The Leadership Crucible Podcast Rewriting the Mental Health Playbook for First Responders with Lt. Taylor Montey
Dec 2, 2025
47:53
Fire Lieutenant and Licensed Professional Counselor Taylor Montey brings a rare, dual-perspective to the conversation around resilience: she has lived the realities of frontline service and the deep work of clinical mental health. In this episode of The Leadership Crucible Podcast, Taylor shares how early setbacks, self-doubt, and an unexpected path into the fire service shaped her passion for merging fitness, therapy, and leadership development. From building confidence after failing her first physical ability test, to founding Mindset Reps—a program blending movement, psychoeducation, and mentorship—Taylor offers a fresh blueprint for how first responders can strengthen both body and mind. She unpacks why burnout and trauma hit this profession so uniquely, why EMDR is so effective for processing critical incidents, and how peer support, accountability, and community accelerate healing. Whether you’re a firefighter, a leader responsible for others, or someone navigating a high-pressure calling, this conversation delivers grounded strategies for developing resilience, setting boundaries, and leading with emotional intelligence.
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 – Trailer: Taylor Montey on Mental + Physical Resilience
00:56 – Why Taylor Never Planned on the Fire Service
03:15 – Discovering Purpose Through EMT Work
05:16 – The Physical Test She Failed — And How It Fueled Her
06:29 – Becoming #1 on the Hiring List: A Three-Year Climb
08:12 – Advice for Young Adults Who Feel Lost or Behind
10:27 – Where the Idea for Mindset Reps Came From
11:40 – How Fitness Builds Confidence, Trust, and Breakthroughs
13:36 – Stories of Transformation: Teens & First Responders
15:03 – Why Vulnerability Comes Easier After a Workout
16:51 – EMDR Explained: How It Helps First Responders Process Trauma
20:21 – The 30-Day Window: Understanding Trauma vs. Stress
22:41 – Shift Coaching Program: Building Leaders Through Accountability
26:45 – The Power of Peer Groups & the Hot Seat Model
27:40 – Expanding Shift to Local Government & Beyond
28:26 – How Taylor Balances Firefighting, Counseling, Family & Leadership
30:52 – Why Firefighters Lose Balance — And How to Rebuild It
33:57 – Leadership at Any Rank: Relational Influence Matters
34:20 – The Self-Care Practice That Surprises Most People
35:53 – How to Transition from Work Mode to Family Mode
37:10 – What’s Next for Mindset Reps
39:09 – Serving Underserved Youth Through Mental & Physical Wellness
42:29 – Advice for Leaders Building Resilience & Purpose
47:18 – Closing Thoughts & Outro
ABOUT TAYLOR:
Taylor Montey is a Fire Lieutenant, LPC, and the founder of Mindset Reps, a program designed to bridge the gap between mental and physical resilience. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from Colorado Christian University, where she graduated with honors. With deep experience in both mental health and fitness, she is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), Advanced Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), with expertise in trauma, stress, depression, anxiety, performance, addiction therapy, and domestic violence counseling. She also holds certificates in CrossFit Level 2, CrossFit Kids, and ACE, blending evidence-based mental health strategies with strength and conditioning principles. Taylor has extensive experience running and managing peer support programs for first responders and has led resiliency trainings and programs to help frontline professionals navigate the demands of their work.
LINKS & RESOURCES:
- Mindset Reps | Web (https://mindsetreps.com/)
- Mindset Reps | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mindset.reps)
- Taylor Montey | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-montey-b27aa3340/)
LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:
- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@theleadershipcrucible)
- Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/5f2mxvfj)
- Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/5xvp5wyu)
CONNECT WITH US:
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | Web (https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/)
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/theleadershipcruciblefoundation)
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-leadership-crucible-foundation/)
- Chief Bruegman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/chiefbruegman)
- Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast (https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/leaders-of-tomorrow-podcast)
MUSIC CREDITS:
- Brother - LIGHTS & MOTION (MB01BF9VZMERWZA)
- Fanfare For The Common Man - This Is The Good Life (Instrumental)
- MOONWATER (MB01CTIIAZV80UU)
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 – Trailer: Taylor Montey on Mental + Physical Resilience
00:56 – Why Taylor Never Planned on the Fire Service
03:15 – Discovering Purpose Through EMT Work
05:16 – The Physical Test She Failed — And How It Fueled Her
06:29 – Becoming #1 on the Hiring List: A Three-Year Climb
08:12 – Advice for Young Adults Who Feel Lost or Behind
10:27 – Where the Idea for Mindset Reps Came From
11:40 – How Fitness Builds Confidence, Trust, and Breakthroughs
13:36 – Stories of Transformation: Teens & First Responders
15:03 – Why Vulnerability Comes Easier After a Workout
16:51 – EMDR Explained: How It Helps First Responders Process Trauma
20:21 – The 30-Day Window: Understanding Trauma vs. Stress
22:41 – Shift Coaching Program: Building Leaders Through Accountability
26:45 – The Power of Peer Groups & the Hot Seat Model
27:40 – Expanding Shift to Local Government & Beyond
28:26 – How Taylor Balances Firefighting, Counseling, Family & Leadership
30:52 – Why Firefighters Lose Balance — And How to Rebuild It
33:57 – Leadership at Any Rank: Relational Influence Matters
34:20 – The Self-Care Practice That Surprises Most People
35:53 – How to Transition from Work Mode to Family Mode
37:10 – What’s Next for Mindset Reps
39:09 – Serving Underserved Youth Through Mental & Physical Wellness
42:29 – Advice for Leaders Building Resilience & Purpose
47:18 – Closing Thoughts & Outro
ABOUT TAYLOR:
Taylor Montey is a Fire Lieutenant, LPC, and the founder of Mindset Reps, a program designed to bridge the gap between mental and physical resilience. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling from Colorado Christian University, where she graduated with honors. With deep experience in both mental health and fitness, she is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), Advanced Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), with expertise in trauma, stress, depression, anxiety, performance, addiction therapy, and domestic violence counseling. She also holds certificates in CrossFit Level 2, CrossFit Kids, and ACE, blending evidence-based mental health strategies with strength and conditioning principles. Taylor has extensive experience running and managing peer support programs for first responders and has led resiliency trainings and programs to help frontline professionals navigate the demands of their work.
LINKS & RESOURCES:
- Mindset Reps | Web (https://mindsetreps.com/)
- Mindset Reps | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mindset.reps)
- Taylor Montey | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-montey-b27aa3340/)
LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:
- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@theleadershipcrucible)
- Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/5f2mxvfj)
- Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/5xvp5wyu)
CONNECT WITH US:
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | Web (https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/)
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/theleadershipcruciblefoundation)
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-leadership-crucible-foundation/)
- Chief Bruegman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/chiefbruegman)
- Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast (https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/leaders-of-tomorrow-podcast)
MUSIC CREDITS:
- Brother - LIGHTS & MOTION (MB01BF9VZMERWZA)
- Fanfare For The Common Man - This Is The Good Life (Instrumental)
- MOONWATER (MB01CTIIAZV80UU)