Beneath The Helmet Show - Firefighter Wellness & Mental Health (mind-body-spirit)

Psychedelics and First Responder Mental Health: A Fire Chief’s Journey | Beneath the Helmet Ep. 102In Episode 102 of Beneath the Helmet, I sit down with retired Battalion Chief Matt Thierfelder to have an honest conversation about burnout, hypervigilance, retirement, and exploring psychedelic-assisted therapies.After more than 30 years in the fire service, Matt reached the minimum retirement age of 53 and found himself facing something many first responders quietly experience: sleep deprivation, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and an identity shift after hanging up the helmet.In this episode, we talk openly about:Psilocybin-assisted therapy in OregonMicrodosing vs. larger doses of psilocybinKetamine IV therapy and its impact on anxiety and suicidal ideationStellate ganglion block (SGB) for resetting fight-or-flightIbogaine in a medically supervised retreat settingRetirement transition and leaving the fire familyOperator syndrome and firefighter syndromeThe importance of integration after psychedelic experiences⏱️ Timestamps00:00:00 – Introduction to Beneath the Helmet00:01:00 – Matt Thierfelder’s Fire Service Journey00:04:00 – Highlights from 30 Years in the Fire Service00:06:00 – Would You Join the Fire Service Again?00:08:00 – Retirement at 53 and the Identity Crisis00:10:00 – Burnout, Hypervigilance, and Sleep Deprivation00:11:00 – Discovering Psilocybin Research00:12:00 – Oregon Measure 109 and Facilitator Training00:14:00 – Psychedelic Conferences and Community00:15:00 – Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Experience00:17:00 – The Moment He Knew It Was Time to Retire00:20:00 – Leaving the Fire Family00:21:00 – EMDR and Vulnerability in Therapy00:22:00 – Why Psychedelics? The Science and Interest00:25:00 – Group Psilocybin Work and Integration00:26:00 – What Is Psilocybin?00:27:00 – How a Psilocybin Session Works in Oregon00:34:00 – Legalization and Access to Psychedelics00:38:00 – Microdosing vs. Larger Doses00:41:00 – Deep Dive into Ketamine00:46:00 – Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)00:52:00 – Ibogaine and the Structured Retreat ProcessIf this conversation resonated with you, please:👉 Subscribe to Beneath the Helmet👉 Share this episode with someone in the fire service or first responder community👉 Leave a comment and join the conversationSometimes the first step toward renewal is simply being willing to look beneath the helmet.If you’re interested in deeper conversations similar to this episode, you might also enjoy Episode 41 Myke Cole's Path from Warrior to FirefighterEpisode 52 Psychedelic Therapy First Responder with PTSD with Jeff MorleyEpisode 94 Firefighter Recovery: The Truth About CBD and First Responder WellnessHost Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret) 🚨 JOIN THE BTH COMMUNITY  📝 Podcast Newsletter: https://colossal-trailblazer-6113.ck.page/c0e1b81fbe 📨 LinkedIn Podcast Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7026972684089528321✅Become a BTH Ambassador for a one-time contribution of $23. Your Ambassador contribution supports the behind-the-scenes work that keeps this project alive. Click here to support the show 📺 WATCH & LISTEN 🌐 Full Episodes & Show Notes: www.beneaththehelmet.ca ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beneaththehelmetshow?sub_confirmation=1 🔥 SOCIALS & CONTACT  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beneaththehelmetshow/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunageorge/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beneaththehelmetshow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beneaththehelmet 📩 Business Inquiries: [email protected]

From Fireground to Research: Annette Zapp on Translating Science into Firefighter WellnessIn Season 4, Episode 101 of Beneath the Helmet, retired fire officer and Fire Rescue Wellness founder Annette Zapp (known as AZ) joins Arjuna George to explore how science can and must be translated into real-world tools for firefighters. This conversation covers sleep, training, hormones, recovery, creatine, and why consistency beats extremes.Annette shares her journey from the fireground to doctoral research, her mission to translate science for the end user, and what truly supports firefighter longevity.⏱ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Season 4, Episode 10101:00 – Annette’s journey: from fire service to PhD02:30 – Translating research for firefighters04:00 – Dogma vs science in the fire service05:00 – Storytelling as the bridge to understanding06:00 – Testosterone, hormones, and firefighter health08:00 – Sleep as the foundation of wellness10:00 – Bedtime, side jobs, and recovery12:00 – Naps, sleep cycles, and the “nappuccino”14:30 – The four pillars: sleep, nutrition, fitness, mental health15:00 – Why sleep is the most upstream intervention17:00 – Exercise for health vs training for performance19:00 – Random acts of fitness vs fireground readiness21:00 – Training in gear and biomechanics24:00 – Fire Rescue Wellness and rebranding27:00 – Creatine: myths, safety, and benefits31:00 – Creatine and cognitive performance34:00 – Heat, sweat rate, and upcoming research36:30 – Consistency over extremes38:00 – Coaching in the fire service41:00 – Motivational interviewing and leadership43:00 – Paying for coaching and valuing expertise45:00 – Fire Rescue Wellness Podcast46:30 – Seven Minute Science explained48:00 – Where to find Annette and her work50:00 – Future research and hormones52:00 – Final reflections and wrap-upKey Topics in This EpisodeTranslating science into firefighter languageSleep as the foundation of performanceFitness for health vs fitness for the firegroundHormones and long-term firefighter healthCreatine: what it is and what it actually doesWhy extreme approaches failCoaching as a leadership toolGuest: Annette ZappFounder: Fire Rescue WellnessWebsite: www.firerescuewellness.orgInstagram & LinkedIn: Fire Rescue Wellness / Annette Fire Rescue WellnessCreator of: Fire Rescue Wellness PodcastCo-creator of: Seven Minute Science (free science translation series)Related ListeningIf you’re interested in deeper conversations around trauma, emotional recovery, and the nervous system, you may also want to listen to Episode 77, Megan Lautz.Subscribe to Beneath the Helmet for grounded conversations on firefighter health, leadership, and self-leadership.If this episode helped you think differently about wellness, recovery, or training:Share it with someone on your crewPut one small idea into practice this weekSubscribe, share, and help this message reach the people who need it most.Host Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret) 🚨 JOIN THE BTH COMMUNITY  📝 Podcast Newsletter: https://colossal-trailblazer-6113.ck.page/c0e1b81fbe 📨 LinkedIn Podcast Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7026972684089528321✅Become a BTH Ambassador for a one-time contribution of $23. Your Ambassador contribution supports the behind-the-scenes work that keeps this project alive. Click here to support the show 📺 WATCH & LISTEN 🌐 Full Episodes & Show Notes: www.beneaththehelmet.ca ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beneaththehelmetshow?sub_confirmation=1 🔥 SOCIALS & CONTACT  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beneaththehelmetshow/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunageorge/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beneaththehelmetshow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beneaththehelmet 📩 Business Inquiries: [email protected]

The George Family Beneath the Helmet: A Proud, Proud Look at Fire Service Family LifeSeason 4 • Episode 100This milestone episode of Beneath the Helmet is unlike any other.For the Season 4 opener and 100th episode, Arjuna George sits down with the people who lived the fire service alongside him every day. His family.In this deeply personal conversation, Arjuna’s wife of over 30 years, Cathy, and their two adult children, Billy and Monica, share what it was really like growing up in a fire service household. From fire hall picnics and Easter egg hunts to late-night pager calls, COVID uncertainty, burnout, and early retirement, this episode explores the unseen side of service.This is not a tactical episode.It’s a human one.Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Season 4 and Episode 10001:00 – Introducing the George family and why this episode matters02:00 – Cathy shares her experience as a fire service spouse03:00 – Billy and Monica introduce themselves04:00 – Did the kids ever consider public safety careers?06:00 – Fear, safety, and growing up around emergency response08:00 – COVID and the moment service felt different at home09:30 – Cathy on hearing the pager and the weight of uncertainty11:00 – Popcorn nights, boundaries, and survival routines13:00 – Growing up as “fire hall kids”15:00 – Fire hall picnics, Easter egg hunts, and community18:00 – What the fire service taught the family about leadership20:30 – Time, sacrifice, and what families give up23:00 – Teen years, driving, and unspoken fear27:00 – Understanding the human side of first responders30:00 – Burnout, stress leave, and early retirement34:00 – Family reflections on healing and change38:00 – Lessons learned about work, life, and balance42:00 – Pride, loss, and moments that still stand out45:00 – What fire service families do well48:00 – Final reflections and closing thoughtsGuest InformationThis episode features members of the George family.Why This Episode MattersBeneath every helmet is a home.Behind every call is a family adjusting, adapting, and holding space.**Beneath the Helmet is Sponsored by Silver Arrow Coaching** Coaching the Fire Service Leadership. Visit us at www.silverarrowco.comThis conversation offers an honest look at pride, sacrifice, burnout, connection, and the strength of families who serve alongside first responders, without wearing the uniform.If this episode resonated with you:• Subscribe to Beneath the Helmet on YouTube and your preferred podcast platform• Share this episode with someone who supports a first responder• Leave a comment and join the conversationYour support helps these stories reach the people who need them most.Host Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret) 🚨 JOIN THE BTH COMMUNITY  📝 Podcast Newsletter: https://colossal-trailblazer-6113.ck.page/c0e1b81fbe 📨 LinkedIn Podcast Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7026972684089528321✅Become a BTH Ambassador for a one-time contribution of $23. Your Ambassador contribution supports the behind-the-scenes work that keeps this project alive. Click here to support the show 📺 WATCH & LISTEN 🌐 Full Episodes & Show Notes: www.beneaththehelmet.ca ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beneaththehelmetshow?sub_confirmation=1 🔥 SOCIALS & CONTACT  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beneaththehelmetshow/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunageorge/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beneaththehelmetshow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beneaththehelmet 📩 Business Inquiries: [email protected] well.Arjuna GeorgeHuman-Husband-Father-Former Fire Chief

Season Three Reflections: Leadership, Resilience, and the Human Side of the Fire Service Beneath the Helmet – Episode 99Season Three comes to a close with a powerful reflection on leadership, resilience, wellness, and the human cost of serving in the fire service.In this milestone Episode 99, host Retired Fire Chief Arjuna George looks back on conversations from Episodes 72 through 98. Firefighters, clinicians, researchers, and leaders shared honest insights about health, nervous system regulation, recovery, integrity, peer support, and what it truly takes to sustain a long career in this profession.This episode is not about tactics or rank. It is about people, connection, and the lessons that carry forward into Season Four.🎙️ Episode Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Episode 99 and Season Three milestone01:00 – Season Three growth, listener support, and gratitude02:00 – Overview of Season Three themes and guest diversity02:30 – Episode 72: Frank Leeb on firefighter blind spots and leadership longevity03:45 – Episode 73: Aaron Zamzow on sleep, fitness, and daily habits04:50 – Episode 74: Keith Hanks on vulnerability, courage, and community06:00 – Episode 75: Robert Cefoli on TRE and nervous system regulation07:15 – Episode 76: Ryan Provencher on tactical athlete wellness08:15 – Episode 77: Megan Lautz on nutrition and preparedness09:15 – Episode 78: Alec Wons on purpose, presence, and connection10:10 – Episode 79: Scott Booth on vulnerability and trust in leadership11:00 – Episode 80: Rick Davis on integrity as a daily practice12:00 – Episode 81: Brandon Guarino on visualization and performance13:00 – Episode 82: Character-based leadership panel discussion14:15 – Episode 83: Brandon Evans on reflection and growth15:10 – Episode 84: Ricky Nuttall on Grenfell, survival, and story16:15 – Episode 85: AK Dozanti on burnout and nervous system capacity17:10 – Episode 86: Dr. Terry Anderson on competency-based leadership18:05 – Episode 87: Justin Brunner on AI, wellness, and decision support18:55 – Episode 88: Justin Champion on recovery and mental health19:50 – Episode 89: Vance Row on sobriety, movement, and resilience20:45 – Episode 90: Tommy Bolin on unseen battles and processing the job21:35 – Episode 91: Dr. Stephanie Conn on peer support culture22:30 – Episode 92: Marc Hill on station-level leadership23:20 – Episode 93: Doug Allen on the nervous system and regulation24:15 – Episode 94: John Vought on sleep, recovery, and CBD25:15 – Episode 95: Dr. Nolan Beise on cognitive resilience26:10 – Episode 96: Dr. Lorraine Smith MacDonald on moral injury27:05 – Episode 97: Dr. Hector Rodriguez on healing and connection28:10 – Episode 98: Michael Sears on taking a knee and recalibration29:30 – Common themes from Season Three: connection and sustainability31:00 – Sponsor acknowledgment and personal reflection33:00 – Looking ahead to Episode 100 and Season Four34:30 – Closing reflections and final thanks🔥 About This EpisodeSeason Three explored what it truly means to serve in today’s fire service.From nervous system health and recovery to leadership integrity and connection, these conversations highlight the human side of the job that often goes unspoken.If you are a firefighter, first responder, leader, or someone navigating the long-term weight of service, this episode offers perspective, reflection, and grounded insight.If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe to Beneath the Helmet and share it with someone who needs these conversations.Your support helps these stories reach the people who need them most.Season Four is on its way.Until then, take care of yourself, take care of your people, and stay well.Host Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret) 📺 WATCH & LISTEN 🌐 Full Episodes & Show Notes: www.beneaththehelmet.ca 

In this episode, Taking a Knee: A Fire Captain’s Journey Back to Self, Captain Michael Sears joins host Arjuna George for a raw conversation about operational stress, moral injury, identity, and what it truly takes to find your way back after years in the fire service.Michael shares his experience navigating occupational stress injury, stepping away from the job, and learning how to reconnect with his body, his values, and his sense of self. Together, Arjuna and Michael explore what it really means to “take a knee” and why healing doesn’t mean weakness; it means leadership.If you’ve ever felt disconnected, exhausted, or unsure who you are outside the uniform, this conversation will resonate deeply.🎧 Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and welcomeArjuna introduces the episode and welcomes Fire Captain Michael Sears.01:00 – A life in the fire serviceMichael shares his background, family legacy, and early career in firefighting.02:30 – When the job starts to change youRecognizing the toll of years of service and the moment things began to shift.04:30 – Taking a knee and stepping awayWhat led to Michael taking time off and confronting operational stress.06:45 – Navigating occupational stress injuryThe realities of paperwork, stigma, and asking for help.09:00 – The challenge of returning to workWhat reintegration looked like and what support was missing.12:00 – Moral injury and organizational betrayalHow leadership decisions and systems can deeply impact firefighters.16:00 – Identity, ego, and the cost of silenceWhat happens when identity becomes fused with the job.19:00 – Embodied healing and reconnecting with the bodyLearning to listen to the body and process stored stress.23:30 – The role of breath, stillness, and awarenessWhy regulation begins with slowing down.27:00 – Creativity, curiosity, and recoveryHow healing often comes through unexpected paths.31:00 – What real support should look likeWhy early intervention, education, and resourcing matter.35:00 – Advice for firefighters approaching retirementPreparing for identity shifts and life beyond the job.38:30 – Final reflections on leadership and self-worthWhy taking care of yourself helps everyone around you.41:00 – Closing thoughts and message to listeners🔥 Key Themes DiscussedOperational stress and moral injuryIdentity beyond the uniformThe cost of emotional suppressionEmbodied healing and nervous system awarenessLeadership through self-awarenessTransitioning out of the fire service with purpose👤 Guest InformationMichael SearsFire Captain and mental health advocatePresident, Fight for Life (mental health support for firefighters)🎙️ About the HostArjuna GeorgeFormer Fire Chief, coach, and host of Beneath the Helmet. 🚨 JOIN THE BTH COMMUNITY  📝 Podcast Newsletter: https://colossal-trailblazer-6113.ck.page/c0e1b81fbe 📨 LinkedIn Podcast Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7026972684089528321✅Become a BTH Ambassador for a one-time contribution of $23. Your Ambassador contribution supports the behind-the-scenes work that keeps this project alive. Click here to support the show 📺 WATCH & LISTEN 🌐 Full Episodes & Show Notes: www.beneaththehelmet.ca ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beneaththehelmetshow?sub_confirmation=1 🔥 SOCIALS & CONTACT  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beneaththehelmetshow/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunageorge/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beneaththehelmetshow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beneaththehelmet 📩 Business Inquiries: [email protected]📣 If this conversation resonated with you:Subscribe to the channel for more honest conversations on leadership, identity, and resilienceShare this episode with a colleague or friend who might need to hear itLeave a comment with your biggest takeaway or reflection