Thiel has brought in another expert, Tony Schwartz, CEO and founder of The Energy Project, who has been advising Merrill employees to take a short afternoon nap to restore their energy.

Schwartz, who started working with Merrill after meeting Thiel at a conference 14 months ago, gives that advice as part of a broader curriculum aimed at pushing Merrill advisors to get the most out of their days. He said he has not convinced Merrill to implement a nap program, but that productivity increases dramatically for those who take his advice on resting, deep breathing and eating right, among other things.

"What makes Merrill Lynch special is that John is an unusually open and interested senior leader to champion this kind of work," said Schwartz. "When there is a leader like that, the power of the work is much higher."

Bongo Drums

Complaints by Merrill employees who are irritated by Thiel's wellness campaign come at a time when a number of high-profile brokers have left, causing some concern among top Bank of America Corp executives. Reuters found no evidence of a direct link between the focus on health and wellness and the departures.

The health advice has gone over well with some advisors who are happy their boss is encouraging them to take better care of themselves.

One high-producing broker who spoke on the condition of anonymity said "telling employees to stay fit mentally and physically -- that's responsible leadership" and called Thiel the best manager he has ever had in over three decades with the firm.

In a testimonial on Johnson's website, Scott Schropp, a vice president in Merrill's wealth management business, wrote that his clients like being included in wellness events. "They come in with preconceived notions of what this program may be like and leave the program with excitement, determination and a fresh take on 'healthy living'," he wrote.

Thiel, a former American football player at college, met Johnson at an event in Arizona some time ago. Soon after, he went to Johnson's home in rural Michigan for a one-on-one training session. At such events, Johnson teaches corporate executives how to sleep better, shop for "super foods" and cook things like healthy chili. (Johnson declined to comment on Thiel's culinary talent.)

People who know Thiel say he has wholeheartedly embraced the New Age lifestyle that Johnson, Schwartz and another guru called davidji advocate. Davidji (pronounced david-gee and spelled with a lowercase "d") describes himself as a former banker on his web site, and specializes in wellness of the mind. Davidji said he was not immediately available for an interview.

People familiar with his Merrill training sessions say they feature bongo drum playing and meditation. A video on his web site- http://www.davidji.com/ -- shows davidji sitting on the beach with his pet dog, named Peaches, whom he says he meditates with every day.

"The next time you sit down to meditate, if your pet -- your cat, your dog, your lizard, your parrot -- feels like meditating with you, create a space," he says. "Close your eyes. Drift into stillness and silence, and you'll notice that your pet gravitates toward you."

Johnson said Thiel's embrace of health and wellness helps balance out his more rugged work on Wall Street.

"He's got a big job and wanted to have energy and stamina," Johnson said "The corporate world beats you up."

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