Keep the Promise Podcast - Building Resilient and Well-rounded Firefighters

051. Saving Ourselves: Practical Suicide Prevention for First Responders

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a crucial time for raising awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, especially within the firefighter community. In this episode, we discuss why this month matters, explore the unique challenges faced by firefighters, and highlight impactful measures like safe firearm storage and mental health check-ins. Learn how creating buffers during crises, encouraging open conversations, and fostering strong relationships can save lives. Join us in making a commitment to prioritize mental health and resilience, ensuring that suicide prevention is a year-round effort.00:00 Introduction to Suicide Prevention Month00:38 The Impact on Firefighters01:41 Firearm Safety and Suicide Prevention02:25 Creating a Buffer: Suicide Prevention by Design04:54 The Importance of Talking and Community Support07:51 Preplanning for Personal Crises12:38 Building Resilience: Physical Fitness and Mindfulness13:50 Final Thoughts and Call to ActionSupport the show🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!>>> Shop Keep the Promise!

050. Love You, Don't Die - Sammy Freyta [Part 2]

This episode of the Keep the Promise podcast focuses on the importance of proactive mental health practices within the fire service. Guest Sammy Freyta discusses breaking harmful cycles and the evolution of peer teams into a more integrated, supportive system within fire departments. By embedding mental fitness training and practicing Stoicism actively, Sammy and her team are promoting a culture where every firefighter is equipped to support their peers. She underscores the importance of doing hard things and the strength required to seek help. Listen to learn how small departments are leading change and why addressing mental health head-on is crucial.00:35 Peer Teams vs. CISM Teams00:50 The Utopia Fire Department Vision01:57 Building Strong Relationships with Peer Teams03:27 Alive Minded: A New Approach to Mental Fitness03:55 The Role of Stoicism in Mental Fitness04:49 Proactive Mental Health Culture06:46 Challenges and Successes of Peer Teams24:22 The Importance of Basic Self-Care26:11 Emerging Trends in Mental Health for First Responders32:41 Personal Reflections and FailuresSupport the show🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!>>> Shop Keep the Promise!

049. People Are Your Primary Resource

Effective leadership goes beyond titles and appearances. In this episode, we explore the essence of true leadership and how to foster a supportive culture within the fire service. We discuss key elements like building trust, setting clear expectations, and the importance of mentorship and work-life balance. Learn strategies to maintain team harmony, encourage open communication, and develop professional skills to ensure better service to the community. Join us as we explore how to embody humility, empathy, accountability, and technical proficiency in leadership roles.00:00 Introduction to Effective Leadership01:52 The Importance of Trust in Teams02:20 Building and Maintaining Trust04:18 Mentorship and Development05:12 Work-Life Balance in the Fire Service06:14 Leadership and Accountability10:00 Implementing Effective Communication11:09 Conclusion: The Essence of a Successful TeamSupport the show🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!>>> Shop Keep the Promise!

048. Love You, Don't Die - Sammy Freyta [Part 1]

In this episode of the Keep the Promise podcast, host TJ is joined by guest Sammy Freyta, a therapist specializing in counseling first responders and military personnel. Sammy shares her journey from broadcast journalism to therapy, emphasizing the importance of mental fitness over traditional therapy. The episode delves into creative processes like art therapy and tailored coping strategies to help first responders manage trauma and improve communication with loved ones. Sammy and her firefighter husband Dave work together to provide on-site mental fitness coaching, breaking down stigmas and offering practical advice for a healthier fire service community.02:30 Meet Sammy Freyta03:25 Sammy's Background and Career Shift07:34 The Role of Art in Therapy15:04 Working with First Responders24:27 Building Mental Fitness28:51 Coping Strategies and Communication35:11 Peer Teams vs. Critical Incident Stress ManagementSupport the show🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!>>> Shop Keep the Promise!

047. Save the Next 100 - Sean Conant [Part 2]

In the second installment of our conversation with Sean Conant of FILO Apparel, we discuss the alarming statistics of firefighter suicides, with nearly 100 reported cases each year due to job-related stress. We introduce Next Rung, a nonprofit supporting mental health within the fire service, and highlight FILO Apparel's initiative, including their coffee brand FILO Fuel, aimed at supporting this cause. Sean also covers the importance of both physical safety through PFAS-free gear and mental health support. The episode also explores the entrepreneurial challenges within the fire service and the significance of creating lasting, positive impacts.00:00 The Alarming Reality of Firefighter Suicides00:56 Challenges with Firefighter Apparel01:36 Addressing Critics and Marketing Strategies03:37 Supporting Mental Health with Next Rung03:51 FILO Fuel: Coffee with a Cause05:44 The Importance of Mental Health in the Fire Service17:05 Entrepreneurial Lessons in the Fire Service21:52 Future Goals and Legacy of FILOSupport the show🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!>>> Shop Keep the Promise!