The Courage To Live
The Courage to Live podcast is hosted by retired Police Captain Josh Bitsko and his wife Jenna, and it explores resilience, leadership, and the real stories behind critical incidents and everyday challenges. Each episode blends lessons from Josh’s career in law enforcement including his response to the 1 October mass shooting in Las Vegas with honest conversations about trauma, growth, and the courage it takes to face both professional and personal battles. The show covers everything from leadership and decision making under stress to mental health, family, and the daily choices that help us live with purpose.
The Courage To Live
Ep. 81: Courage Casts - Zone 2 Resilience
In this episode, Josh breaks down how emotional resilience is built the same way cardiovascular fitness is built through steady, consistent work. He explains the idea behind Zone 2 cardio and how slow, sustainable conditioning mirrors the daily habits needed to stay grounded under pressure. Josh talks about the traps many first responders fall into when they only work on their mental health during crises and why real emotional control is built during the quiet moments.
He shares practical ways to train your mind the same way you train your body, like breath work before a shift, short moments of silence, checking in with yourself after stress, and creating simple daily routines that keep you balanced. Josh helps listeners understand why consistency matters more than intensity and how building emotional capacity protects your decision making when life speeds up. This episode gives actionable steps for anyone who wants to strengthen resilience and stay ready for whatever comes next.