At FARMERSTRENGTH™, we believe strength begins with one thing: the breath. Life itself starts and ends with it, so it’s no wonder that learning to harness it can transform health, fitness, and mental resilience. Breathwork isn’t just a trend; it’s ancient wisdom, revitalized today by modern practices like Wim Hof’s method. For thousands of years, cultures worldwide have understood breath as a source of resilience and vitality.
In the 19th century, artist and adventurer George Catlin documented this wisdom in The Breath of Life, observing that indigenous communities prioritized nasal breathing to sustain health, mental focus, and vitality. Catlin’s insights have impacted me deeply, especially as I’ve reflected on my own experiences with asthma and respiratory challenges.
My Breathwork Journey: From Struggle to Strength
My journey into breathwork began out of necessity. Growing up with asthma, I relied on inhalers and constantly struggled with breathing issues, worsened by a deviated septum—a condition likely resulting from a childhood injury. It wasn’t until 2018, inspired by Wim Hof’s techniques, that I discovered breathwork as a way to manage anxiety and depression. This marked a profound shift in my life, opening me to the idea that mastering the breath could change how I approach my health, wellness, and even mental clarity.
I was introduced to the possibilities of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) through Joe Rogan’s podcast, specifically episode #989 with Dorian Yates. Yates spoke about a transformative experience with Ayahuasca—a plant medicine containing N,N-Dimethyltryptamine—which led me to explore the mind-expanding potential of breathwork as a gateway to consciousness. This sparked my fascination with how breathwork could stimulate trace amounts of DMT release and unlock new dimensions of human experience. Techniques like holotropic breathing, I learned, may even prompt subtle DMT release through deep, rhythmic breathing patterns, creating powerful experiences and heightened mental clarity.
Ancient Cultures and the Sacred Power of Breath
Many religious and spiritual traditions revere breath as the essence of spirit. This concept is ancient, spanning cultures and languages. In Hebrew, ruach means both “breath” and “spirit,” symbolizing divine life force. The Greeks called it pneuma, meaning both the breath of life and the Holy Spirit. Similarly, spiritus in Latin means breath and spirit, forming the root of “spiritual.” In Hinduism, prana signifies life force carried by breath, while indigenous cultures see breath as a bridge to the spirit world, facilitating states of consciousness that connect the physical and spiritual realms. In Irish, anáil represents both the breath and life force, carrying similar connotations of spirit and vitality, deeply rooted in traditional lore.
Practicing intentional breathing can feel like connecting with a timeless rhythm, allowing a moment of unity with something vast. It reminds me of the phrase, “With every inhale, we draw life within; with every exhale, we invite the divine in.”
Breath at Life’s Threshold: Lessons from Sebastian Junger
In In My Time of Dying, Sebastian Junger explores profound experiences at the edge of life, including the possibility of DMT release at death. He suggests that DMT—a compound often called the “spirit molecule”—may be released to ease our transition, offering peace, acceptance, or glimpses into a realm beyond. Junger’s exploration raises fascinating questions about breath’s role at life’s final threshold, inviting us to consider how our bodies prepare us for the ultimate journey.
The FARMERSTRENGTH™ Breathwork Method: Resilience and Calm
Every athlete and client I work with practices breathwork with me at some point, following the FARMERSTRENGTH™ Breath method I’ve developed over years. Whether it’s guiding fighters like Jamaine Ortiz to center themselves pre-fight or helping clients release pent-up emotions, I’ve witnessed breathwork lead to spiritual and mental breakthroughs. Jamaine described feeling like he left his body, while Jiuseppe Cusumano reported seeing a tunnel of light. Breathwork sessions are also great for athletes to add in visualization, helping them mentally prepare for competition.
In our overstimulated world, dedicating even 10 minutes daily to intentional breathing is transformative. Guided sessions help anchor this focus, making breath holds and deep breathing achievable and profoundly impactful.
Breathwork for Vitality and Health
Oxygen is essential to cellular health, fueling ATP production for energy, reducing inflammation, and boosting immune responses. Think about the potential if we consistently practiced full, deep breathing—clearer minds, stronger bodies, and more balanced emotions. Doctors rarely ask about breathing in healthcare, yet this could be fundamental in managing stress, anxiety, and even physical health. Subconsciously, people may seek deep breaths through actions like smoking, where the first inhale is often the deepest they’ll take that day. Breathwork offers that relief naturally, no harmful chemicals required.
The cold plunge and ice bath trend worldwide is a testament to how breath control can turn stress into resilience. My theory is that the most beneficial aspect of cold plunges comes from those first few minutes, where focused, deep breathing helps people establish control amidst extreme discomfort. The cold forces you to breathe intentionally, training you to find calm in stress—something breathwork can do even outside the cold.
To support consistent nasal breathing, some practitioners even try a technique called mouth taping at night—placing medical tape over the lips to encourage nasal breathing during sleep. This trick, championed by breath experts like James Nestor in his book Breath, can help correct mouth breathing habits, leading to better sleep quality, enhanced oxygen absorption, and overall improved respiratory health.
COVID-19 and the Need for Breathwork Awareness
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was struck by the lack of focus on respiratory health. As the world struggled with a virus targeting the lungs, it seemed obvious to focus on the fundamentals of breath. Imagine if we’d made breathwork a collective practice, bringing millions together to manage stress, calm the mind, and strengthen the respiratory system. Just imagine the power of 8 billion people united in breathwork—a free, simple practice to support immunity and mental clarity.
Sherpa Wisdom: Thriving in Extreme Environments with Breath
Even in extreme environments, breath is recognized as a path to resilience. The Sherpas of the Himalayas use a special breathing technique, often called "pressure breathing" or "forced exhalation," to help them acclimate and thrive at high altitudes. This technique involves deep inhalations through the nose, followed by a forceful exhalation through pursed lips or the mouth, creating an audible "haaa" sound. This rhythmic practice helps maximize oxygen intake and expel carbon dioxide, supporting endurance in low-oxygen environments.
Over generations, Sherpas have also developed genetic adaptations that make their blood more efficient at carrying oxygen, giving them a distinct advantage in high-altitude conditions. This powerful combination of genetics and specialized breathing helps sustain energy where oxygen is scarce—a testament to the adaptability of breath, a core value we embrace at FARMERSTRENGTH™.
Simple Steps to Start Your Breathwork Journey
Starting breathwork is simple yet transformative. Here’s how to begin:
- Engage Your Diaphragm: Try Malasana or Garland Pose, a wide-legged squat that encourages diaphragmatic breathing. Another option is sitting cross-legged to relax the spine and encourage calm, deep breaths.
- 10 Breaths Daily: Begin with just 10 mindful breaths a day, building from there as you feel comfortable.
- Seek Guidance: Guided sessions can help keep you focused and unlock breath’s full potential, especially when learning advanced techniques.
Breathwork changed my life, not only in overcoming asthma but in discovering a powerful tool for resilience and clarity. This power isn’t just for athletes—it’s for anyone seeking true wellness. If your coach hasn’t introduced you to breathwork, it’s worth asking why. Breath mastery is essential, not only in the ring but in every aspect of life.
The FARMERSTRENGTH™ Way: Breath as the Foundation of Strength
Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Rickson Gracie famously said, “If you control the breath, you control everything.” This philosophy underpins FARMERSTRENGTH™, guiding how I coach, train, and live. Breathwork grounds us in strength and calm, supporting both physical fitness and mental clarity. Breath isn’t just a practice here—it’s a way of life, a path to resilience, and a reconnection with ancient wisdom that stands the test of time.
Rediscover the power of your breath with FARMERSTRENGTH™. Breath is life—let it lead the way.
