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On the Fireground Fitness podcast we host firefighters and allied professionals and discuss the life lessons learned on and off the fireground. How we become more effective and successful in high stress and difficult situations, life in a nut shell? Sitting down at ”the kitchen table” and talking it out!
Episodes
Sunday Feb 19, 2023
Sunday Feb 19, 2023
One of the coolest parts of hosting the FGF podcast is talking to firefighters from my hometown and across the country. Hearing what is important to them in their communities, and in their firehouses, really broadens my own thinking. This is the whole point of this FGF project - to grow our collective understanding.
Episode 87, with Fire Chief Josh Stefancic, is another great episode were we talk to a firefighter from “another town”. And while “the circus may be different, the clowns are the same” and this is what really bonds us together, we are in this business for the same purposes and mission. Stefancic and I talked about so many great things and then we pushed record and captured a great podcast as well! We discussed management, mentoring, education, and the critical importance of relationships.
A little more about our Guest…
Josh Stefancic, a native of the Chicagoland area, has been a full-time fire service professional since 2001, most recently serving as the Fire Chief for the Safety Harbor (FL) Fire Department since 2018. Josh is a graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program, sits on the NFPA 1700 committee, and is currently the vice chair of the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA).
Josh received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology in 2001, and his Master's Degree from OSU in Fire and Emergency Management Administration in 2008. He also has a Master’s in Public Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University, and serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Pinellas County Fire Chiefs' Association.
Thursday Sep 29, 2022
Thursday Sep 29, 2022
Nate Harpster and I sat down to talk about milking alpacas, ice baths, breath work, discipline, injuries, sleep deprivation and so much more! Tune in and enjoy.
Mentioned in this episode:
Nate Harpster, learn more about today’s guest on episode 12!
Ben Dubin, Breath work: episode 49
discount code: natervision15
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You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wherever great podcasts are located. So, search it out and subscribe. Your feedback is powerful, and greatly appreciated. Go to apple podcasts, subscribe, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!
If you would like to contact today’s guest...
IG: Natervision
FB: Nathan Harpster
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Sunday Sep 18, 2022
Sunday Sep 18, 2022
My learning has always come with scars. It has never been easy or intuitive, rather it has always been by trial and error. I have come to understand that life teaches us many things and often it takes perspective, distance and time away from something before we truly grasp the lesson.
While talking with Eric McCormack, our guest on Episode 85, I realized that I am not alone in this understanding. He shared wisdom he has gathered during his journey, reminding us that life is hard and it is in these trials that we find learning, growth and joy. Often it takes people coming into our lives that illuminate a path, engendering a whole new view and sending us in a new direction.
This is how Eric landed in Phoenix and fully leaned into his mission to support the health and wellness of Public Safety “athletes”. In this episode we discuss all of this and so much more, enjoy!
A little more about our guest…
My name is Eric McCormack, but some of you may know me as Outlaw Strength. From an early age physical fitness has been an important factor in my life. Now, with over 25 years experience in personal training and 13 years of law enforcement, I’m happy to be working with the Mountain Ops team @mtnops on their mission to improve the lives of individuals and families by giving them the tools to achieve their ultimate level of health and performance.
I have developed a system over the last 25 years that gives people a clear path on how to truly improve their overall health—which is to live a long productive life. There is so much fog and darkness in our world and I want to bring some light that gives people the tools to start taking control of their temple and change the trajectory of the obesity epidemic our society is currently facing. I know if we work together we can bring balance into their lives with spiritual, mental and physical connection.
As a direct to consumer business, I will be aiding in content creation and empowering our customers, but never neglecting the opportunity to connect, face to face, with customers and as things being to ’normalize’, we hope to host classes, boot camps and build a brand experience that we’re proud to share with elite partners, athletes and whoever else the Lord puts in our path.
I have been blessed to have worked with Cameron Hanes @cameronrhanes for over the last decade and have built a name for myself in the fitness industry, however my mission is to reach millions—or possibly billions— and share my love and passion for health and fitness. The mission for Mtn Ops, aligns with my core values in what I truly believe is a winning strategy for us to find success in improving the quality of life of every person we come in contact with.
Let’s get to work and Conquer More together.
Eric McCormack “Outlaw strength”
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Links mentioned in this episode:
https://www.dexafit.com/locations/arizona/tempe
_____________________________________________________________
You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wherever great podcasts are located. So, search it out and subscribe. Your feedback is powerful, and greatly appreciated. Go to apple podcasts, subscribe, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!
If you would like to contact today’s guest...
IG: outlaw_strength
FB: Eric McCormack
On the web: https://outlawstrength.net/
Email: eric@outlawstrength.net
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Thursday Aug 25, 2022
Thursday Aug 25, 2022
Firefighters have an amazing capacity to solve problems and make things better. Adrian and Joff, our guest on episode 84, are doing just that with their fitness program Fire Athlete. Their mission to craft an easily accessible and targeted training program for firefighters and allied pros is on point. In today’s episode we discuss their personal journey in the fire service as well as what inspired the creation of Fire Athlete and how it helps firefighter fulfil the mission. Tune in and enjoy!
A little about our guests:
Adrian is Fire Athlete's Head Coach. He has been Captain with his Fire Department for 15 years. Prior to that, he worked for Gila River EMS for 4 years achieving the rank of Battalion Chief, and B.I.A. for 2 years on a Wildland Firefighter Crew as a Squad Boss. With over 20 years in a wide range of areas within the Fire and EMS service, Adrian has a well rounded and real understanding of the physical demands of all aspects of the Fire Service and EMS.
Jonathan "Joff" Fierro has been with the Phoenix Fire Department for 3 1/2 years and has been working under Adrian for 2 years as a mentee in firefighter physical fitness. Through the new age use of social media, Joff has made it his goal to help share the knowledge and experience he has gained in what it takes to become a firefighter starting from ground zero.
__________________________
You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wherever great podcasts are located. So, search it out and subscribe. Your feedback is powerful, and greatly appreciated. Go to apple podcasts, subscribe, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!
If you would like to contact today’s guest...
IG: fire.athlete
FB: fire.athlete
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Thursday Aug 11, 2022
Thursday Aug 11, 2022
Have you ever considered where you got your work ethic? My baby-faced Brother, Fire Chief Aaron Culwell, a true Sooner, born and raised in Norman Oklahoma, has thought through this question. In episode 83 Culwell shared his findings with us. He also shares how his faith shaped the direction of his life, leading him to the fire service, the Air Force, and a life committed to public safety. Give it a listen and enjoy!
Our guest introduces himself:
I am an experienced Fire Chief with the Will Rogers Airport Fire Department in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Previously, held the position of Deputy Fire Chief at a municipality outside of the Tulsa Metro Area. Additionally, I am currently serving as an Assistant Fire Chief with the United States Air Force Reserves at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. Personally, I am working on my own professional growth through Oklahoma State University Master’s in Fire and Emergency Management Administration Program and I am participating in the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy. I had the opportunity recently sit on the 8 th Essentials Validation Committee with IFSTA, was awarded Fire Instructor of the Year by the Fire Instructors of Oklahoma Organization, I received the Executive Fire Officer designation from the Oklahoma State Fire Marshals Commission and gained my Chief Fire Officer and Chief Training Officer designations from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. At home I am a loving father of a wonderful seven-year-old daughter who has just as much of an adventurer’s heart as I do. We hike, climb, hunt, and fish as often as possible. I am blessed to have two patriotic brothers, one serving in Colorado, and another serving in Virginia who recently had a set of twins.
__________________________
You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wherever great podcasts are located. So, search it out and subscribe. Your feedback is powerful, and greatly appreciated. Go to apple podcasts, subscribe, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!
If you would like to contact today’s guest...
IG: aculwe123
FB: Aaron Culwell
LinkIn: Aaron Culwell, CFO,CTO
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
So often we discuss how we make time sensitive decisions in fast evolving emergency events. This applies clearly on the fireground where rapid and smart decisions can be the difference in rescue and fire suppression. Frankly, we are making critical decision in our lives all the times - the skill transcends the fireground.
Good fireground decision makers easily arrive at concrete plans and execute clearly and definitively! Years of experience and training lead to this capability.
Strategic decision making is a skill and while experience is important it is also paramount that we are actively working to develop the practical skillset.
In this mini series, Chris Stewart (FGF episode 5) and your host, Rayne Gray, spend 4 episodes unpacking the strategic decision making process. It may be surprising that a process that takes 10-20 seconds on the fireground can take 2 hours to dissect on the podcast. Maybe we are just long winded, but we thought it was important to discuss why strategic decision making is important, the component parts and how to execute when shit gets real.
part 1: What is strategic decision making
part 2: Size Up
part 3: Risk Management and strategy
part 4: Incident action plan and deployment
I hope you find this helpful and learn a thing or three!
GetSome!
_____________________________
You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wherever great podcasts are located. So, search it out and subscribe. Your feedback is powerful, and greatly appreciated. Go to apple podcasts, subscribe, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Sunday Jul 31, 2022
Sunday Jul 31, 2022
So often we discuss how we make time sensitive decisions in fast evolving emergency events. This applies clearly on the fireground where rapid and smart decisions can be the difference in rescue and fire suppression. Frankly, we are making critical decision in our lives all the times - the skill transcends the fireground.
Good fireground decision makers easily arrive at concrete plans and execute clearly and definitively! Years of experience and training lead to this capability.
Strategic decision making is a skill and while experience is important it is also paramount that we are actively working to develop the practical skillset.
In this mini series, Chris Stewart (FGF episode 5) and your host, Rayne Gray, spend 4 episodes unpacking the strategic decision making process. It may be surprising that a process that takes 10-20 seconds on the fireground can take 2 hours to dissect on the podcast. Maybe we are just long winded, but we thought it was important to discuss why strategic decision making is important, the component parts and how to execute when shit gets real.
part 1: What is strategic decision making
part 2: Size Up
part 3: Risk Management and strategy
part 4: Incident action plan and deployment
I hope you find this helpful and learn a thing or three!
GetSome!
_____________________________
You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wherever great podcasts are located. So, search it out and subscribe. Your feedback is powerful, and greatly appreciated. Go to apple podcasts, subscribe, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Thursday Jul 28, 2022
Thursday Jul 28, 2022
So often we discuss how we make time sensitive decisions in fast evolving emergency events. This applies clearly on the fireground where rapid and smart decisions can be the difference in rescue and fire suppression. Frankly, we are making critical decision in our lives all the times - the skill transcends the fireground.
Good fireground decision makers easily arrive at concrete plans and execute clearly and definitively! Years of experience and training lead to this capability.
Strategic decision making is a skill and while experience is important it is also paramount that we are actively working to develop the practical skillset.
In this mini series, Chris Stewart (FGF episode 5) and your host, Rayne Gray, spend 4 episodes unpacking the strategic decision making process. It may be surprising that a process that takes 10-20 seconds on the fireground can take 2 hours to dissect on the podcast. Maybe we are just long winded, but we thought it was important to discuss why strategic decision making is important, the component parts and how to execute when shit gets real.
part 1: What is strategic decision making
part 2: Size Up
part 3: Risk Management and strategy
part 4: Incident action plan and deployment
I hope you find this helpful and learn a thing or three!
GetSome!
_____________________________
You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wherever great podcasts are located. So, search it out and subscribe. Your feedback is powerful, and greatly appreciated. Go to apple podcasts, subscribe, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Monday Jul 25, 2022
Monday Jul 25, 2022
So often we discuss how we make time sensitive decisions in fast evolving emergency events. This applies clearly on the fireground where rapid and smart decisions can be the difference in rescue and fire suppression. Frankly, we are making critical decision in our lives all the times - the skill transcends the fireground.
Good fireground decision makers easily arrive at concrete plans and execute clearly and definitively! Years of experience and training lead to this capability.
Strategic decision making is a skill and while experience is important it is also paramount that we are actively working to develop the practical skillset.
In this mini series, Chris Stewart (FGF episode 5) and your host, Rayne Gray, spend 4 episodes unpacking the strategic decision making process. It may be surprising that a process that takes 10-20 seconds on the fireground can take 2 hours to dissect on the podcast. Maybe we are just long winded, but we thought it was important to discuss why strategic decision making is important, the component parts and how to execute when shit gets real.
part 1: What is strategic decision making
part 2: Size Up
part 3: Risk Management and strategy
part 4: Incident action plan and deployment
I hope you find this helpful and learn a thing or three!
GetSome!
_____________________________________________________
You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wherever great podcasts are located. So, search it out and subscribe. Your feedback is powerful, and greatly appreciated. Go to apple podcasts, subscribe, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Fire station 25 is situated in one of the more interesting burrows on the west side of Phoenix. This multi-company house is incredibly busy and the firefighters stationed there choose 25 for that very reason. A little over 19 years ago I rolled into 25 on assignment to complete my last probationary rotation and there I met today’s guest, Ben Belleuvre. Ben is a Firefighter in France and he came to Phoenix to learn the PFD way and study how we fight fire. He spent three months running calls on every rig at 25, every day, every hour. So, one day I took him home to give him a reprieve, we have been long time friends since.
In episode 82 Ben and I talk about his experience at fire station 25, the differences and similarity between firefighters around the world and the important lessons learned about firefighter maydays. Further, Ben shared his own personal experience with trying to rescue a lost firefighter and the changes that his department made in the wake of losing a brother in a commercial firefight. We talk about all of this and so much more, I hope you enjoy!
__________________________
You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wherever great podcasts are located. So, search it out and subscribe. Your feedback is powerful, and greatly appreciated. Go to apple podcasts, subscribe, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!
If you would like to contact today’s guest...
IG: bentmfdessins
FB: Ben TMF
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com