Ever wonder why some contractor medics get looped into the crew's plan while others end up alone on a ridge?
It's all about trust. We break down the real mechanics of earning credibility on the fireline—and how quiet competence, not loud swagger, sets you up for the right role when it counts.

What we cover:
Making the Jump: City Fire to Contractor
Admin fears, check-in, and demob mysteries solved
What a solid contractor company actually provides (binder, support, purchasing)
How to choose a company that has your back

Building Credibility Without the Patch
Introducing yourself at briefing (what to say, what not to say)
Using Avenza maps to align placement with crew leads
Positioning your rig for highest-risk work = faster response time
Why 5 minutes with each crew lead can flip you from outsider to trusted asset

Setting Boundaries With Respect
Why medics belong where people work, not miles from action
How to push back on "safety" requests that put you off-mission
Saying no with respect and clear rationale

Field Gear That Actually Improves Long Shifts
Instant coffee that helps
Pocket wash that removes grime fast
Small items that solve two problems, add no weight

Living the Dirtbag Adventure Life
Low-cost adventures, ice climbs, and navigation skill-building
Fastest Known Time attempt on the Mickelson Trail
Building grit and judgment without big budgets

Simplifying the Paperwork
Digital shift tickets = fewer demob headaches
How to reduce rewrites and admin stress
More time for training, scouting helispots, scanning hazards

The Bottom Line:
If you're moving from structure to wildland contracting or trying to elevate your presence as a single resource, this is your field guide. Prepare before you arrive, communicate like time matters, pack smart, and protect your role with calm authority.

Find The Journeyman App here:
Google Play Store: 
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

Apple App Store:
apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

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[00:00:00] First-Time Contractor Nerves
[00:05:20] Earning Trust As A Line Medic
[00:10:20] Speaking Up About Safety And Role
[00:16:00] Undercover Dirtbags Story
[00:18:20] Affordable Adventure Mindset

What happens when 80% of fire calls are EMS—and it starts breaking you?

We sit down with a structure firefighter Matt Emrich who chased the dream of real fire, got buried in nonstop EMS and critical calls, and eventually hit a breaking point that led to PTSD treatment, a career pivot, and a new path through wildland REMS.

What we cover:
The Structure Fire Reality
Growing up around fire, early training burns, chasing ladders and lines
Seattle's Medic One system: thin ALS coverage, fast decisions, high stakes
Rapid City station life: tight crews, busy downtown house, real camaraderie
The modern truth: ~80% EMS with a black cloud of critical calls

When the Job Starts Breaking You
Sleepless shifts, divorce, and the morning on the edge
Making the call to a firefighter-specific PTSD program
Leadership that stepped up: time off, pay coverage, zero judgment
Treatment doesn't erase scars, but it rewires the path forward

Building a New Path
Starting a tree-climbing business for autonomy and balance
Discovering REMS and line medic opportunities in wildland fire
Seasonal deployments that pay well and let you choose your assignments

How Structure Firefighters Can Deploy to Wildland
Red card requirements (S-130, S-190, basic fitness)
EMT or paramedic license opens REMS and line medic roles
How to approach your admin about deployments
Aligning with multiple contractors increases opportunities
R&R fills: 2-4 day stints when crews need relief
Best timing: mid-August to mid-September (peak season)
Communication habits that keep opportunities coming

The Bottom Line:
You can love structure fire and still need a break. Wildland REMS gives you autonomy, better pay, seasonal work, and a chance to use your medical skills in a different environment. Protect your health, keep your credentials, and design a career that actually lasts.

Find The Journeyman App here:
Google Play Store: 
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

Apple App Store:
apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

Visit Our Website
livetjm.com/home

Undercover Dirtbag Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/undercoverdirtbags?igsh=bWl6cGU1Yms4bXVm

[00:00:00] Early Fire Service Beginnings
[00:06:45] Choosing Paramedic School And EMS Reality
[00:10:45] Rapid City: Crews, Call Volume, And Culture
[00:15:36] Burnout, PTSD, And Seeking Help
[00:20:32] Life After The Department: Trees And REMS
[00:26:20] R&R Opportunities And Seasonal Timing

Think passing the pack test means you're ready? It's just the floor, not the ceiling.
Austin Womack from Rugged Athlete breaks down why three miles in 45 minutes only proves minimum fitness—and what it actually takes to handle steep climbs, heavy tools, altitude, smoke, and back-to-back shifts without getting destroyed.

What we cover:

Why the Pack Test is Just the Baseline
Built on aerobic data from the 90s
Modern evidence shows uphill assignments nearly double the demand
If the minimum leaves you gassed, the mountain will eat you alive

The Type 1 Fitness Test (Austin's Alternative)
Mile run → hand-release push-ups → loaded lunges → heavy carries → more lunges → two-mile run
Sub-40 minutes = meaningful benchmark for Type 1 crews
Exposes weak links: quads/glutes under load, grip endurance, mental grind after leg fatigue

Training for Altitude & Smoke
Build big aerobic volume at home (Zone 2 sessions)
Add loaded uphill work and VO2 intervals
Plan acclimatization when possible
No gimmick mask replaces true hypoxia—consistent training and smart pacing do

Recovery Tactics That Cut Injuries
Better sleep and carbohydrate timing for long shifts
Protein targets for tissue repair
Hydration and electrolytes for heat and elevation
Mobility sessions to stay durable through 14-day rolls

Rugged Athlete App
Seasonal programming and on-ramps after layoffs or injuries
Micro plans for push-ups, pull-ups, timed runs
High-performance hiking and preventative maintenance education
7-day free trial available

Find The Journeyman App here:
Google Play Store: 
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

Apple App Store:
apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

Visit Our Website
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Find Rugged Athlete 
https://www.ruggedathletetraining.com/

[00:00:00] The Grind And Burnout On The Line
[00:05:00] Minimums Versus Real-World Demands
[00:10:45] Altitude, Smoke, And Hidden Stressors
[00:16:36] App, Programs, And Where To Start
[00:20:20] Q&A Invite And Ways To Connect

The line doesn't care how much you can bench if your back seizes on a ridge.

Austin Womack—founder of Rugged Athlete, former pro sports strength coach, and wildland firefighter—shares how to build a body that actually holds up under load, heat, and chaos.

What we cover:
3-Step Preventative Maintenance Routine
Soft tissue prep → Mobilize → Reinforce
Low-back and hip strategies with field-friendly tools
Proactive (before big hikes) vs reactive (when something flares)
No gym needed—works with a roller, lacrosse ball, or your pack

Training Year Breakdown
Postseason: Reset sleep, nutrition, movement
Offseason: Build aerobic base + heavy bilateral strength (squats, deadlifts, presses)
Preseason: Hiking volume, intervals, unilateral lifts
In-season: Maintain strength, manage wear, avoid overtraining

Key Lesson
The pack test is the floor, not the standard. Austin's first season taught him the hard way: crushing air bike intervals doesn't prepare you for carrying a load uphill for hours.

Find The Journeyman App here:
Google Play Store: 
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

Apple App Store:
apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

Visit Our Website
livetjm.com/home

Find Rugged Athlete 
https://www.ruggedathletetraining.com/

[00:00:00] Treat Your Body Like Gear
[00:04:30] First Season Lessons And Misconceptions
[00:09:20] Physical Preventative Maintenance Framework
[00:12:45] Low Back Example: Prep, Mobilize, Reinforce
[00:15:20] Proactive Versus Reactive Care In The Field
[00:17:10] Yearly Training Model For Firefighters

A single rifle round through the bubble, an offshore turn-back with voices urging "come on in," a midnight medevac launched from a Marine Corps ball—this is how real judgment is forged.

Nick shows how to resist tunnel vision, choose safety over pressure, and turn raw experience into a framework you can actually use. From Afghanistan combat flights to EMS in Pine Ridge, offshore weather calls to aerial firefighting across three continents, these are the stories that teach you when to say no.

What we cover:
Close Calls & Hard Decisions
Bullet through the helicopter window and fast recovery
Offshore turn-back when "get-there-itis" crept in
Why saying no under pressure keeps you alive
Stress, fatigue, and tunnel vision in single-pilot operations

Return to Afghanistan
COVID lockdown turned into grad-level study on decision-making
Operating 24/7 in high-tempo environments
What precision longline work on California power lines taught him

EMS & Crew Resource Management
Flying medevac out of Pine Ridge
Why crew trust between pilots and clinicians saves lives
Midnight medevac launched from a Marine Corps ball
When communication works—and when it breaks down

Philippines Operations
Two 107s moving Marines, 24/7 Kazevac missions
Barrel refuels in the dark
Safe LZ, hidden gopher hole—how fast things go wrong
Night operations and maintaining discipline

Aerial Firefighting Across Continents
U.S. structure vs. international deployment chaos
Buckets vs. tanks: precision and flexibility vs. speed and capacity
Initial attack tactics and ground coordination
Hidden danger of falling branches under heavy drops
Night firefighting on NVGs: controversial but effective with strict recon

The Through-Line
Fly safely, teach well, leave the next crew better
How to build judgment that holds under pressure
Humility and restraint over hero moves
The goal: everyone goes home

Find The Journeyman App here:
Google Play Store: 
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

Apple App Store:
apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

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[00:00:00] Purpose: Fly Safe And Teach
[00:06:16] Why Bagram Should Have Stayed
[00:10:49] Tunnel Vision, Risk, And Single-Pilot Pressure
[00:18:12] Brothers, Wings, And Career Crossroads
[00:23:34] Philippines: Marines, Kazevac, And A Wild Night
[00:30:00] Buckets vs Tanks And Safety Tradeoffs
[00:35:06] Night Firefighting On NVGs
[00:37:50] Wrap-Up And Future Return

A young Ranger falls in love with aviation while planning HLZs and talking to Little Birds—then bets his future on a last-minute pivot to flight school after the VA pulls funding.

From shaky first hovers to that unforgettable first solo, Nick unpacks the learning curve that turns fear into focus, why instructing students sharpened his own skills more than any book, and how high-density-altitude flying in the Grand Canyon forces honest math and disciplined performance planning.

What we cover:
From Ranger Regiment to Flight School
Forward observer work and exposure to Army aviation
VA funding falls through—last-minute pivot
Why flight school felt impossible at first
First solo nerves and the moment everything clicked

Building Skills & Hours
Why teaching flight students made him a better pilot
High-density-altitude reality checks flying Grand Canyon tours
Prescott operations and performance limits you can't fake
Moving offshore to Louisiana for turbine time in 407s

The Path to Heavy Helicopters
How to build hours strategically for the jobs you want
Gulf operations and what turbine experience unlocks
Getting hired by Columbia Helicopters
What it takes to fly heavy lift (skills, mindset, humility)

Lessons That Stick
Humility beats bravado every time
Soft skills matter as much as stick skills
Study the systems—your crew's life depends on it
Fear is normal; focus is what matters

Find The Journeyman App here:
Google Play Store: 
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

Apple App Store:
apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

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[00:00:00] Meet Nick: Ranger To Pilot
[00:05:00] Choosing Flight School And VA Maze
[00:10:20] Training Grind And First Solo
[00:18:50] Offshore Flying And First-Time Fears
[00:27:30] Crew Culture And Soft Skills
[00:38:30] Afghanistan Ops: Tempo And Lessons
[00:44:00] Ego Checks, Mentorship, And Upgrade

A quiet afternoon on a slow-moving fire turned into a life-altering moment when a teammate spotted Tyler having a seizure under a tree.

That fast call and a helicopter ride set off a chain of decisions where a six-hour surgery removed most of a surprise brain tumor. What followed wasn't a collapse—it was a deliberate rebuild.

What we cover:
The Day Everything Changed
Seizure recognized by a teammate on the fireline
Helicopter evacuation and first MRI showing mass

Surgery & Diagnosis
Six-hour brain tumor surgery and rapid early recovery
Pathology confirming grade three astrocytoma
Honest conversations with specialists about what comes next

Treatment Plan: The Standard Stack
Radiation mask fitting and daily treatment routine
Oral chemo schedule: five days a month for a year
Seizure medication and six-month driving restriction
Quarterly MRIs to track progress

Metabolic & Supportive Strategies
Ketogenic eating and measured ketosis
Intermittent fasting protocols
Red light therapy for mitochondrial health
Methylene blue, meditation, and cold exposure
Why we're stacking everything that might help

Navigating the System
How to select specialists and get second opinions
Off-label medications: what to vet and how to avoid scammers
Understanding incentives in medicine
Key fact: primary brain cancers rarely spread outside the brain

What Hasn't Changed
Still building, still hunting, still showing up for the team
Why the mission matters more than ever
Stubbornly hopeful and relentlessly practical

The Bottom Line:
This isn't a collapse story. It's a roadmap for fighting smart—combining proven medical treatment with evidence-based supportive strategies while avoiding the noise and scams that prey on desperate people.

Find The Journeyman App here:
Google Play Store: 
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

Apple App Store:
apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

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[00:00:00] Seizure On The Fireline
[00:09:45] Breaking The News And Next Steps
[00:14:30] Choosing A Surgical Team In Denver
[00:20:00] Surgery Day And Early Recovery
[00:25:30] Waiting On Pathology And Results
[00:39:30] Off‐Label Protocols And Scams
[00:45:00] Radiation Mask, Routine, And Side Effects
[00:55:00] Hope, Skepticism, And Next Milestones

Two phones on the table. One urgent request. Fifteen minutes to say yes—or watch tens of thousands slip away.

We used to juggle spreadsheets, Slack threads, text chains, and guesswork to fill resource requests. So we built one platform to replace it all. Then we prove it works by filling a live resource request on-air in minutes.

What we cover:
The Chaos We Fixed
Why "I think they're current" kills contracts
The real cost of juggling four tools to staff one assignment
How one missed license torpedoes tens of thousands

The Solution: Live Demo
We receive a real resource request mid-recording
Watch us fill it in minutes using verified rosters and state licenses
No spreadsheets. No Slack chaos. Just one platform that works.

Why We Built The Journeyman
Marine Corps discipline meets wildland logistics
Know exactly who's qualified, where they are, and which licenses they hold
Push notifications, shift tracking, equipment management—one system
From field-born chaos to dependable platform

Training Access & Off-Season Work
Centralizing RT-130 refreshers and pack tests for crews outside fire hubs
Translating fireline skills to cruise ships, mining, events, and remote industrial work
Keep earning year-round when the flames die down

For Business Owners: Faster yes, verified credentials, one tool instead of four
For Providers: More opportunities, easier deployment, off-season connections

Find The Journeyman App here:
Google Play Store: 
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

Apple App Store:
apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

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Our Sponsor Mile Supplements
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[00:00:00] One Platform To Run The Business
[00:08:18] Why Logistics Win In Fire And Combat
[00:16:25] Off-Season Work And Cross-Industry Skills
[00:19:06] Content Strategy And Education Gap
[00:27:50] MOS Paths And Early Career Pivots
[00:35:27] Getting Into Wildland: Training And First Fires
[00:44:05] Building Trust While Launching A Company
[00:50:18] What Journeyman Actually Solves
[00:58:05] From Idea To Operating System For Crews
[01:01:45] Training Access, Licenses, And Missed Contracts

The door to the buggy slides shut and the air turns thick with sweat, dust, and gallows humor—welcome to hotshot life.

Adam Thomas—Marine infantry vet turned city firefighter, paramedic, and two-season Springville Hotshot—breaks down what it really takes to earn a spot on a Type 1 hand crew and why the only way out is through.

What we cover:

What Hotshots Actually Do
Why Type 1 hand crews get sent to steep, remote terrain where aircraft can't finish the job
How technique beats raw strength when the shift stretches to 10+ hours
The culture: real brotherhood, real friction, and pride that comes from solving problems far from roads

Adam's Path: Marine Infantry to Hotshots
From college burnout to finding purpose in EMS
The EMT call that pushed him into paramedic school
Moving from city fire to contracting overseas
Getting 4 days notice for a California hotshot tryout—and taking it
Passing the hill, grabbing a tool, and learning what "work" really means

Being a Paramedic on a Hand Crew
Working without ALS gear on the line
Stepping off the saw to support other divisions
How medical response on wildland fires can do better

For REMS Medics and EMTs: How to Integrate with Crews
Find overhead early and mark maps with crew tracks
Hike to the work at your own pace
Bring simple value that builds trust
Position yourself where help is actually needed

Getting Hired: The Practical Path
Seasonal vs. permanent roles explained
How to format a federal resume on USAJOBS
Why S-130/S-190 certification helps you stand out
How veterans can leverage preference to land interviews
Adam's Baghdad-to-Springville story: bold action + preparation

The Real Toll
Long shifts with ash for a pillow
The first time you wonder if your body can get back up
Doubt, endurance, and what keeps you going
Why the mission is clear, the skills are used daily, and the growth is real

The Bottom Line:
If you're shot-curious, a firefighter eyeing the line, or a medic ready to move beyond staging, this is your field guide. Adam doesn't sugarcoat it—the work is hard, but the payoff is real.

Find The Journeyman App here:
Google Play Store: 
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

Apple App Store:
apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

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[00:00:00] Life Inside The Hotshot Buggy
[00:05:28] Deployments, Boot Years, And Identity
[00:11:15] Finding Purpose In EMS And Fire
[00:17:01] Paramedic School, Workload, And Fit
[00:24:03] From Baghdad To Springville Tryout
[00:31:20] Brotherhood, Fights, And Family Dynamics
[00:38:50] How Medics Tie In With Crews
[00:44:04] Small Gestures That Build Trust
[00:50:04] Pay, Preference, And Opportunity
[00:59:15] How To Get Hired On A Crew
[01:11:40] Closing Thanks And Takeaways

What if you could skip $100K in debt and build a life of real skills, income, and freedom instead? Maxim took the road less traveled—and it's paying off. 

In this episode, we break down The Preparation: a 16-cycle, 4-year alternative to college that replaces lectures with action. EMT certification, wildland fire seasons, sailing across the Falklands, flight training, heavy equipment operation, Muay Thai, cooking in Florence, and launching an ag drone business—all before most graduates cross a stage. This isn't theory. It's 1,920 hours a year of applied learning, paid work that funds high-ticket skills, and a public portfolio on Substack that attracts mentors and opportunities. In This Episode:

The "be, do, have" mindset that changes everything
How wildland fire paychecks fund pilot licenses and sailing credentials
Why each 3-month cycle pairs anchor experiences with focused study
Surviving seasickness on a Falklands voyage while earning competent crew
Stacking skills across industries: rescue knots to rigging on deck
The hacker cycle: no-code tools and real-world tech fluency
Launching a precision ag drone service while still in the program
Why this path works for veterans, pivoters, and anyone feeling boxed in

Find The Journeyman App here:
Google Play Store: 
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livetjm.thejourneyman&pli=1

Apple App Store:
apps.apple.com/us/app/tjm-the-journeyman/id6503902863

Visit Our Website
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Our Sponsor Mile Supplements
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Find Maxim Smith here:
Substack:
www.maximsmith.com

Instagram:
www.instagram.com/smith.maxim/

Amazon link to book: 
www.amazon.com/Preparation-Become-Competent-Confident-Dangerous/dp/B0FLRKZCKL/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QElgZvBblre_3j9z7Wf8k9PrF1gTH6Sq1-mHKJsk-zkoYg_I7XdIVWU2WN2TQoCZ.xGW_EUc9-DRsllaYO7dzsyezPkbx6ZBMLwTHe56SxTo&qid=1755512503&sr=8-1