Dr. Megan McElheran On Before Operational Stress, Applying Stoicism Not Just Talking About It, and Why I Cried During This Interview

In this episode Dr. Megan McElheran, a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with uniformed service personnel delves into Dr. McElheran's development of upstream training programs aimed at preparing military and public safety professionals to manage stress before it becomes overwhelming. Marcus and Dr. McElheran explore the concepts of post-traumatic growth, the importance of action-oriented stoic philosophy, and practical steps for emotional regulation. Dr. McElheran shares her journey into psychology, the creation of the Before Operational Stress (BOS) program, and data-backed evidence of its effectiveness.

Episode Highlights:

12:45 The Role of Stoicism in Uniformed Services

24:28 The Importance of De-escalation and Self-Care

25:26 Training Gaps and Operational Stress

26:15 The Duality of Tactical Skills and Trauma

32:43 Facing Fear and Taking Action

Dr. Megan McElheran is a dedicated trauma therapist specializing in helping first responders, active-duty members of the Canadian Forces, and community members navigate the aftermath of traumatic events. With expertise in evidence-based practices such as Prolonged Exposure, EMDR, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Megan provides a safe, structured environment for clients to process and heal. Her work emphasizes resilience and the profound capacity for change, as shared in her 2011 TEDx talk, Trauma, Change, and Resilience. Megan’s compassionate approach empowers individuals to rebuild their lives, transforming the impact of trauma into growth and strength.

You can learn more about Dr. McElheran here: https://www.wayfound.ca/dr-megan-mcelheran

Take the course with discount code BOSPOD: https://education.beforeoperationalstress.com/pages/our-courses

Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.

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