High-Performance Wellness Solutions

Priority Traffic Podcast Episode 043 with Eric Haskins

In this episode, I had the pleasure of diving deep into the fascinating life and career of Eric Haskins. Eric is a senior firefighter for the city of Nampa and a powerhouse in strength and conditioning. He holds a degree in exercise science, certifications as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and as a Westside Barbell Conjugate instructor. Additionally, Eric is proud to be Idaho’s first graduate of the prestigious Georgia Smoke Diver program and has a wealth of experience coaching fire, law enforcement officers, military personnel, and even Olympic athletes.

Introduction to Eric Haskins

Eric Haskins is a Senior FF for the City of Nampa and Idaho’s first to graduate from the Georgia Smoke Diver Program. He holds a BS degree in Exercise Science and is an NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, TSAC-F, CCFT-L3, Westside Barbell Conjugate Instructor and NSCA-CPT.

As a professional Fireman and Strength & Conditioning coach, he continues to work with Fire, LEO, Military, Professional, and Olympic athletes around the world and instruct at the Fire Academy, Regional Conferences, and the Georgia Smoke Diver course.

Eric’s dual career as a firefighter and strength and conditioning coach provides a unique perspective on how these two worlds can complement each other to achieve maximum performance. In the podcast, Eric shares insights on his training philosophy, the Westside Barbell Conjugate Tactical system, and his personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of both maximal strength and work capacity.

Eric’s Unique Approach to Training

Eric brings a nuanced and practical approach to training, especially for firefighters. Here are some key points from our conversation:

1. Emphasis on Maximal Strength: Eric stresses the importance of maximal strength for tasks such as lifting heavy patients, which require a one-time maximal effort. This strength is pivotal for safe and efficient job performance.
2. Explosive Power and Conditioning: Beyond maximal strength, Eric’s training also focuses on building explosive power and developing work capacity, enabling firefighters to sustain high-intensity physical work over prolonged periods.
3. Firehouse Strength and Conditioning: Eric’s program, born out of necessity, aims to be a practical, minimal-equipment fitness solution for firefighters. The program design takes into consideration the unpredictable nature of their job and their often-limited resources.
4. Balancing Firefighting and Fitness: Understanding the unique demands of firefighting, Eric’s on-duty workouts are tailored to be effective yet considerate of the firefighters’ readiness to respond to emergencies.

“7 for 7 Warm Up”

Training Philosophy and Georgia Smoke Diver Experience

The Georgia Smoke Diver Association is a 501(c) nonprofit organization exclusively for certified Georgia Smoke Divers. The association offers advanced firefighter training through the Georgia Smoke Diver course, providing instructors with a philanthropic platform to enhance the fire service. All members work voluntarily without compensation, and are required to cover all or some of their expenses related to conducting the course.

Eric also delves into his experience with the Georgia Smoke Diver program – an intense six-day course designed to push firefighters to their physical and mental limits. This program, which has a high attrition rate, focuses on search, rescue, survivability, and making critical decisions under extreme duress. Eric’s successful completion of this program underscores his extraordinary commitment and capabilities.

Realistic Training Scenarios & Mental Preparation:

Chris and Eric explore the intricacies of firefighter training, including the the need for mastering basic skills under high-stress conditions. They discuss the mental and physical preparation required for such demanding training and the value of defining personal motivations.

Daily Routine and Prioritizing Fitness

A typical duty day for Eric involves a well-structured schedule that prioritizes physical training early in the day to ensure it gets done despite the demands of firefighting. This proactive approach helps maintain a consistent routine, which is essential for balancing his roles as a firefighter and strength coach.

Ep. 51 | Movement as Medicine w/ Laura Heiman – Priority Traffic Podcast

Your body is your home, carrying everything from your spirit to your past experiences—and through conscious movement, you can transform both your physical capabilities and mental clarity. In this illuminating conversation with physical therapist and yoga instructor Laura Heiman, we explore the revolutionary LYT Method that combines neurodevelopmental training, physical therapy techniques, and yoga principles to create a comprehensive approach to wellness.Laura shares the fascinating origin story of her methodology, which emerged from her work with a professor who suffered a massive stroke at 42. After helping him progress from wheelchair-bound to walking and climbing stairs, she realized these same developmental movement patterns could benefit everyone, regardless of their current physical condition. The LYT Method addresses the compensation patterns and suboptimal posture we've all developed through our modern, sedentary lifestyles.At the heart of Laura's approach is the "Triple S" alignment technique—focusing on the skull, scapula (shoulder blades), and sacrum. When properly aligned, these three points create an efficient energy pathway through the body, preventing the "energy leaks" that manifest as unexplained headaches, fatigue, poor stress management, and random soreness. We explore proper breathing mechanics, with Laura teaching a transformative technique of "breathing into your back" that engages the diaphragm and helps regulate the nervous system.For firefighters and first responders, this method offers particular benefits. The mindful movement practices create pathways for improved stress management, injury prevention, and mental clarity. Even more profound is how these techniques can help process difficult experiences and emotions that might otherwise be suppressed. As Laura explains, "Movement is not just a way of cultivating energy and making us feel more vital, but it is a way of also processing the things that are harder, that we carry."Ready to transform your relationship with movement and reclaim your energy? Visit lityoga.com to learn more about Laura's approach and try her special offer of 5 weeks for $5.Please reach out if you are struggling, have questions about a topic or need support in some fashion. Support the showPlease Like, share, follow, and subscribe! Linktree YouTube Instagram Facebook Priority Traffic Podcast on Apple Podcast If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.orgmusic by audionautix.com

Key Take Aways

1. Maximal Strength and Training Specificity:
   • “Maximal strength is necessary for lifting patients safely.”
   • “Training should mimic the demands of the fire ground.”
2. Work Capacity and Lifelong Commitment:
   • “Work capacity is vital for sustaining performance on the job.”
   • “Maintaining fitness is a lifelong commitment for firefighters.”
3. Practical and Realistic Training Programs:
   • “Firehouse Strength and Conditioning is designed for firefighters.”
4. Psychological and Motivational Factors:
   • “Defining your ‘why’ is essential for motivation in training.”
   • “Fitness in the fire service often requires a psychological approach.”
   • Small wins in fitness can lead to greater motivation.”
5. Recovery and Health Management:
   • Maintaining a consistent sleep routine enhances recovery and performance.
   • Recovery days are just as important as workout days.
   • The 48/96 shift schedule can be detrimental to health and performance.

Eric Haskins embodies the integration of professional firefighting and elite physical conditioning. His practical insights and relentless commitment to self-improvement offer invaluable lessons for anyone looking to enhance their performance in similar high-stress professions.

For more information on Eric Haskins and his Firehouse Strength and Conditioning program, visit his website firehousestrengthandconditioning.com.

Follow along with Eric and Firehouse Strength and Conditioning below…

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We hope you found this episode as enriching and inspiring as we did. Stay tuned for more insights and expert interviews on Priority Traffic Podcast!

Keywords

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