Firefighter Burnout and Recovery: Brad Robinson on Healing, Nervous System Regulation, and Life After the Fire Service

In this episode of Beneath the Helmet, host Arjuna George sits down with Brad Robinson, a former Team Canada baseball player, retired fire service lieutenant, and founder of The Complete Athlete. Brad shares his deeply personal journey through firefighter burnout, nervous system dysregulation, and the long path toward healing.

After years in the fire service, Brad began experiencing physical exhaustion, emotional overwhelm, and symptoms connected to operational stress. Eventually, he realized he needed to step away from the job and focus on healing. That decision led him down a powerful path of personal growth, g

In this conversation, Brad opens up about the realities of burnout in the fire service, the importance of nervous system regulation, and why self-leadership and recovery are essential for long-term performance and well-being.

This episode is an honest and hopeful conversation about recovery, resilience, and life beyond the fire hall.

Time Stamps

00:00 – Welcome to Beneath the Helmet Season 4 Episode 104
01:00 – Brad Robinson’s background and athletic career
03:00 – From baseball to the fire service
05:00 – Early fire service career and rookie culture
08:00 – Promotions and leadership roles in the department
09:00 – Early warning signs of burnout
13:00 – The call that pushed things over the edge
16:00 – Emotional collapse and stepping away from the fire service
19:00 – Realizing the need to heal instead of returning to work
21:00 – Suicidal thoughts and the turning point toward recovery
22:00 – PTSD diagnosis and the power of language
24:00 – Disorder vs injury: reframing trauma and hope
27:00 – Why firefighters often feel safer at work than at home
30:00 – Nervous system overload in the fire service
33:00 – Busyness as a coping mechanism
37:00 – High performance and the importance of recovery
38:00 – Letting go of guilt and learning to rest
39:00 – Healing modalities that helped Brad recover
40:00 – NLP and rewiring emotional responses to trauma
48:00 – Building stronger humans first
49:00 – The gift of self-leadership
50:00 – Strength, toughness, and self-care in the fire service
53:00 – Training the nervous system for performance
57:00 – Brad’s upcoming book Beyond the Big Red Truck
58:00 – The Complete Athlete and Brad’s work with firefighters

Brad Robinson
Founder, The Complete Athlete

Website
https://thecompleteathlete.ca

Instagram@the_complete_athlete

Brad offers mental performance coaching and counselling support for athletes, firefighters, and first responders, including programs focused on high-performance mindset, emotional regulation, and nervous system awareness.

Arjuna George is the author of Burnt Around the Edges, a powerful book that explores burnout, stress, and leadership in the fire service. Drawing from his own experiences in the fire service, the book highlights the realities of operational stress and the importance of self-leadership, resilience, and nervous system health.

The themes discussed in this episode—burnout, trauma, healing, and recovery—connect closely with the lessons explored in the book.

You can order Burnt Around the Edges here:
https://www.silverarrowcoaching.com or on Amazon.

Beneath the Helmet explores firefighter health, wellness, leadership, and personal growth. Hosted by retired Fire Chief Arjuna George, the podcast features conversations with experts, first responders, and leaders who are working to strengthen the fire service and support those who serve.

If you found this conversation valuable:
📢 Subscribe and share it with a firefighter or first responder who could benefit from it
🔔 to the channel for more conversations on leadership, resilience, and firefighter wellness

✅Become a BTH Ambassador for a one-time contribution of $23. Your Ambassador contribution supports the behind-the-scenes work that keeps this project alive. Click here to support the show

📺 WATCH & LISTEN 🌐 Full Episodes & Show Notes: www.beneaththehelmet.ca