We’re looking forward to introducing you to Shawn Bradford. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Shawn, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are sacred. My partner and I start with a walk with our dog, sharing the dreams we had the night before and whatever’s on our minds. When we get back home, we usually fit in a workout, then make a hearty, nourishing breakfast like veggies, eggs, and coffee (decaf for me). I wait at least an hour, sometimes two before I look at my phone.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Shawn Bradford, founder of Breathe and Work, where we bring mindfulness, yoga, and stress management into the workplace in a way that’s practical, engaging, and evidence based. After years of witnessing burnout and disconnection in corporate environments, I created Breathe and Work to help people pause, breathe, and reconnect to themselves and to what matters most.
Our programs combine modern research with ancient wisdom, offering everything from corporate mindfulness sessions and yoga classes to health promotions series and wellness webinars. What makes our work unique is how we translate these practices into real, lasting behavior change, not just a quick wellness moment, but tools for resilience and presence that people can use throughout their day.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding our reach through online programs and webinars that make mindfulness more accessible to teams everywhere. At its heart, Breathe and Work is about helping people thrive from the inside out, one mindful breath at a time.
I’m also enjoying giving inspiring keynotes and trainings in person to connect more deeply with my clients and audiences.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
When I was in my mid-20’s I gave a speech at my sister’s wedding, and my Uncle Kurt came up to me after and told me what a powerful speaker I was and encouraged me to do something with that gift. His words have stayed in my heart for over two decades and now I can see in myself what he saw in me. I know understand that my presence is as important (if not more so) than my words and both together contribute to my ability to give engaging and inspiring trainings, talks and keynotes.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I had a difficult relationship with my father growing up and that translated into my romantic relationships being difficult and dysfunctional as an adult. Luckily I was aware that I need to work on this and spent a good decade plus in different types of therapies from talk therapy to energy healings and solo dating sessions. Throughout the decade I became aware of my wounds, felt all the feelings, understood the narrative of the various wounds and how they were in the driver seat and slowly began to strip away everything that I was not. That led me to such inner freedom, the love of my life (where we enjoy a healthy, uplifting relationship) and seeing my father as my greatest teacher.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Throughout the past decade as I have courageously shed ever part of me that wasn’t authentic, or was trying to get validation, or was trying to prove myself or my worth I have stepped more and more into my true self. My true self that deeply knows that my presence, who I actually am, is everything. It is absolutely enough. So, yes, my public self is my true self. I practice everything I teach. What I teach works and has drastically improved the quality of my life. I weave stories of my struggles and growth into my trainings and keynotes because they are relatable and because on the other side of those struggles is an inner freedome and contentment that is profound.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
My personal motto right now is LESS. Less input. Less busy work. Less of anything that drains my energy. This is something that I will continue to do until only the most important things remain: connecting with humans, animals and nature in the most authentic way possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.breatheandwork.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnsimsbradford/
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