

Beneath The Helmet Show - Firefighter Wellness & Mental Health (mind-body-spirit)
Arjuna George
Welcome to Beneath the Helmet, a podcast about firefighter well-being and everything beneath the helmet. Join our host, retired Fire Chief Arjuna George, as he interviews firefighters, leaders, and experts on the topics of mental health, physical health, and spiritual health, always with a lens of leadership and self-development. Our goal is to take a holistic approach to understand what it takes for firefighters not just to survive, but to thrive in their careers.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 28, 2023 • 48min
James Rychard - talks about 🔥Burnout and Human Performance.
Episode #1🎙️In the first episode, Arjuna George has an interview with James Rychard, a firefighter with 21 years of experience, discussing topics related to burnout, self-care, and leadership in the fire service. The interviewer, Arjuna George, hosts a podcast focused on firefighters' health and wellness. Rychard talks about the importance of recognizing workplace stress. He also explains the concept of burnout, the Holmes and Rahe stress scale, and the sandwich effect. Richard believes that firefighters should be regarded as industrial athletes and suggests that mental performance coaches and sports psychologists could benefit the fire service. Lastly, he emphasizes the importance of character-based leadership and building a psychologically safe environment.
The video sheds light on firefighters' demanding work environment, including long hours, high-stress situations, and the emotional toll of witnessing trauma and loss. By addressing factors such as insufficient recovery time, lack of resources, and the stigma surrounding mental health, we aim to promote greater understanding and support for those struggling with burnout in the firefighting community. Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to a healthier and more sustainable firefighting workforce that is better equipped to continue their vital work in safeguarding our communities. #Burnout
⭐Resources:
🔗Holmes and Rahe Stress Inventory https://www.stress.org/holmes-rahe-stress-inventory-pdf
📖Is Work Killing You? https://amzn.to/3TI7bNH
📖Burnt Around the Edges. https://amzn.to/3Zbx3CU
📝The Making of a Corporate Athlete https://hbr.org/2001/01/the-making-of-a-corporate-athlete
📝VCOS Yellow Ribbon Report - Under the Helmet: Performing an Internal Size-Up https://www.iafc.org/topics-and-tools/resources/resource/vcos-yellow-ribbon-report-under-the-helmet-performing-an-internal-size-up
📝Beware of burnout Recognize and prevent burnout during COVID-19 and beyond https://www.firefightingincanada.com/beware-of-burnout/
📝3 Tools for Stress https://www.cdnfirefighter.com/3-tools-for-stress/
📝Psychological PPE: The Sandwich Effect https://www.cdnfirefighter.com/psychological-ppe-the-sandwich-effect/
➡️SUBSCRIBE⬅️
🔥Spotify https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/K4Ku9ixQryb
🔥Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beneath-the-helmet/id1676314109
🔗www.beneaththehelmet.ca
🔗www.silverarrowco.com
🔗www.burntaroundtheedges.com
🔗www.trefire.com
Key Takeaways
Self-care is crucial for preventing burnout and maintaining mental and physical health.
Humility, communication, and compassion are essential qualities for effective leadership.
The Holmes and Rahe stress scale is valuable for identifying and managing life stressors.
Creator Bio
Retired fire chief Arjuna George hosts the "Beneath the Helmet" podcast, exploring firefighters' health and wellness. The podcast aims to support firefighters worldwide, promoting their mind, body, and spirit well-being. Firefighter James Rychard is a regular contributor to the Canadian Firefighter Magazine and has 21 years of experience in both career and paid-on-call environments.

Mar 8, 2023 • 2min
Pilot Episode - BTH
Pilot Episode Trailer
Welcome to Beneath the Helmet, the podcast that delves into the well-being of firefighters and everything beneath their helmets. Hosted by Retired Fire Chief Arjuna George, this podcast provides a holistic approach to supporting firefighters' physical, mental, and spiritual health. In each episode, Arjuna will be joined by experts, leaders, and firefighters to share their experiences, insights, and advice. They will discuss topics such as self-care, the job's physical demands, the mental and emotional toll it can take, and the spiritual aspect of firefighting. Whether you are a new firefighter or a seasoned veteran, this podcast will provide the tools and support you need to thrive in your career. Join us every two weeks for a new episode, available on all major listening platforms and social media platforms. Take your well-being seriously, prioritize self-care, and join us on this exciting journey to discover what it takes to be a healthy, successful firefighter.
Seek what sets your soul on Fire and join the BTH Community. #BTH #Firefighters #Firefighter #Pilot #firefighterpodcast #Mentalhealth #stress #burnout