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You only get one shot: Train for the moments that matter

Eminem’s anthem about owning a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity applies to hard truths in the fire service

Palms sweaty? Knees weak? Arms heavy? Good. That means you care.

Zam’s borrowing a page from Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” to underscore a hard truth about the fireground: Sometimes you only get one shot. There is no rewind on a mayday, no reset button on a rescue and no do-over on a critical command decision. Zam draws parallels between elite athletes training for their Olympic moment and firefighters preparing for the call that will test everything they know. Sharing stories from the sports world and his own experience on the job, Zam urges you to remember this simple fact: Every call deserves your full attention. Every drill should be treated like the one that could define your career.

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Previously on the Better Every Shift Podcast
Senior investigator Wesley Attwood details explains how NIOSH investigations begin, what investigators look for and how crews can put the report findings to work
Zam shares four practical strategies to improve communication, build trust and strengthen leadership
Captain Jim Barnhart explains why alternative energy systems are changing the fireground faster than many departments can adapt — and how to close the gap
The new U.S. Wildland Fire Service director shares his vision for a more unified, firefighter-focused wildfire response
Andrew Klein details the terrifying fire that changed his life, plus how he’s managing his mental health