IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast with Ryan Rodriquez: Recent Episodes
Ryan Rodriquez
Action | Ownership | Brotherhood
IGNITEd is a brotherhood of firefighters who challenge the status quo through self-improvement and accountability.
Topics include: - leadership - tactics, and strategy - managing stress - mental health - physical fitness - organizational health
Be the firefighter you'd want on your crew!
Be IGNITEd!
Visit www.IGNITEdFF.com to learn more!
**The thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of myself and my guests. The IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast is written, produced, and hosted by Ryan Rodriquez.
When it comes to relationships, the quality of people we keep in our circle has an effect on our progress or lack thereof. It’s been said that we are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with. So why wouldn’t we want to spend time with amazing people?
By curating our network of friends and acquaintances, we can improve the quality of our lives and in a reciprocal manner, improve the quality of the lives of our friends.
In today’s episode, I’m going to talk to you about the 4 tiers of your network and I will show you how to curate them with something called “The Funnel Test”.
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SHOW NOTES/LINKS:
Join The Forge! (Application)
Forged by FIRE Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
ARTICLES/TOOLS:
Personal Values Assessment
VIDEOS:
Your Network is Your Net Worth | Porter Gale (YouTube)
Storybrand One Liner Exercise | Donald Miller | Entreleadership (YouTube)
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In the fire service, we are often heard telling each other to “suck it up” or “deal with it”. And while these phrases might seem harsh, there’s a lot of truth to them.
Many people hear these phrases and think it means that they just need to ignore their problems and keep going despite any pain or trauma they have endured, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. One of the ways that this is manifested on the fire ground is by establishing a “rehab sector” that allows crews to have a respite where we can rest, hydrate, and get new bottles for our air packs. This allows us to do a mini reset to return to fighting the fire.
In today’s episode, I will talk about how we can “deal with it” when it comes to the different types of trauma we endure, why we need to provide ourselves with ways to do a mini reset so we aren’t killing ourselves or exposing others to our collateral damage.
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Join The Forge! (Application)
Forged by FIRE Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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The whole process of refinement is all about continual improvement. If you’ve been listening to the podcast for any amount of time, you’ll know that the way I started is a bit different than where I am now. And in my opinion, much better.
My goal is to focus on the FIRE framework that I’ve developed to help people from all over the world gain insight into what lights them up. I’m acting as your guide to get you to where you want to be in the most effective and efficient way possible.
In today’s episode, I will be launching the newest version of the podcast, now called, “Forged by FIRE with Ryan Rodriquez”, and I will be drilling down on what it means to be ‘forged’. I will also share with you the framework that is at the foundation of true success.
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SHOW NOTES/LINKS:
Join The Forge! (Application)
Forged by FIRE Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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As May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, it's crucial to emphasize the significance of prioritizing our mental well-being. Whether you're a first responder or not, neglecting mental health can have profound effects on our lives.
If your head isn’t right, nothing else will be either.
In today's episode, we'll delve into what mental health entails, offer a self-assessment through five key questions, and provide practical daily habits to nurture your mental well-being.
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SHOW NOTES/LINKS:
Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Podcast Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
ARTICLES/TOOLS:
Your Mental Health Today (Test) - Psychology Today
VIDEOS:
We All Have Mental Health (YouTube)
How To Manage Your Mental Health | TEDx (YouTube)
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As we go throughout our lives, we more often than not feel a sense of belonging at our places of work, within our families, and the people we choose to spend our time with.
But sometimes we just don’t “fit in”. That can make things awkward, it can stifle us and it can impact our mental health in some seriously negative ways. But what’s the difference between belonging and fitting in? And what can we do to remove the uncomfortable and limiting feelings we get when we don’t?
In today’s episode, I will distinguish the difference between what it means to belong vs “fit in”, how acting intentionally can work for us or against us, and how giving up the effort to “fit in” leaves more energy for things that truly matter.
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You Do Not Need to “Fit In” to Belong | Nila Conzen (Article)
Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brene Brown (Book)
Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Podcast Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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We hear the term “resilience” a lot lately; mental resilience, emotional resilience, and physical resilience. Sometimes we don’t know what that means. I’ve heard people describe resilience as a person’s ability to “take a punch and get back up”.
But what about being able to see the punch before it happens and dodge it?
Today I’m going to talk about how we can embrace resilience proactively and give you strategies for things you can do BEFORE the stuff hits the fan so when it DOES, you can take minimal damage.
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Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Podcast Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
ARTICLES/TOOLS:
Proactive Resilience versus Reactive Resilience (Article)
The Importance of “Proactive” Resilience (Article)
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Sometimes it can be difficult to stay on track when it comes to achieving your goals. Discipline is the name of the game; doing a repeated behavior day in and day out until you achieve your desired outcome. This process can be monotonous which can lead to you falling off your desired path.
One of the ways that I stay on track is by gamifying my goals. What this does is help me stay mentally engaged so I don’t get bored with my desired pursuit.
In today’s episode, I will share with you what it means to gamify your goals and I will share with you the 7 steps that I take to accomplish great things.
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SHOW NOTES/LINKS:
Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Podcast Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
ARTICLES/TOOLS:
3 Ways to Gamify Your Life (Article)
Gamify Your Life and Become Massively Successful (Article)
The Secret Psychology of Why We Love Completing To-Do Lists (Article)
Forest Tracking (App)
STREAKS Tracking (App)
Habitica - Gamify Your Goals! (App)
VIDEOS:
5 Great Apps to Gamify Your Life (YouTube)
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How do you define “wisdom”? Is it the practical application of knowledge? Is it simply the curation of information? There are lots of different ways to define the term “wisdom”, but I think my favorite way to describe the difference between knowledge and wisdom is this; “knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is understanding that it doesn’t belong in a fruit salad.”
As I go throughout my day, I intentionally seek ways to gain wisdom. What this does is expand my understanding of a multitude of topics from science, to art, to business, to technology. If there’s a podcast for it, then it’s something that I can learn about. The amount of information out there can seem daunting, but there is a way you can simplify things so that you can gain wisdom daily.
In today’s episode, I will share with you why it’s important to gain wisdom daily, I’ll share with you some ways that I practice this principle, and I will give you some ideas on how you can introduce this habit so you can expand your understanding of the world (& the people) around you.
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SHOW NOTES/LINKS:
Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Podcast Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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Have you ever approached an escalator that goes up only to see an out of order sign that says, “Out of service, take the stairs”? What did you do when you saw that sign? Was it ever an option for you to just accept the fact that the fast and easy track to the next level was out of your reach and just decided to NOT take the stairs?
You can probably see where I’m going with this. In today’s day and age, technological advances might give us an out by providing an elevator. But are you going to spend the time to find it or would you just suck it up and take the stairs?
In today’s episode, I will use this analogy to help you shift your perspective to understand that those things that may seem to impede your progress aren’t there to stop you, but to make you stronger. And once you’ve got this perspective available to you, you’ll start to see opportunities for growth all around you.
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SHOW NOTES/LINKS:
Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Podcast Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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I’m an inquisitive person by nature. I ask a lot of questions. The more knowledge I have, the more I can make an informed decision.
My curious nature has led me down the path of becoming a coach. I’ve obtained certifications in personal training, nutrition, peer support, and last year I obtained my master health coach certification which incorporates all of that, but also incorporates aspects of sleep, stress, and recovery.
I’m not telling you this to brag about myself. I’m telling you this to let you know that even though I’ve collected all of that knowledge and can apply it to my daily life, I STILL have coaches in my life.
Why do I think it’s important for me to have a coach in my life? I’m glad you asked! In today’s episode, I will share with you how having a coach in my life has benefited me, how it can benefit you, and I will give you 7 reasons to back up my claims!
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SHOW NOTES/LINKS:
Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Podcast Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
VIDEOS:
Want to get great at something? Get a coach | Atul Gawande
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200 EPISODES!!!
If you would’ve told me 10 years ago that I’d be writing, producing, and publishing my own podcast, I’d tell you that you were crazy. Telling me that I’d get to 200 episodes would be even further from what I thought I could do!
Not only did I not have the confidence in what I had to say having any value, but I didn’t have the technical know-how either. But oftentimes when we feel called to something and we don’t know how to do it or have fully confident feelings about it, we take steps toward that thing and the path becomes clearer along the way.
In today’s episode, looking back on 200 episodes, I will share some of my favorite episodes with you, some lessons I’ve learned along the way, as well as what things will look like moving forward!
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Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Podcast Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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If we don’t have things to anchor us to who we want to be, then we won’t be able to achieve the goals we have for ourselves and our futures. We can anchor ourselves to our principles, our procedures, our attitudes, anything and everything that makes us who we are.
I know you may be thinking, “how is an anchor, something that holds you down, going to help you get to where you want to be?”
In today’s episode, I will answer that question and provide you some strategies for anchoring yourself in order to accomplish those lofty goals you’ve been keeping in your back pocket.
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SHOW NOTES/LINKS:
Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Podcast Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
ARTICLES/TOOLS:
FREE Personal Values Assessment
VIDEOS:
Build your Life with your Values | Simon Sinek | TED 2015
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The most valuable commodity that we have on this planet is our TIME.
What we DO with that time determines our experience while we are alive on this earth. If you aren’t consciously managing or utilizing your time in purposeful ways, then you aren’t taking advantage of the God-given gift you’ve been given and will ultimately find out that you’ve wasted that gift.
In today’s episode, I will talk about what we can do to make sure our time counts and moves us toward becoming the person that we want to be.
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Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Podcast Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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If you aren’t growing, you’re dying. You’ve heard me say this before, but I thought that as we come to the end of 2023, I just reiterate my point because as you all know; with a new year comes a new quarter and a new cohort to my coaching group The Forge.
The concept of having a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset is what separates the DO-ers from the dregs.
In today’s episode, I will reinforce the importance of what a growth mindset is, why harboring a growth mindset will propel you toward success, and some things that we can do every day to make sure we are staying on track.
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Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Podcast Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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As we go throughout our lives, we will find ourselves in situations where we are in direct competition with others. Sometimes competition presents itself through a game of pickleball and sometimes it presents as testing for a promotion at work.
Regardless of how the element of competition shows up in our lives, it’s important to remember that just because we have an opponent, does not mean they are our enemy.
In today’s episode, I will dive further into this idea and provide some perspective on how we can maintain a growth mindset while still aggressively competing for victory.
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Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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You’ve heard me talk a lot about several different Japanese cultural concepts throughout my podcast. The reason for that is that I feel like Japanese culture is very conscientious and purposeful. From “Kaizen”, the practice of continual improvement, to “Ikigai”, the concept that everyone has a purpose and a reason for living and it is our responsibility to find out what that is, and dedicate our lives to it, I am continually enthralled by Japanese culture.
I recently learned of a concept called “Naikan” and this is a self-reflective practice that can not only help us to become more self-aware, but grateful, and conscious in our effort to contribute to the well-being of others.
In today’s episode, I will dive deeper into the concept of Naikan, share with you what its three elements are, and provide you with strategies for implementing its practice into your daily life.
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Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
Naikan Therapy: Applying the Japanese Art of Self-Reflection (Positive Psychology)
What is Naikan Therapy (Mental Health Match)
Naikan - Reconnection to ourselves | Johanna Schuh | TEDxLinz (YouTube)
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With staffing at an all-time low among fire departments and other organizations across the continent, strategies for recruitment and retention have gained the spotlight. It seems organizations are more interested in scooping the proverbial water out of the boat rather than stopping the leak; and even then, some people are choosing to ignore the problem altogether. What those people don’t realize is that they are sitting in the same boat.
One of the ways we can address this issue that’s becoming more prominent is to assess our cultures. I will speak to the fire service culture specifically, but ultimately, the principles can be applied to a multitude of different organization structures.
In today’s episode, I will talk about what we can do when it comes to having an effect on our culture that can have a huge impact on recruitment and retention.
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Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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You’ve heard me say it again and again, if you want to accomplish something big, break up the task into smaller sections. By doing this, we can take small but effective steps toward the bigger goals we have established for ourselves (or the goals that our organizations and leaders have established for us).
I show people how to do this inside my coaching group, The Forge, through a framework of planning quarterly goals as well as daily primary tactics they can accomplish in order to achieve amazing things.
In today’s episode, I will show you how this practice can be applied to our daily lives to make those large tasks seem smaller and much more manageable!
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Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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When we apply for a job, we typically do some investigating as to what the job entails. A great way to learn about the details of the job is by reading the “job description”. A job description informs you of all the tasks and roles that you would be responsible for if hired for the job. From there, you can decide if that’s something that sounds good to you or if you should look for something else that’s a better fit.
But what about the roles we inherently have currently in our lives? Are we clear on what it is that we are supposed to do as well as the things we are responsible for?
In today’s episode, I will challenge you to write your own “job description”, not just for your career but for several categories of your life. I will encourage you to be proactive in this process and I will provide you with a step-by-step plan to make it happen so you can be clear on what others expect of you as well as what you can expect from yourself.
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Join The Forge! (Application)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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“Life is not primarily a quest for pleasure, as Freud believed, or a quest for power, as Alfred Adler taught, but a quest for meaning.” - Viktor Frankl
One of my all-time favorite books is Viktor Frankl's book “Man’s Search for Meaning”, but something recently stuck out to me in that title; the word “search”. Then it got me thinking, “why spend so much time searching for meaning when we can create it ourselves?”
Meaning can come in many different forms. With how diverse we are as humans, there are an equal amount of diverse ways we find meaning. But, how do we create it? In today’s episode, I will talk about a practice called “constructivism” and how we can be an active part in our own quest for meaning by creating it ourselves.
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SHOW NOTES/LINKS:
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
Join The Forge! (Application)
ARTICLES/TOOLS:
What is Meaning? And How to Create a More Meaningful Life (Psychology Today)
Are You Feeling Lost? Here’s How To Find Meaning In Your Life (BetterUp)
VIDEOS:
How Should We Define Meaning? (YouTube)
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Communication is HUGE. Not just the fire service, but the world. Almost everything we do is to improve our ability to communicate with others through language or technology. Even as I sit here and record this podcast from a small town in Arizona, I’m reaching people all over the world and I make an active and conscientious effort to be clear in what I’m saying.
Understanding whether someone is of a high-context culture or a low-context culture can really help in bridging the gap of what it is you’re trying to communicate and what is actually received.
In today’s episode, I will talk about the spectrum of high-context and low-context, how to recognize it in the real world, and how to make sure that you can be aware of this so you can understand where people are coming from.
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
Join The Forge! (Application)
ARTICLES/TOOLS:
High-Context Culture: 4 Characteristics of High-Context Cultures by MasterClass
The Culture Map by Erin Meyer (Book)
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ignitedff/message
You’ve heard me talk about how we should be focused on becoming assets and purge anything that makes us a liability. This is an active and ongoing process.
Active building of yourself only happens with conscious effort and planning. It doesn’t happen by accident.
In today’s episode, I will talk about how we can actively focus on becoming assets, what that actively looks like, and a huge pitfall we should avoid.
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Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
Join The Forge! (Application)
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We all have an idea of what we think “perfection” looks like in our minds, but our path to that so-called perfection can be exhausting. This is only compounded when we compare ourselves, our work, and our progress to other people.
Accepting that someone will always be better than you at something helps you maintain humility, but also accept that achieving perfection isn’t a final destination, it’s an active and daily process. When it comes to closing the gap between who we are and who we want to be, the steps we take in making progress toward that goal are measurable.
In today’s episode, I will talk about how we can reframe our mindset to focus and hold more value with progress. I will provide you with structures for success, and I will show you how you can take that first step.
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Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
Join The Forge! (Application)
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ignitedff/message
We all know how it feels to be not listened to. Whether people are half-listening, continually interrupting, or aren’t paying attention to you at all, we know how that feels. And it doesn’t feel good.
But is it our job to force people to listen to us or is it our job to show people what it looks like to be a good listener? The answer to that question lies in the understanding that we cannot control others, only ourselves.
In today’s episode I will let you in on a phrase that I use in my personal and professional life that has helped me build strong relationships that have depth and meaning and I will share some strategies for becoming a better listener.
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Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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Join The Forge! (Application)
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Oftentimes we spend so much time overcomplicating things that we wind up never taking steps toward accomplishing the things we want to accomplish. Some people call this “paralysis by analysis”.
Allowing the complexity of a situation to overwhelm us can stop us in our tracks when we’re trying to set goals and take steps to achieve them.
In today’s episode, I will talk about how complexity is the enemy of execution and share some strategies that we can do to remove complexity so we can move forward and crush it in life!
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Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
Join The Forge! (Application)
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ignitedff/message
Regardless of what you do in life, whatever you’ve touched is a signature of your standard. What I mean by that is your involvement is a reflection of your principles, attitude, and the quality of work you’re putting into this world.
Whether you’re impacting things on a global scale or focused on making an impact in your community, how you’re showing up is an outward reflection of your inner principles; or your standard.
In today’s episode, I will talk about why this idea is so important, how we can keep it at the forefront of our minds, and how living this principle builds trust.
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Join The Forge! (Application)
Buy my book!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
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When we hear the words “health & wellness” we might think of the umbrella that that phrase covers, or committees that are bogged down in bureaucracy. Being able to identify the elements of health and wellness and how they apply to you are crucial when it comes to staying in the infinite game that is the fire service and life in general.
Being able to not only identify the elements that you may need to shore up, but taking action in those elements could be life-saving!
In today’s episode, I talk to Matan Cohen-Citron. It’s his mission to create harmony & balance for a long, healthy, happy, peaceful, and purposeful life. We dig deep on what the difference is between harmony and balance, strategies for achieving both, and how a conscious approach is what will facilitate these elements into your life.
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Matan’s Movement
@MatansMovement
Matan’s Movement (Facebook)
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Kindle - Paperback
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Grant-writing might not sound all that sexy, but one thing that might get you excited about it is just how much money is out there if you’re looking for it! So many agencies rely on grant money to make sure they can meet their annual operational standards. Why not approach it with a tactical perspective?
Dr. Violet Rymshaw is the CEO of INNOVATIVE WRITING. She is a former emergency dispatcher for police, fire, and EMS. She also knows what it’s like to be a military spouse and parent. Her educational background has given her unique insight into psychological wellness related to occupational identity. She is also the leading authority on securing grants for public safety agencies.
In today’s episode, we talk about some ways to strategically approach securing grants in order to get your organization the money it needs and then some!
Connect with Dr. Rymshaw!
911 Grant Writing
Dr. Violet Rymshaw (LinkedIn)
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Chief Freddie Fernandez entered the fire service in 1983 and rose to Deputy Fire chief for Miami Fire-Rescue before retiring in 2014. Chief Freddie served as a recruit instructor in 1990 and participated in dozens of officer development classes during his 32 years at MFR.
Since 1999, he has helped thousands of firefighters across the nation get promoted. He is the founder of FireAssessmentCenterPrep.com, has spoken at FDIC and Firehouse Expo, and has conducted in-person training nationwide.
Freddie's coaching passion is evident in every training product, and many of his students have been promoted multiple times using his methods.
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Fire Assessment Center Prep
Buy his book!
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If you work as a first-responder and hear the word “energy”, you might immediately think of a cup of coffee or an energy drink. These substances seem to be the quick lifelines that we reach for in order to help us forget that we’re tired and help us push through.
But I’d like you to know that there are more productive, longer-lasting, healthier ways to find sources of energy to keep you going. Today, I’d like to introduce you to some of those methods.
In today’s episode, I will focus on ENERGY, the fourth and final element in the (FIRE) framework that I personally use in my life to help refine myself, and I will share how using this framework can help you in all important areas of your life!
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ARTICLES/TOOLS:
Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods; Impact on human health
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Strong and meaningful relationships are essential to our well-being as humans. Our ability to start and maintain meaningful relationships can bring meaning to our lives as well as reduce our stress, but quality relationships take work.
As firefighters and first-responders, we tend to bond over extreme situations and then keep people at bay who don’t share in those extreme situations. It’s one of the reasons why firefighters and nurses come together and do what’s called “trauma bonding”. This could be a whole episode on itself, but we’ll leave that one alone for right now.
In today’s episode, I will focus on RELATIONSHIPS, the third element in the (FIRE) framework that I personally use in my life to help refine myself, and I will share how using this framework can help you in all important areas of your life!
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- You all have heard me use this adage before, “Civilize the mind, but make savage the body”. That’s a Samurai proverb that I embraced about 10 years ago. I love the dichotomy of making the mind as formidable as the body and vice versa.
Oftentimes we feel we have to sacrifice one or the other. And there are a lot of stereotypes out there of the muscular person not being very smart or the intellectual not being very strong. I’d like to marry those two and make a super smart baby that could crush you. This is my goal with the FIRE framework; to shore up all those areas of our lives so that we are a formidable force to be reckoned with!
Today is part TWO of my FOUR part series on learning how to feed your FIRE!
In today’s episode, I will focus on the second element in the (FIRE) framework that I personally use in my life to help refine myself, and I will share how using this strategy can help you in all important areas of your life!
Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability (Book)
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Improving Fluid Intelligence With Training On Working Memory (Research Study) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ignitedff/message
- I recently read a quote that went something like, “A healthy person has a thousand wishes, an unhealthy person only has ONE.”
- In a time where we are being told that our health relies on other people wearing masks or that our genetics make it impossible to live healthy lives, it can be difficult to push through all that nonsense and make moves toward improving our physical health and level of fitness.
- In spite of what the media is trying to push on us, we can still take ownership of our own personal levels of fitness regardless of our individual ailments.
- In today’s episode, I will focus on the first element in the (FIRE) acronym I personally use in my life to help refine myself, and I will share how using this strategy can help you in all important areas of your life as well!
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SHOW NOTES/LINKS:
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ARTICLES/TOOLS:
Benefits of Physical Activity (CDC)
Why is physical activity so important for health and well-being? (AHA)
Recommendations for physical activity in adults and children (AHA)
What Should I Eat? A 3-Step Guide PDF (Precision Nutrition) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ignitedff/message
As firefighters and EMS providers, we train for situations that other people might not ever see in their lives.
This means that we set up scenarios that test our ability to physically perform, keep our emotions in check, and mentally adapt to whatever the situation may throw at us.
We are literally forging adversity. By doing this, we better prepare ourselves to overcome any situation that life might throw at us. We don’t need to be firefighters or EMS providers to do it, either!
In today’s episode, I will talk about what it means to forge adversity in our lives, how that differs from simply creating problems for ourselves, and how using this strategy can help you in all important areas of your life (FIRE)!
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ARTICLES:
How Adversity Makes You Stronger
Post-Traumatic Growth: Conceptual Foundations and Empirical Evidence
Rethinking stress: the role of mindsets in determining the stress response
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You’ve heard the term “complacency kills’. Well, why is that? Officially it’s because we get to a point where we are satisfied in our situation in spite of the deficiencies we harbor and as a result, we expose ourselves to danger.
This could look like a firefighter not checking their gear every morning. It could look like a father gaining 50 lbs due to lack of discipline in diet and exercise. Or it could be as simple as not looking both ways before crossing the street. All of these things increase the opportunity for danger to occur and that’s when people get hurt or even killed.
I believe the best way to fight this complacency is by being purposeful in your daily actions, making small improvements over time that lead to big results. I refer to this process as becoming the hero of your own story.
In today’s episode, I will talk about exactly what that means, provide you with some insight as to how to go about becoming the hero of your own story, and invite you to the next cohort of The Forge which will focus on this specific mindset!
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Great Videos:
Become the Hero of Your Own Story - Jordan Peterson
Be the Real Life Hero of Your Own Story - Donald Miller
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There is SO much information out there in the world today! Along with all the information out there comes the different ways that we can learn it.
I’m a huge supporter of learning by doing. In the FIRE and EMS world, there are many things that we teach to our new people through this method.
In today’s episode, I share with you what exactly it means to learn by doing and how it can be an incredibly effective way to learn something new!
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I love movies. I love the story-writing that goes into them. When we watch a movie or read a book, we are watching character development play out right before our eyes.
Ultimately, regardless of what movie we are watching, the story comes down to one theme, “who am I?”
I recently read an article that stated there are 3 versions of you. The author asked the question, “which one is the real you?”
In today’s episode, I will break down the concept of the “3 versions” of yourself and leave you asking yourself the questions; “who am I?” and “who do I want to be?”
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There Are 3 Versions of Yourself You Must Master (YouTube)
Box Office Bust: ‘Black Adam’ Faces Theatrical Losses (Variety)
Dogville (IMDb)
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I’m a firm believer in leaving things in better shape than you found them, if it’s simply picking up a gum wrapper off the floor or cleaning out the fridge at work. It doesn’t matter what mess you inherit. What matters is how you turn things over.This is the definition of integrity in action.I learned of a new term while the World Cup was going on that I’m going to incorporate into my daily thoughts and actions. That word is “atarimae” and it’s Japanese for “natural, reasonable, obvious.”In today’s episode I will give you some of my thoughts based on the observations I made during the World Cup in regards to seeing a need and taking action. I'll also explain to you all what I learned about "atarimae".--Buy the book!Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through AccountabilityIGNITEd Firefighter Facebook GroupJoin The Forge!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ignitedff/message
As we go through the motions, shift by shift, and week by week, we often forget to take moments to ourselves, but not only that, we forget to be actively grateful for what we have.
I have been given so much in my life and with Thanksgiving in our rearview mirror, I want to make sure that I'm not just spending one day a year being grateful, but that I am actively spending some time every day focusing on those things that I am grateful for, big or small, and I'd like to encourage you to do the same.
In today’s episode, I will share with you how being consciously grateful can positively affect your life and I will share with you 4 ways that you can actively be more grateful to reap those rewards.
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Back in 2017 I learned of a horrendous statistic; firefighter and first-responder suicides outnumbered line of duty deaths (LODDs).
This hit me hard and I wanted to learn more about why this was happening. The more I learned, the more I realized I needed to share what I’d learned with my brothers and sisters across the world.
I decided that the best way for me to do that is by starting a podcast to share what I had learned. The great part about it all is that I am constantly learning new things and as a result am refining my mentality and my perspective on the things that we are faced with in the first-responder community.
In today’s episode, I will share with you what drives the IGNITEd movement, how a focus on refining ourselves can make a huge impact, and how you can actively be a part of it.
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I was recently asked what I think separates arrogance and confidence and my answer was this: humility and ability.
If you don’t have the ability to execute, then you are being arrogant and false in your capability. If you are capable but not humble about it, then a sense of arrogance still remains. However, if you introduce humility along with your ability, then you’re a confident performer and that tends to make people like and trust you and want you on their team.
In today’s episode, I will talk about how we can achieve levels of confident execution through humble preparation.
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Ego & Humility vs Arrogance - Jocko (YouTube)
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In order to get to be the person we want to be and get to where we want to be in life and in our careers, we’ve got to start by looking within to identify who and where we are. We’ve got to be introspective.
We can do this in a few different ways; we can perform 360 evaluations where we ask for insight from those we work for, those we work with, and those we provide services to. We can rely on our annual performance review (that may never come). Regardless, taking active steps on our own to be introspective can help us make sure we are on the right path to becoming the person we want to be.
In today’s episode, I will talk about 5 steps you can take to become more introspective, become more self-aware, and become more of the person you want to be.
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87 Self-Reflection Questions
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I was recently a part of a group of people who were working toward establishing a new vision, mission, and values for their organization. I was SUPER excited to be a part of it because I really want to see this organization thrive with the new leadership that recently took the helm.
Anytime you want to know where you want to go, as an organization or as an individual, you have to start by asking questions about where you’re at. We asked a lot of questions like, “what are the characteristics that the organization should be known for?” and “what makes this organization unique; why would people want to be a part of it over another one?”
I witnessed a question come up between what matters more, professionalism or passion. I thought about this for a few weeks, asking myself where I stood on this issue, doing some deep dives and research and I’m ready to talk about my conclusion.
In today’s episode, I will share my perspective on professionalism vs passion, give you some ways to define each, and I will provide you with some reasons why I landed on the conclusion I did.
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Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability
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When we hear the words “health & wellness” we might think of the umbrella that that phrase covers, or committees that are bogged down in bureaucracy. Being able to identify the elements of health and wellness and how they apply to you are crucial when it comes to staying in the infinite game that is the fire service.
Being able to not only identify the elements that you may need to shore up, but taking action in those elements could be life-saving!
In today’s episode, I talk to Annette Zapp of Fire Rescue Wellness. It’s her mission to bring to light the elements of health and wellness that not only speak to us as individuals, but can act as a catalyst for improving our lives so we can enjoy a long and healthy retirement.
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Fire Rescue Wellness
@FireRescueWellness (Instagram)
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Firefighter wellness isn’t just about working out and training for the “big one”, it’s about being mentally healthy, spiritually sound, and having our nutrition dialed in. When we hear the term “diet”, we can’t help but think of restrictions; tightening our belt figuratively so we can tighten the belt literally.
Megan Lautz is a registered dietician with a Master’s degree in sports nutrition who focuses her efforts on members of the fire service and our unique challenges when it comes to making sure we are taking care of ourselves. She’s got a great social media presence and is VERY knowledgeable and passionate about the community she serves!
In todays’ episode, we talk about how a small shift in our mindset can make for huge changes, how our diet doesn’t have to be restrictive, and we also talk about the taboo subject of energy drinks!
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Get your FREE firehouse recipe book HERE!
Rescue.RD (Instagram)
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Sometimes it can be hard to find the humility sweet spot between the spectral ends of ego. If we believe we are more capable than we are then we are victims of dunning-kruger syndrome where our ego outweighs our ability. On the other end of that, if we are of the mindset that we aren’t good enough and that other people deserve things more that we do, we are victims of what’s known as “reverse pride” where we don’t feel we are doing anything worthwhile.
There’s no doubt that the fire service is a male-dominated profession and the elements of pride and nobility are definitely very present in the establishment. But when does it go from being a productive driver of motivation to a cancerous mentality keeping you from reaching your true noble potential?
Jack Donovan is a speaker, author, and has been writing about masculinity and tribalism for over a decade. In his book A More Complete Beast, Donovan utilizes the words of Frederich Nietzsche to help men refine a strength-based ethos, reveal their highest and noblest selves and become a more complete beast.
In my conversation today, I talked with Jack about taking the reins when it comes to getting what you’ve earned, how we can leverage our personality traits to help us achieve success, and why it’s so important for us to become what he calls a “noble beast”.
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Jack Donovan’s Instagram (@Starttheworld)
Jack Donovan (Twitter)
Jack Donovan’s Website
Stay Solar (Essay)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
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Own It!: Build a Fire Service Culture of Trust and Integrity Through Accountability
Kindle - Paperback
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Have you ever come off of a bad or frustrating call, and get on the truck or back to the station and use that sacred space to debrief and express your feelings and frustration to your crew only to hear someone on your crew say something like, “It could’ve been worse!” or “we’re just lucky to have jobs!”?
When people respond to your vulnerability and willingness to express frustration in this way, they are ultimately diminishing your feelings or ignoring them altogether. There are more examples of this type of response and behavior, but I recently discovered that there is an official term for it; “toxic positivity”.
In today’s episode, I will share what I’ve learned about what “toxic positivity” is, help give you some ways to identify it, and I will provide you with some strategies that we can use so that we aren’t the ones purveying this type of dismissive behavior.
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IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
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As firefighters, we are expected to perform incredible physical tasks at the drop of a hat. But we should all be asking ourselves the same question, “am I ready to answer that call?” Being strong isn’t the only thing we should be focusing on. We should be focusing on all of the elements that will make us effective firefighters, and more functional human beings; sleep, nutrition, and fitness.
In today’s conversation, I spoke with Nate Harpster, Phoenix firefighter and paramedic. Whether it’s on or off duty, Nate has been very active on social media, sharing his fitness journey and inspiring others to do the same. He gives us his thoughts on being an asset, not a liability, what that means and how he not only puts an emphasis on strength conditioning and physical fitness, but just as equally on recovery as well.
I had a great time talking to Nate and I know you’ll get a lot out of our conversation, I know I did.
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@Natervision (Instagram)
Xendurance (Make sure to use this link to get the below discount!)
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When we start out in our careers, we are incredibly passionate for the job and the opportunity to live our dreams! Sometimes the light gets a little dim and sometimes we burn out altogether.
It's this burnout that can cause us to lose our identity, our sense of meaning, or even our lives due to suicide.
In today's episode, I will talk to return guest, Chris Chandler-Yates about passion, how sometimes that passion can lessen or even burn out, and he will talk about some strategies we can implement to re-ignite the fire of that passion, or even find a new one altogether.
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Create From Why
4 Ways to Stop Burnout (Free Resource)
IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
IGNITEd Shop
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When I first started my career in the fire service, we used paper reports that had carbon copies that we had to file and keep records of. Now, things are digital and we don’t use nearly the amount of paper and ink that we used to.
Even though things have changed, we still need to be rockstars when it comes to documentation. If it doesn’t get documented, it never happened, right? So why would we slack when it comes to our documentation?
In today’s episode, I will share a system with you that will add value and if you implement it, it will help you build trust and introduce consistency into your documentation systems making your reports a leading example of professionalism.
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IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
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Early on in my pursuit of becoming a firefighter, I was told about a principle that I keep on the back burner to this day. That principle is more of a question that I can repeatedly ask myself if something I was doing ever raised a question within myself.
I’ve witnessed a lot of people come and go from the fire service, whether it’s due to resigning because they’ve found a different passion, early retirement due to medical reasons, or termination of employment based on a poor decision they made on or off duty.
In today’s episode, I will talk about what this principle is, why we should keep it in our minds whether we are on or off duty, and how living by this principle will help ensure you to live out a successful career in the fire service.
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IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
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If you listened to last week’s episode, then you heard me announce this new program I’m developing for people looking to connect with me and others in an exclusive group called “The Cadre”. Well, just as a refiner’s fire forges steel into its intended purpose, this group exists to refine us as men and women in the fire service into our highest quality and potential. That being said, I’m changing the name to “The Forge”. It’s pretty “on the nose”, right? I’ll dive into the details of that later, but first…I’d like you to think on these questions; How often do you set goals? How often do you revisit your list?
I’m a huge advocate for having an active list of goals to work on. Sometimes they fall by the wayside and sometimes we don’t actively set any goals at all.
In today’s episode, I will talk about the importance, benefits, and value of goal setting, how this program will benefit you not just in your professional life, but your personal life as well, and how connecting with others interested in leveling up improves the quality of the fire service as a whole.
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As firefighters and EMS professionals, we see things sometimes on a daily basis that “normal people” don’t see their entire lives.
The traumatic things we see take a toll, whether we want to admit it or not.
In today’s episode, I will talk about how the unpredictability of the things we see affects us, how confronting (not ignoring) our emotions will make us better firefighters, and I will give you 5 strategies we can make self-care a part of our career.
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IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
FEMA Report
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Last week I focused on how if you aren’t growing, then you’re dying. Growth looks different for everyone. The question that really matters is, “what does growth look like for you?”
The key to growth is to learn new things. But what kinds of things should we be learning and how do we choose?
In today’s episode, I will talk about why it’s important for us to always be learning, categories that we should focus on if we don’t know where to start, and how we can make learning a part of our daily routine.
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IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
Holmatro V Strut
Aurora Fire Rescue - Minuteman Hose Deployment
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If you aren’t growing, you’re dying. Think about that statement. Think of all the living things on this earth and then accept the fact that if they aren’t growing, they are dying. The same goes for us.
The opposite of growth is death. As we progress through our lives, we hinge our purpose on a sense of growth. If you don’t have something to work toward, then you come to a place of complacency and death; death of your body, death of your spirit, and death of your mind.
As firefighters, we understand the importance of growing our physical capacity to make sure we can perform the life-saving actions that our job demands. But what about our spiritual and mental capacities?
According to a study out of the University of Rochester Medical Center, people with a sense of purpose and who fostered a growth mindset were 15% more likely to live longer than those who said they were more or less aimless. But what exactly does it mean to have a growth mindset?
In today’s episode, I will talk about what it means to have a growth mindset, why we should take ownership of our path to growth, why we should always seek to grow ourselves in more ways than one, and I will provide some strategies we can use to implement this mindset into our daily lives.
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IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
Episode 148 - Create a Flow Path!
People Who Feel They Have a Purpose Live Longer
Mindset by Carol Dweck, Ph. D
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If you aren’t watching Ted Lasso on Apple TV+, then you are missing out! Jason Sudeikis plays an American college football coach who heads to London to manage AFC Richmond, a struggling English Premier League soccer team.
There’s a specific episode that’s my absolute favorite. Season 1, Episode 8. It’s titled “The Diamond Dogs” and we’ll get into why it’s called that and the several reasons it is my favorite in just a minute.
While I was rewatching this episode, I was inspired to share with you why this show and particularly this episode is my absolute favorite. There are some great takeaways that I’d like to share with you like putting together a group of close-knit people who can act as your own personal advisory board, my thoughts on the acronym COAL, servant leadership, and how asking questions keeps you curious, not judgmental.
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IGNITEd Firefighter Facebook Group
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
Ted Lasso - S1:E8
Real AF with Andy Frisella - Episode 249
John Maxwell Podcast - Players vs Pretenders (Part 1)
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I recently had the opportunity to do a guest spot on another podcast called “Fight the Burnout” hosted by Chris Chandler-Yates. His show is focused on gaining different perspectives when it comes to burnout in public safety and the strategies we use to fight it.
Chris was gracious enough to share his audio with me so that I can share it with you. In our conversation, we talked about some of the things we have in common when it comes to burnout as well as the unique ways that we’ve personally dealt with it and how we keep it at bay.
Burnout is something that we face when we are met with resistance in our growth. Growth as individuals and growth as an organization. And I’m not just talking about how many square miles we are serving or looking to expand. I’m talking about our growth as people. When that is stifled, people stop trying, or they leave to grow somewhere else.
I had a really good time talking to Chris and I love the opportunity I get to talk to people all over the world about things that I’m facing. It lets me know that I’m not alone in this plight and reinforces my drive to make things better. I hope you’ll get a lot out of this conversation, I know I did.
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Fight the Burnout Podcast with Chris C-Yates
IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Community (Facebook Group)
IGNITEd Shop
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We all have different backgrounds and experiences which we bring to our role as firefighters and EMS professionals. This is the true sense of diversity that allows us to bring our unique skills to the table.
David Berez has had PLENTY of different opportunities to learn a multitude of skills; EMT, Police Officer, and even an internship with the medical examiner! He’s taken his experience and rather than just sit on it, he’s structuring it into a system that can help others improve their organizations and teams.
He’s had some incredible opportunities to serve and has had some very close tragedies in his life. He’s focused on taking those experiences, good or bad, and using them to help others better their situations. I was glad to have this conversation and am honored to bring it to you.
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SIX 4 Consultants, LLC
IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Community (Facebook Group)
IGNITEd Shop
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When it comes to being a firefighter, we absolutely love what we do. But just because we love what we do, doesn’t mean that we love where we're at. Now, that could mean where we’re at in our career, what crew we’re on, or even what organization we work for.
In his book, “I Love It Here”, Clint Pulver talks about the elements that create an environment that people are proud to be in. He’s done undercover work and asked the real questions that need to be asked when it comes to what organizational leaders are doing, and what they CAN do in order to make you say, “I Love It Here!”
His book was our reading selection for the IGNITEd Readers Book Club which is focused on reading about elements that we can apply to our leadership approach and interpersonal relationships. Clint shared some great insight and perspective during our conversation and I’m very eager to share this episode with you all. Without further delay, here’s my conversation with Clint Pulver...
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ClintPulver.com
Be A Mr. Jenson (YouTube)
IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Community (Facebook)
IGNITEd Shop
Less Than Jake
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Quality nutrition can help your body reach its full potential and keep you off of those prescribed medications for things like hypertension, high cholesterol, or even diabetes!
By using food in conjunction with a comprehensive approach to wellness, you can find balance and sustainability, decrease your job-related health risks and improve quality of life. It all starts with food.
In today’s episode, I will talk about 5 steps you can take to improve your nutrition as a firefighter, I will give you some workout nutrition guidelines, and give you some tools to help make a plan for your success!
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IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Facebook Group
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
Zoom Meeting (Nutrition)
Precision Nutrition
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According to a recent article in Business News Daily, the top three most stressful jobs in America are; enlisted military personnel, firefighter, and airline pilot. The factors used to determine this list include things like physical demands, on-the-job hazards, environmental conditions, and the risk of personal injury.
As firefighters and EMS professionals, we might be surprised that our profession is in the top three, but we certainly aren’t surprised that we’ve made the list.
As a new year is upon us, we typically take that as an opportunity to look at our current situation and make a plan for change if needed. Before we can effectively decide what changes need to be made, we need to take a real look at the things that aren’t serving us, or worse, hurting us.
In today’s episode, I will talk about self care & coping mechanisms, what they are, and what we can do to make sure we have systems in place to effectively help us make those positive strides we’re hoping to make in 2022.
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Getting hired on with a fire department is a gauntlet of a process. It’s set up to test your mental faculties, your physical ability, and your interpersonal communication skills.
Holding yourself to a high mental and physical standard and knowing who you are puts you in the top bracket of candidates; this goes for getting hired AND getting promoted.
The idea of “upper limiting” kicks in when you are in your comfort zone and don’t want to move out of it. It’s a mental block that would have you sit where you are and never progress.
In today’s episode, I will explain how upper limiting is keeping us down and what we can do to remove it from our lives so we can be the best people and firefighters we can be.
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When we show up to a structure fire, we know that there are a lot of different variables working against us and our ability to successfully put the fire out with the least amount of loss. One of those variables is what’s known as a “flow path”. The flow path is the route that air takes when it heads in to feed the fire and the route that the fire, smoke, or heat heads for to leave the structure. What determines the direction and force of this pathway is what will feed the fire and how we as firefighters can control those variables. In today’s episode, I will talk about the “flow paths” that we can create in our own lives to help us stay focused, get to where we want to go, and accomplish the things that we want to accomplish. -- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians The Psychology of Flow IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Facebook Group
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“If you’ve got time to lean, then you’ve got time to clean”. This was a slogan of one of the managers of the first job I ever had, working at a movie theater. I understand that he was dealing with teenagers who wanted to just hang out, watch movies, and snack on popcorn all day, and in that situation he had the right approach.
That phrase still haunts me to this day and as a result, when there’s downtime at the firehouse, I tend to pick a project and plug in some headphones, listen to a podcast, and get to work. There is NO shortage of projects or cleaning around a firehouse.
But even though we may have some downtime at the firehouse, that doesn’t mean we have to fill every moment with menial tasks for the sake of being “busy”. Believe it or not, it is OK to take a real break from time to time. And I’m not just talking about while at the firehouse.
In today’s episode, I will talk about why it’s important for us as firefighters and EMS providers to take actual breaks sometimes and I will give you 10 reasons why you should start implementing conscious breaks into your life.
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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. We have plans when we are approaching fire and EMS scenes. Once we get on scene, we put that plan into action and make adjustments as needed.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Bill Dungey, a guy who's just got his feet wet in the fire service, but is making a big splash. He’s personally put together a system of goal-setting and accountability called “The Wedge'' that he’s willing to share for free.
Take a listen to what he has to say and get some perspective from a guy who is fired up and just getting started!
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The Wedge
Mike Dugan: Why Are We Here? (YouTube)
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Raise your hand if you’re a firefighter. Now, keep it raised if you’ve ever done yoga. I’m guessing the majority of you had to put your hand down. I was once one of those people too! So, don’t feel too bad. The statistics show that being a male firefighter makes me HIGHLY unlikely to ever do yoga. However, years ago I signed up for some classes at my local gym and when I was several classes in, I realized that not only did it help me with my core strength, but it helped my mobility, and my conscious awareness when it comes to breathing.
My guests today are Olivia Mead and Eric Brenneman, husband and wife team behind Yoga for First Responders and their mission is to support, protect, and prepare first responders by providing tools for movement, mobility, and conscious breathing. Today we talk about all the benefits that yoga provides and more specifically, the unique benefits to us as firefighters.
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Yoga for First Responders
YFFR YouTube
YFFR CBS This Morning
Great Books for Breath Work and Neuroscience:
The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown
The Breathing Cure by Patrick McKeown
Breath by James Nestor
Neuroscience of Leadership by Dr. Tara Swart
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I say this just about every episode that I publish, “our career is unlike any other on the planet”. We spend at least a third of our lives at the firehouse and we love it! One of the things that I really love about this job is that I never have to take work home with me, there aren’t any deadlines that I need to meet.
The corporate world works on a system that breaks the year up into quarters. There are quarterly performance reviews, quarterly financial reports, and quarterly goals set by CEOs and the board of directors. Not to mention the expectations of the investors. That’s a lot of external pressure to perform. We don’t have those quarterly benchmarks in the fire service. Oftentimes we don’t even get an annual performance review that lets us know where we’re at on the performance standard, if there even IS one that’s clearly identified by our organizations.
In today’s episode, I will talk about how we can leverage the system of breaking our year into quarters and how that will advance our personal and professional lives into lives of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. This will help us maintain a high standard for ourselves so that it shows when we put on the uniform.
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The 12-Week Year
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We all know that a career in the fire service and EMS is unlike any other career out there. That’s why we tried so hard to get hired and worked so hard at going through fire academies and paramedic school to get here.
We see a lot of things that people may never see in their entire lives. We all have our own ways of coping and compartmentalizing. However, sometimes we allow the dark things that we see and the dark feelings that may come as a result to bleed over into our personal lives; manifesting as sadness, anger, depression, and isolation.
In today’s episode, I will share with you a powerful little habit that I utilize to not compartmentalize but to help me walk through the things that I may experience on duty, whether they be related to the gnarly things I may see or the frustrating bureaucracy I may be subject to. I will share with you some strategies that I incorporate, and I will challenge you to find a journal that will help you start a habit that’s been proven to positively affect your mental health.
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Best Self Co.
Full Focus Planner
High-Performance Planner
Pilot G2 10 Ballpoint Pens
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One argument that I am constantly hearing at the firehouse is education vs experience. There seems to be two camps of people; you either believe that experience should be what matters most or education should hold the most weight.
When it comes to hiring and promoting, we should be taking BOTH into consideration. Not one or the other. We should be seeking out individuals who have harnessed a good balance of the two or are at least working toward it.
In today’s episode, I will talk about the benefits as well as the drawbacks of both, why we shouldn’t discount education right off the bat, and what we can do as individuals to harness an education that not only interests us, but establishes us as an asset and not a liability.
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Chris Ruano works in the southern California region as a Captain, where he is dedicated to the tactical approach to firefighting and doing what it takes to be physically capable to do the job.
Being a firefighter in southern California offers a dynamic challenge of not only being well-versed in structural firefighting, but there is a BIG emphasis on and a need for wildland firefighting tactics and strategy. With "seasonal" fire threats that demand firefighters to have dynamic resiliency when it comes to physical performance, Chris offers some insight as to how we can individually approach answering the call.
In today's episode, I talk with Chris about what drives him, his approach to physical fitness, how he structures his workouts, and his no-excuses perspective to firefighting and the dynamic challenges that lie therein.
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Prep & Defend (IG)
Prep & Defend Podcast
VenturAthlete
Train Heroic with Chris Ruano
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In FIRE and EMS, it’s our job to respond to other peoples’ emergencies regardless of their nature. We all know that people call us for some very serious and sometimes very crazy things, but ultimately, we are the ones charged with adapting to the situation and providing help.
We’ve spent hours training for any possible situation. We train on the fireground. We train in the EMS skills lab. And we train online.
But what are we doing to make sure that we’re doing right by ourselves? Are we investing the time we should into our own health and well-being? Are we ready to take a first-responder role in our own lives?
In today’s episode, I will talk about how we can be our own first-responders, what exactly that means, and I will provide you with some ways we can actively take on this role in our own lives.
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Our fire crews are made up of teams of specialists; captain, engineer, firefighter, paramedic, etc. To think that you can achieve amazing things without a specialized team is not only arrogant, but it’s incredibly myopic.
If you’re looking to level up, it’s critical to surround yourself with people who make you better every day. Regardless of your professional and personal goals and aspirations, there are four types of people that will help you grow and get to where you want to be.
In today’s episode, I will talk about what these types are, help you identify people who can act in these roles in your own life, and I will propose a challenge to take action toward a better you.
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Getting hired on with a fire department is a dream come true! It’s one of the reasons why we fight so hard to obtain a career in the fire service. We are all attracted to this job for different reasons, but one thing remains true; that we are passionate about helping others.
Sometimes once we fight so hard to get hired on, we tend to let complacency creep in and we wind up letting our fitness go. Maybe we stop working toward that degree we promised ourselves we’d earn. Or maybe we’ve checked out when it comes to living up to the things we said we’d do and the people we said we were in our interview.
In today’s episode, I will ask the question, “what ignites you?” as a way to help you look within and perform a sort-of self evaluation so that you don’t slip into complacency, you can remember what you’re passionate about, and you can bring that passion to your crew and the people you serve.
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You’ve heard me talk a lot about organizational culture on this podcast. One of the main reasons is that I’m incredibly fascinated by the elements that make up a company’s or fire department’s culture, good or bad.
I’m interested in learning what makes good organizations thrive and bad organizations fail. I am always looking for the elements that contribute to each side of that coin. So, what I did was take my own advice! I reverse engineered things! I took a look at what I determined to be a toxic culture and I worked back from there. And what I came away with was an equation…
In today’s episode, I will tell you what that equation is, I will break down each element OF that equation, and I will provide you with some strategies and insight that you can take back to your own organizations to help foster the organizational culture for the better.
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In today's episode, I talk to Brady Tucker, the man behind Books Behind the Badge. It's a really great IG page and podcast that is focused on connecting those of us in the public service arena through reading.
Brady feels that by reading books and discussing our takeaways, we bridge the gap that would otherwise separate us.
Books are a great way to learn new things, meet new people, and share ideas. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I had having it!
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Solving problems is at the heart of what we do in the Fire and EMS world. In the field, we take different approaches to solving the unique problems that we are faced with at any given moment.
Some of us use a linear approach while others use more of a dynamic approach. Personally, I like looking at a problem from all angles, then choosing the one that would work best for me AND everyone else involved.
In today’s episode, I will talk about how we can solve problems by reverse engineering them, what that actually means and what it looks like, and I will provide you with the basics that can help you implement this system into your repertoire.
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Today's episode is an informal "part 2" to my previous conversation with Ben Dubin. We go deeper into the science behind breath work and cold therapy and how taking control of these influences can help us refine our bodies and our minds. Ultimately, these types of practices help to make us better at what we do; staying cool under pressure.
I know you'll get a lot out of our conversation today!
Do me a favor! Subscribe, share, and leave a rating and review wherever you're listening to this podcast! I love having conversations like this and I get a lot out of it. It would really help others hear the message and information that we're sharing here which could have HUGE positive ramifications for people all over the world! Take 30 seconds and leave a rating and review, thank you!
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Connect To IT
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We all know that in order to build muscle, we need to engage in some form of resistance training. We push or pull against some form of resistance and eventually over time, our muscles grow and as a result, we become stronger. Ultimately, we adapt to meet the need.
This exact principle applies to every aspect of our lives, not just in the physical aspect. We grow stronger by being met with resistance and by being persistent in the face of that resistance.
In today’s episode, I will talk about the different types of resistance we face as firefighters, how we can choose to accept that resistance as a benefit to us, and ultimately come out stronger for it.
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Ben Dubin is a firefighter/paramedic with the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department and an advocate of and practitioner of focused breath-work and the Wim Hof method. In this episode, Ben and I talk about his passions (mental and physical health and wellness) and his journey to finding IT. Ben's journey to discovering his "Inner Truth" and helping others find their inner truth is dynamic and touching and will inspire you.
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Connect to IT
Breathing Practice (guided by Ben Dubin)
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You’ve heard me say it, you’ve heard numerous people in the fire service community say it, because it’s true; complacency kills.
We have a habit of working our butts off to get hired, but then we ride the wave instead of making new ones. That’s complacency setting in.
In today’s episode, I will talk about what complacency looks like, why complacency should be looked at like a cancer, and what we can do to get off of our asses!
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Team Bad Axes
Fit4DutyCrew
Firefighter Functional Fitness
Phoenix Firehouse 25
Nate Harpster
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We all perform rituals of all different kinds every day, even if we aren’t aware of it. Some rituals can be needless or restricting, while others are purposeful and enriching.
It’s important to understand what a ritual is and how they can affect us, good or bad.
In today’s episode, I will talk about what rituals are, why we should purposefully incorporate them into our lifestyle, and I will give you steps you can take to implement some rituals into your own life so you can add more value to your own life, and ultimately, the lives of those around you.
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Once or twice a year, I submit myself to an outside source or coach for guidance on my physical training. Not only does this help keep me in a growth-mindset, it helps me keep a pulse on the new and exciting challenges that are out there.
I love learning new things and taking bits and pieces from all the amazing people out there who are putting out amazing physical training programming and adding what works for me to my repertoire.
Today I’m going to talk about 75 Hard, which is the latest program I put myself through, how it worked out, and I will give you some strategies and insight for this particular program if you’re thinking about tackling it yourself...
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75 Hard Info
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Rayne Gray has been a Firefighter for over 23 years, working in every rank and currently serving as a Division Chief for the City of Phoenix. He is the host of the Fireground Fitness podcast, a US Marine veteran, an avid outdoorsman, public speaker, Father and Husband.
Chief Gray has spent his life pushing the boundaries of physical discomfort, running ultra-distance events of all types, climbing granite walls, getting chocked to the edge of life in Jui jitsu tournaments and has stood on top of the highest peaks in the United States. Further, Gray also believes in pushing the mind. With a commitment to lifelong learning he continues to attend courses and classes and is always looking for the next “good book”. Along the way Gray has completed a wide array of certifications and credentials to include a Masters in Public Administration.
Chief Gray has stated that “there are so many variables and complexities in life that it is imperative that we keep experiencing, learning and, in turn, sharing what we have discovered. So, go on and GetSome!”
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When I was trying to get a career in the fire service, I didn’t have anyone to help me. I didn’t have family or friends that were doing the job. I don’t come from a “legacy family”. I worked hard and forged ahead down a path of self and institutionalized education. It was extremely challenging and I really wish I had someone help me along the path. I could’ve avoided some pitfalls and some setbacks along the way.
My goal with the IGNITEd Recruit Academy is to provide that mentorship to you by passing along some of the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years. I’ve been a firefighter/paramedic for 15 years and I’ve been a part of numerous hiring processes. I’m here to provide you some insight and guidance on things you need to incorporate and refine in order to get your dream job!
In today’s episode, I will go over what the IGNITEd Recruit Academy is and why you should join if you’re currently trying to get hired on.
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IGNITEd Recruit Academy
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Today I speak with Mr. Matt Granados. Over the last decade, Matt has tested, developed and helped thousands of others implement an effective and easy to duplicate system that will help you build an unbreakable foundation for your life as well as motivate even the most unmotivated individuals in your life.
Matt built his first million-dollar business by the age of 25, he travels the world teaching top execs how to build an unbreakable foundation and sustainably motivate others.
I reached out to Matt because we're reading his book Motivate the Unmotivated: A Proven System for Sustainable Motivation in the IGNITEd Readers Book Club. He offer some great insight in regards to how we should set up systems for motivation as well as taking time to break down what he's identified as the four motivation catalysts.
I know you'll enjoy the conversation!
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LifePulse Inc.
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When the general public sees a firefighter, they see someone who is highly trained to complete life-saving tasks in very dangerous situations.
What they don’t know are all the ancillary skills that firefighters might be trained in. Yes, there are some ways to outwardly identify this like paramedic, TRT, and HAZMAT patches on our sleeves, but the general public typically doesn’t know what those patches even mean, and that’s okay. What’s important is that there are trained specialists ready to perform at any given moment.
In today’s episode, I will talk about a few of the different specialist certifications that are out there, how we should each seek to become a specialist in something, and some ways we can foster the desire to be the go-to person for at least one specific thing.
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Precision Nutrition - Nutrition Coach Certification ($150 off!)
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Back in the mid-1600s, the fire service utilized a system where they would create a line of firefighters that would pass buckets full of water to and from the fire in order to put the fire out.
Being strategic in not spilling the water out of these buckets was crucial in order to put the fire out quickly and effectively for that time.
We’ve come a long way in regards to fire suppression, but the concept of keeping your bucket full is something that sticks out to me for several reasons. In today’s episode, I will give a little history lesson on what’s known as a “bucket brigade,” I will talk about how the idea of keeping our proverbial buckets full is something to be conscious of, and how by doing this you can help keep us balanced and bring value into our lives.
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As firefighters and first-responders, we tend to dive all in when it comes to our careers. We kind of have to, right?
Commitment to the job is what makes us great at it! By making sure that we are in physical, mental, and emotional shape to perform our duties brings a kind of satisfaction like no other. However, when we neglect even one of those elements we run the risk of it all falling apart.
In today’s episode, I will talk about why it’s so important to take care of ourselves, encourage you to find something outside of work and completely unrelated to the job that you can foster, and provide you with some strategies you can implement to make sure that you take care of yourself in order to fulfill your oath take care of others.
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We all understand what an organizational chart is, but are we looking at it in the right way?
Learning something new is all about perspective and being willing to look at things from a new angle. The infamous org chart is no different. Let’s take a look at it when we flip it on it’s head!
In today’s episode, I will talk about what the current organizational chart looks like, propose a crazy new approach, and talk about how success comes when we put our people first.
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Does setting goals stress you out?
Does setting goals make you feel like you're setting yourself up for failure?
Do you feel like you rarely get any further than the writing stage with your goals?
On today's episode, returning guest Skye Fagrell discusses how answering these three questions gets us on the path to successfully mapping out our goals. We talk about how we measure success, how it applies to multiple aspects of our lives, and how we can take small actionable steps toward making our goals a reality.
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Being full-time firefighters and EMS workers, we get different types of paid time off (or PTO as you may call it). Whether it’s vacation time or sick time, or just a type of general leave, it exists as a way to help us take time away from work that we need to either recharge or heal.
The way we do this can look a lot of different ways. Maybe we need to take sick time to cart kids to doctor's appointments, maybe we need to take sick time because we ate a bad burrito the night before, or maybe we need to take sick time because our mental health isn’t doing so hot. Whatever the reason, it exists for a reason, for us to use.
In today’s episode, I will provide you some perspective on why we should be using our sick time or PTO, I will talk about the stigmas that we place on ourselves and others when we DO use sick time, and I’m going to encourage you to use (but not abuse) your sick time,
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Trust is at the heart of any cohesive team, and in the FIRE & EMS world we take that trust into life or death situations.
Leaders trust their subordinates to do what needs to be done. Subordinates trust their leader to keep them safe and treat them with dignity and respect. So how can we make sure that we’re meeting the needs of the people on our team?
In today’s show, I will review the three questions that every follower is subconsciously asking about their leader, I will break down what’s behind each question, and I will explain how we can meet the needs of those on our crew by keeping these questions in mind.
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It is a privilege to be able to do this job. Whether you’re in FIRE or EMS or both, serving our communities when things are going south is a big responsibility with big risk involved. But we love it, don’t we? In prior episodes I talked about mitigating risk and making sure you’re fit for duty and all of that. But today, I’m going to focus on a concept that I think a lot of people just don’t understand. It’s the concept of “safety third”. On today’s show, I will focus on what the “safety third” concept is, how changing our perspective on the shouts of “safety first” from our organizations and other private organizations are directly contradictory to why they exist, and how embracing this concept can help us be better prepared to do what we need to do when the time comes. -- IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Facebook Group
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When we are at work, our minds shouldn’t be on other things that would overtly distract us from performing our duties to the best of our ability. If our focus is taken away while lives are in the balance, then how can we fool ourselves into thinking that we’re doing our due diligence? We have enough to think about; our personal wellbeing, our crew’s wellbeing, our patients’ wellbeing. All of that and then some!
With all the mental focus our job demands, along with being in an “at ready” state for whatever may come, we can’t afford to be distracted with menial things going on elsewhere.
In today’s episode, I will talk about what I mean by “bandwidth” and how we can set boundaries in order to keep our bandwidth from being stretched too thin.
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Being called to dangerous situations, day or night, means that we have to be at the ready for anything. This means we have to improvise and make last minute adaptations as the situations we’re a part of change. “Adapt and overcome” is the theme on every fireground I’ve ever been on.
With the constant changes, limited resources, and unseen wildcards laying in wait, it’s crucial for us to be able to keep a mentality where we can maneuver through incidents in order to get the job done.
In today’s episode, I will talk about what it means to “adapt and overcome”, how this mentality lies at the root of what it is we do in the fire service, and how this mentality can serve us in all aspects of our professional and personal lives.
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As firefighters, we are no stranger to flow. We measure the gallons we put on a burning building in gallons per minute and we understand that in order to be most effective with that flow, we need to reduce or eliminate obstructions and kinks in the line.
You’ve heard the phrase, “time flies when you’re having fun” right? Well, time is seemingly passing by more quickly because you’re more than likely in what’s called a “flow state”. Some people refer to it as being “in the zone”.
In today’s episode, I will talk about what it means to be in a “flow state”, how to recognize it, and I will provide some strategies to help you facilitate it because we typically perform our best while operating in a flow state.
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11 Activities and Exercises to Induce a Flow State (+ 6 Examples)
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I’ve heard people give other firefighters compliments that sound like, “oh they’re an ‘aggressive’ firefighter” or “they are an aggressive paramedic!” But what exactly does this mean, and is it a good thing?
I would say ‘yes’, being aggressive in your mode of execution but not your method is the key. Jocko Willink says that “being proactive and aggressive are similar, and they are both good.” and the idea for the title of this episode comes from him and his team at Echelon Front.
In today’s episode, I will define what it means to be an aggressive firefighter and paramedic and I will break down, with the help of Jocko, what having the attitude of DEFAULT: AGGRESSIVE means and how we can incorporate that way of thinking and operating.
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In the fire service, it is our job to be the ones to enter dangerous situations in order to decrease damage and improve the odds of life safety. Whether we are conscious of it or not, we are taking risk into consideration. We get called to a scene, size-up the situation, and then we determine what resources we will need in order to mitigate the problem.
Currently, in America, we are facing one of the largest pandemics in our history. We should be cautious, but we still need to live our lives. There is risk in everything! Living our lives in fear creates a culture of fear, and when people are afraid, they do some pretty stupid stuff.
In today’s episode, I will talk about what the risk vs benefit analysis is, how we can take ownership of our own personal risk, what we can to do reduce the risk among our crew mates, and I will provide you with a matrix that you can use to base your future risk management practices on in the field.
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It’s been said that the person who doesn’t read has NO advantage over the person who cannot read. This has become more and more prevalent to me as I collect years in the fire service.
If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, then you know how much I love reading books. I’m constantly referencing them, I’ve got a list of some of my most influential reads on the IGNITEd website, and I am continually on the prowl for my next read.
In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about the ways that reading improves us as individuals as well as a profession as a whole.
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IGNITEd Readers Book Club
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POMPEII: A Novel by Robert Harris
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One of the things that attracted us to the fire service is the sense of brotherhood, or perceived brotherhood. We like the idea of all gathering around and doing things together, as a crew. After all, we face life and death situations together, why shouldn’t we do other things together too?
However, one of the things I’ve seen deteriorate IS that sense of brotherhood. This can be for a myriad of reasons; generational mentalities, room separations, just to name a few.
In today’s episode, I will talk about why that brotherhood is so important, some reasons that may have deteriorated our built-in brotherhood, and what we can do today to take action and bring it back into our firehouses!
Also, I have a surprise for you all today! Not many of you may know this, but growing up, I was big into the punk rock scene. I was going to shows probably 2-3x a week and was really into playing the guitar as one of the ways I helped myself to deal with stress. Teenagers, right…? Some of my all-time favorite bands were (and still are) Face to Face, Lagwagon, Goldfinger, The Bouncing Souls, MxPx...I could go on and on. One of the bands I’ve probably seen play live over 20x since 1996 is Less Than Jake and they are STILL putting out amazing albums! Through the podcast world, I was able to connect with the lead singer, Chris Demakes. As a result, I asked him to write a custom song for the IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast and what he sent me is pure gold. So today is the debut of the new song, enjoy!
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Pros and Cons of Private Sleeping Quarters in Fire Stations
Simon Sinek Be the Last to Speak
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At one point or another, you may have been on a sports team with a coach. Or maybe you’ve worked in sales and had what’s known as a “sales coach”. Or maybe you have BEEN a coach in some form or another.
Regardless of your experience being coached or AS a coach, in the fire service (and basically any profession), it’s in your best interests to retain the ability to BE coached.
But what does it mean to be coachable? Why is it important? And what are some things we can do to remain coachable no matter how far along in our career we are? I will address these very questions in today’s episode; Become Coachable!
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All of us in the fire and EMS services got into this job to help people. Even at the cost of our own lives. Even at the expense of breaking a few rules to do it.
A story that came out of Oklahoma this week showcased a firefighter who made the call to transport a child in a fire engine who suffered burns from a fire, and he was disciplined for it.
In today’s episode, I will give you all the information I was able to gather on the issue, I will give you my perspective on the topic, and I will pose some questions for you to think about in regards to where YOU would draw the line.
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Oklahoma City Fire Department Official Statement
Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself
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Let’s face facts; we’re all human and it’s in our nature to be competitive. The desire to compete and win drives us to succeed and it also helps us push past our perceived barriers.
However, competition needs to be carefully observed. If left unchecked it can leave us constantly feeling unfulfilled and inadequate. It can also make us extremely unpopular.
In today’s episode, I will go over what the difference between healthy and unhealthy competition, how the difference comes down to your attitude, and I will talk about how we can consciously make an effort to put the power of healthy competition to use within the fire service.
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28-Day Ignition Workout Program
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The internet is jam-packed with fitness and nutrition advice. But how is one supposed to hack through all of the garbage and pick out the gems?
I’ve done a lot of research over the years as a way to help myself on my own path. However, as a result, I’ve become a resource for my organization and my clients by becoming a certified nutrition coach as well as a certified personal trainer. I’ve also got an understanding of anatomy and physiology based on my education as a paramedic. All of these things have culminated and allowed me to more precisely cut through the BS out there.
In today’s episode, I’d like to share with you some of the things I’ve discovered floating around out there that are misleading as well as provide you some things you can do to boost your immunity during these viral times.
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28-Day Ignition Workout Program
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Brew Dr
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I recently got an email from someone and in it he said that a certain strategy that a labor group was seeking to deploy “didn’t make for the best optics”. Honestly, the entire email sounded like something you hear in the report of a middle-schooler who is looking at a thesaurus to make their report sound more elegant, but that particular phrase stuck out to me. So in this episode I’d like to go over why this phrase about “optics” irked me and what we can keep in mind so we can remain in tact when it comes to keeping the trust of the public as well as the brothers and sisters we serve with. -- IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Facebook Group IGNITEd Homepage
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Ethos is defined as; the moral character, nature, disposition and customs of a people or culture.
One could say that a fire department organization’s mission, vision, and values are a reflection of it’s ethos. But what is your personal ethos? What boundaries, rules, and principles do you subscribe to that makes you who you are?
In today’s episode, I will talk specifically about what a warrior ethos is, why it’s important, and why it would be advantageous to establish a warrior ethos in your own life. Spoiler alert: you probably already operate under a warrior ethos and just don’t know it!
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Today is my Christmas wish for you and I present a "selfish" challenge to you!
My gift to you are the videos that I've posted links to below. Click 'em. Watch 'em. And laugh your butt off!
Merry Christmas everyone!
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Christmas Morning - SNL
"Punch his beard off!"
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There’s a HUGE difference between just checking the boxes and being excellent at what you do. One of the ways we can give the status quo a throat chop is by taking action toward excellence.
My guest today is Captain Jim Moss from the Metro West Fire Protection District in St. Louis County Missouri and he just published a book called Firefighter Success - 20 C’s to Firefighter Excellence.
In today’s interview, I’ll talk to him about this very thing and I will ask him to expand his thoughts and ideas in regards to what inspired him to write the book as well as share some insight into a few of the C’s he talks about.
If you’re looking to refine yourself and level up in your role regardless of rank, then you won’t want to miss this episode! Here is my conversation with Captain Jim Moss...
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Firefighter Success by Jim Moss
SPECIAL REPORT - 101 Rules for Firefighter Success
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Today I’m going to be doing another “Ask Me Anything” episode. I recently asked those of you in the Facebook group what are some topics you’d like me to discuss on the show and I got a good amount of questions submitted in that thread.
In today’s episode, I will be addressing these questions directly.
And when I say “ask me anything”, I mean it. It could be about ANYTHING! So, if this AMA sparks any questions with you, please feel free to submit them via Facebook or Instagram and I will add them to the list for the next time I do this.
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Fire Interview: The Storyteller Method
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As firefighters we have the best job in the world. And even though we love our jobs, negativity can sometimes creep in. Whether it’s the result of administration decimating morale, a call that goes bad, or family issues creeping into the firehouse, we all succumb to negative energy from time to time.
This can be a death sentence when it comes to morale and everyday happiness, but it doesn’t have to be! We are ultimately in control of how we feel and what we choose to focus on. And sometimes, we need a little help out of the muck.
In today’s episode, I will talk about what we can do to recognize negative energy when it flares up, mitigate it, and set the tone for a more positive and mentally healthy environment at the firehouse.
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If you’ve been listening to the podcast for any amount of time, then you know how I feel about the subject of taking action.
One of my most favorite quotes of all time is by Theodore Roosevelt. It’s a poetic reminder of what it means to be a person of action and that it isn’t an easy way to be, but it isn’t meant to be easy. It’s meant to be worth it.
In today’s episode, I will read to you Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech and give you my take-aways, letting you know how I use this as motivation to help me focus on being a man of action.
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Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena”
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WIth Thanksgiving coming up, you’ll be around a lot of food. Not only that, you may be the one cooking. Cooking for your family is great! Now, imagine cooking for a large group of loud, boisterous, and very opinionated firefighters.
As a firefighter, you may even be on duty during holidays like Thanksgiving where the saving grace of working on these holidays and being away from your family is sitting down with your fire department family and sharing a great meal.
A lot of important conversations happen around our dinner tables whether at home or on duty, you don’t want one of those conversations to be how gross the food is that you’ve prepared.
In today’s episode I will share my thoughts on the standards you should have when cooking a meal at the firehouse and I will give you some tips and tricks you can adopt to make sure that you aren’t just a one-trick pony and your reputation as a good cook stands the test of time. And at the very end, I will share one of my personal firehouse recipes!
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Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena”
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Dijion Glazed Salmon Recipe:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
- I typically use about two pounds of fresh atlantic salmon (¼ lb per person)
- I dash a small amount of salt and pepper on the filet and put it on a cooking sheet that I’ve covered in aluminum foil
- I put it in the oven and cook it for about 20 minutes
- During this time I prep the glaze which consists of about 3 tbsp of dijon mustard and ¼ cup of brown sugar. Stir the mixture until it turns into a thick consistency.
- Then, I take the salmon out and turn the broiler on HIGH. While that’s heating up, I spread the glaze on top of the salmon with a fork.
- Once the broiler has heated up to the right temperature, I put the salmon back in for about 3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the sugar, it will smoke the kitchen up pretty good if you do. Ideally you want a nice crisp on the salmon.
- Make sure you serve each meal with a carb and a veggie. It’s important to eat a balanced meal and not just serve up ONE thing on a plate. For reference on portion size, take a look at this infographic from Precision Nutrition.
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You’ve heard me say this before, the hiring process for the fire service is a gauntlet. There are a series of tests that include mental and physical aspects, not to mention the rounds of panel interviews! And if you’re currently in the testing process and have experienced what a fire service interview is like, then you know the stress that can come along with not knowing what to say or how to say it. If you’re just starting, then this will be a great episode for you to pay particular attention to and take notes!
My guest today is Captain Brendon Trayner with the Gilbert Fire Department and he just published a book called Fire Interview - “The Storyteller Method”. In his book, he talks all about how to formulate the perfect answers to any question you could be asked. His approach isn’t based on having canned answers to expected questions. It’s about having a strong foundation on principles that will allow you to answer any questions that might be thrown at you. His framework has helped numerous people get hired and promoted over the years and has become a sought-after mentor here in the Phoenix metro area where he and I live and work.
If you’re looking to get hired or are looking to promote within your current organization, you won’t want to miss this episode! Stay tuned to hear my conversation with Captain Brendon Trayner.
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Fire Interview “The Storyteller Method” by Brendon Trayner
IGNITEd Recruit Academy
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When I was trying to get a career in the fire service, I didn’t have anyone to help me. I didn’t have family or friends that were doing the job. I don’t come from a “legacy family”. I worked hard and forged ahead down a path of self-education and institutionalized education. It was hard and I really wish I had someone help me along the path. I could’ve avoided some pitfalls and some setbacks.
My goal with the IGNITEd Recruit Academy is to provide that mentorship to you. I’ve been a firefighter/paramedic for 15 years and I’ve been a part of numerous hiring processes. I’m here to provide you some insight and guidance on things you need to incorporate and refine in order to get your dream job!
In today’s episode, I will go over what the IGNITEd Recruit Academy is and why you should join if you’re currently trying to get hired on
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
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When I was in the academy I heard the saying “if you want the whole department to know a secret, tell a firefighter”. This is one of those jokes that is sad, but true. I call it the “fire wire”. Gossip exists within the walls of the firehouse and it’s destroying us.
This issue of gossip isn’t exclusive to the fire service, it can be found in a lot of organizations around the world. But why does it exist? Why do we perpetuate it? And what, if anything can we do to put a stop to it?
In today’s episode, I will define what gossip is, how it affects us in the fire service, and I will provide some strategies we can put in place to fight this toxic behavior.
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Dave Ramsey on Gossip
Saving Private Ryan - The Gripe
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One of my most favorite quotes, one that has guided my life for years, is a samurai proverb. You’ve heard me reference it numerous times throughout the podcast.
“Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.”
In today’s episode I will break down the two different parts to this proverb and I will discuss the elements that I utilize to make sure that I’m living by this ancient code.
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Audible
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Tough Mudder
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It takes a lot to get a career in the fire service. There is a gauntlet of elements in the process; turn in an application, take the written test, perform some kind of physical performance test, panel interview or TWO, then it’s onto the academy. Even then, an invitation to the academy isn’t a guaranteed spot on the truck. A full-time spot is conditional upon successful completion.
It also sometimes takes a lot to stay engaged and focused on the mission when you’ve been on the job for a while. Staying engaged and focused on the reason why you got into this profession to begin with can take effort.
Something that this profession definitely takes is GRIT! But what IS grit? If we don’t have it, what can we do about it? In today’s episode, I’m going to review what it is, how we can foster it, and how having grit is NOT a team sport even though some people might have you think that.
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28-Day Ignition Workout Program
Grit to Great by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval
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Whenever you try to achieve something more, there will always be those people who are like crabs in a bucket who will try to pull you down. They will mock, they will ridicule, and some will even use their resources and active efforts just to hold you back.
But not matter how many times they pull you back down, no matter how many times you may get knocked on your butt, you’ve gotta get back up and keep going.
One of my most favorite quotes is “Lions do not concern themselves with the opinions of sheep” and in today’s episode, I will talk about what it means to be a “lion” among “sheep”, how this mindset will help you focus on your personal development and success, and I will provide you some strategies you can implement in order to awaken the lion inside of you.
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Lion Speech - Poolhall Junkies (2002) YouTube
28-Day Ignition Workout Plan
IGNITEd Hats - Flash Sale!
BrandedBills
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I’m not one to go on about “war stories”, but I sure had a rough one the other day. And as a result, I was reminded as to why I do this job, and why I love it.
We’re going to have some hard days and we’re going to have some fantastic days.
My goal in today’s episode is to share with you what things came to my mind, share a bit of perspective, and how we can be active in having gratitude!
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Flash sale on all hats!
Episode 048 - Health Benefits of Gratitude
Branded Bills
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Today I'm talking to my friend and author Skye Fagrell. He has provided performance coaching and leadership training for over 20 years and his book "More Fit 4 the Kingdom" delivers truths of faith-based principles that can be applied to anyone, anywhere. The focus of Skye's effort is on how incorporating measurable principles into our lives and tracking them, we can improve our wisdom, stature, favor of man, and favor of God.
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Skye's social media:
Buy the book!
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If you aren’t investing in yourself, then you are wasting your time! In this day and age where knowledge is at your fingertips, the only reason we DON’T take action toward bettering ourselves is the direct result of complacency.
Being a firefighter and working in EMS, we need to make sure that we are keeping at the forefront of the new trends in medicine as well as the advancements in our ability to fight fire.
But this isn’t just about training and practical application. This is also about investing yourself in a way that helps better prepare you to be able to be a better all-around version of YOU.
In today’s episode, I will talk about why that’s important and I will provide you some strategies that you can use to start actively investing in yourself.
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Echelon Front
The Sixth Floor Museum
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Part 3! The last section of my 3-part miniseries on the IGNITEd Core Values! So far, we’ve covered ACTION, and OWNERSHIP. These core values can be found stamped onto the new IGNITEd challenge coin, which you can find on the IGNITEd shop!
Core values are those things that you naturally operate under. If you have to force a value, it’s not a core value. Core values make you who you are. Now, you CAN adopt core values over time and active implementation. However, you can’t “fake it until you make it”.
As you listen to this miniseries, make an effort to identify some of the core values that you feel you operate under. By doing this, you become more aware of your purpose and ironclad in your stance on principle when it comes to why it is you do what you do.
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How to Create a Lifelong Brotherhood (Art of Manliness)
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Welcome to part two of my 3-part miniseries on the IGNITEd Core Values! Like I said in the first episode, with the release of the new IGNITEd challenge coin, I thought it would be fitting to do a 3-part miniseries on the IGNITEd core values that are stamped on that coin; ACTION, OWNERSHIP, BROTHERHOOD.
We should all have a set of identifiable core values that we operate by and we should be able to talk about them and why they matter to us at any given moment.
I’d advise that while you listen to this miniseries, that you identify some of the core values that speak to you in your own personal life. By doing this, you become ironclad in your stance on principle when it comes to why it is you do what you do.
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Episode 047 - Respond Don’t React
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With the release of the new IGNITEd challenge coin, I thought it would be fitting to do a 3-part miniseries on the IGNITEd core values that are stamped on that coin; ACTION, OWNERSHIP, BROTHERHOOD.
We should all have a set of identifiable core values that we operate by and we should be able to talk about them and why they matter to us at any given moment.
So, take these next three weeks, listen to the motivation behind the core values of IGNITEd, and start identifying what your own core values are so that you can become ironclad in your stance when it comes to why it is you do what you do.
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This is not going to be a particularly fun and exciting episode. However, I’d encourage you to listen so that what I’m about to tell you can hang in the back of your head while on the fireground and after you get back to the station after a fire.
The more we can be mindful of the things that are trying to kill us, the better off we are at formulating a defense against them.
In today’s episode, I will talk about how we are affected by cancer in the fire service, and I will give you some steps you can take to help reduce the risk.
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Firefighter Cancer Support Network
Firefighter Cancer Foundation
Fire Smoke Coalition
Rx of Fitness Regimen
On-scene Decon Kit
Decon 7
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Whether you’re a paper and pencil type of person or an all digital-demigod, I can’t stress to you the importance of writing down a list of things you want to get accomplished on a daily basis.
Without an idea of the things you need to get accomplished daily, you will wind up letting your time slip away to things less important than contributing to the reason you were put on this earth.
In this episode, I will talk about why you need to write down a list of things to do, how it will help you be more productive, and ultimately become more fulfilled.
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Write Down Your Goals for Faster Success
Neuroscience Explains Why You Need to Write Down Your Goals If You Actually Want To Achieve Them
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In the fire service, we have a designated hierarchy of rank. The influence of this chain of command is supposed to be followed up and down. However, what happens when people in the high ranked positions are a big reason why people are feeling disenfranchised down the chain?
We look to our leaders to set the tone for the organization and help with disbursement of information as well as morale. Can you imagine William Wallace riding on his horse at the battle of Stirling, and instead of rallying his countrymen and talking about freedom, he says, “Eff morale!”
In today’s episode, I will talk about how our culture in the fire service is being neglected and becoming stagnant and toxic, what we can do about it, and I will provide you with three simple things you can do every day to set the tone for a healthy culture.
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Braveheart: Speech at Stirling
It’s Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy
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Going into our panel interviews when trying to land a career in the fire service, you may hear the question, “what does success mean to you?” For all of the questions you will get asked, you should be sure enough in what drives you, who you are, and what you want that you shouldn’t skip a beat.
If you don’t have an idea of what it looks like to be successful, then how will you know what you need to do to achieve it? The ONLY way to measure improvement is to have some kind of metric for measure, in this case; what is your definition of success?
In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about why you need to identify what success means to you, and I will give you some steps you can take to start on your path
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IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
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John Boyd: To Be or To Do
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There’s a lot of different ways to track your fitness out there with Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin, Polar and all the other products popping up every day. But which one is the best for you? What exactly should you be measuring and why?
You’ve heard me say it before, “what gets measured gets improved”. Today I’m going to specifically talk about Heart Rate Variability. I’ve touched on this topic before, but in today’s episode, I’m going to dive deeper into what HRV is, why you should pay attention to it, and at the end, I will provide 10 ways that you can improve your heart rate variability.
I will also share with you which fitness tracker that I use and why.
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IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
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I worked with a guy the other day who was talking about how he holds a medical marijuana card and after he retires, he was thinking about going into the CBD and marijuana business.
Now, I don’t have much experience with this kind of stuff because I have never smoked marijuana or done drugs. However, that doesn’t mean I couldn’t talk to him about his thoughts and ideas on the topic. He told me that there are a lot more people in the fire service using therapeutic marijuana products than you’d think.
So in my efforts to keep balanced and learn more about this element that has a presence in the fire service, today’s episode is focused on talking about the things I learned while doing my homework on the subject of CBD oil.
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IGNITEd Readers Book Club
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FNX Relief
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When it comes to having six-pack abs, we all want results ASAP. But when it comes to this particular fitness feat, time and dedication are the key. But where do we start? And how long can we expect it to take? A few weeks? A few months? Well, things aren’t that simple. There are many factors that go into this accomplishment and everyone is different. However, we all have to start somewhere. And starting is the KEY!
Wherever you’re at, now is as good of time as any to get started in shedding that belly fat. Obesity is surprisingly common in the U.S. fire service which causes us to have significantly reduced fitness and readiness, but more on that later.
In today’s episode, I will talk about why we should be conscious in our efforts to lose your gut, and I will provide you with 12 ways that you can attack your belly fat and return to a state of fit readiness. Not to mention improve your longevity.
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FNXfit.com
FNX Reburn Thermogenic
FNX Relax Sleep Aid
The Secret to Great Abs
Severely Obese Firefighters: What the Data Says
6 Reasons Why Eggs Are the Healthiest Food on the Planet
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With all the craziness of what’s going on in the world right now; rioting, looting and murders going unchecked, our brothers in blue have a lot on their plate. Those working the front lines when it comes to maintaining order have some particular challenges that they’re currently facing. Those of us in the fire service know what it’s like to work toward mitigating the stressors of the things that we see and the jobs that we are tasked with. However, I wanted to get the perspective of a police officer who has worked in the field for over 20 years.
Today, I share with you a conversation I had with Chris Hoyer. He just retired from the Phoenix Police Department two years ago and in that time he’s been busy speaking to officers and public safety workers across the country about his experiences and how he dealt with them. He also wrote a book called, “When That Day Comes” where he goes into more depth about the things he saw and how he handled them, and continues to keep the demons at bay today.
I hope this interview helps to shine a light on the role that we don’t necessarily get to see all that often. And by the end, I hope you come away with a sense that we are all people, trying to do a job, and not be taken over by the darkness that would otherwise envelop us.
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The David Glasser Foundation
Nothing But Love Notes
When That Day Comes (Book)
IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
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IGNITEd FNX Fitness
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Getting proper sleep is one of the most challenging parts of being a firefighter and doing shift work.
I’ve witnessed firefighters stay up all night at the firehouse, watching TV, neglecting any opportunity to sleep. I’ve seen supervisors criticise firefighters when they try to take naps to make sure they’re rested and ready for when the tones kick out. I’ve personally been up all night running calls and then up all day the next day running calls into the night. Coming off of a shift like that doesn’t help when it comes to being present with your family or the people you love. If you’re coming home to pets, then you’ve got it a bit better off in regards to being able to take a nap whenever you’d like.
However, today I’m going to focus on why sleep is so important, why we shouldn’t demonize it or feel guilty for taking naps, and I will provide some strategies to help facilitate your mind and body into a place where you can get quality sleep.
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FNX Fitness Supplements
FNX Relax - Sleep Aid
WHOOP
Blue Light and Sleep: What’s the Connection?
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With all the nutrition supplements out there in the market, there can be a lot of confusion and misdirection for the sake of selling a shoddy product.
As a professional strength and fitness coach, and as a certified nutrition coach, I am VERY leery of nutrition supplement companies and I have spent years researching and testing out over the counter products on myself.
I’ve come up with a great formula for supplementation for myself and strive to keep it simple in regards to that, and so should YOU. You don’t need a counter or a cabinet full of supplements.
In today’s episode, I will tell you why that is. Not only that, I will go over my personal supplement stack, make some recommendations, and at the end I have a big announcement to make!
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IGNITEd FNX Fitness Ambassador Link
FNX Fitness Homepage
FNX Live
THIRST: CharityWater
28-Day Ignition Workout Program
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You may have heard a lot of talk lately about fasting, particularly intermittent fasting (or IF). Despite this recent surge in popularity, fasting is a practice that dates back centuries and plays an important role in many cultures and religions.
In general, most types of fasts are performed over 24-72 hours. Intermittent fasting, on the other hand, involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting, ranging from a few hours to a few days at a time.
Fasting has been shown to have many health benefits, from increased weight loss to better brain function.
Today, I’m going to talk about 8 health benefits of fasting - backed by science.
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Intermittent Fasting: Surprising Update
Fasting: Health Benefits and Risks
Blood Sugar Testing: When, Why, and How
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I wanted to start out today and first say “thank you” for listening to the show. I was reviewing the numbers and the IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast has surpassed 35k downloads. I’m really humbled by all of this and am honored that you all find value in the things that I’m sharing with you. This all started because I wanted to provide something that I never had when trying to get into the fire service; resources! Even now, whether or not you’re trying to get hired or are currently on the job, I want to provide you all with tools, resources, conversations, and everything that you might need to become a more capable and better firefighter. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the things it took for me to get this job as well as the things it takes for me to keep proficient at it. I see it more often than I’d like, people who get hired on and then stop dead in their tracks with any kind of progression. Now, I’m not saying that everyone needs to promote. If you’re happy in your rank of firefighter, that’s GREAT! There’s nothing wrong with working your entire career at the rank of firefighter! However, there’s still progress that can be made at that level. Become a person of added value. You can earn your paramedic cert, you can earn a college degree, you can obtain a unique specialization like TRT or HAZMAT. What I’m saying is, you should always be taking steps toward improving yourself and becoming an asset. In the spirit of that, in today’s episode, I’m going to go over 3 practices that I’ve incorporated into my daily routine that have helped me get the job of my dreams. I share these things with you to give you a very basic idea of how you should be operating daily. I want to emphasize that...EVERY DAY. So, let’s get going! -- IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community IGNITEd Readers Book Club IGNITEd Online Shop IGNITEd Recruit Academy 8 Health Benefits of Fasting
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If you’re a child of the 80’s like I am and watched Saturday morning cartoons, then you probably watched GI Joe. One of the most impactful things I remember is how each episode ended.
There was always a lesson to be learned and at the end, and it was always capped off with the saying, “Knowing is half the battle.”
In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about how knowing IS only half the battle and I will provide you with 5 ways that you can move from knowing to doing!
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IGNITEd Recruit Academy
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Today is a first for the IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast! Today I’m going to be doing an “Ask Me Anything” episode. Over the past several weeks I’ve asked you guys to submit questions that might be on your mind and you didn’t disappoint!
I got all kinds of questions! Some related to the show, some related to the fire service, and some not related to any of that. Regardless of their nature, I thought it would be fun to take some of the questions that you guys submitted and answer them off the cuff today.
When I say “ask me anything”, I mean it. It could be about ANYTHING! So, if this AMA sparks any questions with you, please feel free to submit them via FB or IG and I will add them to the list for the next time I do this.
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Incomparable by Brie and Nikki Bella
Extreme Ownership by Leif Babin and Jocko WIllink
The Proximity Principle by Ken Coleman
Fire Command by Alan Brunacini
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The ability to envision possibilities for the future and share that vision with others is something that distinguishes leaders from nonleaders. It also separates the performers from the spectators.
If you don’t have an idea of where you’re going, you’ll end up just going in circles. Ultimately, when we’re on a fireground, the vision is to put the fire out. The strategy is how we get there. By having an ultimate vision for what we want to happen, we lay down a marker for what success looks like.
Today I’m going to talk about why we need vision. I’ll talk about how having a personal vision statement can better prepare you for leadership roles, and I’ll provide you with ways to formulate your own vision in a practical way so that you can take action!
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Start with Why by Simon Sinek
The Vision Driven Leader by Michael Hyatt
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When we go through EMT or paramedic school, we learn of the two different responses that our nervous system has; sympathetic and parasympathetic. What’s really incredible, specifically about the parasympathetic system, is that it can be manipulated and used to our advantage so that we can have a better impact on our cardiovascular system by removing stress and shock.
In today’s episode, I will do a quick review of these systems, how we can manipulate the parasympathetic system through vagal stimulation, what heart rate variability (HRV) is and how being conscious of all these things can greatly improve our physical condition and immunity.
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The Wim Hof Method: Activate Your Full Human Potential
The Effect of Gag Reflex on Cardiac Sympathovagal Tone
WHOOP
EXOS
Studies in Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
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In the fire service, there is an ocean of acronyms out there; CAFS, ALS, AAR, FMP, SOP, ETA, you get the idea. One of the most recent ones to emerge is SLICERS.
In today’s episode, I will be focusing on this latest acronym, what it means, and why we should think about possibly adding it to our ever-growing repertoire.
If you’re unfamiliar with SLICERS, don’t feel guilty about it. Not all organizations incorporate this specific methodology. However, if after listening to this episode, you find yourself wanting to incorporate it into how you do things, I will also provide a way to acquire a SAMPLE DRILL that you can review with your crew and then try out for yourselves.
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IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
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Bret Tarver | Phoenix Fire Foundation
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation - Bret Tarver
NIST/FIRE
IGNITEd Shop
SLICERS Sample Drill
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We already know that we can’t fully control whether or not we catch a cold, the flu, or even COVID-19. We also know that we can’t fully control how our body will react once exposed to a pathogen.
There are all kinds of different factors that determine your body’s response. Some you can have an impact on, like nutrient deficiencies. Others, you can’t do anything about, like your age. But even among all the things you CAN influence, no single “hack” can control the complex system that is our body.
However, when it comes to your overall immune system, your daily actions can have a meaningful impact. By consistently practicing healthy behaviors, you can:
Reduce your exposure and susceptibility
Help optimize your immune function over time
And better prepare your body to fight off foreign invaders
In today’s episode, I’m going to give you 8 ways to optimize your immunity and protect your health!
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IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
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Atomic Habits by James Clear
IGNITEd Shop
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During this pandemic, working from home obviously isn’t an option for those of us on the frontline working FIRE and EMS. That’s what we signed up for! This means that we’ll be exposed to all kinds of nasty stuff that’s out there and we will have a direct connection to the thing that’s causing the pandemic. But just because WE may get exposed to all that nasty stuff, doesn’t mean our families should too!
When we return home from a shift, we should be making sure that we are protecting our loved ones from the threats in the field.
I know everyone has their checklists and procedures for how to go about doing decon after a call, but in today’s episode, I’m lining out a checklist that we can keep in mind (or even print out) in order to make sure that we can protect our homes and families from COVID-19.
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EMS After-Shift Checklist
The Doctor Who Championed Hand Washing and Briefly Saved Lives
10:1 Water-to-Bleach Solution
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The continual changes and innovation in building materials has us constantly refining our tactical approach when it comes to firefighting. There are so many different factors that contribute to what we see on the fireground; things like building materials, synthetic furniture, not to mention all the unknowns. So, we have to be just as adaptable as the fire is.
Fortunately, there is an army of people at Underwriter’s Laboratories that spend a great deal of time doing the research FOR us! All we have to do is make an effort to read over their findings.
Having all of this scientifically-validated, previously-unrecognized, and potentially life-saving information doesn’t really mean anything unless you can interpret it and apply it.
In the spirit of simplification and making things “firefighter-proof”, in today’s episode, I’m going to attempt to condense what I’ve read and learned into three practical approaches that should cover the bases.
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IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
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Top 20 Tactical Considerations From Firefighter Research
UL FSRI Top 20 Tactics Online Course
New Rules: 1. Water flow is good, 2. Air flow is bad
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With the way our lives have been disrupted due to COVID-19, we can look around and see the panic in the uncertainty of the people who are making mad dashes to the grocery store and having fights in the aisles in order to stock up on toilet paper.
I feel like a lot of this kind of behavior can be directly attributed to the fact that we live in a society that is constantly telling us to avoid stress. But why is that? Isn’t stress the very thing that makes us better at handling any given situation?
Think about it, we exercise to utilize stress and become better at performing on the fireground. Some of us get flu shots as a way to introduce stress into our bodies so that we can naturally build up our immune system and fight any incoming seasonal threat of illness. The more we avoid a situation or confrontation whether it’s at work or at home, the more we increase the anxiety of the issue, rather than just dealing with it.
In today’s episode, I will discuss some VERY helpful principles that you can adopt when it comes to tackling any challenge that comes your way and, if consistently practiced, will soon make you the hero in all situations.
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Unstable Unicorns
Putting Feelings Into Words by Matt Leiberman
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There are two things that firefighters hate; change, and the way things are...
The world can seem like a daunting and complicated place at times, especially considering the perpetually increasing complexity of our chosen career. As building materials and textiles change chemical composition, the time of survivability and rate of fire spread rapidly decrease. If we choose not to adapt to these changes, then we are choosing to be victims of our environments.
The whole plight of this IGNITEd movement is to disrupt that stagnation that we may have found ourselves in, specifically in regards to the fire service. If you’re listening to this now, then you’ve most likely taken a look around and realized just how content people are with the status quo. This level of contentment is killing us, literally and figuratively. The stagnant attitudes kill the legacy of the fire service and the lack of movement kills us off soon after retirement.
It’s up to us to take the reigns and make sure we are driving forward and not just sitting still. By being willing and able to adapt to the circumstances around us, we fight that complacency. We’ve got to take active steps toward being adaptable and becoming better. In today’s episode, I will talk about the different types of adaptation and I’ll give you some steps you can take to become more adaptable in your environment.
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As A Man Thinketh by James Allen: Review
Atomic Habits by James Clear: Review
Adapt or Die: Battle-tested Principles for Leaders by Lt Gen Rick Lynch
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We are currently facing a society that is gripped in fear due to the COVID-19 or “Corona Virus” pandemic. We as first-responders don’t have a choice to run and hide because that’s not who we are. We act in the face of fear.
And yet, we are witnessing people act completely irrationally because of what the news media is telling them. And in that fear, it seems that they are buying up all of the world’s toilet paper.
In today’s episode, I will talk about why we’re subject to fear, what it does to us, and I will provide some strategies as to how to overcome fear so we can live happy, productive lives that will allow us to be the best firefighter and EMS professionals that we can be!
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
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Having several conversations over the past several weeks, I became aware of something I didn’t realize was so prominent among the people that I work with; hypothyroidism.
This isn’t something that I personally struggle with, but I wanted to learn more about it. And the more I learned about it, the more I discovered how well-documented it is that there is a direct correlation between shift workers and low thyroid issues; particularly firefighters and nurses.
In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about what hypothyroidism is, how it affects us as firefighters, and I will provide some strategies on how we can combat it and not let it rule our lives.
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
National Institute of Health Fact Sheet
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As the years go by, complacency sets in. We get comfortable in our positions and sometimes those positions are of the reclined nature. As a result, we gain weight in the form of useless fat and the bigger we get, the more unmotivated we become.
Fitness is a crucial part of our profession. We don’t have a lot of time in our careers when compared to corporate America or most other professions. We are given the benefit of being able to retire early. However, if we aren’t healthy enough to live fully during our retirement, or even MAKE it to our retirement, then what’s the point?
In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about how we can introduce strength training into our routine to not only be dynamic in how we exercise and steer clear of becoming a one-trick pony when it comes to fitness, but I will talk about how strength training can help us lose fat.
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
Essential Guide to Strength Training
10 Essential Bodyweight Exercises
What’s the Best Form of Cardio for Fat Loss?
How to Gain Muscle Without Losing Fat
Strength Training and Belly Fat
High Reps with Low Weight vs Low Reps with High Weight
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As firefighters and EMS professionals, we are constantly doing work on the front end so that when the time comes, we can be at the ready to respond. Oftentimes we don’t even realize that that’s what we are in fact doing.
When it comes to our professional lives, we are hyper-vigilant in making sure that our equipment is in operating order and ready at all times. So why is it so challenging for us to do these things when it comes to our personal lives?
In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about what doing work on the front end looks like, why it’s important, and how we can incorporate related principles into our personal lives to work toward a more mentally and emotionally balanced self.
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IGNITEd Readers Book Club
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(I'm so sorry for the drop in volume about halfway in! I have absolutely NO IDEA what happened!)
You’ve probably heard it said that “those who can no longer do, teach.” As we get older in our lives and in our careers in the fire service, we lose some ability to do things the way that we used to.
You’ve heard me talk about the “Key 3” back in episode 50 - light the spark, stoke the flame, pass the torch, but do you yourself take action in regards to those things?
Today I’m going to talk about how we can “pass the torch” on those things that we know and are particularly proficient in so we can contribute to our crew, our organizations, and our profession as a whole.
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
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The bulk of the food that we consume consists of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. These are known as macronutrients. Other elements that make up the foods that we eat are called micronutrients; these are the vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes that we intake.
Macros influence our body’s ability to digest food, absorb nutrients, and produce hormones. They also impact our immune function, our metabolic function, cell structure and function, and our overall body composition.
In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about what macronutrients are, how they affect us, and how we can manipulate them to get the results that we want.
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
MyFitnessPal (Macro tracker)
If It Fits Your Macros (Macro Calculator)
Eat This Much (Macro Meal Planner)
Body Fat Percentage Scale
How To Read and Understand A Nutrition Label
3 Keys to Dialing in Your Macronutrient Ratios
Federal Dietary Recommendations
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We have a lot of different things occupying real estate in our minds at any given moment. One thing that we sometimes forget about is the fact that WE are the owners of that real estate and make the choice as to who or what occupies that space.
While on the fireground or EMS scene it’s important that we remain focused. But how can we work on that while we aren’t ON emergency scenes?
In today’s episode, I will talk about why it’s so important to train our brains, and I will provide some practical steps to take in order to become more disciplined in our mental game.
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
GRIT: The Power of Passion and Perseverace
Beyond Grit: Ten Powerful Practices to Gain the High-Performance Edge
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In today’s society we are told that we need to accept others for who they are. But with that acceptance sometimes comes a lack of standards. I said it in a recent podcast episode, “the minimum standard becomes the new standard.”
It can be unhealthy and even dangerous to cling to the level of acceptance that we are provided by the people we choose to be around. Like it or not, we are all products of our environment, good or bad.
We all have a choice as to who we allow into our lives and how we allow their influence to affect us. Today’s episode is focused on our mental health. Specifically, how our mental health is affected by those who we allow in our lives and in our proximity. I will talk about the different ways people affect us and possibly even stifle our potential and I will give you some strategies that you can implement in order to qualify your sphere of influence.
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IGNITEd Readers Book Club
Proverbs 27:17
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
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The health of any relationship, team, or organization can be measured by the lag time between identifying problems and discussing those problems. And couldn’t the same be said for how we respond to fire and EMS calls? We don’t seem to have hang-ups when it comes to quickly and systematically identifying problems on the fireground and EMS scene. So, why do we have such a problem making the connection when it comes to our relationships within the firehouse walls? In today’s episode, I’m going to share some insight that I received while at a VitalSmarts training here in Phoenix where I learned some of the things discussed in their book Crucial Accountability. And make sure to stay tuned because at the end I will give some details on how you can win a free copy! -- Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community IGNITEd Readers Book Club Lacking Resolve at Work The Janitor Story from Crucial Accountability The Four Agreements book Episode 006 - The Four Agreements
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The self-contained breathing apparatus (or SCBA) has a direct impact when it comes to our personal safety on the fireground. Our lives literally depend on it’s proper operation and use. So, it’s not news to those of you who are currently serving as firefighters that you should be checking it off and making sure it’s in operating order at the beginning of each shift.
We may be operating with different sizes of SCBAs (30, 45, or 60 minute bottles). Knowing what you’re working with is important, but what’s even MORE important is knowing how long you can make that bottle last when you’re working performing fireground operations.
There are a lot of factors that contribute to how long your bottle lasts. Fortunately, you have control over one of the biggest factors; how you breathe. A lot of this goes hand in hand with your level of fitness as well. So, in today’s episode, I will talk about some of the limiting physical factors and how we can use conscious methods of breathing to help us maintain control and last longer when it counts.
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
XRT Pro SCBA Firefighter Breathing Trainer
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For those of us that are parents, we know that as we balance work and home life, sometimes it can be difficult to keep our negative emotions at bay. We might lash out at our kids or we may withdraw from them completely when something that happened at work has affected us. The way we behave toward our children will set them up for how they handle the relationships they have throughout their own lives. Do we want them to be successful in their relationships, or do we want them to struggle through them and learn the lessons after it’s too late? In today’s episode I’m going to review a list of behaviors that we can incorporate in regards to how we treat our children in order to build them up and foster successful relationships with them. Not only that, after reading the article that inspired this episode, I realized that these same behaviors can be directly applied to our relationships with our crewmates! Thinking about treating your crewmates like children might seem insulting, but after this episode, you may think differently about that. -- Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community IGNITEd Readers Book Club If We Behave In These 10 Ways Towards Children The Future Of Humanity Will Be In Safe Hands
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As we progress in our careers, sometimes we fall into complacency. And like I mentioned in the previous episode, complacency kills! As we become more complacent in our abilities, we place ourselves further to the “liability” category.
When we sat in our interviews to get hired for the career of a lifetime, we told the panel that we’d bring a lot to the table. We were motivated and eager to contribute to our respective organizations. But, why does that change? And what can we DO about it?
You’ve heard me say it before; on the fireground, you are either an asset or a liability. In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about what exactly that means and I will provide some steps that you can take to self-evaluate and work toward making the changes that may be needed in order to become the firefighter that you’d want on your crew!
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
Are You an Asset or a Liability?
Reducing Line-of-Duty Deaths Through Healthful Cooking
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We would NEVER think to fight a fire without evaluating the situation, formulating a strategy, and taking action toward the objective. So, why do we not think to take a similar approach when it comes to our personal lives? Benjamin Franklin once said that “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” and if you are living your life right now so that you aren’t actively working toward some kind of personal development, then you are a part of the deterioration of the fire service. You’ve grown comfortable with the status quo of complacency. And as we all know, complacency kills. In today’s episode, I’ll talk about why it’s important to have a plan, steps to take to identify and work toward a plan of action, and I will share my personal approach to continual growth. -- Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community 12-Days of Kaizen Motivation Worksheet MyFitnessPal
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We hear a lot about mission, vision, and values when we go to our department trainings or when a new chief shows up, but do we think of them any other time? Or do we even hear them when we aren’t sitting in these meetings? Maybe you don’t even hear them in those meetings! And if that’s the case, then there is more work that needs to be done. But I’m getting ahead of myself...before you can be a champion of your values, you first have to identify and then define what they are.
If your vision is what you want to do, your mission is how you get there; but it’s your VALUES that make you unique and set you apart from the other people and organizations around you.
In today’s episode, we’ll review what core values are, how to identify them within yourself and your organization, and I will give you some steps you can take in order to implement them in your daily life so that you can be the firefighter you’d want on your crew; and be the organization that people would be proud to be a part of.
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
12 Days of Leadership
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
Get a Grip by Gino Wickman & Mike Paton
Chick-fil-A: Who We Are
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This week’s episode marks the 50th episode that I’ve recorded. In just two weeks, I will cross the one year mark for how long I’ve been producing and recording this show. I’ve learned a LOT along the way and going back and listening to my earlier episodes, although embarrassing, shows me just how much I’ve learned. I want to say “Thank you” to all of you who subscribe, download and listen to the show. I get a lot out of doing this show in that I am constantly learning new things, but I mainly do it for you. I do it to get the conversations started, to help provide different perspectives to the same issues that we’re all facing as firefighters and EMS professionals. In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about a system that I’ve come up with in regards to mentorship, how it should work, what it should look like, and how we can take an active role in being mentored and being a mentor to others. -- Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community 12 Days of Leadership
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Those of us who are firefighters and work in EMS are known as “shift workers” because we work outside of the typical hours of 9am to 5pm. Depending on how busy our department, our station, and our truck is, the amount of sleep we get is usually in the hands of the Fire & EMS gods, but that doesn’t mean that we are totally helpless and can’t do something about it.
How many times have you heard someone say, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead!” Now, how many times have you rolled your eyes at the person who said it? I know I do. I can’t understand how people wear lack of sleep as some kind of badge of honor. If they were being productive, that’s one thing, but in the instances that I’ve experienced people say that, that’s not the case. They are chugging energy drinks as if they are some kind of on-duty replacement for their off-duty alcohol dependence, which is a whole other topic itself. However, by continuing to shoot ourselves in the foot when it comes to getting quality sleep, we are running toward burnout and disease.
In today’s episode, I am going to talk about how not getting enough sleep is literally killing us and what we can do to help be our own advocates when it comes to getting the quality sleep that we need.
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
12 Days of Kaizen
First Responder Sleep Recovery Training
Do Firefighters Shift Schedules Affect Sleep Quality?
Shift Work and Sleep
Book: The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life One Night at a Time
Book: Sleep Smarter: 21 Essential Strategies to Sleep Your Way to a Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success
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I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and that you were able to wear your special Thanksgiving pants and pack your bellies full of whatever it is you eat on Thanksgiving.
I’m not here to lecture you and tell you how to be and that you should be thankful for all you have, you’ve already heard a lot of that already, I’m sure. But in today’s episode, I AM going to talk about how focusing on the positive over the negative can help your health, how gratitude is linked to improved heart-health, sleep, and well-being, and how it can also improve job satisfaction and the way you deal with stress.
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
12 Days of Kaizen
Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration
The Role of Gratitude in Spiritual Well-being in Asymptomatic Heart Failure Patients
A little thanks goes a long way: Explaining why gratitude expressions motivate prosocial behavior
Gratitude influences sleep through the mechanism of pre-sleep conditions
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We as firefighters are labeled as “first responders”. Think about that for a moment...we are called first responders, not “first reactors”. We are expected to respond to incidents rather than react to them. But what exactly does that mean? What’s the difference? And IS there a difference?
I’m here to tell you that there ABSOLUTELY IS a difference when it comes to responding versus reacting.
In today’s episode, I will talk about the differences, go over some examples that I’ve witnessed, and provide you with some strategies to help change your mindset from reaction-based panic to response-based control.
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
http://bit.ly/IGNITEdFirefighterPodcastCommunity
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ignitedreaders
Disney+ free from Verizon
https://www.verizonwireless.com/solutions-and-services/disneyplus/?cmp=KNC-C-HQ-PRO-R-BP-NONE-UnlimitedDisneyPlus-2K0PX0-PX-GAW-71700000059062055&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiNnuBRD3ARIsAM8KmlsK18xhVY2pD1q658-9Z_ehNqQJYegwP2mAyuo6oNcgaMCfII1Hn3gaAq2JEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
12 Days of Kaizen
http://bit.ly/12dayskaizen
Respond Vs. React: How To Keep Your Cool in Times of Stress
https://mindfulminutes.com/respond-vs-react-how-to-keep-your-cool-in-times-of-stress/
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While we’d all like to blame our problems on everyone and everything else, one thing we need to keep at the forefront of our mind is that it is OURSELVES who are often our own worst enemies. Ego hinders us at every turn. We feel that we are entitled to things or positions due to either our time invested or our “amazing abilities”. We spend a lot of time spending money we don’t have on things that we can’t afford to impress people we don’t even like. All for what? Some false sense of accomplishment.
In order to live a genuine and fulfilling life, we’ve got to stop “playing the game” and start building our own empires. I’m not just talking about monetarily, either. As Ryan Holiday puts in his book, Ego is the Enemy, once you start being consciously aware of putting your own ego in check, “you will be less invested in the story you tell about your own specialness, and as a result, you will be liberated to accomplish the world-changing work you’ve set out to achieve.” In today’s episode, I’m going to talk about what ego is, how it affects us, and I will give you some strategies you can put in place to help keep yourself in check. That way, you can remain focused on YOU OWN world-changing work that you hope to achieve.
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Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
IGNITEd Readers Book Club
Dunning-Kruger Published Paper
Additional Reading
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In this episode I get to have a conversation with Jordan Raye, founder and leader of Alpha Maiden. She has a clear mission of helping women become strong mentally and physically in order to become the warrior that they’re meant to be. Jordan is the epitome of how fostering strength from within can translate to all areas of your life. In her social media posts and on her website she shows incredible vulnerability which is a testament to just how strong she is. In a male-dominated career, women in the fire service account for about 3%. The job of a firefighter is incredibly demanding on a physical and mental level.
So, I want to dedicate this episode to that 3% and bring awareness to the unique challenges that you may face as women in the fire service. Jordan seeks to develop powerful women everywhere! She brings a focused and motivating perspective to her followers and clients around the world! Join the brotherhood of firefighters and EMS professionals who want to civilize their minds, and make savage their bodies by joining the IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Community on Facebook. This is where you can connect with me and other firefighters all over the world! We can share our experiences and gain insight from each other as we deal with the struggles that we may be facing.
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Alpha Maiden (https://alphamaiden.com/)
IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Community (https://www.facebook.com/groups/IGNITEdFirefighterPodcastCommunity/)
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Today we’re talking about something near and dear to my heart, firefighter functional fitness. In this episode, I have a great conversation with Dan Kerrigan and Jim Moss, the authors of Firefighter Functional Fitness, basically the fitness “bible” for firefighters. If these guys aren’t on your radar yet, they will be after this!
Their practical approach to functional fitness as it specifically relates to the fire service is what they are well known for. There are some bold, but much-needed claims that they make in their book and oftentimes on their social media. Things like, “The extent to which a firefighter develops their cardiovascular capacity will ultimately determine whether they are an asset or a liability on the fireground.” These are hard truths that we sometimes choose to ignore and in doing so, we shirk accountability. You’ll hear me ask them about the 4 Pillars of Firefighter Functional Fitness and how accountability plays a huge role in it.
You’ll also hear me talk to them about how being mindful in your physical training also relates to building your character as well as your leadership skills. Join the brotherhood of firefighters and EMS professionals who want to civilize their minds, and make savage their bodies by joining the IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Community on Facebook. This is where you can connect with me and other firefighters all over the world! We can share our experiences and gain insight from each other as we deal with the struggles that we may be facing. -- Links mentioned in this episode: UL Sponsorship Firefighter Functional Fitness Firefighter Toolbox Yoga for First Responders Fit to Fight Fire
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Fit to Fight Fire (http://www.fittofightfire.com/)
IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Community (https://www.facebook.com/groups/IGNITEdFirefighterPodcastCommunity/)
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When we hear that one of our fellow firefighters is going on a “diet” we sometimes tease them or try to make things worse for them by bringing sweets into the station. None of this is productive and just makes you look like an asshole. While we shouldn’t be constantly “on a diet” we should be MINDFUL of our diet. Going on a special diet from time to time is perfectly fine. However, most trend “diets” aren’t sustainable, and they aren’t meant to be, hence the term “trend”. What’s sustainable is a healthy lifestyle.
One of the elements you have full control over is what kinds of foods you are putting into your body. In today’s episode, I’m going to speak specifically about carb cycling; what it is, and give you some strategies and tools to help you use it in working toward any weight-loss goals you might have.
Join the brotherhood of firefighters and EMS professionals who want to civilize their minds, and make savage their bodies by joining the IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Community on Facebook. This is where you can connect with me and other firefighters all over the world! We can share our experiences and gain insight from each other as we deal with the struggles that we may be facing. - Show Notes/Links: Portion Control Hand Guide Infographic (Pn1) Carb Cycling YouTube Video Underwriter’s Laboratories sponsorship link Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
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Portion Control Hand Guide Infographic (Pn1)
Carb Cycling YouTube Video
Underwriter’s Laboratories sponsorship link
Firefighter Podcast Facebook Community
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Studies have shown that inhalation or absorption of carcinogens is how firefighters are most likely exposed to cancer risk. Exposure can come from direct contact with the skin to dirty gear - including gear removal - or indirect contact by off-gassing. While there is a wider awareness of the danger that dirty gear represents to firefighters, it is still the prevailing cultural and work norms that more often determine when firefighters don their gear and how that gear is maintained. Peer pressure and organizational imperatives will override safety culture in many instances. In today’s episode, I will discuss what the research shows about carcinogens and what we can do about it, make the case for a change in mindset regarding the “badge of honor” mentality, and provide some strategies to help lower the risk of cancer from needless continued exposure. Visit our show sponsor link: https://smokealarms.ul.org/
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Click HERE to get your FREE COPY of the 12 Days of Leadership Challenge that I mention in the episode!
Click HERE to visit the website and learn more about me and the IGNITEd movement. Join the brotherhood of firefighters and EMS professionals who want to civilize their minds, and make savage their bodies by joining the IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Community on Facebook. This is where you can connect with me and other firefighters all over the world! We can share our experiences and gain insight from each other as we deal with the struggles that we may be facing. Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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“Firefighter Decon Challenges? Try A Communication Intervention.”
“Firefighter Decon Challenges: Knowledge vs Practice”
“Clean Gear is the New Badge of Honor”
Videos mentioned:
The Invisible Danger of Bunker Gear Transfer
Clean Gear As the New Badge of Honor
Studies mentioned:
1 Harrison, T.R., Wendorf Muhamad, J. Yang, F., Morgan, S.E., & Talavera, E., Caban-Martinez, A., & Kobetz, N. (2018). Firefighter attitudes, norms, beliefs, barriers, and behaviors toward post-fire decontamination processes in an era of increased cancer risk. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 15(4), 279-284. DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2017.1416389
2 Harrison, T., Yang, F., Anderson, D., Morgan, S. Muhamad, J., Talavera, E., Solle, N., Lee, D., Caban-Martinez, A., Kobetz, E. (2017). Resilience, culture change, and cancer risk reduction in a fire rescue organization: clean gear as the new badge of honor. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management: Vol 25 (30), 171-181.
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As firefighters, we work in physically, emotionally, and psychologically challenging situations. It’s the nature of the job and for a good part, that’s why we are attracted to the job in the first place, for the challenging element. But with those challenges come the pressure to constantly perform, often times with limited resources.
These difficult work conditions can lead to burnout over the long-term. So what IS “burnout”? In today’s episode I’m going to talk about what burnout is, how it affects us, and I will provide some strategies that we can use to help fight it so that we can keep our love for the job and retire with pride and fulfillment.
Visit our show sponsor link: https://smokealarms.ul.org/
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Click HERE to get your FREE COPY of the 12 Days of Leadership Challenge that I mention in the episode!
Click HERE to get your FREE COPY of the Motivation Worksheet!
Click HERE to visit the website and learn more about me and the IGNITEd movement.
Join the battalion of firefighters and EMS professionals who want to civilize their minds, but make savage their bodies by joining the IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Community on Facebook. This is where you can connect with me and other firefighters all over the world! We can share our experiences and gain insight from each other as we deal with the struggles that we may be facing. Love to read? Join the IGNITEd Readers Book Club on Facebook! Learn about new books and share your favorites! We also have a monthly group read with discussion questions at the end of each month!
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Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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As firefighters, we are a unique culture. We tend to fall into the Type A personality category where we are very competitive, have an ingrained sense of urgency, and have an affinity toward being hostile and aggressive. However, we also have a handful of Type B personalities as well; people who are relaxed, patient, and easy-going.
Something important to remember is that one isn’t more productive or effective than the other. Both serve their purpose for different situations. We shouldn’t think of ourselves as strictly one or the other. And we damn sure shouldn’t act like one is “better” than the other. We should be adaptable to each situation that presents itself and utilize traits from both sides of the coin. Think of it this way, a carpenter doesn’t just have a hammer in his toolbox. He’s got an array of tools that he can use for specific projects because he understands that a hammer isn’t the end all, be all. Within our organizations, we operate in sub-cultures under the umbrella of being firefighters and EMS professionals.
Each of our respective organizations have a mission, vision, and values. If not, then you’ve got some work to do. It’s up to us how we want our cultures to look. Do we want to operate under the table, motivated by selfish political gain, or do we want to operate in a manner that promotes a healthy culture where we put our cards on the holy dining table that we all talk a big game about and operate in a truthful and respectful way where mutual benefits are the goal? Today, I’m going to identify some challenges that face us as a culture,I’ll give you some personal examples I’ve had in dealing with toxic culture, and provide 3 strategies to help you build a thriving culture no matter what organization you belong to.
Visit our show sponsor link: https://smokealarms.ul.org/
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Click HERE to get your FREE COPY of the 12 Days of Leadership Challenge that I mention in the episode!
Click HERE to read more about and purchase the 28-Day Ignition Workout Program!
Click HERE to visit the website and learn more about me and the IGNITEd movement.
Join the battalion of firefighters and EMS professionals who want to civilize their minds, but make savage their bodies by joining the IGNITEd Firefighter Podcast Community on Facebook. This is where you can connect with me and other firefighters all over the world! We can share our experiences and gain insight from each other as we deal with the struggles that we may be facing. Love to read? Join the IGNITEd Readers Book Club on Facebook! Learn about new books and share your favorites! We also have a monthly group read with discussion questions at the end of each month!
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Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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Suicide awareness month is wrapping up as September comes to an end, but that doesn’t mean we should stop making plans to improve our mentalities as well as our bodies. I’ve put a focus on mental health and wellness this month with a little bit of physical awareness thrown in. It’s important to remember that the body follows the mind, but it’s EQUALLY as important to remember that the mind follows the body as well. One impacts the other, but HOW they impact each other is completely up to you, your motivations, and mindset.
Today’s episode is a CALL TO ARMS. A “call to arms” is a call to defend against a takeover. We are all facing different battles, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t rally to fight against these battles in similar ways. Prepare for confrontation. Prepare for that big fire. Prepare for a situation where you will need to harness your emotions in order to get your job done. I’m going to review some strategies that can help you become better prepared to defend the castle walls of your mind and get your body into a place where you can physically overcome the challenges that would come your way.
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Click HERE to get your FREE COPY of the Motivation Worksheet that I mention in the episode!
Click HERE to read more about and purchase the 28-Day Ignition Workout Program!
Click HERE to visit the website and learn more about me and the IGNITEd movement.
Join the battalion of firefighters and EMS professionals who want to civilize their minds, but make savage their bodies by joining the IGNITEd Firefighters Podcast Community on Facebook. This is where you can connect with me and other firefighters all over the world! We can share our experiences and gain insight from each other as we deal with the struggles that we may be facing. Love to read? Join the IGNITEd Readers Book Club on Facebook! Learn about new books and share your favorites! We also have a monthly group read with discussion questions at the end of each month!
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Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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Back in Episode 033, I talked about the importance of mentorship. In this episode, I have a conversation with Jonathan Santana, who is on a mission to teach individuals life balancing skills to cope with stress in their day to day lives. He is a Firefighter/Paramedic, Speaker, Mentor & Coach.
During our conversation, we discuss what it means to be mentored, qualities to look for in a mentor, and what the benefits of this kind of relationship are. We discuss how stress should be managed, how ego needs to be put in check, and what it means to be an "ask-hole". The idea that leadership isn't tied to rank definitely comes through in Jonathan's passion for this topic. Be sure to visit his website and download his free eBook, "A Guide to Working with Mentors".
Also, do yourself a favor and look into his HEAD Start program that he talks about. There are some great lessons to be learned and principles to incorporate!
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Click HERE to get your FREE COPY of the Motivation Worksheet that I mention in the episode!
Please visit my website (www.IGNITEdFF.com) to learn more about me and the IGNITEd movement. Also, if you are a firefighter looking to join the battalion of firefighters who want to civilize their minds, but make savage their bodies, join the IGNITEd Firefighters Podcast Community on Facebook. This is where you can connect with me and other firefighters all over the world! We can share our experiences and gain insight from each other when trying to deal with the struggles that we may be facing.
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Click HERE to visit Jonathan Santana's website and download his FREE eBook "A Guide to Working with Mentors". You can find his H.E.A.D Start Program to Managing Stress on Udemy.com.
Find him on YouTube HERE!
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As September is suicide awareness month, I’m putting a focus on mental health and wellness. We are already aware that exercise is good for the body. But did you know that it’s also VERY effective in dealing with depression, anxiety, and stress?
In today’s episode I will discuss the mental benefits of exercise and provide some strategies that can help keep you operating in a positive light.
To download the Motivation Worksheet mentioned in this episode, visit my website and click on the link in the top right corner that says "Get !", or click HERE to download directly!
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A lot of firefighters base their level of fulfillment in their career. We sometimes forget that we aren’t JUST firefighters. We are also fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, friends and family. Fulfillment can and should be found in other areas of our lives so once that time in our lives is over, we have a strong basis to continue our sense of meaning and purpose.
Are you constantly disappointed? Do you find yourself being short with people who are within your vicinity? Are you just not interested in the things that would typically interest you? You’ve got to identify and make a choice as to how you show up each and every day. Just like with anything, you only get out what you put in.
Today, we’re going to review 7 strategies we can create habits from so that we can maintain a sense of fulfillment no matter where we are.
Download the Motivation Worksheet mentioned in this episode HERE, or visit http://bit.ly/motivationworksheet
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I apologize for the throat-clearing in advance. I'm fighting a cold and I hit "mute", but my editing software still picked it up*
The different types of materials and hazards out there have changed the way we fight fire. With all the new and different types of materials we are finding in homes and even commercial buildings and how quickly they burn, it's important to select the appropriate weapon to fight it. Materials burn a lot quicker and a lot hotter, which means our window for effective attack along with our margin for error is getting smaller.
My guest today, Adam Wilson*, talks about his experience in doing research on how nozzle selection, hose management, and hose line technique are crucial elements to consider when fighting fires and we talk about the resources that he's used to learn more about this specific topic.
I would encourage you to look into when and where the next class on fire hose management is and get yourself and your crew enrolled. We do not rise to the level of the obstacle, we fall to the level of our training. Be the one people can count on. Be IGNITEd.
*Adam Wilson is a firefighter/paramedic with the Maricopa Fire Department near central Arizona. Click HERE to learn more about the Maricopa Fire Department, or visit https://www.maricopa-az.gov/web/maricopafiredept-home. You can reach him at adam1126@me.com.
We also discussed:
Fire by Trade (https://www.firebytrade.com/)
Mesa Fire and Medical Department (https://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/fire-medical)
Chandler Fire Department (https://www.chandleraz.gov/residents/fire)
Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department (https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/fire-and-rescue)
Fit to Fight Fire (https://fittofightfire.com/)
Gordon Graham (https://www.lexipol.com/author/gordon-graham/)
VIDEO - UL study on natural vs synthetic room comparison (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7T43OmErmU)
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People look at firefighters with a certain level of expectation when it comes to capability as well as professionalism. There is a standard that the public holds us to. We are public servants and in that expectation, they have every right to hold us to a standard. But are we holding ourselves to that standard?
If you are currently working as a firefighter or are taking steps toward it, then you have some kind of understanding of what it means to be a professional. In today’s episode, we’ll leave no room for error as we discuss exactly what it means to be a professional and I will go over some key points that you can keep in mind in order to foster your professionalism for whatever environment you’re working in.
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When starting out on a new venture, whatever it may be, it can be difficult if you don’t have any ideas on where to start or how the process works. A lot of the times we may feel overwhelmed which causes us to stop in our tracks and never reach the potential that we could, and are meant to. In the fire service, mentorship is crucial for personal development and professional growth. Without those who have gone before us being willing to help those coming up find the path and achieve their potential, they become lost and are left to their own devices, usually leading to stagnant and sometimes destructive behavior. This causes distance between crews and individuals which ultimately leads to an organization that becomes lost in regards to its mission and culture. In today’s episode, I will discuss the importance of mentorship. I will go over why mentorship is so important and how we can become mentors to those following us up the ranks.
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Those of us in the first-responder community are expected to respond to the most harrowing and devastating situations imaginable. We do it because we have the desire to help those in need. Most of the time the last interaction people have with us is negative due to the circumstances of the situation. How can we make a conscious effort to leave our last interactions we have with people on a positive note? Personally, I write hand-written notes to my patients providing them reassurance that I/we are always there for them or I simply offer a kind word that may help in the days after their horrible experience. This week, I sat down this week with Natalie Reilly, founder of the #NothingButLoveNotes movement. She leaves hand-written notes of love and positive encouragement to those of us in the first-responder community as well as those who serve (or have served) our country in the military. We discuss the bravery it takes to be vulnerable, the power of the written word, how she got started and why she keeps going. She is a great example of challenging the status quo and doing things that may be uncomfortable, but that benefit all. We also discuss a book that was selected as this month's group read for the IGNITEd Readers Book Club. If you love reading as much as I do, want some ideas on books to read and engage in some meaningful dialogue, then join the group! Also, if you are a firefighter/paramedic/EMT that wants to challenge the status quo and are looking for a community to be a part of where you will be among like-minded people, join the IGNITEd Firefighters Facebook Group. IGNITEd is a battalion of firefighters who challenge the status quo through a forum dedicated to self-improvement and accountability. This is a place for firefighters, first-responders and anyone wanting to be a part of the IGNITEd community to come together and share our experiences, perspectives, and challenges. By having meaningful discussion, we can help refine and support each other as we serve our communities. Please leave us a rating and review on your chosen platform and connect with us on Instagram and Twitter. For more info, visit the website at www.IGNITEdFF.com.
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The word “samurai” means “one who serves”. It was a title given to the renowned warrior class of pre-modern Japan. The elements that attract a lot of people (me included) to the ideals lived and practiced by the samurai are their fierce fighting style and strict sense of discipline. The kind of discipline that made the samurai a very admired as well as feared culture was their dedication of focus to their minds as well as their bodies. I have utilized a samurai proverb in my personal life for years. It helps me to focus on the balance I must strike between my mind and body. In fact, you hear it in the intro to my podcast every time you listen: “Civilize the mind, but make savage the body”.
Who are we as firefighters if not modern-day samurai? But does that mean that once we've earned the right to wear the maltese cross on a T-shirt that we are inherently entitled to stop progressing or being conscious in our efforts to be better people? The answer is a resounding ‘NO!” We should be striving to earn that privilege every day!
In today’s episode, I will talk about the importance of living by a code, I will go over the 8 virtues of Bushido (the code of the samurai) and how we can implement those things into our lives to become better firefighters and better people.
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I talk a lot about the ‘status quo’ in this podcast and in the things that I write. But what exactly does that mean?
In this episode I talk about what the ‘status quo’ is, why it proposes a problem, why people are afraid to challenge it, and what WE can do to challenge it as agents of positive change.
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In a profession where our physical fitness can literally mean the difference between life and death, it’s critical for us to do what we can to stay in ideal physical shape. We do that by working out, but one of the aspects of living a healthy lifestyle is to maintain a proper diet.
In this episode, I’m going to review the elements of going on a sugar detox. It’s something that you can do to help cut sugar from your diet and help you drop some lbs so that you can gain some momentum toward a healthier lifestyle. Keep in mind, this isn’t necessarily designed to be a sustainable way of life for us as firefighters, because we need carbs and sugars to perform many of the strenuous activities on a fireground. However, this is simply a way to kickstart some good habits.
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When bad stuff happens, you’ve probably heard people say things like, “Look on the bright side!” or “No rain, no rainbows!” and you might feel like punching that person in the face. But, what if I told you that they’re onto something?
Sometimes all you wanna do is break something or punch a hole in the wall, but in a career where your mentality plays a big part on your own personal well-being, we can’t afford NOT to maintain a positive attitude.
Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean to be unrealistic. What it means is to seek out the positive in a crap situation. And while you don’t have to shove that attitude down peoples’ throats, making them want to punch you, you CAN set the tone for yourself, your crew, and your patients; ultimately changing your mentality and environment for the better.
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We've recently had some "probies" come out of their 16-week fire academy and we’ve been able to put eyes on them and see their personalities come out. While in the academy, everything was regimented for them and planned out. Now, they’re having to adapt to their crew, adapt to the interruption of emergency calls coming in, and adapt to the emergency situation itself. It can be overwhelming at times…
They may have been confident in the academy, but now that they are on the trucks, shift work will provide them with an entirely different environment when it comes to getting along with their crew, being adaptable, and knowing when to relax, if ever.
I’ve got some friends who just got the call to start an academy soon. So, I’ve decided to dedicate this episode to those who are about to start an academy, are currently in one, or have just come out of one and may be looking for some guidance or advice on things they can keep in mind in order to help them manage the first impressions they leave and build bonds with their crew.
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Firefighters are typically known for their physical strength, not necessarily their emotional strength. When people stop to think about the job we do, they often realize just how much impact we absorb not only physically but mentally and especially emotionally.
How many times do we hear members of our organizations say things like, “I come to work to relax and get away from the stress of home.” For some, it IS a respite and sort of sanctuary. Which, is sad to me, but it’s the truth for others.
We spend one-third of our lives at the firehouse. Our job is stressful enough. So, when the relationships at work become a source of stress for people, that stress has a huge impact on our mental health.
In this episode, we’re going to talk about the 8 traits of toxic leadership to avoid. I’m taking this approach because if you know where the landmines are, then you can avoid stepping on them. Also, the solutions to overcoming these traits will be unique to your organization. So, I can identify the common problems, but it will be up to you & me to identify the unique solutions.
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People hear the word “conflict” and often think of it as a negative word. I would challenge that way of thinking. In fact, I would even go so far as to say that conflict on a crew or any team is a GOOD thing and very necessary. The fear of conflict is a dysfunction when it comes to building a productive and effective team. If something matters and you have a difference of opinion or perspective, it’s crucial to bring it up to the team so that the issue can be addressed. In this episode I’m going to talk about the need for conflict on a team and why it’s so crucial in order to achieve our fullest potential.
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As we’ve become more and more disenfranchised as individuals within our organizations, we tend to retreat into our little caves which does nothing for us as fire crews. Some people think that by sitting and watching TV together is adequate, but it doesn’t build true bonds of brotherhood. Some people retreat into their rooms to avoid any contact due to discomfort. With all the distractions in our lives, it’s more important now more than ever to be purposeful and focused on our relationships with our crew members. In this episode, I will introduce a brand new program that I will be hosting called CREW BUILDER. During this 6-week program, we will focus on the active things that we can do on our end to build a stronger crew and exercise our leadership in creating the environment of true brotherhood that we desire.
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Have you ever wondered what the process is to becoming a firefighter? When I was starting out, I had no clue what I was doing or what the steps were that I needed to take. I had to do a lot of footwork to gather information and understanding as to what it took to earn a career living my dream. In today's episode I take what I learned and share it with you. This episode is dedicated to those who may be seeking a career with the fire service, but don't know where to start. Grab a pen and paper and take notes!
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You may have heard the term “Servant Leadership” before. People talk about the different styles of leadership there are and servant leadership has been brought up many times lately in circles of conferences and presentations.
But what does it look like and how can we become servant leaders?
Today we explore what it means to be a servant-leader and how we can enact the principles of servant-leadership in our own lives.
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In order to be able to take care of others, you must first take care of yourself. This can be difficult for us as firefighters as it is in our nature to help others in need and oftentimes risk our own well-being for the sake of others. However, if you’ve ever flown in a plane and listened to the pre-flight safety instructions, you’ll remember that if the cabin pressure drops and the oxygen masks drop down, you are instructed to put the oxygen mask on yourself FIRST. This is for good reason. If you are incapacitated, then you become a part of the problem and are of no use to anyone.
In this episode we talk about the importance of taking care of yourself first so that you can take care of those you serve.
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The entire plight of the IGNITEd movement is to challenge the status quo through self-improvement and accountability. But how exactly does one take active steps toward accountability?
When I say the “A-word”, people do one of two things; get quiet and change the subject OR they ask me what I mean by accountability. Either way, it’s a HUGE red flag that lets me know that there is a severe lacking of accountability among the ranks. Only through an established system of accountability will an organization thrive and fulfill its purpose and vision.
In this episode we discuss 5 things that you can do to actively promote accountability within your organization and sphere of influence.
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I hear it argued all the time in the fire service; which is better to have, education or experience? Aren't they BOTH a form of education? Aren't they BOTH a form of experience?
In this episode we discuss how both are important and work in tandem and that there isn't one that is "better" than the other. A well-rounded professional should have elements of BOTH!
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When we think of the word TRIBE, we tend to think of indigenous people in a far off jungle. But what does that word mean for us in modern society and is that a term or way of thinking that we need anymore?
I would argue YES!
In a world that continually sells independence and isolation, we are becoming less and less able to communicate with each other and more incapable of forming lasting and meaningful relationships.
In this episode we talk about what a TRIBE is, why it is important for us today, and how we can incorporate a TRIBE mentality into our firehouses and organizations.
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Everyone wants to feel like they've been heard. Sometimes, that's all it takes to make the situation better. As firefighters and EMS professionals, we sometimes get so focused on solving the problem that we forget to listen. That tunnel vision bleeds into our personal lives and relationships.
In this episode, we talk about how to recognize when we're doing that as well as some of the steps we can take to put a stop to it and and deepen our connections with the people we love and the people we serve by listening more.
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Every human being needs to feel like the person they are working for cares about them. This is the only way to foster and maintain a healthy organization. But what do you do when you are met with biased leaders who focus on things other than their employees, i.e. YOU? Today we identify some of the biases we may be facing within our organizations as well as some methods we can use to challenge them and change the status quo.
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Consistency is CRUCIAL when working toward a goal you have set for yourself. Today I give you some tools that you can use to implement some consistency in your fitness goals. Take what we talk about today and apply it!
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Stress isn't unique to anyone on this planet. However, certain stressors are unique to those of us who are firefighters. Today we talk about those stressors and what we can do to manage them. I also share the tale of two wolves to help keep our stress management in perspective.
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Vision without action is merely a dream. In this week's episode, learn what it means to have vision and the elements that will make that vision a reality!
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Fentanyl has been a hot topic lately as abuse of it is on the rise. But, how do we combat it? Are we abusing the systems in place to do so? Today we talk about Fentanyl and Narcan abuse.
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Issues in addressing mental health are our biggest challenge in the fire service today. As suicide rates continue to climb, we can't afford to ignore it any longer. In today's episode we talk about mental health and what we can to do improve it.
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Where do integrity and intent meet? I believe they go hand in hand. One must be intentional in order to have integrity. In this episode we discuss how by having intent in our actions, we can add value to the lives of those around us.
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This episode we dive into what I call the 4 Pillars of Welllness. These are the four areas that I personally use as focal points to make sure that I'm operating at my peak. By focusing on these areas, you can intentionally improve your life as well.
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Today we talk about how living in the moment can help you stay focused on the things that matter in the here and now. We also talk about how living in the past can bring you down and how fears of the future can paralyze you. When everything out there is trying to kill us, it's important we stay focused on the things that are happening in the moment.
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In this episode, we delve into the virtues that make an ideal team player. This helps us to identify our own weaknesses so we can strengthen our character and become the ideal team player that we'd want on our team.
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Download the Ideal Team Player Self Assessment HERE!
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In Episode 006 I discuss author Don Miguel Ruiz's book, "The Four Agreements". The focus on this is to help us be more conscious with our efforts when it comes to our personal mental health as well as the health of our interpersonal relationships.
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We all lead busy lives. But how productive are we being? And what's the difference between the two? In this episode, we focus on the difference between being “busy” & being productive and I share some ways to help us focus on being productive with our time.
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The fire service is looked at as a career where physically fit men and women are the standard, or they SHOULD be anyway. In this episode we discuss how to build physical strength and why it’s so important within our community.
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As first-responders we see a lot of bad things. These things can have some devastating effects on our emotional well-being. In this episode we discuss emotional resiliency, how crucial it is for our profession, and how we can build ourselves up to become more emotionally resilient.
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We spend a lot of focus on our physical health within the fire service. But how much time to we spend focusing on our organizational health?
In this episode we talk about organizational health and how workplace toxicity dampens it. We also discuss some things we can do to battle workplace toxicity in efforts to create and ideal workplace.
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IGNITEd is a battalion of first-responders who challenge the status quo through a forum of self-improvement and accountability.
This podcast is dedicated to anyone within the fire service community who are looking to level up and leave a legacy of strength and brotherhood.
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