#62 | Breathwork, Calm, & Impacting Lives - with Shalin Desai

What if the way through stress isn’t to push harder, but to learn how to come back to yourself?In this conversation, Shalin Desai, engineer, Art of Living Foundation leader, and breathwork teacher, shares how being introduced to these practices at 16 changed the direction of his life. Ashanti and Shalin talk about the masks men wear, the fear of failure, the calm we can carry behind the mask, and why breath is one of the most practical tools we have for working with stress and emotion. They also explore skepticism around contemplative practices, the difference between hearing “be present” and actually knowing how.Listen and apply these takeaways to your life and leadership:The mask of competence can hide a real fear of failure, pressure, and self-judgment, and naming that matters.Calm is not the absence of responsibility; it’s the ability to carry life without letting stress become your identity.The real question isn’t just “be present,” it’s “how?” Shalin points to breath as a direct tool for working with emotional patterns.Breath and emotion are connected: when the breath changes, your internal state can change too.This work becomes real when it restores purpose. Shalin shares a story about a participant who arrived hopeless and left wanting to live.Skepticism doesn’t disqualify anyone. People from many backgrounds can benefit without giving up who they are.(0:00) Meet Shalin Desai + how Art of Living became part of his life(2:54) Shalin’s origin story: his mother’s healing, finding the course at 16, and discovering breathwork early(8:57) Ashanti’s own Art of Living journey + wondering what shifts when young people learn peace sooner(10:19) The masks we wear: competence, fear of failure, calm, irritation, and ending the day without regret(13:50) “That sounds good, but how?” bringing spiritual ideas into real-life stress(15:21) The connection between breath and emotions + why breathwork is practical, not abstract(17:42) A participant’s suicide note story + what happens when someone reconnects to purpose(20:20) Skepticism, openness, and why people are more ready now to try meditation and breathwork(22:37) Research, results, and why this work keeps spreading(26:50) Types of Art of Living courses + why the practice has to continue beyond one experience(32:07) Emotional overload, algorithms, polarization, and making impact from calm instead of frustrationConnect with Shalin DesaiWebsite: artofliving.orgInstagram: @shalindesaiJoin/Contribute to our Young Men’s Conference: https://everforwardclub.orgJoin our Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/efc-young-mens-advocates-2345Submit Questions, Reflections, or Episode IdeasEmail us: [email protected] your mask anonymously: https://millionmask.org/Connect with Ashanti BranchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchspeaks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchSpeaksX: https://x.com/BranchSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch/Website: https://www.branchspeaks.com/Support the Podcast & Ever Forward ClubHelp us continue creating spaces for young men to be seen, heard, and supported:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/supportConnect with Ever Forward ClubInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubX: https://x.com/everforwardclubLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/#unmaskingwithmaleeducators #millionmaskmovement #takingoffthemask #breathwork #artofliving #emotionalwellness #mensmentalhealth #meditation #wellnessineducation #selfawareness #healingjourney #podcast