Welcome to the Behind a Shield podcast. As always, my name's James Gearing, and this week it is my absolute

honor to welcome on the show, three-time Olympian, author of Not About the Medal, and Mental Health

Counselor for First Responders, Leah Pells. Now, in this conversation, we discuss a host of topics,

from her own challenging childhood,

catharsis through running, physical and mental burnout in youth athletes, compassionate coaching,

her journey into the mental health space, EMDR, sleep deprivation, and so much more.

Now before we get to this incredible conversation, as I say every week, please just take a moment.

Go to whichever app you listen to this on, subscribe to the show, leave feedback and leave a rating.

Every single five-star rating truly does elevate this podcast, therefore making it easier

for others to find.

And this is a free library of well over 1,200 episodes now.

So all I ask in return is that you help share these incredible men and women's stories

so I can get them to every

single person on planet Earth who needs to hear them. So with that being said, I introduce

to you Leah P Steve Farina. Well, Leah, I want to start by saying two things.

Firstly, thank you to our mutual friend, Steve Farina, for making this connection.

And secondly, I want to welcome you on to the Behind the Shield podcast today.

Thank you, James.

It's awesome to be here.

And yeah, big shout out to Steve.

He's connected me to so many different resources

and amazing people like yourself in the fire world.

...