Taking a Knee: A Fire Captain’s Journey Back to Self
In this powerful conversation, host Arjuna George talks with Fire Captain Michael Sears about the subtle weight years of service can place on one’s identity, body, and spirit. Michael opens up about the moment he realized the job was taking more than it was giving back and what it meant for him to take a knee, step away, and confront an operational stress injury. Together they explore moral injury, the challenge of reconnecting with one’s body and values, and what healing looks like in a culture that prizes endurance. This episode invites firefighters and first responders to reflect on identity beyond the uniform and to consider what real support and leadership mean on the journey back to self.
In this episode, Taking a Knee: A Fire Captain’s Journey Back to Self, Captain Michael Sears joins host Arjuna George for a raw conversation about operational stress, moral injury, identity, and what it truly takes to find your way back after years in the fire service.
Michael shares his experience navigating occupational stress injury, stepping away from the job, and learning how to reconnect with his body, his values, and his sense of self. Together, Arjuna and Michael explore what it really means to “take a knee” and why healing doesn’t mean weakness; it means leadership.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected, exhausted, or unsure who you are outside the uniform, this conversation will resonate deeply.
🎧 Episode Highlights & Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and welcome
Arjuna introduces the episode and welcomes Fire Captain Michael Sears.
01:00 – A life in the fire service
Michael shares his background, family legacy, and early career in firefighting.
02:30 – When the job starts to change you
Recognizing the toll of years of service and the moment things began to shift.
04:30 – Taking a knee and stepping away
What led to Michael taking time off and confronting operational stress.
06:45 – Navigating occupational stress injury
The realities of paperwork, stigma, and asking for help.
09:00 – The challenge of returning to work
What reintegration looked like and what support was missing.
12:00 – Moral injury and organizational betrayal
How leadership decisions and systems can deeply impact firefighters.
16:00 – Identity, ego, and the cost of silence
What happens when identity becomes fused with the job.
19:00 – Embodied healing and reconnecting with the body
Learning to listen to the body and process stored stress.
23:30 – The role of breath, stillness, and awareness
Why regulation begins with slowing down.
27:00 – Creativity, curiosity, and recovery
How healing often comes through unexpected paths.
31:00 – What real support should look like
Why early intervention, education, and resourcing matter.
35:00 – Advice for firefighters approaching retirement
Preparing for identity shifts and life beyond the job.
38:30 – Final reflections on leadership and self-worth
Why taking care of yourself helps everyone around you.
41:00 – Closing thoughts and message to listeners
🔥 Key Themes Discussed
Operational stress and moral injury
Identity beyond the uniform
The cost of emotional suppression
Embodied healing and nervous system awareness
Leadership through self-awareness
Transitioning out of the fire service with purpose
If this episode resonated with you, I invite you to download and listen to these great conversations too:
👤 Guest Information
Michael Sears
Fire Captain and mental health advocate
President, Fight for Life (mental health support for firefighters)
🎙️ About the Host
Arjuna George
Former Fire Chief, coach, and host of Beneath the Helmet.
🚨 JOIN THE BTH COMMUNITY
📝 Podcast Newsletter: https://colossal-trailblazer-6113.ck.page/c0e1b81fbe
📨 LinkedIn Podcast Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7026972684089528321
✅Become a BTH Ambassador for a one-time contribution of $23. Your Ambassador contribution supports the behind-the-scenes work that keeps this project alive. Click here to support the show
📺 WATCH & LISTEN 🌐 Full Episodes & Show Notes: www.beneaththehelmet.ca
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beneaththehelmetshow?sub_confirmation=1
🔥 SOCIALS & CONTACT
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beneaththehelmetshow/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunageorge/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beneaththehelmetshow/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beneaththehelmet
📩 Business Inquiries: arjuna@silverarrowco.com
📣 If this conversation resonated with you:
Subscribe to the channel for more honest conversations on leadership, identity, and resilience
Share this episode with a colleague or friend who might need to hear it
Leave a comment with your biggest takeaway or reflection
Connect with the Host:
Arjuna George – Fire Chief (ret) Owner of Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting, Beneath the Helmet Show, and Burnt Around the Edges author.
www.silverarrowco.com
www.burntaroundtheedges.com
www.beneaththehelmet.ca
Fire Captain / President of the Fight4Life
Michael has been a firefighter since 2004, currently a Captain assigned to a Technical Rescue Company in Halifax. Mike is the Vice President representing Nova Scotia for the Atlantic Provinces Professional Firefighter Association and is also the Government Affairs Liaison for the Halifax Professional Firefighters. Mike is also the President of the Fight4Life Association which is a grass roots charity which provides proactive and reactive support for active and retired members of the Halifax Professional Firefighters Association with respect to behavioural and mental health concerns. Mike is also a member of the NS WCB First Responder Mental Health steering committee and is also a Trainer for the Tema Foundation.
