From Stripper to Monk: The Transformational Journey of Ash Edelman

Your journey from being a professional bodybuilder and performer to embracing monastic principles is fascinating. Was there a defining moment that made you realize this path was your calling?

Towards the end of last year, I moved back to Australia from the UK after going through a divorce. The UK no longer felt like home. Once back in Australia, I began working with Magic Men. They had promised us Melbourne-level wages—around six grand a weekend, which was amazing. However, they sent us to Brisbane, where we barely earned a grand a week. The drastic difference left me questioning what I was doing with my life.

Stripping in the UK had been incredible; we performed in a theater show that was very respectful and polished. In contrast, the stripping scene in Australia felt tacky. We had 15-minute slots with as many girls on stage as possible, and it was overly raunchy. It just didn’t feel right.

During this time, I also had a major falling out with my family (which is now resolved) and noticed my best mate neglecting our friendship while struggling in his relationship. Everything felt overwhelming, so I stepped back from social media and did a breathwork session.

Breathwork has been part of my life for a long time, but one session during a particularly dark moment gave me a clear insight: I needed to start facilitating breathwork, working within the holistic space, and focusing on retreats. I went for a walk and dived into a friend’s podcast called LifeUNCAGED (Emma Zia), which led me to Human Design, Kabbalah, and eventually the Law of One. These explorations opened my mind to so many new things that I resonated with deeply, and I just kept going down the rabbit hole.

I reached out to friends running retreats, and one took me to Perth. Though short-lived, it connected me with many like-minded people. I also connected with another friend who runs retreats called Tribex (My Tribex) and is based in Dubai. I had the chance to facilitate a retreat with him in Bali before going to live at the monastery for a month.

I’ve continued to follow my intuition, which has currently led me to Dubai, where I’ve connected with some incredible individuals. 2025 is looking very exciting.

Balancing extremes like bodybuilding and living as a monk seem polar opposites but share discipline and structure. Do you see parallels, and how do you reconcile them in daily life?

I’m neurodivergent—ADHD—so I thrive in extremes; it’s all or nothing for me. Living in a monastery was always something I wanted to do but never had the push to pursue. When the opportunity arose, I jumped at it. If I’m teaching meditation and holistic living, I want to do it from a place of true understanding, not secondhand knowledge.

How did you find the monastery, and where is it located?

I discovered it on Instagram. A video of a guy named Kevin popped up—it showed him on a plane with hair, and then without hair, transitioning into scenes of the monastery. I was intrigued and reached out. After a phone call the next day, I committed to going. The monastery is north of Chiang Mai: @IMonastery.

Are you still connected with them?

Yes, we do group meditations via Zoom every Wednesday. I’m also planning to stay at one of their retreats in Thailand at a place called Ivory on Koh Samui. I’ll spend a week living with monks, meditating throughout the day, and embracing the lifestyle. I also help promote their retreats and encourage others to visit the monastery.

Have you ever had a moment where you questioned your path? What helped you stay committed to your mission?

There have been many moments of questioning my path. We’ve been conditioned by movies to see progress as a montage, making us expect to achieve our goals overnight. This mindset can make us forget to truly enjoy the process! On days I’ve felt inconsistent or unproductive despite completing my tasks, I’ve questioned my path. Through self-reflection, I’ve learned to slow down and enjoy the journey, especially on slower days. I remind myself there are other days and weeks when I don’t stop.

What principles do you consider non-negotiable in your practice, and why are they so important to you?

One of my biggest non-negotiables is having a morning routine. If I have time, I do my full routine, which takes 2–3 hours: a 45–60 minute walk, 20 minutes of breathwork, 60 minutes of meditation, and brain games before breakfast. If time is limited, I prioritize meditation above all else. It’s crucial to dedicate daily time to myself first thing in the morning to be the best version of myself.

Can you walk us through your specific practice or method? How did it evolve from when you first started?

My favorite practice is meditation. With my past, I never thought I’d talk about meditation as much as I do now, but here we are. Initially, I could only meditate for 10 minutes, but now I can sit for 2 hours. While I don’t often meditate for that long anymore, I maintain a daily 60-minute practice. Meditation has changed my life, helping me find true happiness without needing external sources of joy. It’s a practice I now teach because of its profound impact.