Whether you are facing a health crisis, mental health struggle, or feel you’re held back by old inner patterning, mind-body medicine can help you to move beyond your genetic wiring. You have the profound ability to heal at any age. We sat down with Dr. Michele Kambolis, a mind-body health specialist, meditation teacher, registered therapist, and an acclaimed author. She is also an unshakable believer in our innate capacity to self-heal and thrive. She integrates the science of mindfulness and more than 40 years of Buddhist training to help you overcome the barriers that hinder your freedom and compromise your very essence. Her meditation teachings inspire authenticity, unified connection, and heart wisdom. Michele has been featured on leading media platforms such as Goop, Good Morning America, Huff Post Live, Sirius Satellite Radio and Raw Beauty Talks podcasts and leads guided meditation at corporate retreats for some of North America's best-known companies. Her new book, When Women Rise, is a timely, transformative, and inspiring guide for women who want to bring more joy, power, and peace into their lives. Can you share a bit about your personal journey with meditation and mindfulness? What initially drew you to this practice? It’s a bit of a story: When I was a teenager, I stumbled across a book called The Hermit about a Tibetan lama, and it was the right book at the right time. My first boyfriend had recently died in a violent car accident, and the book opened a pathway to learn how to be with the grief in ways that no longer sat so heavily in my heart. The practices I learned gave my sixteen-year-old self a life raft and meditation became an intimate and integral part of my life. Several years ago, I opened The Hermit again. I had carried it with me for over thirty-five years. I wanted to know more about the wise Tibetan lama who had soothed me in a time of intense grief and set me on a life-changing path. It turned out that the author wasn’t a Tibetan lama at all. He was a plumber living in Alberta, Canada. I learned then that there is a deep wisdom that really does lie within each of us, and our greatest teachers can come in unexpected forms. How would you describe your daily mindfulness or meditation routine? My daily practice is very simple and consistent. I used try a little of everything but found that chasing after various techniques was like scattering my energy like seeds on barren ground. When we dig shallow holes, moving restlessly from one to another, we never allow ourselves to sink deep enough to reach the wellspring within. I begin with Shamatha, mindfulness of body and breath, shift to a Buddhist compassion practice called Tonglen, and then close with Shamatha again. Outside of my formal practice I’ll draw on breathwork, meditations with binaural beats, insight meditations to bring awareness to my mind habits, and as much as I can, meditate in nature. Are there specific meditation techniques or traditions that resonate with you? Why? I follow the practices I’ve been taught by Pema Chodron and the Buddhist monastics at Gampo Abbey. Every year, I head out to this quaint monastery tucked away in Nova Scotia for a spiritual tune-up. I follow the routines and practices of the monastics built on the foundation of the Tibetan Kagyu lineage and do my best to integrate the teachings into my life. How do you integrate mindfulness into your everyday activities outside of formal meditation sessions? What we do on the mat affects not just our sense of peace, but how aware and mindful we are in everyday life. It's like living meditation all the time. With this awareness, I've grown vigilant in safeguarding my time, ensuring it aligns with a pace that nurtures presence. It’s not easy, but in slowing down, I can pause more often and cultivate a deeper awareness of my thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations as they arise, with less judgment or attachment. Have you noticed any positive changes or challenges in incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine? I used to struggle with anxiety. I had no idea what it felt like to feel truly at home in my body, Meditation has entrained my mind-body system for greater peace, connection, and acceptance – and that keeps me coming back to the mat. And, yes, SO many challenges: sleepiness, physical pain, and distractibility all show up, but I do my best to stay with what’s there. Mind-Body Connection: How do you perceive the connection between mindfulness and physical well-being? Mindfulness is not just a mental practice, but also a deeply embodied one that can have profound effects on our physical well-being. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a greater sense of harmony and balance in both body and mind. And, when we're fully present in our bodies, we're more attuned to our physical needs and better able to care for ourselves. Have you observed any changes in your physical health since incorporating mindfulness into your life? I’ve practiced meditation and mindfulness from an early age so it’s difficult to know what the long-term impact would have been without it. There’s strong research to show that meditation mitigates the impact of aging by protecting and even lengthening the telomeres, so I’d like to think that meditation is helping me to stay internally youthful and healthy. Advice for Beginners: If someone is new to mindfulness, what advice would you give them to start and sustain their practice? If you’re new to meditation my best advice is to begin by establishing a regular daily practice (morning is often easier), even if it's just for a few minutes at a time. Start with simple techniques such as mindful breathing or body scans, focusing on bringing awareness to your present moment experience. When the mind takes you away, escort your attention back to the outbreath. Meditation shows us exactly where we’re at with ourselves, which often isn’t easy, so self-compassion and patience is critically important. And don’t hesitate to seek support and guidance from experienced practitioners or teachers to help navigate challenges along the way. Are there any resources, books, or teachers that you recommend for those interested in exploring mindfulness? Pema Chodron: How to Meditate Tara Brach: Radical Compassion Sharon Salzberg: Real Change What is your favourite MIFA product and why? My absolute favourite MIFA product is the Body Care Set. I’m all about dry brushing and their Detox Body Brush is easy to pack when I’m travelling so I can support my lymphatic health and feel that sense of aliveness that comes with dry brushing. The Eucalyptus Coco body wash is beautifully refreshing and the All-Over Oil is pure nourishment for my skin.  Where can our community find you? Join me at Monday Meditation: 12 week series where we dive deeply into the foundations of practice (sign up at michelekambolis.com) I send weekly resources and meditations from my newsletter. You can sign up at michelekambolis.com You can join me on IG for daily insights on living awake @drmichelekambolis michelekambolis.com