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Trainer Spotlight: Nick Calais

Q: How long have you been an Ukeru trainer?

A: Since 2020

Q: What population do you work with? What inspired you to get into this field?

A: Education, working with kids and staff from preschool to high school. I get the fun opportunity to watch kids learn, grow, and progress throughout their entire educational career. 

Q: What part of Ukeru do you enjoy teaching the most and why?

A: Comfort vs Control. Teaching this section is the most impactful piece for me personally in that it makes me a better occupational therapist, father, and person in general. I think for staff, it allows us to give grace, meet kids where they are at, and focus on what kids need from us in any given moment. Getting staff to understand that we need to meet kids where they are at and not have them meet us where we “need” them to be is the biggest aha moment.

Q: What would you say to someone who is unsure about using Ukeru?

A: It won’t hurt to try. If you are burned out doing the same thing over and over, Ukeru gives you an alternative that quite literally does no harm. Implementing Ukeru seems like the best practice if you truly want to focus on helping people achieve their potential in a safe and supportive environment.

Q: What advice or tip would you give to a new Ukeru trainer?

A: Practice what you preach and avoid power struggles with people when you present information that challenges their thinking.

Q: How has Ukeru impacted your life?

A: I am a happier person and I rarely let the little things bother me. I use this every day with my 2-year-old and I realize that assuming people have trauma makes me a more forgiving and understanding person. Everyone has their own truth and world bias that may be completely different from my own.

Q: What is your favorite quote or a motto that you like to live by?

A: You cannot control the behavior of others, but you can always choose how you respond to it.

Q: What three words would you use to describe Ukeru?

A: Holistic, needed, person-centric