Annual Report_2017_FINAL_Low Res

ANNUAL REPORT | FISCAL YEAR 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

OUR PROGRAMS 

pg. 3-12 

Yoga Program 

Educational Curriculum 

Annual Retreat 

OUR COMMUNITY 

pg. 15-20 

OUR SUPPORTERS 

pg. 21-26 

FINANCIALS 

pg. 27-28

the invisible challenge 

Over 2.5 million traumatic brain injuries occur in the US annually 

The cost of care over a lifetime can be as high as $3,000,000 

For many people affected by traumatic brain injury, access to a community who 

understand the challenges of living with a traumatic brain injury is limited 

MISSION STATEMENT 

We improve the quality of life of people affected by traumatic brain 

injury and raise awareness about the importance of brain health. 

OUR APPROACH 

Our programs and resources are designed to create community, foster 

resilience, and help people understand the importance of loving your brain. 

OUR WORK 

Community programs 

Resources 

Awareness 

VISION STATEMENT 

We envision a world where everyone affected by traumatic brain injury is connected to a 

compassionate community and empowered by resources to live a brain healthy lifestyle. 

1 

LOVEYOURBRAIN | ANNUAL REPORT

OUR PROGRAMS 

pg. 3-12 

Yoga Program 



“I am developing self-discipline and patience with 

myself. After my TBI I began to isolate myself and I 

lacked confidence in myself. I was afraid I would 

stumble or say something odd or get lost in my own 

neighborhood. This program made me realize there 

are tools out there for me to use, to help me and 

people to guide me.” 

- LYB yogi from Urban Wellness studio in Phoenix, AZ 

LOVEYOURBRAIN | ANNUAL REPORT 2

I think the connection to others who have experienced the situation is such a gift... 

having time after yoga to share, learn, and discuss was so beneficial. I think it allowed 

me to normalize a lot of the things I still struggle with, and really felt like a protective, 

safe space for this odd and often invisible injury. The people in our group really made it 

special... for me to see the resilience in others was so uplifting and beautiful! 

- LYB yogi from PranaShanti studio in Ottawa, Canada 

3 


ABOUT 

We support people who have experienced a TBI and their caregivers to participate in a 

six-week gentle yoga and meditation program designed based on the science of resilience. 

IMPACT 

Expanded our program from 6 partner studios across 4 states to now offering it in a total of 23 

studios across 14 states and 1 Canadian province. 

Supported 302 people—231 people with traumatic brain injury (TBI), 66 caregivers, and 5 

clinicians—to participate in our program through 30 FUNdamentals series. We are proud that our 

program is serving a diverse community of people affected by TBI from age, injury severity to 

ongoing symptoms (e.g., light sensitivity, post-concussion syndrome, and PTSD). On average, 

participants rated their experience in the program as excellent (9.5 out of 10). 

Led 6 trainings for 186 yoga teachers and clinicians to learn how to adapt yoga and meditation 

for the TBI community. 

Trained 2 brain injury rehabilitation facilities to integrate our program into their clinical services. 

We aim to create a segue between the health care system and our community-based program to 

foster a more seamless continuum of care for people with TBI. 

Reached 916 people through in-person outreach, including Community Events, presentations at 

clinical facilities, brain injury support groups, academic conferences. 

LYB YOGA PROGRAM EXPANSION FY17 

Top 10 rehab facilities or TBI Model system 


PARTNER STUDIOS 

Laughing River in Winooski, VT 

Sangha in Burlington, VT 

Grateful Yoga in Montpelier, VT 

Heart of the Village in Manchester, VT 

Asana in Boston, MA 

Salt Power Yoga in Pittsburgh, PA 

Mighty Yoga in Lebanon, NH 

Alluem in Cranford, NJ 

Jamie Surya in Sarkille, NY 

Evolve to Harmony in Omaha, NE 

The River in Denver, CO 

Mosaic in San Diego, CA 

Yoga Bound in Carlsbad, CA 

Ume in Oakland, CA 

Urban Wellness in Phoenix, AZ 

Hot or Not in Albuquerque, NM 

Unfold in Portland, OR 

Yoga Lab in Bend, OR 

SKY in Tacoma, WA 

Evolation in Atlanta, GA 

PranaShanti in Ottawa, Canada 

Union Yoga and Wellness in Toronto, Canada 

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“Explaining a brain injury to people is difficult. It’s not like a broken leg that you can see 

and watch heal. It’s invisible. But at the Retreat there’s nothing to explain because 

everyone understands our difficulties and challenges because they live with them, too. 

There’s this look in their eye that says, ‘I totally get it, I know exactly how you feel.’” 

- Retreat Participant 

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ABOUT 

The Retreat Program is designed to provide a brain-healthy ecosystem through 

neuroscience-informed healing resources and community building. This experience sets 

the foundation for positive personal growth and a deeper connection to oneself and the 

LYB community. 

IMPACT 

Connected 49 people, including 26 diverse individuals with TBI and 2 caregivers, the 

majority of whom returned from previous years to continue to accelerate their healing. 

Everyone shared their desire to remain connected to this unique community and to serve as 

role models for future participants. 

“Having fellow survivors return each year builds friendships, continually taking 

our relationships to a deeper and deeper level. Over the years we’ve built a true 

family and it’s so great to reconnect each year and watch our fellow TBI 

Survivors grow.” 

-Retreat participant 

Integrated a variety of people within the TBI community, including individuals with injury, 

family members, traditional and complementary health care providers, LYB Yoga Teachers 

and students, in order to provide a comprehensive curriculum and experience. 

“This experience has given me such a valuable perspective. As a student 

therapist, it is easy to see myself as the person responsible for helping other 

individuals, but the retreat is such a unique experience that it hashelped me to 

understand all that I can gain from the people I surround myself with.” 

-Student Volunteer 


Engaged participants in self awareness and healing techniques with a focus on 

mindfulness. Our specialized curriculum offered opportunities for increased leadership. 

“It has been inspiring to see people grow and step into different roles 

each year. This amazing space encourages people to shine~ to believe in 

themselves and contribute to this family in incredible ways.” 

-LYB Team Member 

Empowered participants to contribute their skills to LYB educational resources and 

to share the retreat’s brain-healthy lifestyle tools and strategies with their families 

and communities. 

“I’ve started to figure things out, understanding that it doesn’t have to be 

so hard. I’m realizing that I have a lot more power than I have been 

thinking I have had, and realizing I’m not as alone as I was.” 


Inspired awareness and participation from family and friends. Using the power of story, 

our retreat family raised over $35,000 from 435 generous donors as part of our 

Vermont Marathon campaign. Participants then took part in two days of race events to 

achieve personal goals and showcase both individual and community resilience 

and support. 

“The Retreat is so special. It is raw and honest reflection about the impact 

of a brain injury on survivors and their support networks, but it is also an 

incredible symbol of hope and resilience.” 


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EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM 

“You instantly connected with these students, gave them a time to press pause and understand an 

incredible message... Your thoughts on mindfulness, positive thinking for your brain and valuing all 

that life has to offer resonated with everyone in the room and your sense of humor kept everyone 

relaxed and engaged. With so many teenagers taking risks, it was critical for them to hear how 

important it is to protect yourself, love your brain, love yourself and focus on the big picture.” 

- 

-Andy Campbell, Director of College Counseling, Brooks School 

11 


ABOUT 

Our curriculum includes a dynamic three-step approach—integrating film (the Crash Reel 

documentary), key influencers, and a comprehensive Educator’s Guide—to create a society of 

knowledgeable youth dedicated to living a brain-first mentality. 

IMPACT 

Expanded our curriculum into three prisons in partnership with Tribeca Film Institute, 

reaching over 250 incarcerated young men. 

Conducted seminars and speaking engagements to reach over 1,000 high school and college 

students at the following locations: 

• Presbytarian Day School in Memphis, TN 

• SUNY Update Medical School in Syracuse, NY 

• Colby College in Waterville, ME 

• Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg, VT 

• Millbrook School in Millbrook, NY 

LoveYourBrain was honored to have Kevin be part of TedxLincolnSquare, a special segment 

called Risk Takers and Changemakers, which featured ten live speakers and conversation with 

the audience. 

Led additional speaking engagements to reach thousands with our message of how to love 

your brain, including: 

• Mindshare Summit in San Diego, CA 

• Kadlec Medical Center in Richmond, WA 

• Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, IN 


COMMU 

OUR 

FUELS 

US 

13 


NITY 

OUR COMMUNITY 

pg. 15-20 


pg. 21-26 

FINANCIALS 

pg. 27-28 

LOVEYOURBRAIN | ANNUAL REPORT 

14

OUR COMMUNITY 

LoveYourBrain Tour 

Our tour up the west coast, alongside Here to Be, lululemon's social impact program, 

was a powerful platform for connecting with the TBI community and engaging new 

audiences about the importance of loving your brain. We achieved each of our goals: 

to raise awareness about the complexity of traumatic brain injury, to share the impact 

of yoga and meditation on building resilience and community, and to translate this 

awareness into action. Some of the valuable lessons we learned from the people we 

met along the way, particularly those affected by TBI, include: 

• Accept yourself: this is the foundation for true happiness 

• Vulnerability opens doors 

• We need each other: community provides us with strength, purpose, and a sense 

of belonging 

LOVEYOURBRAIN | ANNUAL REPORT 

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“Meditation offers me the space to be with myself.” 

-Teresa Reilly 

“We often get taken by the winds in our mind and then we think that’s the way the 

world is, but it’s not the way the world is, it’s just the way I’m seeing the world at 

this time.” 

- Had 

“Your mind wanders and it’s good to bring it back and focus on a singular thing, a 

sensation. Meditation was an opportunity to step away and appreciate what you have.” 

- Christian 


“I have been teaching yoga for over 15 years, and I have to say that the connection and the vibe that 

was in the room not only fostered a sense of well-being and love, but it really felt as if we were 

creating healing through compassion. Among us, was a TBI survivor and it was her very first 

experience practicing yoga. She admitted it was the scariest thing that she has done in a long time 

and she is so thankful that she came. Probably one of the most amazing things was that even those 

practicing across from her, and next to her, had no idea of her physical limitations because the idea 

of connecting with and loving oneself was the key focus of the night. This idea of discovering our 

own potential allowed each participant to dive inside of themselves and in turn, that love spilled 

over and through the room to everyone else! We are stronger when we are together!!!” 

- Amy Black 

MindfulMarch Highlights 

Thanks to our matching donors, Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation and Here to Be, 

for being part of this momentous display of community, kindness, and support. 

This year was a record for our organization: 

• Raised $160,800 

• Reached over 20,000 people with our message 

• 154 yoga classes offered in 25 states and 5 countries 

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"Love what you're doing! I've recently been recovering from my first pretty bad 

concussion and yoga has helped me feel grounded amongst the brain fog and slowed 

down thinking. Thanks for starting this movement!" 

- Allyson 

“My piece of wisdom is that positive thinking helps so much. I've had my down days, 

but take everyday you get as a gift. Work out your negative feelings and think 

positively.” 

- Ryan Levins 


19 


“At that time I remember thinking, "Things have to get better. If we just hang in there things 

will get better on their own.” Things didn't get better. Natalie fell from the window and things 

got much worse. I have learned that you have to keep working at your goals and moving 

forward no matter how bad things get. For me, that means celebrating progress, learning to 

accept the present, and not dwelling on the past or what's been lost.” 

-Valerie Bach 



Thank you for making our work possible. 

$10,000+ 

John Bogle 

Jake and Donna Carpenter 

glassybaby white light fund 

Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation 

lululemon | here to be 

Stephanie Peters 

Simon Pearce 

JJ Virgin 

Kathryn and Mark Whiteside 

$5,000-$9,999 

Adams 12 Five Star Schools 

Teresa Cochrane 

Ettinger Foundation 

David Haase 

Brett Hershey 

Khoa Huynh 

Roger Mortimer 

Babs Smith 

$1,000-$4,999 

David Acker 

Sara Agah 

Alluem Yoga 

Caroline Aslanian 

David Asprey 

Alejandra Carrasco 

Sarica Cernohous 

Mary Clifton 

Joyce Conwell 

Brendan and Alexandra Donahue 

Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation 

Keesha Ewers 

Celeste Fine 

Carol O'Connor Fischer and 

David Fischer 

Anne Fischer 

Emily Fletcher 

Sarah and Michael Franti 

Kathy and Brad Frederickson 

Ryan Gandell 

Susan Halby 

Randy Hartnell 

Iacocca Family Foundation 

Lauren Kemp 

Jeannette Klein 

William and Sue Kornik 

KP Unlimited 

Anne Kubik 

George Lamoureux 

Melony Lewis 

Ritamarie Loscalzo 

The Maddox Family 

Steven Masley 

Amy Medling 

The Memton Fund 

Diana Meyer 

Dr. Anne Meyer M.D. 

Millbrook School Community 

Roberta Mittman 

Montcalm Golf Club 

Norfolk Community Federal 

Credit Union 

Robyn Openshaw 

Patricia and Simon Pearce 

Jeffrey Pechter 

Yoshi Rahm 

Kathy and Bob Ravinski 

Robert Richman 

Marianna Sackler 

Maya Shetreat-Klein 

Mariza Snyder 

Vermont Juice Company 

Mary Weber 

White Light Foundation 

Magdalena Wszelaki 

YogaGlo 

$500-$999 

Elizabeth Asch 

The Bloom Family Fund of the Jewish 

Community Foundation 

Amanda Carr 

Nathaniel Chace 

Jody Christen 

Pauline Conwell 

Samuel Dallas-Dinwiddie 

Sarah Davidian 

Matthew DeGregoris 

Jason Dittmer 

John Eckerd 

Phillip Elliott 

Evolation Yoga Atlanta 

Fierce Grace Foundation 

Christopher and Rosanne Giza 

Goldman, Sach & Co 

Google, Inc. 

Mark Gorscak 

Michael and Kristin Lee Hanses 

Diane Hastings 

Joey Houssian 

Jewish Community Foundation of 

San Diego 

Joy Cycle 541 

Edward Kettenbach 

Jake Knigge 

Ashley Kroeker 

Kerry Maiorca 

Catherine Marich 

Wendy McDevitt 

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Charles Meynet 

Richard and Elaine Murphy 

M.S. Nelson 

One Yoga Victoria 

Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation 

Center 

Jennie Paggeot 

Jose de Jesus Rodriquez Morquecho 

David Sackler 

Salesforce 

Harry Schwefel 

Amir Shakoorian 

Lindsey Simmons 

Carolanne Stewart 

Jesse Van 

Linda Patchett and Brian Walsh 

David Whitford 

Samantha Wondsel 

$250-$499 

Rose and Greg Adams 

Alma Angotti 

Tatjana Arrowsmith 

ASANA Charlestown 

Jennifer Avery 

Hibah Awwad 

Elizabeth Barker 

Kailey Beddoe 

Finn Briggs 

Jeanette Brooks 

Harrison Buck 

Robyn Bull 

Bullard Associates 

Maureen Butler 

Stephen Cabral 

Maria Carson 

Johnnie Chace 

Laura Changala 

Pamela Cianci 

Kendra Cunningham 

Lynn Dawson 

Stephanie DeKing 

Denver Museum of Nature and 

Science 

Juanita Eldridge 

Embody 

Robert Eng 

Bailey Evans 

Elizabeth and Bob Freeman 

Bechek 

Beth Gillespie 

Heidi Girard 

Scott Grafton 

Grow Yoga 

Marshall Guill 

David Heisey 

June Heston 

Rebecca Hooper 

Joey Houssian 

Carmen Hunter 

Hedy Iankelevich 

David Jack 

Jamie Surya Yoga 

Colleen Kelly 

Keurig Green Mountain 

Jo Kirsch 

Bethany Knight 

Megan and Clayt Kyle 

Ross Larson 

Ryan Leier 

Ryan Levins 

Jack Liney 

Sarah Lively 

Clifton Louis 

Susan Malueg 

Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation 

Brad Martin 

Pauline Martin 

Briana May 

Jill McBurney 

Dave and Margie McKinley 

Andrew McMillin 

Lisa Moran 

Charlie and Nancy Morrison 

Andrea Nakayama 

Oregon Outdoor Alliance 

Nery Orellana 

Susana Paredes 

Rafael Paredes 

Kelsi Parker 

Caitlin Pascucci 

Mark Pasculano 

Ben and Penelope Pierce 

John Pinkerton 

Val Procenko 

Stephanie Procenko 

Sarah Renberg 

Dana Ritchie 

Kristin Roach 

Lee Anne Robotta 

Betty Rodriguez 

Scott Schwenk 

William Seldon 

Charmaine Shetler 

Tiffany Smith 

Peter and Kimberly Smith 

Stephanie Solaris 

Alex Stark 

Christy Swanson 

Pamela Tannouri 

Dollie Tessman 

Whitney Tofell 

E Tucker 

Sarah Wall 

William Wallace 

Yoga Service Council 


OUR PARTNERS 

23 


OUR TEAM 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Kevin Pearce, 

Co-Founder 

Adam Pearce, 

Co-Founder and Executive Director 

Patricia Pearce 

June Heston 

Geoffrey J. Vitt 

Jay Benson 

Kim Baker 

Molly Barrett 

Abbie Eldridge 

Ari Havusha 

Kyla Pearce 

Ramsay Pierce 

Courtney Ruoff 

Megan Whiteside 

ADVISORY TEAM 

Michael Jager 

Doug Ulman 

Chris Giza 

David de Rothschild 

Duke Stump 

Roger Mortimer 


COMMUNITY AND CLINICAL CONNECTORS 

Clinical Connectors 

A network of TBI rehabilitation specialists who raise awareness about and refer patients to the LYB 

Yoga program nearby their health service. We believe that partnering with clinicians is critical to 

the sustainability and expansion of our community-based program. 

Shannan Asselta 

Tina D’Amato 

Annie Brady 

Joan Danks 

Richelle Moore 

Katie Weathers 

Ira Keefer 

Rebecca Askew 

Debbie Moore 

Anneke Bender 

Ariella Kaplan 

Lauren Elizabeth McGee 

Dee Bosiljevac 

Jennifer Speer 

Suzanne Wolfe 

Liz Huls 

Jennifer Fischer 

Jessica Bubbico 

Jackie Farrell 

Katie Cassidy 

Barbara Capone 

Veronica Nieto 

Trent Teegarden 

Danyelle Lafleur 

Jackie Thomas 

Megan Potter 

Kelly Krese 

Heather Lesniak 

Kalli Reinheimer 

25 


Community Connectors 

A group of dynamic individuals who harness their past experiences with TBI to promote 

and advocate for the LoveYourBrain message in their community. 

Mary Nelsen 

Dave Fischer 

Steve Kuhn 

Abigail Linn 


FINANCIALS 

Program Revenue 

6.8% | $45,295 

Other 

.4% | $242 

Product Sales 

9.8% | $63,595 

Business Contributions 

30.9% | $205,042 

Events 

17.2%| $114,040 

Revenue 

Grants 

6.6% | $43,690 

Individual Contributions 

28.6% | $189,661 

Product 

4.2% | $16,495 


9.9%| $38,995 


6.3% | $24,927 

Expenses 

Operations 

41.5% | $162,928 

Yoga Program 

38.1% | $149,695 

27 


We are incredibly proud of the breadth and depth of commitment that each of you have 

shown to improve the lives of those impacted by TBI. We are continuously reminded that 

building a compassionate community takes a village of resilient individuals who believe 

in each others potential. 

Much love, 

Adam & Kevin Pearce 


Thank you lululemon, Matty Alberts, Nicodem Creative and 

Megan Whiteside for contributing your beautiful photography.

Annual Report_2017_FINAL_Low Res

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