Mindfulness Facilitator, Robert Semidei: Mindfulness in the boxing ring, trauma in life, and corporate security.
It is an honor to present this interview with Robert Semidei.
Please tell us your short story, Robert!
Helping others with authenticity and love!
My journey began with curiosity about the mind, shaped by experiencing and overcoming challenges, competitive boxing, personal development, and my career in corporate security.
After becoming certified through The Calm Monkey, I was able to leverage all of my experience and began confidently leading mindfulness sessions and wellbeing initiatives for colleagues.
Today, I strive to help others coexist with fear, pressure, challenges and develop greater awareness, resilience, and presence through practical mindfulness practices.
I help people find and remember their place of power, their place of presence. I hope after a session that it is felt that attendees can overcome and do anything they put their minds to. All it takes is quieting the everyday noise, on the outside and the inside and move forward with presence. If someone leaves feeling a little calmer, more focused, or more present than when they arrived, that’s a successful session.
How has mindfulness facilitation been meaningful in your life?
Being a mindfulness facilitator has given all the work I’ve put into learning about the mind a real purpose. I get to share something that’s had such a big impact on my life while growing in my own practice. Knowing I can play a part in helping someone by simply being myself and showing up with love and care in my facilitations has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done.
What first led you to mindfulness?
I’ve always been in awe of the mind and our capability. Growing up as a competitive boxer, I experienced how focus and awareness enhances performance. Applying those tools to life and the challenges it provides, it always stood out as the most practical tool to strengthen the mind and enhance my life.
I do not need a lab, I do not need to only sit, I can practice and grow with it at any moment I choose to, and it has now become lifestyle.
Why did you want to become a mindfulness facilitator?
I've experienced trauma inducing events in my life and grew up, insecure, scared, worried etc.
Practicing mindfulness was able to soften the impact of this in my mind and body, and has had such a positive impact on my life, including its effects in competition, that I want to share and create a safe space for other people who might experience challenges like these.
I like to share my experience in my facilitations and remind people that they can overcome any challenge and maintaining a non judging, compassionate, objective perspective can facilitate this.
What has been surprising in your facilitation journey?
How much I've learned and how much my confidence has multiplied through the The Calm Monkey's program. Not just in my facilitations but in life. This community has amazing people who lift you with their experience, feedback and presence.
Mindfulness teaches you to just show up for yourself, and I think it’s amazing at how something that simple can lead to a meaningful improvement in everyday life.
What mindfulness facilitation do you provide?
I work for a multi-national corporation as a Security Control Room Supervisor. I'm a wellbeing champion and a certified mindfulness facilitator, and i lead mindfulness sessions virtually, in-person and globally.
My sessions include Mindful Boxercise classes (fun mindful movement) where we focus on our breathing and body.
Opportunities are now starting to open up for other audiences, and I'm very excited!
How does mindfulness help people?
It helps people become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without immediately reacting. That awareness creates space to breathe and soften our bodies before tightening up and reacting which more often than not, lead to rumination and regrets.
This is just some of the ways it has been known to lower stress, enhance focus, and helps build resilience.
What has The Calm Monkey's program done for you?
It has given me the credentials, confidence, structure, and tools to turn my own mindfulness and meditation practice into something I can share with others. It’s helped strengthen my personal practice while showing me how to create welcoming and helpful sessions that meet people where they are.
Just as meaningful has been becoming part of a community that’s always encouraging, supportive, and willing to share their experiences and help each other grow.
Robert is an energetic and inspiring member of The Calm Monkey's community, and it's been a true joy to see him continue to grow and expand his reach. He brings a special perspective from his life experiences and his very positive approach to life is infectious!
This is just the start of Robert's journey to helping more people!
Warmly,
~Wendy Quan, Founder of The Calm Monkey.
If you are an experienced mindfulness practitioner who is interested in bringing mindfulness to others, you are invited to have a look at The Calm Monkey's Mindfulness Meditation Facilitator Training and Certification program.
