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Gisele Bündchen ON: How to Overcome Depression and Anxiety Through Meditation

Gisele Bündchen sits down with Jay Shetty to talk about her passion for being in tune with nature.

Gisele BündchenguestJay Shettyhost

Jul 26, 202144mWatch on YouTube

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Transcript

45 min read · 9,046 words

0:00 – 2:45
Intro
1. GBGisele Bündchen
  If you watch bad news, suddenly you're having a great day, then you watch a bad news, and then suddenly you're consumed with fear. And then now, like, your state of your emotions and everything has changed, and now you're in the dumpsters and you're stuck there, and you're like, you know? So I feel it's like, you know, one thing that's very important is to, like, witness, to- to- to see where your attention is going. Like, where is your energy? Check in with yourself. [upbeat music]
2. JSJay Shetty
  Hey, everyone. Welcome back to On Purpose, the number one health podcast in the world. Thanks to each and every single one of you that come back every week so sincerely and deeply to learn, listen, and grow. Today's guest is one of very few guests, I believe one of three guests, that we've had on the podcast twice. Uh, that's because she's one of my favorite people. Her Instagram is one of my favorites to follow. I love seeing all of her updates, her messages. Uh, we've stayed in touch for the last two years since she came on the podcast for the first time. I'm talking about none other than Gisele Bündchen. And for those of you that don't know, for the, for the two people listening, the 0.2- 2% of people listening that don't know, Gisele Bündchen is one of the most successful supermodels of all time. She's a mother and author, and this is one of my favorite parts about her that I see her doing more and more today, she's an incredible philanthropist and global environmentalist. And over the years, Gisele has spoken in numerous places about the impacts of meditation helping her live a more conscious and joyful life, even giving birth, something we discussed last time. And these key insights are shared in her New York Times bestselling book, Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, uh, which is an incredible read. I highly recommend you read it if you haven't. And as a longtime meditation practitioner, Gisele believes we're all divine beings, and that when we quiet our minds, we will find that most of the answers we seek are already there inside of us. Gisele, welcome back to the show. And we've already started, so we're already-
3. GBGisele Bündchen
  I know. [laughs]
4. JSJay Shetty
  Fully equipped. [laughs]
5. GBGisele Bündchen
  Aw, thank you, Jay. So nice to see you, and- and always so wonderful to- to share and to- to talk with you. It's- it's... I wish it was in person, but hopefully next time. Get to give you a big hug.
6. JSJay Shetty
  Yes.
7. GBGisele Bündchen
  You and your lovely lady.
8. JSJay Shetty
  We'd love that. We'd love that. But no, it's- it's so good to be back with you and just, you know, what- what we're just talking about naturally right now as well, I think the world's had such a difficult year. Everyone's had a difficult 12 months. Uh, no matter who you are, everyone's had a challenging time. And you were just saying that you've almost just reunited with your family after two years.
9. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah.
10. JSJay Shetty
  I mean, that must have been such a emotional
2:45 – 6:22
Seeing your family after a long time
1. JSJay Shetty
  feeling. Like, what was that like to see your family after two years?
2. GBGisele Bündchen
  You know, it was beautiful. And I think that, you know, sometimes we take things for granted, right? Like, and I think when you don't get to see your parents for almost two years, and the people you love the most, then you just realize how, you know, what a gift is every moment that you get to spend. You know? That- that every moment that we are alive, every moment that we are, we get to spend with the people that we love, and that you just realize what a gift our family, our loved ones, and what a, what a, what a, what a wonderful thing is to, is to feel the- the warmth of a hug and a kiss, and to be able to, to be surrounded by, you know, by love. And I think, you know, as humans, we are people who are meant to be living in community. We're meant to be, you know, touching and holding and loving, and I think, um, you know, that's essential for our wellbeing, for our mental health, for- for our, for our life, you know, for us to-
3. JSJay Shetty
  Yeah.
4. GBGisele Bündchen
  So it was, it was wonderful. I- I- I just, I just have so much gratitude and- and- and just having to, you know, having this time with my parents, this extra time, because in Brazil it's winter right now, and being able to bring them here with me and have them with me for the next, well, actually gonna be with them for the next two months. I just feel like the luckiest girl in the world, you know? And, uh, so- so I'm just gonna hug them until they're sick of it. They'll be like, "Get away from me."
5. JSJay Shetty
  [laughs]
6. GBGisele Bündchen
  I'll be like, "No."
7. JSJay Shetty
  [laughs] I'm glad that we could give them a bit of a break by you coming on the podcast. So they will probably-
8. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah
9. JSJay Shetty
  ... really happy that you [laughs]
10. GBGisele Bündchen
  Exactly. They're like, "Just get, just get away from us for a second."
11. JSJay Shetty
  [laughs]
12. GBGisele Bündchen
  "We can't take you anymore." No. It was, it's- it's- it's- it's wonderful. And just to sit and talk with them, you know, it's like, I think to- to- to honor them and to, s- you know, how often do we get to have deep conversations with our parents, you know? And- and to listen to their life stories. I think we're diving really deep into that, and I think for my dad, something came up where he felt a necessity. I think he realized how fragile, like, he was like, "Oh, it can happen at any moment," you know? Something can happen, and he felt like he wants to write his story about, you know, he was telling me things about his childhood and how he grew up, and about his father, and about his grandfather. Because, you know, we are also our ancestors, you know? Like, the only reason why we are here is because of them, so there's pieces of them in us, you know? And- and to, and to learn about those things that he never, you know, there was never an opportunity or m- that, or it never came up that he- he had a desire to talk about those things, and now he does. So that was, you know, a gift that came from that, you know? Because I think there's always two sides to everything. I think something is, you know, there's always the yin and the yang, you know? And- and I feel that that was the, something that came very strongly for my dad, this deep desire to share more. And- and- and I'm grateful for that, because I'm learning a lot more about him and why he is the way he is and, which in some ways is why I am the way I am, you know? And my mom, because... So it's, it's amazing. It's- it's been kind of like a wonderful Dive into, into, you know, in a way, a deeper relationship with my parents. So I'm grateful for that.
13. JSJay Shetty
  I love hearing that. I think, you know, I, I often think that my parents as well, they don't really tell me a lot about their childhood because they don't think it's that interesting or important or-
14. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah
15. JSJay Shetty
  ... they just see it as normal.
6:22 – 10:49
Our parents are also trying to figure it all out
1. JSJay Shetty
  And as I've got older, I've realized that actually hearing about your parents and how they grew up and what made them what they are is such an important activity and exercise in the development of the children-
2. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yes, absolutely
3. JSJay Shetty
  ... and, and, and for their own healing and development, too. So I'm so glad you raised that because I'm hoping that listening to that, people are gonna ask their kids ... sorry, ask their parents a lot more questions, and kids are gonna go up to their parents and say, "Hey, tell me about this," or, "Tell me about that."
4. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah, yeah. I, I feel that, um, it's definitely been, like, a wonderful experience for me and, and I think it also definitely makes me feel like, you know, the impact that we have in our children really without knowing. Like, you know, them sitting here and, and looking back and saying like, "Wow, we wish we would've done better." And I think it's not about judging ourselves, but it's about, you know, recognizing that we are all learning, because I think when you're a kid, you look up to your parents and you figure, like, they know everything, right? And, and they don't. They're trying to figure it out. I go to my kids often and I say, "I'm sorry, you know? Sometimes I, I lose my temper or I'm rushing about something or I'm not listening as, with, with the, with the presence that, that, that I really want to at that moment." And then I, you know ... And then I, I, I judge myself for that, and I feel really bad. And, and, and, and I think judging and, and, you know, h- you know, being ... It's not ... I think it's about looking at it and saying, "How can I do better?" So I go to my children and I say, "I'm sorry." You know, it takes me a second. I'm like, "I'm sorry Mommy wasn't here fully when you needed me at that exactly, exact moment, but I'm here now, and I'm sorry, you know? Mommy's learning, too. This is the first time I'm a mom, and I'm, I'm doing the best that I can, but I would, I would love for you to help me to, to point something out, you know? Whenever there's something that is, that you wish that Mommy could do better or you, or you see that, that, you know ... Like, express your feelings to me. Tell me how you're feeling about this, because if you can tell me and we can have a conversation, then we can work through it." And I, you know, I, by no means I come in like, "I'm your mother and I said so, so this is why you have to do this." No, I'm like, I invite them to say, you know, "Hey, you know, I, I, I'm, I'm doing my best and I'm learning, so, so let's learn together, you know?" [laughs] Like, "Let's do this together." And, and I think it's been amazing because my kids talk to me, which with my parents, I didn't feel like I could, you know, speak with them about anything. I felt like there was definitely more like, "It is because I said so, and you do it," as like, you know? And I think with my children, you know, ha- coming from that and feeling like I didn't really have a voice, right, um, I wanna give my kids a voice and, and, and, you know, of course there is things like you're not gonna jump from the second story. You know, there's limits, you know? [laughs] We got boundaries here. We gotta, we gotta have healthy boundaries. But I think it's, it's really important to, to, for me to listen to them and listen to their feelings most importantly, because I think if we can teach them to open up and talk about their emotions and talk about their feelings, the chances are they're gonna grow up to be adults who are going to be able to really, uh, connect to their feelings and understand that is, that is this beautiful rainbow of emotions, and that's all part of it, and it's all beautiful, and it's all just here to inform us something and to show us like, "Oh, why am I feeling like this? Why is this trying to show me? What is this emotion trying to show me?" Not to repress the emotion, but to look at it in a nourishing way, in a loving way, and saying, and look for g- going deeper within and asking, "Why am I feeling that way right now?" And it's only right now, right? Because at every moment we are moving and we are changing and we are flowing, and that's what life is, right?
5. JSJay Shetty
  Yeah.
6. GBGisele Bündchen
  It's just a moment. So yeah.
7. JSJay Shetty
  I love hearing that. I love hearing that. I, I think it's so refreshing to hear it. I think everyone right now needs to hear it the most because we're all feeling so much and experiencing so much. We've never, we've never probably felt this many, as you said, emotions on the rainbow as we do now, because-
8. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah
9. JSJay Shetty
  ... w- it seems like all of our, our internal conversation is just alive, right? Like, we're reflecting more, we're thinking more, we're experiencing more because we've been in this position. And I, I
10:49 – 14:30
We are nature, we aren’t separate from it
1. JSJay Shetty
  wonder for you, one of the things that you speak about very emotively and beautifully is your love for the environment. And even when we started our conversation today, you were like, "Oh, I'm, I'm close to the environment right now, and I feel so, like, you know, I could hear the birds," and you, you-
2. GBGisele Bündchen
  Look at my cacao tree right there. That's my living room. That's a cacao tree. You see that one in the back right there?
3. JSJay Shetty
  Wow.
4. GBGisele Bündchen
  Those are cacao trees.
5. JSJay Shetty
  I love cacao.
6. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah. Have you ever eaten-
7. JSJay Shetty
  Wow
8. GBGisele Bündchen
  ... a cacao, the actual fruit? The actual meat of it?
9. JSJay Shetty
  No, I haven't.
10. GBGisele Bündchen
  Oh.
11. JSJay Shetty
  No.
12. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah. It's like a white meat that comes from inside of it, and it's very ... I mean, it's delicious. It's really sweet, and then from the meat you take the seed and you can dehydrate it and put it in your smoothies or, you know, make chocolate and cookies.
13. JSJay Shetty
  Wow.
14. GBGisele Bündchen
  But the actual fruit of it is this white gooey that is around the seed, and it's delicious. So it's right there. [laughs] So it makes me happy. I mean-
15. JSJay Shetty
  That sounds amazing
16. GBGisele Bündchen
  ... yeah.
17. JSJay Shetty
  I want some now. [laughs]
18. GBGisele Bündchen
  I, okay, next time I g- I, I, I go see you I'll g- I'll bring you some from over here.
19. JSJay Shetty
  [laughs]
20. GBGisele Bündchen
  From my plantation.
21. JSJay Shetty
  Yeah.
22. GBGisele Bündchen
  But, but yeah, I mean, I think nature, I mean, q- quite frankly, like, I don't f- like, I feel like we are nature. I don't think we are separate from nature. I, I think, um, I think when it- When we forgot that we were nature is when we start creating all the problems that we are living today. I think when we, we thought that we were separate and more powerful or somehow we could control nature, um, or we could just, uh, or the nature was here for us to use, you know, it's, it's I think when we, we got out of balance, you know? I think this, this... I think to be able, if we can go back to this, to this respect and this love and this, and this feeling of connection to nature, we can then really f- find this connection and this feeling of love for ourselves because I, I think it's, it's, it's intertwined, you know? I think that, uh, nature is here, uh, as the highest frequency of a living being, right? Nature, it's, it's our biggest teacher because she just, she's in balance if it wasn't for human activity, right? She's perfect. Like, there's, in nature, everything works out exactly as it needs for all of life to thrive, you know? For every living being that, that, that is, that we sharing this planet with and, and, and she's perfect in the way that she knows, you know, when it's, when it must rain, when it must... It's just that, you know, we as humans, um, I think unfortunately greed and, and this desire for control and to conquering, you know, it's, it, I think it's, I think hopefully we're shifting more to, um, to a time of collaboration and, and I think we need that more than ever now, you know, of coming together in unity, in community, and, and, and I think if we can do that, um, we can really live much happier lives. [laughs] That's what I think.
23. JSJay Shetty
  I think you're right. I loved what you said there about how nature knows exactly what to do when-
24. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah
25. JSJay Shetty
  ... and, and it's all intertwined and connected because I often think, like, everything in nature is serving.
26. GBGisele Bündchen
  Absolutely, yeah.
27. JSJay Shetty
  Like, everything in na- everything in nature is always giving. Like, a tree is giving shade, and a fruit's giving taste, and a flower's giving a scent, and, like, everything in nature's giving, giving, serving, serving. And when you said about humans, like, it is true that humans are about getting and holding and keeping and-
28. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah
29. JSJay Shetty
  ... it's that greed that you mentioned. Like, we're not in line with nature because we're not serving anymore. Uh, when we're serving, we're aligned with nature. When do you,
14:30 – 18:46
Everything about nature is a gift
1. JSJay Shetty
  how do you think people who feel like nature's not really, like, they feel disconnected from it or they don't, they don't really quite understand, like when you said we are nature, how do you think someone experiences that in a simple way? Like, what's been, what's been your way of helping people experience and understand that?
2. GBGisele Bündchen
  I mean, I think being present, I mean for me, it's, it's, it's just, like, everything, right? Because since I was a little kid, like, I grew up in a small village, so being bare feet in nature and, and climbing a tree to pick up a fruit or, you know, just the sun rises every day and sets every day. The opportunity to just witness it, you know, the beauty of it is amazing to, to hear the birds sing. It's just, it's, it's just, I feel like it's, it's always, it's always here reminding us, be present, be here, the wind in our face, the, you know, it's just feeling the sun. Like, you know, even when it's freezing outside and it's snowing outside, you can feel the sun in your face, like how it's, it's like a warm kiss, you know? It's, it's, i- it's all these elements. Everything, it's here. It's like the grass under your feet, feeling the earth, the coolness of it, feel like how it supports you, feel like, I don't know. For me, everything about nature is the gift, you know? Everything. I mean, every moment I look at the food on my plate, I'm like, "Wow, look at the variety of, look at the variety of fruits and flavors and colors," and I mean, you know? Like in a, just in a salad you can have like 10 different colors of greens, and oranges, and there's carrots, and beets, and I don't know. It's like, it's, it's, it's abundant, you know? That's the thing I think we have to remember, like, because y- you understand that we are co-creating our reality and, and, and we are basically like little radio frequencies, right? We are like antennas, and the universe doesn't understand bad or good. It, it understands frequency. So if we are vibrating in this frequency of love, of gratitude, of connection, we just create, we attract more of that in our life. More of those things just come into our life, and then you're noticing it. You can eat a pa- a plate of food just swallowing it without, like, appreciating and, and that's not going to bring a joy, or you can eat it with, like, gratitude for every little, for the farmer who made it possible to be here, for the sun who nourishes, for the, for the soil who nourished it, for the, for the bee who pollinate, you know? For all of this, and then suddenly that thing that could be so n- so, like, eh, I'm eating a plate of food, becomes like, oh, I'm eating a plate of food. Like, ah, it's, it's just, is a... And then life becomes magical, you know? It's just a, it's just a perspective. It's just a way of looking at life in a state of awe and like, wow, like, it's, it is because that's what it is, is abundant. And if, and if we can be in that state, we're gonna just create that more in our lives and in the life around us. It's, it's just how it is because as we become brighter, everything becomes brighter around us. As we become more love, more filled with love, more filled with gratitude, more wonderful things happen in our lives, and more we can expand that and more in our families, in our communities, and I think that's how we transform the world, you know? I think it always starts with us, and it starts with us, you know, having the moment to, to, to really look at, at- The gift that life is and, and, and at every moment, nature is on, on, on, on everything, right? It's, it's literally, I mean, it's everywhere
3. JSJay Shetty
  No, no, that, that is such a beautiful answer because actually just hearing you speak about it, that was infectious and contagious.
4. GBGisele Bündchen
  [laughs]
5. JSJay Shetty
  Like, it was just, you have to be around someone, and you, when you were doing that, you and my wife Radhi, when you talk about food and nature, you're literally the s- on the same frequency because Radhi w- the other day we were driving, and she was like, "Oh my God. Oh my..." And I was like, "Are you okay? Like, what's wrong? Like, I, I'm driving safe. Like, what's going on?" She was like, "Look at the moon. Look at the..." [laughs]
6. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yes
7. JSJay Shetty
  I
18:46 – 21:21
To appreciate nature, you must live like a child
1. JSJay Shetty
  was just like
2. GBGisele Bündchen
  You see, but to live in that is to live like a child, right?
3. JSJay Shetty
  Yes. Yeah
4. GBGisele Bündchen
  Because then you're like, "Oh my God." It's like, I, and I love that about her. Like, I see her videos and when she's cooking, and she's... It's so beautiful. It's so like, it, it is joyful because it is, I mean, how amazing is that we have food on our plate? How amazing that we have this, this, this abundance, and then I think nature is abundant. Really, that's the natural state of, of nature, and I think for us too as humans, I think that's where, where we, who we are if we are in balance, if we are connected to our spirit, to our essence, and not to all these different things from outside because usually, I don't know if you notice, but, like, if you watch bad new- suddenly you're having a great day, then you watch a bad news, and then suddenly you're consumed with fear, and then now, like, your state of, of, of your emotions and everything has changed, and now you're in the dumpsters and you're stuck there, and you're like, you know? So I feel it's like, you know, one thing that's very important is to, like, witness, to, to, to see where your attention is going. Like, where is your energy? Check in with yourself. Am I, am I vibrating in what frequency? Am I vibrating in fear? Am I vibrating in love? Maybe put Post-it notes in your house, in your mirror, in your fridge, some places in your house, just asking yourself this question, "In what e- what frequency am I connecting with right now?" And then just, just to be, be aware of that because I think the only people... It's like the way you shift the channel, right? You switch the channel in the radio station as you're driving, and suddenly you listen to a awesome song, and then, like, some so- like, what's that? You just, it was just my vibe. You changed my vibe. You switch the channel, and now you go back and you find a vibe you wanna be in, right? You're not gonna sit there listening for two hours to a song or whatever, for however long this song that is like, you're like, "Oh, this song is giving me a headache," right? You're gonna change the station, and you're gonna tune into a new song that vibrates with the frequency that makes you feel good so you can be in your car singing, you know, and having fun. So I think that's the same thing in our life, right? We are experiencing something at, at every moment. Things are coming at us, you know, situations. You know, we are experiencing a m- variety of, of emotions and feelings and situations throughout the day, and I think if we can check in with where our frequency is and, and decide then consciously being present to understand where it's taking us, and if we wanna be there, then that's okay, but if we don't wanna be there, to shift that and change, you know, that, um, that frequency, so.
21:21 – 24:23
Meditation is a precious tool for depression and anxiety
1. JSJay Shetty
  When did you discover meditation as a tool? Is it something you always had? Is it something that was new? And, and where did it develop? Because I know you've meditated for a long, long time now, and, you know, we, we spoke about that at length last time when we connected over it. But please tell our audience, like, yeah, where did it start and, and what path have you taken with it? What role does it play in your life?
2. GBGisele Bündchen
  I mean, meditation is, like, one of those tools that I'm very grateful I have in my toolbox. You know, we go through life, and we go through different challenges, and then we, we acquire different tools to deal with whatever situation we are going through at that moment, and I think meditation was one of the most, uh, precious tools I, I, I acquired throughout my, my journey here. Um, you know, over almost 20 years ago in my early 20s, you know, I had severe panic attacks and depression and, and I didn't really know what was going on with me because I looked at my life and I was like, "Everything is perfect," and, and, but I was feeling depressed, and I, and I, you know, and, and I developed a very intense anxiety for, like, over a year I was dealing with it and, and, uh, and meditation just came into my life then and, and not only meditation, it was actually yoga at first, and I started practicing yoga. And then because I was having this depression and, and, um, severe panic attacks, I shared with the teacher what I was going through. She's like, "Actually, the best thing for you would be let's start with pranayam to, you know, alternate nostril breathing mostly specifically to help you get back into your body and balance your left and your..." You know, it's so good to, like, just get you centered and, um, and then we're gonna do some meditation, and then we're gonna do the asanas, which is the movement. So my hour class was, like, about 15 minutes of pranayam, 15 minutes of meditation, and then 30 minutes of, of, uh, you know, the asanas and, uh, and that's how I started, uh, my meditation practice, um, yeah, almost 20 years ago. Oh my God, I can't believe it. [laughs] Like, Lord.
3. JSJay Shetty
  Wow.
4. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah. I know. Y- it, time flies. And, um, and, and since then it's been an incredible tool in my life because, you know, I went to every doctor, everything to, to try to, to deal with what I was going through, but after about two, three months of practicing daily, you know, it's the commitment you make to yourself. It's like nothing is gonna happen if you do it once in your life, and you're like, "Why it didn't work," right? It's like, it is like everything else in life. If you want to achieve something, it takes focus, it takes dedication, it takes commitment, right? And, and I committed myself to that because my other option was to feel, I mean, I didn't really have another option. I felt like either I was gonna die of a, you know, or, or, um, that was my, that was my, my way, my, my... I, I chose life. I chose to, to- To do something for myself, um, every day that every day f- I feel better and a little better and a little better, and then after that, I, to be honest with you, I cannot live without it. So I would say it's an essential part of my life.
24:23 – 27:08
Becoming a mother is a rebirth of yourself
1. GBGisele Bündchen
  I wake up, um, especially after becoming a mom, you know, where, like, your time is no longer yours. There's a part... I, I say it's like after you become a mom, it's a rebirth because there's a part of yourself that dies for this new you to, to, to be born. Because before, it's all about, you know, what you wanna do, and you wanna do it. Yeah, sometimes you make, you know, you let your husband decide or... But mostly, you know, you kind of do what you, what, you know, what time you wanna eat, what time you're gonna go to sleep. And, and when you have kids, it's like it's becomes all about this little ball of love, and, and, and you don't sleep, and, you know. So, so it becomes even more important, I think, to take care of ourselves because how can you give from a, from an empty vessel, right? If your glass is empty, uh, how are you gonna drink from it? How is anyone gonna drink from it? So I, I just meditation. You know, I wake up at 4:00, 4:30 in the morning. I, I meditate every day for 20 minutes, just, you know, uh, it's just part of, like, filling my glass, you know, start the day nourishing myself so then I can give nourishment to my kids, my dogs, my husband, my family, the world, like, everyone that, that I wanna share my, my love with, you know? And but I notice that, that it really gives me a lot of energy, you know, just to have this practice of, of meditation. And then I do 30 minutes of yoga, usually asanas, every morning before the sun rises, and then I just sit in silence, and I just look at the sun rising. And then I just take in that energy, and I just, you know, one more day I get to be here. And I think to start the day with that kind of, um, intention and gratitude is, like, it changes everything, right? Because then you already start the day, and if everyone is like, "Mom, I want this. Mom, I want that," the dog is s- screaming, the cats fighting and, like, you are like, "Okay." Like, you know? Your, your, your glass is full, so, like, you can start emptying it little by little. And I think, yeah, it started at, at that, you know, like, almost 20 years ago, but, but yoga and pranayama and meditation, they're still tools. They're very much a part of my life, and they're essential, I feel, for my wellbeing and for my, for my sanity, to be honest [laughs] with you. For my, for my, uh... They're just essential. They, they're just tools that I'm never, you know, I'm never giving back. They're mine. I [laughs] -
2. JSJay Shetty
  Yeah. [laughs]
3. GBGisele Bündchen
  I, I'm like, I, I really, I really use those tools a lot, and, and I'm very grateful I have them, so.
4. JSJay Shetty
  Yeah. Well, I think anyone who's done something for 20 years-
5. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah
6. JSJay Shetty
  ... is, is proof that, you know, it's like you don't let something last for 20 years if it's not really improving your life. I wonder, I'm asking this as advice for when me and Radhi have kids, uh,
27:08 – 29:35
Force is never the way, leading by example is the way
1. JSJay Shetty
  how do you introduce your kids to meditation? Do you? Do you wait? Because it feels like sometimes children feel forced into these things, and they feel like, you know, it's not obviously created for them. Ha- have you introduced them to it? I wonder.
2. GBGisele Bündchen
  You know, it has been very natural. It's not, it's not... I agree with you 100%. I don't think it's something you force because I, I think for anybody, right, if you force something to a child, if you force something to an adult, like, you don't want anyone forcing you anything. I think it's, it's, it... I think force is never the way. I think the example is always the way. So for example, my kids, I have a picture, it's so funny, of my daughter when I was... 'Cause I was practicing yoga, obviously, with my kids when they were in the belly and when they were babies. I have this funny picture. My sister actually took it. I was so happy she was there. I was doing, uh, uh, you know, I was just practicing medita- meditation. My little, my daughter came. She was, like, crawling. She came and did the same position as me. I mean, she was less than a year old. So it's just how they witness. Or, like, I'm sitting in meditation just in silence, and my kids will wake up and go sit in my lap. Like, they know because they've seen this for all their life, right? And they don't say anything. They just come, and they sit or next to me or on top of me, and then they just stay there. Sometimes they stay for five minutes, 10 minutes. I don't know. Sometime, you know, they just kind of come on their own time. And, um, and I think that's how it has always been, you know? Or sometimes, you know, they see me, like, doing my asanas, and they come, and they wanna do it with me. They usually don't stay around for a long time, you know? They never complete the, the practice. But they're always, you know, not always, but I would say a lot of times, they're always exposed to it, and they will come and do it as they please. Like I said, sometimes they will come and sit for 10 minutes, sometimes for one minute. Sometimes they will do three asanas, and they leave, you know? So it's, it's just... A- and then it, it's just part of their life. And then whenever they're ready, and they feel they wanna do more, then I'll be very happy to do it with them. But it's, but it's not something that I, you know, it's just something that is around their life, and they're used to seeing. And they walk in and out of it, let's say it that way.
3. JSJay Shetty
  Yeah. Well, well, what I love is that recently, uh, you're giving everyone the opportunity to meditate with you because you've created this beautiful series with InsightTimer. You partnered with the app to create these meditation sessions, so now you don't have to be your kid or, or your husband to meditate with you.
4. GBGisele Bündchen
  [laughs]
5. JSJay Shetty
  Everyone gets an opportunity to meditate with you, uh, which
29:35 – 35:20
Hope In Times Of Uncertainty
1. JSJay Shetty
  is really special. Tell us a bit about why you felt now is the time for you to create some of these recordings and meditations so that people can meditate along with you. What was it about them? Tell us about the themes and what you hope people are gonna get out of them.
2. GBGisele Bündchen
  You know, I, like I said, you know, meditation has been, um, really a, a, a, a very, very important tool in my life and has brought so much, uh, so much. Like, I can't even explain. You know, it has given my life back in so many ways, right? From depression and anxiety to, to having this appreciation and this, and just this life that I have today, I don't think it would have happened without ... these tools, and, and I feel, and I wanted to share that especially when, you know, we were... This is, what, what we just experienced this past year is, is, uh, you know, it's like I, is not something that none of us was, were prepared for, we can't be prepared for, is, um, you know, unprecedented. Like, we never experienced something like this before. And all I wanted so much was to, was to share some love and, and, and to, and to try my best to... And what it is, like, you know, I, anything that helps me, I always wanna share with people that I love. Like, you know, I wanna share with my sisters, I wanna share with my friends. And, and I feel like meditation, it was such a powerful tool to, that transformed my life more than anything else, and I felt, "How can I share this with as many people as possible?" And I, and I chose, and the whole idea with InsightTimer is because it was a free pl- it was for free, right? So everyone could access it. And I was like, but it was also a, a v- you know, it was also a challenge for me in some ways because I was coming from this deep desire of how can I share, but I usually meditate in silence, right? I just use, I have used InsightTimer for years, just the basal, you know? And then I usually ch- uh, like to choose the monks, uh, the sound of monks or the sounds of nature, but then I just use the timer. I never really had done a guided meditations. But then my friends had said, "Gisele, you know, you always meditate. Why don't you do that?" And they, this opportunity came up, and I say, "Well, I'll try." And then my first one was Hope In Times Of Uncertainty, because that's exactly how I felt that we were living. I said, "And I feel like hope is, is the most important. It's the spark of life that can never die. That's what pushes us forward. That's what keeps guiding us to, to, to create and to be the creative beings that we are, so hope is essential." Like, so I, the first one was Hope In Times Of Uncertainty, and it was just about, I just started writing about how I felt about hope, you know? And, and, uh, what I wanted, what I, you know, it was just about how can I share this, this feeling? How can I send my love out and, and maybe this will make someone who's feeling alone or who's not feeling hopeful to feel love and to feel hope and to feel connected. So it came from that place of, of wanting to share, to, to, to, to just help in any way that I could, and I felt like I couldn't see, quite frankly, any other way to, to help. So I thought maybe I'll try this. And, uh, so, so I did that meditation and then I did one for children, which was actually very helpful to me because my daughter, she's going through this phase where she's afraid of the dark, so she never can sleep in her room alone. She shows up in my, my bed like four times a night, to the point that now she's my roommate. She's sleeping in my bed because I'm like, "I just need to sleep." But I was actually, I created the meditation, um, uh, for, for kids and, and when she's afraid, like initially when she starts in her bed, I put it for her, and when I leave it, she listens to the voice and it's very soothing, so she falls asleep. So it actually has been working for me because then I can leave the room and I can just put the meditation, and I go back like 10 minutes later and she's like, and she's sleeping, right?
3. JSJay Shetty
  [laughs]
4. GBGisele Bündchen
  I mean, she still wakes up sometimes in the middle of the night, but, but at least she falls asleep, you know? Instead of like two hours getting her to sleep, became like 10 minutes. So it was helpful. So I d- I just, I just kind of, it was very intuitive, you know. Whatever I felt like, "Oh, I wanna write about this," or I feel like at this moment, it was just very like it just kinda came up and then I thought, "I'll do a meditation," you know? Like now my next one that I'm gonna do is gonna call, um, I, I wanna do one about stress and anxiety because I feel like that's really present right now in the collective. I think that's, a lot of people are going through a lot of, you know, um, a lot of s- a lot of stress in so many ways, you know? And, and, uh, so my next one, I'm, I already start writing it, is gonna be about, you know, how, my take on how I can, I can, um, hopefully alleviate that in some way. That's my intention at least. I hope it, it works. So [laughs]
5. JSJay Shetty
  That's beautiful. I'm sure it will work. I mean, it sounds so wonderful, and, and I love hearing about it. And I, you know, after this I'm gonna go straight on and, and listen in, and I can't wait for the new one to come out as well. There's already-
6. GBGisele Bündchen
  Oh
7. JSJay Shetty
  ... I believe you've already recorded five up there, and there's-
8. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yes
9. JSJay Shetty
  ... more coming out.
10. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah.
11. JSJay Shetty
  And so there's already plenty of, uh, incredible recordings you've done. And yeah, I can't wait to listen to that one. And, you know, I know that you recently also hosted a, um, hour-long live stream about starting a meditation routine, and one of the most amazing things I saw, and that live stream was on InsightTimer, the app. And I, when I, I've had a meditation routine now for probably around, um, it's been about 16 years now that I've had a meditation routine, and it's been one of the biggest, the best commitments in my life. And also last year I saw so many people starting a meditation routine during, uh, the pandemic to help them cope.
35:20 – 40:20
Starting a meditation routine
1. JSJay Shetty
  Uh, tell us a bit about how you recommended to people how to start a meditation routine. And also, I guess the good thing is that your meditations on InsightTimer can be a part of people's routines as well. They can listen to them at the beginning of the day and the end of the day, whenever they need it. So-
2. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah
3. JSJay Shetty
  ... tell us a bit about how to start a routine.
4. GBGisele Bündchen
  For me personally, you know, like I said, like I like to do my routine early in the morning when I know I'm not gonna be interrupted, when everyone is at sleep, because I know for sure there's gonna be no dogs barking, no kids scream- you know, nothing is gonna take that s- that moment of silence because I think especially w- as you start silent, to be in a silent space, it's, it's, it, it's helpful, right? Than to be in a place where it's like trrrr.
5. JSJay Shetty
  [laughs]
6. GBGisele Bündchen
  Um, so, so, um, but, but, but I love the InsightTimer and even the different types of meditations I created, like for example Hope In Times Of Uncertainty you can listen to any time, but I did one that is reflections, like Before going to sleep, so it was more focusing on people that were having, they were tossing and turning in bed, and they were having a hard time sleeping. That was more focused for that. And, um, then I did a morning meditation, which was more about, you know, starting your day with a sense of like, "Let's go get it," right? This state of gratitude and presence. And so each of them had a different focus, but InsightTimer doesn't have just the meditations I created. The great thing about them, they have s- um, so many different types of meditations for people who enjoy having a, a guided meditation, which I do think is very helpful for someone who has-
7. JSJay Shetty
  I agree
8. GBGisele Bündchen
  ... the monkey mind. You know, I think when you are, you know, you know a lot about the monkey mind, too, right? It's like we, we all have it. So I think when, when you have the monkey mind all the time, and especially in the times, you know, we are overloaded with information and disinformation right now, I think it's hard to shed off the mind. So I would suggest finding a time during the day. I would suggest the same time every day, like everything in life, right? If you can create, like, a... I'm, I'm big on schedules because I feel like when I have-
9. JSJay Shetty
  Yeah [laughs]
10. GBGisele Bündchen
  ... a schedule, it's like, this is what's happening at this time, at this time, at this time. I feel like I can get a lot more in, and I feel like it gets organized. E- within the schedule, there is flexibility, but it's nice to kind of visualize and write it down and organize it, okay, at this time is the best time. Because then you also give yourself better chance of succeeding, right? Because you know, like for myself, I know that the best time for me would be early in the morning because that's, in my life, what works best. But I think every person, um, has a different lifestyle, so I think it's about really being honest with yourself, and when you are writing down your schedule of your day, to figure it out, what's the best time for you. And then I would suggest to do it at the same time every day. And I think, um, you know, if you can start with a guided meditation, and then once you feel very comfortable with that, um, you can, you know, like, I really enjoy just sounds of nature or, you know, just put a timer, uh, so you know that, you know, that for the next 10, 15, 20, 30 minutes, however much time you, you, you decide you're gonna do. And I don't think there's any right or wrong, you know, how much time you do it. I think the longer you do it, the more benefits you will feel, you know? But I think more important than the length is the consistency, I would say.
11. JSJay Shetty
  Yes, yes.
12. GBGisele Bündchen
  Be- because I say it's more about, it's like you brush your teeth every day, right? It doesn't work if you-
13. JSJay Shetty
  Yeah
14. GBGisele Bündchen
  ... brush your teeth 10 times tomorrow.
15. JSJay Shetty
  [laughs]
16. GBGisele Bündchen
  But if you didn't brush it for like 10 days, I mean, imagine the situation-
17. JSJay Shetty
  Yeah
18. GBGisele Bündchen
  ... of your teeth. So it's kinda like the same thing. It's like, it's like if you don't sleep every night, you don't get to recharge. And I think in the same way I see meditation, it's almost like the same benefits that sleep gives to your body, which is allowing it to rest, and your mind, and to recharge, meditation does for your brain, for your spirit. It allows it to like release all that chatter, and, and, and, and I think that's what, um, the be- you know, that's, it's as important as sleeping. It's as important as eating. I mean, to me it is, and I feel like when you find, you know, that's why I'm doing it for almost 20 years. And I think that, um, if people commit to it, they will pretty soon find out the same thing that you and I have found out about the power of meditation, you know?
19. JSJay Shetty
  I love that. That's such great advice. I, I love what you said about consistency, uh, versus the idea of length, the idea of doing it at the same time every day. And for anyone who's listening or watching and of course wants to go and listen to those meditations right now, you can go and download InsightTimer and, and, and take the experience for yourself. And I always say that to everyone, you have to experiment. You have to-
20. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah
21. JSJay Shetty
  ... try it out. Like, you won't know until you do it. And for people who've been meditating for many, many years, it's because someone made us try it and experiment with it, and that's why it's become a part of our lives. So Gisele, you've been so generous and kind with your time today. I'm so glad we got to steal you away from your family, and, and your children, and everyone else.
40:20 – 44:44
Gisele on Final Five
1. JSJay Shetty
  But we're gonna end with our Final Five, which is our rapid fire, fast five round.
2. GBGisele Bündchen
  Ooh, great.
3. JSJay Shetty
  So every question has to be answered in one word or one sentence maximum. That's it.
4. GBGisele Bündchen
  Okay, one word or one sentence.
5. JSJay Shetty
  Let's go.
6. GBGisele Bündchen
  Let me try that. [laughs] Okay.
7. JSJay Shetty
  Yes. All right. Are you ready, Gisele? This is your Final Five.
8. GBGisele Bündchen
  Let's go. Final Five.
9. JSJay Shetty
  [laughs] All right, okay. What is the best advice you've ever received?
10. GBGisele Bündchen
  Uh, don't take things personal.
11. JSJay Shetty
  Oh, that's really good. I like that.
12. GBGisele Bündchen
  Yeah.
13. JSJay Shetty
  Uh, what is the worst advice you've ever received?
14. GBGisele Bündchen
  Hmm. Oh my God.
15. JSJay Shetty
  [laughs]
16. GBGisele Bündchen
  Worst advice.
17. JSJay Shetty
  You, you blocked it out. You blocked it out.
18. GBGisele Bündchen
  I probably blocked it out.
19. JSJay Shetty
  [laughs]
20. GBGisele Bündchen
  I don't know what's the worst advice. I guess I didn't listen to it.
21. JSJay Shetty
  Yeah. [laughs]
22. GBGisele Bündchen
  I was like, "No, I'm not gonna listen. I'm not gonna remember. That's not worth it."
23. JSJay Shetty
  [laughs] I love it. Question number three, uh, what is your current purpose? How would you define your current purpose in life?
24. GBGisele Bündchen
  To be the best version of myself.
25. JSJay Shetty
  I love that. All right, question number four. What's something that you're trying to learn right now?
26. GBGisele Bündchen
  Everything. [laughs]
27. JSJay Shetty
  [laughs]
28. GBGisele Bündchen
  Whatever comes my way. No, I'm trying to learn how to, the most impactful and fastest way to regenerate our planet.
29. JSJay Shetty
  Yeah, I love seeing you share about that. I'm, I'm excited to see what you, what you uncover. Uh, fifth and final question, if you could create one law that everyone in the world had to follow, what would it be?
30. GBGisele Bündchen
  When you give is when you receive. I, I, I wanna say, like, how can I say this the best way? It's like when we can give from like this place of our open heart, right? I know it's one word, but it's hard to say that. It's, I guess in one word it's giving is really receiving, right? It's like I think the more, like the joy that comes from giving is the gift, right? Is the biggest gift. So when we can- That was not one word, but [laughs] it's like how do I put it in-