July 9, 2025

Beat the Burnout: AK Dozanti on Nervous System Recovery, First Responder Trauma, and Self-Leadership.

Beat the Burnout: AK Dozanti on Nervous System Recovery, First Responder Trauma, and Self-Leadership.
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Beat the Burnout: AK Dozanti on Nervous System Recovery, First Responder Trauma, and Self-Leadership.

What happens when the Officer of the Year becomes the one in crisis?

In this powerful episode of Beneath the Helmet, Arjuna George sits down with AK Dozanti, a former deputy sheriff turned burnout recovery coach and author of Beat the Burnout. AK opens up about her personal spiral into depression, Operational Stress Injury, adrenal fatigue, and how the pressure to perform led to a complete system collapse.

They explore why burnout is more than just exhaustion; it’s a whole-body experience that affects identity, purpose, and nervous system regulation. AK shares what the crash felt like, how she ignored the signs, and the unconventional path she took to healing.

If you're a high performer, a helper, or a First Responder who's been feeling "off," this episode is your signal to pause and tune in. You'll learn:

  • The warning signs of true burnout (it's sneakier than you think)

  • Why First Responders face a unique risk due to trauma exposure and moral injury

  • Practical, nervous-system-friendly recovery tools AK used to rebuild

  • How self-leadership, boundaries, and grace are the new tactical gear
    🎧 Listen now to Beneath the Helmet and rediscover what it means to be strong without burning out.
    📘 Grab AK’s book Beat the Burnout
    📘 Grab Arjuna's book Burnt Around the Edges: A Guide to Mastering Stress and Surviving Burnout.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    01:22 AK Dozanti's Background in Law Enforcement

    01:22 Meet AK Dozanti: From Law Enforcement to Burnout Specialist

    02:31 Experiencing Burnout: AK's Personal Story

    04:18 Transition to Wellness and Lifesaver Wellness

    05:07 Understanding Burnout: Symptoms and Personal Experiences

    05:15 Understanding Burnout: Symptoms and Signs

    07:37 Addressing Past Trauma and Burnout

    09:18 The Importance of Listening to Your Body

    09:59 Burnout in First Responders

    09:59 The Impact of Trauma and Burnout on First Responders

    12:14 Physical and Emotional Impact of Burnout

    14:47 Resources and Support Systems

    16:59 Recovery and Prevention Strategies

    17:04 Strategies for Overcoming Burnout

    20:08 Fitness and Self-Care Adjustments

    22:31 The Journey of Writing 'Beat the Burnout'

    22:31 The Journey of Writing 'Beat the Burnout'

    24:43 Future Projects and Final Thoughts

    24:43 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

    29:51 Struggles of Transitioning from High Performer to Entrepreneur

    29:51 Struggles of Transitioning to Entrepreneurship

    30:19 The Importance of Recovery and Efficiency

    30:39 Understanding and Managing Burnout

    32:42 Understanding and Managing the Nervous System

    32:42 The Importance of Nervous System Health

    36:21 Recognizing and Addressing Burnout

    36:21 Recognizing Burnout Symptoms

    36:37 Steps to Combat Burnout

    41:02 Nourishing Your Nervous System

    41:02 Nourishing Your Nervous System

    47:30 The Power of Self-Leadership

    47:30 Self-Leadership and Personal Growth

    52:16 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

    52:16 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

    55:42 Conclusion and Farewell

#BurnoutRecovery #FirstResponderHealth #OperationalStressInjury #SelfLeadership #BeneathTheHelmetPodcast


Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)

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