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 […]
Mental Toughness and Approach
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? 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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
Inside all of us lives a constant battle. It is probably best surmised by an Cherokee Parable: An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, […]
As a firefighter what’s your SCBA Breathing technique when you’re wearing your mask? Do you have a breath practice that you default too? Box Breathing? Skip Breathing? Humm Breathing? Have you ever thought about implementing a specific Tactical Breath practice? Does breathing intentionally even do anything for us as firefighters when we’re working on the […]
If you ask yourself the question “What do I want to get better at this week, month, or year?” what subject or subjects does your mind go to? Basic Firefighting Skills? Nutrition? Physical Fitness? These are certainly the top topics that it’s easiest for us to put into the crosshairs of personal development and growth. […]