PREP and DEFEND

Your Plan Is Only as Strong as Your Program


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♦️Free Customized PERIODIZED-HYBRID Training Guide...

Your Plan Is Only as Strong as Your Program

🔥 How to stop over-planning and start executing like a pro.

🔥 Episode Summary:

In this episode, Wildland Fire Captain Chris Ruano breaks down one of the most overlooked truths in fitness, leadership, and life:
 A solid plan won’t get you anywhere if your personal program—your routine—isn’t built to support it.

Chris shares hard-earned lessons from years of leading elite wildland fire crews across Southern California and training alongside top-tier USFS Hotshots. Drawing from the field, he exposes why so many first responders fall short, even with the best gear and intentions.

This episode will help you:

  • Understand the key difference between a plan and a program
  • Avoid common mistakes that derail even the most motivated leaders
  • Build a repeatable system that aligns with your mission—on duty and at home
  • Apply the Periodized Hybrid Training method to stay consistent all year long

If you're serious about showing up strong for your crew, your family, and yourself—this one's for you.

🎯 Topics Covered:

  • Why strategy without structure leads to burnout
  • How to build a sustainable personal program
  • The truth about trending workouts vs. real-world readiness
  • What elite crews get right—and where most fall short
  • Why “training your body” is really about training your integrity

Action Step:

Audit your current routine. Choose one area—movement, mindset, or recovery—and commit to dialing it in this week.

🔊 Listen + Subscribe:

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
 Leave a review to help more First Responders discover the show!

♦️ Free Customized Periodized-Hybrid Training Guide

Our crazy First-Responder lifestyle makes it so difficult to improve our strength and physical performance.

Periodized-Hybrid Training is a unique year-round fitness strategy that I discovered through years of leading wildland fire crews as I struggled to stay prepared for fire-season not just once, but year after year.

By following this strategy, you’ll increase your strength and year-round performance, because its specially developed for the challenges and commitments of our first-responder lifestyle.

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PREP and DEFENDBy PREP and DEFEND - Chris Ruano

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