Today we’d like to introduce you to Trea Drake.
Hi Trea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always been interested in human being and what makes them tick so I studied Psychology in college. I ended up with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education, with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis. I worked in the field of Behavior Analysis for almost 20 years before I found Krav Maga, an Israeli-developed self-defense system. I became an instructor in Krav Maga and eventually left Behavior Analysis.
I have been training in Krav Maga for 16 years now and I am responsible for youth programming at Krav Maga Houston. I developed a program there for children who want to earn a Junior Black Belt in Krav Maga before they graduate High School, who also want to become leaders in their community. We teach them 24 character strengths, logical fallacies, cognitive distortions, verbal de-escalation, and how to be upstanders rather than bystanders. Part of that curriculum includes meditation and breathing practice.
When Covid began, I wanted to stay busy since the gym was shut down, and I wanted to figure out a way to serve the community. So, I taught breathing and meditation online for free all of 2020. After doing that, I realized that I could continue doing that as a side gig in the event that something similar to Covid happens is in the future. That’s how my business, Nervous Apes, was born.
Nervous Apes focus on what we consider to be the foundations of optimal living; Breathing, Meditation, and Communication. We have programs in all three areas and are so happy to be doing something that is aligned with our values of service and being a blessing to others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggle is pivoting after building a business for over a decade that is almost completely destroyed in the first 12 months of a pandemic. I lost two investment businesses entirely, lost 52% of my income, and had to sell my childhood home.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We teach Breathing, Meditation and Communication. We offer a 6-Week Breathing and Meditation Course that focuses on the following:
An assessment of your breathing style and range of motion of the breathing container (i.e., the rib cage). Ninety percent of the population breathes in an aberrant way that results in a long list of health issues. This assessment will help you begin to take control of your breathing and promote healthy breathing habits.
• Exercises to increase the flexibility of the breathing container (i.e., the rib cage). The rib cage gradually becomes less flexible over time making it more difficult to take a proper breath as we age. Additionally, most of us develop an emotional corset after the age of 5 that prevents us from breathing properly.
• Exercises to increase the strength of the breathing muscles.
• Ability to assess the status of your nervous system, and choose breathing practices to up/downregulate accordingly.
• A rich, motivating meditation experience that will provide you a buffet of options to choose from based on interest, opportunity, or need.
The goal of the program is to:
• Assist you in understanding yourself at the deepest level
• Decrease the suffering of yourself, and others
• Increase personal fulfillment
• Promote positive behavior change in yourself
• Promote a spirit of service toward others
Finally, we offer a 14-Week Intentional Communication Program that teaches people to identify communication patterns that are no longer serving them, and to speak more intentionally.
We are the only organization that I know of that offers the combination of breathing, meditation, and communication.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about Houston is the great food options. Especially the spicy cheese puffs at my local convenience store. What I like least about our city is the hot summers.
Pricing:
- $149 for 6-week Breathing/Meditation Course
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.nervousapes.com
- Instagram: @nervousapes
- Facebook: facebook.com/nervousapes
