About Annette Zapp and Fire Rescue Wellness

I’m Annette Zapp (or AZ as most people call me) and it is my mission to ensure that every firefighter feels supported physically, mentally, or emotionally in the work they do. 

The sleepless nights. The constant adrenaline dumps. Never knowing the end of the story.

I got to a point where I questioned my ability to continue in this career. And in some moments, I didn’t think I could.

But instead of leaving, I started to show up for myself. I’ve spent 30 years teaching others how to optimize their health. I started to apply the pillars of sleep, nutrition, mental health, and movement to myself. I created consistency and discipline.

And it saved my life. And now, I want to show you how too.

I get it. As a nearly 20-year fire service veteran, I know you’ve built a career out of serving others. I understand how good it feels to take care of everyone else. You keep your community and your neighborhoods safe. And that’s a fantastic feeling. But I also know that sometimes this dedication to serving others can get in the way of taking care of yourself. The sleepless nights,  mental load, and physical demands all add up. It can feel lonely, isolating, and exhausting. I know because I am you too. I spent years of my early career so in service to my role as a firefighter that I ended up losing myself. 

I provide wellness systems, structure, and education for departments that care for the whole person, not just the firefighter. Because when we do that, we all win. From optimizing recovery from injury and minimizing sick-time usage to increasing fitness training compliance and workplace satisfaction, I look forward to helping your team thrive. 

Highlights

Retired Career Fire Lieutenant 
Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 
Adjunct Faculty at University of Denver
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction (NSCA)
Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator with Distinction (NSCA)
PN-1 Certified (Precision Nutrition)
CISSN through the International Society of Sports Nutrition
CNS through the Society for Neurosports 
Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR) and Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) certified
Invited speaker at national and international industry conferences (click HERE to see my upcoming appearances)

What Fire Rescue Wellness clients have to say

  • “Annette’s passion, knowledge and dedication to firefighter health and wellness will impact our members for years to come. It has already proven its worth with a reduction in normal wear and tear and injuries.”

    Scott Cavenaile
    Downers Grove Local 3234 President

  • “Annette presented “Sleep: Our Untapped Superpower” online for the Michigan Professional Firefighter Union. Obviously, most of us do not get enough regular sleep. Annette uses current science to enforce how much sleep deprivation affects our overall health and strategies how to improve our sleep patterns. One firefighter wrote, “Information was on point, concise, and kept me engaged.” She does an excellent job, and we look forward to having her present another great course.”

    Shaun Abbey
    Chair MPFFU Education and Training Committee / MPFFU Second District VP

  • “Annette is one of those people whose passion for her profession is truly infectious. From inspiring firefighters to make real lifestyle changes, to pushing for increased awareness in key issues like mental health and nutrition, Annette is truly driving the tactical S&C industry forward.”

    Matt Sanderson
    Human Performance Coach

  • “Annette is a professional in every sense of the word. She lives and breathes in the tactical environment and is ready, willing, and able to pass on that knowledge. She is also actively engaged in cultivating those newly entering the space. She was able to not only answer my questions, but she gave me action points as well.”

    Matthew Moyer

  • “In the Spring of 2020, I was required to create a presentation for my second interview for a county’s fire department in Virginia. Annette guided me through the topics most important in addressing the overall wellness and fitness of firefighters, a population I had little knowledge about. The two Chiefs and Captain I interviewed with were impressed. I addressed mental health issues as well as sudden cardiac death. Since being hired, Annette has continued to be a valuable friend and ally in connecting me with other wellness and fitness professionals, both in my immediate geographical location but also across the country.”

    Taylor Goodman
    Wellness Center Coordinator Loudoun County Fire and Rescue

  • “AZ quickly highlighted what I needed to learn about, but also helped me create questions to get my own answers on whether or not the shift to Fire Strength and Conditioning was for me. Talking/being mentored by/with AZ was extremely beneficial to working with ANY athlete in the holistic way she views and weaves together training, mental health and the other various pillars of performance. In addition to her personal guidance, she also connected me with various other coaches in my area that were executing high level programs to further my understanding of this niche field.”

    Dave Terry
    HP Program Manager