The Qi Movements Podcast

#9 – Connection Is My Medicine with Amer Ameen

What if connection was as essential as food and water?
In this heart-opening conversation, Brien sits down with Amer Ameen — a man who has spent 50 days in silent meditation, volunteered for five years on a suicide hotline, helped scale a crypto company to 35 countries, and lived in intentional communities from Burning Man to the mountains of British Columbia.
They explore the life-changing power of authentic human connection, the lessons Amer learned supporting people in crisis, and the transformative impact of rituals, presence, and chosen family. From the origins of West Nest to practical steps for building community in your own life, this episode is a reminder that we are meant to live — and thrive — together.
Tune in to discover:
Why loneliness is at the root of so much suffering
The difference between offering solutions and truly listening
How rituals can deepen friendships and create lasting bonds
Simple ways to bring more connection into your daily life
Where you can find Amer:
https://www.instagram.com/amer.experiences/
https://x.com/amer__ameen
https://amer.substack.com/
https://soundcloud.com/brothers-ameen
-----------------------------------------
https://www.qimovements.com/
https://imoveclinic.com/
https://neurokinetictherapy.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 – Cold open & episode setupBrief overview of Amer, connection as “vital,” and the episode’s promise.
01:21 – Welcome to The Key Movements PodcastOn location in Cabbagetown; setting the scene and bringing Dre in.
01:42 – Dre’s affirmation“Connection is my medicine…” — opening intention for the show.
02:13 – Why Amer for this topicBrien tees up Amer’s background and why he embodies connection.
03:12 – Amer reacts to the introFirst banter and shared origin story; Castle Gar airport meet.
04:25 – Volunteering on a suicide hotline: the “why”Amer’s friend’s bipolar diagnosis, time in the psych ward, and perspective shift.
07:16 – What the psych ward taught AmerMental health reality, empathy expansion, and life priorities re-aligned.
11:33 – Big active-listening lessonDon’t offer solutions unless asked; helping people find their own answers.
13:39 – Layers of connection & self-connectionCuriosity, openness to experience, and traveling as catalysts.
16:23 – “Am I on the right path?”Reflection practices: journaling, meditation, honest body check-ins.
18:01 – Wayfinding through experiencesTry things (monastery, Burning Man, hotline, crypto), then reflect.
20:34 – West Nest origin storyFrom COVID invitation to multi-month co-living: chosen family in the mountains.
27:15 – Brien & Dre’s first West NestHouse rituals, Monday meetings, and the shared-chef dinner flow.
28:39 – Food, cold plunges & early morningsPlayful competition in the kitchen; Brien all-in on the plunge.
29:35 – Ad: Aspire Performance ConsultingMindset coaching spot.
30:25 – Why community lifts baseline happinessLike-minded proximity vs. isolation; alignment matters.
32:35 – Biology, tribes, and immune benefitsConnection as health; loneliness as stress.
34:13 – First steps to more connection“Warm, real connection” relieves pain; small starts matter.
35:13 – Hotline pattern: loneliness underneathAcross backgrounds, acute loneliness was the common thread.
37:07 – As essential as food or waterWhy connection is survival-level for humans.
37:45 – Naming the modern isolation problemNuclear families, convenience tech, and default individualism.
40:44 – Relationships predict happinessLong-running study takeaway; optimize for people, not just money.
42:10 – Practicals: live close if you canNeighbors, open doors, spontaneous lunches/walks.
43:20 – Weekly rituals that remove planning frictionThursday park hangs; “Round Table” monthly dinner with shared readings.
45:15 – Put connection on the calendarHabits with friends; schedule the next one before you leave.
46:56 – Call people (don’t just text)Five minutes on the phone > five minutes of logistics texts.
47:42 – Distant-friend ritualsWeekly standing calls; phone is lower-friction than video.
49:19 – Feeling supported unlocks authenticityWhen held by others, you can be yourself—and everyone benefits.
50:11 – “Social health” as a pillarTreat relationships like training/sunlight/nutrition.
50:47 – Make it easier for others to joinBe the inviter; design on-ramps for newcomers.
51:58 – Shout-out: Adam & the “fourth place” (Pluto)A community space beyond home/work/gym; co-creation as culture.
56:20 – Ad: iMove PhysiotherapyPain, root causes, and real progress.
57:22 – Vulnerability → connection (Brené Brown)Mirroring, safety, and why depth beats time.
59:12 – Environments that deepen fastRetreats/festivals/challenges vs. casual neighborly small talk.
1:00:49 – Choose presence-heavy experiencesPhones down; dinners → weekends → weeks together.
1:01:11 – Active listening recap (Amer’s tips)Intention, body language, embrace silence, avoid unsolicited fixes.
1:02:10 – What “moving well” means to AmerSnowboarding for life—high performance without pain.
1:03:38 – What “living well” means to AmerDoing what you love, with people you love, all the time.
1:03:47 – Mission alignment & empowering question“If you stopped guarding your heart, what becomes possible—and what will you do today?”
1:04:39 – Thanks & wrapGratitude, sign-off, credits.

#8 – Return to the Heart: Sovereignty, Stillness & the Dance of Life with Krista Critchley

Retreat facilitator and spiritual guide Krista Kritchley joins us from Costa Rica to talk transformation that’s lived—not lectured. From addiction and fibromyalgia to leading retreats and community, Krista shares how radical responsibility, nervous-system regulation, and heart-led choices can turn pain into peace.
We get into cacao ceremony as a heart-opening practice, psilocybin for healing and integration, why “doing nothing” can be the most productive move, and how to step off the Victim-Villain-Hero triangle. Expect tools you can use today: finding your middle path when the pendulum swings, tuning thoughts/words/behaviors to the same “station,” and practicing compassion without losing boundaries.
In this episode:
Saying “yes” to a new life (and manifesting a 7-year plan in 6 months)
Cacao & ceremony (intentions, gratitude, and real-world grounding)
Mushrooms, microdosing, and nervous-system healing
Left/right brain harmony, growth mindset & neuroplasticity
The Four Agreements in practice; life as a mirror
Alchemy: turning triggers into peace; the power of non-engagement
Integration: journaling, community, nature, ecstatic dance
https://www.qimovements.com/
https://imoveclinic.com/
https://neurokinetictherapy.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro & Episode Theme
01:37 Affirmation: “Wisdom of my heart”
03:17 Meet Krista Kritchley
05:06 Seven-Year Plan → Six Months
06:55 Origin: From burnout to Costa Rica
08:33 Yoga, meditation, insomnia shift
11:55 Saying “Yes” during COVID; community
14:35 What’s a Cacao Ceremony?
17:03 Water intentions & gratitude
19:16 Mushrooms, migraines, microdosing
21:31 Left/Right brain & nervous system
23:52 The Pendulum & the Middle Way
25:58 “Do the Opposite” experiment
27:12 Productive stillness & nature
32:35 Compassion & the 80/20 rule
35:03 Reframing sickness as an upgrade
41:08 Life as mirror; ego triangle
45:32 The Four Agreements (recap)
53:25 Music & inputs as medicine
57:15 Why Peace • Love • Joy
1:03:38 Alchemy: turning pain into peace
1:11:16 Integration after ceremony
1:13:13 Seed of Life invite (Fridays)
1:15:24 Moving Well / Living Well
1:18:51 Empowering question & close

#7 – Alignment, Leadership & Life Force with Adam Lewis

What does it really mean to live in alignment with your truth? To lead from your body, not your ego? To feel your life force fully… and follow where it wants to take you?
In this expansive and vulnerable episode, Brien sits down with Adam Lewis — co-founder of Man Camp, facilitator of transformational men’s work, and a deep student of plant medicine, myth, and movement.
They explore the invisible forces that guide our growth:
How misalignment shows up as burnout, emptiness, or soul fatigue
The role of nervous system awareness, emotional fluency, and ritual in reclaiming vitality
Why vulnerability and shadow work are the gateways to true strength
How to listen to the subtle signals of your body — and make bold decisions from your inner compass
Masculinity, leadership, grief, polarity, and the Hero’s Journey
Plus: what it means to walk away from the “dream job” to follow your soul
This is a conversation for anyone navigating transition, craving depth, or seeking a more meaningful way to lead — from within.
 Listen now and reconnect with the current of your life force.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Opening — Welcome, Intention & Affirmation
01:12 – Guest Introduction — Who is Adam Lewis?
02:49 – Early Spiritual Influences & Awakening
06:17 – Meaning, Myth & the Hero’s Journey
14:54 – Dark Night of the Soul & Saturn Return
17:11 – Vulnerability, Shadow Work & Triggers
22:39 – Anger, Emotional Energy & Movement
24:26 – Workshop Insights: Brotherhood, Healing & Expression
29:00 – Emotional Spectrum & Power of Polarity
33:09 – Nature, Flow State & Risk
34:48 – Alignment, Burnout & Mission Clarity
40:56 – Following Soul Guidance — Quitting the Dream Job
41:11 – Discovering Purpose & Initiation into Manhood
47:30 – Masculine Energy, Maturity & Mission
51:00 – Structure, Devotion & Creating Impact
54:30 – Building Community, Ritual & Legacy
57:55 – What It Means to Live Fully & Die Well
1:01:20 – Closing Reflections & Final Blessing
 

#6 – Busting Myths: Harmonizing the Pelvic Floor with Kailah Macri

What if everything you thought you knew about the pelvic floor was incomplete—or just plain wrong?
In this deeply informative and empowering episode, Brien sits down with Kailah Macri, a compassionate and highly skilled physiotherapist and NeuroKinetic Therapy (NKT) practitioner. Kailah is here to bust the most common pelvic health myths—and help you reconnect with your body in a truly holistic way.
From breaking down the over-prescription of Kegels to understanding how breathing, posture, hydration, and even your nervous system impact pelvic floor function, Kailah helps reframe pelvic health as a whole-body issue—not just a women’s issue or something to "deal with later."
You’ll learn:
Why Kegels aren’t the magic fix—and what matters more
How hydration affects urgency, incontinence, and bladder health
Why pelvic floor issues are not just for women
The surprising role of breathing and core coordination
How to treat pelvic dysfunction without internal exams
What a real pelvic health assessment looks like
Why optimizing movement can be preventative—and transformative
Whether you're struggling with incontinence, lower back pain, pelvic pain, or simply want to feel stronger and more at ease in your body, this episode is packed with powerful insight and practical takeaways. Kailah’s expertise shines through as she explains how small shifts in awareness and movement can bring big healing.
Empowering Question of the Day:How would your life improve if you let go of the belief that pelvic floor issues are something you just have to live with—and instead took steps toward reclaiming your independence and confidence?
Mentioned in this episode:
Kailah Macri at iMove Clinic https://imoveclinic.com
Dr. Kathy Dooley — ImmaculateDissection.com
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction: Busting Pelvic Floor Myths01:30 – Dre’s Affirmation & Overview of Today’s Topic02:00 – Meet Kailah Macri – From Athlete to Pelvic Floor Physio05:00 – Kailah’s Path to Physiotherapy & Pelvic Floor Focus08:30 – Intro to NeuroKinetic Therapy (NKT) and Integrating it with Pelvic Health10:00 – Why Specialization Without a Holistic View Can Be Limiting11:30 – Understanding the Pelvic Floor – Myths, Breath & Kegels17:30 – Myth #2 – Pelvic Floor Therapy Isn’t Just for Women21:55 – Myth #3 – Internal Exams Aren’t Always Necessary24:42 – Myth #4 – Drinking Less Water Doesn’t Reduce Urgency26:42 – Myth #5 – The Pelvic Floor is Tied to Hormones & Neurotransmitters32:38 – What an Appointment with Kailah Looks Like35:30 – Helping Athletes Optimize Movement & Performance39:23 – Preventative Physio – How to Stay Out of Pain41:00 – Why Strength Training is Key to Pelvic Health43:00 – Who Kailah Wants to Work With & Her Ideal Clients44:30 – How to Book with Kailah & What to Expect46:30 – Final Takeaways, Closing Words & Reflections

#5 – The Wild Within with Niall Scarr

What happens when we remember we are nature?
In this unforgettable episode, Niall Scarr shares his journey into the wilderness — both around him and within. From being surrounded by wolves as a child to working with plant medicine and sacred ceremony, Niall’s story is one of surrender, reverence, and return.
Together, we explore what it means to heal through presence, to find belonging in the stillness of the forest, and to let life move through us instead of trying to control it. Niall reminds us that wholeness isn’t something we build — it’s something we remember.
This episode is for anyone craving connection, depth, and the raw beauty of being fully alive.
http://www.qimovements.com/
http://www.imoveclinic.com/
http://neurokinetictherapy.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 – IntroOpening the door to stillness, presence, and the wild intelligence within us all.
04:10 – Niall’s Story: A Life Shaped by NatureFrom childhood moments with wolves to sacred ceremony and plant medicine.
09:45 – Grief as a GatewayHow the death of Niall’s grandfather opened a portal to reverence and presence.
14:30 – Remembering We Are NatureThe disconnection of modern life and the power of returning to the land.
19:20 – Sacred Ceremony and Psychedelic InsightHow plant medicine supported healing and deepened spiritual awareness.
24:50 – Listening to the EarthWhy nature doesn’t demand — it invites. And how that shifts how we show up.
30:00 – Somatic Safety and Nervous System RegulationCreating internal environments that mirror the groundedness of the forest.
36:15 – Letting Go of ControlSurrendering the need to force, and learning to trust the flow of life.
41:45 – Reverence as a Way of LivingHow awe, slowness, and breath bring us home to what matters.
47:30 – Final ReflectionsWe are not separate from the wild. We are the wild, remembering itself.

#4 – Reflect & Realign: Lead Yourself with Joy and Focus with Nick Alderton

Imagine setting goals that don’t just push you — but pull you.In this thoughtful conversation with performance coach Nick Alderton, we explore how reflection can realign us with what truly matters. This isn’t about chasing success through burnout. It’s about finding clarity, direction, and joy through presence and self-leadership.
Nick invites us to rethink discipline, embrace discomfort, and replace external pressure with intrinsic drive. Through stories and grounded wisdom, we uncover how meaningful progress begins when we meet ourselves honestly — with compassion and curiosity.
If you’re feeling stuck, scattered, or uninspired, this episode will reconnect you to your why and remind you: the path forward starts from within.
 
https://www.qimovements.com/
https://imoveclinic.com/
https://neurokinetictherapy.com/
 
Timestamps:
 
00:00 – IntroOpening thoughts on goal-setting, growth, and finding purpose beyond pressure.
03:30 – Meet Nick AldertonNick’s journey from external achievement to internal alignment — and why it changed everything.
08:20 – The Art of ReflectionWhy slowing down and looking inward is essential for meaningful performance.
13:00 – Joy as a CompassRedefining motivation: doing what lights you up, not what burns you out.
18:15 – Discipline Without the GrindStructure as freedom — and how to build sustainable habits rooted in compassion.
23:40 – Breaking Patterns and ConditioningHow to recognize when you're stuck — and how to shift out of it.
29:10 – Self-Leadership and Emotional MasteryThe difference between reacting and responding, and the power of inner awareness.
34:25 – The Performance TrapWhy many high achievers feel empty — and how to reconnect to what really matters.
39:50 – Building a Life That Reflects Your ValuesGetting honest about what you want, and having the courage to follow through.
45:15 – Final ReflectionsThe path to joy isn’t about doing more — it’s about realigning with your truth.

#3 – You Matter with Ajna Samadhi

What if the deepest healing comes from remembering that you matter?
In this raw and reflective episode, Ajna Samadhi joins us to explore the journey of spiritual sovereignty, releasing the need for external approval, and returning home to the truth of who we are. Together, we unravel the stories we’ve inherited, the roles we’ve performed, and the quiet inner voice that’s been waiting all along.
Ajna shares wisdom on identity, trust, and the radical act of self-love — even when it’s messy. This conversation is a reminder that healing doesn’t require perfection. It requires presence. And it begins when we stop seeking and start allowing.
If you've ever questioned your worth or felt disconnected from yourself, this episode is a gentle invitation back to your center. You matter. You always have.
 
https://www.qimovements.com/
https://imoveclinic.com/
https://neurokinetictherapy.com/
 
TImestamps:
00:00 – Opening Affirmation & WelcomeDre opens with a gentle affirmation on worthiness. Brien introduces Ajna and the episode’s core message: You matter.
03:15 – Ajna’s Journey to SovereigntyHow Ajna stepped away from seeking external validation to reclaim her inner authority.
07:45 – The Performance TrapUnpacking the ways we perform, contort, and betray ourselves to be loved.
11:50 – Coming Home to the BodyThe role of breath, nervous system regulation, and safety in healing and embodiment.
16:10 – Grief, Rage & Emotional TruthAjna shares her process of letting the body speak, and holding space for all emotions.
21:00 – Remembering WholenessWhy nothing needs to be fixed — and how radical acceptance opens the door to transformation.
26:40 – Boundaries, Belonging & Being SeenNavigating relationships while protecting your energy and honoring your truth.
32:15 – Trusting the UnknownLetting go of identity, achievement, and control to rest in presence.
36:45 – Closing ReflectionsAjna speaks directly to the listener: You are enough. You are already home.

#2 – Unlocking the Body: The Power of Neurokinetic Therapy with Kyle Horvath

What if your pain wasn’t the problem — but a message?In this illuminating conversation, physiotherapist and modern healer Kyle Horvath guides us through the art and science of Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT), where movement reveals memory and the body’s compensation patterns tell the deeper story.
We explore how pain often arrives last — as the final signal in a long-forgotten chain of injuries, imbalances, and survival strategies. Kyle shares his journey from cookie-cutter rehab to becoming a mentor in a method that asks not just what’s wrong, but why.
With metaphor, insight, and heart, this episode invites you to look beyond your symptoms, challenge old protocols, and learn how to move in a way that restores harmony to your system.Whether you’re in pain or simply ready to move better — this is a masterclass in listening to the body’s intelligence.
https://www.qimovements.com/
https://imoveclinic.com/
https://neurokinetictherapy.com/
 
Timestamps:
 
00:00 – IntroSetting the stage: pain as a signal, not the source.
03:10 – Kyle’s Journey into Physiotherapy and NKTHow curiosity, intuition, and frustration with conventional rehab led him to discover Neurokinetic Therapy.
08:45 – What Is Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT)?Breaking down the method, the testing process, and why it works.
13:30 – Pain Is the Last Thing to Show UpExploring how the body compensates — and how NKT traces the root cause.
18:05 – Breath, Core, and Movement ReprogrammingWhy breathing patterns matter and how the nervous system influences motor control.
24:00 – From Cookie-Cutter to Customized CareThe limitations of traditional rehab models — and the power of individualized movement assessment.
30:20 – Muscle Inhibition, Compensation, and the Brain-Body LoopHow the body adapts, and how NKT gently unwinds those patterns.
36:15 – Stories from the Clinic: Emotional Roots and Somatic MemoryReal-world examples of how old injuries and emotions show up in the body.
42:40 – Why You Can’t Stretch Your Way Out of DysfunctionThe truth about mobility, fascia, and why "tight" muscles aren’t always the issue.
48:10 – The Future of Healing Through MovementKyle’s vision for collaborative care and empowering clients through awareness.
53:30 – Closing ReflectionsListening to the body, trusting the process, and embracing a new way of healing.
 

#1 – Personalized Rest: The Science of Sleep and Recovery with Nick Boehler

Sleep is not a one-size-fits-all prescription — it’s a rhythm written in your genes. In this opening episode, molecular biologist Nick Boehler invites us into the quiet intelligence of the body and the science behind truly restorative rest. Together we explore how your biology shapes your nights, how recovery is a skill you can cultivate, and why deep rest is the foundation for a vibrant life. If you’ve been tired of being tired, this episode is an invitation to realign with the rest your body was made for.
https://www.qimovements.com/
https://imoveclinic.com/
https://neurokinetictherapy.com/
 
Timestamps:
 
00:00 – IntroWelcome to the first episode of the Qi Movements Podcast. Setting the tone for holistic health and personal transformation.
03:05 – Meet Nick BoehlerHow Nick’s background in genetics shaped his passion for personalized health.
06:20 – Why Sleep Isn’t One-Size-Fits-AllA breakdown of chronotypes, circadian rhythm, and how individuality matters.
11:10 – Common Sleep Struggles and MisconceptionsWhat most people get wrong about sleep hygiene and routine.
15:45 – Genetics and RecoveryHow your DNA affects how you recover — and how to use that information wisely.
20:50 – The Nervous System and SleepHow stress, stimulation, and sympathetic dominance interfere with quality rest.
25:15 – The Role of Light and EnvironmentMorning sun, screen time, and designing your sleep-wake cues.
31:40 – The Power of Consistency Over PerfectionSmall habits that make a big difference — without the shame spiral.
36:00 – Sleep Supplements: What Works, What Doesn’tNick’s take on melatonin, magnesium, and supporting natural rhythms.
42:25 – Redefining Recovery in a High-Performance CultureWhy real rest is revolutionary — especially for go-getters and athletes.
48:00 – Final Reflections and Practical TakeawaysHow to start aligning your sleep with your biology, and why it’s worth it.