At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), many students arrive with a calling—and sometimes, that calling begins in unexpected places. For Health and Wellness Coaching graduate Kodee Jankowski, the journey into holistic health didn’t start as a career plan. It started as a mother’s search for answers.
Today, that search has grown into something much bigger: a mission to support the health, resilience, and well-being of first responders.
Answering the Call—On and Off Duty
Before enrolling at SWIHA, Kodee was already serving her community as a Deputy Sheriff—a role she continues to hold today. The work is demanding, high-stress, and often requires putting others first, no matter the cost.
Yet behind the badge was another responsibility close to her heart: supporting her daughter’s mental health. That search for nutritional support and healing solutions is what first led her to SWIHA.
What began as a personal mission quickly revealed a deeper purpose. Through her studies in Health and Wellness Coaching with a focus on nutrition, Kodee discovered tools to support her family—they also serve those she works alongside every day.
A Defining Moment of Purpose
Sometimes, clarity doesn’t come in a single dramatic moment—yet through quiet, meaningful impact.
For Kodee, that realization came when she began helping others in her department manage stress and decompression more effectively. At the same time, she was able to better support her niece with her nutritional needs.
Those experiences confirmed what she had begun to feel all along: this path was the right one.
The ability to show up for others—as a deputy, and as a source of support and guidance—became a powerful turning point.
Enhancing a Life of Service
Rather than completely changing her life, Kodee describes her SWIHA experience as something that enhanced it.
Her understanding of nutrition, stress management, and holistic wellness has deepened—for herself, and for the people around her. In professions like law enforcement, where stress is constant, and decompression is often overlooked, these tools are invaluable.
That awareness has shaped her growing vision: to support first responders in navigating the physical, emotional, and mental toll of their work through better nutrition and wellness practices.
A New Path Forward
While continuing her work as a Deputy Sheriff, Kodee is beginning to shift her focus toward coaching. The goal is to gradually step into a new role—one that allows her to work more closely with individuals seeking balance, healing, and sustainable wellness.
At the heart of this transition is a desire to serve in a different way: helping others build resilience from the inside out.
Lessons That Last a Lifetime
One of the most impactful lessons Kodee gained during her time at SWIHA was simple, yet profound:
Taking time to heal personally is essential. Without that foundation, it becomes difficult to truly support others.
This perspective is especially meaningful in high-pressure careers, where self-care is often pushed aside. By learning to step back and prioritize her own well-being, Kodee has strengthened her ability to show up for others in a more sustainable and authentic way.
She also credits instructors like Dee McCaffery and Sharlene Nordquist for making a lasting impact on her journey, along with the connections she built along the way—many of which have become like family.
Advice for Future Students
For those considering a path at SWIHA, Kodee offers a refreshing reminder:
You don’t have to be perfect—just be yourself.
Growth doesn’t come from getting everything right. It comes from showing up, learning, and allowing yourself to evolve.
Serving Those Who Serve Others
Kodee’s journey is a powerful example of how purpose can evolve from personal need into meaningful impact. What started as a search for answers for her daughter has grown into a mission to support an entire community—one that often goes without the care it needs.
Through health and wellness coaching, she is creating space for first responders to prioritize their well-being, process stress, and build healthier, more sustainable lives.
