Kory Pearn, publisher and editor-in-chief, CRACKYL Magazine (left), and Chief Frank Leeb, senior advisor, CRACKYL Magazine.
OK, I know what you might be thinking – shouldn’t this have been the very first article I published?
Probably.
It would have made sense to let you know what was coming before diving straight in. But I couldn’t help myself – I enjoy writing and sharing my thoughts and opinions with others (just ask those who know me best). So here I am, five articles in, finally explaining what’s ahead.
In case you missed any, here are my five CRACKYL articles before this one:
These are all available on the CRACKYL app.
The next article will be published the day before (Aug. 28, 2025) the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the FDNY response, which I was a part of.
Recently, I became a part-owner and senior advisor to CRACKYL Magazine. I’m extremely excited about this opportunity and humbled by the outpouring of support I’ve already received. One of the most exciting aspects of this role is that I’ve started writing a regular column. It won’t be a weekly column. Instead, it will be written as needed. Some weeks you might see two or three articles published; other times, there may be none. This gives me the freedom to speak up when something truly needs to be said – and to remain silent when it doesn’t.
The column will be called Lessons, Leadership and Leeb – the three Ls. Simple, really. And it gives me the flexibility to cover just about any topic.
CRACKYL has been around for five years, but many firefighters are still unfamiliar with it. That’s something I intend to change. CRACKYL is a lifestyle and wellness publication and app created specifically for firefighters. Unlike traditional trade journals that focus primarily on tactics, equipment, or operations, CRACKYL takes a holistic approach to the fire service by addressing the whole firefighter – mind, body, relationships, and career.
It covers topics such as:
- Health and fitness
- Nutrition
- Mental wellness
- Financial planning
- Leadership
- Family balance
- Personal growth
- Firefighting strategy and tactics – often baked into articles on the above topics.
The goal is simple: to help firefighters thrive not only on the job, but also at home and throughout their entire careers.
The magazine was founded by Kory Pearn, a firefighter himself, who recognized the need for a resource that goes beyond fireground skills and speaks directly to the personal challenges and successes firefighters face throughout their lives. These same beliefs are at the core of what I stand for: taking care of firefighters both on and off the fireground. A healthy, well-trained, physically and mentally fit firefighter is our greatest resource and asset. Why wouldn’t we invest in the whole firefighter approach?
Under Kory’s vision and leadership, CRACKYL has become a trusted voice in the fire service – blending real-world experience with expert insight.
As for my articles, you can always read them on your computer. But the best way is to download the free CRACKYL app on your phone. It gives you access to all of CRACKYL’s amazing content – including the full library of my columns. It’s completely free; all you need is your name and email.
While you are at it, please tag or share this article with a firefighter friend.
