Adam Coonradt is used to dealing with fire. For the past four years, he’s worked as a member of the Troy Fire Department.
Now, he’s trying something new.
A trained blacksmith, Coonradt will appear on Wednesday night’s episode of the History Channel’s show "Forged in Fire."
“I’m going to be nervous watching the episode, because I don’t really get to see myself on TV,” says Coonradt.
He originally became interested in blacksmithing a few years ago and took courses taught by Steve Wayne Papoojian in Stephentown. Papoojian has also competed on the show.
"Forged in Fire" puts four contestants head-to-head in a series of competitions. Each round, a blacksmith is eliminated until one is named champion.
Coonradt considers himself a “maker,” saying creating pieces at his home during the pandemic has made the past year a bit more bearable.
He hopes to inspire others to use their creativity.
“There needs to be a lot more people putting things out into the world, not only just making or building things tangible. People, just make content. Write a poem. Write a story. Sew. Make costumes,” says Coonradt.
Coonradt currently makes custom pieces through his business Uncle Sam Metalworks. Check out some of his work here.