We recently connected with Steve Pope and have shared our conversation below.
Steve, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
The biggest risk I have taken so far in my career has been starting the Firefighter Golf YouTube, Instagram and other social media outlets to spread the PTSD mission. I started the social media blitz with much trepidation because I did not know anything about YouTubing or Instagram. There was a big learning curve trying to learn how to film, edit, talk in front of the camera, etc. Plus, I was putting myself out there to the world with my PTSD issues. But that risk has led to the First Responder Golf Foundation. The foundation is about getting first responders out on the golf course to just BE. Getting on the golf course is an outlet for first responders to decompress and reinvigorate back into everyday life. I took all this risk because I was suffering from the cumulative stress load that I didn’t understand. It was taking over my life and ruining my family. This risk is about me sharing my story so it can help other first responders understand the stresses of the job.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a 26 year veteran of the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department. I love serving the community that I grew up in. The thing I am most proud of is the founding of the firefighter golf social media outlets and the First Responder Golf Foundation. My hope is these two outlets will help first responders cope with PTSD issues. The foundation is about getting first responders out on the golf course to decompress and just BE. It is an outlet to get away for a few hours and enjoy the company of peers.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
If I could go back I most certainly choose the same profession. I love helping people in need and serving the community I grew up in. The only thing I would change is I wish I knew what the cumulative stress load was all about because I would be in a better place mentally for sure. That is why I talk to the new fire recruits during the fire academy to make sure they know about the allostatic/cumulative load.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Luckily I haven’t heard much negative talk about the PTSD mission. But the few times I have heard something negative from someone it has strengthened my resolve to continue on the mission. I know this needs to be talked about more and that is one of the goals with the social media blitz. Keep it relevant because you never know who is going to see it and who it might help. For that, I will remain resilient.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.firstrespondergolf.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firefighter_golf/ https://www.instagram.com/firstrespondergolffoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063467021683
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC06rKRl_NA9UODCmlPGe2Sg