The Truth About the Nervous System: Why Trauma Isn’t a Thinking Problem with Doug Allen

What if everything you’ve been told about trauma is missing the most critical piece, the body?

In this episode of Beneath the Helmet, retired Fire Chief and Executive Coach Arjuna George sits down with Doug Allen, a combat veteran turned trauma therapist, to explore why trauma isn’t a thinking problem—it’s a nervous system problem.

Doug’s story is raw, powerful, and eye-opening. From the battlefields of Afghanistan to the therapy room, he reveals what truly happens beneath the surface when we experience stress, trauma, and burnout.

Doug shares how his time in the military led him to develop the Nervous System Recalibration System. This groundbreaking model teaches individuals how to work with their nervous system rather than against it.
You’ll gain insights that reframe how we view stress, leadership, and recovery, especially for first responders, veterans, and high-performing individuals.

In this deep conversation, Arjuna and Doug unpack:

• Why trauma lives in the body, not the mind

• The five components of Nervous System Recalibration: Breathing, Rhythm, Environment, Social Engagement, and Curiosity

• Why “getting regulated” isn’t the goal—it’s about being fluid and adaptable.

• The danger of chasing constant calm or “safety”

• Why first responders don’t need prevention, they need preparation

• How curiosity and awareness can rewire resilience and connection

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating Operational Stress Injury (OSI), burnout, or chronic tension.
Doug and Arjuna show that the path to recovery isn’t about fixing what’s broken—it’s about reconnecting with what’s human.
By understanding your own nervous system, you gain agency, self-leadership, and the power to heal from within.

You’ll walk away with practical insights you can use immediately, from mindful breathing to nervous system awareness in everyday stress.

👂 Listen now and begin your journey toward nervous system mastery.
📖 Order Doug’s book: An Operator’s Guide to the Nervous System — available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and AGTTC.org
🌐 Connect with Arjuna: https://www.silverarrowcoaching.com
🎧 Subscribe to Beneath the Helmet for more authentic conversations on firefighter wellness, resilience, leadership, and human performance.

00:00 – Welcome to Beneath the Helmet
01:25 – Meet Doug Allen: Combat Veteran Turned Trauma Therapist
03:00 – The Military Lens: Service, Leadership, and Human Connection
06:00 – From Combat to Care: Creating the Casualty Support Cell
09:00 – The Shift to Nervous System Work
11:00 – Why Trauma Isn’t a Thinking Problem
13:00 – The Physiology Behind Psychology
15:30 – How Stress Hijacks the Brain and Body
17:45 – Remembering vs. Reliving: The Body’s Language of Trauma
20:00 – The Myth of “Getting Regulated”
22:00 – Inside the Nervous System Recalibration System
25:00 – The Five Pillars: Breathing, Rhythm, Environment, Social Engagement, Curiosity
28:30 – The Power of Curiosity and Connection
30:00 – Applying Recalibration in Law Enforcement and First Responder Work
33:00 – Allodynamics Explained: The Art of Flexibility
36:00 – How to Check Your Nervous System Health
38:00 – Breathing and Awareness Practices
40:00 – The Truth About Safety and Stress
42:00 – Why Stress is Essential for Growth and Resilience
46:00 – Preparation Over Prevention: A New Model for Wellness
49:00 – The Future of Mental Health in the Fire Service
50:00 – Doug’s Personal Practices for Nervous System Health
52:00 – Final Reflections: Service, Humanity, and Staying Well

Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)

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