ABOUT
The Official Bio
Tim Grutzius graduated from the YAM Yoga School (Laurel Park, NC) and is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance. He is also a recognized Level Two teacher through Warriors at Ease (trauma-informed training).
Additionally, Tim holds certifications as a personal trainer, health coach, holistic health practitioner, wellness consultant, and reiki master practitioner.
Tim serves on the Board of Directors with the local non-profit STAND T.A.L.L. He is also on the Board of PTSD.CHAT, which hosts a global weekly Twitter chat (#PTSDCHAT) for traumatized people. Tim is co-chair of the Thin Line Support Group, an online peer support forum for first responders. He is also an active member of the Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Team.
Tim retired in 2019 as a Lieutenant/Paramedic after 25 years of service with the Alsip(Illinois) Fire Department. He is also a US Army Veteran and the Owner of Mind Body Badge Yoga and Wellness.
“I became a personal trainer, yoga instructor, and pursued certifications that would allow me to share what I learned through my own personal struggles.”
- Tim Grutzius
My Story of Transformation
The Old Tim
I always felt on edge and stressed. I was sedentary. I averaged 4 1/2 hours of sleep a night. My diet was terrible. I was pre-diabetic. I carried extra weight. By lunchtime, I was so exhausted that I had to take a nap.
My Awakening
During Illinois Firefighter Peer Support training, I realized that I had a major issue with stress in my life. When the topic of post-traumatic stress was discussed, I immediately recognized the symptoms within myself. They were talking about me.
My lifestyle and choices were preventing me from being the very best me. I partnered with practitioners from counseling, chiropractic care, acupuncture, reiki, yoga, nutrition guidance, massage therapy, and advanced exercise routines. Together they steered me down a path towards wellbeing. They pushed and nudged and helped me to find my best self.
As I regained control of myself physically, one component still remained: my elevated stress levels. As I learned ways to better manage my stress, I began to notice that things I once obsessed or worried about (finances, interpersonal relationships, health, etc.) improved.
This important relationship between mind, body, and spirit was so apparent to me. I could not fix one and ignore another and expect optimum results. The mind, body, and spirit rely on and affect one another intrinsically. Once I understood how to get these three connected and working in unison, I thrived.
Who I Am Today
I know how to manage my stress; I’m empowered; my body is in great physical condition. I’m able to tackle the daily bumps in the road with ease and confidence. I became a personal trainer, yoga instructor, and pursued certifications that would allow me to share what I learned through my own personal struggles. With every new day I do the best I can with what I have in each moment to make this world a better place to live not only for myself, but others in-kind.
