Fire Rescue Wellness

Announcement:

FRW Swag store opening in early July 2023! Stay tuned for more details.

Today I interviewed my friend Jon Sanders. Jon and I met at the Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Symposium 2019, where we were both speaking. Jon has positively influenced my life and also hosted the first-ever podcast on which I appeared! I was a record-setting four-time guest, and he still owes me my tiara. Rude.

Check out one of my guest episodes here!

We spoke about calling a Mayday, peer support, life choices, and of course, dogs!

Jon Sanders is a full-time Firefighter/EMT for Sioux Falls Fire Rescue in Sioux Falls, SD. He is also a member of his department's Peer Support and Chaplain's Teams. Jon is the founder and former host of The Fire Inside Podcast, a weekly show dedicated to the first responder community's mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Jon is also an inspirational speaker and life coach, primarily serving leaders and first responders across North America.

Email Jon: [email protected]

Link with Jon on Facebook

*****
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Discount Code:

FRW20 at Fluid Nutrition

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Thank you Flame Decon for sponsoring this episode. Check out Tara and her products over at Flamedecon.com

I met the guest from Episode 60 right around a year ago and we became fast friends. Tara is local and her husband is a career firefighter. At the time we met, Tara was working at a local fitness facility and traveling the country for an education provider. She has recently taken a position with the Army's H2F (Holistic Health and Fitness ) program as a recruiter.

Tara is an ATC, a wife, a dog mom, and a runner.  She's an amateur comedian (although her husband disagrees) and is passionate about addressing career longevity through taking care of firefighters and soldiers.

So what, now what?
One of the things we discussed is providing embedded resources for firefighters. Picking the best "least worst" choice of existing staff isn't the way! Invest in firefighters. The return will come back 3 or more fold.

Contact Tara:

IG
LinkedIn

Check out Dr. Jamie Mraz who makes CARs sexy!

*****
Register for 7-Minute Science here

Purchase FRW Swag here

Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire

Follow Fire Rescue Wellness on the socials...

IG | LinkedIn | Twitter

Discount Code:

FRW20 at Fluid Nutrition

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Check out my Fringe Affiliate Link

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Cancer in the fire service is a real threat. Effectively decontaminating your body post-fire is your first line of defense.

Make sure and head over to check out Episode Sponsor Flame Decon!

Thank you, Tara!

The fire service is 100 years of tradition, proudly unimpeded by progress; at least until recently. Finally, the fire service is starting to listen to science and I'm here for it. There are labs all over the country and the world now conducting research on everything from firefighter performance, to gear fit, nutrition and supplements, load carriage and so much more.

Today you'll hear from Dr. Mike Oldham and Hussein Jabai. We talked about their research on hydration and several other topics interesting topics including shift schedules, coming out of their lab. According to Dr. O, regarding rehydration, "Water is better than nothing, electrolytes are better than water and some electrolytes are better than others!"

Hear what they have to say in Episode 59.

So what, now what?

Academics can answer the questions you have at your department, whether it's shift schedules, key performance indicator test validation, or even if you need more staff/coverage.  Never be afraid to approach a university and see if they can help you answer YOUR questions at YOUR department.

Click here for Dr. Oldham and Hussein Jabai's bios!

Check out the lab's webpage

Email Dr. O: [email protected]

Email Hussein: [email protected]

*****
Register for 7-Minute Science here

Purchase FRW Swag here

Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire

Follow Fire Rescue Wellness on the socials...

IG | LinkedIn | Twitter

Discount Code:

FRW20 at Fluid Nutrition

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Check out my Fringe Affiliate Link

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Please rate, share, and subscribe to the podcast!

Support the Episode sponsor, Flame Natural Decon, while decreasing your odds of being a fire service cancer statistic.

Alex Griff and I have been social media acquaintances for a few years and finally met in person this February at the Associated Firefighters of Illinois Health and Safety Summit. After having a brief conversation, I knew he'd be a great podcast guest.

We were lucky enough to work out our schedules to record in person, and truthfully, I should have just hit record when he stepped into the office. I know you will enjoy this conversation, and please share it with anyone you know who might be thinking about challenging the CPAT test.

Alex Griff has 19 years in the fire service.  He is a Lieutenant with the Hazel Crest (Illinois) Fire Department and the MABAS 24 CPAT program coordinator. He is also a field staff instructor with the Romeoville fire academy and Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI).

Alex is passionate about health and wellness within the fire service and his personal life.

So what, now what???

When you have the skills and abilities to be a firefighter, passing the CPAT should be a breeze. If you're struggling to pass, it may be time to re-evaluate your order of operations! 

MABAS 24 CPAT Website

Find MABAS 24 on social media by searching for MABAS 24

Donate to Alex's Fundraiser for the Navy Seal Foundation 

*****
Register for 7-Minute Science here

Purchase FRW Swag here

Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire

Follow Fire Rescue Wellness on the socials...

IG | LinkedIn | Twitter

Discount Code:

FRW20 at Fluid Nutrition

Affiliate Links

Check out my Fringe Affiliate Link

Check out my TryCreate Affiliate Link (20% off your order)!

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Please rate, share, and subscribe to the podcast!

Please head over and support the Episode Sponsor, Flame Decon!

Today you'll get to hear a great conversation with Erin Terada. In typical FRW fashion, we went down all of the rabbit holes, but the main topic of conversation was first responder mental health and some newer treatment options coming on the horizon.

Erin Terada, PsyD, LCP, CEDS-S is the Director of Clinical Training at Relief Mental Health in Oak Brook, IL. Highly regarded by her peers, she has decades of experience in treating Feeding and Eating Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, and Trauma Disorders. She has practiced in multiple treatment settings throughout the Greater Chicagoland Area.  (Check out her full bio here!)

So what, now what?

There is hope and there is help. Even if your depression or anxiety has been resistant to treatment, other options remain! Reach out!

Relief website

Find Relief on social media by searching for Relief mental health.

Email Dr. Terada: [email protected]

*****
Register for 7-Minute Science here

Purchase FRW Swag here

Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire

Follow Fire Rescue Wellness on the socials...

IG | LinkedIn | Twitter

Discount Code:

FRW20 at Fluid Nutrition

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Check out my Fringe Affiliate Link

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Not to get ahead of myself, but BOURBON is one of the conversation topics today and my local is doing a bourbon raffle. If you'd like a $20 ticket, please email: [email protected]

The drawing is on 6/6/2023 and tickets are $20! 

OK, today's episode is all about eccentric training, me beating Dr. Krentz at arm-wrestling, cross-education, bourbon, and Dr. Scott Forbes' short but illustrious career in baseball.

Making his way to Brandon from the University of Saskatchewan, Joel Krentz has a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a specialization in applied exercise physiology. His current research focuses on the effects of contraction type and training intensity on strength and muscle hypertrophy.  In addition to his academic work as a professor, Joel is a CSEP-CEP and has worked as a strength and conditioning coach with numerous high-level amateur and professional athletes. In his leisure time, he enjoys working out and playing baseball among other sports.

Joel plays a significant role in the development and promotion of the newly designed Exercise Science and Fitness Stream of the Bachelor of Physical Education Studies program.  His teaching workload includes a variety of courses in any given school term:  Motor Development, Fitness Theory and Practice, Fitness Testing and Prescription, Exercise Physiology, and Introduction to Applied Biomechanics.

So what, now what?

Eccentric training and cross-education are two valuable techniques that can benefit firefighters with both their typical training and when injured.

Email Dr. Krentz: [email protected] 

Once again, if you'd like to get involved in my Local 2986 bourbon raffle on 6/6/23, please email [email protected]

*****
Register for 7-Minute Science here

Purchase FRW Swag here

Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire

Follow Fire Rescue Wellness on the socials...

IG | LinkedIn | Twitter

Discount Code:

FRW20 at Fluid Nutrition

Affiliate Links

Check out my Fringe Affiliate Link

Check out my TryCreate Affiliate Link (20% off your order)!

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Please rate, share, and subscribe to the podcast!

One of the greatest joys of my almost 20-year career was switching shifts just before promotion and working with Joe Lissman as an ambulance partner. In three short months, we had numerous ridiculous and joyful adventures. We were promoted the same day in 2014, and not long after became station officers at one of our busiest stations along with Luke Peterson (Episodes 3 and 5).

Listen to Luke here: Episode 3 or Episode 5

Joe and I spoke about his journey from firefighter and cabinet builder to shade-tree mechanic turned vehicle maintenance director at our fire district. We also hit on leadership skills and the power of gratitude and how they play into the circle of life.

Joe Lissman is a 27-year fire service veteran and holds the commissioned rank of Lieutenant. He is the current director of vehicle and building maintenance at a suburban Chicago fire protection district.

Joe resides in Sandwich, Illinois with his wife Heather and children Tyler and Erin. He coaches baseball and enjoys early morning runs before work while dodging coyotes and other predators for sport.

So what, now what??

You never know what skills are going to translate to future success. And you can never tell what humans are going to become great friends. Be open to all that life has to offer, and don't forget to lean into gratitude. Joe's grandma says so.

Crew Resource Management

Email Joe: [email protected]

Sign up for the newsletter!

*****
Register for 7-Minute Science here

Purchase FRW Swag here

Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire

Follow Fire Rescue Wellness on the socials...

IG | LinkedIn | Twitter

Discount Code:

FRW20 at Fluid Nutrition

Affiliate Links

Check out my Fringe Affiliate Link

Check out my TryCreate Affiliate Link (20% off your order)!

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Please rate, share, and subscribe to the podcast!

Big spoiler alert: most fire departments don't need a fitness program; they need a comprehensive health and wellness program. This week's podcast episode has a few life updates (moving, gym equipment, and B.A. vs. A.A., AKA before Andy and after Andy) and a skeleton to follow if you're attempting to start a Health and Wellness Program in your department. 

If you can't be bothered to listen, here are the wavetops:

• Physicals first (as comprehensive as possible)
• Allocated time-you can't accomplish anything without time. And saying, "We allow our firefighters to work out on duty," isn't the same as, "We specifically allocate and carve out time because it's that important."
• Quality education
• Invest in a coach
• Then worry about space and equipment
• Bells, whistles, incentives, toys...those are low priority

So what, now what?

This job takes an enormous toll on our physical and mental health.  We can't just decide we will give up and phone it in. Our families, our fellow firefighters, and the citizens we serve deserve better.  Ideally, departments will take the brunt of the responsibility by providing services, time, and equipment. But if the department isn't doing it, you need to. You get only one shot at your life. Make it count.

Want to chat with AZ for 15 minutes and see if working together might be a good fit?

Book a discovery call here: Discovery Call

Check out my Episode with Katie Dabrowski

Check out my Episode with All Things Cardiopulm

*****
Register for 7-Minute Science here

Purchase FRW Swag here

Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire

Follow Fire Rescue Wellness on the socials...

IG | LinkedIn | Twitter

Discount Code:

FRW20 at Fluid Nutrition

Affiliate Links

Check out my Fringe Affiliate Link

Check out my TryCreate Affiliate Link (20% off your order)!

Check out my ChiliSleep Affiliate Link (15% off your order)!

Please rate, share, and subscribe to the podcast!

We, humans, seem to complicate things just for fun. We were BORN knowing how to eat and move. Still, it takes a multi-million dollar fitness and weight loss industry to tell us what to do?

Christina  says, "No f***-ing way!" Hear about her philosophies on eating, movement, intentional exercise, and letting yourself out of a cage on this week's episode. We had a blast getting together for some day drinking of LaCroix water, and tons of laughs around my kitchen table.

Christina Montalvo is a strength & conditioning coach specializing in helping active & athletic women develop sustainable eating habits not centered around fat loss. She's also a self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur who uses her MBA to help fitness professionals build sustainable and enjoyable fitness businesses.

So what, now what?

Yep. Christina is a female. Yep. She trains primarily women. Yep. The fire service can learn a lot from her philosophies about fitness and nutrition.

Follow Christina on IG

Check out her website!

Listen to the Confidence Project Podcast

*****
Register for 7-Minute Science here

Purchase FRW Swag here

Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire

Follow Fire Rescue Wellness on the socials...

IG | LinkedIn | Twitter

Discount Code:

FRW20 at Fluid Nutrition

Affiliate Links

Check out my Fringe Affiliate Link

Check out my TryCreate Affiliate Link (20% off your order)!

Check out my ChiliSleep Affiliate Link (15% off your order)!

Please rate, share, and subscribe to the podcast!

Networking stinks like 3-day-old unrefrigerated fish. I said what I said.

Connecting is different. Connection is taking the time to get to know someone enough to put them in your solar system. Connecting is worrying more about what you can do for someone else than what they can do for you.

Connecting becomes important if you're a health and wellness professional attempting to break into the world of fire departments.

So what, now what?

Meet people and learn their stories. And then glue them together with other people! Forget about what they are going to do for YOU. What can you do for THEM?

Hear all about connecting on this episode, and if you're inclined, get on the waitlist for Building a Career in Fire: A Health and Wellness Professional's Roadmap.

Waitlist is here!

*****
Register for 7-Minute Science here

Purchase FRW Swag here

Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire

Follow Fire Rescue Wellness on the socials...

IG | LinkedIn | Twitter

Discount Code:

FRW20 at Fluid Nutrition

Affiliate Links

Check out my Fringe Affiliate Link

Check out my TryCreate Affiliate Link (20% off your order)!

Check out my ChiliSleep Affiliate Link (15% off your order)!

Please rate, share, and subscribe to the podcast!