony to help as many people as I can.

I truly hope everyone finds this peace before they leave the earth and I promise you, if somebody like me who hated the Lord can turn their whole life around, then so can you.

Titus 2: 11,12
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.

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Image Credits
Rich wysockey Barbara Potter Tim temple Keith Steffans

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