Venture Meditation Group: Peak Performance Coaching

Discovering Presence and Resilience in Startup Leadership

What happens when founders and investors pause to reset before diving into the chaos? At the latest Venture Mediation Group by Angel Club, hosted by Angel Gambino and led by Tarin Calmeyer, the community gathered for a guided, practical session that focused not just on business and portfolio growth, but on cultivating conscious leadership under pressure.

Setting the Intention: Generosity, Awareness, Presence

Angel Gambino opened the session by inviting everyone to declare their intention for the session. For Angel, it was about “abundant generosity”—giving without expecting anything in return and showing up for each other as leaders and as people. Jon-David Hague, Mentor Relations Lead at Angel Club, set his intention on creating space for new learning, emphasizing openness as a first-time founder. Tarin Calmeyer’s intention was simple but powerful: presence. “Sometimes we have a plan, but real progress comes when we respond to what is actually happening and become available for presence.”

Attendees were encouraged to set their own intentions, either in the chat or silently, reinforcing that there is no pressure—just an invitation to be part of the space.

Grounding into the Body: Breath and Awareness Practices

Tarin guided the group into breathwork, starting with a mindful pause. She invited everyone to notice their breath, scan the body for tension, and practice box breathing—a simple technique of inhaling for four counts, holding, exhaling for four, and holding again. 

“If your mind wanders, let your thoughts float by like clouds,” she said.

The focus was on calming the nervous system—a necessary reset, especially in times of financial uncertainty and decision-making. Tarin encouraged participants to breathe deeply into the belly and to move gently, connecting physical awareness to emotional regulation.

Unpacking Financial Stress: Prompts and Reflection

The session connected financial stress not just to numbers, but to how it is experienced in the body: “tight chest, tense jaw, racing thoughts.” Tarin offered journaling prompts:

• What stories do you carry about money?

• Where do you feel financial uncertainty in your body?

• How do you usually respond under financial stress?

• When you feel financially empowered, what’s different in your body and mind?

Participants reflected on their patterns—avoidance, tension, the desire for safety—and shared experiences in the chat, building community around vulnerability as much as strategy.

Guided Meditation: Establishing Safety and Resilience

Tarin then led a meditation to foster a felt sense of safety—especially in uncertain times. “Building resilience isn’t about pretending everything is okay. It’s about remembering that you’re okay in the moment.” The repeated anchor was: “Even in uncertainty, I am safe. I am capable. I am resourced.”

Participants focused on areas of tension, sending breath and awareness to those places. Gentle movement followed: wrists, neck, shoulders, and a standing “power pose” to reinforce confidence and capability.

"I know how to return to my center. I lead myself well, even through pressure."

Community Reflections and One-Word Takeaways

At the close, everyone was asked to share in the chat one word they would take away from the session. Responses ranged from “foundation” and “calm” to “energy,” “gift,” and “enthusiasm.” Angel, Tarin, and the community echoed gratitude for a space that makes nervous system health and self-awareness as important as fundraising or product strategy.

Carrying Mindfulness Forward

Tarin reminded everyone: “You always have the ability and power to return to your inner world. Those external pressures don’t compare to what you hold inside.” She invited founders to reach out if they wanted mindfulness and wellness practices brought to their teams. Angel closed by encouraging attendees to share the experience and keep supporting one another: “How you feel while building matters.”

Summary:

• Set clear intentions before meetings or decisions

• Use breathwork and body scans to reset

• Journaling helps reveal financial stress patterns

• In moments of pressure, anchor in: “I am safe, I am capable, I am resourced.”

• Movement and power poses can shift state quickly

Ready to step into your next week with presence? Remember, your leadership starts from within. Thank you for showing up for yourself and your community.

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