Behind the Lids: Creating a Healing Sanctuary Through the Power of Breath – An Interview with Mandy Adams

What if the thing that breaks you is actually the thing that saves you?

Most of us have faced a moment when everything we built suddenly fell apart, and we had no idea what would come next. In this conversation, Mandy Adams shares what happened when COVID overnight ended her advertising agency, and how three simple words from a friend–”trust the process“–became the foundation for an entirely new life. She talks openly about the fear, the sleepless nights, and the slow process of letting go, along with how that surrender led her to Behind the Lids Healing Collective in Costa Mesa, the studio she now owns and leads as a breathwork facilitator.

Whether you’re navigating your own season of loss or simply curious about the healing power of breath, this conversation offers a real and honest look at what it takes to rebuild a life around purpose instead of fear.

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How did your journey into spirituality begin? Did you grow up with a particular faith or spiritual background?

Mandy Adams: I did. I grew up in a Christian family, for the most part. As a child, though, it really wasn’t my mom who influenced me spiritually—it was my grandma. She was hardcore. We all grew up with the fear of hell and the love of Jesus. So while my household wasn’t especially religious, anytime we were with Grandma, we were definitely going to church, talking about the Bible, talking about Jesus, and all of that.

I actually loved it as a kid. I went to church camp and really enjoyed it. Later on, when I was older and my younger siblings came along, my parents became much more involved in church. I always joke that they were like, “Okay, we messed up on that one. Let’s make sure the next round of kids is in church early.” So my siblings grew up going to church regularly, while by that point I had become more rebellious whenever anyone tried to make me go.

Did spirituality continue to be part of your life as you got older, or did it take a back seat?

Mandy Adams: It was part of my life on and off—at least the Christianity part of it. I believed, but I wasn’t deeply involved. I wasn’t going to church regularly. I believed in God, but I wasn’t really practicing in any consistent way.

Then I discovered spirituality, which, for me, felt different from Christianity. It resonated much more with who I was. It felt like my speed, my vibe.

When did you first discover that new way of connecting with God?

Mandy Adams: I’d say it was about ten years ago. I started exploring different experiences after a friend introduced me to some really beautiful gatherings in Costa Mesa. We went to new moon ceremonies, full moon ceremonies, astrology workshops, and all kinds of events like that.

The more I experienced those spaces, the more drawn I became. I loved them.

What was it about that world that intrigued you?

Mandy Adams: It felt mystical. Magical. I became fascinated with ritual—creating altars, working with tarot cards and crystals, and all kinds of spiritual practices that simply felt good to me. It all felt deeply connecting.

I was drawn into that world pretty quickly because it felt natural. It was different from anything I’d experienced before, and it really resonated with me.

Behind the Lids has become such a big part of your story. How did you first discover it, and what was that experience like?

Mandy Adams: I had been seeing Behind the Lids on Instagram for quite a while. At the time, I was already going to another healing space and had developed my own spiritual practices. This was around 2018 or 2019, and every time I saw one of their posts, I’d think, I have to go there. I really want to check that place out.

But somehow I never made it before they closed their original location. I started seeing posts explaining that they were no longer in that space and were searching for a new studio. I don’t remember exactly why they had to leave, but I remember feeling disappointed that I’d missed my chance.

Then they kept posting updates saying, “We’ll be back soon. Hang tight—we’re looking for a new home.” Finally, they announced the new location, and I told myself, I’m not missing this.

Their grand reopening was in November 2019, right here where I am now. I came on opening day, and they held this beautiful ceremony with breathwork, a sound bath, and several other experiences. From the moment I walked through the door, I knew. I thought, Yes. This is it. This is my space. This is home.

It just felt magical. The people, the energy, the sense of community—it already felt like a family. I think many people had followed from the original location, and Corey, the original owner, was such an incredible community builder. People absolutely loved him. He had this gift for bringing people together.

I felt that magic immediately. From that very first day, I knew I had found a place where I belonged.

How does Behind the Lids differ from other wellness spaces?

Mandy Adams: Behind the Lids is a dedicated healing collective. We’re not a yoga studio or a Pilates studio, and we’re not a workout space. A lot of places are centered around fitness and then add things like sound baths or breathwork classes. Here, healing is the foundation of everything we do.

Our focus is on healing from the inside out—regulating the nervous system, working through trauma, creating more peace, balance, and connection in people’s lives. More than anything, though, Behind the Lids is about community. That’s what makes it so special. It’s about finding your tribe and gathering in a space that feels completely free of judgment, filled instead with love, healing, and genuine connection.

People feel it the moment they walk through the door. I experienced it here for the first time, and I see the same thing happen with new people all the time. There’s just something special about this place. It’s hard to put into words. The best way I can describe it is that it’s magical. It really is.

You discovered Behind the Lids at the end of 2019, and then COVID hit. What happened during that time?

Mandy Adams: Yes. So for that first year, I was here constantly. Every Monday, I’d come for breathwork and attend all kinds of classes. This truly became my place.

Then COVID happened, and everything shut down. Like everyone else, we tried to adapt. We offered online breathwork and sound baths—everyone was trying to figure out how to keep their businesses alive. That didn’t last very long, though.

Eventually, we opened the doors again. While so many places remained closed, we were back here doing breathwork and sound baths together. We were technically breaking the rules… and everyone survived.

At the time, you were still working in a completely different industry. What was your career before all of this?

Mandy Adams: Back then, I owned an advertising agency specializing in television and radio advertising. That had been my career my entire adult life. I started working in TV and radio advertising when I was twenty-four, first on the station side and later by launching my own agency in 2009.

It was a comfortable career. I knew it well, I enjoyed it, and I’d built a successful business around it.

Then COVID happened, and almost overnight my business disappeared. As businesses shut their doors, advertising budgets vanished. No one was going to spend money on television or radio commercials when everything was closed. It all happened so suddenly, and it was terrifying.

You had your own business, so when the income stopped coming in, what did that fear look like for you? How did Behind the Lids help you through that season?

Mandy Adams: The fear showed up everywhere. It became physical. I was in pain, I was spiraling, and I was operating entirely from fear. If you’ve ever lived in that space, you know how awful it feels.

I ended up with shingles. I couldn’t sleep. I’d wake up in the middle of the night with this overwhelming sense of dread and panic, not knowing what was going to happen. There was no income coming in anymore. I could see my savings disappearing, and I honestly thought I was going to lose my home. Every day felt consumed by fear as I kept asking myself, How am I going to keep this business alive?

Deep down, though, I already knew the truth. I could feel it in my body. That chapter of my life was over. I just wasn’t ready to accept it. I kept trying to hold on, believing somehow everything would go back to the way it was. But it wasn’t going to. It was over, and I couldn’t let it go.

One day, I was talking with Corey, who owned Behind the Lids at the time. I shared everything I was feeling—my panic, my fear, how overwhelmed I was. He asked me a simple question: “Do you trust the universe? Do you believe the universe has your back? Do you believe there’s a bigger plan, that you’re being guided and protected?”

I told him I did.

Then he said, “If you truly believe that, then you have to trust the process.”

Something clicked.

It sounds so simple now, but those words finally landed. From that moment, I was able to exhale. I could finally let go. I remember thinking, Okay. I’m going to trust the process.

That realization fit perfectly with everything I already believed—with the rituals I practiced, the manifesting, the magic I loved exploring. I realized I wasn’t actually allowing any of that into my life because I was still resisting what was happening. I was fighting reality instead of surrendering to it.

Once I let go, everything changed. I became open again. Instead of asking, How do I save what I have? I started asking, What new opportunity is trying to find me? What magic is waiting that I simply can’t see yet?

Before that, I had blinders on. My advertising business was all I knew. Once I released that attachment, I became open to possibility, curiosity, and excitement again.

That’s where the magic lives.

When you finally let go of the outcome you’re clinging to, that’s where life has room to surprise you.

I started asking myself what I genuinely wanted to do next. One thing that had always been a huge passion of mine was travel. I’d spent years exploring different parts of the world, so I thought, Maybe I’ll start a retreat business.

It sounded much easier than it actually was, but once I made the decision, everything began moving quickly. I built the business, organized my first retreat in Hawaii, and Corey partnered with me to make it happen. He had experience leading retreats, so he brought his wisdom while we invited people from Behind the Lids and beyond to join us.

It wasn’t easy to put together, but it was a beautiful experience.

During that retreat, Corey asked if I would be interested in buying Behind the Lids from him.

My answer was immediate: absolutely.

The funny thing is, I’d already been thinking about owning a healing studio. I didn’t think it was realistic because I didn’t have any money, but I had been imagining opening a sister location connected to Behind the Lids. I hadn’t even mentioned the idea to Corey yet. It was simply something I was quietly dreaming about.

Even without the resources, I started researching. I looked at commercial rents, explored different areas, imagined what a space might cost, and began designing it in my mind. I pictured what it would feel like, what it would look like, how I wanted people to experience it. I kept moving toward the vision even though I had no idea how it could happen.

So when Corey asked me during the retreat if I wanted to buy the studio, it felt like complete alignment.

The only problem was… I still didn’t have the money.

Then, not long afterward, that changed. I unexpectedly came into enough money to purchase the studio. I won’t go into all the details of how it happened, but everything fell into place. I had enough not only to buy Behind the Lids but also to completely redesign it and make it the space I had been envisioning.

It all worked out.

And yes—I still trust the process.

In fact, those words are hanging on the wall here in the studio with Corey’s name underneath them because they changed my life. That conversation completely shifted everything for me. I truly believe those words saved me. They pulled me out of that downward spiral of fear and reminded me that sometimes the greatest transformation begins the moment you’re finally willing to let go.

After taking over, you really brought your own magic to the space while honoring what was already there. What were some of the changes you made?

Mandy Adams: Honestly, I decorated the hell out of it.

At that point, that was my skill set. I wasn’t a facilitator yet—I was a participant. Suddenly, this beautiful healing space was mine, and I was asking myself, Okay… what do I actually do now? I loved being there, but I had no experience running a healing studio. My background was in advertising.

So I focused on what I knew how to do. I completely transformed the look of the space, and I still love how it turned out. It feels beautiful to me.

The wonderful thing was that I didn’t have to build everything from scratch. The facilitators were already here. The community already existed. The studio already had a heartbeat. The magic was there long before I took over, and that was such a gift.

I wasn’t starting from zero, wondering how I would create something meaningful. There was already an incredible foundation, already a devoted community, already amazing facilitators holding powerful experiences. The space may not have looked the way I envisioned it, but that didn’t matter—it was already magical.

I simply added my own layer by creating an environment that reflected the beauty of what was already happening inside.

It wasn’t until a couple of years later that I began facilitating classes myself.

Breathwork has become a huge part of what you do. Many people have heard of sound baths, but breathwork is still new for a lot of people. If someone walks into one of your classes for the first time, what is breathwork, and what can they expect?

Mandy Adams: I don’t even know if we have enough time for me to talk about breathwork—I get so excited about it. It’s such an incredibly powerful practice.

There are many different styles of breathwork. Some are restorative, while others are activating, and each serves a different purpose depending on what someone needs. Here at Behind the Lids, we practice activating breathwork. That’s what I facilitate, and it’s what the other facilitators here teach as well.

We use what’s called conscious connected breathing. It’s a powerful way to regulate the nervous system, cultivate peace, and support healing on many different levels. Breathwork can meet people wherever they are, which is why so many different reasons bring people into the room.

Before we begin, we sit together in a circle, and everyone shares what brought them to breathwork that day. Every person has their own story.

What kinds of things do people typically share?

Mandy Adams: There are so many different reasons people come.

Some are looking to regulate their nervous system. Others are working through stored trauma. Many are simply searching for peace. Anxiety is a big one—breathwork is an incredible tool for people who struggle with anxiety.

Sometimes people come in and say, “I just need a good night’s sleep.” Breathwork can help with that, too. It has a way of resetting the body and mind. It’s deeply healing and works on so many different levels.

A lot of what I hear is very practical. People are navigating a breakup, struggling in their marriage, dealing with work stress, parenting challenges, or they’ve lost a job. Sometimes they’re also working with a therapist who’s recommended breathwork to help process childhood wounds or trauma. So people arrive carrying all kinds of life experiences. What actually happens once the class begins?

Mandy Adams: Everyone starts by setting an intention. We talk about what brought them to breathwork or what they hope to receive from the session. Maybe they’re seeking clarity, peace, emotional healing, or physical healing. Everyone has an opportunity to share whatever feels present for them.

People also pull an oracle card, light a candle, and we spend a little time connecting before we begin. Then I explain what breathwork is, what people can expect to experience physically and emotionally, how the breathing pattern works, and what the class’s overall flow will be like. I demonstrate the breath so everyone feels comfortable before we start.

Then we all lie down and begin with a few slow, cleansing breaths together, allowing ourselves to settle into the space and relax. From there, we move into the three-part breath that I guide. The music gradually builds, everyone finds their own rhythm, and after a few minutes—especially for someone new—the breath begins to flow naturally.

That’s when the magic starts to happen.

As people continue breathing, emotions often begin to surface. Some people cry. Some laugh. Some scream. Every experience is different, but it’s very common for something to move through the body.

Sometimes people find themselves crying without knowing why. Tears are flowing, yet they don’t necessarily feel sad. Other times, they know exactly what they’re releasing. They know what they’re grieving, processing, or finally letting go of. Others may spend the session laughing. Every experience is unique.

Even for the same person, no two sessions are alike. You might come tonight and have one experience, then come back tomorrow and have a completely different one.

That’s why breathwork is really about learning to trust your body—and, once again, trusting the process. Your body knows what needs to heal, what needs to move, and what needs to be released. The more you’re willing to surrender, let go, and lean into whatever arises, the deeper the experience becomes, and the more healing can take place.

For me, breathwork was something I experienced before I ever came to Behind the Lids. It was at another studio, and it was probably a little more intense than what you offer here. But I remember thinking, Wow, this is powerful. Then Mandy and I met at a sound bath, and eventually she invited me to Behind the Lids.

I walked through the door and immediately felt this angelic presence around Mandy. I thought, Wow… this woman is amazing. She completely took my breath away.

We can save our story for another time because that’s its own magical journey. But breathwork has been absolutely transformational for me as well. I’ve since become a certified breathwork facilitator; I’ve led countless classes, and I love both guiding the experience and participating in it. In fact, tonight we’ll be at the studio for one of your signature monthly events that’s really become one of the things Behind the Lids is best known for. Tell everyone about that, especially if they are in Southern California.

Mandy Adams: We offer a variety of monthly events and classes, but tonight we’re doing The Power of Three, which has definitely become one of our signature experiences.

It’s called The Power of Three because it brings together three different modalities in one evening. We begin with a cacao ceremony, move into a breathwork session, and finish with a sound bath. Together, they create such a beautiful and powerful experience.

It’s definitely one of our community favorites. People really love this ceremony, and we offer it every month.

For people who fall in love with breathwork and want to become facilitators themselves—whether they’re yoga teachers, therapists, Reiki practitioners, or simply passionate about this work—you also offer facilitator training. Tell us a little about that.

Mandy Adams: We do. We offer a Breathwork Certification Program for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of breathwork or learn how to guide others.

Many of our students already work in healing professions—yoga teachers, Reiki practitioners, therapists—but we also have people who simply fell in love with breathwork and wanted to learn more. They want to understand why it works, what’s happening in the body, and how to safely facilitate the experience for others.

The training takes place over two weekends, for a total of six days.

We cover the science behind breathwork, what actually happens in the body, why it’s such a powerful healing tool, and how to facilitate both group and one-on-one sessions. Students also learn the differences between restorative and activating breathwork and when each approach is appropriate.

One of the most important parts of the training is learning to facilitate through a trauma-informed lens. Breathwork can bring up profound emotional releases, so it’s essential to know how to hold space and support people through those experiences safely.

What I love most is that this training is completely in person. It’s hands-on. You’re not simply watching videos online and absorbing information. You’re practicing together, facilitating one another, receiving feedback, and gaining real experience.

I think that’s something very special—and increasingly hard to find.

The next certification begins this fall, correct?

Mandy Adams: Yes. The next Breathwork Certification will be held over the last weekend of September and the first weekend of October.

You can learn more by visiting BehindTheLids.com and clicking on the Certifications section, or by going directly to the Breathwork Certification page.

Behind the Lids has also become closely connected with Awakened Magazine and the Awakened Lifestyle Expo. This year, you’re once again sponsoring the Behind the Lids Lawn, where attendees can experience some of your signature offerings throughout the weekend.

Mandy Adams: Yes! We’re really excited about that.

We’ll be bringing several Behind the Lids experiences to the Expo, including breathwork, sound baths, and somatic dance. It’s a wonderful opportunity for people to get a taste of what we do here at the studio.

I’ll be leading a Somatic Activation Breathwork session outdoors on the lawn. We’ll be practicing the three-part breath together while lying on our mats, feeling the breeze, and connecting with nature. It’s going to be a beautiful experience.

It’s such a great introduction to Behind the Lids because people get to experience the heart of your community before ever walking through your doors.

Mandy Adams: Exactly. That’s what I hope people take away. By joining us on the lawn, they’re really experiencing what Behind the Lids is all about.

For anyone who wants to learn more, book a class, or follow along online, where can they find you?

Mandy Adams: The best place to start is BehindTheLids.com.

You can also find us on Instagram, where we post upcoming classes and events. Our website has the complete schedule, including all of our weekly classes, weekend workshops, training sessions, and special events.

We have regular classes Monday through Thursday, with weekends dedicated to special events and certification programs, so there’s always something happening.

One last question—I can’t believe I almost forgot to ask. Where did the name “Behind the Lids” come from?

Mandy Adams: Corey, the original owner, came up with the name.

It’s referring to the space you enter behind your eyelids during meditation.

I’ve always loved that. It’s such a beautiful name.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and your heart with us today.

Mandy Adams: Thank you.

I’m so happy we finally got to do this together. I hear you interviewing people all the time, and now I finally got to experience it myself. It really was an honor.

Before we wrap up, I want to say something to you personally.

Over the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of watching you pour your heart into Behind the Lids. I’ve seen you grow from someone who was genuinely terrified at the thought of facilitating a class into a powerful, confident, and deeply gifted guide.

People absolutely love what you create.

You’re incredibly skilled—not only at designing a beautiful physical space, but at creating a spiritual container where people feel safe enough to breathe, heal, and transform. That’s a rare gift.

I’m also grateful for your wisdom. I’m constantly asking you for your perspective, and so often I’ll present you with two ideas, only for you to say, “I don’t really like either one… here’s another option.” Somehow, it’s always the one I never would have thought of.

I’m so thankful to be on this journey with you.

I love you.

Mandy Adams: I love you too, David.

Thank you for everything you’ve brought to Behind the Lids. You’ve helped make this place better in so many ways. You’re incredibly organized, incredibly skilled, and you’ve contributed so much to this community.

We truly wouldn’t be where we are today without you.

If you’re planning to attend the Awakened Lifestyle Expo, be sure to stop by the Behind the Lids Lawn, where you’ll find breathwork, sound baths, somatic movement, and other healing experiences throughout the weekend. We’d love to see you there.