Meet Lade Akande

We recently connected with Lade Akande and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lade, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Finding my purpose has been a journey of merging personal experiences, cultural heritage, and professional aspirations. Growing up in a family with deep spiritual and educational values, I witnessed how equity, compassion, and service could transform lives. My paternal grandparents’ devotion to their respective religions, my maternal grandmother’s role as one of the first yoga instructors in the West, and my exposure to diverse faiths and philosophies taught me that fostering connection and purpose are essential to a meaningful life.
This foundation shaped my professional identity and inspired me to create programs that empower communities, especially those historically marginalized. From mentoring students as a counselor to establishing affinity groups that amplify diverse voices, I’ve dedicated my career to building systems of support and belonging. Developing wellness initiatives, such as the role of Director of Wellness at my current school, has further allowed me to address the mental health crisis with compassion, structure, and innovation.
I bring over 16 years of experience mentoring youth and leading initiatives that prioritize mindfulness, equity, and collective well-being. My work, such as founding “The Yoga Counselor” reflects my ability to merge ancient philosophies with modern solutions, fostering resilience and connection in those I serve.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As the Director of Wellness at an independent school in Indiana, my role addresses the ongoing academic, social, and emotional effects of the COVID-19 disruption while fostering a culture of well-being for our students, faculty, staff, and families. Now in my third year in this position, I am tasked with developing and implementing a comprehensive wellness framework tailored to the unique needs of our school community. This role is grounded in evidence-based practices and systemic approaches, focusing on both proactive strategies and responsive support.

Building a Wellness Framework:
The Director of Wellness role varies by institution, shaped by the unique culture and needs of each school. To lay the groundwork, I consulted with a national consortium of independent school wellness directors. This collaborative effort offered insights into creating a role that balances direct student support with systemic programming. At our school, this has meant serving as both a professional counselor and a wellness strategist. While one-on-one counseling is critical for immediate crisis intervention, my focus extends to whole-school wellness initiatives, which research shows have a greater long-term impact on social-emotional development.

A Whole-School Approach:
Wellness in schools requires a holistic, interconnected strategy. I work across departments to embed wellness into every aspect of our community. This includes collaborating with faculty to integrate mindfulness and emotional regulation across departments to prioritize wellbeing. By weaving wellness themes into the fabric of daily school life, we foster an environment where well-being is not an afterthought but a core value.
Professional development for faculty and staff is another cornerstone of this approach. Educators learn to recognize signs of student distress, understand the science of stress and trauma, and implement strategies to create emotionally supportive classrooms. This ensures that all adults in the building are equipped to contribute to a culture of wellness, reinforcing the idea that “dysregulated adults cannot effectively regulate students.”

Fostering Belonging:
At the heart of wellness is the concept of belonging. Research underscores the profound impact of social connection on mental and physical health, academic outcomes, and overall resilience. To address this, I prioritize programs and practices that strengthen relationships within our community. From morning meetings that engage the entire school in wellness topics to small group sessions that support students navigating grief or identity challenges, every initiative aims to deepen connections and promote inclusivity.

Looking Ahead:
As the role evolves, I continue to refine our wellness framework. I am introducing monthly themes, starting with values and purpose, and strengthening partnerships with local mental health professionals, fitness instructors, and wellness speakers. I am also collaborating with departments to create policies and curriculum that center on gratitude, emotional regulation, and community building. The ultimate goal is to establish wellness as a living, adaptable framework that grows with the needs of our school and reflects the latest research in neuroscience and public health.

By addressing the mental health crisis with compassion, innovation, and systemic change, schools can create thriving environments where students and staff alike feel supported, connected, and empowered. The role of Director of Wellness aligns seamlessly with my purpose and skills. My entrepreneurial spirit, combined with my ability to inspire and sustain meaningful relationships, makes me confident in my capacity to lead and collaborate. Uplifting communities and creating spaces where everyone can thrive isn’t just a professional endeavor for me; it is my calling. I see this role as an opportunity to amplify that purpose and co-create a more inclusive, connected, and compassionate world.

Advanced Physical Education Yoga & Mindfulness:

Teaching the Advanced Physical Education Yoga & Mindfulness class for the past seven years has allowed me to measure the impact of yoga & mindfulness programming in schools. Through validated research study, we found significant findings on the impact of yoga & mindfulness classes in school in the following areas:

Students feel more relaxed
Students feel more connected to their physical bodies
Students feel empowered to face the day’s challenges
Students feel focused and ready for class after taking yoga
Students felt a reduction in stress about the future
Students felt a reduction in symptoms of stress
Students felt a reduction in perceived stress and anxiety

In response to the youth mental health crisis, schools are turning to yoga, mindfulness, and breathing exercises to support student well-being, with some states encouraging 20 minutes of daily relaxation activities.
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Now is the time for educators to gain the confidence and skills to lead these practices, equipping students with tools for stress management, resilience, and emotional well-being.
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After nearly a decade of teaching these techniques in schools, it brings me joy and purpose to share them across public, independent, and parochial schools in the Midwest and East Coast.
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Here’s what one teacher said about the training:
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“My biggest takeaway was the variety of ways yoga and mindfulness can be incorporated in the classroom/athletics to help meet student needs. The trauma-informed yoga lesson was very informative, as well.”
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💡 What You’ll Gain:
Trauma-informed techniques to teach yoga & mindfulness
A full semester of lesson plans
Tools to create a culture of wellness for students and staff
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No prior yoga experience required. DM me for details or visit theyogacounselor.com/trainings.
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There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Trauma-Informed Training
Gaining a deeper understanding of the effects of stress and trauma on the brain and nervous system has been essential to my work. This knowledge has empowered me to create an environment where students feel safe and supported, enhancing their ability to regulate themselves and learn effectively. In education, especially in wellness roles, it’s vital to recognize how trauma can manifest and to integrate regulation practices throughout the day to foster emotional safety.

Mindful Listening
Learning to listen without anticipation, and focusing on being fully present, has strengthened my ability to support others. Mindful listening requires observing beyond words—picking up on body language, tone, and energy. This skill is crucial in a wellness role, as it allows me to connect deeply with individuals, especially when they are in a state of distress. By co-regulating in these moments, I can better assist others in managing their emotional experiences.

Identifying My Personal Values
Understanding my personal values has been key to grounding my work and interactions. When I clearly understand what I value most—whether in life, work, or relationships—I am more aligned with my purpose and less influenced by external expectations. This clarity helps me make decisions that resonate with my true self and attract communities with similar values. It also fosters growth and accountability while maintaining a sense of stability and meaning.

Advice for Those Early in Their Journey:
Start by asking yourself what Dan Beutner calls the 3 P’s: Pleasure, Purpose, and Pride. Reflect on what brings you joy, aligns with your deepest values, and fills you with pride in your efforts. Finding a balance among these three can provide a sense of direction as you grow.

To cultivate these qualities, consider the following:

Trauma-Informed Training: Seek opportunities to deepen your knowledge on trauma and how it impacts individuals, particularly in educational and wellness settings. The more you understand about the nervous system and emotional regulation, the better equipped you’ll be to create safe spaces for others. Trauma-informed practices are essential in supporting those who need it most.

Mindful Listening: Practice listening actively and without judgment. Put aside the urge to fix or respond immediately, and focus on the other person’s experience. Cultivating this presence will deepen your relationships and enable you to offer support in more meaningful ways.

Identifying Personal Values: Take time for self-reflection and connect with what is truly important to you. Understanding your core values allows you to lead with purpose and helps you stay centered in both challenging and fulfilling times. As you connect with your values, you’ll naturally attract others who share similar beliefs, fostering a supportive community.

The search for purpose has been a timeless human endeavor. Cultivating a sense of purpose, whether through ancient philosophies or modern neuroscience, connects us to something greater. Reflect, engage in deep listening, and explore what brings you joy and meaning. By embracing these practices, you will be better equipped to create change, not just in your own life, but also in the lives of those you serve.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, I am absolutely looking for collaborators and partners! I’m eager to connect with educators, caregivers, health care professionals, community leaders, and anyone passionate about integrating wellness frameworks and practices into their organizations or communities.
After teaching 15 semesters of Advanced Physical Education: Yoga & Mindfulness at the high school level, I am now offering a 15-hour training program designed to assist educators who wish to launch a yoga & mindfulness elective at their schools. This program is research-based and integrates trauma-informed practices to help reduce stress and anxiety while enhancing coping skills. Participants will receive lesson plans for an entire semester and will learn how to teach yoga and mindfulness practices to students—no previous yoga experience required!
The training includes 12 hours of live virtual sessions, recorded and made temporarily available for later access, plus three additional hours of pre-recorded yoga classes to reinforce key strategies. Each lesson can be used to create a full semester of yoga and mindfulness classes or adapted for smaller groups or advisory activities, depending on available resources and needs.
If you’re interested in collaborating or want to learn more about this program, feel free to connect with me directly. I’d love to explore how we can work together to bring more wellness practices to schools, communities, and beyond. Let’s share resources, ideas, and support each other’s initiatives to make a positive impact!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theyogacounselor.com/
• Instagram: @theyogacounselor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BULadeAkande
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omoladeakande/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theyogacounselor?app=desktop