John Kelly is a former professional MMA fighter and Miami-Dade County firefighter who has become a holistic health coach. With over twenty years of experience in fitness, performance, and recovery, John now dedicates his life to helping first responders overcome burnout, hormone dysfunction, stress-related illness, and chronic fatigue.

He holds a degree in Exercise Physiology from Florida International University, where he also walked onto the football team at age 23. After stepping away from the fire service due to health complications, including adrenal fatigue, a heart arrhythmia, and hormonal breakdown, John created the Holistic First Responders system, a comprehensive wellness initiative explicitly designed for the physical and psychological demands of firefighting.

He founded Beyond The Job, an educational platform focused on mindset, sleep, nutrition, and innovative training. He is currently leading a wellness revolution to help first responders "outlive the job" by reversing the damage caused by shift work, trauma, and toxic exposure.

FIND JOHN HERE

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The Firefighting Foundations mini-series is a focused collection of episodes designed to lay down the essential building blocks of our craft. It’s not a complete manual, and it doesn’t claim to be — instead, it delivers a powerful, practical base of knowledge built on science, tactics, and mindset. Whether you’re stepping onto the drill yard for the first time or you’ve been on the job for decades, this series is packed with tools, truths, and takeaways you can apply immediately to the fireground and your overall career.

Across these episodes, we’ll explore the “why” behind our decisions, the science behind our tactics, and the mindset that drives high-performance teams. From understanding heat transfer and fire behaviour to sharpening observation skills and decision-making under pressure, each module reinforces what matters most: working smarter, staying safer, and never stopping the pursuit of mastery. Because the best firefighters keep learning and the strongest teams keep improving these foundations aren’t just for recruits they’re for anyone committed to excellence in the job we get to do.

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 A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.

• GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
• MSA The Safety Company
• IDEX
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• HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HERE
• Xendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20
• Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated

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In this episode, Kevin Arbuthnot and I take a deep dive into how Incident Command has evolved in the UK not just in policy, but in culture, mindset, and leadership. We explore pivotal incidents that changed the way we operate, the pressures of modern command in an age of greater public scrutiny, and the challenges of adapting to emerging risks like terrorism, climate-driven emergencies, and increasingly complex built environments. We’ll also tackle the ongoing debate: can Incident Command remain a living, breathing leadership framework, or is it in danger of becoming a tick-box exercise?

If you’re new to the white helmet, this conversation will give you the foundation and the foresight to lead with confidence from day one. And if you’ve been commanding incidents for years, it will challenge you to reflect, refine, and re-energise your approach. Because Incident Command isn’t optional — it’s either done well, or it’s done poorly. And in our profession, that difference can be measured in lives saved or lives lost.

This is about more than tactics. It’s about understanding the origins of the system, keeping hold of its essential principles, and ensuring that every decision you make under pressure comes from a place of competence, courage, and care. The fireground will always test you. The question is — will you be ready? 

CONNECT WITH KEV HERE

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• GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
• MSA The Safety Company
• IDEX
• FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD 
• HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HERE
• Xendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20
• Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated

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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***

Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

The Firefighting Foundations mini-series is a focused collection of episodes designed to lay down the essential building blocks of our craft. It’s not a complete manual, and it doesn’t claim to be — instead, it delivers a powerful, practical base of knowledge built on science, tactics, and mindset. Whether you’re stepping onto the drill yard for the first time or you’ve been on the job for decades, this series is packed with tools, truths, and takeaways you can apply immediately to the fireground and your overall career.

Across these episodes, we’ll explore the “why” behind our decisions, the science behind our tactics, and the mindset that drives high-performance teams. From understanding heat transfer and fire behaviour to sharpening observation skills and decision-making under pressure, each module reinforces what matters most: working smarter, staying safer, and never stopping the pursuit of mastery. Because the best firefighters keep learning and the strongest teams keep improving these foundations aren’t just for recruits they’re for anyone committed to excellence in the job we get to do.

ACCESS THE PODCAST LIBRARY & EVERY EPISODE, DEBRIEF & DOCUMENT CLICK HERE

PODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE

 A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.

• GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
• MSA The Safety Company
• IDEX
• FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD 
• HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HERE
• Xendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20
• Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated

Send us a text

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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***

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 Today’s guest is someone whose name carries serious weight in the UK for tactical firefighting that's Dave Berry, Tactical Firefighting Training Lead at Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service. 

With over 25 years of frontline experience, Dave has trained operational crews across Lancashire, Manchester, Macedonia, and Montenegro. He’s a fire behaviour specialist, a highly respected technician and educator, and a lifelong student of the craft. He’s trained and learned shoulder to shoulder with some of the most respected fire behaviour experts out there many of whom you’ve already heard on this podcast. 

He’s also one of the founding voices behind Tactical Firefighting UK (TF-UK) a collaborative group helping shape and strengthen tactical firefighting practice across the UK and beyond. But beyond all that, Dave’s a good friend someone I’ve shared a few experiences and adventures with already, and someone I hope to share many more with in the future. 

This is part one of a two-part conversation designed for those who are serious about their development in the core role of firefighting. It’s built for you to pick apart, revisit, and digest, so these concepts can be embedded, applied, and ultimately shared with others on the job.

ACCESS THE PODCAST LIBRARY & EVERY EPISODE, DEBRIEF & DOCUMENT CLICK HERE

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 A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.

• GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
• MSA The Safety Company
• IDEX
• FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD 
• HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HERE
• Xendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20
• Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated

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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***

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“Every contact leaves a trace.”
 That’s not just a principle from forensic science, it’s a profound truth about leadership, about life, and about the influence we carry every day, often without realizing it.

In this episode, I sit down with Paul Kinkaid former senior British Army officer, global speaker, bestselling author, and Executive Leadership Coach to explore what he calls Forensic Leadership. Paul brings a lifetime of experience leading elite teams in the most challenging environments across 44 countries, and now works with high-performing leaders and teams who know they're doing well… but believe they can do better.

What if the legacy of your leadership isn’t found in KPIs or formal appraisals, but in the invisible marks you leave on the people around you?

What if, in every conversation, meeting, or moment of silence you were leaving red traces or green ones?

So as you listen today, ask yourself:
Are you leading with intention or simply reacting?
Are you leaving behind green traces or red ones?
And more importantly… would you follow you?

This is a conversation that may not give you all the answers but it will challenge you to ask better questions.

connect wit Paul HERE

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• GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
• MSA The Safety Company
• IDEX
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• HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HERE
• Xendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20
• Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated

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There has been a need for Innovation in Firefighting footwear and finally its here. In firefighting, there has always been a trade-off between comfort and protection & There is a lot of research and evidence that shows the heavy weight of fire boots leads to increased risk of mobility restrictions, physical strains and slips, trips, and falls. Tests in the GORE-TEX Professional labs show this to be as much as 300g per boot after just one hour of exposure to water.

their are also challenges faced by Fire and Rescue Services brought on by climate change, lifestyle changes & as a result, they need PPE that is versatile, comfortable while offering high levels of protection.

Today im joined by Oli Willson from Gore-Tex & Simon Ash from HAIX UK to talk about the new HAIX GTX Extraguard that puts innovation into every step with No breaking in period, increased comfort and reduced weight among many other factors. 

ACCESS THE PODCAST LIBRARY & EVERY EPISODE, DEBRIEF & DOCUMENT CLICK HERE

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 A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.

• GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
• MSA The Safety Company
• IDEX
• FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD 
• HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HERE
• Xendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20
• Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated

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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***

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Today on The Firefighters Podcast, we are bringing you a conversation that will stay with you long after you hear it.

For his safety and the safety of his colleagues, our guest’s identity will remain anonymous. He is a firefighter serving in Ukraine, and sharing his experiences publicly could put him and his crew at risk due to the intense conflict that continues there.

With over 11 years of conflict and an average of 100 drone attacks daily, Ukraine's firefighters operate in conditions most of us can’t imagine.....losing over 500 fire engines and more than 100 responders to war-related incidents. They continue to turn out not for money or recognition, but because they believe in protecting their people and their future.

On average, Ukraine faces over 100 drone attacks every day across different cities, along with missile strikes that leave responders with as little as 40 seconds of warning before impact.

Now, imagine attending a car crash, a fire, or a rescue, and receiving an alert that a missile is inbound. You have seconds to decide whether to run for shelter or continue working to save lives. This is the daily reality for Ukrainian firefighters and first responders.

In this conversation, you will hear about the spirit of the Ukrainian people, the resilience of their firefighters, and how, even in the middle of war, they continue to learn, adapt, and find ways to keep people safe.

Thank you for joining us for this episode. Let’s step into this conversation with open hearts and open minds, and let’s remember those who are working day and night to keep civilians safe, no matter the cost.

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• GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
• MSA The Safety Company
• IDEX
• FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD 
• HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HERE
• Xendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20
• Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated

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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***

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In today’s episode, we’re tackling the often-unspoken side of leadership and culture the subtle, psychological dynamics that quietly corrode healthy teams. While most of my experiences with leaders in the fire service have been overwhelmingly positive, we can’t ignore the fact that some individuals, though not blatantly toxic, still manage to suppress, sideline, or demoralise the people around them. These behaviours don’t always lead to disciplinary action, but they do drive good people out of the job, robbing them of fulfilment and joy. This conversation isn’t about blame it’s about awareness, insight, and action.

Joining me is Dr. Nathalie Martinek, a scientist-turned-relational leadership expert, who helps professionals navigate complex power dynamics, covert narcissism, and cultural dysfunctions in the workplace. We’ll explore topics like imposter syndrome, soft control tactics, empathy fatigue, and how to identify manipulative personalities that often hide in plain sight. If you’ve ever walked away from an interaction feeling unseen or undermined but couldn’t quite explain why this episode will make you feel heard. And if none of this sounds familiar to you… well, as they say: if you don’t know who the arsehole in the room is....it might be you.

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 A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.

• GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
• MSA The Safety Company
• IDEX
• FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD 
• HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HERE
• Xendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20
• Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated

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In 2010, a terrifying blaze tore through the high-rise apartments at 200 Wellesley Street East in Toronto, pushing firefighters and resources to their absolute limits. Crews faced intense heat, heavy smoke, and severe challenges with stairwell access and evacuation on upper floors, making it one of the city’s most complex high-rise fires. The incident exposed critical gaps in aerial operations, communications, and staging under extreme conditions, forcing a hard look at the realities of high-rise firefighting.

The “Fire in the Sky” would go on to shape high-rise firefighting in Toronto forever, leading to significant changes in training, equipment, and operational guidelines. From improved stairwell pressurization and backup air systems to refined accountability and evacuation protocols, the lessons from 200 Wellesley became a turning point for the service and a reminder of the constant need to adapt, prepare, and protect both firefighters and residents in the vertical cities we serve.

Connect with Brent Brooks HERE

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• MSA The Safety Company
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• HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HERE
• Xendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20
• Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated

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