In this episode of Full Plate, Liz Ellis sits down with Karen Moore, a firefighter stationed in one of Western Sydney’s busiest districts. After a decade in a corporate office, Karen made the life-changing leap to firefighting at age 43. Now, her "office" involves extreme heat, heavy gear, and 24-hour shifts where the call to action can come at any second.

We dive deep into why Karen traded a stable corporate career for the frontline in her forties and the physical and mental stamina required to maintain that transition. Karen shares what it’s actually like to fuel a team in a high-pressure fire station environment, explaining why "Mexican night" is the secret to team cohesion and why communal eating remains the backbone of station life. She also reveals her specific 3:00 AM "cold water" trick for waking up her brain during a grueling night shift and how she manages the mental "switch" from frontline emergency responder to being a mum at home. To keep her own full plate from overflowing, Karen discusses being a creature of habit and why she prioritizes screen-free family time.



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CREDITS:

Host: Liz Ellis 

Guest: Karen Moore

Group Executive Producers: Naima Brown & Courtney Ammenhauser

Video Producer: Marlena Cacciotti

Social Producer: Keeley Mercieca

Audio Producer: Thom Lion

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.

In this episode of Full Plate, Liz Ellis sits down with Karen Moore, a firefighter stationed in one of Western Sydney&rsquo;s busiest districts. After a decade in a corporate office, Karen made the life-changing leap to firefighting at age 43. Now, her "office" involves extreme heat, heavy gear, and 24-hour shifts where the call to action can come at any second.
We dive deep into why Karen traded a stable corporate career for the frontline in her forties and the physical and mental stamina required to maintain that transition. Karen shares what it&rsquo;s actually like to fuel a team in a high-pressure fire station environment, explaining why "Mexican night" is the secret to team cohesion and why communal eating remains the backbone of station life. She also reveals her specific 3:00 AM "cold water" trick for waking up her brain during a grueling night shift and how she manages the mental "switch" from frontline emergency responder to being a mum at home. To keep her own full plate from overflowing, Karen discusses being a creature of habit and why she prioritizes screen-free family time. 
Win a $1000 voucher! We want to ask you a few questions about simple, fresh and easy dinner solutions&hellip; Complete our <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8831499/Woolworths-Full-Plate-BUS">3-minute survey</a> for a chance to win a gift voucher in our quarterly draw!
Discover more<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/"> Mamamia Podcasts here</a>.
Feedback: podcast@mamamia.com.au
Share your story, feedback, or dilemma!<a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960"> Send us a voice message</a>, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP.
Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review.
If you want to support independent women's media, <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe/?utm_source=mamamia&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=editorial">become a Mamamia subscriber</a>. Get an all-access pass to everything we make, including exclusive podcasts, articles, videos and our exercise app, MOVE.
CREDITS:
Host: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lizzylegsellis/">Liz Ellis</a>&nbsp;
Guest: Karen Moore
Group Executive Producers: Naima Brown &amp; Courtney Ammenhauser
Video Producer: Marlena Cacciotti
Social Producer: Keeley Mercieca
Audio Producer: Thom Lion
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.

Hosted by former Australian netball captain Liz Ellis, Full Plate is a podcast about life, told through food.

Each episode, Liz sits down with extraordinary women from all walks of life to find our what's on their plate and the meals that power them. They explore the stories, struggles, rituals and realities that shape them, through the meals they make, crave, share, or barely have time to eat. From elite athletes and comedians to chefs, frontline workers and everyday women navigating the juggle, these are honest conversations about ambition, burnout, identity, family, culture and what keeps us going.

For Liz, a “full plate” once meant the pressure of elite sport. These days, it looks more like school runs, work deadlines, family life, and figuring out what’s for dinner. Warm, funny, insightful and deeply human, Full Plate serves up the stories behind the hustle, one conversation at a time.

Hosted by former Australian netball captain Liz Ellis, Full Plate is a podcast about life, told through food.
Each episode, Liz sits down with extraordinary women from all walks of life to find our what's on their plate and the meals that power them. They explore the stories, struggles, rituals and realities that shape them, through the meals they make, crave, share, or barely have time to eat. From elite athletes and comedians to chefs, frontline workers and everyday women navigating the juggle, these are honest conversations about ambition, burnout, identity, family, culture and what keeps us going.
For Liz, a &ldquo;full plate&rdquo; once meant the pressure of elite sport. These days, it looks more like school runs, work deadlines, family life, and figuring out what&rsquo;s for dinner. Warm, funny, insightful and deeply human, Full Plate serves up the stories behind the hustle, one conversation at a time.

Full Plate 

Life Changing Potatoes, The Power Of Ice Water, And Life Hacks With Firefighter Karen Moore

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/b7272df3-3c5e-4bc2-bb49-b47a0013bec1/transcript