Welcome to another episode of The First Responder Playbook! In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Johnsgaard—a recently retired Canadian law enforcement officer whose passion for training, growth, and optimizing law enforcement performance has taken him across four continents and into the heart of elite and entry-level organizations alike. Jeff shares his unique journey: from chasing purpose inspired by Viktor Frankl’s "Man’s Search for Meaning," to deep dives into martial arts in Japan, to becoming internationally renowned for his work in reality-based training and close quarter defense systems.
Jeff unpacks what it really means to be a law enforcement trainer—a profession within a profession—and why traditional methods often lag behind the science of real learning and performance. He opens up about the critical importance of process over content, the power of language in training, and the need to create sustainable instructor programs that last beyond any one person or trend.
We’ll also hear about Jeff’s experiences with organizations like Force Science and the Reality-Based Training Association, his work rebranding his own training business to “On Purpose, By Design,” and why he believes every instructor should aim for continuous, purposeful improvement. Plus, Jeff shares his top recommendations for resources to help both trainers and officers accelerate their growth.
If you’re ready to rethink how you learn, teach, and lead in the world of first response, you won’t want to miss this conversation with one of the field’s most innovative thinkers. Dive in and get ready to train—on purpose, by design!
Want to be a guest on The First Responder Playbook: Insights on Leadership and Training? Send Brent Colbert a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1748037097521814b71b1b454
Find Jeff at: https://www.onpurpose.training/category/all-products
#training #police #innovative #firstresponder #firstresponders
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