In this heartfelt episode, we're joined by Lihi Be, a pioneering breathwork, movement, and somatic practitioner whose journey traverses the worlds of mindfulness, tech hustle, and the realities of reclaiming self-worth. Lihi unpacks what it means to truly be in a culture defined by output, shares the radical importance of rest and vulnerability (especially in the LA tech scene), and tells raw stories of heartbreak, transformation, and surviving a near-death experience in the wild. If you're a driven LA tech builder ready to reconnect with your own humanity, this one will hit home.
Key Topics & Highlights
The Cost of Hustle: Why driven people in tech so often abandon their own well-being for productivity, and how reclaiming self-connection actually increases clarity and output 01:16.
Defining Breathwork: Lihi Benisty shares her transition from yoga to breathwork as a pillar of life and healing 04:17.
Reframing Healing: Ditching the "guru" complex and why real transformation is about reclaiming your autonomy—not outsourcing it to a healer 16:18.
Vulnerability in Tech: Why showing up honestly, even with anxiety or heartbreak, is a strength—not a weakness—for leaders and builders 46:40.
The Power of Boundaries: The liberating effect of saying "no," practicing somatic awareness, and communicating personal needs—even when it feels risky 49:01; 01:05:10.
How to Rest Without Guilt: Rest is not a reward for burnout but a necessity for creativity and productivity. Get three-breath practices to reset before high-stress moments 01:01:21.
Lihi’s Own Reclamation Journey: From depression to a near-fatal encounter with bears, a breakup, and finding new life on Kauai, Lihi keeps it transparent about growth, loss, and realignment 26:00.
Building Community & Integrity: Tips for identifying who’s really “for you” in your network or team—and the value of friends who just sit in the mud with you 55:13.
Leadership: How founders and tech leaders can integrate breathwork, self-inquiry, and community values into their startups for healthier, more effective teams 01:02:08.
Featured Guest
Lihi Benisty aka "Lihi Be"
Breathwork, movement, and somatic practitioner
Retreat leader, poet, and Substack creator
Former founding teacher at Open (Venice, CA); now based in Kauai
Find her: lihibe.com | Instagram: @lihi_be
Poetry book: The Self Reframed in the Realm of Raw (Amazon)
Resources & Recommendations
Book: Sum by David Eagleman — Short stories with a creative take on the afterlife 01:06:08
Poetry Inspiration: David Whyte
Upcoming Retreats: Esalen in Southern California, Omega Institute in New York, Brazil
Virtual Workshops: Regularly offered — sign up via Lihi’s site or Instagram DM
Advice
Every “no” is one step closer to a “yes.”
The truest autonomy is saying no without excuses 01:05:10.
Three conscious breaths can shift your state before any high-stakes meeting or tough conversation 01:02:03.
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