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Stephanie White is a full time firefighter with 20 years of experience who works with an organization called the Beltane Guild to assist departments in creating and instituting pregnancy and postpartum policies and programs.

She has presented along with the IAFF on the topic and Fire Engineering has given her the reigns of the Five After Midnight Podcast.

Stephanie speaks from personal experience and integrates contemporary science and research to inform, educate, and improve the fire service.

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How many things do you tell yourself over and over again that aren't quite true, but now there just a part of who you are?

The illusory truth effect is the theory that the more you hear something, the more true it becomes.  The fire service is full of examples of this.  Pushing fire, oxygen is good for everyone, 12 leads are too difficult for the street, 'they don't want a person like me promoted'.

Lies, ALL LIES!

A lot of times we do this to protect our ego and limit what we're capable of, but the worst part is that it is by choice.  Quit lying to yourself, but do it slowly, and see how many people are actually happy and supportive of the version of you that you want to be instead of the one you've convinced yourself you are.

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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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Sometimes getting into the job is just tough.  Recently I had one of those days and I just couldn't get going.

Today we're talking about how I handle those days and some suggestions from the IG poll.

The transition to 4th Shift Firefighter is happening in a few days and I'm very excited to see where the new focus on firefighter lifestyle and wellness takes us.

Thank you for going above and beyond and continually working on being more capable and durable both on the job and away from it.

Look for new stickers and merch at 4thShiftFirefighter.com starting September 1st.

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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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Why can't we talk about good stuff sometimes!?

I asked you what some unexpected positives of being part of the fire service have been and the answers were great, as always.

Expectations can really set us up for some pleasant surprises or some pretty harsh realities.  

Intentions can save us from the emotional damage of false expectations.

Hear more about it in the episode and share it with someone that comes to mind.

Starting Sept 1 were turning into 4th Shift Firefighter!  Let's keep the firefighter lifestyle train rolling.

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Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

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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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This week the show is on the road.  Recording from the camper on the sandy shores of Grand Haven, Michigan.

Two quick topics so I can get back to the beach.  First we look at the cost of doing nothing.  Firefighters hate the way things are and hate change even more.  So what changes are worth the cost?

Then the evergreen topic of low back pain.  Why it might happen, and where to look to make it better.

If you dig the episodes or think I'd be a good fit to speak at your department or conference please go to 4thShiftFitness.com and fill out the contact form.  THEN, be on the lookout for the launch of 4th Shift Firefighter in a few weeks.  New name, site, merch, and content are coming soon.

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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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What's worse to deal with, a know it all or a do nothing?

The poll results are in and the do nothings are the big losers.  I go into some of the similarities between the two and where I think their attitudes come from.

Before that I announce some big news starting in September and have some ideas about failure after talking with one of the guys this week.

If you think my message or style would work well for your department, I am available for hire for seminars, keynotes, and conferences.

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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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The Chief is on his way down to see you.  You know what it's about.  You fu@&ed up.

I've been in that room and have seen the fabled three stacks of paper, each one less inviting and more of a threat to your career.

In this episode I'm giving you ways to help keep the damage to a manageable level.  So many of the times, the way we react to the conversation is so much more damaging than the actual mistake that led to the conversation.

I've seen people totally blow it and get fired because they were unable or unwilling to tell the truth, keep a calm head, and did everything they could to avoid answering the questions that would ultimately get them in trouble.  

Firefighters are known for integrity and character, let's not abandon those things in times of accountability.

You screwed up, you're in trouble, but let's avoid getting in more.

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Affiliate links:

Rescue1CBD Use code TAILBOARD for 15% off

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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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Vanessa Frost is a strength coach and wellness coordinator for the Pflugerville FD in Texas.  She has been with her department for 7 years and is also a mother to two young boys and wife to a firefighter.

Vanessa and I cover some ground talking about the fitness evaluations she does with her department as well as trends in the fire service she's noticed from the fitness lens.  Not least of all we address the term of "Tactical Athlete" and if it is justified being used with firefighters.

If you want to hear more from Vanessa, she can be found on Instagram under the @firefighterstrengthcoach

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

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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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Work harder, stop feeling bad for yourself, be a winner, toughen up, depression isn't real....wait, wut?

These were some of the taglines from a social media figurehead that a co worker was fond of and opened a discussion about manliness, grit, and character.

Is the fire service short on manliness, or masculinity, or both?

Is that really such a bad thing in all cases though, and if so what can we do to change it.

Lots of ground to cover in this one.

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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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Last week was a lot.  Tim's wake (see episode 124 for details), my grandmothers funeral, and joining Threads.  Relationships were on full display through those experiences and lots of things caught my attention.

Firefighters have complex relationships with so many things but it seems like our interpersonal relationships could not be more simple.  The commonalities between us can make conversations very easy, but also the familiarity can keep us more reserved.

Being part of a relationship also means doing the work before and after the hard conversations.  Nobody ever solved a problem with a catchy one-liner.  And sometimes it takes recognizing that you are not the right person for some discussions and relationships to help the organization and your mental well being overall.

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.