Meet Mandi Bom | bodyworker / energyworker

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

Hi mandi, how do you think about risk?
Risk-taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?

This definition resonates with me:
the exquisite risk – being willing to leap into the unknown to sacrifice ‘gravity’ and ‘control’; giving full presence to the/your/a path;
“I meet this life with my whole body” (Tara Brach, PhD.)

Risk-taking in life___

Had I been asked if I was a risk-taker in my 20s through mid-30s, the response would have been a resounding “HELL YES”. During those Philly years I could be found engaged in anything from bike messenger work, cruising to multiple punk shows in a given night, hitchhiking in the Amazon jungle, or competing in the ring in Muay Thai. From the outside, these years ‘presented’ as my ‘salad days!’, or ‘best years of my life’, etc. However, they were often interlaced with feelings of fragmentation due to burnout, living in hyper-vigilance, persistent dehumanization, and struggling with my mental health (namely anxiety and apathy). Of course, many days were great though the tough outweighed them significantly, and still, I seemed to choose an almost ‘unhealthy’ or ill-informed level of risk-taking for over a decade.

Through the support of a wise sage-like therapist in the PNW, I received clarity regarding my “higher purpose” during my mid-30s. These sessions ran parallel to my studies in bodywork. Both became catalysts that drastically changed my relationship to risk-taking. Reflected also in my meditation practice, I became increasingly interested in centering themes of death, grief, and loss. This is not intended to sound morbid, rather, that I discovered by studying impermanence directly (via visiting cadaver labs, studying anatomy and physiology, and practicing Buddhist death contemplation + consuming Death & Dying literature) I soon regarded the world in an entirely new way. It was as though, through years of despair, this period of study and practice granted me fresh eyes and an enlivened excitement for each new day. Tapping into a deep gratitude practice for the life I had before me now allowed me to be more open and curious than I had ever been. I started to reestablish a nourishing relationship with the Earth and saw all of Her beings as precious, ‘god-bodies’, and each unique in expression.

Nearly 6 years later, I was afforded the unique opportunity to join a retreat at a Thai forest monastery. There, the monastics modeled to our sangha (Buddhist community) their way of being and taught us lessons each day, wherein we followed a strict schedule, diet, and sitting and walking meditation practice. The first lessons the monks raised were regarding the importance of the regular contemplation of death as a means to cultivate a sense of gratitude for all life. I can not express how crucial “dying in life” was for me to establish an entirely new lens through which to view the world. Ultimately this made me more susceptible to ‘listening’ when the universe would present me with the ‘next thread’ to follow. Instead of forcing, I have learned to sit back and allow the path to reveal itself (which is not always simple).

Risk-taking in career____

In our Western capitalist society, being a cog in the labor force and following the norms associated with ‘work’ is a given. Unfortunately, it is all too often that people overly identify with their jobs & roles due to this economic model resulting in (countless negative outcomes) namely & relevant to this topic, a strong association with productivity and self-worth. I’m not simply spewing this ‘idea’ – this was central to the theme of my graduate thesis (ask me for sources :)). Collectively, we often seem to forget that we are divine beings just as we are now – without having to ‘be’ or ‘do’ or ‘model’ certain skills, roles, or clock a particular number of hours on the job each week. We are alive! And if we have our health — we are doing pretty damn well. Notice where gratitude for life folds into the equation below…

I first found myself ‘trapped’ as a graphic designer working a 9-5 after college in Philadelphia. This role was applauded by my family. I “finally” had benefits and a salary. In my heart, however, I felt crushed by the soul-less workflow and constant interface with screens. I first tasted a bit of ‘freedom’ when I quit this job due to a recurring case of shingles (imagine chicken pox but 10 times worse). My body broke out every time I attempted to return to this job for 6 months straight. The physical manifestation of my inner suffering was just the permission I needed to ‘justify’ my decision to leave. And I never looked back. It was a risk that ultimately felt empowering. I went on to work part-time gigs to allow me flexibility over my schedule and my life. I worked as a bike messenger and part-time art teacher. This ability to experience various settings and be stimulated both physically and intellectually showed me a doorway to possibility. I knew then that I could never go back to a desk job or a 9-5. (I applaud those who can do it – it’s simply not for me). Parting ways with that job was a risk that led me down a path to create the life I would dream of. It taught me how to establish boundaries around a work/life balance that felt critical.

Years later in LA when I had the vision to create a healing arts center for my bodywork practice, I fantasized about uniting a group of like-minded practitioners within a communal space where each would offer their modalities and share. I recognized the importance of starting ‘small’ and working towards this dream which is what inspired me to create a sort of business plan. First I mapped out a timeline of how long I would ‘work for others’, how long I would sublet an office and for how many days, and when would I plan to branch out alone, etc. There was little research involved – I simply crafted this based on what ‘felt right’. When the moment (presenting me with immense risk/opportunity) arrived six months ago, I was forced to decide to either find yet another place to sublet part-time for my work or to dive in fully and rent a space full-time. Without considering the negative long-term possibilities such as, ‘What if this doesn’t work out’, ‘What if I fail’, and ‘Can I afford it’ – I immediately knew what to do. I noticed my body responding first and it was a full-on YES. The excitement pulsing in my veins, aliveness pumping in my chest, and giddy-like anticipation smeared across my face as a smile told me to go for it. Most importantly, I sensed immense gratitude to be in a position where I could financially take a leap of faith (kind of ) and trust the universe. When else would be the time other than now? This is it!

Shortly after signing a full-time lease, I left each of my ‘side hustles’ behind and committed my time to ‘creating my business’ (which doesn’t feel like the right word for me which is why I often use ‘practice’). I stand by this decision as being one of the best I’ve made to date. Being able to have creative freedom, integrity, and strong ethics in my practice is part of what makes me feel empowered each day I arrive at Body Drift Healing Arts. I have a deep desire to serve and support my clients to the utmost of my ability. In turn, they hold me accountable to my self-work (always in progress) and I am in an endless state of learning and unlearning.

The snake that can not shed its skin, perishes – Nietzsche

Whether you/I believe in multiple lives or this sole chance, we are presented with the extraordinary opportunity to experience as much as possible without knowing when the ride will end. When I contemplate risk-taking in this moment, I recognize the greatest moments of growth, transformation, increased self-awareness, and empowerment have been through taking risks regardless of victory or triumph. Finally, here are just two ways we may consider examining ‘risks’ as they arrive.

In my favorite oracle deck “The Tantrik Dakini” deck, there is a card called, “Threefold Riddle” with three hooded figures depicted marching in a row. They serve to remind us to look at each of our options when making a decision – to note the ‘good’, ‘the bad’, and to also look beneath the veil- or to not allow the ego to avoid that which you *don’t want to necessarily see*. In addition, this card reminds us to view the risk/opportunity (same same) from three points of view before making an ‘informed’ decision. The rule of three is a storytelling principle that suggests people better understand concepts, situations, and ideas in groups of three. Evaluating risk using the rule of 3 might be a great analytical and practical tool.
If intuition speaks more clearly through you, you may simply allow yourself to notice how your body responds to spontaneity, chance, and questions re: risk. Hold a hand on your heart and one on your belly. Call the question/risk to mind. Attune to the answer that already resides within you. Trust that you already know the answer.

Related Reading:
“Shaking the Habitual” a manifesto by the band The Knife
The Land of Open Graves – Jason DeLeon
A Year to Live – Stephen Levine
Being Mortal – Atul Gawande
“Necropolitics” an essay by Achille Mbembe
The Tibetan Book of the Dead

How has risk-taking affected your practice? Your life’s work? Your heart? I’d love to hear from you too!

Thank you for reading and be sure to visit me @thebody_drift or bodydrifthealingarts.org

What should our readers know about your business?
Body Drift is not just ‘another place for a massage’. We are a healing arts practice steeped in cross-cultural healing methods and social justice values to support collective liberation. Body Drift Healing Arts is trauma-aware, and consent-based and has nurtured a space where healing justice is possible.

Body Drift is rooted in Thai medicine theory, the meditative spirit of Thai bodywork (Buddhist METTA practice), and Italian witchcraft for energetic protection and cleansing.

Body Drift Healing Arts specializes in pain management and spiritual reconnection. Body Drift welcomes the WHOLE being and therefore distinguishes its approach to energywork as a holistic one. We manage our darkness so that we may find gratitude in our experience of the light.

Body Drift was a vision created by a queer once-was Philly punk painter. Our playlists, modalities, and aesthetics will not be matched as we embrace our unique expression which is reflected within the space aesthetically as well as in our approach to the body and accessible / DIY self-care.

We welcome you as you are now.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Philosophical Research Society, Descanso’s Garden, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Millard Canyon, Naughty Vegan, Biking around the Rose Bowl, Self-Realization Center/ Hiking in Mount Washington, Joy on York, The Last Drop, Lost Books, the list goes on and on.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My grandparents have been my number one fans since I was just a wee one and without them, I would have been a lost cause. They demonstrated to me the only healthy relationship I knew as a child and the importance of JOY and creative expression. It would not be possible to be sitting where I am at this moment had I not been offered the opportunities to teach and later to train in muay thai. Working with children taught me everything (the seemingly little) I know about non-attached love, communication, patience, and compassion.

Muay thai is a sport that not only saved me from self-sabotage and self-destruction, it taught me countless lessons. Of these gifts, Muay Thai directly guided me to begin a meditation practice (and study Buddhism) which has been critical to my sobriety and ongoing healing. There are numerous coaches and seemingly countless teammates who have stood alongside me over the past (nearing) 10 years (of sobriety and muay thai practice) as I *struggle* to learn to be a better version of myself.

My therapist and teachers in massage school in Eugene, OR also had a profound lasting impact on me and challenged me to become vulnerable in ways I had not known previously. I attribute my practice to their steadfast guidance and ever-present wisdom. In addition, I consider the following my intellectual and wise spiritual teachers (in various ways) — including but not limited to Mumia Abu-Jamal, Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, Octavia Butler, Roshi Joan Halifax, Lama Rod Owens, David Graeber, Angel Kyodo Williams, Noah Levine (my meditation teacher I am so grateful for), Josh Korda (another meditation teacher of mine, admire him so much), Ram Dass, Alan Watts, Frank Ostaseski, Ajah Chah, and Ajahn Sumedho. Certainly, I’m missing some but these have been on the main rotation for years!

THANK YOU!! I LOVE YOU!!
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Website: https://bodydrifthealingarts.org

Instagram: @thebody_drift

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