Episode Overview

Theme:
This episode of Money Rehab, hosted by Nicole Lapin, features Chris Appleton—renowned Hollywood hair stylist to the stars—as he shares his journey from poverty and trauma in rural England to a position at the pinnacle of the celebrity beauty world. The conversation deeply explores how personal identity, family history, and internal narrative intersect with financial trauma, imposter syndrome, professional growth, and ultimately, building generational change. Chris offers vulnerable insights into how confronting his past and aligning with his authentic self led to both personal healing and professional success.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Chris’s Upbringing, Family Trauma, and Class Struggles

• Background: Chris reveals he grew up as a Jehovah’s Witness in England, in a large, poor family grappling with generational trauma (mother’s parents were murdered, father placed in a home at 5).
• Impact: Academic struggles due to undiagnosed dyslexia and being labeled negatively, both for his learning difficulties and budding interest in hairdressing.
• Financial Struggle:
  • Chris started working at 13, making £10 a day for menial salon chores.
  • “I used to share a bedroom with my two brothers. Didn’t really have any food in the cupboards... My mom and dad did the best we could.” (Chris Appleton, 08:46)
• Class Habits Carried into Adulthood:
  • Chris still finds it hard to spend without guilt, even when he can afford it.
  • “That poor boy inside me is always there... I think it never really leaves you.” (Chris, 13:57)
  • Observes same scrimping habits in his parents post-financial security.

2. Early Passion for Hair and Its Transformative Power

• Discovery: Styling hair began as a way to make his mother feel beautiful.
• Psychological Resonance:
  • Gave Chris his “first time ever feeling good at something” amidst educational and social alienation.
  • Noted the “superpower” in helping others feel transformed.
  • “You get to make people look and feel great... It was like a superpower.” (Chris, 06:01)

3. The Hater Within: Self-Critique and Emotional Work

• Internalized Critic:
  • Chris discusses living with an “inner hater” rooted in childhood criticism and social stigma.
  • Therapy helped him to “see the child in me” and realize, “I’ve been so mean to myself.” (Chris, 10:23)
• Reframing:
  • Shifting from using self-critique for motivation to learning to be kinder and more balanced internally.
  • “If you do that often enough, you start to believe it.” (Chris, 12:34)
• Practical Advice:
  • He recommends practical exercises in self-kindness and reframing negative self-talk.

4. Money Lessons and Financial Habits

• Saver’s Instincts:
  • Chris considers himself “a real saver” due to his upbringing; even now, his business manager is amazed by how he saves.
• Perspective on Money:
  • Avoidance of extravagance persists even with success.
  • “It doesn’t ever leave you—when you’ve always struggled for money, it never really leaves you.” (Chris, 13:57)
• Inflation & Investing:
  • Chris shares how he learned to invest only later, realizing that “money loses value over years.” (Chris, 52:56)
  • Encourages listeners: “Save more than you spend, and then invest.”

5. Career Trajectory: From Salons to Celebrities

• First Steps: Worked his way up from small-town salons, taking free jobs for experience, and even hiding from train conductors to afford trips to London for portfolio drop-offs.
  • “I couldn’t even afford the train, so I used to hide from the train conductor.” (Chris, 20:37)
• Turning Points:
  • Won a UK TV competition (“the Great British Bake Off, but for hair”).
  • Leveraged social media for exposure.
  • First celebrity break came via Rita Ora, followed by JLo and Hollywood clients via Instagram.
  • “I remember being at the phone box, ringing back for the million dollars... It’s like, they’re always frauds, all these fraudulent things. So I think, you know, that’s stupid. And then I got another one [email from JLo’s team]...” (Chris, 24:05)
• Imposter Syndrome:
  • When Christina Aguilera’s team called, Chris almost didn’t go through with it due to fear.
  • “I didn’t come this far to come this far... I know what I’m doing. If she doesn’t like what I do, that’s okay. It’s just not a match.” (Chris, 28:30)

6. Personal Transformation, Identity, and Mental Health

• Coming Out: Chris came out as gay in his twenties, after years of hiding, and surviving a suicide attempt.
  • “If I hadn’t found alignment—if I hadn’t found myself and come back to myself—I don’t think I’d even be here.” (Chris, 32:13)
• Steps to Healing:
  • The process involved looking truthfully at old patterns and being honest about wanting change.
  • “Just start at start. You don’t have to get to end.” (Chris, 30:24)
  • Alignment with inner self was ultimately what unlocked professional and personal success.
• Insight about Relationships:
  • Self-alignment is necessary before one can build healthy relationships: “If you’re not comfortable with yourself, it’s never going to work.” (Chris, 31:10)

7. Building A Reputation and Advice for Entrepreneurs

• Social Media and Branding:
  • “Sell the sizzle, not the sausage.” (Chris, 42:23)
  • Importance of owning one’s expertise and being explicit—and confident—about what you do best.
  • “In the first three seconds, I want to see the people you work with, I want to know why you’re the best at what you do... believe in yourself.” (Chris, 43:13)
• Signature Style:
  • Chris’s reputation is rooted in transformations and helping people see the best version of themselves, not just celebrity “wow moments.”

8. The Salon Chair as Therapy

• Why Clients Open Up:
  • The salon chair is a unique vantage point; people confront themselves in the mirror, and vulnerability emerges.
  • “Most people tend to go down that negative route... I don’t very often hear people sit in their chair and be like, ‘I look fabulous.’” (Chris, 39:52)
  • Chris sees this as a chance to challenge limiting beliefs and encourage transformation.

9. The “Fine” Facade and the Need for Authenticity

• On Saying “I’m Fine”:
  • Chris dislikes the word “fine”—it’s disingenuous and masks true feelings.
  • “Fine can be a little bit dishonest, you know, it’s not really a true feeling of being honest and being aligned with who you are and how you actually feel.” (Chris, 38:19)
• Encouragement:
  • Advocates for replacing “fine” with more honest, if nuanced, answers: “Better than some, not better than others.”

10. Relationships, Love, and Fatherhood

• Self-awareness in Dating:
  • After years of “leading too much with love,” Chris is now more selective, seeking partners based on the person he is now, not “old beliefs and traumas.”
  • “The reality of that—the idea is cute. The reality, it doesn’t work.” (Chris, 49:04)
• On Finding Joy:
  • Currently values time with family and grown children; expresses profound gratitude for being able to provide for them after years of struggle.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On alignment and success:
  • “When you have both—and when you have alignment—is really when the magic happens, in my experience.” (Chris, 07:54)
• On persistent self-doubt and growth:
  • “I just wanted to be good enough. And really all along, I wish I could have told myself that I was good enough.” (Chris, 19:12)
• On surviving suicidal thoughts and transformation:
  • “I just thought, I can’t hate myself anymore. I couldn’t try and be something else anymore. So what about if I just stop? What about if I just start here?” (Chris, 32:13)
• On the enduring effects of poverty:
  • “That poor boy inside me is always there... I don’t think it ever leaves you.” (Chris, 13:57)
• On entrepreneurship:
  • “Sell the sizzle, not the sausage.” (Chris, 42:23)
• On self-kindness:
  • “Learning to be kind... like, I would never speak to another child like that.” (Chris, 10:23)
• On investing:
  • “Money doesn’t earn money. Money loses value over years, you know, so... investing your money is very wise.” (Chris, 52:56)
• On family and gratitude:
  • “Being a dad at a young age had responsibilities. I had to be very savage and make sure they had something... and that I could supply for them... I hope I’ve done that.” (Chris, 55:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Chris’s family background and trauma: 04:28–08:19
• Finding power in hairdressing: 06:00–08:19
• Financial trauma and childhood: 08:43–10:23
• Therapy and self-kindness: 10:23–12:34
• Imposter syndrome and the Christina Aguilera moment: 25:27–30:08
• Coming out and personal transformation: 32:07–33:53
• Advice for entrepreneurs on branding: 42:13–45:47
• Perspectives on the word “fine” and emotional honesty: 36:10–38:19
• Salon chair as therapy and challenging client beliefs: 39:12–42:00
• Final actionable tip on money and investing: 52:56–53:58

Episode Takeaways

• Healing and self-acceptance are prerequisites to lasting success.
• Financial habits from childhood persist, but awareness and education can help reframe them.
• Authenticity in identity and business—being clear about what you offer and your unique value—is essential.
• Vulnerability with oneself and with others leads to true transformation—personally, professionally, and financially.
• Never settle for “fine”—strive for honest answers, honest self-reflection, and honest work.
• Invest for the future, don’t just save.

End note:
Chris Appleton’s story is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the power of showing up authentically—in the mirror, at the bank, and in life. Nicole Lapin’s interview draws out not only the practical financial tips but also the emotional layers behind true wealth and success. Perfect for listeners seeking both inspiration and actionable advice on well-being and prosperity.