Ep. 49 Interview Series: Unpacking Midlife Transitions through Mindfulness and Intention with Billy Lahr

Business Breaks - All Things Business

Speaker Bio:

Billy Lahr is a former educator who had a challenging experience delivering difficult news to students and parents, which took an emotional toll on him. To make matters worse, he also faced severe social media harassment, leading him to report the incidents to the police. Feeling unsatisfied with his job, especially during the COVID school years, Billy decided to take a leave and embark on a journey of self-discovery. During his travels to Portugal, Spain, Dakar, New York, Seattle, and Mexico, he realized that he could not envision himself returning to his former role. This newfound perspective has inspired Billy to pursue a different path beyond the field of education.
Connect with Billy:

• LinkedIn
• Website

Episode Topics:

1 Intentional Living and Mindfulness
- Billy Lahr suggests being intentional and present instead of being distracted by phones and email.
- Dante Healy agrees, emphasizing the importance of being present in the moment.
- Billy references Jon Kabat Zinn's research on the benefits of mindfulness, such as reduced rumination and decreased stress.
- Dante summarizes key insights, stating that mindfulness helps with better decision-making and personal happiness.
2 Unpacking Resources and Being Present
- Billy helps people through midlife crises by helping them unpack their existing resources and be present with their strengths.
- They discuss the importance of routine and structure to get unstuck and move forward.
- Billy recommends three books: anything by Adam Grant, "Mindfulness" by Mark Williams, and "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl.
3 Managing Anxiety and Somatic Experiences
- Billy Lahr explains the importance of recognizing and responding to anxiety rather than pushing it away.
- He emphasizes the use of breathwork and somatic experiences to manage anxiety.
- He suggests the practice of "name and tame" to separate oneself from negative thoughts and emotions.
4 Personal Growth and Self-Talk
- Billy shares the quote from Eddie Vedder about not letting past behaviors define one's actions in the present.
- He discusses the need for intentional change and self-talk to achieve personal growth.
- In a business context, practicing mindfulness can positively impact decision-making and stress management.
5 Mindfulness in Decision-Making
- Mindfulness helps in creating a space between stimulus and response, allowing for more conscious and informed decision-making.
- Billy explains how somatic experiences and mindfulness can reduce stress and regulate emotions.
- Intentional living involves finding purpose and aligning personal and professional goals.
6 Fulfilling Purpose Outside of Work
- Billy believes that not everyone needs to have a job that fulfills their purpose, as purpose can be fulfilled outside of work.
7 Contact and Connect with Billy Lahr
- Billy Lahr can be contacted through the website www.mindfulmidlifecrisis.com.
- Join the newsletter on the website for more information.
- Billy hosts meditate and mingle sessions that can be joined through the website.
- Email Billy at [e-mail].
- Find Billy on Instagram at mindful_midlife_crisis.
- Find Billy on LinkedIn at Billy Lahr.
8 Incorporating Mindfulness in Daily Life
- Billy emphasizes that mindfulness can be practiced in short intervals, such as during a commute to work.
- He also focuses on in the moment mindfulness and understanding the somatic experience as a way to manage stress and anxiety.
- Lahr encourages incorporating small moments of mindfulness throughout the day, suggesting even 3 to 5 minutes, and finding time for longer meditation sessions. He challenges the notion that there is no time for mindfulness by pointing out the potential mindlessness in activities like excessive phone scrolling.

Support the show:

Please like, subscribe, leave a review and consider supporting the channel at zero cost or no extra cost to yourself by getting the best tools on the market in their niche:

- Your feedback is vital to improving the show! Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and help to make Business Breaks even better:
Business Breaks - Listener Survey Form
- Subscribe to the email newsletter to receive regular updates and exclusive insights:
Business Breaks Podcast community
- Buy me a coffee (to get a mention on the show):
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dantehealy

- Our list of affiliate partnership deals:
https://businessbreaks.club/brand.html

- For podcast fans who are seeking an enhanced audio experience as well as the opportunity to engage with your favorite podcast hosts:
https://hi.switchy.io/podopolo