Leading with Purpose: Kurtis Lee Thomas Shares Insights as Male Entrepreneur of the Year 2024
Best Holistic Life: As a Corporate Mindfulness Trainer, could you share with us the pivotal moments that led you to specialize in mindfulness and its application in corporate settings?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: I started my career as a motivational speaker over a decade ago and discovered that the most passionate topics I enjoyed speaking about were all on mindset and the laws of the universe. They were also the most well-received, so I guess I found my niche. For the first few years, I took any gig I could get, and many were for free. The first check I ever received was $200 from a church of all places. It was great to watch my journey evolve from a motivational speaker into a corporate mindfulness trainer. Today, my speaker fee starts at $30k, so I definitely came a long way.
Best Holistic Life: How does the immediate and undeniable impact of Breathwork Detox contrast with the gradual results of traditional yoga and meditation practices within corporate wellness programs?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: “Yoga and meditation are often the first programs offered in corporate wellness programs. Although these modalities are great for maintenance, they lack immediate impact, which causes employees to become less interested when they don’t see results. This is the challenge many corporations have when implementing effective mindfulness programs because most modalities require consistency and only produce slow and methodical results that compound over time. However, this is not the case with breathwork. Unlike typical yoga and meditation practices, the results of Breathwork Detox are immediate and undeniable, from just one session.”
Best Holistic Life: You’ve spoken alongside influential figures like Deepak Chopra and Tony Robbins trainers. How has sharing the stage with such luminaries influenced your approach to your work?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: There’s a popular saying that goes, “Work until your idols become your rivals.” Now, I don’t look at anyone as a rival, especially in my line of work, but I do understand the origins of that competitive mindset. For me, speaking on stage with household names just inspires me and motivates me to constantly step my game up and provide the most memorable experience for the audience, no matter who I share the stage with. There have been several instances where well-known keynote speakers came up to me afterward and said they enjoyed my segment the most. That felt good to hear.
Best Holistic Life: Working with Ivy League colleges and Fortune 500 companies is quite impressive. Can you tell us about a specific project or experience that stands out in your memory?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: The event at Nike was great because they said my event was the most attended mindfulness event the company ever had, and the case studies conducted afterward far surpassed their previous events in terms of effectiveness and positive feedback. The same is true with NASA; their representative put on record in both Bloomberg and Business Insider that the event I did for them was a game-changer for their employees, and no prior event elicited such a positive response. Considering that the event was facilitated for rocket scientists, that was great feedback, considering these types of people are typically more left-brained and not as receptive to the work I do. So this was confirmation that my grounded and practical approach to mindfulness and deep inner work was well received and effective.
Best Holistic Life: Foxwoods Resort and MGM Grand Casino are among the prestigious casinos you’ve worked with. How do you tailor your mindfulness training to suit diverse industries such as hospitality and entertainment?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: Every company is different, and every company has its own culture and the type of employee it attracts. If a company is more left-brained, I typically use more science-based facts to solidify the work that I do (NASA). If the company is more right-brained, such as a marketing company, I would talk to them differently and use certain language and NLP techniques to stimulate their curiosity and creativity because they are “thinkers” rather than “analyzers.”
Best Holistic Life: Your mantra, “First you must LEARN, then you should EARN, so eventually you can RETURN,” is inspiring. How did this philosophy shape the development of your tools to create positive change?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: I heard this phrase from my mentor a long time ago, and it always stuck with me. I truly believe we should all give back in our own ways. I say this not just because it sounds good but because it’s an actual law within the Universe. It’s the natural ebb-and-flow of life. We have to give as much as we relieve and also receive as much as we give. Women usually learn this by giving too much in their relationships. They give everything to their boyfriend or husband and their kids that they leave nothing for themselves leaving them feeling drained and empty. On the other hand, greedy people take and take and give nothing, but this makes them “spiritually constipated,” and they suffer in other ways. This is why I started my non-profit organization, Just Breathe Foundation, where we provide my children’s breathwork books to school libraries. We also provide scholarships to underprivileged single mothers who want to get certified Breathwork Detox but cannot afford the training. This is one way I try to give back to the community.
Best Holistic Life: With certifications in Life Coaching, Breathwork, NLP, Hypnotherapy, Reiki, and fitness training, how do you integrate these diverse disciplines into your holistic approach to personal and professional development?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: When I discovered the ancient lost art of deep diaphragmatic breathing, it was the only modality I found that could house all of my other certifications and skillsets into ONE practice. It became the vehicle for transformation and my secret sauce. This is how Breathwork Detox was born! There’s no natural modality on earth that’s as powerful as breathwork. I say with confidence not because I have many certifications and experience but because I’ve also taken many trips to the jungle to be with Mother Ayahuasca, so I know the power of real transformation. This is why I was baffled and mind-blown when I discovered the power of Breathwork and how easy it is to do, yet the results were so profound and immediate from just one session.
Best Holistic Life: In 2011, you had a life-changing spiritual experience. Could you elaborate on how this event shaped your perspective and influenced your career path?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: Hmmm, I’d rather not go that deep down the rabbit hole in this interview. Let’s just say when my brother transitioned to “the other side,” I realized there is indeed a spirit world that can communicate profound messages to us in the past, present, or future. I soon realized a few significant truths: we are not alone, there is plenty of magic and miracles all around us, and we live in the most pivotal times in human history; many people will begin to see this for themselves in the coming years of 2024-2025, which I call the years of “The Great Awakening.”
Best Holistic Life: You were born in LA but raised in Rhode Island. How has your upbringing in different environments influenced your teachings and interactions with diverse audiences?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: The more I visit the back east, the more I see all the stereotypes. I have to say that people on the East and West Coast are very different. There’s a saying that goes, “Everyone in their life should move to New York (East Coast) at least once in their lifetime, but leave before it makes you too hard, and everyone should move to California at least once in their lifetime, but leave before it makes you too soft. I’m grateful I was raised on the East Coast because it made my skin a bit thicker than normal, but I’m also grateful I’ve lived in LA as well because it has inspired me.
Best Holistic Life: It is quite unique that you chose a 3-piece suit over a Power Wheels truck at the age of 4. How do you think your early preferences and decisions foreshadowed your journey into the world of mindfulness and personal development?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: This still cracks me up. What kid chooses a 3 price suit over a power wheels truck? Lol. Needless to say, I’ve been obsessed with the concept of business and commerce since a very young age. Then, in 2011, I had my spiritual awakening, and I realized there’s a huge disconnect between money and spirituality, business and God. That’s why I love using the term “Corporate Mindfulness” because it is literally the bridge between those two worlds and the Trojan horse, and the term is widely accepted. This is also why I love leading my events with breathwork detox; “breathing” is something everyone already does, and it has no negative connotations and little to no barrier to entry.
Best Holistic Life: Expressing a childhood desire to be a superhero, do you find any parallels between that aspiration and the impact you aim to make on people’s lives today?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: Who doesn’t want to be a superhero? I’ll never let that dream die; no one should. We just have to redefine what that actually means. If a firefighter walks into a burning building unscathed and recuses 12 kittens and an old lady, they’re a superhero! If a single mother can raise a young boy into a man, they’re a superhero!
Best Holistic Life: Having worked as a paperboy and door-to-door salesman in your early jobs, how did these experiences contribute to your understanding of human behavior and communication?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: Well, I hated being a paperboy because of how early I had to be up, but I loved the freedom of working alone in my zone, oh, and the Christmas tips! However, being a door-to-door salesman was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. I developed many traits that are a part of me today. For one, I’ve learned to become impervious to rejection. As a door-to-door salesperson, you have to go to the next house with the same enthusiasm as the previous one, even if the last 3 people slammed the door in your face. You learn not to take things personally. It also allowed me to learn how to build rapport with just about anyone. The most trivial thing it did was help me to become good at sales. For me, it was more the character it developed in me and the people communication skills I learned. No one wants to be sold, but they do want help finding solutions to their problems, and if you can provide that and communicate that to them, they’re happily willing to pay you for it.
Best Holistic Life: You mentioned getting in trouble for selling things and carrying cash in grade school. How did these experiences shape your entrepreneurial mindset and approach to your career?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: I remember when I was selling team sports rings (jewelry) to all the kids in school, and I always had a wad of cash on me. One day, the principal called me into his office, and he took my money and rings and threatened to call my mom. I said, “Go ahead, call her”. He did, and she came to the school, and he explained to her how I’ve been selling jewelry to all the kids at school, and the first thing my mom said was, “So…”. He replied, “But he’s carrying around all this cash,” and my mom said, “Is cash illegal?”. The principal was dumbfounded and said, “Well, he just can’t sell them on school property.” So my mother said, “Fine,” and turned to me and told me, “Just don’t sell them in school,” and made the principal give me my cash and rings back, then left. The funniest thing was when I was walking out the door; the principal asked how much I was selling the Boston Red Sox ring for. LOL. So I’ve always been like this, and I’ve always had the support from my mother, who’s been my superhero!
Best Holistic Life: Being the first person in elementary school to have a cell phone is notable. How do you think technology and connectivity have influenced the way you deliver your message of mindfulness and personal growth?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: I just wanted to be Zach Morris from Saved by the Bell. Now, every kid is Zach. It’s not about technology, though; it’s all about the message! Technology is just the the medium to get the message out, faster and further.
Best Holistic Life: Repeating the 2nd and skipping the 3rd grades are significant educational experiences. How did these moments impact your perspective on learning and personal development?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: When I stayed back in the 2nd grade, I felt dumb. When I skipped the 3rd grade, I felt smart. Both of those experiences impacted my compassion for people who “feel” dumb and my ability to feel confident after such polarizing experiences. I did learn something, though… the comeback is always better than the setback!
Best Holistic Life: Going to the movies by yourself is a unique choice. How does solitude contribute to your own mindfulness practice and well-being?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: Solitude is a necessary path in everyone’s Spiritual awakening. It’s mandatory for one’s Spiritual growth. Some people’s experiences are more temporary than others, while others are more profound, where they feel they need to escape for a bit. This solitude gives you space while your vibrations and beliefs change. During this time, old friends and relationships will fall away as your new energetic field sets in. All of this happens unbeknownst to the conscious mind, but I talk about this process in great detail in my book, THE WORLD IS YOURS, The Secrets behind “The Secret”.
Best Holistic Life: You’ve mentioned seeing a UFO more than once. Can you share any insights or reflections on how these experiences have influenced your spiritual journey or worldview?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: Again, I don’t want to go too deep down the rabbit hole here. All I can say is that “ETs are real,” and the entire world will soon know this to be true as well (and no, they are not little green men who want to destroy our planet), when in fact, it is the opposite if it weren’t for these benevolent beings HUMANS would have destroyed this planet a long time ago, but they won’t let that happen. What I can say is that a massive disclosure event is upon us in the coming years, and from one moment to the next, in the twinkling of an eye, the existence and hidden truths that were suppressed from us for many years will become public knowledge and the general consensus of the world population. Many things will change after this event happens, and rather quickly, too. We are all in for a treat.
Best Holistic Life: As a Capricorn born on January 3rd, do you find any connections between your astrological sign and your approach to mindfulness and personal development?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: Absolutely, I’m big into astrology. This is funny because statistically, most men think it is woo-woo, but it is not! Just as the moon affects the ocean’s tides, the moon, and the stars affect the energy of our planet and genetic makeup. I actually only facilitate my breathwork events on powerful astrological events, typically on every new moon, full moon, eclipse, and equinox, so my attendees can benefit greatly from these engines. It’s like the wind; you can’t see it or know where it comes from, but it exists, and you can feel it. Using the power of the wind, you can either run into it, and it will slow you down, or you can run with it, and it will speed you up. You can use the invisible energy of the wind to pitch a sail and travel across the ocean like our ancestors did. Astrology is no different; if you know how to use it, it can benefit your life greatly, and if you don’t, then it won’t. Many influential people, including former presidents, used astrology, and I think we’d be surprised at how many powerful people use this information to their advantage. JP Morgan, the famous billionaire banker, famously stated, “Millionaires don’t use astrally, billionaires do”!
Best Holistic Life: Expressing your love for both God and Rap Music is intriguing. How do these seemingly contrasting interests intersect and influence your teachings?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: Although I believe this type of music is quite toxic, I think my generation grew up on rap music so I don’t think I’m alone on this one. I actually listen to everything from Indian mantras to spiritual soul music to gangster rap and R&B. My first CD was Snoop Dogg, who ironically (fast-forward 25 years) read my book THE WORLD IS YOURS, so I guess we both influenced each other in our own ways. I very much have one foot in this world and one foot out. Yes, I work inside the matrix but I also travel to alternate realities and dimensions with my practices. I believe this helps me with my work because I can relate to all genres of people and personalities.
Best Holistic Life: Could you share a specific success story where your mindfulness training profoundly impacted an individual or organization, demonstrating the tangible results of your approach?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: I’ve literally witnessed quite a few miracles, from people healing themselves from tumors and diseases using my technique. There have also been several women who couldn’t get pregnant and went to countless fertility doctors to be able to remove their energy blockages with Breathwork Detox and have a baby and Create a new life. The list goes on… however, my story alone is what made me a believer. I had an unknown stomach condition I suffered from for 5 years, and doctors couldn’t diagnose me, never mind heal me. I tried EVERYTHING from colonoscopy and endoscopy and swallowed multiple pill cameras, and they couldn’t find ANYTHING. I did all the plant medicines you can imagine and all modalities from Western medicine to Eastern medicine. Then, I discovered this one ancient breathing technique that changed everything! In just one session, I was able to completely eradicate my stomach condition, and it blew me away. It was just shortly after this miracle I decided to exit all my companies and solely focus on sharing this magic with the world.
Best Holistic Life: Looking ahead to 2024, what are your goals and aspirations as a leading Corporate Mindfulness Trainer, and how do you envision continuing to make a positive impact in the lives of those you work with?
Kurtis Lee Thomas: I like to allocate my energy to two main areas of focus, which are:
- 1. training and certifying more teachers to go out and spread this modality to the world and
- 2. Working with top Fortune 100 companies and taking their executives and key employees on transformational retreats.
Dive deeper into Kurtis Lee Thomas’s transformative world and discover how he can awaken the best within you. Visit his website now to embark on a journey that promises to elevate both your personal and professional life.
And don’t forget to explore Kurtis Lee Thomas’s insightful page in Best Holistic Life Magazine. It’s a treasure trove of wisdom waiting to be discovered!