Captain Heather - "Resilience"

“Let’s not mince words: no matter what, as a first responder you may not be having trauma in your personal life, but you are part of everybody else’s trauma that you respond to.” – Captain Heather

Every call starts the same way — the radio crackles, the adrenaline kicks in, and instinct takes over. But what happens at the end of the shift when the uniform comes off? When the person behind the badge carries the weight of trauma, leadership, and survival at home?

On this episode of Stories From the Road, Captain Heather opens up about her more than 20-year journey in law enforcement — from her early days as a volunteer firefighter and EMT to becoming a police captain, a mother, and an advocate for mental health and women in law enforcement.

Her story started as a teenager with a dream: Heather saw first responders as superheroes and quickly realized that she wanted to become one herself. But two decades later, that dream has been tested by sacrifice, resilience, and the painful intersections between her personal and professional life.

From breaking barriers as a woman in uniform, to delivering a baby on duty, to surviving domestic violence at home, Captain Heather has seen both the best and worst of what humanity has to offer – including her own moments of doubt, strength, and healing.

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Welcome back to Season 7 of Stories From the Road, and thank you for listening! Please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen.