1127 - A Navy SEAL’s Simple Breathwork Tool to Beat Lust, Anxiety, and Reactivity

What this episode covers

In this episode, Sathiya sits down with Will Schneider and Jon Macaskill, co-hosts of Men Talking Mindfulness, to explore how mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork can help men navigate anxiety, stress, and the constant distractions of modern life. Drawing from their diverse backgrounds—Will as a meditation teacher and former actor, and Jon as a former Navy SEAL commander—they share their personal journeys into mindfulness and how these practices transformed their relationships, decision-making, and overall well-being. The conversation unpacks the differences between mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork, while offering practical tools for regulating the nervous system, reducing reactivity, and creating more space between stimulus and response. They also discuss the impact of technology on attention, the importance of intentional daily habits, and why consistency and community are essential for lasting change. Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and cultivate greater awareness so they can live with more purpose, presence, and freedom. SATHIYA’S RESOURCES: Free Recovery Book (The Last Relapse) Join the brotherhood (DeepClean Inner Circle) Live Training To Quit Porn For Good JON AND WILL’S RESOURCES: Men Talking Mindfulness Website Awareness to Action Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Men Talking Mindfulness 01:26 Will Schneider's journey from acting to teaching mindfulness 03:32 Jon Macaskill's path from Navy SEAL to mindfulness advocate 07:05 Why the pandemic amplified stress, isolation, and the need for mindfulness 10:05 Mindfulness in high-performance environments 13:54 Mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork: understanding the differences 18:31 How to know mindfulness is actually working 22:48 Why lasting change requires consistency, patience, and self-awareness 26:38 The role of accountability and community in personal growth 28:29 The power of creating space between stimulus and response 30:04 Practical habits for becoming more mindful every day 32:12 Technology, distraction, and reclaiming control of your attention 33:56 Understanding urges, desires, and unconscious behaviors 38:25 The science behind breathwork and nervous system regulation 44:22 Box breathing and the 4-7-8 breathing technique explained 45:05 Guided 4-7-8 breathing exercise 49:07 Real-life benefits of breathwork and emotional regulation 51:28 How breathwork can unlock deeper emotional awareness 53:23 Common meditation misconceptions and what meditation really is 55:26 Different meditation practices and finding the right approach 57:20 Why noticing and returning your attention is the heart of meditation

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