This past week, our community was rocked to its core.
Three of our police officers were shot and killed. Two more were critically wounded. One of those brave men is someone close to my heart—Officer Dave—a protector, a prankster, and a friend.
When we had our kettle corn stand at York Central Market during the weekdays, Dave would visit with his K9 partner, Dargo. If we weren’t there, he’d hide Dargo’s trading cards all over our stand just to make us laugh. (One time we found 26 of them!) At 6’5”, he also loved to hide the kettle corn up high where I’d never reach it—because at 5 feet tall, I was an easy target. But that was Dave. Kind-hearted. Joyful. Loyal. A bright spot in so many people’s days.
Now he’s fighting for recovery. And we’re all grieving, shaken, and searching for hope in the midst of heartbreak.
This post is a tribute to him—and a tool for all of us who need support right now.
What Trauma and Grief Do to the Body
When tragedy hits, the stress doesn’t just live in our emotions—it shows up physically.
Your nervous system goes into overdrive. Cortisol rises. Sleep disappears. Your digestion suffers. You may feel numb one minute and anxious the next.
As Gary Brecka teaches, unprocessed trauma affects methylation, hormone function, inflammation, and overall immunity. It changes your body at the biochemical level. But so do the right inputs: breath, routine, prayer, food, and connection.
Tools for Coping: Grounded Strategies in Times of Crisis
These are some of the tools I lean on and teach—grounded in Primal principles, modern science, and the wisdom of leaders like Paul Saladino, Ed Mylett, Shawn Stevenson, and the Primal Health Coach Institute.
1. Stick to Real Food (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)
Grief can steal your appetite—or send you into a spiral of sugar and junk food. But your body needs stability now more than ever.
Prioritize:
- Grass-fed animal protein
- Bone broth
- Pastured eggs
- Raw dairy (if tolerated)
- Seasonal fruit and fermented vegetables
- Clean fats like tallow, butter, avocado, and olive oil
Avoid seed oils like:
- Canola
- Soybean
- Safflower
- Corn
- Sunflower (refined)
- Grapeseed
These oils fuel inflammation and dysregulate your brain chemistry. Choosing nutrient-dense, ancestral foods provides your body with the raw materials to begin rebuilding.
2. Move, Breathe, and Anchor
You don’t have to train hard. But you do need to move and regulate your breath.
Shawn Stevenson teaches that light movement, fresh air, and quality sleep are three of the most underused tools for trauma recovery.
Try:
- A short walk in the morning sun
- Cold plunge or contrast showers to reduce stress hormones
- Deep breathing: Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 8
- Prayer, scripture reading, or gratitude journaling
- Journaling your thoughts—even if they’re messy
As Ed Mylett says: “Go back to your rituals when you feel like you’re losing control.”
You Don’t Have to Be Perfect—Just Present
You’re allowed to grieve. To cry. To question everything. But please, don’t disappear on yourself.
Try to keep one or two non-negotiables in place:
- A protein-forward meal
- 10 minutes of movement
- A quiet moment of prayer or meditation
- Staying connected to people who love you
As we teach in the Primal Health Coach Institute—healing doesn’t happen in chaos. It happens in rhythm. Let that rhythm carry you, even when you feel lost.
Final Words: For Dave, and for Us All
To Dave—you brought joy to everyone who knew you. Even when you were hiding my kettle corn up in the rafters, you were showing up with love. We’re holding space for your healing. And we’re praying fiercely for your full recovery.
To our community—let’s grieve together. Let’s rise together. Let’s not forget that wellness is more than what we eat. It’s how we live, love, and support each other in the hard moments.
Maya Angelou said it best:
“Violence never solves anything.”
And yet, it has changed everything for so many families this week. We can’t undo the heartbreak, but we can choose to respond differently. To love louder. To be still more often. To serve our bodies and our communities with compassion, not chaos.
Support Our Officers
If you feel moved to help, please consider donating to www.Project-Overwatch.org. Thi
Your support could help someone like Dave find the healing they need in the weeks and months to come.
With love, honor, and strength,
— Jen Robinson 
Faith-Fueled Community Advocate | Master Primal Health Coach | Forever Grateful for Our Heroes
#Primalempoweredliving #YorkStrong #HonorOurOfficers #HealingWithCompassion #ProjectOverWatch #PrimalStressTools #SupportFirstResponders #MayaAngelou #JoyfulHeartLiving
