Stress has become a constant companion in today’s fast-paced world. People aren’t just looking for distraction – they’re craving experiences that uplift, reconnect, and inspire. Enter Larry Soffer, Africa’s leading mentalist, who is redefining entertainment as a tool for wellness. His unique approach to mindful entertainment proves that awe can be as restorative as meditation, as liberating as laughter, and profoundly memorable.

For nearly three decades, Larry has amazed audiences with mind-reading, metal-bending, and telekinesis. But what truly sets him apart is his intention: every performance is designed to go beyond illusion.

“Awe has the ability to reset the mind,” Larry explains. “When we’re amazed, we stop overthinking and drop into the present. That pause is powerful – it lifts stress, opens creativity, and renews hope. In a world full of pressure, awe is like a mental relaxation treatment.”

More than entertainment

Most people think of entertainment as light-hearted fun, but Larry believes it can be so much more. “When someone experiences the impossible, it reminds them that life itself is full of possibility,” he says.

This is the heart of mindful entertainment. Each ‘wow’ moment becomes a metaphor for transformation: a spoon bending in your hand, a secret thought revealed, a moment of laughter shared. Suddenly, it’s not just a trick – it’s a reminder that change is possible, that wonder is alive, and that life can surprise us.

One audience member once burst into tears after a spoon bent in their hand. “They told me they had been feeling stuck,” Larry recalls. “That moment reminded them that change was possible. It wasn’t about the spoon—it was about what it symbolised: transformation, possibility, and hope.”

Entertainment as wellness

Wellness is often linked with nutrition, exercise, or meditation, but Larry believes entertainment belongs in that conversation too. “Experiences that inspire can lift emotions, reduce stress and spark creativity,” he says. “Mentalism engages the mind in ways that feel refreshing, liberating, and deeply human.”

Shared moments of awe or laughter also fulfil our craving for connection. In an era dominated by screens, the collective gasp of amazement in a crowd reminds people they belong to something bigger than themselves. 

“Even in a crowd of thousands, the goal should be to make each person feel like the moment happened just for them,” Larry explains. “That sense of belonging is nourishment.”

Four Everyday Ways to Spark Wonder

You don’t need a stage show to experience awe. Larry shares four ways anyone can invite wonder into daily life: 

• Notice small miracles: sunsets, laughter, synchronicity. Awe hides in the ordinary. 
• Stay curious: ask questions, explore, and embrace mystery. Curiosity fuels possibility.
• Play more: laughter and light-heartedness release stress and reset the mind. 
• Seek uplifting experiences: surround yourself with people and activities that spark joy, and creativity.

“When we allow ourselves to be amazed, even by little things, life becomes richer,” Larry says. 

Entertainment is shifting from spectacle to connection. Big flashy shows will remain, but audiences increasingly crave experiences that touch their lives in real ways. 

“The future is about making people feel part of the magic, not just spectators,” Larry predicts. 

For anyone feeling stuck, stressed, or uninspired, his message is clear: magic isn’t just on stage – it’s everywhere, if you’re open to seeing it.

He inspires his audiences to believe in the impossible so that they can achieve their dreams. Follow @LarrySoffer or visit his website for more information at www.larrysoffer.com.