The Fireground Fitness Podcast, Rayne Gray

Razo has a pretty standard story, played a variety of sports in high school, got the fire bug and landed a wildland opportunity, found a mentor and worked his way into a major metro fire department. However, Razo, by all accounts, is anything but “standard” and like all stories the magic is in the details. In Episode 71 we talk through some of those details as Razo unpacks his journey. He shares t...

From wildland to urban structure, firefighting takes thoughtful and engaged leadership. In episode 70 Captain Chris Ruano and I discuss the demands that exist on the fire ground and how to prepare oneself for the rigors and expectations of the job.   Chris Ruano currently serves on and leads teams in the Wildland and Municipal Fire-Service in Southern California. Having served as a Forest Service...

On today's Fog Nozzle Friday Aaron and I discussed a few really great topics: What choices have you made that shaped who you are? What's something you believe that other people think is crazy?  In the last 5 years what's a new behavior or habit that has changed your life? What the best piece of leadership advice you've been given?    I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed our conversatio...

An eternity ago I met a young Chris Perez, working together at REI, hiking, biking, going to school and starting our young families. We had a lot in common and became fast friends. Perez graduated and became a local police officer, serving in every possible capacity (see below). In Episode 69 Commander Perez and I discuss some of the lessons learned during his storied career and how we still have...

During my career I have had several opportunities to sit in lecture halls and listen to Chief Dennis Compton share some of the wisdom he has gleaned over 50 years in the fire service. He taught us that one should “never sacrifice a relationship for an outcome”, that we need to “become politically competent”, and be aware of what behaviors and procedures that we “institutionalize.” In episode 68 Ch...

On this episode of Fog Nozzle Friday Aaron Quinn and I discuss a few listener questions.  1) Smooth Bore or Combination nozzle?  2) What are good ways to develop mental toughness and discipline? 3) When should you retire?   Great questions and well reasoned and deeply researched answers :-)  Enjoy! ___________________________________________________________ You can find the Fireground Fitness podc...

When people mention David Blau you hear things like “that dude’s a cage fighting monster, a straight up murderer”.  So, the day I first met Blau I was a little nervous, his imposing stature and large hamhock size hands reinforce his reputation. Then he opens his mouth and delivers the most ridiculous “dad joke”, immediately putting you at ease and exposing his true identity as a caring family man...

From the farm to the executive office of the 100 Club of Arizona, Angela Herrolle has made service the cornerstone of her life. A desire to travel and explore the world, led her on a journey away from the family farm in Minnesota and down a path that introduced excitement, family, tragedy,  grief and love. This journey has woven her life into the tapestry of Public Safety family in Arizona and lan...

Aaron Quinn and I discuss a few of your questions:  - When you're fit, do fires stop kicking your ass? - Do you think Crossfit is the best training modality for fireground fitness? - Where do you see the line between cardio and weight training?  Is there a balance according to our jobs that you may have recognized?  How can I balance the two so as not to lose any weight and/or strength? - What is...

I had the opportunity to be a guest on the Ignited Firefighter Podcast back in June of this year. It was an awesome conversation with host Ryan Rodriquez. We had so much to discuss that we needed to continue the conversation here in episode 65. Rodriquez and I discussed ego, team building, setting boundaries and so much more, give it a listen and I hope you enjoy!   A little about today’s guest:  ...

One of the most insidious and disturbing crimes are those committed against children and other vulnerable populations. It is so important that we understand the precursors to these crimes and what we can do to prevent them from occurring. Additionally, we need to understand what these crimes look like in our homes, in the street, and how we contact law enforcement. In Episode 64 Austin Berrier and...

Growing up playing football, barefoot, in the streets of Trinidad set Dr. Dara Rampersad to be a unique, caring and thoughtful person and practitioner. His is not the typical origin story for most PhD Psychologists; likewise, his mission to serve public safety is not normal either. In episode 63 Dr Dara and I discuss resiliency, why it matters and how it’s developed. We also discuss growing up in...

Jerry Lund, host of the Enduring the Badge Podcast, Fire Captain in the greater Salt Lake area, is a California transplant in Utah, finding his way there in high school and deciding to stay! It may have a little something to do with the deep powder and his equally deep love of snowboarding. Or it may be his passion for the job and the community he has the privilege to serve. Either way he has made...

Throughout my career I have often wondered “what is the formula for success?” Typically landing on “hard work and self-discipline” as the default answer but this has always felt somewhat shallow. And while it is a true statement, It does not provide any of the details needed to really get somewhere. For example, you can “work really hard” but in the absence of a plan you will find yourself working...

We each face obstacles in our life’s journey. Many of these challenges are within our control, such as gathering more certifications, advanced education, eating healthy and training hard. These choices can impact the trajectory of our lives and allow us to overcome roadblocks. Some obstacles, however, are not from a lack of fitness, education or skill, rather they are manifest in the judgement of...

Back in 2015 I was researching modern fire behavior for a project and came across the work that Sean Gray had published. I reached out and we found a deep mutual interest in fire science research and education. Sean has a wealth of information and a curiosity that keeps him coming to the table to learn and share. In episode 59 we talk about his journey into the exploration of fire dynamics, his co...

In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicator week we are rebooting episode 20 were we have a great chat with Kimberly Brophy a wonderful person and fantastic dispatcher. Check out the episode, then go find a dispatcher and thank them profusely for the amazing work they do in support of operations. 

First ever "ask me (us) anything" Aaron and I sat down yesterday and rapped about the below questions, hopefully shedding some light on the subjects. We had a blast and will do this again. If you have any questions or comments holler at me and I will be sure to reply.  SeanGrinnell@enter_the_cricket asked: 1) I work for a smaller department and I am considering testing for a major department in my...

Taking control and ownership of your life is a critical step in one’s journey. It starts by being honest with yourself, taking stock of your purpose, developing a plan then executing. It’s uncomfortable and challenging, but if you want to live your best life you have to dig in and do the work. Ryan Michler, a successful business leader and founder of Order of Man , has set a tremendous example of...

When you grow up around the fire service it shapes and molds your journey in so many interesting ways. Quaid Mckinnon is a fire service legacy baby and he is 100% a product of this inescapable fire service forming. His Grand Father and Father were both firefighters and now he and his little brother are both on the job; standing on their shoulders and furthering the family tradition. In episode 57...

Everyday I find myself learning new and interesting things about the world around us. For example, I just discovered that, globally, there are 4.3 babies born every second. As I pick up the pieces of my blown mind, I stumble over this hard-to-believe number of children.  While this enormous number of people coming into existence is shocking; I find myself considering the challenges that each of th...

When I was young on the job there were many days that I would come home from my shift completely exhausted. Despite my battered and bedraggled state, I would attend to my young family. One such occasion I was “watching” the kids when Momma went out for a run. I had fallen asleep and the Disney movie that was holding their attention came to an end. My 3 year old, tightly gripping a sippy cup in one...

When I was a kid my dad told me that I “could be or do anything I wanted in life”. “Matter of fact”, he continued, “You can do many different things if you want, redefine yourself and head down a different path, build a second career or start a hobby”. This had been on my mind all these years when I met Mark Robens. Mark is the living embodiment of what my Dad had described, having established a s...

Interviewing is one of the most stressful events that we face in our lives. Seriously, who enjoys sitting across from a person, or group of people, who’s decisions will impact the next phase of your life? This is not something that you trifle with! You must practice, prepare and show up with some juice! So, “what am I to do”, you wonder? Let me introduce you to Brendon Trayner, an accomplished Fir...

Billy Burnett and I met a long while ago, becoming fast friends as we discussed our love of ultra-running, mt. biking and, well, all things back country! Yet, not until he and I sat down to record episode 52 of the FGF podcast did I find out that he grew up in Saudi Arabia. Then, as a stranger in a strange land, arrived in Wickenburg Arizona - Two worlds that could not be farther apart. We discuss...