From Kitchen Chaos to Calm: A Chef's Journey to Breath Work Mastery

Working in professional kitchens is rarely easy. High end fine dining can take this to another level. How people cope can be a lot of conversation. Not everyone finds healthy ways to cope. Enter Dave Gieselman, a chef who figured out that "better living through chemistry" was not the road for him.

In the latest episode of Culinary Mechanic, host Simon Zatyrka sits down with Dave Gieselman , a former chef who's traded his apron for a new calling as a breath work expert and coach. Dave's journey from the high-pressure world of professional kitchens to a career in stress management offers valuable insights for anyone navigating the choppy waters of the culinary industry – or any high-stress environment.

Dave's story begins in the kitchen, where he started cooking at the tender age of 13. "The first time I got introduced to a professional kitchen, there was knives, there was fire, there was yelling," Dave recalls. "No two people were doing the same thing. There was just this chaos to it." For Dave, this chaotic environment felt like home, normalizing the constant activity in his ADHD brain.

However, as many in the industry know, the relentless pace and high stakes of professional kitchens often lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Dave found himself turning to substances to manage the stress, a path that quickly proved unsustainable. "In my early 20s, substances got taken off the table for me," he shares. "My coping mechanism had to change. My environment didn't."

This crossroads led Dave on a 25-year journey of studying neuroscience, peak performance, and flow states. He delved into breath work, mindfulness, and meditation, seeking ways to regulate his nervous system and maintain peak performance without relying on harmful substances.

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One of the most powerful takeaways from Dave's experience is the importance of recognizing when you're operating from a place of fight or flight. "You are responding in fear, and you're not making good decisions," he explains. His solution? "Just fucking breathe." This simple yet powerful mantra became Dave's go-to technique for helping himself and others regain composure in high-stress situations.

Dave's insights extend beyond the kitchen. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing when it's time to move on from a career that no longer brings joy. "The day you are no longer in love with it, get out," he advises. "It will fucking kill you." This stark realization led Dave to transition from professional kitchens to coaching and speaking, where he now helps others manage stress and achieve peak performance.

For those looking to implement Dave's techniques, he offers a simple yet powerful daily routine: 10 minutes of breath work, 10-20 minutes of meditation, and 10-20 minutes of journaling. "If you do this consistently every day for 60 days, you will be unrecognizable to yourself," he promises. "If you do it consistently every day for six months, you will have a different life than the one you currently have."

Dave's journey from chef to breath work expert is a testament to the power of personal growth and the importance of finding healthy ways to manage stress in high-pressure environments. His story offers hope and practical strategies for those struggling with the demands of the culinary world and beyond.

To hear more about Dave's transformative journey and gain deeper insights into stress management techniques, be sure to listen to the full episode of the Culinary Mechanic podcast. Whether you're a seasoned chef, an aspiring cook, or anyone navigating a high-stress career, this conversation promises valuable takeaways for creating a more balanced, fulfilling professional life.

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Simon

P.S. Whenever you are ready here are a few other ways I help people like you every day.

• If you are a restaurant operator looking for ways to improve the culture, systems, and profit in your restaurant. This is the way.
• If you are a sous chef or chef who looking to increase their leadership and find ways to run your kitchen without burning out. I've got you. Grab some time
• If you are a leader that is struggling with adding value to your teams and finding that time feels like an enemy, we should talk.