Fire Rescue Wellness

Sometimes you spin around in someone else's orbit for years before you meet them for real. I call these people "friends I haven't met yet."

Brandon Dreiman is one perfect example of someone I've known for a long time but only recently got to meet via our podcast time.

We spoke about addiction, recovery, dogs (of course), and his position with the very progressive Indianapolis Fire Department Health and Wellness Program. Please give it a listen!

Brandon Dreiman is a 21-year veteran of the Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department, where he serves as the Coordinator of Firefighter Wellness & Support. He is an IAFF Master Instructor and assists fire departments with creating peer support and resilience programs with a holistic approach to wellness. He is a Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Clinician. He is also a registered yoga teacher and the founder of Naptown Yogawalla.

So what, now what?
Brandon hit rock bottom and has returned to the top in the best possible way. If you are struggling with addiction, mental health challenges, or even physical health challenges, reach out your hand. Help is available.

Connect with Brandon on IG

Email Brandon at: [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)!

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

Please rate, share, and subscribe to the podcast!

Anxiety is weird. Some people are anxious about everything  while others, like me are anxious about specific things. For me, it's parking and coffee, shops-especially stupid Starbucks.

So what, now what?

Perspective is everything. When someone is anxious about something, their perspective is the one that matters. Be part of the solution rather than the problem.
 
Book a Discovery Call

NSCA Coaches 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!

Air management drills can get frustrating, especially when having no way to rate your performance or even compare yourself to previous years.

Dr. Andrew Jagim and Joel Luedke, ATC are working to change that story. Their research into air management in firefighters is helping to define and rate performance. I recently was privileged to present some of their data at the Society for Neurosports Data Blitz and received 2nd place!

Dr. Andrew Jagim is currently the Director of Sport Medicine Research for the Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin and an Associate Professor of Family Medicine. Dr. Jagim completed his PhD in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology at Texas A&M University. Andrew is also a certified strength & conditioning specialist with distinction through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a certified sports nutritionist through the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 

His primary research area focuses on how various nutrition and exercise-related strategies influence the performance and health of athletes. Dr. Jagim also has a focused interest on the physiological demands of various sports and tactical professions and how they pertain to injury, recovery status and performance. This work has led to several publications in peer-reviewed journals, and presentations at national conference events. In addition to his time spent in academia, Andrew has worked as a personal trainer and sports nutrition consultant for a variety of clients and athletes.

Joel Luedke is an athletic training and strength and conditioning coach who currently works in a sports medicine department supporting a sports orthopedic surgeon. In addition, he works with colleagues in a pilot project that provides tactical strength and conditioning program to the local fire department and conducts tactical research, focusing on firefighters. Prior to this role, Joel worked at a local university where he was the Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Training and Sports Performance with direct responsibilities of care to the football, tennis and golf teams. 

Joel received his undergraduate in kinesiology-athletic training from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, his master’s in exercise science from the University of Kansas, and is currently finishing up coursework for a doctorate on leadership and administration in athletics from Concordia University-Chicago. His focuses and interests are on injury risk reduction, increasing performance through mastering the basics, and identifying what people need in order to be leaders. 

Joel also hosts the podcast Athletic Training Chat where they focus on highlighting athletic trainers and their passions and stories. Recently, Joel helped convert a previous podcast, Clinically Pressed, into a 501c3 non-profit that focuses on “Making the Complicated Simple” and helping people get the resources they need for health and fitness as well as fundraising to get necessary emergency medical equipment into active communities so everyone can participate safely.

So what, now what?
More and more peer-reviewed research on firefighters is available to guide decision-making processes. Time to start reading it!

Email Dr. Jagim [email protected]

Email Joel Luedke [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)!

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

Please rate, share, and subscribe to the podcast!

It's time to pass the baton on Spring4Change, but today's episode is a recap of nutrition week. In case you're new here, Spring4Change is a mental and physical health initiative to mitigate firefighter suicide through education on upstream intervention.

The biggest take-home regarding nutrition is that we tend to complicate it...it's simple but not easy, and that's where we get into trouble.

So what, now what?

Grab onto one manageable habit and KEEP GOING. 

Get on my email list!

Get on the Building a Career in Fire Waitlist!

Book me for Your Department 

*****
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!

Chris Fields is an incredible human and an even more incredible friend. My life is better because Chris Fields is in it, and when I started my podcast, I knew I had to have him on to talk about his story, both the darkest hours and the triumph.

Chris Fields joined the Oklahoma City Fire Department on July 12, 1985, promoting through the ranks and retiring as a Major on March 1, 2017, serving the citizens of Oklahoma City for 31 yrs and 7 months. Chris was captured in a photo that became an iconic symbol of the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 as he cradled the body of 1 yr old Baylee Almon. Chris is now dedicating his life and travels to speak to other 1st responders. He discusses the brutal realities of a life spent responding to citizens in their darkest hours. Chris tells the story of his life, his 31 yrs of public service, and how that day in 1995 all took a toll on his life and his family and how he suffered in silence for many years. Now he shares how with God, Faith, and Family, he took control and his journey out of the suffering in hopes of helping others avoid the failure and the pitfalls and to reach out.

Chris also serves as a Fire Liaison on the Advisory Board for Survive First, a 501©3 organization whose mission is to assist 1st Responders, the military, and their families who need mental health support from the impact of PTSD, and substance abuse; he also serves as Fire Liaison on the Advisory Board for Thin Line Events, an organization supporting 1st Responders, Military, and their families through concerts, festivals, and other live events. Chris is an Ambassador for Lighthouse Health and Wellness; Lighthouse is designed to provide 1st Responders and those that support them anonymous access to existing health and wellness programs. He is also the Co-founder and co-host of a weekly webinar, Trauma Behind the Badge.

So what, now what?
A photo brought a decade of trauma to the surface. Your career is more than one defining event. Reach out early and often and get support for your mental wellness.

Contact Trauma Behind the Badge

Check out Lighthouse Wellness

The book Chris mentioned

Vicarious trauma toolkit

Email Chris at [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)!

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

Please rate, share, and subscribe to the podcast!

#Spring4Change week 1 is finished, and today I recapped the information.

Sleep is crucial for both mental and physical well-being, and there are so many small steps we can take to ensure better quantity and quality.

So what, now what?
Knowing is 1/2 the battle, so you need to know that sleep deprivation is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, suicide, accidents, and cancer...the big 4 killers of our firefighters.

AZ's Chilisleep Affiliate Link (Use your IDMe account to get 20% off!)

First Responder Sleep Recovery

62 Romeo

*****
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!

I got a call a few years ago from a young man who had just been hired at a local FD. He was a former athlete (Go Dodgers), certified strength and conditioning coach, and an all-around nice guy. And he told me his department wanted him to take over their fitness and wellness as soon as he got off probation.

We had a great conversation, and I gave him all the advice I could, but when I hung up, I thought, "well, I wish him luck, and if anyone can do it, he will."

It's a few years later now, and he's been very successful. In episode 45, we discussed what makes his department's program tick.

In Mike Pericht's words, "I'm just a former athlete, current firefighter/paramedic, husband and father of 2, and fitness professional who's trying to promote healthy lifestyles to anyone willing to listen."

Well, Mike, I think people are listening.  Keep up the great work.

So what, now what?

This department's program is successful for a few reasons:

1-They've invested time and money into an experienced, credentialed professional and in force multipliers (TSAC-Fs).

2-They continue to set themselves up for success by sending their personnel to Continuing Education (NSCA Tactical Annual) and giving them as much free CE as possible.

3-Mike realizes his shortcomings in expertise and works hard to bring in the best of the best outside education for the firefighters.

Email Mike: [email protected]

Follow Mike on IG

Follow Hydra Performance on IG

*****
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!

"Only two things are inevitable, and you can only cheat on one."-paraphrased from Benjamin Franklin

We're not getting out alive, but at least we can thrive instead of merely surviving.

As firefighters, we tend to be extremists: all or nothing instead of all or something. We keep pressing the reset button, starting over, and posting about "day 1" and 6-week challenges.

How about a little less extremity and a little more consistency?

So what, now what?

Go after either low-hanging fruit or a big bang-for-the-buck item instead of everything at once!

*****
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!

When experts talk about firefighter performance programming, the name on their lips is usually Mark Abel. Dr. Abel and I had a remarkable conversation about his research into heart rate variability, firefighter physical fitness training, and all things firefighter research.

Mark Abel, Ph.D., CSCS*D, TSAC-F*D is a Professor and Director of the First Responder Research Laboratory in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Kentucky.  Dr. Abel conducts research to improve the safety, health, and occupational readiness of firefighters and law enforcement officers.  He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, authored book chapters, and presented internationally.  He also teaches undergraduate courses in Strength and Conditioning and Sports Nutrition and graduate courses in High Performance Coaching and Tactical Strength and Conditioning.  He has served as a firefighter.  He received the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) Tactical Strength and Conditioning Practitioner of the Year Award and Senior Investigator Grant to conduct research on tactical populations.  Dr. Abel also owns Tactical Fitness Institute, LLC which assists fire departments and law enforcement agencies in developing legally defensible physical ability tests and offers other educational and exercise programming services to meet their health and performance goals.

So what, now what?
Firefighter research is critical, and Dr. A is recruiting 2500 firefighters to participate in a survey. Get on my mailing list to get the deets when they're available.

Opt-in to my email list to get details on the survey when available!

Read Katie Dennison's Thesis on FF Circuit Training

Email Dr. Abel: [email protected]

Check out Mark's website!

Connect with Dr. A on LinkedIn

*****
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!

#Spring4Change is a mental health and wellness initiative created by Chris Marella and AZ. 2023 is our 4th year of running the campaign together, and as per usual, we're shaking it up again.

AZ will be holding down sleep and nutrition starting 4.3.2023 and Chris will swoop in and handle mental health and movement starting 4.17.2023.

Your call to action is to follow #Spring4Change on the 'gram.

*****
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!