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🔪Culinary School from Your Couch & Lessons in Leading Like a Legend

Fuel. Grind. Lead.

AuthorAuthor

Kait Price & Martin Lemay
August 04, 2025

In partnership with

Army photos by Cpl. Danielle Rodrigues and Spc. Michael Mulderick

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Watching cooking shows is like free culinary school. You pick up techniques, timing, flavor combos, and plating ideas just by observing. It helps train your instincts and gives new inspiration. The more you watch, the more confident and creative you become in your own kitchen. Here are my top 3 cooking shows:

🔥 Beat Bobby Flay – It’s like a masterclass in quick thinking and bold flavors. You get to see real chefs teach you how to improvise and elevate simple dishes. Plus, watching Bobby Flay’s tricks up close means you can steal pro tips to boost your own cooking game!

🧑‍🍳 The Kitchen - This one is designed for home cooks: simple dinner ideas, family meal tips, and kitchen tricks you can actually use. And there’s something about watching 2 Iron Chefs cook!

🔪 Guy’s Ranch Kitchen - The vibe is relaxed and fun, and the hosts break down recipes in simple, doable steps. Plus, it’s full of real talk, kitchen hacks, and tasty comfort food you can cook at home without fancy gear or ingredients.

Try watching cooking shows in the background while you do other stuff. Before you know it, your cooking game will sneakily level up without even trying!

🚨 Firehouse Eats: eBook - GET YOUR COPY NOW! 🚨 

- 10 High-Protein Recipes for 10 Shifts -

✔️ Packed with flavor & fuel for your crew or family
✔️ Quick, easy-to-follow recipes
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Fuel your days with meals that keep you strong, energized, and ready for action. Download your Firehouse Eats eBook today and get cooking!

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Fuel

🔥 This hearty breakfast is not only packed with a whopping 60 grams of protein per serving, making it an ideal choice for a filling start to your day, but it also combines savory flavors of ham and lean ground beef with nutritious sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and onions. The addition of spices like paprika, garlic powder, and cumin adds depth to the dish, while the runny yolks from the fried eggs provide a delicious sauce that ties everything together. I also love making extra for meal prep. It’s a total game changer! Being able to quickly fry up a couple of eggs and toss them on top of this hash while rushing out the door in the morning makes all the difference!

Follow along with me in this video and I’ll show you how easy this is! *Click the image below for the recipe 👇

This Daily Ritual Goes Wherever You Do

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Lead

❝

Leadership is a choice. It is not a rank.

This TEDTalk from the incredible Simon Sinek highlights a powerful story about leadership, trust, and sacrifice through the actions of Captain William Swenson, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism during an ambush in Afghanistan. Swenson's actions exemplify true leadership, running into live fire to save wounded soldiers and displaying deep emotional commitment to his comrades. This act of selflessness raises an important question: why don't we see this level of commitment in other organizations, including the firehouse? The answer, as the transcript explains, is that leadership is not about medals or titles, it's about creating an environment where people feel safe, supported, and part of a team.

In the firehouse, just like in military settings, the role of the leader is crucial in fostering a culture of trust and cooperation. Leaders must prioritize the well-being of their teams, ensuring that they feel safe and valued, even in the face of danger or adversity. This creates a powerful sense of loyalty and commitment among team members, where they are willing to go above and beyond for their leader, just as Captain Swenson's soldiers did for him. In practical terms, this means that firehouse leaders should lead by example, putting the needs of their crew first, even at the cost of personal comfort or immediate outcomes. This approach will result in a more cohesive, resilient, and effective team.

The transcript also draws a parallel between great leaders and great parents, both of whom want to see their people grow, succeed, and surpass their own achievements. This nurturing aspect of leadership is critical in the firehouse, where the ultimate goal is not just to respond to emergencies but to build a team capable of handling challenges with trust, cooperation, and shared responsibility. Leaders who embody these values create an environment where their team feels supported and empowered, and where the willingness to sacrifice for one another becomes second nature. Ultimately, when the leadership in the firehouse prioritizes the safety and success of its members, the entire team thrives and performs at its best.

Watch the full video here by Simon Sinek from TEDTalk.

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