“The greatest gift a mentor can give is to believe in the ability
of their student to become their own master.”
The Beginning was Mythic!
He was an old man, but a real life wizard. I was a young man in my twenties, a kind of arrogant, questing Grail Knight! We shared the path of magic. Magic kept him young, and his teachings helped me become wise…a perfect trade!
When I met Eugene Burger, I really had nothing in common with him except for our mutual love for magic and books. Eugene and I met at the Mostly Magic nightclub in the West Village in NYC back in the 1980s. Eugene knew I wanted to talk to him about Magic and Meaning and Philosophy, but we didn’t really share common ground. I was hesitant to talk to him – what to do?
Eugene was very clever and generous. He would surprise me by mailing me books, or leaving me books on my magic table backstage when we performed together at magic conventions. I read these books on philosophy, history, art, and spirituality, and now we had something to talk about. I was eager to call him and talk on the phone. The gift of these books might have been the secret to our lifelong friendship.
We spent many hours on the phone discussing the topics in the books and the magic of life. It was this sharing of books, wisdom, and magic that helped us create the Mystery School, a place where magicians, young and old, can follow their passion for magic.
“You Are Never Too Young…
You Are Never Too Old…
For Magic to Change Your Life!”
Did You Know?
McBride’s Magic & Mystery School has six students (yes, six!) who will appear on upcoming episodes of Penn & Teller: Fool Us this year? We can’t say their names until the show airs. We keep our secrets, but we will let you know when we can. Oh, and none of them are listed below.
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
– Albert Schweitzer
Did You Know?
Winning is not about age. It is about a state of mind, and about training to be your best. Buddy August says:
“Two years ago this past May, I met Jeff McBride.
I hadn’t performed magic in 57 years and today I won
First Place at the 86th Abbott’s Magic Get-Together.
Thanks to the best Magic Coach in the world, Jeff McBride.”
One of my oldest students won First Place at the Abbott’s Magic Get-Together stage competition. His name is Buddy August, and he is a self-proclaimed 77-year old teenager. His motto is “Magic makes us young again!”
“Great things never come from comfort zones.”
– Eddie Harris, Jr.
Blake Aleong is 14 years old, and he is one of my youngest students. He just won the Award of Merit at the International Brotherhood of Magicians national convention. Blake was taking private classes with me here in Vegas while attending MAGIC LIVE with his family.
Daryl Rogers won the First Place Award in the Get-Together’s “Curly’s Close-Up Classic” contest 2024. Daryl also took First Place in Stage Magic at the Abbott’s Magic contest in 2022.
Bravo Daryl! We salute our Mystery School Director of Communications for his impressive accomplishments. Daryl performs classical illusions from the “Golden Age” of magic.
International student Roger Ruiz from Cuba won First Place at the International Brotherhood of Magicians international convention. Roger is very popular on TikTok with his contemporary performance of stage magic with a Latin flair.
Roger says, “I am thankful for Jeff’s video classes. The study of his work as a Master of Magic has given me incredible foundations for artistic work, which have helped me achieve all the goals in my career.”
Learn how you can work with me in person or online here – https://www.magicalwisdom.com/about/private_sessions
Quiz Time!
What do Mat Franco, Aaron Crow, and Romany have in common? Find out here – https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/i/winners-circle
Pop Quiz!
Can you see the wrestler in this photo who was inspired by Jeff McBride?
In the News! Wrestling Magician!
“You’ve gotta have a gimmick!” is the old show biz saying. Back in the 1980s my student Del Rios created a character for professional wrestling named Spellbinder. Del was “The Magic-Wrestler.” As you can see, there was just a bit of McBride inspiration.
Meet Me Every Monday Night
Did you know that our Inner Circle Mystery School group meets every Monday online? You are invited! We can talk, and share our magic and stories about life. It is the next best thing to me leaving a magic book on your table. Take a look and see for yourself. Click the video below.
Join us – https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/m/magic-mystery-school
See you online or here at the Mystery School in Las Vegas!
Jeff and Abigail
