Breathe Initiative Members

Initiative Chair

Sandy Abrams, Founder, TheCEOm.com, United States

Sandy Abrams is an entrepreneur and author (Your Idea, Inc. and Breathe to Succeed) who now focuses on sharing the power of breath through her signature BREATHE experiences. With 30 years of experience in mindfulness and business, she teaches “breath as meditation at the speed of life” to help people thrive in fast-paced environments. Sandy has led workshops at Google, Facebook, Universal Music, McKinsey & Co., Canyon Ranch, and more, inspiring others to tap into their optimal energy—one mindful breath at a time.

Vice Chair

Peter M. Litchfield, PhD, President, Professional School of Behavioral Health Sciences, United States

Peter M. Litchfield, PhD, is a behavioral physiologist and president of the Professional School of Behavioral Health Sciences, offering innovative programs that integrate physiology and behavioral science. As CEO of Better Physiology, Ltd., he develops CapnoTrainer tools to address dysfunctional breathing. For over 40 years, he has lectured globally on respiratory psychophysiology across medical, corporate, and academic settings.

Dr. Rekha Chaudhari

Village Housewife to Global Business Leader, India

Born and brought up in a remote tribal village of Maharashtra, Dr. Rekha Chaudhari has an inspiring story of transforming from a housewife of rural India to a global figure in the beauty, spa and wellness industry. Rekha is the Global Wellness Ambassador for India, a title by the government of India as an honor by MSME Ministry and a social entrepreneur of nonprofit organizations like OLWE (JSWE), Mothers Touch Foundation, Zep Foundation, and GWD. She is also the founder and managing director of Oneline Wellness and Caressaa Wellness.

Tanya Bentley, PhD

Tanya Bentley, PhD, is Co-founder and CEO of the Health and Human Performance Foundation (HHPF), a non-profit focused on the impact of breathwork and mind-body approaches on health, well-being, and performance. She has conducted economic analyses for clinical trials at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center and has expertise in health economics, study design, and decision sciences. Previously, Dr. Bentley held senior roles at the Partnership for Health Analytic Research, UCLA, USC, and RAND Corporation. She holds degrees from Cornell University and Harvard University.

Sepideh Eivazi

Founder, Dawn of the Earth (purpose-driven & eco-conscious co.); Director of Global Accounts, Elevated Meeting Solutions
Sepideh, born and raised in Iran, developed a passion for herbs and plant medicine early on. After recognizing the lack of focus on herbal healing in Western society, she began integrating it into wellness practices. A certified Somatic Breathwork Practitioner and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) practitioner, Sepideh has helped many transform through emotional healing and crafted tea blends. She is certified by Delos StayWell and has been featured in Smart Meetings, Voyage LA, Bizbash, ALHI, and The Purist.

Dr. Jonathan Fisher

Cardiologist, Novant Health-Founder Mind Heart Now LLC, Organizational Resilience and Well-being Leader/Speaker, United States

Dr. Jonathan Fisher is a Harvard-trained cardiologist with over 20 years of clinical experience. He is a certified mindfulness meditation teacher and leads the Resilience & Well-Being Program for 30,000 healthcare professionals. Dr. Fisher conducts clinical trials on mindfulness and compassion in healthcare, serves as medical director for Novant Health’s Cardio-Pulmonary-Oncology Program, and founded the Ending Physician Burnout Global Community in 2020, organizing the first global summit on the topic.

Nick Heath, PhD

Creator, The Breathing Diabetic, United States

Nick Heath, creator of The Breathing Diabetic, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 11. At 30, he began using breathing exercises to improve his blood sugar, sleep, and energy, leading to better diabetes management. With a background in scientific research and atmospheric science, Nick explores the science behind breathing’s impact on health and wellness. He is also a certified Oxygen Advantage instructor. Nick lives in Florida with his wife, daughter, and dog.

Avi Greenberg

Mindset Coach, United States

Avi Greenberg is a multidisciplinary Wellness Coach whose expertise has been crafted by learning from breath-work greats like Brian Mackenzie and Wim Hof. Avi’s method is rooted in science-backed breathing protocols and modalities for stress optimization. Avi has coached a variety of professionals in high-stress roles including corporate leaders at Fortune 500 companies, athletes, performers, and people with chronic illness. Avi’s approach of active listening has allowed him to help his clients establish long-term wellness goals as well as reach higher levels of success in their personal and professional lives.

Chuck McGee III

Chuck is a Type 1 Diabetic and Traumatic Brain Injury survivor who, after discovering the Wim Hof Method six years ago, dedicated his life to helping others through breathwork. He is the first American instructor to lead Wim Hof winter expeditions and has studied various breathwork modalities globally. Chuck works in healthcare, applying functional breathwork to reduce chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. A Wim Hof Method, Oxygen Advantage, and XPT Performance Breath Coach, Chuck tailors his approach to each individual’s needs, from pain management to athletic performance.

Patrick McKeown

International Breathing Expert, Ireland

Patrick McKeown is an international breathing expert and author based in Galway, Ireland. Since 2002, he has worked with clients including elite military forces, Olympic coaches, and athletes. His books, Atomic Focus and The Breathing Cure, explore breathing’s impact on sleep, health, and performance. His 2015 book, The Oxygen Advantage, is available in 14 languages and has led to over 700 certified instructors globally.

 

Mohammad Nami, MD, PhD

Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology Unit, Canadian University Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Dr. Mohammad Nami is Director of the Brain, Cognition, and Behavior Unit at BrainHub Polyclinic and Academy UAE and Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Canadian University Dubai. Previously, he was Head of Neuroscience at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. An Associate Member of Harvard Medical School Alumni, his research focuses on cognitive neuroscience, sleep disorders, neuro-cognitive fitness, and mental health. Dr. Nami is dedicated to promoting the link between mental and sleep health to enhance brain and emotional well-being.

Chris Wurden

Chris Wurden, a Professional Breathing Consultant and Resilience Coach, overcame debilitating nervous system overwhelm from a young age, leading him to turn his weaknesses into strengths. He now helps others expand their nervous system capacity through breathwork, guiding them to embrace both Raw Energy (Sympathetic Nervous System) and Surrender (Parasympathetic Nervous System). Chris is the founder of Essential Breathworks LLC and offers online consultations, coaching, workshops, and retreats. He holds degrees from the University of Washington and certifications in Wim Hof, Oxygen Advantage, and Buteyko.