The Mike Method EP82 Qigong for Stress Relief, Energy and Nervous System Recovery with Lee Holden
What if the reset you need is not more effort, but a slower rhythm you can access in just a few minutes a day?
In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins sits down with Lee Holden, Qigong master, Tai Chi teacher, Doctor of Chinese Medicine, graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, with a BA in Psychology and longtime guide in the practice of mindful movement. Lee first discovered the healing power of Qigong and Tai Chi after experiencing injuries that nearly sidelined his varsity soccer career in college. Together, they explore why slowing down may be one of the most effective ways to restore energy, regulate stress, and support long term performance.
Lee shares his personal path from collegiate soccer at UC Berkeley to the world of Chinese medicine, Qigong, and Tai Chi. After a serious injury left conventional approaches falling short, Lee experienced firsthand how practices rooted in movement, breath, and attention could support healing and recovery. That experience sparked a lifelong mission to make Qigong accessible and practical for modern life.
Throughout the conversation, Mike and Lee unpack what Qi Gong actually is, why it is often called the mother of Tai Chi, and how moving meditation can be easier and more effective for many people than sitting still and trying to quiet the mind. They talk about hustle culture, chronic stress, and why so many high performers feel wired and tired, even when they are doing all the right things.
This episode offers a different model of performance, one that prioritizes nervous system regulation, daily recovery, and what Lee calls the art of effortless power. If you have ever felt like you are sprinting a marathon, this conversation invites a new pace. Ready, set, slow.
In this episode, you will learn:
- What Qigong is and how it has been practiced for over 4,000 years
- Why Tai Chi emerged from Qigong and how the two practices differ
- How Qigong supports health, healing, and prevention through mindful movement
- The connection between movement, stress, and the nervous system
- Why managing stress is essential for longevity and sustainable performance
- How Qigong can complement other forms of exercise and training
- The role of relaxation and awareness in restoring energy
- Why consistent movement supports joint health and mobility over time
- How Qigong helps shift the body out of chronic fight or flight
- What it means to cultivate effortless power in daily life
If you are looking for a practice that helps you downshift, recover from stress, and build long term vitality without adding more grind, this episode is for you
Episode Resources:
Lee Holden: LinkedIn / Youtube
Holden QuiGong Courses and Workshops
Ready, Set, Slow: How to Improve Your Energy, Health, and Relationships Through the Power of Slow
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