When firefighter Ricky Nuttall walked into the Grenfell Tower blaze, he had no idea itwould mark the beginning of a new life one forged through trauma, guilt,poetry, and purpose.

In this unforgettable episode of Beneath the Helmet, Ricky shares his raw and deeply personal account ofresponding to one of the UK’s most catastrophic fires. But what unfolds is morethan a fireground stor, it’s a journey into the aftermath: operationalstress injury, moral injury, and the haunting decisions firefighters carry longafter the smoke clears. You'llhear about:

· The moment he realized hemight not make it out

· The crushing weight ofchoosing to live while others died

· How childhood traumashaped his calling to serve

· The healing power ofwriting, reflection, and vulnerability

If you’ve ever struggled withshame, survivor’s guilt, or the silent battles behind the badge, thisconversation is for you. Ricky’s story will move you, challenge you, and mostof all remind you that redemption is not only possible, it’s powerful.

This episode is a must-listen for firefighters, firstresponders, mental health professionals, and leaders in high-stakesenvironments seeking real talk about resilience, trauma recovery, and post-traumatic growth.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:25 Ricky's Early Life and FamilyBackground

08:07 Joining the Fire Service

20:09 The Grenfell Tower Fire: InitialResponse

27:07 Inside the Tower: A Firefighter'sStruggle

43:58 Aftermath and Mental HealthStruggles

53:19 A Poem Born from Darkness

54:03 The Breaking Point

56:36 A Lifeline of Phone Calls

57:36 The Power of Counseling andMedication

58:43 The Stigma of Antidepressants

59:47 Seasonal Affective Disorder and St.John's Wort

01:00:49 Reflecting on Recovery

01:01:50 The Importance ofSelf-Congratulation

01:03:06 Embracing Change and Growth

01:08:41 Tools for Self-Care and Recovery

01:19:36 The Blue Balloon Theory

01:21:46 Rocks in Pockets: StrengthThrough Hardship

01:24:28 Exciting Future Projects

01:35:12 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

⁠info@justrick.co.uk⁠

⁠www.justrick.co.uk⁠

The Firefighter Film: https://www.justrick.co.uk/?wix-vod-video-id=5e79880e037f4ae6b0af4b17a78cae9c&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-kixmw8nq

🔥 Subscribe toBeneath the Helmet onApple, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform — and join the movement toredefine leadership and mental wellness in the fire service. Don'tforget to rate and share if this story resonates. Your voice helps break thesilence.

Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)

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