Overcoming Adversity: The Journey To Mental Health And Healing With Jay Walker

05/23/23 • 79 min

Welcome to the The Anchor Point Podcast, episode 117 with Jay Walker, a wildland firefighter from Wells, NV. Jay has served on multiple wildland firefighting crews, including Ruby Mountain Hotshots, Jackson Hotshots, and Elko District Engine Modules. He is currently the acting superintendent of Ely Helitack, based out of Panaca, Nevada.

In 2020, Jay experienced a severe rollover accident in a UTV resulting in the loss of his hand. After multiple surgeries, hardships, and financial challenges, he experienced something arguably worse than the pain of the accident itself - the mental health challenges.

In this episode, we dive into Jay's personal journey to discovering a distinct approach to prioritizing his mental health and recovery. It is an incredibly uplifting account that highlights his unwavering determination, how he overcame his demons, and his desire to support others in their own paths. Jay serves as a true inspiration and the epitome of the indomitable human will. His enthusiasm for fire remains undiminished, and he continues his firefighting endeavors using a unique set of prosthetics despite the unfortunate loss of his hand.

Tune in to the original wildland firefighting and wildland firefighter culture podcast, "The Anchor Point Podcast," to learn more about the awesome and ever-evolving world of wildland firefighting. To find out more, visit our website at: anchorpointpodcast.com. Or, check out our LinkTree to find all the episodes you'll want to binge in the back of the buggy!

Y'all know the drill:

Stay safe, stay savage... Peace!

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The Anchor Point Podcast is supported by the following amazing folks:

Mystery Ranch
Need badass packs? Then look no further than Mystery Ranch!
https://www.mysteryranch.com

Hotshot Brewery
Wanna pick up our Anchor Point Podcast merch or need killer coffee? Hit up Hotshot Brewery!!!
https://www.hotshotbrewing.com

Not sponsors of The Anchor Point Podcast, but great organizations:

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation
And, as always, please consider supporting this great nonprofit organization - The Wildland Firefighter Foundation!
https://wffoundation.org

The A.W.E.
Wanna get some history and knowledge on Wildland Fire? Hit up The Smokey Generation!
http://wildfire-experience.org

Y'all know the drill:

Stay safe, stay savage... Peace!

----------------------------

The Anchor Point Podcast is supported by the following amazing folks:

Not sponsors of The Anchor Point Podcast, but great organizations:

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation
And, as always, please consider supporting this great nonprofit organization - The Wildland Firefighter Foundation!
https://wffoundation.org

The A.W.E.
Wanna get some history and knowledge on Wildland Fire? Hit up The Smokey Generation!
http://wildfire-experience.org

Previous Episode

Nevada Fire Aviation with Jeremy Seng, Alec Goicoechea, Lucas Rhea, and Melissa Fry

Welcome to Episode 119 of The Anchor Point Podcast, where we take a deep dive into the world of wildland firefighting and the culture that surrounds it. In this episode, we'll be discussing the crucial role of aviation and aerial firefighting operations in Nevada, featuring guests from different aspects of the industry.

Join us as we delve into the day-to-day operations of the various helitack crews and the ins and outs of the tanker bases. We also take a look at the management side of the fire aviation program and discuss how it all comes together to help fight wildfires.

With wildfires becoming increasingly common and devastating, it's more important than ever to understand the role that aerial firefighting and aviation assets play in the overall strategy to control these fires. From the equipment used to the training required, our guests break down the essential elements of a successful aerial firefighting operation.

Jeremy Seng - Detailed BLM National Flight Operations Program Manager. He shares his experiences on how helitack crews and fire retardant can win the day with wildfires, the challenges and importance of coordinating with ground crews, and how his team manages resources during times of high fire activity.

Lucas Rhea - Nevada State Office Air Attack, joins us next to discuss the unique challenges of working in Nevada and Air Attack operations. He also shares some of his experiences as the superintendent of the Las Vegas Helitack crew.

Melissa Fry - Wells, Nevada, Single Engine Air Tanker Base Manager, discusses her role in managing a Single Engine Air Tanker base and ensuring the safety of pilots and crews. She also shares some of the challenges and rewards of working in such a dynamic environment.

And Alec Goicoechea - Nevada State Aviation Manager... Alec discusses the management side of the fire aviation program, including the process of allocating resources and equipment to different parts of the state based on need and the challenges of maintaining a high level of readiness in an unpredictable fire season.

Overall, this episode covers a variety of topics related to aviation resources and aerial firefighting operations in Nevada, from the day-to-day operations of helitack crews to the ins and outs of tanker bases. Join us as we dive into the world of aerial firefighting and the unique challenges faced by those on the front lines of wildfire control.

Tune in to the original wildland firefighting and wildland firefighter culture podcast, "The Anchor Point Podcast", to learn more about the awesome and ever-evolving world of wildland firefighting.

To find out more, visit our website at: anchorpointpodcast.com...

Or, check out our LinkTree to find all the episodes you'll want to binge in the back of the buggy!

To find out more about the Nevada BLM Aviation Program - Check out: www.nevadafireinfo.org

Y'all know the drill:

Stay safe, stay savage... Peace!

----------------------------

The Anchor Point Podcast is supported by the following amazing folks:

Not sponsors of The Anchor Point Podcast, but great organizations:

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation
And, as always, please consider supporting this great nonprofit organization - The Wildland Firefighter Foundation!
https://wffoundation.org

The A.W.E.
Wanna get some history and knowledge on Wildland Fire? Hit up The Smokey Generation!
http://wildfire-experience.org

Next Episode

Whole Body Wellness: The Simple Secrets To Health, Nutrition, And Human Optimization With Paul Tijerina

In this episode, we’re going to talk about whole body wellness, and we have just the right guest to speak to that. Paul Tijerina is a master health coach with expertise in functional nutritional therapy and primal health. And boy does he have compelling stuff to share!

As hotshots, it is part of our job to make sure we’re consistently operating in our best form. Consequently, things like proper nutrition, exercise and good sleep come into play. But this is also one of the most hotly contested areas around, with different schools of thoughts having opposing claims, and it’s sometimes really hard to get to the truth.

Paul makes it easier for us by breaking it down to the simplest, most fundamental concepts. If you want to know more, then it’s time to tune in!

A little about Paul Tijerina...

Paul Tijerina is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Primal Health Coach Level 2, who also goes by the title of Master Health Coach.

Once a West Point graduate and army veteran, Paul found himself at his lowest point after leaving the military in 2002. With a weight of 275 pounds, high blood pressure, pre-diabetic condition, major digestive issues, and intense inflammation, his health was in dire straits.

Determined to turn things around, Paul embarked on a two-year vegan journey, hoping for improvement. While he saw some minor changes, he also encountered new complications. It was during this time that he discovered what he now refers to as ancestral health, and since then, he hasn't looked back.

For more than a decade, Paul has been coaching individuals on animal-based nutrition, ancestral-based health, self-reliance, and simplified living, among other fascinating subjects. But recently, some significant life events compelled him to reevaluate his priorities. As a result, he made a bold decision: taking his message off the grid, he now travels the nation in a camping trailer, conducting seminars and aiding people in reconnecting with nature (a process he calls "rewilding").

Paul's ultimate vision for his clients is to help them experience the freedom and joy that comes from being healthy, prepared, and leading a simpler life. By working with him, individuals have witnessed transformative outcomes such as shedding excess fat, enhancing performance, boosting energy levels, improving hormonal balance, strengthening digestion, and enjoying better mental and emotional wellbeing.

You can learn more about Paul and stay in the loop with what he’s up to by following these links:

https://superhumantransformation.com/paulctijerina-bio

https://www.instagram.com/paulctijerina

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulctijerina

https://twitter.com/paulctijerina

http://www.paulctijerina.com/home

You know the drill...

Stay safe, stay savage...

Enjoy!

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