Brandon Williams served in the United States Army for 20 years, rising from company commander to operations manager to logistics training consultant, where he coached, mentored, and trained 33 Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers. After leaving the Army, the Indianapolis native jumped right into pharmaceutical management. After getting laid off, he quickly landed another job but found it unsatisfying. He grew frustrated working in corporate America and ultimately burnt out.
He wanted something more for himself, a career where he could be his authentic self (and his whole self) and continue to be of service — not only to others, but to himself.
And that’s what inspired him to pursue an education at IIN.
His quest for balance had begun more than a decade-and-a-half earlier, though. Williams’ spiritual journey with Chopra’s teachings actually started in Iraq, where he was stationed at the time. He recalls reading one of Deepak’s books during that period and immediately taking to it. Fifteen years later, as he was navigating what he wanted out of the next chapter of his life, he discovered Chopra’s certification programs at IIN and knew they were exactly what he was seeking.
Williams enrolled in the Chopra Coaching Certification, the Chopra Meditation Certification, and the Chopra Ayurvedic Health Certification, with the goal of launching and growing a coaching business.
‘I’ve Always Believed in Balance, and You Can’t Do It Halfway’
Williams decided to enroll in all three certifications because he understood the interconnectedness of them, and how important it is to understand fully how the mind, body, and spirit all affect each other.
“I’ve always believed in balance — that’s the reason I was in the Army for 20 years — and you can’t do it halfway,” he says. “I've always been a believer in the incorporation of all aspects of a person, and usually we bring one aspect of ourselves to a particular job. That’s what I was doing, and I felt like I couldn't bring my whole self.
“The Chopra program was able to incorporate the mind, body, and spirit in a way that was based in science and ancient philosophy. It was right up my alley.”
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Williams went all in with his studies and wasted no time getting his business off the ground. He launched Balance with Brandon, where he coaches clients to learn Ayurvedic techniques and their dosha type, and create sustainable, balancing rituals. He provides in-depth Ayurvedic consultations, personalized Ayurvedic wellness plans, group wellness workshops, and more.
Spreading the Ripple Effect in His Community
As an African American man, one of Williams’ goals is to spread and promote holistic health and its benefits with his broader community. He hopes to encourage others to not only improve their lives, but also follow a similar career path, creating a ripple effect (a core IIN philosophy).
“I do have a heart for those who are on the fringe, and there’s so much value in even the smallest implementations,” he says. “I do have a plan to reach out to more men and African American people. It’s very difficult with certain communities, because the right people are not speaking to them.
“I’d love to be that light, to help others become coaches so they can share that with their communities. Once we see that the people we trust are doing it, it’s a shoo-in to help change those communities.”
Before launching his business, Williams started with just his inner circle, sharing his newfound knowledge with his family. His dad and brother had undergone hip surgeries, and he encouraged both of them — and his mom — to incorporate healthy habits into their daily routines. They responded favorably, and it noticeably improved their lives.
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The Importance of Self-Care for Veterans
Williams is a firm believer that IIN and Chopra programs can be valuable tools for veterans because of their emphasis on self-care, and doing work not only for others, but for yourself.
The transition to the corporate workforce post-military service can understandably be challenging, and these programs are beneficial because they have a unique approach that focuses on who you are at your core.
“You get to know yourself,” Williams says, “and it’s not just about working because you feel like you have to, or because someone else is depending on you. With the Chopra programs, one of the things they try to teach you is that all of these tools that you're using for others, you have to use for yourself. And in doing so, you learn the benefit of self-care. Service members who are coming out don't necessarily understand what it means to really take care of yourself, and by learning self-care, you're able to take care of others.”
Williams would also like to see the Army adopt more holistic health practices, which he believes it’s lacking.
“I’d love for the Army to be a little more holistic in their approach to wellness and health, because we literally drink energy drinks to stay alive,” he says. “We do all the things to get through a micro moment, and then wonder why on the back side we have so many disabled veterans and mental health issues. We’ve incorporated some aspects of meditation and health, but there’s nothing holistic to it.”
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