Wounds to Wisdom
Stories of resilience, grit, and triumph over trauma from Veterans and First responders.
Hosted by Sara Correl from "The Power of your Story."
A limited series from Security Halt Media.
Wounds to Wisdom
#24: From Firefighter to Peer Support Counselor: Justin Wood’s Journey of Trauma, Resilience, and Transformation
In this powerful episode, host Sara Correll sits down with Justin Wood, a former firefighter and paramedic who now dedicates his life to peer support counseling. Justin opens up about his challenging journey from battling trauma and hitting rock bottom to finding a new purpose. Hear how his love for firefighting shaped him and the toll it took on his life and relationships. Justin's candid story of resilience, transformation, and the "aha" moment that changed everything offers hope to those struggling in silence. He shares insights on the importance of peer support and his work with impactful organizations like Next Rung and 62 Romeo. Don’t miss Justin's heartfelt advice for first responders, veterans, and anyone who may be dealing with trauma. Tune in to be inspired—and don’t forget to follow, share, like, and subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts for more impactful stories!
Follow, share, like, and subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts to support veteran mental health awareness!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Mini-Series
02:21 The Love and Purpose in Firefighting
07:04 Navigating the Emotional Impact of Leaving the Fire Department
09:18 Difficult Calls and Rock Bottom Moments
23:16 Involvement in Peer Support Counseling and Organizations
27:27 Encouragement for First Responders and Veterans
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LinkedIn: Justin Wood
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-wood-0b2296196/
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Wounds to Wisdom: Healing Through Veteran and First Responder Narratives
"Wounds to Wisdom" is produced by Security Halt Media.
Welcome back to the Wounds to Wisdom podcast. I'm your host, sarah Carell, and today I'll be talking to Justin Wood. He is a former firefighter and paramedic and also he is a peer support counselor. And what we are doing here is we are trying to reach. The whole goal of this mini-series is we have put together a book of 29 authors, all of whom are protectors, either retired or active duty, and we want to reach those of you who are protecting us, or retired, who are suffering in silence, and that is the whole goal. That is our hearts to let you know that you are not alone. And all 29 of these authors they're seals to you know, firefighters to 911 dispatchers and all the jobs in between. All of them want to share their story that there is hope, who have gone from trauma to resilience, wounds to wisdom. So we're so happy that you're joining us today. I want to give a shout out to Denny Caballero with Security Halt Media for producing this segment. So, justin, welcome it's good to see you again.
Speaker 2:And I am so excited for you. I want to congratulate you on your new job. I did say a former firefighter and paramedic, so you have transitioned now, and how long has it been? Two weeks. Okay so it's very fresh and how's it going for you?
Speaker 3:It is. I love it. It's a change of pace. I love being home every night. I love being home on weekends and being able to have that time with my family. While the fire department schedule sounds great, somehow your shifts always fall on important dates for your family and for different events, and it's just. It's been a good change in the workflow. You know, I get to just sit there and put my head down and work and actually strategize with different team members on different things, and that's great.
Speaker 2:And I think, too, that makes me want to thank you again for your service, because I know that there's so much sacrifice, just like you said, that many times our protectors don't get to be home for Christmas or they don't get to be home for the birthdays of the kids, and so I want to thank you for that chapter of your life. And so now let's talk about that chapter. Actually, let's start out when are you from and what made you want to be a firefighter?
Speaker 3:Where am I from? Born and raised in New Orleans, louisiana. High school time maybe a year before we moved to Florida and went to high school there. From high school I knew that I wanted to go wrestle in college, but I didn't know what I wanted to do. I went to Minnesota State on a wrestling scholarship and instead of going to class I decided to focus on wrestling and got into heavy drinking and drug usage.
Speaker 3:And what got me into firefighting, which ultimately saved my life the first time, was my daughter.
Speaker 3:We found out that I was going to be a dad and decided it was time to step up and provide for my daughter, because at the time, I mean, I was just not really doing anything and there was nothing I could do and I needed to do what I felt necessary.
Speaker 3:And so I came home and my parents' neighbor worked for the fire department, so I went on a ride alone with him and halfway through the shift I was like man, this is awesome and for me it gave me a sense of purpose and what a lot of people don't realize that stores up later in life is when you had a goal and you lose it or you fail at something. You store that as trauma a lot of the time, and for me it felt like I had failed at my life and I lost the respect of a lot of people around me, and so when I found firefighting, it was man. This is a way for me to have purpose in my life and a way for me to have that respect that I feel that I lost back. And so, uh, yeah, one thing led to another. I went to the fire academy, graduated top of the class and started working Well, congratulations on that.
Speaker 2:That is fantastic. So it was an open door. That sense of responsibility kind of moved you into what the options were and you got into firefighting. So when you look back on it, what did you love about it? So when you look back, on it.
Speaker 3:What did you love about it? I love being the person that someone called when they needed you. It was an honor. You know when you think about in an emergency who you're going to call. It's usually the people closest to you and the person you want to help you. And so to have that sense of responsibility was fantastic, because I felt like my life was nothing before. And then I found this sense of purpose, like I said, and it was such a great feeling.
Speaker 3:I loved the fires fires it's unfortunate for those that it happened to, but, uh, being able to go in there and be the first in and work with a team that was just top notch was was great. Um, there were obviously some. Becoming a paramedic was great, as it brought a whole new set of skills and, uh, really just kind of emphasize that man, people's lives are reliant on me and what I can do, and so I always say that if I was going to do something, I'm going to make sure I'm going to be good at it. I'm not just going to do it to do it.
Speaker 3:But the thing that I love the most was the crew. They're the backbone of everything. You know, it's been four weeks since I last had a shift and I miss those guys. They make everything your whole day goes better when everybody's just kind of joking around or got a great crew. And I think that was the best part of my entire career was the people I got to work with. We had some great fires, some great calls for traffic crashes and a lot of different events, but what made the 15 years awesome were the men and women I got to work with.
Speaker 2:So I've talked to a lot of law enforcement, firefighters and then veterans. How is that going to be for you, do you think? Do you think that's going to be hard? Is there going to be grief there that you have to deal with, or do you feel like maybe you have enough connection with them that you can see them all again? But you're excited about your new career? Where are you at?
Speaker 3:It. It feels like there was this uh like a two roads diversion of wood. It it feels like there was this uh like, uh, two roads diversion of wood. I'm going one way and they're going another. It's not like their lives stopped because I left, and they're going to continue to forge deeper bonds and have events that happen between them, that that create just different moments for them that are going to turn into memories and things they can look back on, and those days for me with them are over, and that hurts, because these guys saw me through some difficult times and they watched me start my bachelor's degree and supported me all the way through it and it was just an amazing support system and I do miss that.
Speaker 3:I am still close with quite a few of them, um, but that that dynamic certainly changed. They're still out there doing it and uh, and I'm in an office and uh, and so there's going to be a lot of moments that I wish I could be there with them, uh, and see calls on the news, things like that. I do want to check in at the station every now and then, but it will be difficult. I mean it has been. The past few weeks have been. I've called, we've talked, it just doesn't feel the same.
Speaker 2:I can imagine. I do want to take a second to celebrate you graduating with your bachelor's last week. I mean, with everything that you do. What an amazing accomplishment. So I just want to congratulate you on that. Thank you so let's talk about that a little bit more With your crew that you love so much. You said that they have seen you through some hard times. Do you want to talk about that? Mm-hmm yeah have seen you through some hard times.
Speaker 3:Do you want to talk about that Some? Yeah. So I worked for two different departments. In the 15 years I did 10 in Florida that's where we had a lot of traumatic calls and up here in Georgia, you know, five years and we had some difficult calls, but nothing that really, you know, sat with me as heavy as some of the other stuff. But what's funny is, um, when I think back to where a lot of issues stem for me, it was, it was, uh, shortly after becoming a paramedic with the department, um, we had like a month or two span where, uh, we had five pediatric calls uh, that were really uh difficult and not all of them made it, and it just made me question myself, made me question my abilities and just why I was doing what I was doing. It made me question my faith ultimately, and I was in a really bad place for a long time. There's one person that really helped me through it all. It was my best friend down there. His name's Josh. He man. Let me move in with him. When I got divorced, let me move in with him again.
Speaker 3:When I separated from another woman I was dating, took care of me, was always there and there was one call where we had a pediatric I think it was two or three and we were doing compressions in the back of the truck and the kid was ultimately in my arms because we were just rushing to get to the hospital and I was sitting on the stretcher and when the doors opened, you know, he was there. He heard over the radio there, happened to be at the hospital. He was there waiting, like hey, I'm not leaving because I know that's his truck, they're coming in and that was the greatest support system for me, you know. And then there's this span of time between Florida and Georgia where I had my really difficult times and we can talk about that more if you want. But when I got to Georgia, I was in a place where I was open, transparent, like, hey, this is what I've gone through, this is the emotions I felt with all of this and this is how I almost conquered them. And this is why I want to do what I want to do with this department and that's bringing you guys forward with peer support and make sure we have a network where you understand it's okay to not be okay. And that transparency led to some really great bonds with my group and man. I was really able to talk about a lot of those calls and get deep level with them so they could understand.
Speaker 3:And really it took me two months to realize that this crew was going to be lifelong friends because everyone was there, asking questions, supportive, and they really helped me kind of talk about things I hadn't really talked about yet. And they really helped me kind of talk about things I hadn't really talked about yet. You know just kind of the generalized feelings and descriptions and these guys kind of sat me down and they were intrigued, they wanted to know more and they were always asking like, hey, are you okay? And you know there might be some preconceived notions that firefighters don't have high EQ, but tell you what these guys do.
Speaker 3:The emotional intelligence with this crew was awesome and it might be because everybody was over the age of 35 on the crew and had gone through their own things. I think that's what I miss most is you come in, you just kind of feel each other out and you just dive into deeper conversations and that's what really helped me out is is being able to be transparent and open and, you know, not feel like someone's going to be like oh, well, that's your job, isn't it?
Speaker 2:Well, yeah, I mean, that's that depth and having that kind of intimacy and connection. It is amazing, as we have seen in this book and in the power of our story, being able to connect at that level. That deep level like you know, you are not alone oh yeah, that happened to me too is so powerful, you know it just kind of releases any kind of shame or any perceived way that somebody feels like they should be, like, oh, that's weakness to have these emotions I'm not going to share. And yet you look at all of your jobs, like how could you not be impacted by the jobs that you all do, seeing so many people on their worst day? Would you share a little bit about what your worst days looked like? When you think about hitting rock bottom, yeah, what did that look like for you?
Speaker 3:Well, involved a lot of drinking and not talking to anybody and just kind of sitting with my own thoughts and not really living life, but just kind of coasting through working with down in Florida and just kind of kind of ghosted through life where you just kind of float by hoping nobody notices you and, uh, a lot of days nobody would ask if everything was okay, it just. But at the same time I had uh created uh perception about me because I was told I had a bad attitude, short temper and just wasn't a great person. They weren't wrong, I was all those things, but it's not because I wanted to be. You know, I still wake up every day like, hey, today's the day I'm going to be a better person, and things just happen.
Speaker 3:And a lot of times, you know, the damage that trauma does to our brains is in the limbic system, which handles our emotional regulation. So when there's nothing but trauma stored in there, yeah, you're going to be short-fused. Yeah, you're going to have bad days. A lot of the time when you're not sleeping, it just adds on top of that. It's just compiling factors that I couldn't get out of. I had a lot of really bad days. Rock bottom for me was coming home drinking a half bottle of whiskey and sitting on the side of the bed with a gun in my mouth. You know.
Speaker 2:That's. I appreciate you sharing that, and let me ask you another question too how did that impact you and your family? How was your relationship like at that time with your family?
Speaker 3:Yeah, um, sorry, like my mom and dad, they knew that I wasn't happy. Uh, they didn't know to the depths of just how bad it was. Here you get phone calls from me complaining about work, complaining about this, complaining about just about everything. My oldest daughter and I didn't have the greatest relationship and I was like, hey, I'm trying. She was always the most graceful child saying I understand that, I know.
Speaker 3:And it was just a lot of times where I should have been stepping up and being a dad, taking them to do things. I just wanted to sit at home and let them do what they wanted to do watch TV and not really be present. And I didn't like that feeling and it was like I didn't like all these things. But the harder I tried, the worse I'd made it, because I just didn't know who I authentically was anymore. And I think that was the biggest problem is it was from college, when I failed at what I wanted to do, since I was a freshman in high school, to then I just failed at everything.
Speaker 3:It's like I lost who I was because I didn't become this, you know, national champion. It was just like everything kind of trickled and so it was like finding an identity. Oh, I'm a fireman. And if you would have asked me 10 years ago, you know who are you. Oh, I'm a fireman. Well, that's not who I am, that's just what I do. But I couldn't figure out exactly who I was. And then that journey began about six years ago, after that rock bottom day where, you know, the cards fell in my favor when I was playing Russian roulette with myself.
Speaker 2:Well, I'm glad you're here. I appreciate you sharing all that. Me too, what was that? Moment of change for you, or that aha moment for you that you ended up changing the way that you navigated your way forward.
Speaker 3:I went through a program five years ago now I think, called Save a Warrior and incredible program, holistic approach to a giant problem that we have in the first respondent veteran community. Um, and throughout that week there were quite a few moments. But you're looking for that, that quantum moment where it's like things connected that never connected before. And it was the last day my dad had said something to me, I think as long as I can remember it was the choices you make dictate the life you lead. And you know, you hear it all the time as a kid. You're like, yeah, it's just my dad saying random things now. And uh, that week it just kind of rolled through my head. Throughout the week, like you know, they were talking about different things in life and choices and decisions and I was like, oh, that kind of reminds me of that. I might get emotional here.
Speaker 3:Okay, we got letters from our family. At the end I had found my relationship with God while I was at this program and opened this letter. It was from my dad. God, while I was at this program and opened this letter, it was from my dad and the first line was I felt like God told me to sit down and write this to you. He said a bunch of things and at the end he said remember that the choices you make dictate the life that you need. And uh, my wife just gave me this present of it, etched in wood, uh, for father's day, um, and then he signed it I love you more than life, good thoughts, good acts, and it just kind of embodied everything. And you told me you know good thoughts, good acts. And it just kind of embodied everything and you told me you know good thoughts, good acts, you know, and the choices I made will dictate the life that I lead.
Speaker 3:And that clicked all of a sudden. It was like it is nobody's fault but my own that I'm here today. And sure, there are moments in life that were awful, people did awful things, but we're in control of how we respond and how we react to those things. And there is a difference between reacting and responding. Responding is when you take the third option that pops in your brain and not the first two. So you take that breath to kind of sit back and acknowledge what's going on. And, yeah, it was like everything played back in my mind of critical decisions, and it was. I didn't have to do that I chose that. So that's kind of something I tell everybody today is I know that where you are is hard, but at the end of the day your choices led you there and we're all exactly where we're supposed to be because our choices led us there.
Speaker 2:Really appreciate that, justin, and I do want to just acknowledge that your best friend, your father, did pass while you were writing your story for the Wounds to Wisdom, and he does sound like an amazing person with wise words. I know he's been such an anchor for you when you were ready. Sometimes the road is not straight for all of us. I think there's winds and twists, but you have definitely ended up in a beautiful place. But you have definitely ended up in a beautiful place. It shows, by your peer support, counseling, the way that you really are deeply rooted in helping other people own their journey. That's always the sense that I have about you that it's kind of tough love, but really love it's all in love. But helping people to own their journey and I think that really is the only way to be empowered, isn't it To? Really? Once you own it, then you can really start navigating towards health, right and thriving. And do you want to share anything more about that part of your journey, like the peer support with or any other organization that you're with?
Speaker 3:yeah, um, so, uh, there's two that I that I'm with. Uh, next rung, it's the first one that's I got into. It was for me. It was how can I help others a not go down the road that I went and also steer them off the road that they're currently on. And I found out about peer support, counseling and this organization. So I took the course, loved it and you know, it's an anonymous call center, if you will, where you get connected with actual first responders who have all had training that can be someone for you to listen to If you need advice. They will listen to anything you have to say. They are there for you and they will also connect you with professional services, both inpatient and outpatient, for whatever your needs are. It's an incredible organization, faith-based, and they're just doing an amazing job at everything.
Speaker 3:And the other one is near and dear to my heart. It is 62 Romeo, and it was founded by a dear friend of mine, robert Sweetman, who in his own journey found that sleep was a major factor in a lot of PTSD issues, depression, anxiety and just overall life wellness. So he developed a program to help their first responders with sleep and I went through it myself and I will tell you this that it changed my whole world. It was like that final piece of the healing puzzle, like all these things are great, but I'm still feeling this way.
Speaker 3:I fixed that aspect of my life and it was just a huge change, um, and so I came on and I told him and, uh, how can I help? Um, and we've just been working together now for two years and, uh, we're coming up on August. We'll maybe seal swim. Uh, we're very excited to go to New York and do that. Uh, we've got a pretty amazing team we're doing some fundraising for and it's just. It's been a journey with Rob and I wouldn't want to be on it with anybody else.
Speaker 2:He's phenomenal human being and really impacted my way, my life, it is so impressive to me the work of 62 Romeo and all of you together, your collaborative efforts. And then, you know, rob really hit it with a sleep, didn't he? I mean he hit it. I know quite a few people who have really benefited, such as yourself, and I send people there too. I just say listen, you know, you got to get your sleep right. You got to go to 62 Romeo. Connect with Robert Sweetman. Go ahead and put a plug in for the swim.
Speaker 3:Connect with Robert Sweetman, go ahead and put a plug in for the swim. Why don't you talk a little bit about that? Yeah, so each year the Navy SEAL Foundation puts on a swim in New York. It's in the Hudson River. It's a three mile swim but it's broken up where we swim out to a barge. We swim out to a barge, we do pull-ups and push-ups for our fallen brothers and sisters, then we swim to another barge where we do the same thing. We finish the swim in Manhattan where we pick up flags and run. I think it's a half a mile towards the fruit tower. We get to celebrate this amazing country, fantastic. I think it's a half a mile towards the Friebedauer. You get to celebrate this amazing country, fantastic.
Speaker 2:I see the one in San Diego with the Honor Foundation, so it's spectacular. It's really fun to watch. It's amazing. Well, listen, justin, I really appreciate you coming on and having a conversation. I would love for you to tell the first responder, the veteran who is listening to this right now, if they are suffering in silence, what is that first step that they could do today?
Speaker 3:Acknowledge that you're suffering, own that you're suffering and understand that you're not alone. The two greatest words you're ever going to hear when you're suffering own that you're suffering and understand that you're not alone. The two greatest words you're ever going to hear when you're in that moment is me, too, that you have to own that something's wrong, and once you do, it's that next step is reaching out to somebody you trust.
Speaker 2:Thank you, justin. I appreciate you. I wish you the best with your new career and all the things that you have going You've been such a pleasure to work with. Thanks so much, thank you, thank you.
