Conversations with Kwasi Lee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kwasi Lee.

Hi Kwasi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story weaves through many timelines. I moved to Colorado with my small family, to work in the solar industry. While working full time, I also obtained an AA in Electrical Engineering. After working in the industry for a several years, I started my a small Operations and Maintenance company that serviced residential customers here on the Front Range. As a former collegiate basketball player, I was thrilled when my son took the game. I began coaching and training him and friends, as I saw a need and filled it. As time unfolded, we develop into one of the top youth teams in the area. I founded our club and named Beyond Ball, and our focus was foundational skill development. During COIVD, I began introducing mindfulness practices into our workouts. I taught the boys simple breathwork and meditation techniques. Life was good. January 10, 2021, 2 months after his 11 birthday, my son Benjahmin Khalil Lee, took his life. Everything shattered.

I began the fight for my life, both literally and figuratively. I found myself trying to put life back together, alone and without a clue of what I was doing. There came a point to where I pushed so much pain down, that I began having my own suicidal ideations. After unsuccessfully attempting, I found myself at a cross roads of definitely wanting to live, but knowing I couldn’t with the pain I was carrying. I started researching and exploring holistic wellness practices, as I have always been drawn to meditation. I tried it all. All of the healing circles, yogas, reiki’s, and many others. It wasn’t until a friend invited me to breathwork work that I found my break through. I paired breathwork with japa meditation and started to unpack everything deeply buried in me; not only from my current grief journey, but also childhood and generational trauma began to surface.

I adopted the phrase Chasing Tomorrow as a living mantra. Confronting these thoughts and emotions left me with no choice but to find a way through them. I knew I wanted to live, but I had no idea how to deal with the pain. So, I made a pact with myself: if tomorrow feels the same, I’ll give myself permission to leave, but today… today, I must do everything in my power to change how I feel and process my emotions in a healthy way.

Chasing Tomorrow is my personal journey of healing through holistic practices and science, confronting grief, trauma, and the profound loss of a child. It has become my mantra, a way to fight depression and anxiety and reclaim my life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The struggles touched every part of the human identity. Depression, anxiety, and grief, and finding a way to braid them all together into something positive has been a challenge. Connecting with people through a tough story has also been a huge obstacle. Realizing that my motivation is uniquely different from most, yet we find ourselves struggling through the same emotional rollercoasters. Starting ‘Chasing Tomorrow Organization’ as a NPO was a new experience, and there is a huge learning curve. All the nuances of operating in the non-profit space are a constant learning process, which I am still navigating.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Professionally, I am an Operational Asset Manager for a private energy company. I maintain commercial and utility-scale solar energy sites, spanning from Colorado all the way to Hawaii.

Heart Project: I am the founder of Chasing Tomorrow, my non-profit organization. Our mission is to connect individuals who are struggling with mental health challenges, self-harm and suicidal ideations to holistic resources. We aim to help them rediscover their sense of self and their appreciation for life. We are also actively organizing various workshops for individuals facing life’s challenges. These workshops will incorporate journaling, art therapy, breathwork, meditation, and frequency (sound) techniques as tools to help manage moments of distress.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Chasing Tomorrow offers various avenues for collaboration and support. We are currently seeking Board Members to contribute to our national development, particularly as we approach fundraising initiatives. Additionally, we are looking for ambassadors to enhance our social media presence. We also welcome partnerships with practitioners offering workshops or clinics, with the aim of mutual promotion. Finally, we host a podcast and encourage community members to share their stories.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chasingtomorrow.org/
• Instagram: chasingtomorrow8
• Facebook: chasingtomorrow8