In 2005, at the young age of 17, a heart attack (arrhythmia) forced me into an ambulance, marking a pivotal moment in my life.
While genetics played a role, the stress and challenges I faced daily contributed significantly.
As a teenager who was often bullied and felt emotionally outcast, my health scare was a wake-up call.
This experience brought an unexpected shift. Upon returning to high school with a life-saving device implanted in my chest, I noticed a change in how my peers treated me: with respect.
In that moment I realized: if circumstances could change perceptions, then I had the power to transform my circumstances.
Driven by this insight, I started a journey to be the best version of myself. Yet, in striving to be the best version of myself, I unknowingly added more stress to my life.
Over the next 15 years, I battled recurring arrhythmias, with my heart rate sometimes surging to over 230 beats per minute. In the middle these events, I discovered a crucial truth:
When it feels chaotic and hurried, it's essential to find calm.
Zen meditation became a practice that taught me to embrace life with. Since 2018 I've engaged in almost daily meditation, participated in yearly 7-day silent retreats that include 16 meditations each day, and pursued education to become a Zen teacher.
Now, I share my knowledge and experience through live classes, hoping to guide others toward the same calm and strength I've found.
This journey from a life-threatening health scare to finding peace in meditation highlights the power of inner calm.