What happens when the Officer of the Year becomes the one in crisis?
In this powerful episode of Beneath the Helmet, Arjuna George sits down with AK Dozanti, a former deputy sheriff turned burnout recovery coach and author of Beat the Burnout. AK opens up about her personal spiral into depression, Operational Stress Injury, adrenal fatigue, and how the pressure to perform led to a complete system collapse.
They explore why burnout is more than just exhaustion; it’s a whole-body experience that affects identity, purpose, and nervous system regulation. AK shares what the crash felt like, how she ignored the signs, and the unconventional path she took to healing.
If you're a high performer, a helper, or a First Responder who's been feeling "off," this episode is your signal to pause and tune in. You'll learn:
The warning signs of true burnout (it's sneakier than you think)
Why First Responders face a unique risk due to trauma exposure and moral injury
Practical, nervous-system-friendly recovery tools AK used to rebuild
How self-leadership, boundaries, and grace are the new tactical gear
🎧 Listen now to Beneath the Helmet and rediscover what it means to be strong without burning out.
📘 Grab AK’s book Beat the Burnout
📘 Grab Arjuna's book Burnt Around the Edges: A Guide to Mastering Stress and Surviving Burnout.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:22 Meet AK Dozanti: From Law Enforcement to Burnout Specialist
02:31 Experiencing Burnout: AK's Personal Story
04:18 Transition to Wellness and Lifesaver Wellness
05:07 Understanding Burnout: Symptoms and Personal Experiences
05:15 Understanding Burnout: Symptoms and Signs
07:37 Addressing Past Trauma and Burnout
09:18 The Importance of Listening to Your Body
09:59 Burnout in First Responders
09:59 The Impact of Trauma and Burnout on First Responders
12:14 Physical and Emotional Impact of Burnout
14:47 Resources and Support Systems
16:59 Recovery and Prevention Strategies
17:04 Strategies for Overcoming Burnout
20:08 Fitness and Self-Care Adjustments
22:31 The Journey of Writing 'Beat the Burnout'
22:31 The Journey of Writing 'Beat the Burnout'
24:43 Future Projects and Final Thoughts
29:51 Struggles of Transitioning from High Performer to Entrepreneur
30:19 The Importance of Recovery and Efficiency
30:39 Understanding and Managing Burnout
32:42 Understanding and Managing the Nervous System
36:21 Recognizing Burnout Symptoms
36:37 Steps to Combat Burnout
41:02 Nourishing Your Nervous System
47:30 The Power of Self-Leadership
52:16 Final Thoughts and Future Plans
55:42 Conclusion and Farewell
Connect with AK:
#BurnoutRecovery #FirstResponderHealth #OperationalStressInjury #SelfLeadership #BeneathTheHelmetPodcast
Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)
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