Forging Wellness

Why Wellness in the Fire Service Is Still Missing the Mark

Jesse Clark lights a fire under the wellness conversation in the fire service. No fluff, no corporate spin—just honest takes on: 🔥 Why wellness programs fail 🔥 How the culture still punishes vulnerability 🔥 The real cost of ignoring firefighter health 🔥 What’s actually working (and what’s just a checklist) 🔥 Controversial questions you should be asking 🎧 20 minutes of fire. Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. #ForgingWellness #CodeRedRants #FirefighterWellness #FirstResponderHealth #LeadershipWithBackbone #MentalHealthInTheFireService

Mike DeMarino - Deemed Fit

In this episode, we sit down with the Mike Demarino of a first responder-owned fitness and wellness company that’s on a mission to rebuild confidence, resilience, and purpose in our fire, EMS, and law enforcement communities. He's seen the toll the job takes—mentally, physically, emotionally. He has lived through the pandemic, riots, and moments when the country seemed at war with itself. And now, he's showing up to lead something new. We talk: 🔥 The real struggles behind the uniform—and how fitness helps fight back 💪 The role of community in rebuilding motivation and resilience 💛 His commitment to giving back through causes like: * Tunnel to Towers * Elementary school programs * Individual departments in need * Beyond the Badge NYC 🚓 How YOU can join the mission and train with purpose Whether you’re a first responder or a friend who wants to be part of the solution, this episode will light a fire. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more. ⁠DeemedFit Website⁠ [https://deemedfit.co/?ref=cgnxzvpd] - (for 15% off use code FORGINGWELLNESS208) contact: mike@deemedfit.co [mike@deemedfit.co] #ForgingWellness #FirstResponderFitness #TunnelToTowers #BeyondTheBadgeNYC #FitForDuty #LEOWellness #FirefighterStrength #CommunityDrivenFitness

Dena Ali - Leading with Heart: Firefighter Wellness, HRV, and the Power of Peer Support

Can we build resilience without ignoring the realities of trauma? Can hope truly come out of darkness? In this compelling episode, we sit down with Dena Ali, Battalion Chief, mental health researcher, peer support pioneer, and author of the powerful new book Hope Out of Darkness. Dena shares her journey from firefighter to national mental health advocate, the science behind stress and suicide in the fire service, and why data, compassion, and leadership must work together to change our culture. We dive into: 📖 The story behind her book Hope Out of Darkness 🧠 How trauma rewires our brains—and how we take back control ❤️ Why Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a game-changer for firefighter wellness 🔥 How peer support can work if done right 💡 Real, practical strategies for leaders and firefighters alike 🎧 Plus: firehouse fun questions and her favorite guilty pleasure This episode is deep, inspiring, and a reminder that we're all human under the helmet—and we don't have to carry the weight alone. 🎧 Now available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and more. ⁠Brene Brown⁠ [https://brenebrown.com/] ⁠Deep Survival⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Survival-Who-Lives-Dies/dp/0393326152] - Laurence Gonzales ⁠The Beauty of a Darker Soul⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Darker-Soul-Overcoming-Connection/dp/1619616742] - Joshua Mantz ⁠Hope Out of Darkness⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Out-Darkness-Responder-Wellness/dp/1593706030] - Dena Ali #ForgingWellness #DenaAli #HopeOutOfDarkness #FirstResponderWellness #HRV #FirefighterMentalHealth #PeerSupportMatters #FireServiceLeadership

Dustin Baisdon - Redemption, fitness and fire service - it's all connected.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dustin Baisdon, a firefighter with Modesto Fire, Engine Ops cadre instructor, peer support team member, and the man behind the department’s Academy Fitness Program. But Dustin’s path wasn’t linear. Before the academy, the turnout gear, and the training drills, Dustin was working in a brewery—until one mistake changed everything. The next day, he quit drinking, walked away from the job, and started over at a local gym. What happened next transformed his life. 💪 From fitness instructor to firefighter 🔥 From “starting over” to leading academy fitness 🚒 From peer support recipient to peer support leader ❤️ From hitting rock bottom to building others up every day This is a story about second chances, being part of a community that believes in you, and the power of showing up—again and again. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and more. #ForgingWellness #RedemptionStory #FirefighterFitness #ModestoFire #PeerSupport #FitnessSavedMe #SecondChances #FireGroundReady

Matt Soule - Stress is not the enemy - our relationship to it is.

In this episode, we sit down with Matt, author of Stronger Through Stress and founder of Cold Club®, to talk about how intentional discomfort can lead to peak performance, resilience, and lasting well-being. With more than 15 years of experience teaching over 10,000 people—including military teams, corporate giants, first responders, and elite athletes—Matt is redefining the way we think about stress. We explore: ❄️ Why cold exposure works—and how to start safely 🧠 The Stress Paradox and what it means for your brain and body 🔥 Why managing stress is outdated—and training it is the future 📈 Data, wearables, and breath: what performance science is teaching us 🥋 How martial arts, biohacking, and mindset converge in Cold Club® Whether you’re a high performer, a burned-out responder, or just trying to get more control back in your life—this episode is your blueprint. 🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. #ForgingWellness #ColdClub #StrongerThroughStress #StressIsFuel #WimHof #Breathwork #FirstResponderWellness #BiohackingPerformance ⁠Cold Club Website⁠ [https://www.coldclub.com/] Book - ⁠Stronger Through Stress⁠ [https://www.coldclub.com/product-page/stronger-through-stress-ebook] ⁠Amazon⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Stronger-Through-Stress-Mastering-Performance/dp/1736296981/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26LCA3NU6CXFF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Qm5vhWRW1uypCBK2yRSUw8etE3qzxkGF6j2Q2JdY32LXKaijDXpMP2oTzGg5IrAyvqDCDdP-Oo1ioB3WSudRkwlqO698-nd1kVcBTk6IHZizRJ2LugiyyUnfYqAIIbwUiNm1eapKkSZNrWn9EowxcnWvksLKf6rslgyHMJBXmsGqx1l7plQD05a2l3_T7u1hXv6A8FHiAEuDGXqwfn9AJ-ZqH330EQij5UhKsSwbOr0.PhWskRRNBzW7dcFt2CXWSl79lG7X2PThcIgbWoVaVR8&dib_tag=se&keywords=stronger+through+stress&qid=1747450184&sprefix=stronger+through+stress%2Caps%2C285&sr=8-1]