Meet Richard Berry

We recently connected with Richard Berry and have shared our conversation below.

Richard, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

My journey has taught me that purpose isn’t something waiting to be discovered—it’s born from our wounds, our healing, and our deep desire to help others walk through their own darkness. As a teenager, I was drawn to the mystical, immersing myself in shaman training, vision quests, and meditation. These early spiritual experiences planted seeds that would later bloom in unexpected ways.

Life had different plans for my immediate future. In Colorado, I became a firefighter/EMT, where I witnessed both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. I lived fully—climbing mountains, riding snowboards, and falling in love. But I also experienced profound loss, including losing a partner to suicide. These experiences cracked my heart open in ways that would eventually help me connect deeply with others’ pain.

When I left firefighting for restaurant life, in bartending and management, I found myself sliding into a familiar pattern—using alcohol and the party scene to numb the weight of accumulated trauma. Anxiety and stress became my constant companions, and I watched myself drift further from the spiritual connection I once knew so well. It was in this dark place that I finally heard the whisper of truth: something had to change.

The path back to myself began with sobriety and physical movement, but the real transformation came through breath. In my own healing journey, I discovered that this simple, ever-present force could break through years of emotional armor. A powerful transformational breathwork session shattered my perceptions of what was possible, showing me that our deepest healing tools are already within us.

This revelation became my purpose—helping others break free from their default mode network and connect with their authentic selves through the power of breath. Now, as a certified Transformational Breathwork and Advanced Functional Breathing Instructor, I guide others toward their own healing. I see myself in every person who comes to me struggling with anxiety, depression, or addiction. Their pain echoes my own, and their transformations remind me why I chose this path.

My purpose lives in these moments of connection, where shared vulnerability becomes a bridge to healing. Through breath, we remember who we are beneath our wounds, and in helping others reclaim this connection, I continue to heal myself.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

As the founder of Bend Breathwork, I’ve created a unique practice that bridges the scientific and spiritual aspects of conscious breathing. What sets this work apart is the integration of research-based functional breathing protocols with deeper transformational experiences—allowing clients to not only optimize their nervous system and daily functioning but also process deeper unconscious energies and explore universal consciousness.

My approach draws from Jungian Psychology, particularly working with archetypes and the unconscious mind. This psychological foundation, combined with both Transformational Breathwork and Functional Breathing training, creates a comprehensive pathway for lasting change. I’ve learned through experience that while breathwork can catalyze powerful shifts, true transformation requires commitment and regular practice. I’ve witnessed clients navigate grief, loss, and unconscious trauma not through quick fixes, but through dedicated work and staying true to their path.

I work across multiple formats—one-on-one sessions, group workshops, and corporate environments—both in person and virtually via Zoom, reaching clients nationally and internationally. What makes this work particularly powerful is its versatility: clients can learn practical breathing techniques for immediate stress relief and nervous system regulation while also having access to deeper transformational experiences when they’re ready to explore further.

Currently, I’m expanding the practice through collaborative events that weave together various healing modalities. I partner with exceptional practitioners like Kevin Kraft of Soundshala in Bend, Oregon, incorporating sound baths. I’ve also partnered with others providing cacao ceremonies, yoga, reiki, static dance, and mindful meditation into our offerings. This multidisciplinary approach provides clients with a rich tapestry of tools for their healing journey.

Looking ahead to early 2025, I’m developing immersive retreats in two distinct Oregon settings: the serene high desert and the lush temperate rainforest valleys. These retreats will include digital detox programs and relationship deep-dive experiences, creating protected spaces for genuine connection and transformation. These multi-day immersions will integrate all aspects of my practice—from practical breathing protocols to transformational sessions—while incorporating our collaborative healing modalities.

What continues to inspire me is witnessing people discover their innate strength through these practices. Whether they’re executives seeking peak performance, individuals processing grief, or couples deepening their connection, the combination of scientific breathing protocols and transformational breathwork provides a powerful foundation for lasting change.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, I recognize that some of our deepest wounds become our greatest gifts in serving others. First and foremost, my experience as what Carl Jung called a “wounded healer” has given me an innate ability to sense others’ pain and resistance. This emotional intuition isn’t something I learned from books—it came from walking through my own shadows and emerging with greater compassion. Through my personal healing journey, I’ve developed the ability to feel into others’ struggles and guide them with genuine understanding and care.

Secondly, my dedication to continuous learning and practice in breathwork, public speaking, and mindfulness has been crucial. But what truly amplifies these skills is my deep-seated desire to help others. This isn’t just about mastering techniques—it’s about showing up with an open heart and genuine commitment to supporting others’ healing journeys.

The third quality that’s been invaluable comes from my years as both a firefighter and restaurant bartender and manager. These experiences gifted me with a profound understanding of human nature—how people respond in moments of crisis and celebration alike. Working in high-stress environments taught me to read situations quickly and respond with both competence and compassion.

For those early in their journey, my heartfelt advice is this: remember that the most important work you’ll ever do is within yourself. Your ability to guide others is directly proportional to your commitment to your own growth and healing. Stay curious about your own patterns, reactions, and resistances. Approach each challenge as an opportunity to deepen your understanding.

Discipline in your personal practice is essential, but let it be fueled by curiosity rather than rigid perfectionism. Whether you’re drawn to healing work, creative pursuits, or any other path, the key is maintaining a growth mindset while remaining grounded in your own truth. Your wounds, when acknowledged and tended to with care, become the very places from which your greatest gifts will emerge.

The path isn’t always easy, but it’s infinitely worthwhile. Stay the course, do your inner work, and trust that your commitment to personal growth will naturally overflow into your ability to serve others.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m actively seeking kindred spirits in the healing arts community who share my vision for creating immersive, transformational experiences. My dream is to establish a dedicated retreat sanctuary—a somewhat remote haven with easy access to outdoor recreation—where we can host regular programs that blend deep healing work with adventure and culinary excellence.

I envision partnering with passionate practitioners who are ready to commit fully to co-creating these experiences. The ideal collaborators would bring their unique healing modalities to complement our breathwork foundation, while sharing my belief that transformation happens best when we engage the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.

Our retreat offerings would span various themes: transformational breathwork intensives, modern rites of passage, digital detox experiences, and relationship deep-dive programs. What sets our vision apart is the integration of serious inner work with joy and adventure. Picture a day that begins with profound healing sessions, flows into outdoor adventures, and concludes with farm-to-table dining experiences that nourish both body and soul.

I’m drawn to potential partners who embody a unique blend of qualities: groundedness paired with playfulness, deep wisdom balanced with curiosity, and professional expertise coupled with creative vision. The right collaborators will understand that while we’re doing serious transformational work, the journey should also include laughter, adventure, and celebration.

In terms of physical space, I’m exploring opportunities to lease or purchase property that can serve as our retreat sanctuary. This space would be our canvas for creating these multifaceted experiences, offering both the solitude needed for deep inner work and the natural playground required for adventure and exploration.

The possibilities for modalities and program structures are wide open—what matters most is finding partners who share this holistic vision of transformation and are ready to pioneer new approaches to retreat experiences. If you’re someone who believes in the power of combining deep healing work with joy, adventure, and community, I’d love to explore how we might create something extraordinary together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bendbreathwork.com
• Instagram: @bendbreathwork
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095352772323

Image Credits

I took these pix. no credits needed.