Episode 81, Not done learning with Ardell Deliz

 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 lessons learned growing up in Puerto Rico, moving to the United States, becoming a Firefighter, Captain, and mentor. Then looking to the future and recognizing how much more there is to learn and do. Tune in and enjoy!

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Episode 80, Your momma was right, eat your veggies with Megan Lautz

 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-time favorite – the See food diet.  I have long argued that we are each an experiment of one and we must listen to our own bodies and eat accordingly. The problem I run into is my body is saying “you need sugar!” and while I recognize this is not the best thing, I struggle to stay ahead of the cravings.

So, in the quest to broaden my knowledge and reimagine that which I thought I knew, I sat down with Registered Dietician Megan Lautz. Her days are spent helping the Firefighters in her agency understand healthy nutrition and what she says should not shock you. Eating healthy is really simpler then we make it out to be. Give a listen to episode 80 and see if there are any things you can change to improve your health. You are an experiment of one, listen to your body and make adjustments – just be suspicious when it’s crying out for jelly doughnuts. You know dang well that’s not the path.

Getsome!

 

A little more about our guest…

Megan Lautz, MS, RD, CSCS, TSAC-F

Megan Lautz is a Registered Dietitian and strength coach with a Master's in Sports Nutrition. Megan’s mission is to help firefighters perform better, recover faster, and enjoy long healthy retirements. 

Prior to joining Fairfax Fire in 2021, Megan worked with Montgomery County Fire and Police from 2017-2021. While a civilian, Megan has strived to understand the challenges firefighters face when trying to stay healthy. She has trained for and passed CPAT, completed 24-hour ride-alongs, and is heavily involved in fire recruit training and nutrition. Megan provides healthy dinner demonstrations, nutrition roundtable discussions, workouts, and mobility sessions to career firefighters out in the field. 

Megan is the owner of RescueRD LLC, which provides nutrition seminars and coaching for tactical athletes across the country. Check out @Rescue.RD on Facebook and Instagram. A free Firehouse Dinner Recipe Book is available on her website RescueRD.com.

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On the web: rescuerd.com

 

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Episode 79, "Tik Tok you don't stop" with Ashley Losch

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 the challenges and opportunities we face when we share the fun and funny side of our world. We discussed all this and so much more, enjoy!

Would you like to know more about our guest? 

Ashley tells us her story.

I grew up in Santa Monica California, graduated from Santa Monica High School and moved to Arizona to attend ASU in 1995. I grew up acting with a small theatre group and I loved being on stage. Acting gave me the opportunity to go to Japan and London to perform, all before I was14 years old. Once I moved to Arizona my acting days were over and I began focusing on what was ahead. 

After setting my sights on becoming a Firefighter I gave myself a year to get hired post college graduation or I was going to move back to California. I got hired with Glendale a year and 4 days later. I have been with Glendale for 21 years and am currently a Captain serving as the PIO. I have worked as the PIO since 2017 and with a Super Bowl on the horizon I don’t anticipate getting back to a truck any time soon. 

I have an incredible 17-year-old son who both amazes and confuses me every day. I am not sure where life is taking me, but I am trying to take the lessons I have learned from my past and apply them to my future. I have done a lot of self-reflection and therapy in the hopes that I can stay mentally strong through the inevitable challenges ahead. 

I hope to be a mentor, visionary, and trailblazer for Firefighters as I believe we have the greatest job in the world and I want everyone to stay healthy so they can enjoy it.

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You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wherever great podcasts are located. So, search it out and subscribe. Your feedback is powerful, and greatly appreciated. Go to apple podcasts, subscribe, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!

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Ep.78, One Life to Live with Colin Kennedy

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 the PFD. He’s a native Irishman, a father, a Firefighter, a Paramedic instructor, a Husband and so much more. In episode 78 we discuss all these things, please enjoy!

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Mentioned in the episode:

The Emerald Society can be found at: 

https://www.emeraldsocietyaz.com/

IG: AZFFES

FB: Arizona Fire Fighters Emerald Society

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Episode 77 Behind the Mic with Jim Frazier

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 your words.  How learning to listen carefully is the quintessential skill set, when the difference between what is said and what is not, may separate life from death. The role of a public safety dispatcher is far more nuanced than one might expect, and Frazier’s experience reflects this complexity. 

Personally, my appreciation for the work that our dispatchers perform has grown exponentially over the years.  And today, more than ever, they receive my highest regard for the difficult and demanding work they perform behind the mic. Enjoy todays episode!

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You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wherever great podcasts are located. So, search it out and subscribe. Your feedback is powerful, and greatly appreciated. Go to apple podcasts, subscribe, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!

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Episode 76, Joy in Firefighting with Chief Collin DeWitt

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 and changes he faced as he was coming up in the fire service and how he and his contemporaries overcame the difficulties, ultimately, finding satisfaction and joy. Please enjoy!

A little more about our guest…

1975 - Certified as one of the initial paramedics for the City of Phoenix

1983 - Paramedic of the Year Phoenix Fire Department

1985-2005 - Associate faculty at Phoenix college and ASU

1985 to 1999 - Served on the board of directors for the Arizona Emergency Medical Systems

1985 - Served on the Federal Integrated Committee of Emergency Medical Services in Washington DC to develop national ambulance standards

1985 to 1999 - Served on the National Fire Protection Association NFPA1001 committee for national fire fighter performance standards

1985 - Organized and implemented the first public emergency transportation system for the City of Phoenix Fire Department

1986 - Assisted the Arizona Sonora Border Foundation in training doctors in pre-hospital care

1989 - Certified as a hazardous materials technician

1992 - Assisted the Hope Foundation in Costa Rica to establish an emergency medical system

1992 - Assisted the Town Council in creating the Gilbert Fire Department

1993 - Became a Certified Public Manager

1999 - Assisted NATO in an International disaster drill in Kazakstan

1999 to 2013 - Oversaw the growth of the Gilbert Fire Department from 2 stations to 8 stations

2010 - As Town manager, coordinated the development and implementation of the Town's first strategic plan and managed a town wide reorganization.

2011 - Acquired and organized construction of the Town of Gilbert's 9/11 memorial

2011 - Received Mayoral Award for Excellent from the Town of Gilbert

2013 to 2015 - Served as Navajo County fire administrator to assist and reorganize fire districts within the county

2021 - Arizona State Fire Service Hall of Fame

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Episode 75 Storm Stick with Jason Miller

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 department”. Or rather by “bears” for sure! 

Miller landed in the PFD and has built a wonderful career, serving on the line as a firefighter and company officer for 27 years. Recently, he took the step to become a command officer, and a credit to his KSAs, he landed at the top of the heap. While soon-to-be-Chief Miller looks out for his folks in the fire house with great care his vision extends further. His development of the storm stick, a clever gross decon tool to aid in the battle against exposure to carcinogens, Miller demonstrates his stewardship for the fire service at large. In episode 75 we discuss all of this and so much more. Please enjoy!

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You can find the Fireground Fitness podcast wherever great podcasts are located. So, search it out and subscribe. Your feedback is powerful, and greatly appreciated. Go to apple podcasts, subscribe, rate and review the podcast or shoot me an email!

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WWW: stormstickdecon.com

Email: info@stormstickdecon.com

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