Light Watkins is a meditation teacher, transformational speaker, and best-selling author who has coached the likes of Rosario Dawson, Jonah Hill, and Meghan Markle. But what most people don’t know is that - these days - he has chosen to live nomadically. That’s right, all of Light’s belongings can fit into a carry-on bag and he bounces around where his spirit takes him. 

Today, Jamie and Light discuss how his perspective of life came to be. From his upbringing in Alabama, familial ties with civil rights icons like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., and his calling to learn and teach mediation, Light’s story is one for the books.

If you’re curious to learn more about the healing effects of meditation, living a life untethered, and overall mental grounding, this episode is for you. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:31] Jamie introduces Light Watkins.

[04:29] Light begins to talk about his youth in Alabama, his familial ties to Rosa Parks and MLK Jr, and attending Howard University. 

[06:30] Light describes the story behind changing his name to “Light”. 

[12:42] Light talks about navigating his twenties (changing his career path and pursuing modeling).  

[17:17] Light recounts when and why he adopted a vegetarian diet and later, a vegan one. 

[19:56] Light describes how and when he became dedicated to practicing yoga. 

[26:07] Light talks about his calling to become a meditation teacher. 

[30:18] Light speaks about Vedic Meditation: What it is and how to practice it. 

[32:37] Light describes his everyday meditation practice. 

[34:41] Light talks about the clients that he has coached including celebrities like Rosario Dawson, Jonah Hill, and Meghan Markle.

[39:34] Light speaks about his choice to live a nomadic lifestyle.

[45:03] Light describes his experience living in different places and making connections. 

[46:38] Light talks about his gratitude practice. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

[23:16] Light describes his split-test method to recognize the difference between your ego and intuition. 

[31:28] Light talks about the health benefits of meditation like stress management, improved sleep, and the decrease of mental disorders. 

[42:55] Light describes his perspective that “home is where your presence is” and when you’re present you become a better version of yourself.

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Make sure to follow Jamie @jamiehess on Instagram for news & updates, and visit our companion Instagram account @gratitudeology for a sneak peek into the personal moments discussed on the show.

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Thank you to Light Watkins for sharing your truth with us today. Follow Light on Instagram @lightwatkins.

Check out more about Light: 

https://www.lightwatkins.com/

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The Gratitudeology Podcast theme music is by HYLLS, performed by Nadia Ali @thenadiaali 

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Light’s Bio: 

Light Watkins is a long-time meditation teacher and thought leader who has spoken and consulted at Fortune 500 companies around the world on the topics of mindfulness, purpose, and enlightened leadership.

He is the author of four best-sellers: Bliss More, The Inner Gym, Knowing Where to Look, and Travel Light.

Light writes a daily dose of inspiration email to his tens of thousands of subscribers, and regularly posts inspirational content to his social media feeds.

He is the host of The Light Watkins Show, which is a top-50 global podcast that features the backstories of people who’ve found their purpose.

And his online community, The Happiness Insiders, offers accessible masterclasses and challenges for cultivating happiness from the inside-out.

Light is a “one-bagger” who has been living nomadically since 2018.

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