What happens when the Officer of the Year becomes the one in crisis?

In this powerful episode of Beneath the Helmet, Arjuna George sits down with AK Dozanti, a former deputy sheriff turned burnout recovery coach and author of Beat the Burnout. AK opens up about her personal spiral into depression, Operational Stress Injury, adrenal fatigue, and how the pressure to perform led to a complete system collapse.

They explore why burnout is more than just exhaustion; it’s a whole-body experience that affects identity, purpose, and nervous system regulation. AK shares what the crash felt like, how she ignored the signs, and the unconventional path she took to healing.

If you're a high performer, a helper, or a First Responder who's been feeling "off," this episode is your signal to pause and tune in. You'll learn:

• The warning signs of true burnout (it's sneakier than you think)

• Why First Responders face a unique risk due to trauma exposure and moral injury

• Practical, nervous-system-friendly recovery tools AK used to rebuild

• How self-leadership, boundaries, and grace are the new tactical gear
  🎧 Listen now to Beneath the Helmet and rediscover what it means to be strong without burning out.
  📘 Grab AK’s book Beat the Burnout
  📘 Grab Arjuna's book Burnt Around the Edges: A Guide to Mastering Stress and Surviving Burnout.

  00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

  01:22 Meet AK Dozanti: From Law Enforcement to Burnout Specialist

  02:31 Experiencing Burnout: AK's Personal Story

  04:18 Transition to Wellness and Lifesaver Wellness

  05:07 Understanding Burnout: Symptoms and Personal Experiences

  05:15 Understanding Burnout: Symptoms and Signs

  07:37 Addressing Past Trauma and Burnout

  09:18 The Importance of Listening to Your Body

  09:59 Burnout in First Responders

  09:59 The Impact of Trauma and Burnout on First Responders

  12:14 Physical and Emotional Impact of Burnout

  14:47 Resources and Support Systems

  16:59 Recovery and Prevention Strategies

  17:04 Strategies for Overcoming Burnout

  20:08 Fitness and Self-Care Adjustments

  22:31 The Journey of Writing 'Beat the Burnout'

  22:31 The Journey of Writing 'Beat the Burnout'

  24:43 Future Projects and Final Thoughts

  29:51 Struggles of Transitioning from High Performer to Entrepreneur

  30:19 The Importance of Recovery and Efficiency

  30:39 Understanding and Managing Burnout

  32:42 Understanding and Managing the Nervous System

  36:21 Recognizing Burnout Symptoms

  36:37 Steps to Combat Burnout

  41:02 Nourishing Your Nervous System

  47:30 The Power of Self-Leadership

  52:16 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

  55:42 Conclusion and Farewell

  
  

  Connect with AK:

  akd@lifesaverwellness.com
  akdozanti.com

#BurnoutRecovery #FirstResponderHealth #OperationalStressInjury #SelfLeadership #BeneathTheHelmetPodcast

Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)

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When firefighter Ricky Nuttall walked into the Grenfell Tower blaze, he had no idea itwould mark the beginning of a new life one forged through trauma, guilt,poetry, and purpose.

In this unforgettable episode of Beneath the Helmet, Ricky shares his raw and deeply personal account ofresponding to one of the UK’s most catastrophic fires. But what unfolds is morethan a fireground stor, it’s a journey into the aftermath: operationalstress injury, moral injury, and the haunting decisions firefighters carry longafter the smoke clears. You'llhear about:

· The moment he realized hemight not make it out

· The crushing weight ofchoosing to live while others died

· How childhood traumashaped his calling to serve

· The healing power ofwriting, reflection, and vulnerability

If you’ve ever struggled withshame, survivor’s guilt, or the silent battles behind the badge, thisconversation is for you. Ricky’s story will move you, challenge you, and mostof all remind you that redemption is not only possible, it’s powerful.

This episode is a must-listen for firefighters, firstresponders, mental health professionals, and leaders in high-stakesenvironments seeking real talk about resilience, trauma recovery, and post-traumatic growth.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:25 Ricky's Early Life and FamilyBackground

08:07 Joining the Fire Service

20:09 The Grenfell Tower Fire: InitialResponse

27:07 Inside the Tower: A Firefighter'sStruggle

43:58 Aftermath and Mental HealthStruggles

53:19 A Poem Born from Darkness

54:03 The Breaking Point

56:36 A Lifeline of Phone Calls

57:36 The Power of Counseling andMedication

58:43 The Stigma of Antidepressants

59:47 Seasonal Affective Disorder and St.John's Wort

01:00:49 Reflecting on Recovery

01:01:50 The Importance ofSelf-Congratulation

01:03:06 Embracing Change and Growth

01:08:41 Tools for Self-Care and Recovery

01:19:36 The Blue Balloon Theory

01:21:46 Rocks in Pockets: StrengthThrough Hardship

01:24:28 Exciting Future Projects

01:35:12 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

⁠info@justrick.co.uk⁠

⁠www.justrick.co.uk⁠

The Firefighter Film: https://www.justrick.co.uk/?wix-vod-video-id=5e79880e037f4ae6b0af4b17a78cae9c&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-kixmw8nq

🔥 Subscribe toBeneath the Helmet onApple, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform — and join the movement toredefine leadership and mental wellness in the fire service. Don'tforget to rate and share if this story resonates. Your voice helps break thesilence.

Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)

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Fire to Light: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities. From Brampton to Costa Rica: A Firefighter’s Journey to Healing and Purpose | Beneath the Helmet with Brandon Evans and Host Arjuna George What happens when a firefighter walks away from the job “too early”? In this raw and revealing episode of Beneath the Helmet, Retired Fire Chief Arjuna George sits down with Brandon Evans, former firefighter turned wellness entrepreneur and founder of Fire to Light, to talk about leaving the fire service, battling burnout, and redefining what it means to live a full, purpose-driven life.Brandon shares his powerful personal journey from suiting up in Brampton, Ontario, to running mental fitness programs in Costa Rica. He opens up about the trauma that pushed him to the edge, the healing practices that brought him back, and the global research that’s changing how we view firefighter mental health. From wildland firefighting to international backpacking to leading mental wellness initiatives, Brandon’s story is a call to action for anyone ready to move from fire to light.Topics Covered:Why he left the fire service early and what he learned about himselfSurviving Operational Stress Injury and building a toolbox for mental recoveryCreating a new life in Costa Rica with family at the centerThe truth about mental health training gaps in fire departments worldwideThe power of storytelling and vulnerability in fire service leadershipWhat “mental fitness” really means, and how to build itIf you’re a firefighter, fire chief, or first responder searching for more than just survival, this episode is for you. Whether you’re battling burnout, contemplating a transition, or simply seeking a more balanced and fulfilling path, Brandon’s honesty will hit home. Learn what it means to live intentionally, to lead with your heart, and to discover your light on the other side of the flame.🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Beneath the Helmet for more powerful stories from the frontlines.🔗 Learn more about Brandon’s work: https://firetolight.org📚 Check out Arjuna’s bestselling book Burnt Around the Edges💡 Explore 1:1 coaching, workshops, and TRE sessions at https://silverarrowcoaching.comIgniting 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:00 Meet Brandon Evans 01:13 Brandon's Journey to Firefighting 05:59 Life After Firefighting 09:32 The Impact of COVID-19 10:21 Mental Health Challenges 12:17 Entrepreneurial Ventures 31:33 Fire to Light: The Vision 39:31 Mental Fitness Explained 44:13 Research and Foundation of Fire to Light 44:23 Changes in Perception of Fire Service 45:57 Global Congruency in Fire Service Practices 47:16 Mental Health Training and Cultural Shifts 48:48 Challenges in Implementing Mental Health Programs 55:22 The Power of Storytelling in Leadership 01:08:05 Final Thoughts and Reflections 01:15:39 Overtime and Its Impact on Firefighter Wellness Connect with Brandonbrandon@firetolight.orgwww.firetolight.org@firetolight_firefightersShow Host - Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)🚨Stay Connected on Social🚨Facebook https://www.facebook.com/beneaththehelmetshow/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/beneaththehelmetshow/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@beneaththehelmet?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcLinkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunageorge/Twitter https://twitter.com/AJGeorgefireYoutube https://www.youtube.com/@beneaththehelmetshowYoutube https://www.youtube.com/@beneaththehelmetshorts 📨Linkedin Podcast Newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7026972684089528321📝Join the BTH Newsletter at https://colossal-trailblazer-6113.ck.page/c0e1b81fbe📺Watch or listen to all the episodes at www.beneaththehelmet.ca📩 Email Host: arjuna@silverarrowco.com