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Diaries of a Lodge OwnerAuthor: Outdoor Journal Radio Podcast Network
In 2009, sheet metal mechanic, Steve Niedzwiecki, turned his passions into reality using steadfast belief in himself and his vision by investing everything in a once-obscure run-down Canadian fishing lodge.After ten years, the now-former lodge owner and co-host of The Fish'n Canada Show is here to share stories of inspiration, relationships and the many struggles that turned his monumental gamble into one of the most legendary lodges in the country. From anglers to entrepreneurs, athletes to conservationists; you never know who is going to stop by the lodge. Language: en-ca Genres: Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Sports, Wilderness Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Episode 150: A Fire Chief’s PTSD Recovery Through Fishing
Episode 150
Wednesday, 22 July, 2026
The hardest part of emergency calls isn’t always the chaos you can see. Sometimes it’s standing beside a wife, a son, or a loved one who’s begging you to fix the unfixable. Fire Chief Mike Sutton joins us for a raw, honest talk about nearly 30 years in the fire service, the weight that builds call after call, and the moment he realizes PTSD, anxiety, and depression have finally caught up.We start on the lighter side with muskie fishing, missed strikes, and the mental discipline it takes to stay sharp. Then Mike takes us back through his path from Guyana to Sault Ste. Marie, football and university, and the career pivot that led him into firefighting. From fire hall humour to the brotherhood support that keeps crews moving, we look at what the job gives you and what it quietly takes.Mike opens up about grief after losing a fellow firefighter, the guilt of being off work, and the slow, brave work of recovery including exposure therapy and rebuilding trust in himself. We also dig into why fishing and the outdoors feel like real therapy: the calm of water, the focus of casting, the connection of being in a boat with someone who gets it. Along the way we talk about peer-support efforts like Green Ops, and the big idea Mike can’t shake, creating more pathways for first responders to heal through time on the water.If you know someone who needs this conversation, share it with them. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what role the outdoors plays in your mental health.
