It’s 2 a.m. The pager goes off. You’re out the door before your mind catches up.
You leave behind a warm bed, a family, a job, a life.
You step into uncertainty, into danger, into someone else’s worst day.
Being a volunteer firefighter means showing up, often for strangers, for your community.
It’s holding a hand in the wreckage of a horrific crash, listening to silence after the sirens fade, and carrying the weight of what you’ve seen long after the smoke clears.
There’s no pay cheque. No spotlight.
In New Zealand, volunteer firefighters are now being asked to do more than many ever signed up for - responding to medical incidents, including the unimaginable loss of children.
These moments leave a mark that can’t be seen but is felt deeply. There are no wounds to see, no visible scars, only scars that are hidden deep inside.
Yet, those scars take a toll. On the firefighter. On their colleagues. And eventually on their family.
That’s why we offer free workshops to volunteer brigades wherever I travel, helping them cope with what they’re now required to see and do.
The bravery must continue after the emergency, having the strength to talk about what happens afterwards.
To every volunteer who puts on the gear and answers the call, thank you.
You remind us of what courage looks like.
Let’s talk!
It is Important to Act, Not to React!
When things go wrong, we’re often told to “look on the bright side” or “find the silver lining.”
While optimism has its place, it’s not always the most helpful response in the immediate moment.
In some moments, focusing on what we can control is more helpful than trying to stay positive.
Neuroscience shows that when we feel out of control, our brain’s threat system activates.
The amygdala takes over, flooding us with stress hormones and narrowing our thinking.
But when we shift our attention to what is within our control, we begin to calm the nervous system and re-engage the prefrontal cortex for rational thinking.
The biggest thing we can control? Ourselves.
• Our breathing
• Our thoughts
• Our actions
• Our response to what’s happening around us
In the heat of the moment, it’s important to act and not react, as reacting will only add to our feeling of being out of control.
When life knocks us off course, the ability to pause, reset, and respond intentionally can make all the difference.
Let’s talk!
The Fragility of Life!
The Fragility of Life – A Reflection from 22 Years on the Front Line
For 22 years, I served in the New Zealand Police.
As the lead crisis negotiator, I was often called to the darkest moments of people’s lives.
Moments when hope was slipping, when silence screamed louder than words, when you could feel the emotions, when life hung in a delicate balance.
I have stood in rooms heavy with grief, spoken to voices trembling on the edge and witnessed the rawness of human emotion in its purest form.
I have seen lives change in an instant, fortunately it was always for the better.
And through it all, I carried my own silent battles with depression.
I wore the uniform, but beneath it was a person learning to navigate his own storms, a frightened ever-present inner- child screaming for help.
Just lately, I find myself tearing up more often. Sometimes I cry.
Not out of sadness, because something stirs deep within me.
These tears are not weakness. They are proof that I am alive. That I feel. That I care. That I am here.
The years in service taught me that life is precious, fleeting, and unpredictable.
They taught me to listen. Not just to words, but to silence.
They taught me that strength is found in vulnerability.
Today, I use what I’ve learned to help others - volunteer firefighters, people labelled with a diagnosis, and those who feel unseen.
If my journey can help even one person feel less alone, then every tear, every sleepless night, and every moment of doubt was worth it.
Life is fragile. But in that fragility lies its beauty.
Let’s talk!
Think Twice; Speak Once!
🔨 As a builder, I was taught the mantra of ‘measure twice and cut once’.
👮 In my second career, as a lead crisis negotiator, I learned the mantra of ‘two ears and one mouth’ which represented listening twice as much as talking to truly engage with the other person.
👨🏫 Now in my third career, I coach people on a mantra combining the two – ‘think twice, speak once’ – when faced with someone who is in a heightened state.
What's a mantra that works for you?
Simple Techniques That Work!
It is sometimes suggested that the techniques we share are “too simple” to be effective.
Some people want me to go deeper, explore more complex theories, and uncover the hidden truths.
But, when it comes to our well-being, simplicity is not a weakness. It is a strength as countless research reveals.
Let’s talk about resilience. It’s a word we hear often, but one I use with great care.
Neuroscience shows that resilience is largely shaped in our first 1000 days of life.
It is formed through the development of secure attachments, emotional regulation, and stress-response systems.
As adults, we don’t build resilience from scratch – we support it through effective coping strategies.
And this is where simplicity shines.
Neuroscience tells us that our brain thrives on predictability and safety.
When we’re overwhelmed, the prefrontal cortex – the part responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation – goes offline.
What brings it back? The basics:
🍏 Food – Regular, balanced nutrition stabilises blood sugar and supports neurotransmitter function.
🏠 Shelter – A safe, calm environment reduces activation of the brain’s threat detection system (the amygdala).
😴 Sleep – Deep sleep restores brain function, clears out toxins, and resets emotional balance.
These aren’t just lifestyle tips, they are biological necessities. They form the foundation of mental health and emotional stability.
In my workshops, I focus on practical, accessible tools. Tools that anyone can use, anytime, anywhere.
Why? Because when life gets tough, it’s not complexity that helps us cope. It’s simplicity.
How often do we hear – it is the simple things in life that make us content!
Let’s talk!