Professional name: Mark Wizard, Founder of Cuddle Wizard

Title or occupation: Professional Cuddle Therapist & Workshop Facilitator (Consent, Boundaries & Safe Touch)

How long have you been a CPI member? I’ve been a CPI member for six months, and it’s been a big part of how I’ve grown my visibility and confidence as a professional.

A fun fact or a quote:  I love sharing a short positive affirmation with clients. It’s a simple way to bring more warmth and confidence into someone’s day.  Quote “Be where you are.” (inspired by The Power of Now)

How has your career benefited from being a CPI member?  Being featured as a member has genuinely helped my career. People can find me, learn about my approach and reach out with confidence. It’s also given me a real sense of credibility and community support as I continue to grow my practice.

Any tips or advice for members? Keep the momentum going. Show up consistently, market yourself with confidence, and don’t be afraid to talk about what you do. Also, connect with other cuddle therapists, share what you’re learning, and help build a supportive cuddle therapy community together.

What do you like most about being a CPI member?  The exposure and the support. It’s reassuring to be part of a professional network where safety, consent, and high standards are taken seriously.

Who or what inspires you? I I’m inspired by people who choose healing, especially those learning to feel safe with touch again. I love supporting clients to have a respectful, empowering experience of connection and care.

What has been your biggest professional achievement?  Starting my cuddle therapy business and seeing the real benefits clients experience, including more calm, more confidence, and a stronger sense of emotional wellbeing.

What career advice do you live by, and who gave it to you? I live by the idea of staying present and making the most of what’s in front of me. A lot of that comes from mindfulness teachings, especially the message in The Power of Now.

Future goals and aspirations for your career? I want to expand my work so more people can experience safe, positive touch and feel happier and more connected. I’ve also been running workshops at festivals and local meetups events to raise awareness and normalise healthy, consent based touch.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why? I’d love to collaborate with other therapists and facilitators who care deeply about consent and nervous system regulation. Sharing knowledge and creating safer spaces together is how this work grows responsibly.

What experiences and past roles have led you to where you are today?  My path has always circled back to helping people feel safe and cared for. Each experience has taught me more about how to hold supportive, respectful boundaries, and how to create a truly calm, safe space where someone can relax, feel seen, and feel cared for.

What do you love most about your job?  Helping people feel safe, comforted, and genuinely supported through consent based touch, often leaving a session more relaxed, grounded, and connected than when they arrived. It is especially meaningful when someone realises they can receive care with clear boundaries and still feel fully in control.

What's a project you're working on right now? Why is it meaningful to you?  I’m building a new cuddle therapy event focused on boundaries, consent, and “cuddle puddles” in a structured, safe way. It’s meaningful because it blends connection with education, so people leave feeling empowered, not just relaxed.

How do you define success?  Success is seeing real positive change, with clients feeling lighter, calmer, and more connected to themselves. Their wellbeing is the measure that matters most to me.

What is the biggest career challenge you've had to overcome?  The biggest challenge has been marketing myself in a way that feels professional, ethical, and true to the work. I have worked through it by educating people through consent and boundaries workshops, showing up consistently online, and building strong referral relationships with other therapists and facilitators. Over time, those connections and that clarity have made it much easier for the right clients to find me.

Thank you, Mark!