Brad Willis (journalist)
Encyclopedia
Brad Willis (born August 27, 1949) is a former NBC News
foreign correspondent and Vedic scholar. As a journalist, Willis was the recipient of the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award for his work from inside Afghanistan during the Soviet Occupation in 1986. Since retiring from journalism due to disability, Willis has focused on teaching ayurveda
and yoga
.
, California, the youngest of three children. As a teenager coming of age in the 1960s, he was actively involved in the national protest movement against the Vietnam War
. From 1969-73, he attended Humboldt State University
in Arcata, California, earning a degree in English Literature and a Secondary Teaching Credential. Forsaking a planned career in academia, he left graduate school and joined KVIQ
as a news reporter. Within two years, Willis was the news director, anchor and investigative reporter for KVIQ.
and United Press International
for his investigative reporting.
In 1976, he was recruited by KCRA-TV
in Sacramento, California. After a brief stint as executive producer of KCRA’s prime time news magazine show, Weeknight, he became an award winning investigative reporter for the news division.
In 1984 he was hired by WFAA-TV
, Dallas, Texas and continued as an investigative journalist. During this time, he produced major investigative reports on corruption involving national politics and corporate business. His reports from Venezuela on a Texas oil executive wrongly imprisoned in an international oil scandal led to eventual freedom for the American.
In 1986 Willis moved to WBZ-TV
in Boston, Massachusetts, and continued his career an an investigative journalist. He launched WBZ’s first foray into global news coverage with reports from Afghanistan
during the Soviet occupation. His documentary covering his time with the mujahideen
freedom fighters and in the massive refugee camps along the Afghan/Pakistani border earned him the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award. Willis subsequently reported on the struggle against apartheid in Africa from Botswana
, Zambia
and Zaire
, the drug wars in Colombia
, Bolivia
and Peru
, the reopening of US/Vietnamese relations in Hanoi
with Senators John Kerry
and John McCain
, and efforts to help the indigenous people of the Guatemalan highlands. In 1987, he was given the Gabriel Award
for broadcast excellence with a positive and creative treatment of concerns to mankind for his work in Guatemala
.
In 1989 Willis began a career with NBC News as a foreign correspondent posted to the Miami Bureau and covering Latin and South America. His major areas of focus included El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Cuba and Colombia.
In 1990 Willis was dispatched to the Middle East to cover the Persian Gulf War
for NBC. He was on the front lines of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Provide Comfort
. As the network Pool Reporter for the First Marines, he covered the Battle of Khafji
and the liberation of Kuwait
, reporting live from Kuwait City
with NBC New anchor Tom Brokaw
. Willis then moved into northern Iraq to cover the Kurdish refugee crisis.
and given little chance of surviving the disease.
Willis then turned to veda as an alternative to the Western medicine that was apparently failing him. He claims that two years of intense meditation, pranayama
, fasting, veganism
, Shatkarma
purifications and yoga postures affected a cure of his cancer and back problems.
Willis took on the spiritual name Bhava Ram, and under this name has produced several books and CDs of yoga instruction, and with his wife, runs a yoga instruction and healing studio called "Deep Yoga".
As Bhava Ram, Willis holds certification in Ayurveda from the Kerala Ayurveda Academy and is certified as an Advanced Yoga and Ayurveda Educator through the American Institute of Vedic Studies. He participated in the "International Yoga Festival 2009" at the Parmarth Niketan
ashram, and has written books and articles on the topic of yoga.
NBC News
NBC News is the news division of American television network NBC. It first started broadcasting in February 21, 1940. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is...
foreign correspondent and Vedic scholar. As a journalist, Willis was the recipient of the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award for his work from inside Afghanistan during the Soviet Occupation in 1986. Since retiring from journalism due to disability, Willis has focused on teaching ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
and yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
.
Early life
Willis was born in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California, the youngest of three children. As a teenager coming of age in the 1960s, he was actively involved in the national protest movement against the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. From 1969-73, he attended Humboldt State University
Humboldt State University
Humboldt State University is the northernmost campus of the California State University system, located in Arcata within Humboldt County, California, USA. The main campus, nestled at the edge of a coast redwood forest, is situated on Preston hill overlooking Arcata and with commanding views of...
in Arcata, California, earning a degree in English Literature and a Secondary Teaching Credential. Forsaking a planned career in academia, he left graduate school and joined KVIQ
KVIQ
KVIQ is a digital-only broadcast television station which broadcasts as a CBS affiliate on UHF channel 17 from a transmitter in Eureka, California.-History:KVIQ signed on the air on VHF channel 6 as Eureka's second television station on April 1, 1958...
as a news reporter. Within two years, Willis was the news director, anchor and investigative reporter for KVIQ.
Broadcast career
Willis worked for KVIQ from 1973–76, earning several awards from the Associated PressAssociated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
and United Press International
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
for his investigative reporting.
In 1976, he was recruited by KCRA-TV
KCRA-TV
KCRA-TV, channel 3, is a television station in Sacramento, California, United States. KCRA-TV is owned by Hearst Television, a subsidiary of the Hearst Corporation, and is an affiliate of the NBC television network...
in Sacramento, California. After a brief stint as executive producer of KCRA’s prime time news magazine show, Weeknight, he became an award winning investigative reporter for the news division.
In 1984 he was hired by WFAA-TV
WFAA-TV
WFAA, channel 8, is an ABC-affiliated television station serving the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, one of the top ten media markets in North America. The station is the flagship of Belo Corporation and the largest ABC affiliate not owned and operated by the network...
, Dallas, Texas and continued as an investigative journalist. During this time, he produced major investigative reports on corruption involving national politics and corporate business. His reports from Venezuela on a Texas oil executive wrongly imprisoned in an international oil scandal led to eventual freedom for the American.
In 1986 Willis moved to WBZ-TV
WBZ-TV
WBZ-TV, virtual channel 4, is a CBS owned-and-operated television station, located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. WBZ-TV's studios and office facilities, shared with sister station WSBK-TV , are located in the Allston-Brighton section of Boston, and its transmitter is located in Needham,...
in Boston, Massachusetts, and continued his career an an investigative journalist. He launched WBZ’s first foray into global news coverage with reports from Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
during the Soviet occupation. His documentary covering his time with the mujahideen
Mujahideen
Mujahideen are Muslims who struggle in the path of God. The word is from the same Arabic triliteral as jihad .Mujahideen is also transliterated from Arabic as mujahedin, mujahedeen, mudžahedin, mudžahidin, mujahidīn, mujaheddīn and more.-Origin of the concept:The beginnings of Jihad are traced...
freedom fighters and in the massive refugee camps along the Afghan/Pakistani border earned him the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award. Willis subsequently reported on the struggle against apartheid in Africa from Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
, Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
and Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
, the drug wars in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
and Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, the reopening of US/Vietnamese relations in Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
with Senators John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
and John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
, and efforts to help the indigenous people of the Guatemalan highlands. In 1987, he was given the Gabriel Award
Gabriel Award
The Gabriel Awards were originated by the Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals in 1965. They were designed to honor works of broadcast excellence that have a positive and creative treatment of concerns to mankind....
for broadcast excellence with a positive and creative treatment of concerns to mankind for his work in Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
.
In 1989 Willis began a career with NBC News as a foreign correspondent posted to the Miami Bureau and covering Latin and South America. His major areas of focus included El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Cuba and Colombia.
In 1990 Willis was dispatched to the Middle East to cover the Persian Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
for NBC. He was on the front lines of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Provide Comfort
Operation Provide Comfort
Operation Provide Comfort and Provide Comfort II were military operations by the United States and some of its Gulf War allies, starting in April 1991, to defend Kurds fleeing their homes in northern Iraq in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War and deliver humanitarian aid to them.-Operation...
. As the network Pool Reporter for the First Marines, he covered the Battle of Khafji
Battle of Khafji
The Battle of Khafji was the first major ground engagement of the Gulf War. It took place in and around the Saudi Arabian city of Khafji, from 29 January to 1 February 1991 and marked the culmination of the Coalition's air campaign over Kuwait and Iraq, which had begun on 17 January 1991.Iraqi...
and the liberation of Kuwait
Liberation of Kuwait campaign
The Liberation of Kuwait was the campaign to retake Kuwait from Iraq after the massive air campaign, between 24–28 February 1991. U.S. troops and the Coalition entered to find the Iraqis surrendering en masse; however, pockets of resistance existed, particularly at Kuwait International Airport...
, reporting live from Kuwait City
Kuwait City
-Suburbs:Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:Al-Salam ""السلام"" -Economy:...
with NBC New anchor Tom Brokaw
Tom Brokaw
Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw is an American television journalist and author best known as the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News from 1982 to 2004. He is the author of The Greatest Generation and other books and the recipient of numerous awards and honors...
. Willis then moved into northern Iraq to cover the Kurdish refugee crisis.
Post-journalism career
In 1993, Willis suffered a severe break in his lower back. A fusion-laminectomy operation failed, left him deeply disabled and ended his career with NBC News. Several years later, Willis was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancerOropharyngeal cancer
Oropharyngeal cancer is a disease which malignant cells form in the tissue of oropharynx. Oropharynx is a middle part of the throat which includes the base of the tongue, the tonsils, the soft palate, and the walls of the pharynx.-Studies:...
and given little chance of surviving the disease.
Willis then turned to veda as an alternative to the Western medicine that was apparently failing him. He claims that two years of intense meditation, pranayama
Pranayama
Pranayama is a Sanskrit word meaning "extension of the prana or breath" or more accurately, "extension of the life force". The word is composed of two Sanskrit words, Prāna, life force, or vital energy, particularly, the breath, and "āyāma", to extend, draw out, restrain, or...
, fasting, veganism
Veganism
Veganism is the practice of eliminating the use of animal products. Ethical vegans reject the commodity status of animals and the use of animal products for any purpose, while dietary vegans or strict vegetarians eliminate them from their diet only...
, Shatkarma
Shatkarma
Shatkarma , also known as Shatkriya, refers to the Yogic practices involving purification of the body.Shatkarm' is a compound word consisting of two components: shat meaning 'six' and karma meaning 'art' or 'process'. The word kriya or karma is used in Hatha Yoga in a special technical sense...
purifications and yoga postures affected a cure of his cancer and back problems.
Willis took on the spiritual name Bhava Ram, and under this name has produced several books and CDs of yoga instruction, and with his wife, runs a yoga instruction and healing studio called "Deep Yoga".
As Bhava Ram, Willis holds certification in Ayurveda from the Kerala Ayurveda Academy and is certified as an Advanced Yoga and Ayurveda Educator through the American Institute of Vedic Studies. He participated in the "International Yoga Festival 2009" at the Parmarth Niketan
Parmarth Niketan
Parmath Niketan Ashram is an ashram located in Rishikesh, India, situated in the lap of the lush Himalayas. along the banks of the Ganges. The ashram was founded in 1942 by the great saint Pujya Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj...
ashram, and has written books and articles on the topic of yoga.
CDs
- Flowing with Shiva
- Meditation
- Yoga Nidra (with Laura Plumb)
- Gratitude Yoga Practice