FIT TO FIGHT FIRE

Shane Bentley shares the story of a man whose entire identity was a firefighter, who put the job before his family and before God.  That path eventually led him into a season marked by shame, guilt, and uncertainty, but by the grace of God, his story doesn’t end there. Through adversity, humility, and the hard work of forgiving both himself and others, Shane found redemption in his relationship wi...

In this episode of the Fit to Fight Fire podcast, Jonathan Bundy, shares his journey through the fire service, the challenges of starting over in his career, and the profound impact of participating in the Crucible. Bundy discusses the importance of faith, resilience, and personal growth, emphasizing how the Crucible experience helped him reflect on his life and develop a stronger sense of self. H...

In this episode of the Fit to Fight Fire podcast, Brent Cooper shares his journey from a young boy dreaming of becoming a firefighter to a seasoned firefighter who has faced numerous personal and professional challenges. He discusses the impact of his family life, the importance of faith in shaping his identity, and the struggles he faced with his brother's drug addiction. Brent emphasizes th...

In this episode of the Fit the Fight Fire podcast, Blake Stinnett shares the profound impact of faith, adversity, and personal growth. Blake shares his journey from the fire service to ministry, the challenges he faced when feeling called to leave a job he loved, and the life-altering accident that tested his faith. Through pain and recovery, Blake emphasizes the importance of community support, t...

Nate Sturm talks about a LODD that his fire department experienced that brought about the dark season of life that almost tore his family apart.  Nate shares how alcohol was the downfall and how his faith in Jesus Christ lifted him and his family from the darkness and into the light, giving purpose to the pain he endured.  I am inspired by Nate’s transparency and vulnerability, which are shown in...

In this episode, I sat down with Marcos and Logan to discuss our vision for The Crucible and how it all came together. We discussed what The Crucible is and what it's not.  This conversation will give you a clear view of The Crucible's purpose and why it is so important to us. The application closes today at 11:59 PM Mountain Time. If you are wondering if you have what it takes to comple...

Brad shares how a grab made, made him challenge where he was putting his identity and how firefighters who follow Christ can lead their firehouse lives.  We talk about how identifying as a firefighter first can leave us feeling lost when our careers are over. For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will receive a workout of the day, daily inspiration, and much more!  Head over t...

In episode 30, I talk with Joshua Dukes about several seasons of adversity that he weathered with his faith in the Lord. Joshua shares the challenges faced when his 19-month-old son Trucker Dukes was diagnosed with cancer and how Trucker inspired so many during his battle with cancer and continues to today after his passing.  We talk about how standing up for his beliefs led to his termination fro...

This is an incredibly powerful episode where Josh talks about his crew's performance during an RIT/RIC activation for the late Nathan Flynn. Josh shares how years of mental and physical training came together for his crew so they could do everything possible to rescue one of their own. Josh's perspective, backed by data, sheds light on the staggering physical demands that firefighters fa...

Episode 28 Tragedy Tests Faith On December 14, Stratton had to say his final goodbyes to his daughter Kingsley.  Stratton and his three children were involved in a head-on car accident on his way to a fire department Christmas party, resulting in Stratton and his three children being sent to multiple hospitals. Stratton’s daughters were both in critical condition with Kingsley passing away.  Strat...

Chris Snow - SELF DESTRUCTION INTO GOD'S CONSTRUCTION  Chris shares how his reckless life led him to prison, addiction, and affliction. We talk about living as a follower of Christ in the firehouse, giving our pain purpose, and locking arms with a small group of brothers you can lean on through transparency and authenticity. This episode shows us all that we are all broken; some of us just do...

In Episode 26, I talk to Scott Vadkin about losing a child and how his faith gave him hope during life's darkest season. It is a story of heartbreak, devastation, and divine intervention.  For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will receive a workout of the day, daily inspiration, and much more!  Head over to www.patreon.com/fittofightfire to surround yourself with a commu...

In Episode 25 Ric Jorge and I talk to Jeremy Sanders about a difficult season of life he endured and how he found strength in his weakness. Jeremy shares how his faith helped him continue to move forward and how the adversity he faced refined him into the man God needed him to be. For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will receive a workout of the day, daily inspiration, and much m...

In Episode 24, I talk to Marcos Orozco about starting over at a new fire department, how fitness positions you for opportunities beyond the fireground, overcoming alcoholism, and how being a career backseat firefighter is a successful career.  For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will receive a workout of the day, daily inspiration, and much more!  Head over to www.patreon.co...

Ric Jorge and I talked to Marc about the pain he has carried over his career and how helping others has been the greatest way for him to give his pain purpose and share the power of Jesus in his life. He shares how we all need to find our tribe but must do the work required first.  For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will receive a workout of the day, daily inspiration, and much...

Robert Wynne shares an inspiring comeback story. He talks about being abandoned by his father, his drug addiction, stabbed seven times in prison, and how his relationship with God brought him to the fire service. For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will receive a workout of the day, daily inspiration, and much more!  Head over to www.patreon.com/fittofightfire to surround yo...

Robbie talks about his challenges with mental health and how his faith was the foundation of his way back to peace. He also shares how the GSD program provided him with the training ground to build the resilience necessary to overcome life's challenges. If you want to reach out to Robbie = robbietownsend@ymail.com For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will receive a workout of...

Why do we believe in CBD? We talk about how CBD positively impacted our lives, leading us to create Respond Wellness and begin the mission of helping our brothers and sisters with some of the challenges we face as firefighters. Head on over to respondwellness.com to learn more. For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will receive a workout of the day, daily inspiration, and much more...

Ric Jorge had a difficult season of life that led him to God. From doing and dealing drugs to losing close friends, Ric was a rough man with dark plans. It's a journey that started dark and has brought abundant light, with Jesus being the leader of his life. For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will receive a workout of the day, daily inspiration, and much more!  Head ov...

On Episode 18, I had the opportunity to talk to Fire Engineering Editor-in-Chief David Rhodes. We spoke about t-shirt management seven years later,  how the Georgia Smoke Diver leadership model would serve the fire service well, and what the Georgia Smoke Diver program provides firefighters beyond the job.  For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will receive a workout of the day, da...

I talked to Brian Abbott about his attempted suicide and how an accumulation of calls, fire department culture, and his demons led to a decision to end it all, and the words "Stand Up" put him on a path of healing and resilience through his faith in Jesus. For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will receive a workout of the day, daily inspiration, and much more!  Head...

Jeff talks about his desire to honor God in all he does and how faith guided him through a season of adversity to find joy in the pain. For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will receive a workout of the day, daily inspiration, and much more!  Head over to www.patreon.com/fittofightfire to surround yourself with a community of like-minded firefighters on the same mission: to b...

I talk to Rick about his journey into the fire service, his faith, the Georgia Smoke Diver Program, and how age is just a number. We dive into the importance of fitness, mindset, and consistent training and how trust is built through shared suffering. Join the Fit To Fight Fire Patreon Community! https://www.patreon.com/fittofightfire For only $5 a month, the cost of a cup of coffee, you will rece...

Dear out-of-shape firefighter, I'm writing to you as your conscience, hoping we could reconnect you to why you were here or maybe even connect you for first time. Too many have ignored your current physical state. Some have even supported and strengthened your excuses. I know this may not be a comfortable conversation for you, but the responsibility in front of all of us is more important tha...

James Geering is the host of the Behind The Shield Podcast, and over the years and on more than 700 episodes, he has spoken with subject matter experts in the areas of sleep deprivation, mental health, shift work, fitness, and many more topics that affect the health and wellness of firefighters. In this episode, we talk about shift work, the best work schedule for firefighters, mental health, toxi...