Celebrating Episode 50 and Beneath the Helmet's FIRST ANNIVERSARY
Welcome back, everyone! This episode is special. We're celebrating episode number 50, a milestone for 'Beneath the Helmet'. Today, we are turning the tables as Arjuna gets interviewed by a close friend, fellow podcaster, and incredible human being, Cindy Thompson.
In this episode, Cindy, who hosts 'The Resilience Project,' interviews Arjuna. Since starting the podcast, their conversation has been a deep dive into Arjuna's journey, resilience, and insights. Cindy has graciously interviewed Arjuna a few times, and today, she helps him share his story of resilience and passion with all of you.
The Birth of 'Beneath the Helmet'
Cindy starts the interview by asking Arjuna what inspired him to start the podcast. Arjuna shares his story of retiring after 24 years and navigating burnout recovery from the fire service. With a clear picture of his future shaped by coaching, Arjuna realizes he still wants to contribute to the fire service community.
Arjuna missed the rich connections he built over his 24-year career. Instead of fading away, he decided to harness those relationships and create a niche podcast that covers all aspects of a firefighter's life: leadership, self-development, mental health, physical health, and overall wellness. The vision behind 'Beneath the Helmet' is to delve into elite firefighters' mind, body, and spirit.
Personal Growth and Burnout Recovery
Arjuna shares how his personal growth since retirement has transformed him. He now focuses keenly on his wellbeing, something he admitted was neglected during his time in the fire service. Having the time and space to reflect, along with coaching and therapy, allowed Arjuna to become more authentic and self-aware.
He candidly speaks about the importance of expressing emotions and the damaging effects of bottling them up. His newfound understanding of his vulnerabilities has been both scary and liberating. This personal journey has equipped Arjuna with the tools to help others, which he does through his podcast and coaching.
Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations
Cindy asks Arjuna what he has learned about himself since starting the podcast. He highlights how his listening skills have sharpened significantly through coaching and podcasting. He has also discovered the power of presence—being there fully and deeply for those he speaks with.
The podcast has also taught Arjuna patience and the importance of sustainable work-life balance to avoid burnout. He plans on continuing with the podcast, aiming to release episodes bi-weekly, knowing that a weekly schedule might lead to burnout.
The Broader Impact and Community
One of the most significant transformations Arjuna mentions is expanding his fire service family. Arjuna's community has grown exponentially from his local network to connections across North America, Australia, and the UK. He finds immense value and joy in providing a platform for people to share their stories and offering practical tools to overcome challenges.
Final Thoughts and Reflections
Closing the interview, Cindy asks Arjuna to reflect on his journey and the broader impact of his work. Arjuna expresses deep gratitude for the gift of burnout despite its challenges. It has given him the wisdom and experience to help others through their struggles and prevent burnout.
When asked about a dream guest for the podcast, Arjuna mentions David Marquet, whose heart-led leadership style resonates deeply with him. Marquet's approach to leadership in the military parallels the connection and dedication Arjuna feels towards the fire service.
Thank you for tuning in to 'Beneath the Helmet.' The journey over the past year has been incredible, and episode 50 is just one of many milestones to come. Remember, caring for your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being is crucial to achieving optimal performance.
Stay tuned for more inspiring conversations on 'Beneath the Helmet.' Until next time, stay well.
Arjuna George - Host
