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Why Not Almost There? I had never run a long race in my life, but here I am, in the middle of the 2015 Chicago Marathon. I’m feeling fantastic, even thinking I could go double the distance. Just being in this race was a mini-miracle. I had heart surgery and back surgery a decade earlier. I could barely stand back then, let alone run. Nonetheless, I’m fired up and feel better than ever. Then I see right in front of me— a sign that nearly stops me in my tracks, NOT ALMOST THERE. I try to brush it off but can’t stop thinking about those words. Every step seems heavier, harder, and then I start cramping up. I begin to walk and complain inside and out. I struggle the entire second half but finish (barely) with everything I have after being physically and mentally crushed. I have never stopped thinking about that sign but that’s fueled a quest to understand the power of the mind, body, and spirit. To understand how we accomplish things. To understand how we become better in the race against time and ourselves. Who am I? Southside Chicago kid. Young Father (20). Assembly line worker. Found 15 seconds between building cars to study. Graduated. Took 5 years. Created a few companies. Sold two. 800 employees. Created Refuel and Not Almost There to help others.
Episodes
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Kevin Hekmat started his career working with IN-Q, Cal Fussman, and Alex Banayan to name a few. He has helped sell out theaters and produce global events. During the pandemic, even though he has a love and deep friendships with his performers, Kevin also looked inward and focused on his passion for wellness, and his ability to help others shift how we respond to stress – and bring more happiness, productivity, and communication to teams around the world. Kevin began studying with the HeartMath Institute where he became certified. He uses over 30 years of research from the Institute to share a new understanding of how we can manage the stress response through simple, evidence-based techniques, and create a happier and healthier work and life.
IN THIS EPISODE … Joe talks to his friend Kevin Hekmat about the benefits of deep breathing, meditation, and the intentions of focus. Kevin shares his unknowing journey into meditation, which started with an incredible story, a 10-day silent meditation experience. From never meditating to jumping into a retreat that is hard for the most seasoned meditation enthusiasts. They start digging into understanding setting boundaries in your life and setting time for your intentions and focus. Most importantly for you, Kevin does some incredible deep breathing exercises that you can use during this episode and moving forward, which will aid in your path to self-discovery.
🔍 Breakdown with Kevin Hekmat:
Chapter 1 (0:00): Introduction
Joe introduces Kevin Hekmat, and sets up the episode.
Chapter 2 (2:00): Deep Breathing Exercise
Kevin starts the conversation with an exercise you can do to help center yourself.
Chapter 3 (8:26): Deep breathing versus meditation
There are some differences between meditation and deep breathing. Also, keep in mind that all people have different styles of practice.
Chapter 4 (15:02): Understanding Heart Math
Heart Math is an institute that studies the science of the heart. What your heart rate tells you about not only your physical but your emotional health as well.
Chapter 5 (29:40): Meditation retreat experience
Kevin started his journey in mediation by attending a 10-day silent retreat, which is truly incredible. He shared lessons he learned and what the overall experience was like.
Chapter 6 (36:39): Transcendental meditation
This technique promotes a state of relaxed awareness, stress relief, and access to higher states of consciousness, as well as reducing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
Chapter 7 (44:57): Creating boundaries to be present
We wear so many hats in our lives that it is hard to make sure we are setting boundaries in our lives to ensure we are getting time to be present with ourselves.
Chapter 8 (56:57): Living with purpose
What are you doing today to ensure your life is being lived for yourself. This is something that we all need to focus on to make sure we don’t look back with regret.
Chapter 9 (1:10:53): Quick Coherence Technique
Coherence allows us to move easily from one idea to the next, from one thought to the next, and from one mind meld to the next.
Chapter 10 (53:50): Wrapping Up
Joe wraps up the episode with Kevin!
Material Referenced in this interview:
→https://www.heartmath.org/
→”I AM” documentary by Tom Shadyac
→The Headspace Guide to Meditation by Andy Puddicombe
→Against All Odds by Chuck Norris
📞 Connect with Kevin
→https://www.instagram.com/kevinhekmat/
→https://www.facebook.com/kevin.hekmat
→https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinhekmat/
→https://kevinhekmat.com/
👊 To learn more about Not Almost There by visiting this link
→ Not Almost There http://notalmostthere.com/
Connect with Joe on social here:
→https://www.instagram.com/notalmostthere/
→Facebook https://www.facebook.com/notalmostthere/
→Twitter http://twitter.com/joechura