With a wealth of experience in high-pressure, life-or-death situations, Ross’s journey into breathwork has not only been a path of personal healing but also one of deep purpose, helping others find peace and resilience through the power of their breath.
In this Q&A, Ross shares his journey into breathwork, the profound impact it’s had on his life and the lives of his clients, and how mindfulness practices like breathwork can be used to navigate even the most overwhelming situations we may find ourselves in.
Ross, tell us about your journey to breathwork practice.
I worked in the ambulance service for 25 years, and in that time, I was exposed to a lot of trauma. I suffered from PTSD and was constantly searching for ways to manage the stress. I was already into swimming and cold water swimming, but I needed something that could be done in the moment, something that didn’t require me to get into a pool or find a specific location. There’s a lot of time spent traveling between jobs as an ambulance worker, sometimes up to an hour, and during that time you’re constantly thinking. You’re getting radio updates, and you can hear people screaming in the background, so there’s a lot going on in your mind.
My introduction to breathwork came from speaking to Dean Gladstone from Bondi Rescue. He shared his experience with breathwork, and from there, I was introduced to Patrick McKeown’s breathing course. Patrick’s approach, with its scientific grounding and focus on nasal breathing, resonated with me deeply. I took the course, and the benefits of breathwork were so clear to me that I wanted to share this practice with others.
As an Intensive Care HEMS Flight Paramedic, you would have faced highly stressful situations. How did you incorporate breathwork during a shift or after a shift?
The beauty of breathwork is that it’s something you can practice anywhere. During a shift, I would incorporate nasal breathing, which helps regulate the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing me to stay calm, especially in high-stress situations. When you're working in emergency medicine, you're often performing complex procedures under immense pressure. Being able to stay grounded and calm is crucial, and nasal breathing helps me do that by balancing the body’s stress response.
After a shift, breathwork helped me decompress and come back into my body. I could let go of the tension accumulated throughout the day. And yes, I find it incredibly beneficial to share my experiences with others when I talk about breathwork. People often connect with the idea that this is something you can do in the moment—whether you’re in an emergency situation or simply dealing with a challenging day.
What are your top tips to calm the mind and body in overwhelming situations?
First and foremost, breathwork is key. Practice it every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. One simple tip is to focus on breathing through your nose and keeping your mouth closed. This helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing you into a calm state.
Another helpful technique is reminding yourself of one of my favorite quotes from Jerry Seinfeld: “All things will pass, good or bad.” It’s a great reminder that, no matter what’s happening in the moment, everything is temporary.
I’m also a big believer in the power of manifestation. I use the 3-6-9 method, where I write down my desired manifestation three times in the morning, six times during the day, and nine times in the evening. This practice helps focus the mind and bring clarity to what you want to attract in your life. It’s a process of aligning your consciousness with your subconscious, which ultimately shapes your reality.
Who did you train with and why did you choose this person and method?
I trained with Patrick McKeown, an Irish breathwork coach whose approach to breathing really spoke to me. His teachings are rooted in science, especially when it comes to the benefits of nasal breathing. By breathing through the nose, you increase oxygen intake, stimulate the production of nitric oxide, and improve blood flow throughout the body. This helps the body shift into a “rest and digest” state, which is crucial for healing and stress management.
The scientific reasoning behind his method really resonated with me. It wasn’t just about breathing; it was about understanding the physiology and the real-world benefits it could bring, whether it’s improving sleep, managing stress, or boosting athletic performance.
What are the biggest benefits you’ve seen in yourself and your clients since incorporating regular breathwork practices?
Personally, breathwork has had a massive impact on my life. I sleep better, cope with stress and anxiety more effectively, and have seen improvements in my fitness levels. My clients have also experienced similar benefits. Many report better sleep, increased energy levels, and an improved ability to manage stress. It’s incredible how something as simple as breathing can transform your mental and physical wellbeing.
Why do you think mindfulness practices, such as breathwork, have become so popular in recent years?
We live in a society that is constantly overloaded with stimuli, whether it’s social media, work stress, or just the fast pace of modern life. Breathwork offers people a way to reconnect with themselves, regulate their nervous systems, and step away from the chaos. It’s almost like the next stage of evolution: after all the noise, we’re being drawn back to basic, natural practices that help us reset. Breathwork is a powerful tool for creating that pause in the middle of the noise.
What inspires your breathwork journey?
My journey is driven by the desire to share the tools and knowledge that helped me transform my own life. Breathwork truly changed my life, and I feel a deep calling to share it with as many people as possible. When you experience something that makes you feel this good, you can’t help but want others to experience it too.
In your opinion, what are the key steps to achieving and sustaining a state of mindfulness?
Persistence is key. It’s like anything worthwhile, if you don’t stick with it, you won’t see results. But it’s also important that you enjoy the practice. If something challenges you, it can be easy to give up. So, find a mindfulness practice that resonates with you. Whether it’s breathwork, meditation, or yoga, you need to enjoy it to sustain it long-term.
Why do you think breathwork, cold therapy, and Sunlighten Infrared Saunas work so well together?
These practices complement each other beautifully. Breathwork helps regulate the nervous system, and cold therapy and infrared saunas support the body in similar ways—by promoting circulation, increasing blood flow, and aiding in recovery. The combination of these practices can enhance relaxation, support detoxification, and help the body heal. The best part is that they can be done together to maximise the benefits, such as practicing breathwork during an infrared sauna/AirPod session to deepen relaxation.
What’s inspiring you at the moment? What are you reading/watching/listening to?
I’m a big fan of audiobooks, and right now, I’m listening to The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale, as well as Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life by Bob Proctor. Both books focus on the idea that what you think, you become. This idea of aligning your thoughts with your goals and the energy you want to attract is something that’s always resonated with me, especially in the context of breathwork and mindfulness.
You speak to some inspiring people on your podcast The Bare Facts, what’s one of your favourite conversations you’ve had recently and why?
One of my favorite recent conversations on The Bare Facts was with the late Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, a marine biologist whose work has had a profound impact on how we understand the connection between nature and mental well-being. You can watch the full interview here.
Dr. Nichols is best known for his concept of Blue Mind—the state of calm and clarity we experience when we're near water.
Finally, give us a rundown of what your daily wellness routine looks like.
My mornings start with a cold shower, followed by journaling to set the tone for the day. I train at SCTY Training gym every morning—weights and cardio to get my body moving. I also make time for a swim in the bay at Elwood Beach, no wetsuit! I practice intermittent fasting (16:8), where I don’t eat between 8pm. and midday. Before bed, I take an ice bath to help my body recover and prepare for a restful sleep. Throughout the day, I incorporate breathwork to stay grounded and focused.
Ross Pollard’s story is a testament to the transformative power of breathwork and mindfulness practices. From his high-pressure career as an Intensive Care HEMS Flight Paramedic to his current role as a breathwork facilitator, Ross has witnessed firsthand the benefits of conscious breathing and stress management techniques. By sharing his knowledge with others, he’s helping people everywhere regain control of their health, well-being, and inner peace.
Whether it’s through breathwork, infrared saunas, AirPod mHBOT sessions, cold therapy, or simply taking time to breathe, Ross’s journey reminds us all that we have the power to shape our own well-being - one breath at a time.
To learn more about Ross and his work, you can follow him on his podcast, The Bare Facts. Ross has also contributed to a chapter in the newly released book North Star Habits: Stories of Finding Your Way Home, which launched on November 1st. It's a powerful collection of stories and insights on finding direction, purpose, and your inner compass in times of uncertainty.
Interested in learning the art of breathwork for yourself or through your workplace? You can contact Ross for more information on below:
- www.breathworksolutions.com.au
- @breathwork_solutions
P: 0408 050 389 E: thebarefactspodcast@gmail.com
