Qigong for Calm Leadership: Craig Cooke on Energy, Stress, and Change with Craig Cooke

In this episode of The Mindful Journey Podcast, hosted by Sana, entrepreneur-turned-energy-medicine practitioner Craig Cooke shares how he went from building a digital marketing agency in 1996 to dedicating his life to medical Qigong and Chinese energetic medicine.This conversation is for skeptics, seekers, and busy professionals who feel stressed, reactive, or stuck in survival mode. Craig breaks down “energy” in a grounded way—how calm creates clearer thinking, steadier leadership, and healthier relationships with pressure. He also shares the lifestyle changes that helped him bring his A1C back into a normal range—without framing it as a quick fix for anyone else.About the Guest:Craig Cooke is an entrepreneur and former CEO who built and sold a digital marketing agency. He now practices medical Qigong, holds a doctorate in Chinese energetic medicine, and has completed 1,000+ energy healing sessions.Episode Chapter:00:04:15 — Sana’s intro: why this conversation may shift your assumptions00:07:10 — Working at age 10: the psychological imprint of early responsibility00:10:27 — Kung fu at 17: the turning point toward a steadier path00:12:27 — What martial arts taught him that an MBA couldn’t00:17:06 — Explaining Qigong to skeptical, high-performance professionals00:22:34 — His doctoral research: measuring shifts in stress and anxiety00:29:12 — Lifestyle changes that supported his A1C returning to normalKey Takeaways:Build your foundation first—skills, habits, and emotional regulation.Treat your inner dialogue as the real opponent: notice doubt and arrogance.Keep new practices simple: calm → clarity → better decisions under pressure.Think “energetic hygiene” as a daily leadership habit, not a luxury.Sustainable change is stacked—one small habit at a time.How to Connect With the Guest:Website: http://www.craigcooke.com/Doctoral thesis/resources: C2EnergyMedicine.com (Resources section)LinkedIn: Craig Cooke🎙️ Want to Be a Guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life?Send me a direct message on PodMatch.👉 DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik🌱 About Healthy Mind By Avik™️Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it has become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate the platform now reaches 200K+ global listeners across 6000+ episodes, uniting voices, breaking stigma, and reminding us that every story matters.👉 Subscribe and be part of this healing journey.Refer a GuestKnow someone who would be a great fit for one of our podcast shows? Email us at [email protected] with the subject line “Refer a Guest.” Requests without this subject line cannot be catered to.Support Our Podcast: Support this Podcast📬 Contact & LinksBrand: Healthy Mind By Avik™️Email: [email protected] | [email protected]: https://www.podhub.club/Based in: India & USA🎧 All Podcast Shows: https://podcreatorsnetwork.transistor.fm/shows 🤝 Be a Guest: https://www.podhub.club/beaguest📩 Newsletter: https://healthymindbyavik.substack.com/🤝 Join Our LinkedIn CommunityConnect with a global community focused on mental health, wellness, and personal growth. Join meaningful conversations, discover insights from experts, and grow alongside like-minded individuals.👉 Join the LinkedIn Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14498362/📌 Disclaimer - This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media remains the property of their respective owners and is used under fair use for informational purposes. By listening, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.#podmatch #healthymindbyavik #podhub.club #mindfuljourney #qigong #mindfulnesspractice #stressmanagement #anxietyrelief #emotionalresilience #leadershipmindset #selfcarematters #holisticwellness #martialartswisdom #innercalm #burnoutrecovery