Meet Olivia Mead, the Founder and CEO of Yoga For First Responders® (YFFR), an organization equipping first responders with tools to process stress and build resilience.
YFFR was born from Olivia’s mission to restore yoga to its authentic purpose—mastering the mind and optimizing the psychophysiological system. After years of teaching yoga in commercialized studios, she sought out a population that could benefit from yoga’s original intent. Recognizing that first responders encounter high levels of stress and trauma daily, Olivia committed to developing a training protocol designed specifically for this community. What began as a local effort to serve public safety professionals has evolved into a large-scale movement transforming mental health and resilience in the first responder industry.
During our conversation, Olivia shared her journey of building YFFR, the profound impact it has had on individuals and organizations, and how her personal growth has shaped her leadership style.
Tell us the story behind your company’s founding. How and why did you start working on Yoga For First Responders?
After a decade of teaching in commercialized yoga studios, I found the environment misaligned with the true essence of yoga and my authentic teaching style. I sought a population that could benefit from yoga’s original intent. Initially focusing on military and veteran communities due to their high levels of stress and trauma, I soon realized that first responders face similar challenges.
These professionals endure daily “deployments” and are expected to transition seamlessly into personal life without tools to process the stress and trauma they encounter. Research confirmed the need: First responders experience more trauma in a single shift than most people do in a lifetime. This leads to alarming rates of stress-related health issues and maladaptive coping mechanisms. Despite the clear need, no yoga programs specifically addressed this population’s unique challenges. This realization sparked a commitment to create a specialized training protocol, which became the foundation of Yoga For First Responders®.
What began as a vision to serve my local public safety professionals has grown into a transformative organization serving first responders across the globe.
Looking back, what are the most meaningful impacts Yoga For First Responders has had? How do these outcomes align with your original vision?
The most meaningful impact of my work has been in the lives it has transformed—and even saved—through the skills our students obtain after consistent YFFR training. Our mission to help first responders process stress and turn it into resilience has not been without challenges. However, these moments of profound impact always reignite my determination. I’ve received messages from first responders saying they were on the brink of ending their lives but were able to regain clarity through the breathing techniques they learned from YFFR. Others have shared that YFFR training has been the most challenging yet most transformative of their careers.
My original vision was to integrate yoga seamlessly into public safety training, making it as standard as any other tactical preparation. With testimonials like these, coupled with published research on YFFR’s training protocol showing significant reductions in post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms and even prevention of PTS, I see my original vision unfolding.
“The most meaningful impact of my work has been in the lives it has transformed—and even saved—through the skills our students obtain from consistent training.”
What sets Yoga For First Responders apart in a crowded market?
When I started Yoga For First Responders, the market for first responder mental health solutions was almost nonexistent. Over time, as “officer safety and wellness” and “first responder resilience” became buzzwords, more yoga teachers entered this space. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to being boots on the ground. We directly engage with first responders to deliver practical and impactful training. Even more important is our ability to consider the logistics of implementing a new kind of training into a field firmly built on tradition.
For us, reputation has always come before revenue; our focus is on creating effective, sustainable solutions that truly work. Yet, I wear two critical hats—as the creator of our training protocol and as the CEO of the company. This requires me to balance innovation and strategy for the success of the mission. The training protocol itself is not enough. Building systems, processes, and a strong financial foundation are all needed for long-term sustainability. This dual approach has positioned YFFR as both a leader and a pioneer in the field. In a time when yoga is increasingly commercialized, I am deeply committed to preserving and passing on its original purpose. Through YFFR, we uphold the authentic pillars of yoga in a meaningful and accessible way.
Can you share a time when you struggled with burnout or stress? What steps or practices helped you regain your balance and well-being?
In the fall of 2019, I hit a wall of burnout so severe that I completely lost my passion for the work I once loved. I told my team I was taking two weeks off with no contact. I honestly didn’t care if YFFR still existed when I returned. My identity had become so entangled with the organization that its successes and failures felt like judgments of my worth. During those two weeks, I returned to simple joys like watching movies, cooking, and moving slowly. I sought out tools to help me rebuild any semblance of joy and return to work with a different approach. I immersed myself in these resources, with the most impactful being the Expanded podcast by To Be Magnetic. The podcast showed me how to find authenticity and self-worth. The most critical tools I learned were setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, simplifying business processes, and solidifying my identity independent of YFFR. I now understand that avoiding burnout is a skill that requires consistent training and prioritization. I work hard on these principles daily, and today I feel I have hit my stride as both a leader and an individual.
How have your experiences as a parent influenced your leadership style? What life lessons have you applied to your professional journey?
Becoming a parent was a long and painful journey. After five rounds of IVF, two miscarriages, and a challenging pregnancy and birth, I welcomed my beautiful daughter—a source of immense joy alongside daily challenges. I once read, “Parenting is self-development in disguise.” I’m grateful I didn’t become a parent until I was ready to grow through its challenges. Parenting has taught me patience, compassion, and the importance of being a steady, regulated presence amidst chaos. These are qualities I’ve directly applied to my leadership style. In high-pressure situations, I channel the steadiness I use with my daughter, positively influencing my team’s responses and outcomes. Balancing compassion while holding clear boundaries keeps my leadership aligned with YFFR’s core values while allowing the organization to grow authentically.
Additionally, I used the challenging journey to parenthood to spark creativity. I launched a non-toxic candle company to fund IVF treatments, wrote a book for those struggling to conceive, and now lead workshops on pregnancy loss. Parenting, like leadership, has taught me the power of turning challenges into solutions—a lesson that continues to guide me as both a mother and a CEO.
What advice would you give to other women wanting to start or grow businesses in an intentional way?
Your business will only be as authentic, grounded, and integral as you are as its leader. So cultivating your personal growth and resilience is essential. A strong sense of self-worth helps you set boundaries, communicate effectively, and approach challenges with clarity. Removing diminishing language from your communication, such as “just,” can shift dynamics and reinforce your authority from the beginning. Try expressing appreciation in meaningful ways that align with your leadership style, such as acknowledging a team member’s specific effort or efficiency. This will help you create a business that not only reflects your vision but also commands respect.
Olivia is a member of Dreamers & Doers, an award-winning community that amplifies extraordinary women entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders by securing PR, forging authentic connections, and curating high-impact resources. Learn more about Dreamers & Doers and get involved here.