What if the leadership challenge you keep trying to solve with your mind actually needs your body’s participation? In this episode of Healing Mindset, hosted by Nazish, we explore why real leadership is not just a mental skill but an embodied practice.
Joining the conversation are Amanda Stradling and Timm Esque, co-founders of the East Valley Leader Lab and co-hosts of the Mind Body Work Podcast. Together they unpack how awareness of the body, nervous system regulation, and practices like Tai Chi can help leaders respond with steadiness instead of reaction. If you have ever felt capable on the outside but disconnected from yourself under pressure, this episode offers a grounded way back to presence.
About the Guest:
Amanda Stradling is a master Tai Chi instructor and embodied leadership trainer who has practiced Tai Chi and Taoist approaches since age 14. She co-founded the East Valley Leader Lab with Timm Esque, where they teach leaders how to integrate body awareness into leadership and professional development.
Episode Chapters:
00:00 – Why leadership problems aren’t only solved with the mind
04:10 – Timm’s awakening to embodiment through leadership training
08:20 – Amanda’s transformation through Tai Chi at age fourteen
12:30 – What embodied leadership actually means in practice
17:40 – Recognizing body signals during stressful leadership moments
22:30 – Why slowing down can make leaders stronger, not weaker
26:20 – Practicing the pause and leading with real steadiness
Key Takeaways
- Leadership triggers often appear first as physical signals in the body.
- Awareness without judgment is the first step toward embodied leadership.
- Slowing down and pausing can create stronger, clearer decisions.
- Old internal stories about safety and identity can shape leadership habits.
- Practicing body awareness builds steadiness that teams naturally trust.
How to Connect With the Guest:
Website: https://www.evleaderlab.com/
YouTube: Linked through their website for the Mind Body Work Podcast
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