Sebastien Lavoie, a veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Armed Forces with over two decades of dedicated service, is now the CEO of Raven Strategic Inc. after retiring as BC Divisional Sergeant Major from the RCMP in 2021. 

His professional journey spans from being an Air Marshall to a Chief Warrant Officer, roles in which he has honed skills in crisis management, emergency response, risk assessment, and wellness strategies. Sebastien is also recognized as an accomplished martial artist, public speaker, and a passionate advocate for wellness and fitness, as seen through his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu, the founding of Sheepdog and Dogs Den Crossfit gyms, and his roles as co-owner and instructor at Ascension Martial Arts in Poco, Canada.

Sebastien continues pushing boundaries and is finishing a master's degree in international security focusing on Global Counter-Terrorism. 

In this episode, we dive into Sebastien's illustrious career, discussing his martial arts training, particularly in Brazilian Jiujitsu, and its application in the combatives program he oversaw. 

We also explore his unique perspectives on the selection process for the Emergency Response Team, his advice for those aspiring to join elite tactical communities and his dedication to fostering leadership and mindset through his work at Raven Strategic.

You can learn more about Seb and get in touch with him on his personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slavccmdr/

This is the first of a two-part episode, so stay tuned for the second half coming in a few days. 

Timestamps:

• 00:00:23 Intro
• 00:02:30 Overview
• 00:11:04 Purpose and Training
• 00:17:41 Operational Time
• 00:22:57 Career 
• 00:25:07 Jiu Jitsu
• 00:29:19 Black Belt
• 00:34:36 Gi or No Gi Jiu Jitsu
• 00:39:13 Skill Acquisition and Flow State
• 00:41:10 How To Prepare For Selection
• 00:43:46 Outro