We were lucky to catch up with Paige Arnone recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Paige, thanks for joining us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

Eight years ago, I was teaching at a city event when I met a sergeant from the Phoenix Regional Police Academy. He was ahead of his time—really invested in wellness, which wasn’t something most law enforcement agencies focused on back then. He asked if I’d teach yoga to his recruit class, and I said yes without knowing much about their world. But I knew I could help.

I volunteered my time for a couple of years, fully committed to supporting their well-being. We focused on mobility training for injury prevention and physical longevity, but our biggest priority was stress management, emotional regulation, and building mental resilience. Through breathwork and mindfulness, we worked to help them stay calm under pressure, recover after high-stress situations, and improve overall safety and performance on the job. Over time, the recruits experienced the benefits firsthand, and my work was recognized. I became a certified AZPOST instructor and eventually transitioned into a formal contractor role.

It didn’t happen overnight, but I kept showing up, building trust, and doing the work. That experience shaped everything I do now. It inspired me to dedicate my career to providing first responders with life-saving wellness resources. Looking back, I’m proud to see how far the conversation around wellness has come, and I’m grateful to have been part of that change.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Paige Arnone, founder of Firstgevity, a virtual wellness program supporting over 20,000 first responders across the country.

When I started this, it wasn’t about building a business. It was about making sure first responders had access to real, life-changing resources—tools to help them stay safe, manage stress, and make it home to their families.

We design personalized programs based on what they need: mobility training to prevent and recover from injuries, breathwork and mindfulness for stress relief, and strategies to build lasting mental resilience.

We work with individuals and entire agencies, providing 24/7 access to resources that meet them wherever they are, whenever they need them. What sets us apart is our eight years of experience working directly and exclusively with the first responder community. We understand the unique challenges of this career—long hours, high stress, and life-or-death decisions—and everything we do is with that in mind. We’ve seen firsthand how these resources help prevent injuries, reduce stress, and save careers—and, most importantly, save lives.

My “why” is personal. I grew up surrounded by trauma—parents battling addiction, a father in and out of prison, and the presence of domestic violence. I know what it feels like to need support and not have it. I know how that kind of struggle can weigh on your mental and emotional health. That’s why I’m here. I don’t want anyone—especially those who dedicate their lives to serving others—to feel unsupported or burned out. And beyond that, I want them to feel supported, thrive, and know they are never alone.

Firstgevity isn’t just a wellness program—it’s a lifeline that’s changing lives and redefining wellness for first responders. And I’m incredibly grateful for every first responder who has trusted us along the way.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience has been the foundation of my success, and it started when I made the decision to give up everything to become a yoga teacher. I wasn’t just entering a career—I was stepping into a mission of service to others. In the early days, I worked 15-hour days, teaching yoga classes anywhere and everywhere I could, barely scraping by with what felt like two pennies to rub together. No one believed in what I was building, so I had to advocate for myself. I believed in my vision, and that belief carried me through the most difficult times.

When COVID hit, I lost my in-person job, but instead of feeling defeated, I saw it as an opportunity to pivot and grow. I didn’t have any savings, but I took a leap of faith and financed my first camera with 0% interest. I filmed everything out of my condo, determined to provide my clients with the resources they needed. I refused to let financial limitations hold me back, and I kept going—because I believed in myself and the impact I was making.

There were days when exhaustion set in and doubt crept in, whispering that I should quit. I remember lying awake at night, wondering if all the sacrifices would be worth it. But each time, I reminded myself that the purpose was bigger than the struggle. Every class I taught, every video I filmed, every resource I created—it was about helping others. That kept me moving forward.

To succeed, I knew I had to learn and adapt, so I taught myself how to build a website, create a virtual platform, and market my services. I absorbed every book, course, and resource I could get my hands on. Every skill I gained helped me grow my business, and over time, those efforts paid off. My online platform expanded, and I eventually transitioned to focusing exclusively on it.

Today, I work with over 20,000 first responders across the country, providing critical wellness resources. My experience taught me that resilience means believing in yourself, even when no one else does. It means having the courage to pivot when the roadblocks appear, staying consistent, and putting in the hard work. My advice? Have the right intentions, stay deeply committed to your mission, and be willing to outwork everyone else to get where you want to go. Self-advocacy, grit, and consistency are what will ultimately lead you to success.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

There’s no secret to how I built my reputation. I put in the hard work—boots on the ground, day after day. Over the past eight years, I’ve built strong relationships by consistently showing up and putting in the time to do what’s right. My focus has always been on supporting the first responder community, andI believe that when your intentions are genuine, your reputation will naturally reflect that.

I’ve been lucky to meet some of the most incredible people in this community, and through my dedication to their well-being, I’ve built meaningful relationships that continue to grow and strengthen over time.

My advice? Lead with integrity and a clear purpose. When people see that you’re committed to making a difference, they’ll trust and support you for the long haul.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://firstgevity.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/paigearnone
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigearnone/