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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 Apr 11, 2021
Sunday Apr 11, 2021
In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicator week we are rebooting episode 20 were we have a great chat with Kimberly Brophy a wonderful person and fantastic dispatcher. Check out the episode, then go find a dispatcher and thank them profusely for the amazing work they do in support of operations.
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
First ever "ask me (us) anything"
Aaron and I sat down yesterday and rapped about the below questions, hopefully shedding some light on the subjects. We had a blast and will do this again. If you have any questions or comments holler at me and I will be sure to reply.
SeanGrinnell@enter_the_cricket asked:
1) I work for a smaller department and I am considering testing for a major department in my area. What are the pros and cons of going from a smaller to a larger agency?
2)What differences do you notice in the older generation of firefighters to the newer generation and how can the young firefighters use their skills and resources (social media, tech, etc.) to improve the fire service?
Joe@traderjoe asked:
3) Getting in as a small guy? Beyond bulking and fitness, what about the mentality of it?
Zeke Gray asked:
4) What does it mean to be fireground fit?
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If you would like to contact today’s guest...
IG, FB & Youtube: @live.serve.thrive
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Sunday Mar 28, 2021
Sunday Mar 28, 2021
Taking control and ownership of your life is a critical step in one’s journey. It starts by being honest with yourself, taking stock of your purpose, developing a plan then executing. It’s uncomfortable and challenging, but if you want to live your best life you have to dig in and do the work.
Ryan Michler, a successful business leader and founder of Order of Man, has set a tremendous example of how to do this and he illustrates it nicely in his book, Sovereignty, the battle for the hearts and minds of men.
In his book, Michler leads with defining and expressing the need for men to live sovereign lives. He follows with a reflective analysis of what it takes to get there, providing a code of conduct and a battle plan. While Michler’s target audience is men, I would suggest that anyone who is looking to get their life in order would do well to listen to episode 58 and read Sovereignty.
Enjoy the episode!
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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: @ryanmichler
LinkedIn: Ryan Michler
Purchase Ryan’s Book Sovereignty
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Sunday Mar 14, 2021
Sunday Mar 14, 2021
When you grow up around the fire service it shapes and molds your journey in so many interesting ways. Quaid Mckinnon is a fire service legacy baby and he is 100% a product of this inescapable fire service forming. His Grand Father and Father were both firefighters and now he and his little brother are both on the job; standing on their shoulders and furthering the family tradition.
In episode 57 Quaid and I discuss growing up around the fire service, baseball, and what it means to be a professional who is “into the job”. Give it a listen and enjoy!
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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, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!
If you would like to contact today’s guest...
IG: quaid_mckinnon_
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Sunday Mar 07, 2021
Sunday Mar 07, 2021
Everyday I find myself learning new and interesting things about the world around us. For example, I just discovered that, globally, there are 4.3 babies born every second. As I pick up the pieces of my blown mind, I stumble over this hard-to-believe number of children. While this enormous number of people coming into existence is shocking; I find myself considering the challenges that each of them will face in their individual lives.
Coincidentally, I’ve been reading, discussing, and learning more about what makes us each tick as individuals between the ears. In truth, discovering more about myself along the way. Seems that we are complex creatures, full of history, trauma and idiosyncrasies. We are wired to survive and also to adapt, grow and change. This is no easy task; it takes sincere work and the ability to be vulnerable and honest with ourselves. In episode 56 David Rahman and I discuss these very questions and concerns as we delve into 80’s rock, Football and his book “Let it Go, how to stop your past ruining your future.” This book is designed to help you work through this self-evaluation and work toward a healthier, stronger, more capable you. Enjoy the episode and Check out David’s Book.
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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: @david_rahman
LinkedIn: David Rahman
WWW.david-rahman.com
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Sunday Feb 21, 2021
Sunday Feb 21, 2021
When I was young on the job there were many days that I would come home from my shift completely exhausted. Despite my battered and bedraggled state, I would attend to my young family. One such occasion I was “watching” the kids when Momma went out for a run. I had fallen asleep and the Disney movie that was holding their attention came to an end. My 3 year old, tightly gripping a sippy cup in one hand, peeled back my eyelid with the other and demanded a refill of his “juice”. Despite appearances, I am a good Dad, after all, no one was seriously hurt while under my supervision. But ask any kids whose parent is a firefighter how much fun it is when they come home smoked?
Being grumpy and exhausted are merely superficial issues that can be repaired in the short term. The deeper physiological and psychological concerns are the real trouble. Bodies and brains develop chronic issues after years of little to no sleep or being jolted from bed by a million-decibel alarm (I am exaggerating but that’s how it feels). So, what’s a firefighter to do?
Fortunately, there are young entrepreneurs who are considering the issues that plague our firefighters and are tinkering with ways to mitigate some of these concerns. In episode 55 we chat with Blake Richardson and Elezar Tonev about their company, EaseAlert, their collaboration with 2nd Alarm Project and their motives for working on firefighter health and wellness. Tune in to hear the whole story and enjoy!
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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, FB & LinkedIn: @EaseAlert
Email: savinglives@easealert.com
Telephone: (352)792-0509
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Sunday Feb 14, 2021
Sunday Feb 14, 2021
When I was a kid my dad told me that I “could be or do anything I wanted in life”. “Matter of fact”, he continued, “You can do many different things if you want, redefine yourself and head down a different path, build a second career or start a hobby”. This had been on my mind all these years when I met Mark Robens. Mark is the living embodiment of what my Dad had described, having established a successful law practice, becoming a Fire fighter, a professional Pilot and coming back around to now serve as an Executive Fire Officer.
On episode 54 Mark shares some of what he has learned along the way about fire service leadership, aviation, and the law! And he answers the age-old question… Why you can’t eat fish 10 shifts in a row!
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: @pilotatty
LinkedIn: Mark Robens esq.
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Interviewing is one of the most stressful events that we face in our lives. Seriously, who enjoys sitting across from a person, or group of people, who’s decisions will impact the next phase of your life? This is not something that you trifle with! You must practice, prepare and show up with some juice! So, “what am I to do”, you wonder?
Let me introduce you to Brendon Trayner, an accomplished Fire Captain, who has made a reputation helping firefighter candidates navigate the hiring process. Specifically helping folks deal with the crucial and daunting interview portion. In episode 53 we discuss the fire service, growing up with a Dad on the job and Trayner’s new book, Fire interview, the storyteller method. If you are in the hiring or promotional process you need to get your interviewing skills dialed in! I recommend that you read Traynor’s book and listen to this episode of the FGF podcast. I promise you will gain invaluable insight. Enjoy the episode and then 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!
If you would like to contact today’s guest...
IG: @Fire_interview
FB: Fire Interview
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Sunday Jan 24, 2021
Sunday Jan 24, 2021
Billy Burnett and I met a long while ago, becoming fast friends as we discussed our love of ultra-running, mt. biking and, well, all things back country! Yet, not until he and I sat down to record episode 52 of the FGF podcast did I find out that he grew up in Saudi Arabia. Then, as a stranger in a strange land, arrived in Wickenburg Arizona - Two worlds that could not be farther apart.
We discussed his wildland adventures and his eventual landing in the urban fire service. As well as his, challenges with motivation and weight gain, ultrarunning, of course, and his ultra-distance journey to becoming a company officer.
*Special Note* this episode was recorded a couple of months ago and Billy is now a full-fledged, badge wearing, card carrying, Fire Captain – Congrats Brother, well deserved.
Folks, enjoy this great episode!
_____________________________________
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: @billyburnett
FB: Billy Burnett
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com
Saturday Jan 09, 2021
Saturday Jan 09, 2021
A U.S. Marine, former Police Officer, Firefighter, Comedian and Speaker, Travis Howze has accumulated a lifetime’s worth of interesting experiences which he shares in his book, Create Your Own Light.
When Howze laid 9 of his brothers to rest after the devastating Sofa Super Store fire his career in the fire service came crashing down around him. PTSD crept in, eroding relationships, his sense of self and ultimately his will to stay in the fire service.
He travelled the long road to healing, becoming a comic, starting a family and writing his story in hopes that you may learn a little, laugh a lot and find a way to “Create Your Own Light”.
In episode 51 we discuss all the above and much more, enjoy!
For more information on the Sofa Super Store fire please go check out the Niosh report linked below. We owe it to our fallen brothers to know and understand their story.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200718.html
__________________________________________________
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...
WWW.travishowze.com
IG: @TravisHowze
FB: Travis Howze
Your host can be reached at:
IG: @firegroundfitness
FB: @fireground fitness
Twitter: @firegroundfit
Email: raynegray@firegroundfitness.com