Annette Zapp

Fire Rescue Wellness

Health EN ↓ 232 episodes

Welcome to the Fire Rescue Wellness Podcast! My name is Annette Zapp (or AZ), and I'm a Retired Career Firefighter and Ph. D. Student on a mission to ensure that every firefighter feels physically, mentally, and emotionally supported in their work. Join my guests and me as we have the critical conversations that help firefighters stay healthy and well.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.firerescuewellness.org

Author

Annette Zapp

Category

Health

Podcast website

www.firerescuewellness.org

Latest episode

Oct 13, 2026

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Episodes

Episode 132: Firefighter Biomechanics Research with Jenna Yentes, Ph.D. 19.11.2024

Jenna Yentes is an incredibly kind and fun nerd with whom to share grocery store beers! In this week's episode, hear about our outing to the grocery store bar in College Station, Texas. We also talk about science, of course! Dr. Jenna Yentes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management at Texas A&M University. She is a human movement scientist with a f...

Episode 131: Sleep Science Zzzz with Joel Billings, Ph.D. 12.11.2024

Announcement: If you want to get on the reminder list for the Women's Tactical Summit registration, click here. Joel and I talked about one of my favorite topics (sleep) and he has some tremendous insight into FD shift schedules, alerting systems and organizational impacts on sleep. Joel M. Billings, PhD is an assistant professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He is the Program Chai...

Episode 130: First Responder Counseling with Cindy McKnight, NCC, LCPC 04.11.2024

Cindy McKnight is an incredible human and great supporter of the fire service! Make sure to listen all the way to the end for an wonderful piece of advice regarding compassion fatigue. (After the music outro...) Cindy McKnight is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), currently licensed in 4 states. She received her Master of Science in Human Se...

Episode 129: Firefighter Research with Dr. Bob Lockie 29.10.2024

Sign up to hear Drs. Lockie and Dawes speak at the ISSN Virtual Tactical Summit Dr. Bob Lockie does great tactical research, is a great friend, and his sock game is unparalleled.    Dr. Robert Lockie is an Associate Professor of Strength and Conditioning at California State University Fullerton and has been a sports and tactical researcher for over 20 years. He has conducted numerous research proj...

Episode 128: Mobility Training with Annette Zapp, CSCS*D 22.10.2024

Before you listen, download the PDF! Last week, Andy Scott spoke about mobility training, and one of my listeners requested more information. Thanks for another great question, Paul. You can hear more of Paul's questions on this previous episode. So what, now what?!? We can't prevent injuries, but we might be able to decrease their likelihood if the joints that should move, move well and...

Episode 127: AFFI Resiliency Committee with Joe, Andy and Dani 15.10.2024

Fill out this form to get a reminder when registration for the Women's Tactical Summit opens on 12.1.24! The Associated Firefighters of Illinois (AFFI) established the Resiliency Committee at their 2022 Convention. On today's episode, I interviewed Chairman Joe Galli, Co-Chair Andy Scott, and Dani Cook of Naperville Local 4302. These three committee members took time out of their schedul...

Episode 126: Training for Strength with Taylor Dinyer-McNeely, Ph.D. 08.10.2024

Our creatine use in firefighters review paper is out! I've gotten some comments lately about our firefighters not being strong enough. But when I ask about the type of on-duty training the departments are conducting, it's often circuit-style training with limited weights. Circuit-style training is a legitimate format for multiple people in smaller spaces. That said, it's unlikely to...

Episode 125: TRT, SARMs and Weight Loss Drugs with Brian Newman, PhD., AT.C, CSCS, CNS 01.10.2024

Check out Newman's previous episode here! Brian Newman returns to the show to talk about testosterone replacement, selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), and the ever-so-popular weight loss drugs. He gives a fair perspective regarding all modalities that can be summarized as not all bodies work the same, and buyer beware . Another fact to remember is "test, don't guess!&quo...

Episode 124: Candidate and Academy Physical Fitness with Annette Zapp, CSCS*D 24.09.2024

I needed to record a solo episode for this week unexpectedly, and when I went to bed last night, I wasn't sure what I wanted to speak about. But I woke up today and chose violence. From my news feed: "Twelve Tufts University lacrosse athletes were hospitalized after a recent graduate from Navy Seal training took them through a workout." Excuse me, please? As I acknowledge in the rec...

Episode 123: Firefighter Reproductive Health with the Beltane Guild 17.09.2024

The Beltane Guild is a 501c3 non-profit focused on reproductive health and policy implementation for firefighters. I spoke with founder Maia Brown and board members Melissa Lawlor and Dr. Brittany Hollerbach during this week's episode.  Time and time again, a firefighter gets pregnant, and it’s only then that a department realizes its pregnancy policy is dangerously outdated, possibly even un...

Episode 122: The Fire Rescue Wellness Origin Story with Annette Zapp, CSCS*D 10.09.2024

I recently realized that although I've told my story, or parts thereof, on over two dozen podcast guest appearances, I've never shared it with my own listeners. So, on my second-anniversary episode, I'm spilling my guts. So what, now what? Tell your story. You never know who is listening and needs to hear it. Happy Podcast-versary to my guy Jeremiah, who edits all of my nonsense and...

Episode 121: Physical Strength, Mental Fortitude, and Fighting Fires with Tyler Barrett 03.09.2024

This week, you get to meet my girl, Tyler Barrett. Tyler and I have much in common, including firefighting, strength and conditioning, and a love of dogs. Tyler and I discussed her sports background, her stint as a Strength Coach, overlapping her Master's Degree and getting hired at Savannah, and so much more! Click here for Tyler's bio! So what, now what?!? Where there is a will, there&...

Episode 120: Supporting First Responders, with Lt. Kenny Schroeder 27.08.2024

Lt. Kenny Schroeder is a friend I first met on LinkedIn and became acquainted with IRL in April during a trip to Kentucky.  Kenny showed me great hospitality at the Fort Mitchell Fire Department and I enjoyed meeting FMFD and surrounding area crews. Kenny Schroeder currently serves as Lieutenant with the Fort Mitchell Fire Department in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. He also actively volunteers in the g...

Episode 119: Load Management for Performance with Fernando Montes, CSCS, Exercise Physiologist (ret) 20.08.2024

You can hear Fernando's previous episode here. Today, I welcomed back my friend Fernando Montes, who recently retired as LA County Fire's exercise physiologist. Fernando is a wealth of knowledge; and as usual, we have a wonderful conversation to share with you. So what, now what?!? Selecting outstanding candidates and keeping recruits in the academy is critical for the success of public...

Episode 118: Biomarkers and Firefighter Health with Mike Conner, DMSc, APA-C 13.08.2024

Check out Mike's previous episode! 7-Minute Science is 8.26.24 Mike Conner is a good dude and has been an excellent resource for many great conversations. When Frontline Mobile Health started its recent social media series on blood biomarkers, I was intrigued and knew my listeners would love to learn more and benefit from the expertise! So what, now what?!? Having a primary care physician and...

Episode 117: Navigating the Yellow Tape with Kenny Mitchell Jr. 06.08.2024

Get registered for 7-Minute Science! Kenny Mitchell Jr. is a retired Firefighter, business owner, and friend to many. Recently, we were able to sit down for a long overdue conversation, and this week's episode is the result. Kenny's Bio So what, now what?!? Mental health and physical health are intimately entangled and by addressing one, the other will improve. But why not attack both at...

Episode 116: Research from Down Under with Rob Orr 30.07.2024

Sign up for 7-Minute Science Check out Rob on a previous 7MS (He starts at 3:30) Hang out with us at OSU/OKC at the Physical Employment Standards Conference in February 2025! Rob and I met an unknown number of years ago at an unknown tactical event and became fast friends. He is an incredibly wonderful human and an amazingly impactful researcher in police, fire, and military. His charisma and abil...

Episode 115: Life Updates and Listener Questions with Annette Zapp, CSCS*D 09.07.2024

Here are a few FRW updates and some tremendous listener questions. To skip the life updates and get straight to the listener questions, fast-forward to right around 12:00 minutes in. As always, thank you to my Insta-friends, who made great suggestions.  Props to Paul, Sal, William and Jimmy. And honorable mention to Zig who suggested pre-workout and peanut butter after I had already recorded. Perh...

Episode 114: Loveland, CO FRA Health and Wellness with Chief Timothy Sendelbach 02.07.2024

Register for the August 7-Minute Science Event! Tim is a 38-year student and fire and emergency services educator, currently serving as the Fire Chief for Loveland Fire Rescue Authority. Chief Sendelbach has extensive leadership experience, serving as a chief fire officer across seven states and through the private sector as a senior executive. Tim previously served as the Editor-in-Chief and Conf...

Episode 113: Firefighter Research with Dr. Brittany Hollerbach 25.06.2024

Get involved with Science to the Station! I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Brittany Hollerbach in person at a Tactical Summit in Texas, and we had a blast talking firefighter research, discussing the pros and cons of Rothy shoes (there are no cons), and touring the famous TEEX training facility together. Brittany is a g**-damned cheetah, and you're going to love this conversation! Dr. Britt...

Episode 112: Trauma Informed Care for Public Safety with Becky Swan M.R.Sc., CAT(C), C.S.C.S., TSAC-F 18.06.2024

Last chance to register for 6.24.24 7-Minute Science! Becky Swan is one of the OGs in tactical personnel care, having been the athletic therapist with the Vancouver Police Department for the past 13.5 years! During our recent trek across the Canadian border, I also learned she is among the most adventurous and kind humans I've ever met. During today's podcast, she and I spoke about the c...

Episode 111: Forty Years of Human Performance with Fernando Montes, CSCS, Exercise Physiologist (ret) 11.06.2024

Last chance to register for June's 7-Minute Science! Fernando Montes has over 40 years experience in Human Performance and is recently retired from LA County as their exercise physiologist. Welcome to retirement my friend! We chatted about a wide variety of topics including heat stress and heat injuries as well as rhabdomyolysis. You're going to love this episode. Please give us a rating...

Episode 110: Eight Years of "Overnight" Progress with Vanessa Frost-Piedrahita, MSEd CSCS*D RSCC 04.06.2024

Get registered for 7-Minute Science 6.24.24 VFP is a rockstar in the tactical space and I'm honored to call her a friend. Listen, she's my queen of safety when I need to share location with someone! She's back for a second episode and an update on what's been happening at Pflugerville Fire for the last 18 months. Listen to her previous episode here ! Vanessa Frost-Piedrahita is...

Episode 109: Training, Injuries, and the Power of Maintenance, with Dr. Christle Guevarra, DO, MS, CAQSM 28.05.2024

Get registered for 7-Minute Science 6.24.24! I got to meet Dr. Christle at the NSCA Great Lakes Conference in April, and she's a powerhouse and a wealth of knowledge regarding injury, training, and nutrition. Dr. Christle Guevarra holds a Master of Science in Chemistry from University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences. Passion...

Episode 108: Insights on Proactive Wellness with Traci Tauferner, LAT, ATC, CSCS, PES, MCTP 21.05.2024

Get registered for 7 Minute Science 6.24.24 at 6 PM CENTRAL! Today's guest is my friend Traci Tauferner, and wow, did we have the best conversation about Athletic Trainers and their value in public safety. Give it a listen and make sure to review and rate the podcast on your platform of choice. Traci Tauferner is the go-to expert for those on the front lines. As the Director of Industrial &am...

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