Play It Brave Podcast

I didn’t just go to India. I checked myself into a hospital for 21 days. I let go of my business, my routine, my Western way of life—and I surrendered to a deep, ancient healing process. I was bathed by women half my size, scrubbed down with herbs, and forced to slow down in a way I never had before.

This is what happened.

Why I Did This

• I reached a breaking point. Numb toes, neuropathy, panic attacks, extreme stress, feeling trapped in my body—it all led me to this decision.

• My body was screaming at me. And I knew I needed something more than another diet, another break, another surface-level fix.

• I discovered Pancha Karma, an ancient Ayurvedic cleanse for detoxing not just the body, but the mind and soul.

• I decided to go all in. I closed down my business, leaving everything behind.

Arrival at Vaidyagrama: Entering Another World

• This was a hospital—not a spa. There were basic rooms, strict routines, and repetitive rituals.

• Getting naked was a daily ritual. The towels were tiny, and loincloths were used for coverage. For the first time, I was truly seen.

• The doctors and staff infused ancient wisdom with medicine. Prayer and spiritual connection were a part of every treatment.

• Everything was done with deliberate slowness. There was no soap, no shampoo, no rushing—just pure, purposeful care for the body.

The Treatments: Surrendering to the Process

• Red juice treatment. I lay on a wooden slab, while three tiny Indian women poured warm red juice over my body again and again, staining my skin crimson.

• Oil massages & herbal scrubs. I was massaged daily by women who saw bodies in a way I never had—practical, neutral, without judgment.

• Ghee treatment. I was fed butter and broth for 21 days. As this happened, it was not only my body that became cleansed, but also my mind in its relationship to food.

• Everything here was intentional. Every drop of oil, every movement, every prayer. It was about more than the body—it was about resetting something deep inside me.

My Body Was No Longer an Enemy

• Western culture teaches us to battle our bodies. Ayurveda teaches us to nurture, honor, and support them.

• For the first time in my life, I wasn’t trying to change my body. I was caring for it.

• I released old narratives. My body isn’t something to fix—it’s something to listen to.

• What shifted for me:

• I stopped seeing my size as "wrong."

• I understood slowness as healing instead of laziness.

• I learned to receive care instead of always giving.

What I Took Home with Me

• The real healing started after I left.

• In the West, we treat exhaustion like a badge of honor. In India, I learned that rest is sacred.

• I made changes in my daily life—diet, movement, self-talk, and most importantly, prioritizing inner peace over external productivity.

Closing Thought

Would I do it again? Absolutely. This wasn’t just a cleanse. It was a complete reset—of my body, my mind, and the way I relate to myself. And I think more of us need that.

What happens when you sit in complete silence for 10 days—no talking, no technology, no eye contact, no distractions? In this episode, I take you inside my Vipassana meditation retreat, where I spent over 100 hours in silence and came face-to-face with my mind in ways I never expected. From nearly having a panic attack on Day 4, to watching a cobra almost kill my neighbor, to a tiny fly teaching me a profound lesson on suffering—this experience rewired my brain, changed how I see technology, and redefined what it means to be human in the modern world.

What Is Vipassana Meditation?

Vipassana, which means “insight” or “clear-seeing,” is one of the oldest meditation techniques in the world. Rooted in the teachings of Gautama Buddha, it’s designed to cultivate awareness, equanimity, and liberation from suffering.

During the retreat, I followed the traditional Vipassana rules, including:

• Noble Silence – No speaking, no eye contact, no gestures.
• No technology – No phones, books, or journaling.
• No intoxicants or distractions – Just meditation, walking, and sitting.
• Complete surrender to the schedule – Wake-up bells at 4 AM, over 10 hours of meditation per day.

But what I thought would be a peaceful experience turned into one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, unplug, and reconnect with yourself in ways you never imagined. Would you ever try Vipassana? Listen now and decide for yourself.

What if your work was so distinct that people could recognize it instantly—without even seeing your name attached to it? That’s the power of a signature style. In today’s episode, I’m diving deep into what it really means to develop an artistic voice that sets you apart in the photography industry.

If you’ve ever felt like your work blends in or that you’re creating for others instead of yourself, this episode is your wake-up call. Your signature style isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about confidence, perspective, and the energy you bring to your work.

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