VIBE Whole Health is a wellness application for first responders. The app offers courses to improve physical fitness and nutrition along with providing relaxation techniques, mental coping exercises and other self-care courses. (Graphic provided)
Geneva resident Pete Olsen knows the stress that first responders experience on a daily basis.
Olsen, a former law enforcement officer, also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the military operation that overthrew the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein.
“When Pete returned from Iraq, he was – without being aware of it – suffering from some mental health issues caused by trauma,” said his brother, John Olsen.
Their St. Charles-based technology company, AW Berry & Associates, last year launched VIBE Whole Health, a wellness application for first responders. The app offers courses to improve physical fitness and nutrition along with providing relaxation techniques, mental coping exercises and other self-care courses.
The app is divided into three categories – mind, body and diet.
Several of the content providers on the app are based in Kane County, including St. Charles-based Bent Dog Yoga, Geneva-based Naturally Nourished by Natalie Weiss and St. Charles-based clinical psychologist Dr. Melissa Sharp.
They launched the app about six months ago. Their first client was the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“We kind of crafted the first version towards their needs,” Pete Olsen said.
Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser considers the app a valuable resource.
“Our first responders are indispensable as are the prosecutors and staff of the State’s Attorney’s Office,” Mosser said. “We must give them the support they need to perform in these high-risk environments and high-pressure courtrooms.”
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office is also using the app. Pete Olsen hopes the app provides help to those dealing with stressful situations.
“Our mother was an ER nurse and we have a lot of cousins that are in law enforcement and are paramedics,” he said. “John worked for an emergency medical service for a ski resort. There are a lot of things that negatively affect people that do these type of jobs. It’s probably applicable to everyone, but we want to address it for the people that are protecting the community and make this something that’s viable and a realistic solution for the problems that we don’t really address fully.”
John Olsen said the app aims to provide “total wellness.”
“It’s about your whole health,” he said. “It’s kind of a different approach from what you’ll find with other wellness applications. What we’re trying to develop and working on developing is something that will be really impactful for your entire health and happiness.”
The feedback they get from their clients will be used to improve the app’s content.
“We’re seeing what works and what doesn’t work,” Pete Olsen said.
More information about VIBE Whole Health is available by emailing info@vibewholehealth.com or calling 630- 474-4459.
Eric Schelkopf covers St. Charles and writes entertainment stories for the Kane County Chronicle.
Copyright © 2021 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2021 Shaw Local News Network
