In this episode of The Anthony Thomas Podcast, we dive deep into breathwork, personal growth, and living with purpose with Jon Paul Crimi. 🌬️💪❤️

Jon Paul Crimi:

Breathewithjp.com

Anthony's Watchband Story Recap

From mastering breathwork and earning a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu to navigating life’s highs and lows, Jon Paul shares how combining discipline, vulnerability, and everyday experiences can transform your mind and body. We cover everything from virtual classes and simplifying breathwork for everyone, to using it for grief, trauma, and self-discovery.

This episode is packed with real talk on integrity, continuous growth, gratitude, and building a life full of purpose. Tune in for insights on how to work hard on yourself, live with an open heart, and truly appreciate every moment.

0:00 - Intro

0:29 - Breathwork: Mastery and Challenges

1:30 - Integrity in Business

2:07 - Celebrating Milestones

4:15 - Journey to Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu

5:09 - Unique Breathwork Experience

6:05 - Disclaimer for Smartwatches During Breathwork

6:42 - Breathwork as a Black Belt Experience

7:22 - Combining Life Experiences into Breathwork

8:19 - Repackaging Breathwork for the Masses

11:06 - Vulnerability in Breathwork Classes

12:38 - Impact of Virtual Breathwork Sessions

13:59 - Differentiating from Woo-Woo Practices

15:04 - Real Talk in Breathwork

16:18 - Guiding Others Through Personal Experience

18:09 - Life Journey from Boston to Oregon

19:11 - Authenticity in Breathwork Approach

21:17 - Bridging Woo-Woo and Everyday Life

22:15 - Simplifying Breathwork for Everyone

23:23 - Purpose and Fulfillment in Breathwork

24:24 - The Value of Paid Classes

34:24 - Seeking Scientific Explanations

37:52 - The Science Behind Breathwork's Impact

39:05 - The Importance of an Open Mind

44:09 - The Journey to Personal Growth

47:23 - The Journey in Jiu-Jitsu

51:21 - The Yin and Yang of Life

54:28 - Owning and Letting Go of Your Story

1:00:06 - Dealing with Trauma in Everyday Life

1:01:31 - Breathwork for Grieving

1:02:25 - Personal Experiences with Grief

1:03:43 - Gratitude for Shared Moments

1:05:44 - The Impact of Breathwork on Life

1:07:12 - Sharing Life with Loved Ones

1:11:48 - The Power of Gratitude

1:15:28 - The Reminder of Mortality

1:16:53 - Working Hard on Yourself

1:17:55 - Learning to Love Yourself

In this episode I sit down with Matt Lindsey for a raw conversation on fatherhood, faith, and redefining masculinity.

Links:
Matt's Website

Anthony's Golf Group

I share how becoming a dad helped me drop the armor—becoming more emotionally open while stepping into leadership with greater strength and clarity. We talk about trauma from Matt’s nonprofit work in Ciudad Juárez, rebuilding faith after burnout and PTSD, and why solitude, mentorship, and marriage have shaped this “summer season” of Matt's purpose at 47.

This episode is about alignment—doing the inner work so you can rise into who you were created to be.

Tune in for an honest conversation on resilience, growth, and building a life that actually matters.

00:00 - Intro

02:11 - Dropping the Armor: Why Openness Can Look Stronger

04:12 - Quick Guest Intro

05:21 - Purpose, Business Risk & Faith in This Chapter

09:30 - Bigger Questions, Deeper Faith: What “Belief Without Proof” Means

11:53 - Juárez, Trauma & the Dark Night of Faith

17:36 - Why Going Anywhere Matters

21:19 - How He Got Here

25:37 - The Coach Who Changed Everything: Purpose Work with Jeff Fraser

30:03 - Commitment Over Certainty

33:44 - Marriage as the Biggest Investment

38:41 - Using Humor After Conflict

42:20 - Using Humor to Defuse Arguments

44:11 - Learning Self-Compassion and More Laughter

46:17 - Rules for Playful Banter + The ‘Silly Nickname’ Trick

48:51 - A Self-Love Reframe

53:47 - Guiding People Into Alignment and Calling

57:52 - The Real Inner Question

01:04:02 - Perspective Reset: Losing Everything, Mortality, and What Actually Matters

01:09:31 - Where to Find Matt

01:17:03 - Final Wrap

Today’s episode is an excerpt from a spontaneous IG live session with film maker, Kenny Hamlett. Apologies in advance for the inferior sound quality—I hope it doesn’t take too much focus off the conversation for you. If you’re a creative, or someone who’s simply wanting to learn new skills, you’ll find this episode relatable. We talk about making use of free resources versus paying for professional guidance, how to prioritize goals, seeking mentorship, and continuing to push yourself to “what’s next.”

Please enjoy!

What we discuss:

00:00 Intro

02:48 Use free resources or pay for someone’s expertise?

03:45 Staying in your financial lane

05:50 Warren Buffett’s 5/25 Rule to prioritize goals

06:40 Seek mentorship from someone that you vibe with

08:20 You learn in the process when you’re self-taught

10:18 How Kenny has never received ‘bad advice’

13:08 Protecting your work as if it’s a part of you

16:50 “Put the medal in your drawer; let’s get back to work.”

20:54 Celebrate, but you gotta remind yourself that you ain’t shit

Episode Resources:

• Kenny Hamlett | Instagram |Youtube | Website

I genuinely appreciate your time and support, whether it’s through listening, sharing, leaving an honest review, or donating. A special thanks to my partner in life, Jeannette, my fantastic editor, Phil, today’s guest, Kenny, and of course, YOU—the curious and thorough type that drives growth from an idea and dream into something massive that moves the world. Until next time…

Want to connect further? Follow me on Instagram!

Mentioned in this episode:

Better Dad Bulletin