Behind The Shield

Captain Dale Dye is a Marine veteran, author, actor and renowned Hollywood military technical advisor.We discuss his latest project Masters of the Air, the unique military bootcamp he put the cast through, a behind the scenes glimpse at the technology involved, Band of Brothers stories, his powerful perspective on mental health, the Afghanistan withdrawal and much more.

Jim Wendler is a world renowned strength coach, powerlifter and the creator of the 5/3/1 system.We discuss Jim's early life, his journey into strength training, collegiate football, powerlifting, training the tactical athlete, mentorship, his own near death experience and much more.

Lisalee Loew is a Natural Healing Practitioner, breathwork coach and part of the team at the Shatterproof program for military and first responders.We discuss her early life, her powerful story overcoming alcoholism, the 12 step program's incredible success rate, the hollistic therapies she gleaned along her healing journey, using breath to combat trauma and so much more.

Pat Kenny is the Fire Chief of Western Springs, Illinois and published author in the fire safety and mental health arena. We discuss childhood trauma, mental health, his son's battle with depression, suicide, cancer, messages from heaven, resiliency and much more.

Jason Gilbert is a Human Performance Optimization Specialist, author and a World Surf League Sports Practitioner. We discuss his childhood back pain that led him into Chiropractic, heavy metal poisoning, functional medicine, prevention through nutrition, Foundation Training the surf athlete, the power of sleep and much more.

Nicole Angemi is a Pathology Assistant, author and the woman hehind "The Gross Room".We discuss becoming a mother at a young age, her journey into medicine, finding pathology, using her work to educate, obesity, cancer, pregnancy, firefigher marriage and so much more.

Dr Edith Eger is a psychologist, author and Auschwitz survivor. We discuss her early life in Hungary, living through ballet, seeing kindness amongst immense cruelty, her own journey of healing, counselling veterans, finding the bigot within yourself, the first responder community and so much more.

Jeremy Scharlow is a public speaker, advocate for military and law enforcement veterans, and author of the book, “My Brother’s Keeper: Relearning to Live with PTSD.” We discuss his journey into policing, the world of dispatch, the shooting that left him with physcial and psychological wounds, his powerful mental health story, the tools he used for post traumatic growth, the healing power of community, Operation Enduring Warrior and much more.

Capt. Dale Dye revolutionized Hollywood war movies by putting the actors through a military style boot camp. We talk about his career in the Marines, the horrors of war, mental health, his transition into the film industry, Platoon, Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers and his latest project "No Better Place To Die".

Dixon Phillips is a former collegiate athlete, Pasco County firefighter and union board member. In 2026, after realising both the financial savings and the improvement in physical and mental health, his fire department will transition into a 24/72 work week. We discuss playing football for FSU, his journey into the fire service, strenghtening relationships between unions and employers, the occupation cancer that is killing his firefighters, the financial savings of a progressive work week, how this positively impacted recruitment, their progressive decontamination program and much more.

Harry Turner is a British military veteran, conservationist and the co-founder of the non-profit Emerald Arch.We discuss his early life, his journey into the Army, the horrors of war, his powerful homecoming story, how he found healing working with animals in Peru, the love and loss with two Ocelots, his post traumatic growth and much more.

Bethany Hamilton is one of the world's most elite surfers, despite losing an arm at age 13. She is an author and the subject of the documentary "Unstoppable". We discuss discovering her passion, overcoming physical and mental trauma, pregnancy, motherhood, chasing excellence and much more.

Charles Harriott is a lifelong martial artist, jiu-jitsu black belt and international instructor.We discuss his parents' immigration from Jamaica, his introduction to the martial arts, American Kempo, kick boxing, head trauma, his journey into jiu-jitsu, his leap of faith into travelling and teaching, the world of leg locks and so much more.

Wim Hof is an extreme endurance athlete, teacher, author and speaker. Using breath work and cold exposure, Wim was able to demonstrate his ability to control his autonomic nervous system. Through the Wim Hof Method, he was then able to teach others to develop control within themselves.We discuss his early life, his first cold water experience, losing his wife to suicide, dealing with grief, the innate immune response, breath and mental health, thermoregulation, inflammation and so much more.wimhoftheicemanwimhofmethodbreathiceicebathcoldshowermentalhealthimmunity

Justin Mahaffey is a veteran wildland firefighter, fitness trainer and the man behind Wild Fit Life.We discuss his early life, growing up in a Mexican community, what we can learn from Hispanic culture, his journey into the fire service, mentorship, training the tactical athlete, community and much more.

Kevin Heffernan is an American actor, writer, producer, and director, and member of the Broken Lizard comedy group.We discuss his early life, finding comedy, pursuing law, the creation of Broken Lizard, the origin story of Super Troopers, how a trip to Australia inspired Beerfest, Quasi, his family connection to the Fire Service, the creation of Tacoma FD, the importance of technical direction and much more.

Royce Gracie is the son of Helio Gracie; founder of Gracie Jujitsu. Royce fought in the original UFCs, winning multiple times in an age before weight divisions and few rules. I was fortunate to be able to sit down with him in person.We discuss the birth of Gracie Jujitsu, martial arts and bullying, striking in jiu jiitsu, competition versus self defense, firearms, the importance of fitness, weight cutting , combatives in law enforcement and much more.

Sam Brawley is a firefighter, podcaster and flight paramedic. We discuss her journey into the volunteer fire service, his road into EMS, some of her career calls, paramedicine in the ER, proactive medicine, her podcast Nine One One Nonsense and so much more.

Chris Moore is a 31 year veteran of the fire service and peaks nationally on first responder mental health.We discuss growing up in a law enforcement family, his journey into volunteer firefighting, fitness, the special operations community, career calls, his powerful mental health story, post traumatic growth, marriage and so much more.

Josh Brolin is an author, former firefighter and actor, starring in such movies as "Only The Brave and "No Country For Old Men". We talk about growing up on farm, how he got the part in "The Goonies", his time as a volunteer wildland firefighter, honouring the Prescott 19, portraying Superintendant Eric Marsh and much more.

Retired from the Navy in 2016 after serving 20 years in the Special Operations community with several combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan as an Explosive Ordnance Technician with the SEAL Teams. After retiring, he spent nearly two years training Special Operations personnel in advanced parachute flight. Nick has approximately 8200 jumps and is the Owner of Deland High Performance LLC.We discuss his journey into the military, the world of SWCC, his transition into EOD, traumatic brain injuries, compassion in war, his powerful mental health story, skydiving, 7 x 7 and so much more.

John Travolta starred in one of the few movies about our profession that is truly respected. We talk about his early career, Ladder 49, training with Baltimore FD and the charitable projects he now champions.

Ben Close is a British Army Veteran, former Contractor and the author of "When War Follows You Home".We discuss his turbulent childhood, his journey into the miltary, his deployments, the horrors of war, compassion on a battlefield, the world of contracting, Somalian pirates, his transition story, mental health and so much more.

John Knox is a veteran firefighter, arson investigator, dispatcher and former law enforcement seach and rescue technician.One month ago, after 21 years of service with LAFD, John was terminated over a COVID vaccine mandate. We discuss his journey into policing, some of his rescue stories, his unique role during 9/11, his journey into the fire service, chasing arsonists, organisational betrayal, mental health and much more.

Justen Keating is the Founder of Keating Global Risks, and has over 20 years of experience in the National Security, and Intelligence Community.He is a veteran of the US Marine Corps with multiple combat tours in the Middle East and is a former Independent Contractor for CIA, where he ran clandestine protective operations in Central Asia and the Middle East for over a decade.We discuss his journey into the military, his 9/11 story, close protection, the Afghanistan withdrawal, his powerful mental health story, jiujitsu and much more.

Jonny Lee Miller is a veteran actor, jiujitusu player and volunteer firefighter. We discuss his Grandfather's work in James Bond, Jonny's journey into acting as a child, Trainspotting, addiction, celebrity, his powerful recovery story, the healing power of martial arts, entering the fire service, volunteerism and much more.

The Honorable Rob Wilkins is a retired US Air Force Master Sergeant, a fitness expert, and a former member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (PCSFN) appointed under President Trump and President Biden. In this episode, we discuss his journey into the military, hiring standards, the obesity epidemic, training the tactical athlete, the Weider brothers, bodybuilding, school nutrition, physical education, the military and first responder recruitment crisis, the Transcend Foundation and much more.

Da Rulk is a strength and conditioning coach and the creator of RFT. In this second conversation we discuss the important wellness lessons from the pandemic, cold water immerson and resilience, training the fire service, ocean lifeguarding, the Iron Neck, his partnership with 5.11 and much more.

Allan Chiasson a Navy Corpsman veteran and active duty firefighter/paramedic. Ed Ford is a Marine veteran and former contractor. We discuss their journey's into the military, tactical medicine, the world of contracting, protecting the military's mail, losing brothers in combat, mental health, organisation betrayal, transition and so much more.

Suzanne Stein is a social documentary/street photographer known for her raw and truthful lens. We discuss her own turbulent childhood, her mental health story, finding photography, homelessness in America, how "Tranq" is destroying lives, censorship, art, and so much more.

Anthony "Staz" Stazicker is a former British Special Operations soldier and the co-founder of ThruDark. In this second conversation we discuss the impact the pandemic had personally and for his business, community through jiu jitsu, the impact of the Afghanistan withdrawal, mental health, his new book "The Hard Road Will Take You Home, 7x and much more.

Aaron Zamzow is a veteran firefighter, personal trainer and the man behind Fire Rescue Fitness. In this conversation, we take the gloves off and address some unpopular topics regarding firefighter performance and longevity. These include annual fitness standards, training in bunker gear, the firefighter work week, functional training, leadership and much more.

Cameron Strouss is a Clinical/Functional Herbalist, Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild, Certified Aromatherapist, Master Gardener, medicine maker extraordinaire, forager of 14 years and clinician of 9 years. We discuss the physical and psyhological childhood trauma that modern medicine was unable to help, her journey into the world of Herbalism, the power of Kava, healing the nervous system, pain management, foraging and much more.

Tip Cullen was born in Northern Ireland and served 37 years in the Royal Marines before transitioning out to pursue acting. We discuss his childhood during the troubles, the commonality of man, his journey into the British Military, protecting his country in uniform, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, mental health, his journey into Drama, his new film Sunray and much more.

Sergio Saenz is an Air Force veteran and the founder of Agape Heroes. We discuss his journey into the military, IT in warfare, his transition story, the power of plant medicine, the two firefighter lives pyschedelic therapy saved, Kambo and much more.

Trung Nguyen is a Vietnamese immigrant, US Army Ranger veteran and former SWAT officer. We discuss his family's powerful immigration story, growing up in Chicago's ganglands, his journey into the military, war, LAPD, The Defund movement in Chicago, organisational betrayal, the Mercy Hospital shooting, his company We Go Home, his non-profit and so much more.

Bobby Burke is an renowned actor, martial artist and 22 year volunteer firefighter. In this second conversation we discuss the importance of volunteerism, the actor's strike, some recent notable fires, technical advisors in first responder films, the inability to save, shared suffering, the stunt performer, storytelling and much more.

Kevin Adler is the man behind Miracle Messages and the author of "When We Walk By". We discuss how homelessness affected his family, multi-generational trauma, the 1906 earthquake, the foster system, corrections, addiction, the healing power of community, connecting unhoused men and women with their families, how each one of us can positively impact this issue and so much more.

Jason Piccolo is an Army Veteran, retired Federal Law Enforcement Officer, author and podcast host. We discuss his journey into the military, recruitment, fitness, human trafficking, immigration, terrorism, the war on drugs, addiction and much more.

Hugh Bruder is a 43 year veteran of the fire service, IASIS provider and current Fire Chief of Boytnon Beach in Florida. We discuss his journey into the US Air Force Fire Department, entering the municipal fire service, firefighter fitness, mental health, microcurrent neurofeedback, Peer Support, the financial benefits of investing in firefighter wellness, changing the work week, becoming a "Destination Fire Department", mentorship, recruitment, retention and much more.

Rick Rochelle is a mountaineer, wilderness medic, Director of Professional Training for NOLS and President of All American Leadership. We discuss wrestling as a youth, his journey into climbing, some of his career medical saves, his powerful mental health journey, leadership in the fire service, the importance of training, wildland firefighting and so much more.

Josh Otero is a gymnast, Entrepreneur an the founder of The Warrior GMR Foundation. We discuss being a student athlete, gymanstics and longevity, the world of finance, Crossfit, his journey into the world of E-Sports, mental health, obesity, military recruitment, mentorship and so much more.

Dave Mazany is a professional MMA fighter, wrestler and probationary Las Vegas firefighter. We discuss collegiate Decathalon, his journey into martial arts, cage fighting in South Africa, training with Chute Boxe, traumatic brain injury, his journey into the fire service, firefighter fitness, mental health and much more.

Trevor Williams is a Missionary, firefighter and the creator of "The Williams Key". We discuss his childhood in South Africa, the power of travelling, his personal experience in the Haitian earthquake, entering the fire service, forcible entry, entrepreneurship, mental health and much more.

Travis Denman is a former Army Green Beret, coach and student pilot. We discuss his journey into the miitary, pre 9/11 deployments, the near Haitian invasion, South East Asia, the Thai cave rescue, school safety, tactical philosophy in law enforcement, mental health, transition and much more.

Cody GIbson is a High School teacher, wrestling coach and UFC fighter. We discuss his journey into the combat sports, the power of education, mentorship, his MMA path, overcoming loss, physical education, fatherhood and so much more.

DD Finder is a former Peace Corps humanitarian, Flight Nurse and the author of "Ready Left, Ready Right." We discuss his journey into vounteerism, Emergency Medicine, his path into Flight Nursing, his ICU experience during the pandemic, his own powerful mental health story, the power of sleep and so much more.

Sachin Latti is a former Candian Border Agent and ultra runner. Shaun Taylor is a founding member of Canada's JTF2 and a Human Performance Coach. In this unique episode, you will hear the result of someone simply showing up when another is struggling. Sachin reached out to Shaun after finding himself in a dark place and the post traumatic growth that followed sets a beautiful precedent in the mental heath conversation.

Bill Kyser is a Vietnam Veteran, former lifeguard, firefighter, paramedic, rescue diver and trainer. We discuss his journey into the military, his experiences in South East Asia, Ocean Lifeguarding, entering the fire service, commercial diving, training the tactical athlete, mental health, transition, the power of NuCalm and so much more.

John Guarnieri is the Chief Operating Officer of Silver Spear Security and is currently the Head of Security for the band Shinedown and Motley Crue. We discuss his journey into the Secret Service, the importance of training, fitness, the insurrection, his transition story, security and rock, mental health and much more.