The Firefighters Podcast
The Firefighters Podcast is a global podcast seeking to develop, inspire, connect, motivate, represent & celebrate the world of our emergency services operators through a series of wide-ranging conversations celebrating those within our emergency services family and encouraging the support of this incredible group of people.
Operational UK firefighter Pete Wakefield speaks with individuals from all walks of life who share a connection with, can add value to, or can develop those who choose this life path.
Our driving purpose is to create a legacy resource for the current and future generations of firefighters & first responders
The Firefighters Podcast
#406 Built to Last: The Data Behind Improving Firefighter Health with Dr Daniel Higuera PHD
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Daniel Higuera a human performance coach, researcher, and Associate Professor at Santa Ana College. Dan’s worked with over two thousand firefighters across the U.S., studying how call volume, sleep loss, and stress reshape our bodies, readiness, and mental health. He’s one of the few people turning hard data into real-world change for the fire service.
We dive into the truth about performance, recovery, and longevity in this job. From VO₂ max and heart rate variability to burnout culture and the ethics of wearable tech, this chat blends science with lived experience. It’s not a scare story it’s a roadmap for firefighters who want to perform at their best today and still be strong enough to enjoy life long after the job.
Find Dr Dan on Instagram HERE
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