Turning Your Life Around:
Tai Chi & Beyond with Hakim Tafari
Host Jack Inslee
In this episode of Hear HERE, Jack Inslee sits down with Hakim Tafari, a multi-disciplinary martial artist, marathon runner, and spiritualist who teaches Tai Chi at the LINE LA. With a remarkable journey that spans continents and transformations, Hakim shares how he turned his life around, moving from a lifestyle filled with unhealthy habits to one centered on mindfulness, movement, and balance. From his near-death health scare to his discovery of Kung Fu and acupuncture, Hakim’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and gradual change. Join Jack and Hakim as they dive deep into the importance of small, sustainable steps toward wellness and the power of Tai Chi and mindfulness in navigating life’s challenges.
Jack Inslee: What’s good? Welcome back to Hear HERE. I am your host, Jack Inslee, coming to you live from the LINE Hotel in Koreatown, Los Angeles. Today I’m here with one of my favorite cats in the LINE Hotel universe. He teaches Tai Chi here at the LINE Hotel weekly. He’s got an incredible story. He’s a marathon runner, a spiritualist, a martial artist. This is somebody who makes you feel healthier just being around him. I’m excited to chat about so many things today with Hakim Tafari. Hakim, what’s good man? Thank you for being here.
Hakim Tafari: Thank you for having me.
Jack: Even though I gave you that quick intro, I’d love for you to introduce yourself to the listeners.
Hakim: My name is Hakim Tafari. I’m originally from the United Kingdom. I moved here in 1991. I’ve lived in New York, Austin, Orlando, and now LA. I’m a dharma practitioner and have been a Buddhist practitioner for many years. I’ve been a martial artist for many years, studying Tai Chi, Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Aikido, Filipino Arnis, and more.
Jack: Hearing all that makes me think, “I wish I had my life together like that.” Was there a time in your life where you were the opposite, drinking, eating poorly, not sleeping well? Talk to me about that before and after.
Hakim: That’s pretty much what got me here. I’m about to turn 50, which is mind-blowing to me. My journey started around 21, 22. I was a bouncer at Emos in Austin, in rap groups, and street promotion. My lifestyle was out all night, no veggies, no water, just beer, champagne, and drugs. I went hard from 16 to 21, 22.
I had a hemorrhage of my ileocecal valve, which connects the large and small intestines. I didn’t know how sick I was. I went to doctors, was a guinea pig for medication, and nothing worked. I had heartburn, was urinating and vomiting blood. A friend named Ethen, who was holistic, told me I was out of control. At the time, I was 260-270 pounds and very unhealthy.
Bleeding out of an orifice made me realize I needed to change. I remembered what Ethen said about being vegan. I discovered Kung Fu and found a free acupuncture session in the Austin Chronicle. The acupuncturist found the problem in five minutes. He told me I had six to seven years tops if I continued my lifestyle. That session was a turning point for me. I changed my lifestyle, became vegetarian, then vegan, and haven’t looked back since 1996.
Jack: That’s very inspiring but also like a storybook moment. For those who don’t have that big realization, how do you help people gradually make changes?
Hakim: I always say you’re either running away from something or running to something. You can escape with drugs and alcohol or run towards something better. People come to a point where they can’t continue their current lifestyle. Many find change through suffering. The Buddha’s story shows that extreme asceticism isn’t the answer; you need a middle path.
My role is to show that you don’t have to be extreme. There is a middle way. I’ve been through extremes and can show the better path.
Jack: Moderation is key. People often fail because they try to do everything at once. What are some realistic steps to start with?
Hakim: It’s different for everyone. Start with baby steps. Try going meatless for a few days a week or doing a dry January. Run a mile once a week and gradually increase. Consistency is important. Start with 10-15 minutes of meditation a day and build from there. It’s about taking small steps and enjoying the process.
Jack: I want to transition and talk about Tai Chi. What role has it played in your life and why do you continue to teach it?
Hakim: Tai Chi is both a martial and healing art. It’s one of the most beneficial practices. I used to have back spasms, but Tai Chi and Qigong helped alleviate that. It’s become a fountain of youth for me. I’ve been teaching here at the LINE for almost six years, and it’s rewarding to see how it benefits people. It’s powerful and transformative.
Jack: People get intimidated by Tai Chi and martial arts. Is it one of the easier practices to try?
Hakim: It’s simple, not easy. We often make up stories in our heads about how difficult something will be. Many people are nervous about Tai Chi without even trying it. Once they do, they realize it’s accessible and beneficial. It’s about overcoming mental blocks and giving it a chance.
This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
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