Olivia Mead of Yoga For First Responders on Destigmatizing Warrior Cultures, Improving Resilience Through Physical Work, and Reducing the Stress of Police Careers

2023-03-03

In 2021 I was out on medical leave due to a back injury that had been misdiagnosed for years. What saved me from a potential career-ending surgery was a renewed practice of yoga. Despite its long tradition in warrior communities, there are a lot of misconceptions and objections to yoga in the first responder communities that seem largely driven by the idea that it’s too feminine for such a male-dominated career. Can yoga make you a better cop? Absolutely, and it’s something you sho...

In 2021 I was out on medical leave due to a back injury that had been misdiagnosed for years. What saved me from a potential career-ending surgery was a renewed practice of yoga.

Despite its long tradition in warrior communities, there are a lot of misconceptions and objections to yoga in the first responder communities that seem largely driven by the idea that it’s too feminine for such a male-dominated career.

Can yoga make you a better cop? Absolutely, and it’s something you should really try if you haven’t already. In this episode, we explain why, and how.

My guest today is Olivia Mead, founder of YogaShield and the non-profit Yoga For First Responders. Olivia’s program is culturally-informed for our community and she specializes in working with populations susceptible to PTSD. Her program is now taught at the Los Angeles fire and police departments, Chicago Police Department, Denver Public Safety, Kansas City Police Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, Detroit Police Department, Tempe Police Department, Wichita Police Department, Seattle Fire Department and Des Moines Police Department among several others.

She has spoken at the International Association of Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association, FBI National Academy Associates, 1st Responder Conferences, International Association of Firefighters, EMS World, Iowa State Fire School, C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors), International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) National Convention and more.

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