Episode 189: Grit, Softness, and the Reality of the Fire Service w/ Scott Hewlett

Episode 193 - The Real Test Wasn’t the Lifts

What happens when you put in the work… and the result still isn’t what you hoped for? In this episode of Resilient Humans, Kevin reflects on the recent CrossFit Total at CrossFit Moncton—a day where many members hit huge PRs… and he didn’t. Instead of turning the episode into a conversation about strength numbers, Kevin explores something deeper: * how we interpret setbacks * the danger of tying identity to performance * and why resilience is often revealed most clearly when things don’t go according to plan From tendonitis and lack of sleep to being on-scene at an active fire the day before, this episode is a powerful reminder that performance never happens in isolation. 🔑 IN THIS EPISODE: * Why context matters when evaluating performance * The emotional side of not hitting a PR * How stress, recovery, and life load affect results * The danger of outcome-based identity * Why resilience is really about perspective * How to separate performance from self-worth 💬 QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: > “Your performance is information—not identity.” 🎯 REFLECTION CHALLENGE: Think about an outcome you’re attaching too much meaning to right now. Ask yourself: * Am I evaluating this honestly… or emotionally? * What context might I be ignoring? * What if the real win is how I responded? As always, please like, share, and subscribe. If you would like help building resilience physically, mentally, and emotionally—I’d love to be your coach. Thanks for listening! 📲 CONNECT WITH KEVIN: 📸 https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/ [https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/] 🌐 https://ifixyourmindset.com [https://ifixyourmindset.com/] 👥 https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton [https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton]

Episode 192 - Post-Traumatic Growth w/ Cody Gillies

In this episode, I sit down with Cody Gillies — a career and volunteer firefighter, husband, father of two, and someone who’s walked through trauma, addiction, depression, and a near suicide attempt… and came out the other side with a completely different perspective on resilience. What stood out to me most about Cody wasn’t just the adversity he’s faced — it was his willingness to talk openly about it. We get into his childhood growing up with an abusive father struggling with addiction, how endurance sports became both an escape and a coping mechanism, and how years of unresolved trauma slowly built beneath the surface while he pushed harder and harder through life. Cody shares how firefighting, lack of sleep, overtraining, alcohol, and constant stress eventually led him to a breaking point — and how stepping away from the job for 18 months ultimately became the beginning of rebuilding his life. This conversation is really about post-traumatic growth. Not just surviving hard things — but learning how to reframe them, learn from them, and use them to become a better human being. We also dive deep into self-talk, vulnerability, the importance of reflection, and why many people mistake “pushing through” for actual resilience. This one is raw, honest, and incredibly important. IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER: * Growing up with addiction, abuse, and unpredictability * How childhood experiences shape coping mechanisms later in life * Using endurance sports as both therapy and escape * The connection between sleep deprivation, stress, and mental health * Why overtraining can become destructive instead of healthy * Firefighter culture, trauma exposure, and emotional suppression * The slow build into depression and suicidal ideation * Why many first responders don’t recognize they’re struggling * How podcasts and vulnerable conversations helped Cody seek help * The role of therapy, sleep, nutrition, and movement in recovery * The power of reframing trauma and changing internal language * PTSD as an “injury” instead of a permanent identity * Why vulnerability is actually one of the hardest things you can do * How reflection creates growth after hardship KEY TAKEAWAYS * Resilience isn’t about avoiding struggle — it’s about learning from it * You can’t heal while constantly running from yourself * Sleep, nutrition, and movement are foundational to mental health * The language you use shapes how you experience hardship * Vulnerability creates connection, not weakness * Reflection is where growth actually happens ONE QUESTION TO REFLECT ON Am I pushing through my struggles… or actually learning from them? This conversation is a reminder that resilience isn’t about pretending you’re okay... it’s about having the courage to face what’s really going on and taking the next step forward anyway. _____________________________________ As always, please like, share, and subscribe. And if you want to dig deeper, or you’re looking for support—reach out. I’d love to help. Connect with me! 📸 Instagram – @cfcoach_kevin [https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin] 🌐 ifixyourmindset.com [https://ifixyourmindset.com/] 💬 Join my free Facebook group for tips on fitness, nutrition & mindset: Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton]

Episode 191 - TDEE Explained: Why Your Workouts Aren’t the Whole Story

Most people think their workouts drive their results—but they only make up a small part of the picture. In this episode, I break down TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) and the 4 components that determine how many calories you burn each day: * BMR (60–70%) – staying alive * NEAT (15–30%) – daily movement * EAT (5–10%) – exercise * TEF (~10%) – digesting food The big takeaway? Your daily habits matter more than your workouts. If you want better results: * Move more throughout the day * Lift weights to build muscle * Eat enough protein * Stop relying on workouts alone 👉 Book an InBody scan: cfmoncton.as.me/inbody ____________________________________________ As always, please like, share, and subscribe. If you would like some help, please reach out! I'd love to be your coach. Thanks for listening! 📲 CONNECT WITH KEVIN: 📸 https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/ [https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/] 🌐 https://ifixyourmindset.com [https://ifixyourmindset.com/] 👥 https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton [https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton]

Episode 190 - 6 Signs You’re Lacking Resilience (And What To Do About It)

In this episode of Resilient Humans, Kevin flips the script on resilience by exploring what it looks like when it’s missing. Most people don’t walk around thinking they lack resilience—they just feel overwhelmed, stuck, reactive, or drained… and assume “life is hard.” But often, it’s not just life—it’s how we’re responding to it. Kevin breaks down 6 key signs of low resilience, with real-life examples you’ll likely recognize, and practical strategies to help you build it back. 🔑 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: * The difference between life being hard vs. lacking resilience * 6 common patterns that signal low resilience * Why fragility, rigidity, and avoidance keep people stuck * How reactivity and victim mindset show up in everyday life * Practical ways to build resilience through small, consistent actions 🧱 THE 6 SIGNS: 1. Fragility – Small stress creates big reactions 2. Rigidity – “All or nothing” thinking 3. Breakdown – Accumulated stress leads to burnout 4. Avoidance – Escaping instead of addressing problems 5. Reactivity – Acting emotionally without pause 6. Victim Mindset – Believing you have no control 🛠️ KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Build capacity by doing hard things on purpose * Stay flexible—something is always better than nothing * Shorten your recovery time when things go off track * Face problems earlier instead of letting them grow * Create a pause between stimulus and response * Focus on what you can control 🎯 YOUR CHALLENGE: Pick one of the six areas and focus on it this week. Ask yourself: 👉 “How am I responding to stress—and how could I handle it better?” Start small. That’s where resilience is built. As always, please like, share, and subscribe. If you would like some help, please reach out! I'd love to be your coach. Thanks for listening! 📲 CONNECT WITH KEVIN: 📸 https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/ [https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin/] 🌐 https://ifixyourmindset.com [https://ifixyourmindset.com/] 👥 https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton [https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton]

Episode 189: Grit, Softness, and the Reality of the Fire Service w/ Scott Hewlett

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Hewlett — a second-generation firefighter, instructor, peer support leader, and host of the Multiple Calls Podcast — for a conversation that goes far beyond tactics and training. What stood out to me in this one is how Scott challenges a lot of the things we hear over and over again in the fire service — the phrases, the mindset, and the identity people attach to the job. We talk about the balance between grit and softness, and why the best firefighters aren’t one or the other — they’re both. Scott breaks down what he calls a “dimmer switch,” not a light switch, where you adjust based on the situation instead of defaulting to one mode. We also get into mentorship, culture, and the responsibility that comes with the job — not just to perform, but to think critically, take ownership, and continuously improve. This episode is about perspective. It’s about questioning what you’ve been told, understanding why you do what you do, and showing up as a better human — not just a better firefighter. IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER: * Why you shouldn’t let anyone steal a day of your career * The concept of grit vs softness — and why you need both * The “dimmer switch” approach to performance and empathy * Why blindly following advice can hold you back * The importance of filtering information and thinking critically * Why being a firefighter is a lifelong learning process * The reality of burnout, mental health, and peer support * Why “helping people” isn’t always what you think it is * The danger of common phrases like “kid calls are the worst” * How mindset shapes your experience on the job * Why most “boring calls” are actually opportunities to improve * The role of mentorship in shaping the next generation * Why resilience doesn’t always feel like strength ONE QUESTION TO REFLECT ON Am I thinking for myself… or just repeating what I’ve been told? This conversation is a reminder that resilience isn’t just about doing hard things — it’s about understanding why you’re doing them in the first place. 🛠 RESOURCES & LINKS — SCOTT HEWLETT 🎧 Podcast: Multiple Calls Podcast [https://www.multiplecalls.com/news] 📸 Instagram: @multiplecallspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/multiplecallspodcast/] 📧 Email: multiplecalls@gmail.com As always, please like, share, and subscribe. And if you want to dig deeper, or you’re looking for support—reach out. I’d love to help. Connect with me! 📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin@cfcoach_kevin [https://www.instagram.com/cfcoach_kevin] 🌐 https://ifixyourmindset.com/ifixyourmindset.com [https://ifixyourmindset.com/] 💬 Join my free Facebook group for tips on fitness, nutrition & mindset: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmonctonFacebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitnessnutritionmindsetmoncton]