LT. ANNETTE ZAPP, MA

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: 

  • Even though not a linear process, life is learning, and learning is life. As I look back on my journey, I realize that every now and again, remarkable people enter our industry.
  • Over the years, I have been very fortunate to cross paths with so many great individuals who greatly influenced my development.  
  • In 'People that Inspire' series, I share some of the most impactful lessons I learnt from the battle-scared veterans, industry insiders, research extraordinaires and all-round amazing human beings.

Can you name a single feat more impressive than saving lives of those who save lives? Me neither.  Now, imagine doing that for a living, and you will quickly gain immense appreciation for Annette Zapp, MA, and her outstanding service in the first responder community.

A 17-year veteran of the fire service, Zapp holds the rank of Lieutenant at a suburban Chicago Fire Protection District and runs FireSQFitness, a business dedicated to the physical and mental health and wellness of firefighters and tactical athletes worldwide.

Recently appointed to the Illinois Senate Task Force focused on mitigating first responder suicide, Lt. Zapp is also a member of the Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Team, where she counsels and supports her fellow firefighters statewide. Lt. Zapp is also an adjunct faculty at the University of Denver in the graduate program for Sport Coaching.

Lt. Zapp is credentialed as CSCS and TSAC-F, Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach, a CSNS through the Society of Neurosports and a CISSN through the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

I had the good fortune to meet and connect with Annette in Las Vegas during the annual ISSN conference in 2019, and the again at the Inaugural Society for NeuroSports Conference in Florida later on that year. If your deductive reasoning skills lead you to believe Annette is straight up fire across several dimensions, I would be happy to attest to the veracity of that statement! But don't just take my word for it, especially if you can take my video instead: here are some of the most impactful lessons from my favorite first responder!

Download the video in HQ here!