Healing the Warriors Within: Donn Bradley's Guide to Emotional Health for First Responders and Military Personnel

Enduring The Badge

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What if your emotional well-being was just as critical as your physical health? Join us in this riveting episode of Enduring the Badge as we sit down with Don Bradley, a former police officer turned therapist, who specializes in first responders, complex trauma, PTSD, and military personnel. Bradley's no-nonsense approach to therapy sheds light on the stigma surrounding mental health support within the first responder community. He articulates the necessity of granting oneself emotional permission to heal and uses powerful analogies and metaphors to help clients better understand and internalize therapeutic lessons.
Explore the depth of survival mode and its profound effect on emotional responses, particularly for those in high-stress professions. Bradley uses a captivating county fair metaphor to describe how our identities—physical, intellectual, social, and emotional—are like horses pulling a team, with the emotional horse often being the neglected one. Discover how this neglect leads to unresolved emotions and why anger frequently becomes a coping mechanism. Understand the pressing need to address and express these emotions healthily to prevent emotional overload.
Navigate the challenging terrain of emotional self-awareness with insights from Bradley on the struggles faced by first responders and military personnel. Learn how the metaphor of an "emotional horse" encapsulates the weight of unresolved trauma and the importance of embracing vulnerability. We also discuss practical strategies like tactical breathing to help regain composure during heightened emotional states. Finally, Bradley emphasizes the importance of having a non-judgmental, culturally competent guide or mentor to support proactive mental health management, ensuring overall well-being in these demanding professions.

As a First Responder, you are critical in keeping our communities safe. However, the stress and trauma of the job can take a toll on your mental health and family life.

If you're interested in personal coaching, contact Jerry Lund at 801-376-7124. Let's work together to get you where you want to be and ensure a happy and healthy career.
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Chapters

1. Healing the Warriors Within: Donn Bradley's Guide to Emotional Health for First Responders and Military Personnel (00:00:00)

2. Recognizing Trauma in First Responders (00:00:02)

3. Survival Mode and Emotional Coping (00:09:23)

4. Navigating Emotional Responses and Self-Awareness (00:13:52)

5. Navigating Emotions and Mental Health (00:20:43)

6. Navigating Mental Health and Cultural Competence (00:29:28)