004: War, mindfulness, & Chinese Medicine; Brian Call, Navy SEAL turned Acupuncturist

Serial entrepreneur, Navy SEAL Veteran, father, husband, meditator, and now, Doctoral student studying Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture - Brian is a multidimensional human and the ultimate anomaly. After growing up on a small, organic, regenerative farm - Brian jumped full force into the complete opposite enrolling in the military as a Navy SEAL at the age of 18. After passing the ultra competitive SEAL qualifications (6% of applicants are accepted, annually) and the notoriously challenging training program (a process dubbed “Hell Week” where only 1 in 4 candidates pass), Brian was deployed;  serving in Iraq, receiving multiple awards for his exceptional service, and reporting to Jocko Willink over the course of his tenure on the prestigious Team 3. His experience, to say the least, was metamorphic; enduring multiple life-or-death scenarios over his 80+ combat missions. Now, as a veteran, he knows first hand the challenges of PTSD and the struggle of adjusting to civilian life - chronicling  his transition “out of the military as deeply transformative as joining”. It was this experience that inspired his deep meditative and spiritual journey and influenced his own path as a meditator, teacher, and Reiki master who now serves as a volunteer with veterans struggling with trauma. In addition to his journey on the spiritual plane, Brian is a serial entrepreneur and lifelong student.He’s the co-founder of two successful startups and today, a student combining his undergraduate degree of Psychology with his Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Brian is truly a living, breathing testament to the DAOist philosophy of Yin-and-Yang in balance, integrating the most intense, traumatic, and deadly experiences with the most gentle, beautiful, and connected perspectives. His mission is to translate his own discovery of true mind-body-and-spirit health for others who are struggling so that he can help them on their own path. 

💫 We cover :

• Brian’s path to becoming a NAVY SEAL
• Going from the military to a Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine
• What happens when you disconnect the mind + body (upsides + downsides)
• Trauma + navigating PTSD
• Undoing the “hardening” that comes with becoming a NAVY SEAL
• Why comparing our suffering to others’ causes more pain
• Tools for healing: psychedelics, meditation, acupuncture, and more
• Identity: recreating yourself after a high profile job

💫 Mentioned in this episode:

• Szent water
• Heart Math or Heart Coherence Meditation
• Transcendental Meditation
• Diana Lang meditations
• Jocko Willink’s podcast
• Jocko Willink
• American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

💫 To connect with Brian Call  :

• As mentioned, Brian doesn’t have a website or social presence. BUT, if you’d like to have him follow up with YOU, please submit your email here. 

☯️ To connect with Kasia (learn more about Holistic Coaching + Chinese Medicine) :

• @Mira_Wellness_co (​​​​Instagram)
• www.mirawellness.co
• Submit topic/theme/speaker requests