🎤 From Armed Robberies to Life Coaching: An Aussie Detective’s Journey to Mental Health Advocacy with Erin Nugent

Send a text

This week, we’re going international—and deep.

I’m joined by Erin Nugent, a former Detective with Victoria Police in Australia, where she worked on the elite Armed Crime Squad—handling armed robberies over $10K, kidnappings, aggravated burglaries, and non-fatal shootings. Yep, serious stuff.

But Erin’s journey didn’t end there. After meeting her firefighter husband (spoiler alert: Iron Maiden played matchmaker), she packed up, moved to Boston, and began volunteering as a crisis counsellor with a suicide prevention organization. Her own lived experience as a family survivor of suicide and her exposure to trauma as a “copper” gave her a deep, authentic connection to the people she helped.

Now a certified Master Life Coach, Erin is on a mission to bridge the gap between peer support and clinical services in the first responder world. She understands the culture. She’s lived it on both sides—as a responder and as a spouse. And she’s helping others navigate the mental health stigma that keeps so many stuck in silence.

🚨 In this episode, we talk about:

• What it’s really like working on Australia’s Armed Crime Squad
• The challenges of moving countries and careers
• Why first responders resist help—and how we can break that cycle
• The power of coaching, connection, and community

This episode is a powerful blend of international policing, real-life resilience, and raw truth about mental health in uniformed services.

🔗 Want to connect with Erin or start your coaching journey?
Visit www.erinjanecoaching.com
📞 Or call her directly at 617-396-4695

🎧 Don’t forget to follow the podcast for more real conversations with real first responders—and the people who’ve got their backs.

Blue Line Fitness Testing is a premier law enforcement fitness testing and training center based in Edmonton. Specializing in helping individuals prepare for the physical demands of a career in law enforcement, we offer comprehensive fitness evaluations, specialized training programs, and classes tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. 

Support the show

Want to support this podcast even more! Make a monthly subscription for only $3 a month here!

Interested in becoming a first responder? Reach out to learn more!
Email - info@bluelinefitnesstesting.com
Blue Line Fitness Testing
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluelinefitnesstesting
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluelinefitnesstesting/
LinkedIn - Nikki Cloutier