Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jennifer Boileau. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Jennifer thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

The biggest risk I’ve taken is on myself. In my life, I’ve had to learn to trust myself and recognize the gentle nudges (that can be really easy to ignore when we are tied up in the busy-ness our lives) are really what is steering us in the direction we are meant to go in. In my own practices to support my anxiety and wellbeing, I recognized that the strategies I was learning to support myself would be beneficial for others as well – but in a very non-traditional way. From being in a law enforcement family, I knew the kinds of stressors officers were facing as well as the stressors on the family, I knew that to bring the practices into law enforcement/first responder world, I would possibly be stonewalled and perhaps wouldn’t work out the way I wanted them to, but I got to a point where I recognized there wasn’t an option NOT to keep going. I truly felt like the work I was doing, the training to be culturally competent, and the drive I had to bring it all to life was something I couldn’t walk away from. I believed in it too much. For years, I worked toward this goal of helping others with supportive practices, and I had to learn to stay focused in the face of no results. No one really listening. But slowly, from my volunteer work in the field, they did start to recognize the benefits and share it with others. Eventually this led to more and more support, and now I do this work all over the country. I wish I could say I had a magic formula all along, but I didn’t. I just kept going, and didn’t give up on what I felt so strongly about.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a mom to three amazing adult daughters, and a former special education teacher who continues to instruct but in a different way, with a different audience.

As a spouse to a police officer, I am keenly aware of the stressors that officers and first responders face, as well as the weight of the work on the family. As I explored various modalities to support my own struggle with anxiety and wellbeing over the years, I recognized that many of the strategies I was finding beneficial could be used to support first responders and their families. This would not only help them with their stress levels, but also to provide an inner layer of safety – reminding them that even in the darkest, or most critical moments, they could draw on strength from themselves. As I continued to engage with culturally competent trainings to support this population, and began to volunteer in the community, more and more agencies began to take notice, and now I do this work across the country.

I offer on site trainings in the academy setting, in-service or retreat training, and specialized unit training as well. While I primarily focus on the first responder community (from recruits to retirees), I also support high stress occupations (like hospital workers, teachers), and especially those who are experiencing secondary trauma regularly, like attorneys.
I focus on the trauma informed practices of Integrative Restoration (iRest©) meditation, breath work, MELT Hand and Foot modalities, and yin yoga to help people be with whatever is present for them. I refer to this as my 3B Method – addressing the breath, body and brain. We know from the research literature that we need to be supporting ourselves in each of these areas to truly support our wellbeing. I share practices that are able to be utilized by the participants right away, so they know they have built up an array of supports for themselves that are sourced from within themselves. Once I share HOW to utilize these strategies, people are able to engage with them and feel good during their day to day lives, not just when they are in class.

In sessions, I’m supporting the wellbeing of the participant various ways. They can expect better sleep, management of the symptoms of PTS, anxiety, stress, and their relationship with pain either on a physical or emotional level.

I”m most proud of the officers who allow me into their lives and the lives of their families as a method of support. Asking people to be vulnerable is big – and the first responder community has embraced me wholeheartedly. While I am not the person who was on the front line, I often say that I have a front row – passenger seat – view of the job. I know the weight of this work, even though I never wore the vest. I care about them deeply, and view every first responder as family. I truly mean that.

What sets me apart is I have gone deep into my own personal inner work in order to show up in big ways for my clients. I’m not just repeating info – it’s being shared from the heart, and I truly care about the outcome of every session, every individual that I work with. I don’t see this as a job, it’s truly my vocation.

I would want people to know that I’m deeply passionate about the work I do, and I don’t take the trust I receive for granted. I am committed to helping create positive changes in the first responder world and I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity to be part of so many lives.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I can look back now and see how my drive illustrated my resilience, but I have to say, at the time it was really tough. I knew from the minute I began my training that I wanted to serve the law enforcement/first responder/military communities with the practices I grew to love. But when I was started out, it was like climbing up a mountain. While officers or agencies would agree and say that they thought it was a good idea, I just couldn’t seem to get the traction to see programming come to fruition. Because of this, I often taught for free, happy to be a support to anyone who was willing to participate – it didn’t matter if it was one person who showed up, or ten. I felt that person needed the class I was sharing for a reason, and was happy to teach them. This went on for a few years, which was really challenging. All I knew was that I needed to share this work like I needed air – I’m not sure how to really explain it. This work is more of a calling or a vocation to me – perhaps that’s why the inner feeling of needing to keep going, actually kept me going, in the face of very little result at first.
Eventually, that all changed – now my calendar is extremely busy, and I’m teaching all across the country. I had a moment recently while I was delivering a keynote at a First Responder Conference where I looked around the room at the hundreds in attendance, and I was so happy – it’s what I have always wanted. It’s amazing to support one person at a time, but very gratifying to be supporting hundreds at a time now. It serves as a reminder for me to keep going – the timing always works itself out.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

When it comes to building your reputation within your market, you have to be authentic. You have to love what you do, and why you do it – I think that says a lot about your character when others can feel that from you, and it builds your reputation as a respected person in the field.

When I work with people, I’m asking them to be vulnerable with me – and that takes a lot of trust. I hold the space in a way that serves the people in front of me, and allows them to be able to let their guard down enough to really experience what the practices can offer them. Because of this, people know they can trust me, and I’m there to truly be a support for them – not only when I’m in our sessions, but beyond as well. It’s not lost on me what a special gift that is; I know it’s tough for people who experience hypervigilance in their line of work to really let go and trust, but it’s a special experience when it happens.

I feel that being abundant with my time and continued support has let people know I really care about them and their wellbeing. And if I can’t offer the level of support they need, I recognize my limitations and will connect them with someone else who can.

Officer reccomedations have been a big part of building my reputation in the field as well. I don’t advertise my business or cold call agencies, I am connected solely through personal recommendations. I think in the first responder and military worlds, this has been an important piece as it shows others that they trust me, and have allowed me into their world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jeninferboileau.com
• Instagram: @jennboileau
• Facebook: @flowwithboileaullc
• Linkedin: @jenniferboileau
• Twitter: @JennBoileau
• Youtube: @mindfulnesscoachingwithjenn
• Soundcloud: @JenniferBoileau

Image Credits

Various friends taking photos in sessions.