Robert Verhelst

Robert Verhelst, known professionally as Fireman Rob, is a career firefighter, U.S. Air Force veteran, Guinness World Record holder, author, and keynote speaker specializing in mental health advocacy and resilience training. Verhelst has served with the Madison, Wisconsin Fire Department for more than two decades, where he has responded to emergencies and made critical decisions under pressure. His career took a pivotal turn when he traveled to New York City to assist with search and recovery operations at the World Trade Center following the September 11 attacks, an experience that shaped his approach to mental health and leadership.

Verhelst is recognized in the endurance sports community for completing the 26.2-mile run portion of Ironman triathlons in full firefighter gear, including helmet, bunker pants, jacket, and air pack, weighing 50 pounds. He has completed 23 full Ironman and 29 half Ironman triathlons in this gear, covering more than 1,000 miles. Verhelst holds the Guinness World Record for the most Ironman 70.3 triathlons completed in a single year and for the longest distance run in firefighter gear. His achievements have been acknowledged by Triathlon Magazine and HITS Triathlon. He has also appeared on Discovery Channel's "Ultimate Ninja Challenge."

Verhelst has spoken publicly about his experiences with combat-related PTSD, drawing from his military service and work at Ground Zero. Through endurance sports and advocacy, he has developed a platform focused on mental health, emotional intelligence, and resilience, particularly for first responders. Verhelst is a Certified Ironman University Coach and a certified advocate for emotional intelligence, providing training for individuals and organizations on overcoming adversity through mindset and purpose.

He is the author of "Fireman Rob: Your Strength Is In Your Passion" and "Forged in the Fires: The Seven Catalysts to Ignite Your Possible, Accelerate Your Potential & Extricate Your Best Life." Verhelst also hosts the "Forged in the Fires" podcast, where he discusses strategies for building resilience and mental strength. His keynote presentations have reached audiences from Fortune-level corporations to educational institutions.

Verhelst founded the Fireman Rob Foundation, a nonprofit organization that delivers Gund Teddy Bears to children in hospitals, shelters, and foster care worldwide. The foundation has distributed more than 9,000 bears to children in need. Through his work in firefighting, endurance sports, mental health advocacy, and philanthropy, Verhelst emphasizes the importance of purpose and mental strength in overcoming challenges.