Route 91 Survivor: Firefighter Dean McAuley's Unfiltered Story

THE CONCERT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE A BATTLEFIELD. UNTIL THE MUSIC STOPPED.In this powerful episode of the Survivor Series, Dean McAuley, an off-duty firefighter, provides a harrowing firsthand account of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas. Beyond the tragedy, Dean explores the mechanics of PTSD recovery, the burden of survivor’s guilt, and how equine therapy became his path back to resilience.What we explore:• The Instinct to Serve: Dean reflects on his life in the fire service and the moment his professional training overrode his personal fear as the festival grounds turned into a triage center.• The Natalia Connection: The story of a young woman Dean helped save in the midst of the carnage and how their bond became a cornerstone of his own psychological recovery.• The Burden of the Unsaved: A candid discussion on navigating the "what-ifs" and the evolving definition of heroism nearly a decade after the tragedy.• Healing Beyond Words: How horses provided a breakthrough for Dean’s PTSD. He discusses his recovery through Equine-Assisted EMDR with Terri Keener, LCSW at The Stable Arena, and how it reached his hyper-vigilance where traditional therapy could not.• The Muscle of Resilience: Advice for fellow first responders on battling survivor's guilt and the daily practice of building the strength to move forward. Featured Therapy Resource:Dean’s recovery was deeply impacted by his work with Terri Keener, LCSW, at The Stable Arena. They specialize in Equine-Assisted EMDR, a unique approach that integrates movement and animal connection to process trauma.▸ The Stable Arena: https://shorturl.at/MlBBX Further Resources on the Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting:▸ Wikipedia: https://shorturl.at/y1Fdb ☕Support the Podcast• 👕 New Official Merch Store: https://shorturl.at/ehLUO• 🛒 Classic 2021 Mug (eBay): https://shorturl.at/LlXoA 🎙️Listen & Subscribe•📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @sitdownwithsidpodcast •🎧 All Platforms (Spotify/Apple): https://shorturl.at/WcjJS•📸 Follow Us on Instagram: https://shorturl.at/O8pDF 📩 Collabs/Sponsorships: [email protected] Disclaimer:This episode discusses the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival tragedy. We ask that this conversation be approached with empathy for the victims and survivors. Guest accounts and views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or platform. This series provides a forum for lived experience; we do not independently verify subjective claims regarding historical events. Right of Reply:We provide a right of reply to all parties mentioned in our episodes. If you have expert data or a differing perspective you wish to share, please contact us at [email protected]. #survivalstory #resilience #truestory #sitdownwithsid #VegasStrong #Route91 #firefighter #PTSDrecovery #overcomingtragedy #mentalhealthmatters