“So what you're saying is the Karate Kid was actually about you?”

Those were the exact words out of my mouth during today’s episode 😆

While Lee Holden wasn’t training for a fight like Daniel-San, in his 20s he did get to train directly with Taoist master and one of the most spiritually influential people in the world, Master Mantak Chia.

As his first job out of college, Lee worked directly with Master Mantak Chia as a ghost writer for his books.

Fast forward and today Lee is an internationally recognized Qi Gong master in his own right.

He was the main TV personality in the, “Less Stress, More Energy” PBS special which reached 50M households…

He’s written several bestselling books, including his newest one, Ready Set Slow: How to Improve Your Energy, Health, and Relationships Through the Power of Slow.

For more than 30 years, Lee has helped tens of thousands of people just like you to increase their energy, calm their minds, and live vibrant lives through Qi Gong.

Here are 3 things to look forward to in today’s episode:

• How to use acupressure to remove headaches (we do some real time implementation!)
• How “Slow Eating” and “Slow Exercise” is EASIER and MORE EFFECTIVE than our default modes
• How Lee ended up going from a Qi Gong teacher with limited resources to being featured on PBS in between segments with Wayne Dyer and Yanni… 

This is a FUN and insightful episode, and I can’t wait for you to listen!

Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!

Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Lee Holden

Brandon Fong welcomes listeners to another exciting episode of Beyond Curious, diving into the transformative world of Qigong with guest Lee Holden. A globally celebrated Qigong master, meditation expert, and author, Lee Holden has spent over 30 years helping people heal and unlock vitality through energy work. From his roots as a collegiate soccer player to becoming a PBS star and author of the new book Ready, Set, Slow, Lee's journey is both inspiring and practical. This episode promises fascinating stories, actionable insights, and even live demonstrations of Qigong techniques.

Timestamps & Highlights

00:00 - Introduction to Lee Holden

Brandon introduces Lee Holden, highlighting his dedication to sharing the power of Qigong and its profound impact on health and energy.

01:35 - The Origins of Lee’s Qigong Journey

Lee shares how a soccer injury led him to discover Qigong and its life-changing potential. He discusses how he became a global expert in energy work through persistence, curiosity, and training with masters.

05:26 - The PBS Breakthrough Story

Lee recounts the story of how his first PBS special catapulted him to national recognition. From creating DVDs on a shoestring budget to outshining Wayne Dyer and Yanni on pledge drives, this is a tale of ambition, serendipity, and success.

10:00 - Lessons from Meeting Wayne Dyer

Lee reflects on meeting legendary self-help guru Wayne Dyer and the conversations they shared about Qigong and the Tao Te Ching.

13:08 - Training with a Qigong Master in China

A deep dive into Lee's training journey in China with Montak Chia, including the humorous and surreal moments of his 5 a.m. lessons. Lee compares his experience to a real-life version of The Karate Kid.

24:02 - What is Qigong?

Lee explains the core principles of Qigong in a modern context, focusing on its stress-reduction and energy-boosting benefits. He also shares how the practice aligns with Western lifestyles.

28:42 - Ancient Models of Health and Prevention

Lee discusses the fascinating payment model of ancient Chinese medicine, where doctors were compensated only when their patients remained healthy.

32:48 - Hands-On Qigong: The Headache Point

Lee walks listeners through an acupressure technique to relieve headaches and systemic pain, using the "Tylenol point" between the thumb and first finger. Listeners are invited to try this in real-time.

38:16 - Feel the Chi: A Quick Qigong Exercise

Lee demonstrates a simple technique using fingernails to help listeners feel the electricity of their body's bioenergy. It's a quick and engaging way to experience Qigong's power.

44:50 - The Power of Slowing Down

Lee introduces his new book, Ready, Set, Slow, and emphasizes the counterintuitive benefits of slowing down to improve productivity, energy, and relationships.

50:36 - Slow Parenting and Conscious Relationships

Lee shares wisdom about parenting with patience and presence, including an amusing story about managing his twins’ grocery store meltdown. He also discusses how slowing down enhances communication in relationships.

59:15 - Superhuman Experiences

Lee talks about producing the docuseries The Superhuman Experience, which showcases incredible feats by Qigong masters and other gifted individuals around the world. He shares behind-the-scenes insights into the project.

Links & Resources

• Lee Holden’s New Book: Ready, Set, Slow: How to Improve Your Energy, Health, and Relationships Through the Power of Slow (Coming January 2025)
• Acupressure Demonstrations: Check out Lee’s YouTube channel for more Qigong techniques and acupressure tutorials.
• Lee Holden’s Website: www.holdenqigong.com