The Midlife Chrysalis From Doing to Being: The Power of Presence | Teddi Dean
Sep 4, 2026
Teddi Dean, a former Bones Brigade skateboarder turned filmmaker, yoga teacher, and mindfulness educator, shares his remarkable path from skate culture and sobriety to leading Mind & Body at Modern Elder Academy. He discusses silent retreats, daily meditation, embodied prayer, digital distraction, and finding mindfulness in surfing, walking, relationships, and ordinary routines. A thoughtful exploration of moving from constant doing toward simply being.
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The Empty Skatepark That Ended Teddi’s Career
- Teddi Dean left elite skateboarding after an empty skatepark and a painful fall made the pursuit feel finished.
- He never formally announced his departure; after skipping a contest, he and Stacey Peralta simply understood it was over.
Sobriety Opened Teddi’s Next Chapter
- Teddi Dean stopped drinking at 35 after a decade of filmmaking, burnout, divorce, and an unsustainable lifestyle.
- Sobriety redirected his attention toward yoga, Buddhism, Christian mysticism, and discovering who he was next.
Stillness Helps An Active Mind Settle
- Silent retreats work by removing devices and distractions long enough for the nervous system to settle.
- An active mind is not disqualification; participants can shift attention from thoughts toward their senses and embodied experience.
