 |
Beneath The Helmet Show - Firefighter Wellness & Mental Health (mind-body-spirit)Author: Arjuna George
Welcome to Beneath the Helmet, a podcast about firefighter well-being and everything beneath the helmet. Join our host, retired Fire Chief Arjuna George, as he interviews firefighters, leaders, and experts on the topics of mental health, physical health, and spiritual health, always with a lens of leadership and self-development. Our goal is to take a holistic approach to understand what it takes for firefighters not just to survive, but to thrive in their careers. Language: en-ca Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
Listen Now...
Psychedelics and First Responder Mental Health: A Fire Chief’s Journey
Wednesday, 11 February, 2026
Psychedelics and First Responder Mental Health: A Fire Chief’s Journey | Beneath the Helmet Ep. 102In Episode 102 of Beneath the Helmet, I sit down with retired Battalion Chief Matt Thierfelder to have an honest conversation about burnout, hypervigilance, retirement, and exploring psychedelic-assisted therapies.After more than 30 years in the fire service, Matt reached the minimum retirement age of 53 and found himself facing something many first responders quietly experience: sleep deprivation, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and an identity shift after hanging up the helmet.In this episode, we talk openly about:Psilocybin-assisted therapy in OregonMicrodosing vs. larger doses of psilocybinKetamine IV therapy and its impact on anxiety and suicidal ideationStellate ganglion block (SGB) for resetting fight-or-flightIbogaine in a medically supervised retreat settingRetirement transition and leaving the fire familyOperator syndrome and firefighter syndromeThe importance of integration after psychedelic experiences⏱️ Timestamps00:00:00 – Introduction to Beneath the Helmet00:01:00 – Matt Thierfelder’s Fire Service Journey00:04:00 – Highlights from 30 Years in the Fire Service00:06:00 – Would You Join the Fire Service Again?00:08:00 – Retirement at 53 and the Identity Crisis00:10:00 – Burnout, Hypervigilance, and Sleep Deprivation00:11:00 – Discovering Psilocybin Research00:12:00 – Oregon Measure 109 and Facilitator Training00:14:00 – Psychedelic Conferences and Community00:15:00 – Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Experience00:17:00 – The Moment He Knew It Was Time to Retire00:20:00 – Leaving the Fire Family00:21:00 – EMDR and Vulnerability in Therapy00:22:00 – Why Psychedelics? The Science and Interest00:25:00 – Group Psilocybin Work and Integration00:26:00 – What Is Psilocybin?00:27:00 – How a Psilocybin Session Works in Oregon00:34:00 – Legalization and Access to Psychedelics00:38:00 – Microdosing vs. Larger Doses00:41:00 – Deep Dive into Ketamine00:46:00 – Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)00:52:00 – Ibogaine and the Structured Retreat ProcessIf this conversation resonated with you, please:👉 Subscribe to Beneath the Helmet👉 Share this episode with someone in the fire service or first responder community👉 Leave a comment and join the conversationSometimes the first step toward renewal is simply being willing to look beneath the helmet.If you’re interested in deeper conversations similar to this episode, you might also enjoy Episode 41 Myke Cole's Path from Warrior to FirefighterEpisode 52 Psychedelic Therapy First Responder with PTSD with Jeff MorleyEpisode 94 Firefighter Recovery: The Truth About CBD and First Responder WellnessHost Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret) 🚨 JOIN THE BTH COMMUNITY 📝 Podcast Newsletter: https://colossal-trailblazer-6113.ck.page/c0e1b81fbe 📨 LinkedIn Podcast Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7026972684089528321✅Become a BTH Ambassador for a one-time contribution of $23. Your Ambassador contribution supports the behind-the-scenes work that keeps this project alive. Click here to support the show 📺 WATCH & LISTEN 🌐 Full Episodes & Show Notes: www.beneaththehelmet.ca ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beneaththehelmetshow?sub_confirmation=1 🔥 SOCIALS & CONTACT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beneaththehelmetshow/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunageorge/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beneaththehelmetshow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beneaththehelmet 📩 Business Inquiries: arjuna@silverarrowco.com
