Ben Strahan is a Hotshot Superintendent and wildland firefighter with over 25 years of operational leadership on the fireline. Ben has spent decades in high-risk environments where clarity, discipline, and trust mean survival. His journey through fire has shaped a deeper calling—one that now centers around helping others cultivate resilience, emotional strength, and self-awareness. Through consulting, mentorship, and public speaking, Ben bridges the gap between tactical readiness and inner leadership, guiding others to face the fires within as courageously as those in the wild.

More about Ben:

Moment Consulting: https://momentconsultingllc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benstrahan/

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction to Ben Strahan

00:01:05 Background in Wildland Firefighting

00:02:15 What It Means to Be a Hotshot

00:04:15 Physical Demands and Gear Loadout

00:05:27 How Long is Each Assignment?

00:06:38 How or Where Do You Sleep?

00:08:11 Smokejumpers vs. Hotshots

00:09:42 Path to Becoming a Hotshot

00:11:08 Qualifications and What It Takes

00:14:54 Transition Into Leadership and Mental Health Work

00:16:14 Defining Self-Leadership

00:17:24 Wellness Challenges in Firefighting

00:21:23 From Trauma to Purpose

00:25:15 Shifting Culture Through Local Influence

00:23:24 Building Good People Over Good Firefighters

00:24:46 Identifying Character and Integrity

00:31:47 The Carr Fire

00:32:21 What His Position Has Taught Ben About Leadership

00:35:54 Good vs. Bad Leadership Traits

00:37:32 Advice for New Firefighters

00:39:23 Most Common Physical Prep Mistakes

00:42:15 How to Eat Well on Assignment

00:43:29 Blurb - Fuel My Day Foods

00:44:11 How Much Water to Carry on Assignment

00:45:47 What’s Next for Ben?

00:47:09 Ben’s Book Suggestion

00:48:20 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received

00:49:18 Outro

What makes a hero?

It’s easy to point to the dramatic moments in history: the burning tanks and bullet-swept battlefields. This form of heroism is important, but it's not the only form. Heroism also manifests in other ways that impact lives, strengthen our communities, and shape our culture.

In this episode, we look beyond the headlines to the everyday acts of heroism that rarely make the news. Through stories of soldiers, first responders, teachers, and ordinary people, we explore a different kind of courage: the steady, humble, often invisible bravery that changes lives without seeking recognition.

Alex Potter is a photojournalist, trauma nurse, former wildland firefighter, and co-founder of Global Response Medicine, a humanitarian non-profit bringing emergency medicine to low-resource and high-risk areas.

Alex spent her early career photographing conflict in the Middle East, before spending two seasons as a wildland firefighter in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho.

She then moved to Alaska to pursue a career as an Air Force Combat Rescue Officer and was selected in Phase 2 of the CRO pipeline in 2022.

While a twist of fate (and knee) changed that path, she remains passionate about mountain pursuits, far-forward medicine, and the ability to help others achieve their goals. She is a current board member of the Special Operations Climbers Coalition, and recently moved to Bozeman, Montana.

More about Alex:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexkpotter/

Global Response Medicine: https://global-response.org/

Photography: https://www.alexkaypotter.com/

Support GRM: https://givebutter.com/AcuteCare

Timestamps:

00:00:22 Introduction to Alex Potter

00:01:14 Piecing Together Alex Potter's Career

00:04:48 Combat Rescue Officers VS. Pararescueman

00:06:43 Everybody Loves PJs

00:09:00 Trauma Nurse in Iraq

00:13:16 Notable Things in the Learning Curve

00:14:31 Where Did Your Food Come From

00:16:12 Being a Women in Traditional Muslim Culture

00:21:47 Ending two years in Iraq

00:24:03 Firefighter in Alaska

00:24:57 Month Long Boot Camp

00:26:13 What Makes Effective Leadership

00:27:21 Not Hoarding Knowledge

00:29:56 Becoming a Wildland Firefighter

00:33:15 Specific Boots for the Job

00:34:37 Physical Training Prior to Firefighting

00:37:10 Marriage & Nursing on the East Coast

00:40:07 The CRO Pipeline

00:45:45 Training to Maintain While Working on Weaknesses

00:50:27 Phase Two of Training

00:55:60 Qualifying for Air Force after Training

00:58:28 Pete Gets Director Position in Ukraine

01:02:35 Long Journey to Bring Pete Back Home

01:03:37 The OTS Pipeline

01:10:51 What is Alex Potter Doing Now

01:11:42 Mountain Guiding Professionals

01:13:25 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received

01:15:29 Outro