EP293: Learning to Stay: Mindfulness, Healing, and Emotional Resilience with Derek Lakin

In this episode, I sit down with Derek Lakin, a mindfulness teacher and Awareness Guide whose journey from deep depression to emotional resilience is nothing short of powerful. Derek opens up about the moment he nearly ended his life, and how a last-minute suggestion from his therapist led him to try ketamine therapy. But what truly transformed his life wasn’t just the treatment—it was the years of mindfulness practice that allowed him to receive its lessons, integrate emotional tools, and slowly rebuild a sense of self-worth, presence, and purpose.

We explore what it really means to meet yourself where you are, especially when anxiety, shame, or disconnection make that feel nearly impossible. Derek shares how practical mindfulness practices helped him stay grounded, begin to trust life again, and ultimately teach others to do the same. If you’ve ever struggled to just “be” with your emotions, or you’re looking for tools that go deeper than surface-level advice, this conversation offers hope, honesty, and a way forward.

Three Key Takeaways

1.      The most powerful shifts often start with one uncomfortable moment of stillness.

2.      Healing isn’t about striving—it’s about learning to listen differently to what’s already inside you.

3.      There are tools that can help you feel grounded, even when