My Story:
Anyone who knows me could see that I've always wanted to make a difference with my career. That said, I NEVER thought about becoming a first responder as a child, and two unlikely contributing factors led me in this direction: Over several years I watched 3 of my siblings become first responders. Hearing the stories they faced in everyday life, being able to make a difference in emergencies, staying calm under pressure - it all intrigued me. The second unusual factor: A lifelong battle with body dysmorphia moved me to consider ways I could see my body differently: Could I be STRONG, beautiful AND use my body for GOOD?
There was only one way to know: So I went after it. I left Denver and spent 18 months testing, training, interviewing, and researching. The more I experienced and learned, the more this path made sense. But the mission was two-fold. As I watched my friends, colleagues, and family members deal with the pressures, stressors, and burdens of the career, I knew that for me this was about more than showing up for a job. In becoming a first responder, I could also SERVE first responders with my knowledge and experience as a performance coach and stress expert.
As I watched my friends, colleagues, and family members deal with the pressures, stressors, and burdens of the career, I knew that for me this was about more than showing up for a job. In becoming a first responder, I could also SERVE first responders with my knowledge and experience as a performance coach and stress expert.
I spent 6 months obtaining an EMT certification, and another 6 months in the field on an ambulance as an EMT. I discovered that yes, in fact, I had what it took to be a great first responder. And as I became my own test subject I realized I COULD take all the tools, techniques, and training I've taken in my life as a coach, and apply it to my lifestyle as a first responder. In short, everything I'd learned about as a stress coach actually made a difference with the chronic stress and demanding job.
The end result? I developed a lifestyle program FOR First Responders BY First Responders. And it's AWESOME.
While this path has required a TON of patience and perseverance, I can say one thing: I truly feel that I was BORN FOR THIS.
And folks, I'm just getting started...
Real talk: Linework, shift work…is BAD for you.
That's probably not what you have heard from first responders. And you won't. They won't complain to the “real world” because it's a badge of honor to enter the career fields. They’ll tell you “it’s the job”. And it's true, it is. BUT, make no mistake, it's NOT easy and it's NOT healthy.
So why do they do it? Altruism? Fulfillment? Meaning?
It's a basic fact: Our communities - they NEED first responders. They need specialists who can keep someone alive until they can get to a doctor. They need someone who can pull them out of a complicated wreck and get them to safety. They need someone to help get them out when a domestic dispute goes bad.
First responders have BIG hearts and a LOT of guts. But why I CARE about first responders… they are literally backed into a wall against science.
Here are what I mean: Late nights. Sympathetic nervous system cycles. Heightened response mode 24/7. Disrupted sleep cycles. Inconsistent meal schedules. Trauma…
Humans weren’t made for this. They weren’t made to be ready all the time for what could possibly be the worst crisis they’ve ever seen. But we live in a broken world, and first responders are the ones who will always be there for us in emergencies.
It's time for someone to be there for them.
And that someone is me.
What if first responders were given the TOOLS that would PREPARE them for a LIFESTYLE that works AGAINST the physiological stressors of the job? Maybe first responders wouldn’t pay so high a price for their commitment to the community. Maybe they would have fewer divorce rates. Maybe there would be fewer suicides. Maybe they could have fulfillment in their career AND personal lives?
That’s MY MISSION and I ask that you join me and hundreds and thousands of others in my quest.