Blog
Podcast Playlist from FDIC 2024
Figuring out how to make performance on the training ground equate to performance on the fireground can be tough! Here are a few more free resources to add value to your FDIC experience and grow upon the tools that Dave Gillespie has just given you. Here is another Free Resource! Want even more training resources […]
Are You a Miner or a Farmer?
Are You a Miner or a Farmer? by Kevin Housley This week I was reminded of an old story about a miner and a farmer and it goes something like this: A miner takes from the resources. They extract every little bit of useable ore, put it towards personal gain and leave the landscape decimated […]
Allostatic Load. How Heavy Can You Carry?
Allostatic Load. How Heavy Can You Carry? by Kevin Housley I recently came across a new way to look at an old problem and it has opened my eyes to yet another psychological process that can help us achieve ultimate human performance. The concept is called “Allostatic Load” and it is heavily researched including for […]
Mile High 2021 Reading List
Recently we had the amazing opportunity to teach at the 2021 Mile High Firefighters conference and had the students in attendance create a book list that included some solid titles! The cool thing about learning and training with engaged firefighters from across the country is the diverse ideas and knowledge that everyone possesses. Here is […]
Build Mental Toughness By Chilling Out!
As Firefighters It’s Important We Train How to Down Regulate to Increase Our Mental Toughness There I was laying in a mental health professionals office on a “sound table”. I had a pair of super nice headphones on and the world’s heaviest body pillow smashing down on my chest. The practitioner that was helping me […]
How to Train Your Nervous System to Build Your Mental Toughness As a Firefighter
How to Train Your Nervous System to Build Your Mental Toughness As a Firefighter Have you ever noticed that some days you are more resilient and adaptable to stress than others? That actions on the fireground just click and other days it’s a slog to link any basics together or to process any information at […]
Developing Your Window of Tolerance
Firefighter Window of Tolerance Underneath the endless hours of training, prepping, planning there is a game being played that many firefighters have no idea is happening. This game is high stakes and can spell disaster for a career or allow you to leave happy, healthy, and mentally intact. This game doesn’t care about your ego, […]
Morning Routine TIME
Morning Routine T.I.M.E. Supercharge Your Day Whether at the Firehouse or at Home We’ve all heard the saying “Take Time to Make Time” and it rings true especially as you are attempting to find a morning routine that actually works. Morning routines are tricky because when we’re on shift we oftentimes don’t get to dictate […]
Cadence Breathing to Reduce Your Stress
Reduce Your Stress Using Cadence Breathing Learning how to down regulate your stress response is paramount to long term success as a firefighter both on the fireground when the stakes are the highest and often, even more importantly, when you are off the job. Coming home after a busy shift can sometimes help the amount […]
Firefighter Mental Toughness Reading List
Firefighter Mental Toughness Reading List There’s a quote by President Harry Truman that says “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers” and we couldn’t agree more. One of the coolest things about books is that you can learn from the writers’ experiences, research, trials and tribulations in a relatively short time span. […]