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We recorded this episode six months after my medical retirement. I wanted to share it in case you wanted more context. And, if you're looking for more wisdom, here's a link to the 90 Proof Wisdom YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/zoAPvpgGo50?si=pQpY_lQWZ0msqPJa

See the below episode description created by AI for more details:

What happens when a firefighter who built his identity on physical strength suddenly loses that ability? Evan Fitzgerald's journey takes us through the transformative power of trauma, first as a 7-year-old boy watching first responders try to save his father after a farming accident, then as a veteran firefighter whose career ended when a burning tree struck him during wildland firefighting.
Evan candidly shares how childhood trauma shaped his approach to life, driving him toward firefighting while developing innovative wellness programs for departments across Utah. His passion for helping first responders manage stress, sleep deprivation, and mental health challenges became his mission—until his own devastating injury changed everything.
Following the accident, Evan developed post-concussive syndrome and eventually a rare autoimmune disease called relapsing polychondritis, which attacks cartilage throughout the body, including the airways. This forced medical retirement sent him spiraling into what he calls "the dark night of the soul," challenging his very sense of self-worth and purpose.
The conversation delves into deeply personal territory as Evan reveals his struggles with the medical system, financial uncertainty, and profound identity crisis. Yet amidst this darkness emerged unexpected light—a renewed understanding of compassion, vulnerability, and human connection. Through writing poetry, developing children's programs on emotional resilience, and embracing a new definition of strength, Evan is crafting a powerful second act.
This episode examines how the fire service brotherhood supports its own, the challenges facing first responders in today's world, and the sacred journey of discovering who you truly are when everything you thought defined you is stripped away. Evan's story reminds us that our deepest wounds often become our greatest teachers, and that finding purpose in pain might be the most heroic act of all.