My journey from burnout to inner calm
In 2013, I was at the height of academic success. I had tenure, multiple large grants, prestigious publications, and a thriving research team with multiple collaborations worldwide. But how I felt inside was another story. I was overwhelmed, irritable, and exhausted. I felt like if I stopped, everything would collapse. Insomnia plagued my nights. Neck and back pain tormented my days. My emails to my team were peppered with demands for tasks to be completed “ASAP or sooner.” The constant pressure of academia was relentless. I felt deep exhaustion and burnout. My health was declining. My relationships – personal and work – were crumbling under the pressure. Working harder wasn’t working.
A chance encounter with a collaborator and a friend led me to discover SKY Breath Meditation. Skeptical but desperate for a change, I signed up for a weekend course. My transformation was immediate and profound. I felt grounded and unflappable. For the first time in years, I could calmly prioritize tasks, communicate clearly, and find joy in quiet solitude. I felt as if there was something new grounding me, making me calm, clear, conscious, centered, and energized at the same time. Over time, with regular practice, I felt the clouds of fogginess in my brain lifting and the return of clarity of thought and expression: I was able to discern the vital few from the trivial many choices that life throws at us every single day.
Regular practice led me to turn inward and deeper, connecting to my own body and improving my awareness. This personal transformation initiated by SKY (which would continue to unfold for years after) sparked my scientific curiosity: What was happening in my body and brain to create such profound changes? And could this technique help others the way it was helping me?
It’s no exaggeration that this experience, and my ongoing breathwork practice, has changed the trajectory of my research focus. I’m excited to study breathwork more deeply, mentoring tomorrow’s bright scientists into this new era of research. I believe in SKY breathwork, and I care about improving people’s mental, emotional, and physical health across the globe. For me, “care” is at the heart of leadership. We take a stand for something because we care about it – whether it’s nurturing people or solving the world’s problems. Together, with your support, we can develop evidence-based strategies to improve health, prevent disease, and enhance the quality of life for many people around the world.
