Season Seven - Episode Two - Brandon Wicks and Jen Rondeau

The ability to slow down, take a deep breath and be present in the moment in something I think most of us take for granted. For Brandon Wicks, developing and growing this ability through yoga has helped him overcome his mental health issues. Now, he and Jen Rondeau are working with the Royal University Hospital’s Adult Mental Health Short Stay Unit to empower patients on their road to recovery. 

If you’re looking for Brandon Wicks, there’s a good chance he’s here at Rise Strength Lab. Brandon is not only a personal trainer at the gym but he owns Rise Strength Lab. 

Every time I see Brandon at the gym, he has a smile on his face and is talking with staff or members. He’s caring man with a big heart who has battled through some pretty challenging mental health issues in recent years.

You’ll hear Brandon share his personal story in this episode, but there was a point during his story where he needed professional help. In January of 2023, Brandon spent two weeks at the Adult Mental Health Short Stay Unit at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

There was no gym equipment for him to access during his two week stay, but there was a yoga mat! So Brandon would spend an hour every evening on a mat stretching and breathing and trying to ground himself in the present moment. It helped him immensely. 

When Brandon left the hospital, he shared his story with Jen Rondeau. Jen is a full time paramedic and also the owner of Ivy Yoga House who has had her own mental health challenges. 

Brandon wanted to give the gift of yoga back to the mental health short stay unit, and with Jen’s help, was able to do so earlier this year. The story behind this innovative yoga program is, I think, inspiring and you’ll hear it shared with great emotion by Brandon and Jen. 

The program also inspired Jennifer Molloy. She the CEO of the Royal University Hospital Foundation which is now backing the yoga program for an additional two years. So far, the yoga program at the mental health short stay unit has been running one class a week, but thanks to the RUH Foundation’s support, there will be two classes a week starting in 2025. 

I want to thank Brandon and Jen for sharing so much in this episode and I know their efforts are truly making a difference in our community.

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Cheers...Eric

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis