Bend Don't Break

By: Neil Dubord
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  • Summary

  • Bend Don’t Break is a podcast that tells the story of police officers who have overcome significant adversity in their personal and professional lives. Through the power of story, the listener will understand the depth of resilience and personal strength that exists in the men and women who protect our communities 24x7.
    © 2018 All rights reserved.
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Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
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Episodes
  • Mind Over Matter - Performance Enhancement Imagery

    Mind Over Matter - Performance Enhancement Imagery
    May 1 2025
    Top of Form Subject: Review of key themes and concepts from interviews with Inspector Mo Perry and Sergeant Chris Borgstead on performance enhancement imagery and its application in policing and personal health. Executive Summary: This briefing document summarizes key themes from interviews with Inspector Mo Perry and retired Sergeant Chris Borgstead of the Delta Police Department (DPD). The discussion centers around "Bend Don't Break," a series focusing on optimum performance. A significant portion of the conversation is dedicated to the power of performance enhancement imagery, also known as visualization or mental rehearsal. Mo Perry, a seasoned police trainer and advocate for wellness, details the historical context, theoretical underpinnings, and diverse applications of this technique. Chris Borgstead shares a deeply personal and compelling account of how performance imagery, specifically a personalized script developed by Mo, played a crucial role in his successful navigation of a life-threatening pancreatic surgery (Whipple procedure) and subsequent recovery. The interviews highlight the critical link between mental and physical well-being for high-level performance in demanding professions like policing and in overcoming significant health challenges. Key Themes and Ideas: 1. The Importance of Mental and Psychological Aspects in High-Level Performance: · Both sources emphasize that physical skill and training are only part of the equation for achieving peak performance. · Mo Perry highlights historical evidence from Eastern Bloc countries' dominance in international sports, attributing it partly to their significant emphasis on the mental and psychological aspects of training. · Key Fact: "when it comes to high level performance about 85% minimum. Some will say as high as 90% is the mental psychological aspect of um of what's going on inside your mind in the privacy of your own mind." (Mo Perry) · This mental component involves internal dialogue, self-talk, and managing stress and anxiety. 2. Performance Enhancement Imagery: Definition and Applications: · Performance imagery is defined as "creating or recreating an experience in the mind." (Mo Perry) · It targets and leverages the "power of the subconscious mind because it's the subconscious mind that driv drives high level performance." (Mo Perry) · While commonly used informally (e.g., rehearsing a speech), structured and intentional imagery is shown to be more effective, supported by research and science. · Mo Perry has applied performance imagery in various domains within policing and beyond: · Firearms training (for new recruits, inservice members, and overcoming fear) · Sport (baseball pitching) · Police recruit training (final tests, scenario-based exams) · Sergeants promotional panels (interviews) · Reintegration for members after extended leave or use of force incidents · Police Officer Physical Aptitude Test preparation · De-escalation training and effective listening · Pre-surgery and post-surgery applications (most impactful personally for Mo and highlighted through Chris's story) 3. The Mind-Body Connection: · A central tenet discussed is the powerful and often underestimated connection between the mind and body. · Mo Perry explains how the mind controls various physiological processes, including heart rate, hormone release, healing, and blood flow. · Key Quote: "your body can your mind sorry can actually control blood flow." (Mo Perry) · This connection is leveraged in imagery, particularly in the context of Chris's surgery, to influence physical outcomes. 4. Chris Borgstead's Journey and the Impact of Imagery on His Whipple Surgery: · Chris faced a significant health challenge: recurrent pancreatitis due to a structural abnormality in his pancreas, leading to a high risk of pancreatic cancer. · He was diagnosed with an IPMN (Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm), an unknown origin tumor, and deemed a candidate for a Whipple procedure. · The Whipple is a complex and invasive surgery involving the removal of significant portions of the pancreas, stomach, and small intestine. It carries a low two-year survival rate for those with cancer, and even for preventive cases like Chris's, involves a challenging recovery. · Chris describes feeling like a "ticking time bomb" and experiencing fear when confronted with the reality of the surgery and being referred to an oncologist. · Mo Perry developed a personalized 30-minute imagery script for Chris with several key goals: · Lowering cognitive state and anxiety: Reducing worry and negative self-talk leading up to the ...
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    46 mins
  • Elite Nutrition

    Elite Nutrition
    Apr 15 2025

    Alright everyone, welcome back to the "Bend Don't Break" podcast! This is episode number 87, and we're rolling right along in our six-part series on becoming an elite performer, whether that's in your job or your personal life. We've already covered the essentials of elite sleep, and last time we dove into knowing your markers with Nia Health and Sameer Dhar who talked about proactive tests for optimum health and wellbeing

    And today, we're tackling part three of this elite performance puzzle, and it's a big one: elite nutrition. We've got a fantastic guest joining us today, Lynae Chodat.

    Now, Lynae has a really interesting background. She grew up in Saskatchewan, moved to Alberta for her paralegal studies, and then headed to Vancouver where she worked as a paralegal and in the fitness industry . But that's not all – at 28, she became a police officer and served for 26 years1 . So, right off the bat, she understands the demands and pressures that our first responder community faces.

    But Lynae's journey didn't stop there. In her mid-40s, she started to seriously study nutrition, building on decades of personal interest . Today, she's a Certified Holistic Nutritionist (CHN), Certified Holistic Counsellor (CHC), Natural Nutritional Clinical Practitioner (NNCP), and a Certified Mindset Coach. She's got diplomas in Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Consulting from Alive Academy and is registered with the Canadian Association of Natural Nutrition Practitioners.

    Lynae's personal wellness journey has definitely been tested, as she describes it, building strength and resilience along the way. She even credits her fitness with helping her survive a life-saving surgery . And that's really where the "Bend Don't Break" philosophy comes in, right? As Lynae says, "Build for Impact," train for the hard days, not just the good ones. That mindset is crucial, especially for our first responders who face incredibly challenging situations.

    So, get ready to dive deep with Lynae Chodat as we explore the world of elite nutrition and why it's absolutely vital for those who are on the front lines, day in and day out. Let's get to it!
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    41 mins
  • Episode 86 Sameer Dhar - Nia Health

    Episode 86 Sameer Dhar - Nia Health
    Apr 8 2025
    I had the pleasure of hosting Sameer Dhar, CEO & Co-Founder of NiaHealth, on Episode 86 of the Bend Don't Break podcast! We dove deep into the future of proactive health and how NiaHealth is revolutionizing employee health benefits. NiaHealth is making cutting-edge proactive care accessible to everyone, offering a breakthrough health check-up that’s available to all employees, not just the C-suite . This means first responders can really start to be proactive about their health. Nia Health are changing the game with next-gen longevity check-ups that analyze over 50 health biomarkers, VO2 Max, body composition, gut microbiome, and more . The insights are truly unprecedented! What makes NiaHealth stand out? Real Outcomes: They're uncovering undiagnosed conditions like pre-diabetes in over 30% of clients, which can lead to significant cost savings for companies . Employee-Loved Experience: Think 15-minute in-office blood draws, user-friendly dashboards, customized plans, and ongoing support . It's convenient, clear, and impactful. We discussed how NiaHealth is addressing key employer challenges like rising healthcare costs, lost productivity, and the need to attract and retain top talent . This isn't just a benefit; it's a game-changer for employee health and the bottom line. A huge thank you to Sameer for sharing his vision and expertise! Listen to the full episode to learn more about: The difference between NiaHealth and traditional primary care/executive health programs . How NiaHealth’s technology delivers personalized health plans and empowers individuals to take control of their well-being . The importance of proactive health in today's work environment. #EmployeeHealth #HealthBenefits #ProactiveHealth #Wellbeing #HR #Benefits #NiaHealth #Podcast #BendDontBreak #SameerDhar #HealthTech #PreventiveCare #Longevity Want to learn more about NiaHealth? Check out their website or reach out to Sameer Dhar www,niahealth.co
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    35 mins

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