E977 Burn Bags, Go Bags, and Emotional Baggage | Tactical Living Podcast

You pack light (Amazon Affiliate)—but your emotional load tells a different story. In this episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton explore the deeper symbolism behind what first responders carry—from burn bags and go bags to emotional baggage that’s harder to unpack. 🔎 Episode Overview: Every responder knows the importance of being prepared. Your bag might carry trauma shears, med kits, backup mags, or comms gear. But beneath the surface, those tools often mirror the emotional weight you carry, too—grief, fear, regret, hyper-vigilance. This episode takes a hard look at the connection between your physical gear and your psychological load, helping you identify what you’ve packed for survival… and what you may need to release for your own recovery. 🧠 5 Signs Your Physical Load Reflects Unspoken Emotional Weight You Carry More Than You Actually Need—“Just in Case” Example: Extra tools, backups for backups, gear you rarely use. Impact: May reflect hyper-vigilance, anxiety, or fear of losing control. You Feel Exposed Without Certain Items Example: You’re uncomfortable even running a quick errand without your go bag. Impact: Suggests a reliance on preparedness for emotional security. You Constantly Reorganize or Add to Your Kit Example: New bag setups, better EDC tools, constant upgrades. Impact: A form of distraction or control when life feels unpredictable. You Feel Emotionally Attached to Certain Gear Example: Old items you can’t part with—even if they’re worn or irrelevant. Impact: Links the object to a memory, trauma, or unprocessed emotion. You Avoid Reflecting on Why You Carry What You Carry Example: You’ve never asked, “Why do I need this with me?” Impact: Keeps emotional habits unexamined and unchecked. 🛠️ 5 Ways to Unpack Your Baggage—Physically and Emotionally Audit Your Bag With Radical Honesty Lay it all out. Ask yourself: “Do I need this—or am I emotionally attached to it?” Connect Items With Emotions Notice what memories or feelings come up with certain gear. Acknowledge them. Make Room for Recovery Tools, Not Just Response Gear Include items that help you regulate, not just react—like journals, sleep aids, or prayer cards. Talk About What You Carry With a Trusted Partner or Peer Whether it’s literal gear or grief—sharing lightens the load. Practice Letting Go—One Item or Thought at a Time You can be prepared without being imprisoned by your past or your pack. 🎯 Why This Episode Matters Preparedness is smart. Overpacking—mentally or physically—is exhausting. What you carry says a lot about who you are, where you’ve been, and what you fear. But it also reveals your strength, your growth, and your willingness to heal. 🎙️ Listen now to unpack what your gear—and your emotional load—is really telling you. 💥 Gear We Recommend for Our First Responder Community: 🛡️ Tactical storage made easy: STOPBOX – Buy One, Get One Free 🎯 Connect With Us: ✅ Join our Private Facebook Group for First Responders & Families 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube for behind-the-scenes content and live interviews 🌐 Visit LEOWarriors.com for coaching, resources, and more 💬 Listener Question: What’s one small act of service you can do today to honor someone who served? Let us know in the Facebook group or DM us on Instagram! Disclaimer: All viewpoints discussed in this episode are for entertainment purposes only and reflect our personal opinions based on our own experiences, background, and education. 🎙️ Want to be a guest on Tactical Living? Send a message to Ashlie Walton on PodMatch → Click here (Ad) Some product links in this episode may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. We only share products we genuinely believe in and trust. 📣 For PR, Speaking Requests, or Networking Opportunities: 📧 Email: [e-mail] 📫 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 400115, Hesperia, CA 92340 🔗 Ashlie’s Facebook: facebook.com/police.fire.lawenforcement