Meet Eldar Karmiev | Wellness Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eldar Karmiev and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eldar, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am from a small Central-Asian country called Kyrgyzstan and I was born in the capital city of Bishkek. My father is Kyrgyz and my mother is Russian. Growing up in Kyrgyzstan has taught me many valuable lessons, many of which I still apply to this day. Even though it was rough at times, I’m very grateful to have been born in a third world country. It is a different experience compared to growing up here in the United States, especially due to the technological advancement of the western world. We didn’t have much but it taught us to value what we did have. Outside of basic needs like food, clothes and shelter; foundational values in family oriented culture, morals/principles, dignity and respect. My family migrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2006 and that was definitely a shocking experience for me at the age of 10. I did not speak English; which led people to try and bully me but fortunately, Kyrgyzstan and my dad (being ex-military) — taught me how to stand up for myself. Violence was nothing new especially in my household. Having a rougher dynamic growing up, both in and out of the home— taught me to cultivate independence at a very young age. In that independence, I spent a lot of time outside due to the chaos of the household. In a chase to fill a void, I found addiction. Addiction led to destruction and not only to myself but to those who were closest to me. About five years later, after multiple rehabs, I found myself lost and completely broken in a sober living home in Los Angeles, California. I was a client at Overland IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program), where I received genuine love and was caught in the point of my recovery where I was in complete defeat. Beaten by life into surrender and desperation. Oh the beauty of desperation though, where I was willing to do whatever it takes as long as I didn’t have to go back to where I just came from. After all, it seemed like the only way I learned after multiple overdoses and life threatening events. At this facility, I was able to rediscover myself through forms of therapy, counseling, yoga, breathwork, meditation, health, wellness, and most importantly— a reintroduction into mixed martial arts by one of the closest people in my life, Chase “And Cooper” Gibson. Chase is a professional mixed martial artist, owner and founder of Fighting Chance, who carries a heavy and touching story of his own. He is a humble man of God who has been sober from all mood and mind altering substances for over 10 years now. Not long after my completion of the program, I began working in treatment and joined Chase in Fighting Chance Recovery to bring fitness and martial arts to rehabilitation center all over the Los Angeles County. This is where I began to feel like I had finally discovered my purpose. Working with like minded individuals, coming together with people from different parts of the world, with different backgrounds; all searching to find their purpose and meaning in life. All of this has pivoted my perspective in life and opened my eyes to the fact that hurt people hurt people.. So maybe healed people heal others? Even though we are never truly “healed”, there are patterns and that’s how pain patterns get passed on, generation after generation after generation. We ARE able to change, so break the chain today; stop the generational trauma and break free from the generational curses! We can meet anger with sympathy, contempt with compassion, cruelty with kindness. Find a proper balance in life and live a full-filled life with abundance in health and wellness.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what sets me apart from others and something that I’m most proud of, is that I am a part of those whom I work with. They are just like me, drug addicts, alcoholics, criminals, mentally ill, disabled individuals, the “shunned” ones of the world. It hasn’t been an easy journey but we are here; alive, well, and thriving as living proof that it is possible. I want the world to know that if I can do it, you can do it too because I am no better nor worse than anyone of you. There is nothing more exciting to me than meeting and coaching others like myself, who were spiritually, emotionally and physically bankrupt; coming out the other end blossoming into the individual they were always meant to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a very simple man nowadays, I like cooking and grilling at home. I am a person who feels one, with nature. Definitely taking advantage of California and going by the PCH, maybe a hike, a walk or a bike ride. Maybe surfing and enjoying the sun in the same day; and then going up into the mountains to snowboard or simply just enjoy the fresh air in peace and quiet away from the city life. I do enjoy Koreatown for all of their restaurants and deserts places. Pho, ramen, Korean BBQ, etc. If I was to suggest one place to check out, it would definitely be Eight Korean and make sure to go on the “all you can eat” days!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a big shoutout to my friends and family, who never lost hope in me. Overland IOP, for being my last stop in treatment centers as a client. Fighting Chance, for the opportunities, friendships, skills I’ve acquired, and most importantly the love I’ve received. Chad George and the whole team at California Mixed Martial Arts. Shefayoga and all of the teacher there. Wim Hof. for the cold therapy and breathwork. Ben Greenfield, for the bio-hacks and knowledge- check out his book Boundless! Last but not least, from the well known quote “beside every great man is a great woman”, my partner Venus Cristal.

Instagram: @TheEldarberry

Facebook: Eldar Karmiev