Building Resilience: The Story Behind Everyday Heroes

10/17/24 • 71 min

Empowering Journeys and Building Community: Insights from Everyday Heroes

In this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer is joined by Mitch Gourley, a firefighter and the founder of the Instagram community 'Everyday Heroes,' and his wife Markee. Together, they delve into their personal and professional lives, focusing on Mitch's aim to empower first responders and Markee's experience managing their demanding lifestyle. The couple discusses the pivotal role of communication and resilience in relationships, offering insights into navigating the stresses of firefighting and emotional hurdles. They share their growth stories and efforts in community-building while encouraging listeners to engage with the FireWife network. The episode also emphasizes the impact of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok in fostering supportive communities.

00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter

01:00 Meet Our First Couple: Mitch and Markee

01:29 Life as a Firefighter: Mitch's Journey

03:50 Navigating the Firefighter Schedule

05:30 Living in Canada: Weather and Wildfires

09:16 The Birth of Everyday Heroes

18:50 Balancing Personal Growth and Relationships

26:21 Maintaining Connection in a Busy Life

32:36 Handling the Hard Calls

37:12 The Impact of a Firefighter's Job on Family Life

38:29 Navigating Communication and Emotional Support

39:33 Personal Growth and Relationship Dynamics

43:53 Balancing High Achievements and Relationship Expectations

46:33 Advice for Those Facing Hard Times

55:25 Humorous Anecdotes and Pranks

01:03:34 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts
Follow Everyday Hero here https://www.instagram.com/everydayheroes.fitness?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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Empowering Journeys and Building Community: Insights from Everyday Heroes

00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter

01:00 Meet Our First Couple: Mitch and Markee

01:29 Life as a Firefighter: Mitch's Journey

03:50 Navigating the Firefighter Schedule

05:30 Living in Canada: Weather and Wildfires

09:16 The Birth of Everyday Heroes

18:50 Balancing Personal Growth and Relationships

26:21 Maintaining Connection in a Busy Life

32:36 Handling the Hard Calls

37:12 The Impact of a Firefighter's Job on Family Life

38:29 Navigating Communication and Emotional Support

39:33 Personal Growth and Relationship Dynamics

43:53 Balancing High Achievements and Relationship Expectations

46:33 Advice for Those Facing Hard Times

55:25 Humorous Anecdotes and Pranks

01:03:34 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts
Follow Everyday Hero here https://www.instagram.com/everydayheroes.fitness?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Previous Episode

Love Rekindled: A Firefighter Family's Journey to Reconnection

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Surviving and Thriving: A Firefighter Wife's Journey through Life's Challenges

In this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' Kristi Hilmer interviews her friend Heather, who shares her remarkable journey of integration into the first responder lifestyle. Heather talks about meeting her husband during EMT training, going through nursing school, and the challenges of blending families with eight children, including twins. They discuss their separation, subsequent divorce, and eventual reconciliation after deep self-reflection and coaching. Together, they now run 'Relationship CPR,' offering coaching to couples in high-stress jobs, emphasizing communication, self-understanding, and the importance of community support. The episode highlights the difficulties, triumphs, and transformations in first responder relationships, advocating the need for creating positive environments both at home and in the workplace.

00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter

01:01 Meet Heather: A Journey into Healthcare and Family

02:07 Blending Families and Career Challenges

03:52 Navigating Parenthood and Career Transitions

06:38 Struggles and Separation

10:27 Reconciliation and Personal Growth

14:40 Balancing Independence and Partnership

19:31 Creating a Safe Space at Home

22:36 Personal Coaching Journey

24:32 Creating Relationship CPR

25:55 Challenges and Insights

27:09 Community and Support

28:49 Addressing Fire Service Issues

33:50 Resources and Outreach

34:49 Rapid Fire Questions

39:14 Final Thoughts and Gratitude
Interested in chatting with Heather at Relationship CPR? Email [email protected] and follow them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/relationshipcprstat

Next Episode

Mom Rage Unplugged: Real Talk with Firefighter Wife Rachael

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Just a Girl and Her Firefighter: Navigating Love, Challenges, and Community

In this episode of 'Just a Girl and Her Firefighter,' host Kristi Hilmer, together with guest Rachael and other speakers, explores the multifaceted experiences of being married to a firefighter. Topics include managing unpredictable schedules, coping with 'mom rage,' and the importance of accepting help from family and the community. The discussion offers practical strategies for balancing family life, addressing the emotional complexities of default parenting, and highlighting the necessity of self-care and mental health awareness. The episode also underscores the power of positive thought work, forming a supportive fire family, and the joys and sorrows of this unique lifestyle. Personal anecdotes reveal the resilience required and emphasize connecting with a broader community through social media. The hosts ultimately reflect on the enriching experiences made possible through online interactions and invite listeners to join their FireWife community, subscribe, share, and stay engaged in their journey.

00:00 Welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter

00:59 Meet Rachel: Life Coach and Firefighter's Wife

02:09 Rachel's Family and Firefighter Journey

04:24 Challenges of Firefighter Schedules

05:34 Managing Emotions and Seeking Support

06:42 The Importance of Thought Work

07:59 Balancing Family Life and Firefighter Duties

09:09 The Role of Community and Support Systems

16:08 The Default Parent Debate

20:56 Surprises and Joys of Firefighter Life

25:06 Understanding Mom Rage

25:55 Personal Stories of Struggle

26:51 The Importance of Seeking Help

28:35 Managing Thoughts and Emotions

29:40 Firehouse Pranks and Family Life

31:22 Murphy's Law and Parenting Challenges

36:42 Reflections on the Firefighter Lifestyle

39:25 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts
You can find Rachael at https://www.instagram.com/rachaelchoate_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Just a Girl and Her Firefighter - Building Resilience: The Story Behind Everyday Heroes

Transcript

00:00:23.679

Hello and welcome to Just a Girl and Her Firefighter. I'm Christy Homer, your host. Grab your favorite drink, whether it's coffee, fizz, or maybe something else, and let's dive into the wild, wonderful world of First Responder Life. We are here to swap stories, share laughs, and tackle those, did that change you?

00:00:46.429

Moments. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just figuring this all out, this is the place for you. So kick back, get comfy, and