This week's blog is about the similarities between footballers and emergency service workers.
Even though I have always disliked the extent to which Australian society reveres football (of all codes), last weekend I found myself watching the NRL semi-final. For some reason I found myself concentrating a little harder and for the first time saw the power and athleticism of these athletes.
I would watch tackle after tackle, and see how their physique would withstand incredible impact. Impact that would pretty much obliterate the average human being.
I got to thinking about the preparation that they undertake, and the level of strength they work towards to ensure that their spines, ligaments, tendons, necks and limbs stay relatively intact despite less than ideal conditions.
It highlighted to me that it's not so much the task at hand that determines the outcome of high stress environments. It's the thoroughness of the preparation.
And this level of preparation is required, but appears to be lacking in the emergency services. Recently I had a conversation with a police officer about the preparation that first year constables undertake before they start out on the road. He said that they don't really get much. I asked him whether additional training would help. His response was "you can have all the chats about how other people deal with situations until the cows come home, but you don't really know how you are going to react, to any situation, until you are there."
Sheesh!
I can see where he is coming from, but I disagree. I think that while there is an unknown element to many parts of policing, there is a known element, and that is that shit will get hard, and there will be some jobs that will touch you more deeply than others.
In the same way that footballers learn from the very beginning that strength, fitness and flexibility are critical to the longevity of their career; for emergency service workers physical and emotional preparation, connection and openness is integral to the longevity of theirs.
If you or someone you know could benefit from exploring these concepts in a safe, confidential and supportive environment, the Crisis to Connection course is for you.
My online course helps you discover all the key components of your repeatable wellness formula and prepares you for the times that knock you down. To find out more, you can read all about the course here or contact me by replying to this email.
Not ready yet but want to know more? I'm hosting a FREE Nutrition for Emergency Service workers webinar with Brisbane naturopath Carolyn Woodfield. We'll be covering some important ways to improve your concentration, stamina and resilience through the power of nutrition. The event will be held at 2pm AEST on Monday 17th October. You will have the opportunity to ask questions of us and if you can't make it, just sign up here and we'll send you a recording after the event.
Other news, I'll be joining James and Kirsty Greenshields from the Resilient Leaders Foundation on their national Put Your Hand Up tour. James is a former Army Major who has been to the bottom with PTSD and made it back up. I'll be joining them in Cairns, Sydney and Melbourne over the next couple of months. More details will be released in the coming weeks.
Feel free to come over and 'Like' The Third Way Facebook page. Share your thoughts and comments with the growing community over there.
Even though I have always disliked the extent to which Australian society reveres football (of all codes), last weekend I found myself watching the NRL semi-final. For some reason I found myself concentrating a little harder and for the first time saw the power and athleticism of these athletes.
I would watch tackle after tackle, and see how their physique would withstand incredible impact. Impact that would pretty much obliterate the average human being.
I got to thinking about the preparation that they undertake, and the level of strength they work towards to ensure that their spines, ligaments, tendons, necks and limbs stay relatively intact despite less than ideal conditions.
It highlighted to me that it's not so much the task at hand that determines the outcome of high stress environments. It's the thoroughness of the preparation.
And this level of preparation is required, but appears to be lacking in the emergency services. Recently I had a conversation with a police officer about the preparation that first year constables undertake before they start out on the road. He said that they don't really get much. I asked him whether additional training would help. His response was "you can have all the chats about how other people deal with situations until the cows come home, but you don't really know how you are going to react, to any situation, until you are there."
Sheesh!
I can see where he is coming from, but I disagree. I think that while there is an unknown element to many parts of policing, there is a known element, and that is that shit will get hard, and there will be some jobs that will touch you more deeply than others.
In the same way that footballers learn from the very beginning that strength, fitness and flexibility are critical to the longevity of their career; for emergency service workers physical and emotional preparation, connection and openness is integral to the longevity of theirs.
If you or someone you know could benefit from exploring these concepts in a safe, confidential and supportive environment, the Crisis to Connection course is for you.
My online course helps you discover all the key components of your repeatable wellness formula and prepares you for the times that knock you down. To find out more, you can read all about the course here or contact me by replying to this email.
Not ready yet but want to know more? I'm hosting a FREE Nutrition for Emergency Service workers webinar with Brisbane naturopath Carolyn Woodfield. We'll be covering some important ways to improve your concentration, stamina and resilience through the power of nutrition. The event will be held at 2pm AEST on Monday 17th October. You will have the opportunity to ask questions of us and if you can't make it, just sign up here and we'll send you a recording after the event.
Other news, I'll be joining James and Kirsty Greenshields from the Resilient Leaders Foundation on their national Put Your Hand Up tour. James is a former Army Major who has been to the bottom with PTSD and made it back up. I'll be joining them in Cairns, Sydney and Melbourne over the next couple of months. More details will be released in the coming weeks.
Feel free to come over and 'Like' The Third Way Facebook page. Share your thoughts and comments with the growing community over there.
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