On Air by Yoga For First Responders

Hosted by Yoga For First Responders

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Oct 2026

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About the show

On Air by Yoga For First Responders, shines a light on the importance of mental health and wellness for public safety personnel. In this show, we explore the world of yoga and its powerful impact on first responders, all while maintaining a sense of humor and lightheartedness because let's face it, we don't take ourselves too seriously. You know all too well the toll that the job can take on your mental and emotional well-being. That's why we're here to help you find balance and peace of mind through the modality of yoga. We'll be chatting with experts in the field, sharing stories and insights from real-life first responders, and offering practical tips and techniques to help you take control of your mental health and wellness. So, join us as we delve into the world of yoga and its transformative power for first responders. We're here to help you unleash resilience amidst the chaos.

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60 recent

October 25, 202627 min

Resilience Requires Reps: Why Consistency Changes Everything

What if resilience training was treated with the same consistency and accountability as every other essential first responder skill? In this episode, Olivia shares her Resilience Requires Reps presentation, challenging the idea that resilience can be developed through occasional wellness events or a single training session. For a skill to become reliable under pressure, it needs consistent, intentional practice. Olivia explores the neuroscience behind neuroplasticity and explains how nervous system regulation can be trained to help first responders process stress, improve self-awareness, and support performance and recovery. She also shares research findings from YFFR programs that highlight the importance of continuing to practice beyond a structured course. In this episode: The gap between the mental demands of first responder work and the training provided to meet them Why resilience and self-regulation are perishable skills Neuroplasticity and the importance of consistency, intensity, and specificity The difference between temporary relaxation and training nervous system regulation What YFFR research suggests about continued practice and post-traumatic stress symptoms Why resilience training should be treated as job-specific training rather than an occasional wellness activity Join the Readiness Reps Club You don't have to wait for your organization to make resilience training a priority. The free Readiness Reps Club is designed to help you build the habit with community accountability, seven-day and 30-day challenges, short training videos, and additional resources. Interested in joining? Sign up at https://yogaforfirstresponders.activehosted.com/f/63 Interested in hearing Olivia's full 2-hour course? The full presentation and class will be available soon! Create an account with us at https://university.yogaforfirstresponders.org/ and be the first to know when it goes live.

October 18, 202614 min

QC- Niche of One: Olivia on Career Evolution and Reinvention

What if the experiences that seem completely unrelated are actually what make you uniquely qualified to do what you do? In this episode of YFFR On Air, we're sharing a recording of Olivia's talk at a Women in Business event hosted by our local Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Speaking about career evolution and transitioning between industries, Olivia shares how her unexpected journey from ballet dancer and performer to yoga teacher, neuroscience-informed educator, and founder of Yoga for First Responders shaped the work she does today. Her performance background helped her become a confident teacher and public speaker. Her dance training introduced her to movement and the body. And her experiences along the way helped her develop a unique approach to supporting first responders. Olivia calls this your “niche of one” — the combination of experiences, skills, and perspectives that makes you uniquely capable of doing what you do. In this talk, Olivia explores: Finding value in experiences that once seemed unrelated Recognizing transferable skills when transitioning careers Knowing when it's time to move on from something you're good at Turning unexpected life experiences into new opportunities Understanding why you're never truly starting from scratch Whether you're considering a career change, navigating an unexpected transition, or figuring out what's next, this talk is a reminder that everything you've learned along the way has the potential to become part of your next chapter. You have your own niche of one. Don't undervalue it. Learn more about Yoga for First Responders: 🌐 https://yogaforfirstresponders.org

October 11, 202633 min

"Instructor School Changed My Life": YFFR Instructors in Their Own Words

Every YFFR instructor started in the same place: day one of instructor school. In this From the Vault episode, we revisit three years of On Air conversations with YFFR Trainees and Instructors. Each of these 4 conversations describes what instructor school did for them, and what it could do for you. In this episode: Debbie Stiesmeyer, law enforcement officer and YFFR instructor, on the aftermath of a double homicide call, turning her guest bathroom into a hot yoga studio during COVID, and why breath work belongs on every officer's tool belt. Firefighters from the Developing Tactical Resilience cadre, recorded the morning after a 24-hour training. New instructor Patrick "Armie" Armitage talks about the strength in stillness, and Tuna explains how one question, "challenge or threat?", reframed his universe. Maggie Eastman and Sarah Hall, two breast cancer survivors who met on the mat at instructor school. Maggie shares the moment her mind and body stopped being at war, and how instructor school changed the direction of her career. Eric Brenneman and instructor Rachel Warmath on going from terrified to confident as a new teacher, why we require recorded practice classes, and the 400-plus-instructor community you join when you certify. Content note: Debbie's segment describes the aftermath of a homicide call involving two young children. Please listen with care. Interested in finding your own Instructor School story? Our next in-person instructor school is March 1–5, 2027 at the Bernalillo County Training Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico. You don't need to be a yoga teacher, just ready to do the work for yourself first. Register: yogaforfirstresponders.org/instructor-school Learn more about our on-demand training app, online courses and in-person training at yogaforfirstresponders.org .

October 4, 202612 min

QC- I Want to Talk to 100 of You

What if the biggest thing standing between a great wellness tool and the first responders who need it isn't the tool itself? It might be the language. The culture. The way it's introduced. In this week's Quickcast, Olivia walks through what 13 years of teaching skeptical rooms has taught her, and explains why she's opening 100 free 15-minute calls for yoga teachers, clinicians, peer support members, chaplains, wellness coordinators, and anyone else trying to bring wellness, resilience, or stress management tools to first responders. Bring your roadblock: agency access, leadership buy-in, resistance in the room, or language that isn't landing. Olivia brings what she's learned, and what she hears from all 100 conversations will help shape what YFFR does next. 👉 Request a conversation with Olivia: https://forms.gle/ktYkXz6LsD9KrKkj9 Interested in joining us and bringing these tools to your community? Public registration is open for In-Person Instructor School, March 1–5, 2027 , in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Learn more at yogaforfirstresponders.org/instructor-school

September 27, 202615 min

QC- Earning the Room: What it Really Takes to Teach First Responders

What happens when you walk into a room full of first responders and nobody asked for yoga? That's the question at the heart of this week's Quickcast. When Olivia first began bringing yoga into firehouses, police departments, academies, and other public safety spaces, she quickly learned that teaching yoga wasn't the hardest part. The real challenge was earning the trust of a room that might be skeptical, resistant, or simply wondering why they were there in the first place. In this episode, Olivia shares what more than a decade and 40+ Instructor Schools have taught her about teaching first responders — and why effective YFFR instruction requires much more than knowing yoga poses. She talks about learning to understand first responder culture, translating yoga into tools that address problems people already care about, and why credibility, communication, adaptability, and the ability to read the room can matter just as much as the protocol itself. Whether you're an experienced yoga instructor wondering how to work with first responders, or a first responder considering bringing YFFR into your own agency, this episode offers a look at what Instructor School is really designed to teach. In this episode: Why teaching yoga to first responders is fundamentally different from teaching in a traditional yoga studio What it means to "earn the room" Why first responder credibility and existing relationships are such a powerful asset What to expect from YFFR Instructor School Interested in Instructor School? Public registration for our 2027 open Instructor School opens October 1, 2026. The in-person school will take place March 1–5, 2027, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Learn more at yogaforfirstresponders.org/instructor-school For more information and resources, visit yogaforfirstresponders.org . Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review to support our mission!

September 20, 20261 hr 5 min

From Sleepless to Self-Regulated: John Wojtowicz’s YFFR Story

What happens when the skills you train actually show up when you need them most? In this episode of Yoga for First Responders On Air , Olivia sits down with longtime YFFR instructor, trainer, board member, veteran, and former U.S. Marshal John Wojtowicz for a conversation recorded on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. John’s path to yoga didn’t start with a desire to become a yoga instructor. It started with a problem many first responders know all too well: he couldn’t sleep. After losing a close friend and teammate to suicide, John spent several years struggling with sleep before eventually walking into his first yoga class in 2009. What happened at the end of that class changed the trajectory of his practice — and eventually led him to YFFR. More than 15 years later, John has taken those practices far beyond the yoga studio. He now incorporates breathwork into peer support, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), work with veterans, and his own approach to recovery and performance. In this conversation, Olivia and John explore what it means to train the nervous system the same way we train any other operational skill — until the response becomes automatic. In this episode, we talk about: The yoga class that finally helped John sleep Why first responders are often skeptical of anything that doesn’t immediately demonstrate practical value The tactical applications of breathwork, movement, and nervous system regulation Why John starts with just two minutes when introducing breathwork The idea of “autonomic fitness” and what it could look like in public safety training Why the goal isn't to make difficult situations easy, but to become more capable within them John’s story is a powerful reminder that the goal of this work isn't to make life stress-free. It's to train ourselves so that when life gets hard, we have more tools available to meet it. * One factual correction from the conversation : John referred to Mohamed Atta as the “20th hijacker” in discussing a high-threat trial in Alexandria, Virginia. Atta was actually the lead hijacker and one of the 19 men who carried out the September 11 attacks. The individual tried in Alexandria in connection with the 9/11 conspiracy was Zacarias Moussaoui, who was later sentenced to life in prison. We’re including this clarification here to ensure the historical record is accurately represented.* Don't forget to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast: yogaforfirstresponders.org Instagram: @yogaforfirstresponders Facebook: www.facebook.com/YogaForFirstResponders/

September 13, 202617 min

QC- From-the-Vault: One Conscious Breath with Joe Spector

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussion of suicide, grief, and addiction. Please take care of yourself while listening. In honor of September being Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we're bringing an important conversation back from the YFFR On Air archive. Originally released in early 2024, this From-the-Vault episode features highlights from a longer conversation with Joe Spector, a former police officer and firefighter who shares the story of a moment he never saw coming—and how one breath helped change what happened next. Together with Eric, Joe talks openly about career-ending injury, the loss of identity that can come with leaving the fire service, cumulative grief, the pressure to keep pushing through, and the importance of having people in your corner when things become overwhelming. Years later, Joe's story remains a powerful reminder of why awareness, connection, and nervous system regulation matter—and how creating just a little space in a difficult moment can change the trajectory of a life. In this episode: Joe on losing his career and redefining his identity The cumulative impact of grief and loss Why first responders can become so good at pushing through The moment one breath interrupted a crisis The power of connection, empathy, and asking for help If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. Learn more about Yoga For First Responders at yogaforfirstresponders.org.

September 6, 202621 min

She's In: Linzie's Fire Academy (And What That Means for the Podcast)

Linzie is officially headed to the fire academy! After months of preparation, training, and wondering, “What have I gotten myself into?”, Linzie has made it to the next chapter of her journey into the fire service. In this week's podcast episode, Olivia and Linzie sit down to talk about what happened at first orders, what Linzie’s 28-week academy schedule looks like, the physical and mental challenges she’s already encountering, and how the tools she’s learned through YFFR are becoming part of her everyday training. Linzie also shares how she’s approaching the pressure of being the only woman in a class of 25 cadets—and the reminder she’s gotten from female firefighters that she doesn’t have to be the strongest, fastest, or fittest person in the academy. She just has to keep going. And there’s one BIG podcast announcement: while Olivia and Linzie will continue recording throughout Linzie’s academy and probationary year, the episodes won't go live until she completes probation next year. So this isn’t goodbye to Linzie. It’s just a little pause. We’ll be continuing our engaging podcast conversations every week with new experts and YFFR Instructors, all while following Linzie’s journey behind the scenes—and when she returns, we’ll get to hear what the experience was really like. In This Episode: What happened during Linzie's first orders and orientation Preparing physically for the demands of the academy The importance of perseverance over being the “strongest” or “fastest” Using breathwork and nervous system regulation under stress Bringing YFFR tools into the academy What’s next for Linzie—and for the podcast Listen now and follow along as she goes from recruit to firefighter. Don't forget to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast: yogaforfirstresponders.org Instagram: @yogaforfirstresponders Facebook: www.facebook.com/YogaForFirstResponders/ Mentioned in this episode: LUMEBOX: $260 Off of Lumebox click the link and use code:yogaforfirstresponders https://thelumebox.com/pages/lb68/?_ef_transaction_id=&oid=3&affid=4521&discount=yogaforfirstresponders

August 30, 202612 min

QC- Sets and Reps: What Happens After You Decide to Change

Deciding to change is easy. Becoming the person you decided to be takes repetition — and life will hand you the reps whether you're ready or not. In this week's Quickcast episode of YFFR On Air, Olivia unpacks "personal policies" (the boundaries, standards, and non-negotiables you've set for how you operate now) and why establishing one seems to invite the exact situation that tests it. She shares a personal example — a lease renewal that arrived with an unexpected rent increase — and walks through what it looked like to practice sovereignty instead of reacting from old scarcity and safety patterns. The episode connects this directly to the yoga mat: shaky legs, a wobbly foundation, and the urge to compare yourself to the person next to you are all training grounds for the same muscles you need out in the world. In this episode: What "personal policies" are and why life tests them immediately Why deciding to change and becoming that person are two different things How yoga poses become rehearsal for real-life boundaries, foundation, and self-worth How to turn your next hard moment into "a rep" instead of a setback Listen and learn about the ways your mindset can change your routine. Don't forget to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast: yogaforfirstresponders.org Instagram: @yogaforfirstresponders Facebook: www.facebook.com/YogaForFirstResponders/ Mentioned in this episode: YFFR Virtual Instructor School Sign up for YFFR Virtual Instructor School now through August 31st and enroll for the coaching track ($250 Value) at no additional cost! https://www.yogaforfirstresponders.org/virtual-instructor-school

August 23, 202640 min

Celebration Station: Linzie's Final Steps to Firefighter

She's officially passed all the tests! In this episode of Yoga for First Responders, Olivia and Linzie chat right after she gets the news that she passed her final psych exam and officially cleared the way to start fire academy, the last hurdle in a hiring process that's taken months. Linzie opens up about being the only woman among 26 recruits in her academy class, the grief of leaving the home she and her husband built inside a storage facility (yes, really, and it's a better story than it sounds), and how thrifting became an unexpected lesson in mental reframing and manifestation. Then, they get into the real substance: how the breathwork and self-awareness tools Linzie learned through YFFR became the anchor that got her through the physical test, the combat challenge, her first time crying inside an SCBA facepiece, and a meditation sitting inches from live fire during training. This one is equal parts celebration, reflection, and a preview of what it looks like to walk into high-stress public safety work already equipped with tools for your nervous system — instead of learning them the hard way, 20 years in. In this episode: Getting "the call" after a month-long wait on psych clearance Being the only woman in a 26-person academy class Grieving some big life changes while celebrating a new chapter Why self-awareness is the anchor that survives any identity change What it might look like to bring these tools into her academy and beyond Whether you're waiting on a hiring decision, heading into your own academy, or just want to understand what it actually takes to get through the firefighter process, Linzie's story is proof that the work you put into your nervous system before the job starts is what carries you through it. Don't forget to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast: yogaforfirstresponders.org Instagram: @yogaforfirstresponders Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YogaForFirstResponders/ Mentioned in this episode: YFFR Virtual Instructor School Sign up for YFFR Virtual Instructor School now through August 31st and enroll for the coaching track ($250 Value) at no additional cost! https://www.yogaforfirstresponders.org/virtual-instructor-school

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