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When I reflect on my 33 years in emergency services—20 of them in law enforcement—I’m struck by a powerful paradox. Every day, police officers and first responders demonstrate extraordinary courage, running toward danger while others run away. Yet, while we have actively pursued robust awareness campaigns, we’ve rarely given these servant leaders the evidence-based tools they need to sustain their own well-being and thrive, not just survive.
That contradiction is what drives my work today.
My Journey From the Streets to Positive Psychology
After decades as a police officer, I found myself asking deeper questions about what sustains people who face adversity as part of their daily work. From my days on the best, to retirement transition, and finding purpose in this next chapter of life, I have faced many of my own traumas and learned many lessons on how to use the adversity to my advantage. I’ve learned not to just be resilient, but also to embrace what Nasim Taleb calls anti-fragility. Since retirement, I have written many articles for commercial outlets, commentated for TV news, and written a book.
It was not until I found the science of well-being that I was able to identify my new purpose. While my academic journey began at Hofstra University, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and Criminal Justice way back in 1997, it was certifying as a Master Resiliency Trainer in 2021 where I found my academic path. Becoming an MRT led me to earning my Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania, which fundamentally transformed how I understood resilience, courage, and human flourishing. MAPP is the founding degree in the field of Positive Psychology, developed and taught by Dr. Martin Seligman, with only 800-plus graduates globally. I am proud to share that I am the only street cop with this degree.
At Penn, I discovered something that resonated with everything I’d witnessed on the job: the power of our stories. My research has focused on the use of the humanities—specifically the science of storytelling—as tools for coping, healing, and emotional regulation. Stories don’t just entertain us; they shape how we make meaning of traumatic experiences and integrate them into our lives. Whether they be told through literature, art, or music- storytelling connects us and heals us.
Courageous Optimism: A Theory Born from the Front Lines
Dr. Seligman once asked me, “What allows a police officer to run into gunfire when everyone else is running away?” Through my research and lived experience, I’ve developed what I call the “Courageous Optimism” theory that answers that very question and so much more. This framework seeks to understand and articulate what allows police officers to do what seems impossible to most people: act intentionally, decisively, and in spite of fear.
Courageous Optimism centers on three core psychological capacities:
- Self-determination – the intrinsic motivation to serve and protect
- Self-efficacy – the belief in one’s ability to handle whatever comes
- Courage in spite of fear – not the absence of fear, but action despite it
These aren’t just abstract concepts. They’re the psychological bedrock that enables officers to run toward gunfire, intervene in domestic violence, or pull someone from a burning vehicle, and seek help when their own mental health is compromised. Understanding these mechanisms isn’t just academically interesting—it’s essential for supporting the long-term well-being of those who serve.
What You’ll Find Here
This blog will be grounded in the science, theory, and application of Positive Psychology, featuring a strengths-based approach to building well-being for police officers and other first responders. But this isn’t just for those who wear the badge. The ideas we will explore will serve everyone equally, because that is what we expect from our police officers.
I’ll cover topics that serve a dual purpose: equipping first responders with practical, evidence-based tools while also building bridges between law enforcement and the communities they serve. When we view public safety through the lens of Positive Psychology—emphasizing character strengths, meaningful connection, and shared humanity—we create opportunities for understanding that transcend division.
My mission is clear: to provide research-informed, practical tools for our servant leaders so they can show up as the best version of themselves for their organizations, their communities, and most importantly, their families.
