When Julia Dharma Long (née Dutkiewicz, BBA’90) graduated from UNB, she left with more than a degree. She brought with her a vision to build something meaningful. Exactly what, was unclear at the time.

Julia completed a law degree in Toronto and worked as a lawyer in Ottawa. Over time, she found that it wasn’t the right path for her and pursued other opportunities. It was when her sons became first responders that her education, additional training, and diverse experiences came together to shape her purpose: supporting nervous system regulation for people working in trauma-exposed professions.

With a foundation in strategic thinking, practical knowledge, and an entrepreneurial mindset shaped during her time at UNB, Julia set out to create something that did not yet exist:        “a digital sanctuary for those who serve on the front lines of trauma.”

Her mission became FRY Canada (frycanada.com), a platform designed to help first responders and others working in trauma-exposed professions develop effective coping skills, regulate their nervous systems, and reclaim their physical and mental well-being. Through resources, education, and community-based learning, FRY Canada helps them apply these practices in real-world settings and sustain them over time.

Julia describes FRY Canada as “a toolbox for transformation and building resilience.” She created it with the understanding that trauma exposure is cumulative, not confined to a single moment, and requires ongoing support.

FRY Canada delivers its tools through the FRY app, live workshops, and webinars. The app features more than 700 instructional and follow-along videos focusing on five main pillars: breathwork, mindful movement, meditation, positive affirmations, and relaxation. Available anytime through on-demand and live support, the app helps first responders when they need it. Classes in the study-backed FRY method are streamed regularly.  

With a foundation in strategic thinking, practical knowledge, and an entrepreneurial mindset shaped during her time at UNB, Julia set out to create something that did not yet exist: a digital sanctuary for those who serve on the front lines of trauma.

Julia, a certified workplace mindfulness facilitator, applied neuroplasticity facilitator, and advanced yoga and meditation instructor, leads workshops and webinars alongside other experts in the FRY method, including trauma-informed care and mental fitness.

She ensures that every FRY Canada resource used by first responders is accessible, evidence-informed, and immediately applicable, meeting them where they are, whether in the firehall, the emergency room, or between shifts.

Beyond her leadership role, she is a sought-after speaker on topics that are reshaping the conversation about mental health in high-stakes professions. Her signature talks on mindset, mindfulness, strategic visualization, and positive affirmation have reached audiences across North America.

She is also an author. Her latest book, Duty to Self, is a follow-up to her first, F.R.Y. First Responders Yoga. It is a concise, reflective handbook that offers practical tools for regulating the nervous system, empowering readers to prioritize their own healing without guilt or hesitation. “It’s a call to action for those who’ve spent their careers in service of others, to serve themselves.”

Julia credits UNB with giving her the foundation to build a mission-driven enterprise. Her journey is a testament to what can happen when business acumen meets real purpose, and when a UNB grad dares to build something the world needs.