The Business of Meetings 292: From Iran to Inner Freedom: Women's Voices, Breathwork, and Plant Medicine with Sepideh Eivazi
We are delighted to welcome the inspiring Sepideh Eivazi as our guest today.
Sepideh is on a mission to move everyone she encounters, leaving them changed and feeling seen. She is a 2025 inductee of the Smart Meetings Hall of Fame, a Smart Speaker, a 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2025 Meetings Today Trendsetter. Her powerful TED Talk, Breath as an Act of Rebellion, has inspired audiences around the world.
She joins us today to share her journey and insights.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant medicine
Sepideh’s Journey
Sepideh Eivazi grew up in Iran, navigating a life constrained by societal and political limitations. At the age of 20, she moved to the United States with her younger sister in search of freedom and opportunity. Starting from scratch, she worked in hospitality in Las Vegas, learning about the event industry from the ground up, embracing mentorship, and observing inspiring and cautionary examples of leadership. Eventually, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she joined Elevated Meeting Solutions and later launched her own wellness platform, Dawn of the Earth, which integrates tea culture, somatic breathwork, nervous system regulation, and psychedelic integration practices. Her work focuses on conscious leadership, healing trauma, and empowering others, bridging both Eastern and Western wellness traditions.
Freedom and Feminism
Sepideh shares the challenges Iranian women face under restrictive societal norms, particularly the compulsory wearing of a veil. She emphasizes the importance of personal choice, freedom, and human qualities over appearance or imposed rules.
Singing as Healing and Expression
Reclaiming her voice through singing became an emotional and symbolic act of empowerment, connecting Sepideh to her heritage and generations of suppressed women in Iran. She views singing as both a personal healing practice and a form of standing for those who cannot freely express themselves.
Mentorship and Community
Sepideh credits several mentors and supportive figures for her growth. She emphasizes the importance of showing up for others, paying support forward, and nurturing a sense of community.
Leading Beyond Burnout
Burnout is a result of prolonged stress, fight, flight, freeze responses, and neglecting emotional and physical health. Sepideh utilizes somatic breathwork to help leaders and employees regulate their nervous systems, process suppressed emotions, and create safe spaces for vulnerability and healing. She explains that burnout is preventable when organizations and individuals prioritize conscious, holistic self-care.
Plant Medicine and Integration
Sepideh views plant medicine as a tool for mental health and emotional integration, highlighting it as a catalyst for self-awareness rather than a recreational high. She works with clients to integrate insights from plant medicine into daily life, cultivating emotional intelligence, forgiveness, and presence. Her approach combines body awareness, somatic practices, and intentional reflections.
Performance, Presence, and Ritual
In high-performance industries, constant productivity and measurement can undermine confidence and well-being. Sepideh advocates rituals and presence-based practices, such as mindful breathing, sensory activation, and slowing down during daily activities, to reconnect with oneself and cultivate sustainable performance without anxiety or self-judgment.
Future Vision and Celebration
Sepideh measures success through progress and the ability to give back to humanity. She values learning, growth, and curiosity over rigid goals or timelines, viewing each step forward as a meaningful achievement for herself and others.
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Sepideh's TED Talk, Breath as an Act of Rebellion