Meditation, Breathing & The Power of the Pause

Meditation, Breathing & The Power of the Pause

Author: The Fasting Method June 23, 2026 Duration: 33:07

Sometimes the most powerful tool isn't doing more—it's pausing before you react.

Episode #263
🎙️ In this episode, Coach Lisa Chance and Coach Jamie Cipriani explore why meditation and breathing exercises can have such a profound impact on stress, decision-making, metabolic health, and everyday life.

They discuss simple breathing practices, common misconceptions about meditation, the science behind the pause between stimulus and response, and how mindfulness can help us become less reactive and more intentional.

Whether you've never meditated before or have convinced yourself you're "bad at it," this conversation offers practical ways to make breathing and meditation part of your day—without adding another complicated task to your routine.

👉 What you'll learn:
• How breathing helps regulate the nervous system
• Why stress management supports metabolic health
• The science behind Viktor Frankl's famous "pause"
• How meditation changes your response to triggers
• Why most people think they're bad at meditation
• Simple breathing exercises you can use anywhere
• How habit stacking makes meditation easier to maintain
• The benefits of morning and evening meditation practices

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 — What meditation really is
00:25 — Introduction: meditation, breathing, and the power of the pause
00:52 — Why meditation matters for metabolic health
01:40 — How breathing helps regulate the nervous system
03:19 — Jamie's simple three-breath practice
05:07 — Using breathing before meals
05:51 — Why breathing shouldn't only happen during crises
06:28 — The importance of taking a pause during the day
07:08 — Habit stacking breathing practices
07:58 — Doorknob breathing and mindful eating
09:19 — What if your brain still wants the food?
10:32 — Why meditation is called a practice
11:06 — Viktor Frankl and the power of the pause
11:27 — The science behind stimulus and response
12:43 — How meditation changes the brain
13:52 — Why meditation helps us become less reactive
14:23 — "I can't meditate" — common myths explained
15:56 — Why thoughts during meditation are normal
17:35 — The biggest reason people quit meditating
18:28 — There's no such thing as bad meditation
19:07 — What if you fall asleep during meditation?
20:25 — Should you breathe through your nose or mouth?
22:06 — The real benefits happen outside the meditation session
23:08 — Stress, health, and why meditation matters
24:33 — Morning and evening meditation bookends
27:24 — Letting go through breathwork
28:14 — Small daily pauses and cumulative gains
29:05 — Meditation doesn't have to look a certain way
30:14 — Breathing snacks and fat metabolism
30:54 — Try a 30-day meditation experiment
31:52 — Meditation in everyday moments
32:38 — Final challenge: where can you add a pause today?

📝 Transcript
The transcript for this episode is available on our website:
https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcasts/

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⚠️ Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem.

The use of any products or services purchased does not create a healthcare provider–patient relationship.

Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.


For anyone navigating the world of intermittent fasting, sorting through the noise can be the hardest part. The Fasting Method Podcast cuts through that confusion with clarity and authority. Co-hosted by recognized experts Megan Ramos and Terri Lance, Ph.D., this podcast is built on a foundation of real science and practical application. The conversations here move beyond simplistic tips to explore the nuanced physiology of fasting, the psychological hurdles, and the sustainable strategies that lead to lasting health changes. You’ll hear detailed explorations of metabolic adaptation, hormone regulation, and the social complexities of changing one's eating patterns, all grounded in the hosts' extensive clinical and research experience. This is a space where listener questions drive the dialogue, making each episode a direct address to the real-world challenges people face. Tune in for a candid, evidence-based resource that treats fasting not as a trend, but as a deeply personal tool for wellness. The discussions on this podcast are designed to empower you with knowledge, demystify the process, and provide a supportive audio companion for your journey.
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