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10% Happier with Dan Harris

How to Gracefully Handle Defeat I Former Congressman Tim Ryan

Aug 18, 2023
Former Congressman Tim Ryan discusses how meditation helped him in a brutal political campaign, adjusting to civilian life after 20 years in Washington, and whether he'll run for office again. He also talks about the link between breathwork and meditation, escaping the grind, and handling defeat gracefully. The podcast delves into transitioning from campaign to family life, teaching resilience, and dealing with difficult people in politics and everyday life.
41:17

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Meditation and breathwork helped Tim Ryan weather a brutal political campaign and stay focused.
  • Transitioning from politics to civilian life brought newfound freedom and opportunities for personal growth.

Deep dives

The Power of Mindfulness in Handling Defeat

The podcast episode features Tim Ryan, a former Democratic Congressman, discussing how his mindfulness practice helped him navigate a difficult and public defeat in a Senate race. Ryan shares how deep breathing techniques, such as Wim Hof breathing, and mindfulness meditation helped him stay focused and present during the campaign. He emphasizes the importance of staying in the moment and not getting caught up in personal animosity towards opponents, even in a highly polarized political environment. Ryan also talks about the need for compassion and grace in dealing with difficult people and situations, acknowledging that perfection is not attainable, but doing our best and responding with compassion can lead to positive change.

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