Tailboard Talks Firefighter Podcast

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Last week I learned that one of my first mentors in the fire service passed away unexpectedly.  It made me really reflect on the impact he had in the early years of my career and how we use mentors in the fire service.

I reached out to Joe Galli to come on and share some of his ideas on the topic.  Joe has a wealth of knowledge from his years as a Marine, Union President, Firefighter and Engineer.

If you live in Illinois, please look up @JoeGalli439 and show up on August 7th to vote him in as Illinois AFFI District 4 VP.  I guess you can look him up anyways even if you don't live in Illinois.

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Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

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Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

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I totally screwed myself the other day.  I had plans of going to skate right after a 36 hour shift so I could decompress a little before going home.  Not only did I omit my regular post-shift routine, but then I irrationally opted out of the skate too.

This left me tired, frustrated, apathetic, and not at all prepared to be a good father for a 2 and 4 year old.

The job has changed me, and I do not like it.  My resiliency is more fragile than I thought and I don't like the idea that I have to take extra measures just to get back to baseline after a shift.

Firefighters and paramedics have endured a lot in the last 3-5 years and the effects are starting to show in a big way for some of us.  Compassion fatigue is just one of the topics I hit on in this episode.

I'm also reading off the dozen or so responses to the question I posted on Instagram last week "How has the job changed you?"

Of course I try to leave you with some ideas and stories to take away.

Thank you for listening, or watching on YouTube.  Share it with someone you think might like it or relate to it.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Smoke eatin, whisky drinking, leather chewing, mustache havin', hero.  The fire service has had an intimate relationship with alcohol and all things considered hardcore since our old friend Benny Franklin.

Alcohol is the great common thread between 'brothers' in the fire service and it's also the cause of many a downfall.  My relationship with it is unclear, and so is my explanation of it.

Thank you for listening, or watching on YouTube and stay tuned for some great guests in the near future.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Have you ever heard of the promise that a program will make you lose fat and build muscle at the same time?  How about the marketing that goes into proving that someone is a "Tactical expert" and has the perfect program for you to become the hard charger you've always dreamed of?  Or, have you started a program and after a few weeks the progress stopped, the fun was gone, and the honeymoon was over, but you had already been roped into a year long contract?

We're hitting those topics and more today on the show.  Firefighters are a prime target for slick marketing and we all know the Maltese Markup that happens when you add a Maltese cross and 20% to the price of something.

Being more capable and durable both on shift and away from it is the slogan of The 4th Shift and this episode is all about finding ways to help you work towards that goal.  Fitness is meant to be challenging but the process that you chose to be part of can make all the difference when the progress is struggling.  There's a lot more in the episode about that idea so have a listen and reach out if you need any help.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Curt and I know a lot about a lot, but steroids are not on the list of deeply researched or understood topics.  But that doesn't stop us from trying!  Get past the first couple of minutes so we can really dazzle you with some answers to listener questions.

How can I stay big and broad and still work to improve my cardio and mobility?  Well, depending on what you think is "big and broad" you may not be able to get to that 4 hour marathon.  But, with a lot of smart work you can be well rounded and preserve the muscle you have.  A different question might be, is being big and broad the best thing for firefighting and a long career?

How can I feel so good doing a workout, and then next week feel so terrible doing the same workout?  That is a question for the ages and lots of things can factor in.  For females, your cycle can drastically impact your performance, energy, and recovery.  Along with that we go into the pillars of firefighter wellness, some methods to get around it, and a reassurance that, these things happen.

Finally we're talking about discipline.  Well, we were until Curt has a giggle fit and interrupts some profound pontification.  Next time you think about discipline, replace that with the word Structure, and see where the thought project takes you.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

We're back from our most challenging and trying camping trip yet! The screeching, yelling, constant instigation, and tantrums were over the top and the kids had some bad behavior too.

Katie and I sit down for an honest conversation about some difficulties we have as parents and how we're slowly catching on.  As a firefighter, my daughters high pitched tantrum gives me the same jolt and reaction as the full still tones and I have a tough time dealing.

And yet, we choose to pack up the truck, drive long distance and live in a 8x20 foot shoebox for a week at a time.

We hope you enjoy the episode and thank you for listening.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Diets are a commonplace in the fire department.  Everyone is looking for the best kept secret to eat the things they want but still lose weight like they could in their 20's. In pursuit of it, we sacrifice our health, performance, and social life and just end up fat again in a year.

Today we're taking a different look at diets and dieting.  Most importantly the difference between spending your money on someone's diet, versus taking a look at your existing diet that Costco built.

BTW, the flag in the hardcore gym is wrong.  It says "Nobody Cares, Work Harder". But I care.  Still, work harder, but I'm with ya.

Thank you if you've shared and episode with someone, sent me a message, used the affiliate links, or donated cash.  I very much appreciate you and I'm investing all of it right back into the show.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Katie and I are on the back patio, mini solo stove going and champagne in hand.  We're celebrating some regular stuff and talking about some of it too.

Vanderpump, trauma bonding, 24/48 vs 48/96, Post Conference Report, New podcast logos, and her love of criminal minds.

If you have a story to tell on the podcast, please fill out this link: https://www.4thshiftfitness.com/guestform

If you are looking for a speaker for your conference, I'm back on the market!  email me [email protected] or find me on social @4thShiftFitness and lets talk!

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Molly Jones is back and giving us a preview of a brand new presentation she will be debuting in South Bend during a First Responder Conferences event on May 15th and 16th.

After that she humors my questions with professional answers.

Molly works for Advanced Recovery Systems and dedicates a bulk of her time to educating and presenting on behalf of ARS and the IAFF Center of Excellence.

Reach out to Molly if you are in need of care or want to learn more about the IAFF Center of Excellence or Advanced Recovery Systems. Email her at [email protected] and listen to the end of the episode for her phone number.

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.

Send a text

Tim Sears takes us on an incredible journey that started 44 years ago as a volunteer fireman, continued at ground zero of the pandemic, and brought him to the Stronger Families organization in retirement.

The road was anything but straight and smooth and Tim is an excellent speaker and storyteller.

You can find him on IG, Linkedin, or email him at [email protected] pleas also look at the srongerfamilies.com website for information on all of their programs and offerings.

You can see Tim and I in South Bend on May 15 and 16th when we present for First Responder Conferences.  Check out that event page here: https://events.humanitix.com/1rcsouthbend2023

Support the show

Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Frontline Optics use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

Fourth Frontier.com Use code FFTailboard for 25% discount on the X2 strap

Athletic Brewing- Code TTFP10

Submit topics/request guests

Thank you for listening and let's all keep working to be more capable and durable both on shift and away from it.