From the Ashes: Justin Champion on Trauma, Recovery, and Mental Health in the Fire Service

In this episode of Beneath the Helmet, retired Fire Chief Arjuna George sits down with Justin Champion—firefighter, veteran, and founder of From the Ashes, to talk about his journey through trauma, recovery, and cultural change in the fire service.

Justin’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. A U.S. Army veteran with multiple deployments to Iraq and Bosnia, Justin transitioned into the fire service in 2006, quickly climbing the ranks from firefighter to Deputy Chief. But beneath the surface, years of accumulated trauma from both military and firefighting service were taking their toll. Eventually, burnout, emotional exhaustion, and personal struggles came to a head, leading to the loss of his marriage and a period of deep personal crisis.

Instead of letting that be the end of his story, Justin made the courageous decision to call what he calls a “mental mayday.” He sought help through therapy, faith, and peer support—and then committed himself to helping others do the same. Today, through From the Ashes, he’s on a mission to break the stigma around mental health in the fire service and to make it normal for firefighters to reach out before it’s too late.

Throughout this conversation, Justin shares raw and honest reflections, hard-earned lessons, and practical advice for firefighters, officers, and leaders who want to create psychologically safe workplaces. His message is both a warning and a beacon of hope: you can recover, rebuild, and thrive if you’re willing to ask for help and be there for others when they do.

Top 5 Nuggets from My Conversation with Justin Champion
1. A Mental Mayday Is as Critical as a Fireground Mayday
Justin draws a powerful parallel between calling a mayday during a fire and calling one when you’re struggling mentally. Just as firefighters drop everything to rescue a trapped colleague, we need the same urgency when someone reaches out for emotional or mental support.

"If you’re trapped in your own mind, it’s no different than being trapped in a burning basement; you need someone to come for you."
2. Culture Change Starts with Leadership AND the Senior Firefighter
Justin emphasizes that while chiefs and officers must lead by example, senior firefighters carry enormous influence in the firehouse. They can set the tone by normalizing mental health conversations and checking in privately with those who seem off.

"I taught you how to attack a fire; now I want to teach you how to get your mind right."
3. Recovery Requires a Multi-Layered Approach
For Justin, healing came from a combination of therapy, faith, physical fitness, and open dialogue with family. There was no “one-size-fits-all” solution; what mattered was finding multiple sources of support and sticking with them.

4. Families Often Carry the Hidden Burden
A crucial point Justin makes is that spouses, partners, and children experience the stress of the job too, often without support. Many keep silent to avoid adding to a firefighter’s burden.

"Make sure your family isn’t calling a mayday you’re too busy to hear."
5. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
The fire service often promotes brotherhood and sisterhood in slogans and t-shirts, but Justin challenges leaders and peers to prove it in action. If a colleague calls at 3 a.m., the real measure of brotherhood is whether you pick up the phone and listen.

Why This Matters
The fire service is built on courage, teamwork, and sacrifice, but too often, that sacrifice comes at the expense of mental health. Justin’s story reminds us that resilience isn’t just about pushing through; it’s about knowing when to pause, reset, and lean on others.

By normalizing “mental maydays” and building a culture where help-seeking is seen as a strength, we can save not only careers but also lives and families.

This episode of Beneath the Helmet is more than just an interview; it’s a call to action for every firefighter, officer, and leader to examine their role in breaking the stigma around mental health. Whether you’re a rookie or a chief, you have the power to make your department a safer place, physically and psychologically.

Subscribe & Share
If Justin’s story resonated with you, share this episode with your crew, your leadership team, or anyone who needs to hear it. Let’s spread the message that it’s okay not to be okay, and that the strongest thing you can do is reach out.

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