About Ben O’Brien

About Ben O’Brien

As a kid, I always wanted to be outside and moving, probably because dyslexia made school hard for me. Throughout high school, college and young adulthood, I just went where my impetuousness led me with little clear direction. 

At 32, I started my career of service as a firefighter and found a sustaining purpose for the first time. Over 20 years as a paramedic and firefighter for the South Metro Fire Rescue, I’ve been blessed to work with great people, helping others and ourselves through all matter of challenges, from the trivial to the ultimate.

Over the years, I began to see a very specific need in emergency responders of all types: the development of resilience techniques and cognitive tools to mitigate stress, both in the field and throughout the transition of retiring. In 2018, I created the Functional Human as a response to that need. My purpose is to help all people see and feel that a life of flourishing is possible.

The power and beauty in this work is in helping people find their own answers. I love seeing the light bulb turn on as they recognize they can make a change in their own world, and hearing the sense of relief in their voice when they see a way to shift. 

Fitness and health are a big part of my life, and I believe it plays a huge role in our mental health as well as physical. In my spare time, I love just about everything that can be enjoyed outdoors! I’ve found great fulfillment skiing, pheasant hunting, backpacking, climbing, mountain biking with my daughter Maddie and Lacrosse with my son Charlie.

If you are in the emergency services field and are looking for resilience training for your team, or desire additional support as you transition to a new phase in your work and life, the Functional Human is here. Please get in touch for a free consultation.