Becoming a "program guy" or a trusted member of a crew isn't just about your skill with a nozzle; it’s about how you handle the "game" of probation. This week, Nole and Kevin sit down with Taylor Morgan (Program Director for The Fire Up Program) to discuss the nuances of station culture that aren't taught in the academy. From the "laundry room dilemma" to handling the dreaded call to the Captain’s office, we explore how small actions build, or break, your reputation.

In this episode, we cover:

• Ownership over BS: Why "I don’t know, sir, but I’ll find out" is the most important sentence in a new firefighter's vocabulary.
• The "Peanut Butter Spoon" Test: How menial station tasks are actually indicators of your reliability on a fire scene.
• Social Intelligence: The dangers of oversharing and why your actions should always speak louder than your resume.
• The "7-Foot Captain" Story: A lesson in why you should always have a tool in your hand (and which ones you shouldn't try to borrow).
• Mentorship & The Fire Up Program: How Taylor uses the fire service model to help men grow in leadership and character.

Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz2RZThURTU&ab_channel=FacedownRecords

Get signed up for the next trip with Hold the Line!

https://www.fireupprogram.org/hold-the-line

The Fire You Carry on YouTube.

Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program!
https://www.fireupprogram.com/programs

The Fire Up Progam video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I__ErPW46Ec&t=12s&ab_channel=FireUpProgram

The Fire You Carry Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/thefireyoucarry/

Donate to The Fire Up Program.
https://www.fireupprogram.com/donate

The Fire Up Program Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/fireup_program/

Kevin's Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/kevinpwelsh/?hl=en

Welcome back to The Fire You Carry! This week, Nole and Kevin sit down to tackle a feeling we all know too well: hitting a mental wall and finding yourself stuck in a "season of blah."

When you're down in the valley, sprinting out isn't an option. The guys discuss how getting your momentum back is all about returning to the foundational basics. We dive into the importance of prioritizing sleep, dialing in your nutrition with Stan Efferding’s "Vertical Diet" (meat, rice, and bone broth), and learning to focus your energy only on your direct sphere of influence.

Kevin and Nole also talk through the brutal reality of properly executing the Norwegian 4x4 VO2 Max protocol, the immune-boosting benefits of L-glutamine, and why putting on the "Dad Hat" and saying yes to your kids should always beat out finishing your household chores.

Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz2RZThURTU&ab_channel=FacedownRecords

Get signed up for the next trip with Hold the Line!

https://www.fireupprogram.org/hold-the-line

The Fire You Carry on YouTube.

Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program!
https://www.fireupprogram.com/programs

The Fire Up Progam video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I__ErPW46Ec&t=12s&ab_channel=FireUpProgram

The Fire You Carry Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/thefireyoucarry/

Donate to The Fire Up Program.
https://www.fireupprogram.com/donate

The Fire Up Program Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/fireup_program/

Kevin's Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/kevinpwelsh/?hl=en

This week, Nole sits down with Barry Nisbet, a retired Canadian Army Sniper with 15 years of service and multiple deployments to the Balkans and Afghanistan, and Mir Bahmanyar, an author, historian, and former member of the US Army's 2nd Ranger Battalion.

Together with Gordon Cullen, Barry and Mir co-authored the book Send It: Canada's Snipers at War in Afghanistan. In this episode, we strip away the romanticized Hollywood myth of the lone-wolf sniper to discuss the brutal reality of sniper selection, the agonizing physical toll of stalking exercises, and the heavy weight of operating downrange. Barry shares incredible firsthand stories, including a wild reunion with a US Green Beret he met at Ranger School, the terrifying aftermath of an IED blast, and the absolute relief of having an AC-130 Gunship overhead. Mir also drops some invaluable knowledge on the harsh realities of the publishing world for anyone looking to write a book of their own.

Whether you’re interested in military history, the tactical mindset, or just hearing incredible stories of brotherhood from the Global War on Terror, you won't want to miss this one.

Grab a copy of the book: Send It: Canada's Snipers at War in Afghanistan by Gordon Cullen, Barry Nisbet, and Mir Bahmanyar – available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Indigo.

Big thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz2RZThURTU&ab_channel=FacedownRecords

Get signed up for the next trip with Hold the Line!

https://www.fireupprogram.org/hold-the-line

The Fire You Carry on YouTube.

Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program!
https://www.fireupprogram.com/programs

The Fire Up Progam video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I__ErPW46Ec&t=12s&ab_channel=FireUpProgram

The Fire You Carry Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/thefireyoucarry/

Donate to The Fire Up Program.
https://www.fireupprogram.com/donate

The Fire Up Program Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/fireup_program/

Kevin's Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/kevinpwelsh/?hl=en