The Science of Stress and the Power of Control
- Jessica Gannon
- Oct 8
- 4 min read
Written by Detective Amanda Rhodes, Ellisville Police Department
Trainee of YFFR Instructor School Class 037
“It is not the demands of the job that cause the most stress, but the degree of control workers feel they have throughout their day. The studies also found that the effort required by a job is not in itself stressful, but rather the imbalance between the effort we give and the reward we feel. Put simply: less control, more stress.”― Simon Sinek
Editor’s Note
At Yoga For First Responders®, we believe that true resilience begins with awareness. In this reflection, Detective Amanda Rhodes of the Ellisville Police Department — a graduate of Instructor School Class 037 — shares her journey through stress, service, and discovering YFFR’s research-based tools for regulating the nervous system. Her story embodies the mission of YFFR: empowering those who serve to process stress proactively, build resilience, and continue showing up strong for their communities.
Let’s Talk About Stress
STRESS — a six-letter word that has been used as an excuse for generations, even though stress as a science was only hypothesized in 1936 by Hans Selye. He exposed rats to environmental stimuli that produced a synthetic “fight or flight” response, causing a decrease in the thymus. The word stress became a household term sometime in the late 20th century.
Growing up, I remember hearing about “stress” constantly on television.
Headaches? Must be stress.
Chest pain? You have too much stress in your life.
Shortness of breath? That’s caused by stress.
Stress was the explanation for nearly everything. Around that same time, the self-help industry exploded. It seemed like everyone had a solution to stress. Oprah launched her famous book club, promoting literature that promised to reduce it. Meanwhile, celebrities like Anna Nicole Smith and Kurt Cobain became tragic symbols of the pressures of fame — pressures that ultimately led to their deaths from substance abuse and suicide.
A Moment That Changed Everything
I remember exactly where I was on September 11, 2001. I was in an advanced chemistry class for students preparing for medical careers. I can still recall the profound sadness as I watched the footage — people jumping from unimaginable heights, the ash-filled air, and the realization that New Yorkers were breathing in the dust of human remains. Sitting there, eyes glued to the television, I felt an overwhelming desire to help people in their moments of despair. I wanted to offer stability when everything around them was chaos.
That desire never left. Through college and into adulthood, I sought ways to serve — volunteering at homeless shelters, baking cookies for the local fire department, anything that gave back. Life eventually led me in a different direction, and in my late twenties, I enrolled in the Law Enforcement Academy in August 2014.
Just days before, on August 9, 2014, the officer-involved shooting of Michael Brown by Ferguson Officer Darren Wilson occurred. The riots that followed shook the community I called home. It was intense to witness history unfolding in front of me — and yet, my naïve optimism remained. I knew I was where I needed to be. I cared deeply about people and wanted to prove that the media’s portrayal of law enforcement wasn’t the whole story. I wasn’t racist. I didn’t wake up planning to hurt people.
The Reality of the Job
Entering law enforcement during such unrest came with challenges. I walked past protest lines — sometimes past my own chief, who seemed more concerned with appearances than supporting his officers — and had objects thrown at me while entering my department. Still, I swore to protect even those who hated me.
Throughout my career, I’ve faced sexual harassment, degradation, and gender discrimination — but I’ve also witnessed incredible acts of courage and humanity. I’ve been in foot and vehicle pursuits, made arrests, and seen justice served. I’ve removed dangerous individuals from the streets and been the confidant for children disclosing abuse. I’ve served as a patrol officer, school resource officer, narcotics detective, and general detective.
Needless to say, I love my job — and I’m grateful to speak about it from a place of resilience and pride.
Discovering YFFR
So, what does Yoga For First Responders® have to do with my story?
In short — everything.
After more than a decade in law enforcement, I’ve experienced relentless stress: responding to calls that trigger hyper-vigilance, negotiating with a son holding his mother hostage at gunpoint, wrestling a suspect trying to draw a firearm, seeing the aftermath of sexual abuse, or worse — witnessing children returned to abusive homes.
I know my biggest challenge in bringing YFFR to my agency will be facing the skeptics — those who believe you should “just pull yourself up by your bootstraps and go to the next call.” Ironically, many of those same officers have suffered heart attacks, chronic back pain, or multiple divorces. I’ve watched coworkers self-destruct through addiction, infidelity, and suicidal ideation.
What if there were a way to recreate the body’s stress response — like Hans Selye did — but in a controlled environment that teaches recovery instead of destruction?
That’s exactly what YFFR offers.
Regaining Control
I believe in Yoga For First Responders because it provides a way to regulate the nervous system before reaching for a drink, bottling up emotions, or worse — turning a weapon on yourself. YFFR gives us tools to take back control of our minds and bodies. Breathwork isn’t just a wellness trend — it’s a survival skill.
In public service, the most valuable resource isn’t equipment or technology — it’s the officers who put on the uniform every day. Supporting their mental and physical resilience isn’t optional; it’s essential.
Want to learn how to bring YFFR’s research-backed protocol to your agency?
References
Bockarova, M. (2022, January 12). The History of Stress. The American Institute of Stress. https://www.stress.org/news/the-history-of-stress/Sinek, S. (2017). Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t. Portfolio Penguin.
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