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:

  akd@lifesaverwellness.com
  akdozanti.com

#BurnoutRecovery #FirstResponderHealth #OperationalStressInjury #SelfLeadership #BeneathTheHelmetPodcast

Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)

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