Embracing Emotional Intelligence and Breathwork with Abbie Westgate

In this episode, Kyle Goodknight and Abbie Westgate explore her journey from personal loss to a career in police work, highlighting the identity challenges first responders face. They discuss the varying support systems across police forces and the critical role of emotional intelligence in policing and mental health. The conversation delves into addressing mental health stigma, the importance of emotional regulation, and how embracing emotional intelligence can enhance decision-making and resilience. Abbie shares her transition to Healing Blue Hearts and the benefits of breathwork and alternative therapies for first responders. The episode concludes with ways to connect with Abbie and closing thoughts.

Hi, I’m Abbie

I’m a former UK police sergeant - I served for six years.

I was incredibly passionate about my work and was promoted within three years, but fell seriously ill a year later from stress, burnout and trauma caused by events both in my personal and professional life.

On my road to recovery, I discovered a completely different approach to healing than the one we were taught in the police - working with the body/somatics and the nervous system.

This became my new passion and two years later, I walked away from what was once my dream job to qualify as a somatic breathwork practitioner & run my own coaching business - Healing Blue Hearts, guiding frontline workers to become more resilient to stress and burnout using the same modalities that supported me.

https://www.instagram.com/healing_blue_hearts

(0:00) Introduction and Abbie Westgate's journey from loss to police work
(4:13) The role of identity as a first responder and its challenges
(6:51) Comparing support systems in different police forces
(13:08) The role of emotional intelligence in policing and mental health
(17:22) Addressing mental health stigma and the importance of emotional regulation
(20:36) Embracing emotional intelligence for better decision-making and resilience
(23:46) Abbie Westgate's transition to Healing Blue Hearts and breathwork
(28:41) The benefits of breathwork and alternative therapies for first responders
(32:15) Connecting with Abbie Westgate and closing thoughts
(33:06) Sponsor: Healing Blue Hearts