Episode 34: Egan de los Cobos - Firefighter/Paramedic, Certified Health Coach, Founder of First Wellness Health

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma informed and certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

In this episode, Erin speaks with Egan de los Cobos, a Firefighter and Paramedic with 25 years experience from California. In 2013, Egan and his young son were involved in an awful MVA, where a vehicle careened into the cafe they were sitting in. This subsequently led to a PTSD diagnosis and the stress and trauma present in his body, lead to the triggering of an autoimmune condition. After years of chronic pain, Egan sought answers and relief that weren't coming from the mainstream medical system and finally found relief. Inspired by his own journey, he became a certified health coach, focusing on aligning immune, gut, mental and physical health after enduring a protracted search for answers to his own physical health struggles, eventually founding First Wellness Health.

Egan tells Erin about why he decided to become a firefighter/paramedic, inspired by his uncle in the job and they discuss the wildfires that often occur out in California, including his department's member heavy deployments to such incidents.

He also shares about the day that changed the trajectory of his life, where an out of control vehicle collided with the outdoor cafe he and his son were sitting in, one morning in 2013. Egan was knocked unconscious and when he came to, had no idea where his son was or in what condition. He searched the rubble, only to find every parent's worst nightmare; his little boy, lying face down and not moving. Thankfully both he and his son escaped relatively unharmed physically from the incident, even having some of his colleagues treat them on scene.

However, the psychological impact on Egan triggered the autoimmune condition of psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, causing his physical health to deteriorate dramatically. It took 4 years and countless appointments with different medical professionals for Egan's frustration to drive him to seek his own answers and the realisation of the mind-body connection.

He was finally able to find some relief through focusing on nutrition, supplements and improving his own health, which finds him now in a place where he could barely walk or attend work most days, to now being able to run marathons.

Egan also received a PTSD diagnosis, resulting from the MVA with his son and underwent EMDR therapy, with he found immensely beneficial and successful. He also discusses how feeling so helpless and powerless in that moment with his son, when usually as a First Responder, we are the ones in control of a situation like that, was also part of his trauma.

He tells Erin about his desire to help others, which is why he formed First Responder Wellness and now coaches and supports people on their health and wellness journey.

It was so lovely to speak with Egan and have him share his story with us. We both hope you enjoy listening to this episode and you can follow Egan on social media @eganfirstwellness (IG and TikTok) and Egan de los Cobos (FB) or you can go check out his website: ⁠https://www.firstwellnesshealth.com/⁠

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, would like to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

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