Episode #21
Teddi Dean
Begin Again: Identity, Meditation, and Purposeful Pacing
In this episode, Rebecca shares an expansive and grounding conversation with former professional skateboarder turned artist/mindfulness teacher, Teddi Dean. From a countercultural childhood in 1970s Huntington Beach to riding for the legendary Bones Brigade and eventually embracing Buddhist vows, Teddi’s path is a journey of reinvention and self-discovery. Rebecca and Teddi unpack what it means to pause, to look inward, and to reclaim identity beyond titles, accolades, or roles. They explore the transformation that happens when we stop running and start listening. Through personal stories, Buddhist wisdom, and practical tools, Teddi reminds us that stillness isn’t the absence of momentum; it’s the beginning of something deeper. Whether you're in transition, chasing purpose, or simply curious about meditation, this conversation is an invitation to begin again.
Show Notes
Rebecca and Teddi explore:
How Teddi went from pro skateboarder to mindfulness teacher
Identity, reinvention, and the chapters of a lifetime
Why community is essential for transformation
The importance of pausing in a hyper-productive culture
Navigating midlife transitions with grace and curiosity
How MEA (Modern Elder Academy) supports mindful aging
Transformative Insights:
Identity is fluid; we live many lives within a lifetime
Meditation helps us observe and reset, not escape
The antidotes to suffering (loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, equanimity) are tools for realignment
Vulnerability is strength; it builds authentic relationships and internal peace
You don’t have to “fix” yourself to start healing; just begin
Vulnerable Moments:
Rebecca shares how she’s learning to sit still after decades of “moving meditation” as an athlete
Teddi reflects on his struggles with addiction, identity loss, and rediscovery through mindfulness
They both explore the discomfort (and necessity) of letting go of former versions of themselves
Practical Wisdom:
Why meditation is not about stopping thoughts
How to apply “beginner’s mind” to aging, creativity, and career
Creating space for discomfort as a doorway to change
The role of ritual and daily practice in emotional hygiene
Why we must learn to forgive ourselves first
Personal Growth:
Teddi’s evolution from a skateboarding icon to MEA’s Head of Mindfulness
Rebecca’s journey from “Queen of Pain” to explorer of the inner landscape
How community and storytelling accelerate healing
Learning to be a “kook” again—embracing the beginner within
Links and Resources
Book Recommendation: Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening
Modern Elder Academy (MEA)
Teddi’s Sunday Sangha Zoom meeting, open to everyone every Sunday from 5:00-6:00 p.m. PT
Show Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Momentous. Fuel your journey. Momentous offers clean, science-backed performance nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Get 35% off your first subscription with code RUSCH at checkout.
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