Page 11 - AUG2024

August 2024 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM Page 11 Responder Together Peer Fitness Program Community Spotlight: Martial Arts
By: BRittany amalfi
“We got a good amount of po-
Responder Together New
lice officers, EMT workers, mili-
Hampshire, with its unwaver-
tary vets, officers who worked in
ing dedication, has been busy
state hospitals, and more.”
getting all of its peer-facilitated
Mears went on to emphasize
programs off the ground. RTNH
that this program does more
has implemented various pro-
than build useful physical skills; it
grams and is working hard as it
builds mental ones as well. “You
continues to develop each one
know, they are learning useful
so responders and veterans have
skills that will help protect them-
different outlets. With all of these
selves and others in the field, but
incredible programs being avail-
I’ve seen members gain confi-
able for any responder or vet-
dence as well, and that is just as
eran, RTNH ensures that there
important, if not more import-
is something for each member to
ant.” Mears detailed a member’s
channel their stress and build a
journey to reaching a strength
healthy mindset.
in themselves by participating in
Responder Together’s
one of the classes. This aspect
Joe Guerriero, who has
relieve stress. The biggest thing
participates is on the same page and has the same goal,” Mears Peer-facilitated Tactical Defense
highlights that there is a big focus
been in law enforcement for
is that this isn’t something that
stated. “When members learn responders and veterans are ob-
and Mixed Martial Arts program
on mental health in all of these
twenty-three years, and a peer
ligated to come and talk about
supporter and RTNH team
just recently held its third class.
programs. As like-minded indi-
and utilize these physical skills member, said, “As a young of-
Taught by Tayler Mears, owner
viduals come together and bond
that can help them in potentially what’s happening. It’s really just
of Lakes Region Vale Tudo, and
over shared experiences while
dangerous situations, they start for them to come, work out, and
ficer, we weren’t offered these
Coach John Sullivan, the class
relieve stress.” !
resources, so being involved
learning helpful skills, a new-
to feel more secure with them- with this program now is great.
is free for all responders and
found confidence shows, which
selves.”
The camaraderie of the Tac-
veterans, and they hope to get
provides some sort of relief for
tical Defense and Mixed Mar-
It’s a way to give back to these
RTNH is doing this for re- more interest from surrounding
tial Arts class relieves stress and
officers and veterans and help
responders and veterans. “It’s
them unplug and unwind from
departments. “The program has
more mental relief than physi-
boosts confidence among these
RESPONDERS been great so far,
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