Advertise on podcast: Keep the Promise Podcast - Building Resilient and Well-rounded Firefighters

Technical rescue will expose you fast. In part two with Captain PJ Halloran, we dig into the real work behind Rescue 1: rope rescue, hazmat, swiftwater, decision-making, and building crews that can perform under pressure. PJ also shares how a failed dream turned into the New England Rescue Collaborative, Rescue Lab, and a bigger mission to help firefighters get better training. What You’ll Learn:  Why rope rescue, swiftwater, and hazmat can humble even motivated firefighters.  How to train for high-risk, low-frequency calls before they happen.  Why officers must stop trying to be the hero and start building people.  How regional training can make small departments stronger and more prepared.  Why failure can become the start of something better if you keep moving. If you’re a firefighter who wants to get sharper, train harder, and leave the job better than you found it, this one’s for you. Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

A rescue company is more than just a rig full of tools, it is a culture. In this episode, Captain Patrick “PJ” Halloran shares how a rough childhood, military service, and years of hard lessons shaped him into the leader he is today. We talk about identity, ego, burnout, and what it takes to rebuild a rescue company from the inside out. What You’ll Learn:  How PJ went from a turbulent childhood to finding structure in the Army and fire service.  Why Army leadership does not always transfer cleanly into the firehouse.  What happens when a rescue company gets overused, burned out, and loses its identity.  How to build pride in a special operations unit without letting ego take over.  Why sometimes the best thing you can do is stick it out until you find your spot. If you’re a firefighter who wants to build better culture, stronger crews, and a clearer sense of purpose, this one’s for you. Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

Real resilience is not loud. Sometimes it looks like getting out of bed and taking one more step. Josh opens up about losing his daughter, Leni, what that grief did to his mindset, and how it stripped away his fear of failure. This episode is about pain, purpose, family, and building something that matters when life reminds you how short it really is.  What You’ll Learn:  What real resilience looks like when your world gets turned upside down  How to stop letting fear of failure keep you from building something meaningful  Why firefighters need purpose outside the station  How a strong marriage helps carry the weight of grief, parenting, and ambition  What makes the VTS a smart tool for departments trying to train harder and smarter If you’re a firefighter who wants to build a stronger life, lead your family well, and stop sitting on ideas out of fear, this one’s for you. Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

Who are you when the job no longer defines you? Josh McGill gets honest about growing up in the volunteer fire service, chasing the dream of the career job, and then making the hard call to walk away from it. This episode is about brotherhood, loss, identity, and the kind of growth that only comes when life forces you to face who you really are.  What You’ll Learn:  Why the volunteer firehouse can still shape a young firefighter for life  What it really feels like to leave the career fire service after building your identity around it  How loss changes the way you see fear, time, and purpose  Why your worth has to be bigger than the patch on your sleeve  How hard seasons can push you toward a better life if you let them If you’re a firefighter who’s wrestling with identity, loss, or what comes after the job, this one’s for you. Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

You do not have to make the fire service your whole personality to be great at the job. In Part 2, Joff Fierro explores rookie culture, fitness standards, leadership, hobbies, and mental health. This one hits on a truth a lot of firefighters need to hear: you can push people to be better without humiliating them, and having a life outside the job might be one of the best things you can do for your crew and your future. What You’ll Learn: How to coach younger firefighters without shame or humiliationWhy fitness, crew continuity, and training all feed each otherWhat good leadership looks like when a rookie is strugglingWhy hobbies outside the firehouse matter more than most firefighters admitOne hard truth about PTSD: distractions help, but they do not heal the woundIf you’re a firefighter who wants to lead better, train harder, and build a life outside the job without losing your edge, this one’s for you. Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

The job will take as much from you as you let it. In Part 1, Joff Fierro opens up about life: working at a busy station, chasing fitness, riding the highs of competition, and dealing with the burnout that came from trying to carry Fire Athlete for too long. This is a real conversation about staying driven without getting crushed by the weight of the mission. What You’ll Learn: How burnout can sneak up on firefighters who care the mostWhy a strong crew culture makes it easier to stay fit and stay readyWhat Hyrox gave Joff that traditional training did notWhy online criticism in the fire service wears people down faster than we admitHow to remember there are still solid firefighters out there doing good workIf you’re a firefighter who is trying to stay motivated, stay fit, and not let the job grind you into the dirt, this one’s for you. Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

A lot of firefighters know how to work hard. Fewer know how to build a life outside the firehouse without losing their edge. In Part 2, Nick talks about how leatherworking turned from a hobby into a booming business, why craftsmanship matters to so many firefighters, and how he manages family, fitness, and side work during a season of pure survival. This one is about discipline, communication, identity, and what it really means to be a good firefighter and a good man. What You’ll Learn: How a simple side hobby can become a real outlet for purpose, creativity, and growthWhy clear communication matters just as much in business as it does in the firehouseHow to train and maintain your fitness when life is chaotic and sleep is wreckedWhy your home life is the foundation for everything else you do on the jobWhat it means to focus on the basics and stop getting distracted by fire service nonsenseIf you’re a firefighter who wants to build something meaningful outside the job while still showing up strong for your crew and your family, this one’s for you. Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

What happens when the move you once questioned turns out to be exactly what you needed?   In this episode, Nick Lindsay returns to the show to talk about life after the jump from Harrisburg to Upper Darby, what family life looks like with two young kids, and how his perspective on the job has changed over time. This is a real conversation about growth, being present at home, and learning that the fire service matters... but it can’t be the only thing that defines you. What You’ll Learn: Why making a department move does not have to mean starting over from scratchHow to stay grounded when life feels like pure survival mode at homeWhy being present with your family can make you better on the jobWhat it looks like to join a new firehouse without trying to be the loudest guy in the roomOne mindset shift that helps you enjoy the job without letting it consume your identityIf you’re a firefighter who is trying to balance the job, family, and big life changes without losing yourself in the process, this one’s for you. Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

Is telling your story self-centered… or is it service? Jim Burneka walks through the real process of writing Overcoming Tuesday: from trauma-dumping the truth to turning it into a resource that helps firefighters get support. He explains the line between “look at me” and “this might save someone,” and why being uncomfortably honest is sometimes the most firefighter thing you can do.  What You’ll Learn: The behind-the-scenes process of writing the book, and why the audiobook hits differentHow to decide if sharing your story is helpful or just venting with no solutionsThe real line between service vs. self-focus when you go public with your experiencesWhat it costs to be vulnerable... and why some people will hate you for itWhy retirement doesn’t “fix” you automatically, and what healing actually looks like after If you’re a firefighter who’s carrying heavy stuff and you’ve thought, “I don’t want to be that guy… but I also can’t keep pretending I’m fine,” this one’s for you.  Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

Retirement sounds like freedom… until the phone stops ringing. Jim Burneka breaks down what life really feels like after you hang up your gear for the last time: better sleep, sure, but also the ego hit, the identity shift, and realizing the machine keeps rolling without you. This is a straight-up firefighter conversation about purpose, tribe, and why you have to start building a healthy retirement from day one on the job.  Expect to learn: How to avoid the “retire and disappear” trap when the firehouse moves on without youWhy your ego takes a hit after retirement, and how to flip that into freedomWhat “happy and healthy career + retirement” actually means (not just a bumper sticker)How to build purpose before you need it, so retirement doesn’t wreck youWhy most departments “check boxes” until someone dies—and how to lead change anyway If you’re a firefighter who wants to retire strong but you’re worried about losing your identity, your people, or your edge... this one’s for you.  Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

Want to be the calm one when everything goes sideways? This is how you build that. Captain Brian Yonkin talks speaking up, handling imposter thoughts, and using systems to sharpen leadership instead of guessing. Then he tells the story of rolling up on a working fire… and finding out there’s a second fire down the street. If you want to lead under pressure without losing your head, this episode gives you tools you can use as early as next shift. What You’ll Learn: How Brian trains himself to speak up and handle conflict without blowing upWhat his “imposter syndrome” warning sign is—and how he shuts it down earlyHow to set goals without the “New Year, new me” nonsense (and actually follow through)How trust in your crew is built—and why it matters when you have to make fast callsThree non-negotiables for being a strong firefighter in 2026: train, relax, and have a life outside the jobIf you’re a firefighter who wants to lead better, stay sharper, and not let the job eat your life… this one’s for you. Being consistent at the gym is non-negotiable. Fit For Service holds you accountable AND give you results. Check it out at https://keepthepromisefire.com Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

If you’re the “fixer” at home and in your firehouse, this episode will punch you right in the gut. Captain Brian Yonkin breaks down what changed since 2024—promotion to captain, hard family stress, and realizing he was running on fumes without calling it depression. We talk TRT, therapy, asking for help, and how being a dad made him a better leader. This is firefighter reality: you can’t pour from an empty cup and still think you’re “tough.” What You’ll Learn: How to spot when you’re quietly burning out even if you think you’re “fine”Why “I’ll handle it” can turn into a slow mental crash—and how to start asking for helpA simple way to lead better: be curious, not judgmental, and meet people where they’re atHow to build calm focus when life is pulling you in 10 directionsWhy doing more for everyone else can wreck you—and how to stop being the default problem-solverIf you’re a firefighter who feels responsible for everything and you’re tired, stressed, or numb… this one’s for you. Subscribe to the show and keep the promise you made — to yourself and your crew. Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

...to 2025 and hello to 2026! This year either made you better or it made you bitter. In this episode, we close out the year by pulling the real lessons from 2025 and turning them into a simple plan for 2026. We talk standards, health, and your crew—because this job will take from you unless you choose who you’re going to be. What You’ll Learn: How to set one standard and actually live it when you’re tiredHow to teach the standard to the next generation without turning into a grouchHow to protect your mind and body so you make it to retirement in one pieceThe simple “one habit at a time” method to stop getting overwhelmed and start stacking winsHow to build your 2026 around better people, better habits, and better resultsIf you’re a firefighter who wants to start 2026 stronger, and stop drifting through the job on autopilot, this one’s for you. Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

You're the fixer. But what happens when it’s you that needs fixing? In this hard-hitting follow-up, Brad Schriefer peels back the layers on substance abuse, trauma loops, and why we suck at taking our own advice. He offers real, actionable strategies for breaking the cycle — without losing your edge or your identity. This isn’t therapy — it’s survival. What You’ll Learn: Why the firehouse culture of “fix everyone but yourself” is setting us up to failHow to replace the bottle with tools that actually workOne way to rewire your brain and protect your crewThe science behind why the gym is sometimes the best therapyA better definition of “strength” — one that actually saves livesIf you’re a firefighter who knows something has to change — but doesn’t want to lose who you are — this one's for you. Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

You swore to protect others — but when was the last time you checked in on yourself? Brad Schriefer, a third-generation firefighter and mental health advocate, shares his raw journey through trauma, peer support, and post-traumatic growth. With over two decades in the service, Brad brings gritty honesty and real solutions to the emotional weight we carry. This isn’t about being soft. It’s about staying strong enough to show up tomorrow. What You’ll Learn: Why “it’s okay to not be okay — but not okay to stay not okay” hits harder than you thinkHow to spot the early signs that your crew (or you) are going sidewaysSimple ways to make mental fitness part of academy trainingWhy peer support isn't a buzzword — it's a lifelineHow to finally deal with your shit before it spills into your next shiftIf you’re a firefighter who wants to lead from the front — not just in fire, but in life — this one’s for you. Support 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! Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!