The Midlife Chrysalis

From Doing to Being: The Power of Presence | Teddi Dean

The Midlife Chrysalis

Show Notes

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is stop doing and simply be present.

In this episode, Chip Conley talks with Teddi Dean, former Bones Brigade skateboarder turned filmmaker, mindfulness teacher, and Head of Mind & Body at MEA.

Teddy shares his journey through sobriety, yoga, meditation, and decades of exploring what it means to live with greater awareness.

You’ll discover: Why stillness can be transformative and help us reconnect with ourselves. How 10 to 20 minutes of daily mindfulness can change how we respond to life. Why mindfulness goes beyond meditation, from walking and surfing to ordinary daily activities. How listening to your body and breath can lead to wiser choices. Why paying attention makes ordinary life richer and helps us see familiar things with fresh eyes. Teddi’s hard earned wisdom is beautifully simple: Just be.

Watch the full episode for a practical and inspiring conversation about becoming more present for your own life.

Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Teddi Dean (01:05) Growing Up in Skate Culture (03:03) Joining the Bones Brigade (05:20) Walking Away From Skateboarding (08:57) Drinking and Life After Skateboarding (10:04) Getting Sober at 35 (11:00) Finding Yoga and Mindfulness (14:23) Starting a New Life in Baja (17:10) Joining the Modern Elder Academy (19:04) Why Midlife Needs a Wisdom School (21:35) The Power of Silent Retreats (26:49) Learning to Sit With Yourself (28:39) Building a Daily Mindfulness Practice (30:22) Creating Space Between Stimulus and Response (32:01) Turning Everyday Activities Into Mindfulness (35:05) What Is Embodied Prayer? (36:30) Listening to the Wisdom of the Body (39:06) Becoming Amazed by the Mundane (41:18) Wisdom Bumper Sticker (43:00) Sunday Sangha

Learn more about MEA at ⁠https://www.meawisdom.com/

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