Building the Elite Podcast
The Building the Elite (BTE) podcast discusses all facets of human performance - from physical training to the mental and emotional factors of resilience. Each episode looks at principles drawn from the world of special operations. These concepts help people succeed in the toughest military training courses in the world and can help anyone thrive in chaotic and challenging environments.
Building the Elite Podcast
Alex Potter: From Frontline to Fireline - Ep. 109
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Alex Potter is a photojournalist, trauma nurse, former wildland firefighter, and co-founder of Global Response Medicine, a humanitarian non-profit bringing emergency medicine to low-resource and high-risk areas.
Alex spent her early career photographing conflict in the Middle East, before spending two seasons as a wildland firefighter in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho.
She then moved to Alaska to pursue a career as an Air Force Combat Rescue Officer and was selected in Phase 2 of the CRO pipeline in 2022.
While a twist of fate (and knee) changed that path, she remains passionate about mountain pursuits, far-forward medicine, and the ability to help others achieve their goals. She is a current board member of the Special Operations Climbers Coalition, and recently moved to Bozeman, Montana.
More about Alex:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexkpotter/
Global Response Medicine: https://global-response.org/
Photography: https://www.alexkaypotter.com/
Support GRM: https://givebutter.com/AcuteCare
Timestamps:
00:00:22 Introduction to Alex Potter
00:01:14 Piecing Together Alex Potter's Career
00:04:48 Combat Rescue Officers VS. Pararescueman
00:06:43 Everybody Loves PJs
00:09:00 Trauma Nurse in Iraq
00:13:16 Notable Things in the Learning Curve
00:14:31 Where Did Your Food Come From
00:16:12 Being a Women in Traditional Muslim Culture
00:21:47 Ending two years in Iraq
00:24:03 Firefighter in Alaska
00:24:57 Month Long Boot Camp
00:26:13 What Makes Effective Leadership
00:27:21 Not Hoarding Knowledge
00:29:56 Becoming a Wildland Firefighter
00:33:15 Specific Boots for the Job
00:34:37 Physical Training Prior to Firefighting
00:37:10 Marriage & Nursing on the East Coast
00:40:07 The CRO Pipeline
00:45:45 Training to Maintain While Working on Weaknesses
00:50:27 Phase Two of Training
00:55:60 Qualifying for Air Force after Training
00:58:28 Pete Gets Director Position in Ukraine
01:02:35 Long Journey to Bring Pete Back Home
01:03:37 The OTS Pipeline
01:10:51 What is Alex Potter Doing Now
01:11:42 Mountain Guiding Professionals
01:13:25 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received
01:15:29 Outro
