The Fireground Fitness Podcast, Rayne Gray

“Slow and low that is the tempo”, the deep rhetorical prose crafted by the Beastie Boys perfectly sums Ep.92’s guest, Greg Morales. A true native Phoenician, Morales grew up on the west side of town right across the street from fire station 24. Into old cars, hard work and brotherhood, G Mo, is old school in all the right ways and leans into the next generation, mentoring and shining a light on th...

In the business of firefighting injury is a real concern and can befall us at any time. Often, injury will change the direction of our lives, stop us from running, make us more cautious when lifting or cause us to focus, strengthening and shoring up areas of weakness. It can alter our path in ways we may never consider, opening doors and changing our path forever.     This is part of the story we...

I truly love hearing about other people’s journeys as it provides such valuable insight. It provides important perspective as we all struggle with something and realizing that you are not alone, it all becomes just a little more tolerable.   I really appreciate today’s guest, Fire Chief Carlos Aviles, who honestly and vulnerably shared his story. We discussed the growth he gained through adversity...

Sometimes when you meet a person you sense a little something that sets them apart from the gen pop. The way they carry, or present, themselves - maybe a clear sense of comfort in a room full of senior members, the assortment of military tattoos unashamedly inking across the forearms, the dogged determination demonstrated every time they are presented with opposition. Finding all these uncommon vi...

I recently attended the 2023 Phoenix Firefighters Symposium hosted by the United Phoenix Firefighters. It was a great opportunity to hear a variety of speakers sharing thoughts and ideas from across the fire service. I share that to tell you that in 2024 you need to attend; but also how this created a unique chance to sit down in person with our guest Chief Frank Leeb. After Leeb gave a fantastic...

One of the coolest parts of hosting the FGF podcast is talking to firefighters from my hometown and across the country. Hearing what is important to them in their communities, and in their firehouses, really broadens my own thinking. This is the whole point of this FGF project - to grow our collective understanding. Episode 87, with Fire Chief Josh Stefancic, is another great episode were we talk...

Nate Harpster and I sat down to talk about milking alpacas, ice baths, breath work, discipline, injuries, sleep deprivation and so much more! Tune in and enjoy. Mentioned in this episode: Nate Harpster, learn more about today’s guest on episode 12 ! Ben Dubin, Breath work: episode 49 Xendurance discount code: natervision15 __________________________ You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wher...

My learning has always come with scars. It has never been easy or intuitive, rather it has always been by trial and error. I have come to understand that life teaches us many things and often it takes perspective, distance and time away from something before we truly grasp the lesson. While talking with Eric McCormack, our guest on Episode 85, I realized that I am not alone in this understanding....

Firefighters have an amazing capacity to solve problems and make things better. Adrian and Joff, our guest on episode 84, are doing just that with their fitness program Fire Athlete. Their mission to craft an easily accessible and targeted training program for firefighters and allied pros is on point. In today’s episode we discuss their personal journey in the fire service as well as what inspired...

Have you ever considered where you got your work ethic? My baby-faced Brother, Fire Chief Aaron Culwell, a true Sooner, born and raised in Norman Oklahoma, has thought through this question.  In episode 83 Culwell shared his findings with us. He also shares how his faith shaped the direction of his life, leading him to the fire service, the Air Force, and a life committed to public safety. Give it...

So often we discuss how we make time sensitive decisions in fast evolving emergency events. This applies clearly on the fireground where rapid and smart decisions can be the difference in rescue and fire suppression. Frankly, we are making critical decision in our lives all the times - the skill transcends the fireground. Good fireground decision makers easily arrive at concrete plans and execute...

So often we discuss how we make time sensitive decisions in fast evolving emergency events. This applies clearly on the fireground where rapid and smart decisions can be the difference in rescue and fire suppression. Frankly, we are making critical decision in our lives all the times - the skill transcends the fireground. Good fireground decision makers easily arrive at concrete plans and execute...

So often we discuss how we make time sensitive decisions in fast evolving emergency events. This applies clearly on the fireground where rapid and smart decisions can be the difference in rescue and fire suppression. Frankly, we are making critical decision in our lives all the times - the skill transcends the fireground. Good fireground decision makers easily arrive at concrete plans and execute...

So often we discuss how we make time sensitive decisions in fast evolving emergency events. This applies clearly on the fireground where rapid and smart decisions can be the difference in rescue and fire suppression. Frankly, we are making critical decision in our lives all the times - the skill transcends the fireground. Good fireground decision makers easily arrive at concrete plans and execute...

Fire station 25 is situated in one of the more interesting burrows on the west side of Phoenix. This multi-company house is incredibly busy and the firefighters stationed there choose 25 for that very reason. A little over 19 years ago I rolled into 25 on assignment to complete my last probationary rotation and there I met today’s guest, Ben Belleuvre. Ben is a Firefighter in France and he came to...

Do you ever stop and reflect on the many experiences that have shaped and formed who & what you’ve become? As you consider this, recognize that you have survived 100% of the most difficult and challenging days you’ve faced thus far. Carry this forward as you ponder the many adventures and learning opportunities that lay in wait. In episode 81 Ardell Deliz and I did just this and discussed the many...

No one wants to talk about diet! It’s a hard topic, as with religion and politics, there are as many ways to “eat optimally” as there are people with opinions.  We have anchored these opinions in facts drawn from firehouse kitchen table talks and other compelling anecdotal evidence. In full transparency, I have tried every plan – Carb loading, Zone, Atkins, Keto, Paleo, Carb cycling, and my all-ti...

I have had the pleasure of chatting with our guest, Ashley Losch, a few times over the years and finally had the opportunity to get her on the podcast. In episode 79, Losch and I discuss a variety of things, including vulnerability. A topic most of us turn away from, Losch leaned in, sharing her thoughts on how it impacts our communication and capacity as a team. We got into her work as a PIO and...

Every one of us on this earth travels a different path during our journey. Some walk a straight and uniform trail and others find themselves navigating rocks and bushes while going down the path less traveled. Our guest today, Colin Kennedy, has taken a unique path finding himself living in Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and traveling to many others countries before he landed in United States and...

After 30 years behind the microphone in the Phoenix Regional Dispatch Center, Alarm Room Supervisor, Jim Frazier has a little something to say about public safety and how this job impacts us. Born into a public safety family, both Jim and his twin brother Joe followed suit and landed careers in the fire service. In episode 77 Frazier explains how challenging it can be to assist callers just using...

While discussing his 40 years in the fire service, Ret. Fire Chief Collin DeWitt, remarks, “men are that they may have joy.” After a lifetime of community service, dealing with trauma, drama, toil and trial, one might find it difficult to find joy. However, when you listen carefully to DeWitt you begin to realize that it’s all about perspective. In episode 76, Dewitt shares some of the challenges...

As a young marine we used to chant a cadence, “born in the woods and raised by a bear, double set of dog teeth, triple coat of hair”. While nothing about this typifies our guest, Jason Miller, it rang through my head as he told me of his upbringing in the fire service.  He knew from a young age what he wanted and right out of high school he “got in” and by his own account was “raised by the fire d...

On the volleyball court and the fireground, hustle, focus and teamwork are valuable traits that lead to trust and success. Our guest, Deputy Chief Reda Riddle-Bigler, has leveraged these traits as she worked to become an Div. 2 all American collegiate volleyball player, Coach, Firefighter, award winning community leader and the first Female shift commander in the Phoenix Fire Department. In episod...

When you look at a person’s resume you presume that it will neatly summarize what they are all about. The places they’ve been employed, the work they have managed, the institutions where they were educated, clean and simple. I find this to be true with most folks. But the main reason I enjoy doing this podcast is that it reveals more than the surface info you get from a resume. Turn on the mic, as...

Over the last few years, I have dabbled with yoga in a variety of forms. And, if I am honest, every time I do a session of any type I come away feeling great. However, I have had a hard time weaving it into my daily life. In episode 72 I sat down with Olivia Mead and Eric Brenneman to get into the meaningful ways that yoga can improve our lives and health. The two of them drop real knowledge and r...