Christoph Glaser

How old would you like to become? In a well-known 2016 survey, participants were asked to choose their preferred lifespan: 85, 120, 150 years, or “forever.” Surprisingly, the majority selected 85. From years of working with clients, we find a similar pattern: younger professionals often tell us they wouldn’t want to live beyond 70. Why? It is not age itself that worries people. It is the prospect of physical decline, cognitive deterioration, and years defined more by suffering than by living.

Every air traveler has heard the flight attendant’s instruction: “Put your oxygen mask on first before helping others.” It’s a survival principle, yet leaders often do the opposite – they sacrifice their well-being in the pursuit of results. What if prioritizing self-awareness, breath control, and resilience wasn’t a luxury but a competitive advantage?

The breath is both a physiological constant and a psychological lever. When used correctly, it can shift how we lead, decide, and relate. Christoph Glaser At first glance, the idea of solving leadership stress with little more than breath might sound soft – even simplistic. But Christoph Glaser, CEO of the TLEX Institute and a long-time advocate of breath-based mindfulness, has made a career of showing the world’s most overextended executives that simplicity is precisely the point.