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In this episode, Xavi Perla, a Licensed Master Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming™ based in Barcelona, shares the unlikely journey that led him from struggling through a civil engineering degree to becoming one of the leading NLP trainers specializing in persuasion and linguistic patterns. Xavi explains how discovering NLP while desperately trying to pass a difficult university exam changed the trajectory of his life and opened the door to mastering the psychology of influence and communication.

Xavi takes us back to his early career in Barcelona, where he initially dreamed of becoming a commercial pilot before being convinced it was impossible without the right connections. After ending up in a degree that didn’t suit him, he encountered NLP through a practitioner who helped him pass a critical exam. That experience sparked a deep curiosity about how language and mental strategies shape human performance, eventually leading him to pursue formal NLP training.

We also dive into one of Xavi’s core teaching principles: persuasion must begin with self-influence. Before attempting to change someone else’s mind, leaders must learn to regulate their own emotional state and challenge their own assumptions. Xavi shares how tools like the Meta Model of language and critical thinking help people understand their internal maps of the world and negotiate ideas without attacking another person’s reality.

Throughout the episode, Xavi introduces concepts from his book **“Conscious Persuasion”**, where he breaks down the relationship between influence, persuasion, and manipulation. He explains how influence is the effect we create in others, persuasion is the deliberate process that produces that effect, and manipulation occurs only when persuasion is used without integrity or mutual benefit.

If you are an entrepreneur, leader, coach, communicator, or NLP practitioner looking to understand how language patterns shape perception, relationships, and decision-making, this episode offers powerful insights into conscious persuasion and ethical influence.

If you are looking for a place to develop true NLP mastery, apply it in business, and practice consistently with high-level professionals, the Next Level Pro Institute offers weekly practice sessions, live trainings, Q&A calls, and immersive bootcamps designed to move you from understanding NLP to living it.

https://www.youtube.com/@Xavier_Pirla
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Episode Chapters

0:00 – The Myth of “Forbidden Words”
Why avoiding certain words like “but” doesn’t improve persuasion — mindset does.

0:33 – Meeting Xavi Perla
Introduction to the Barcelona-based NLP Master Trainer and persuasion specialist.

1:09 – Discovering NLP by Accident
How a desperate attempt to pass a difficult university exam led to NLP.
3:30 – The First NLP Training Experience
Realizing the difference between early NLP training and the Society of NLP.
5:00 – Training w