Meet Raquel Durden of Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga, Inc; 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Durden.

Hi Raquel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Raquel Durden. My writing journey began long before I ever thought of myself as an author. I wrote poems periodically from high school through the COVID-19 Pandemic as a way to relax and reflect. But, I NEVER set out to write a book. And yet, here I am today: a recently published author with a successful book and an unexpected opportunity to write a teen edition of the same work by my publisher Fresh Water Press, LLC.

My path to this point has been shaped by several defining experiences. I am a retired US Army combat veteran, advanced-stage cancer survivor from environmental exposure while serving, and a nonprofit co-founder and chair. These chapters of life taught me a great deal about resilience, perspective, and the importance of holistic wellness. Over time, those lessons guided me toward my current work as an author, speaker, and holistic wellness leader.

Today, I help others reclaim balance and enhance their well-being with practical, accessible tools. I draw on my lived experiences, evidenced-based strategies, and ancient wisdom traditions. As a mindfulness teacher, I share yoga, breathing exercises, gratitude practices, and therapeutic sound bath sessions specifically with women veterans and women first responders, as well as the greater community.

In many ways, my book, Dial Down: Holistically Strategies to Move from Chaos to Calm, emerged naturally from doing the work that has helped me heal. It’s an extension of my commitment to help others cultivate calm, connection, and clarity in their own lives.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. In fact, my early silent but ever-present struggle was simply accepting or realizing that I had a book inside me at all. I was prompted to write on three separate occasions, and each time I resisted it.

The first nudge came during a wellness retreat I was leading. A participant told me she wanted to take a deeper dive into the practices I was sharing and asked if I had a book. She was genuinely disappointed when I said no. This made me realize there was a real need for accessible wellness tools. I thought perhaps a companion reference book or transformative guide. I did not act on it, but the seed was planted.

The second prompt came from a respected colleague, Colonel (Ret.) and Dr. Pete VanAmburgh, whom I served with in the US and Uganda, and later worked alongside on numerous corporate projects. He pointed out that I wasn’t always available and growing an audience. If I wanted people to have consistent access to my teachings, I should put them into a book. Coming from someone who knew both my strengths and my service history, that carried weight. The task seemed monumental. I hesitated again, but the seed was watered. Ironically and not surprising, I invited him to write the foreword of my book–that’s incredibly supportive!

The third encouragement came during the COVID-19 Pandemic when I joined a virtual poetry writing group purely for enjoyment. The members consistently affirmed that I wrote well. I started thinking what would I write about. The guidance I received was to write about what I was passionate about or what I was an expert in. At that point, it became clear–Holistic Wellness! I was regularly teaching, sharing, and exploring this topic. This has been my survivorship life’s work! I literally am a Wellness Weaver–one who weaves wellness into their day and lifestyle routine. Ah, the seed sprouts!

So looking back, the struggle wasn’t a lack of material; it was giving myself permission to step into the unknown and new identity of an author. I trusted that my experiences, connections to people who regularly face chaos and can cultivate calm, as well as the knowledge I gathered by researching was worthy of being shared. Dial Down absolutely amplifies this wellness message. Now people I haven’t met, can know, explore, and put into practice the two important pillars of connection and holistic wellness practices to enhance their own well-being. Through my book, I can both teach and encourage people to weave wellness into their daily life!

We’ve been impressed with Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga, Inc; 501(c)(3) nonprofit, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I hosted an unofficial wellness retreat to pay it forward to help other veteran women and also to pay gratitude to all those who shared with me. After the retreat, I felt a calling to do this again but in an organized manner with supportive partners. That original retreat literally served as a beta test for what launched Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga, Inc a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on October 1, 2018. We specialize in providing connection and wellness services to women who serve–veterans, first responders, and nurses (who were added during the pandemic). We are known as a trusted resource for women veterans and first responders. We consistently support the Atlanta VA, the Georgia Association of Women in Public Safety, the Georgia Military Women organization, and community events. I’m most proud of the heavy lifting our board of directors provides to support these amazing women who serve. I want readers to think if these holistic wellness practices work for people who serve, protect, and face chaos regularly, that they will work for me too. I want them to feel empowered to explore and weave wellness into their lifestyle.

As I shared in Dial Down, Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga nonprofit is dedicated to supporting women veterans and women first responders through the transformative pillars of connection and holistic wellness and has become a beacon of support for countless women who serve and protect. Since its founding, Humble Warrior has been at the forefront of providing unique, no-cost wellness retreats, workshops, and virtual programs, designed specifically for women who have given so much to their communities and country. With an all-volunteer board, including combat veterans and holistic wellness practitioners, the organization has established a reputation of care and connection.
At the heart of Humble Warrior’s work is its mission: to provide holistic wellness services to women veterans and women first responders that cultivate enhanced well-being and reduce social isolation. The nonprofit’s board members understand firsthand the challenges faced by women in these roles. Raquel Durden, Army veteran and Chair; Mary Beth Wheeler, Air Force veteran and Vice Chair; Amy DeLira, Director of Outreach and Air Force veteran, and Amanda Avalos, Army veteran and Secretary—all seasoned practitioners of holistic wellness—use their shared experience to guide the organization in delivering innovative programs. With the support of Treasurer Stacy Strain Wilson and Communications Coordinator Gabi Draxler, Humble Warrior is committed to building a strong sense of community for women who serve.

Humble Warrior’s wellness retreats are at the core of the organization’s programming. Every year, they host a Newcomer’s Wellness Retreat—a transformative experience for women new to Humble Warrior’s community. Participants explore guided journaling sessions, yoga, meditation, plant-based eating demonstrations, and nature-centric activities, all designed to foster self-discovery and renewal. Alumni of Humble Warrior’s retreats are invited to participate in more advanced holistic wellness workshops and retreats that feature mindful art projects, sound bath sessions, essential oil use, and more. These immersive experiences allow participants to deepen their wellness practices and sustain the benefits of self-care and connection long after the retreat ends.

Many of the women who attend Humble Warrior’s programs express deep gratitude for the impact these experiences have had on their lives. [input new quotes/testimonies] Natasha, who attended a recent retreat, shared, “Thank you for a great event and a new way to look at the future.” Another participant, Tonya, reflecting on her experience, said, “Thanks for a fabulous day! I will never be able to tell you all how much it meant for me to be there. My life is truly renewed and replenished by the experience!” These powerful testimonials illustrate the life-changing impact Humble Warrior has on its participants.

Virtual Communities and Programs
In addition to in-person retreats and workshops, Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga, Inc. has expanded its reach through its vibrant online communities. On social media and YouTube, the organization offers virtual yoga classes, guided wellness practices, and other resources, allowing women veterans and first responders to stay connected no matter where they are. One of the most beloved virtual programs is the Sip ‘n Read Sisters Book Club, led by co-facilitators Tammy Norton and Robin Hemmer, which has met monthly online for the past five years. This virtual gathering of like-minded women provides a space for reflection, discussion, and the chance to win a surprise wellness care package sent directly to the winner’s home. It’s not just about the books—it’s about the connection that forms when women share stories and insights together, even from afar.

The book club is just one of the many ways Humble Warrior strives to create a sense of belonging and support, even for those who may not be able to attend in-person retreats. Participants also enjoy monthly virtual yoga sessions, where they can practice mindfulness and movement with their peers from the comfort of home. Whether it’s through an online class or a workshop, the message is clear: Humble Warrior is here for all women veterans and first responders, wherever they may be.

Looking Forward: The Next Chapter for Humble Warrior
The future holds even more exciting opportunities to support women who serve. The organization relies on grants, gifts, and donations to fund its life-changing programs, and they are always seeking support to expand their services.

Through its emphasis on wellness and community, Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga, Inc. has created a space where women veterans and first responders can come together to grow and connect. As one participant expressed, “My takeaway after attending a retreat was the stillness, taking time to step away from my duties.”

Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga, Inc. is committed to building a legacy of connection and wellness for women veterans and first responders, helping them thrive on their unique journeys. Visit humblewarrior.org to connect, volunteer, and donate.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I believe no meaningful work is created alone, and I am deeply grateful for those who supported me along my writing journey. First and foremost, I thank God for these bonus years. I am not only a cancer survivor, but consider myself a cancer thriver. This perspective shapes everything I do.

As a newly published author, I am profoundly grateful to my husband, Dave Durden, also a retired combat veteran for his unwavering love, support, and his role as my unofficial cheerleader, editor, and sounding board.

I also want to recognize two remarkable friends–Val Havill and Teresa Ramsey. They do not know each other, yet each offered essential support. Val provided high-quality content editing (usually discussed over lunch or cup of coffee), and Teresa who focused on grammar and clarity. Teresa helped me find and keep my writer’s voice through tense, prose, and point of view. Their candid, timely feedback helped me shape the strongest manuscript possible.

And finally, I owe a tremendous thanks to my publisher, Fresh Water Press, LLC. This trio of incredible women believed in my manuscript and amplified self-care and wellness to the world! Their selection of Vagabond Creative Studio to design the cover was a strategic creative commitment. The artistry perfectly captures the transition of chaos to calm.

Pricing:

• $20 for the book
• Nonprofit services for women who serve are free. Thanks to the generous donors and grant organizations.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.raqueldurden.com; www.humblewarrior.org
• Instagram: @raquelmdurden; @humblewarriorwellnessandyoga
• Facebook: raqueldurden; humblewarriorwellnessandyoga
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/raqueldurden-durden-59631445
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUzrJHRGE2onSqoYZTq8MxA

Image Credits
Headshot picture: Courtesy of Martina Schmidt.