About this episode

Siobhan Priest shares her journey from modeling to becoming a firefighter and the fulfillment she finds in her career.

Siobhan Priest - or Shiv - appears as @thefiremum on Instagram and I love seeing her posts about her life as a firefighter in the London Fire Brigade. Shiv started her working life as a model and continued in that job when she became a single mum to her daughter, at the age of 24.  However she says she was always looking for a helping role in life. Firefighting appealed from an early age but it took many years for her to research it properly and then go for it when her second child, her little boy, was starting school. She loves the routine and stability that her job gives her, and being part of a watch where she has 10 ‘brothers’. Shiv says that every day is different, and putting out a fire is fun, as it’s a hands-on job and they are professional problem-solvers. Shiv is proud of being a firefighter and of influencing other women to follow in her footsteps, and it was an absolute joy to meet someone so excited and fulfilled by their job. Extra info: Home Fire Safety Checker: Get tailored advice for your home or for someone you care for. Our tool allows you to carry out a thorough check of your home in only a few minutes. It’s simple and practical, giving you specific…

Topics covered

• firefighting
• single motherhood
• career change
• women in trades
• personal fulfillment

Keywords

• firefighter
• London Fire Brigade
• single mum
• career change
• women empowerment

More episodes of Spinning Plates with Sophie Ellis-Bextor

• Episode 184: India de Beaufort · June 2, 2026 · 1h 12m
• Episode 182: Louise Boyce · May 18, 2026 · 1h 0m
• Episode 181: Dr Sian Williams · May 11, 2026 · 1h 23m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Spinning Plates with Sophie Ellis-Bextor podcast page.