Behind The Shield

Brandt McCartney is a Gold Star sibling, brain health advocate and the man behind The 38 Challenge. We discuss the impact his older brother Cpt. Matthew Brewer had on his childhood, their shared love of football, Matthew's journey into the Marines, Matthew's suicide, grief, traumatic brain injury and mental health and so much more

Kent Stanway is the only member of the Canadian Armed Forces to transition from Search and Rescue Technician to Pilot. We discuss childhood bullying, his journey into the military, the role of the SAR Tech, stress inoculation, physical fitness, training standards, sleep and so much more.

Dr Lori Moore-Merrell is a former firefighter/paramedic, Chief Executive of Research and Data Analytics for the IAFF and the current US Fire Administrator. We discuss her journey into the fire service, emergency medicine, firefighter mental health, sleep deprivation, shift work, the wildland firefighter community, wildland/urban interface and so much more.

Christian Meyers is an Air Force veteran and the co-host of the MEDEVAC Podacast. We discuss his journey into the military, the role of a Special Missions Aviator, fitness, mental health, his transition story, psychedelics, extreme sports, the Human Performance Project and so much more.

Jessie Salas is a retired Orlando firefighter and the Director of Coaching for Foundation Training. In this second conversation, we discuss holistic cancer treatment alternatives, strength training, his work with jiujitsu legends and world champion up and comers, breath work, meditation and so much more.

Justin Menchaca was a Green Beret when he was shot in the head by an Afghani sniper in 2011. The traumatic brain injury left him paralyzed on one side and unable to speak. Justin was joined in this interview by his mother Julie and wife Carissa. We discuss his journey into the military, the events leading up to his near fatal wounds, what that phone call was like for a parent, Justin's incredible physical and mental rehabilitation journey, online dating, the healing power of stem cells, his incredible mindset, how Carissa began "Cells for Chac" and so much more.

Matthew Crane is a Navy veteran, musician, artist and a member of the Human Performance Project team. We discuss his journey into the military, his near death experience, sleep deprivation, trauma, volunteerism, the healing power of art, 7x and so much more.

Darin Olien is an expert in the Holistic wellness space, author and the co-host of the Docuseries "Down to Earth". In this second conversation we discuss his journey through Australia, ancient Aboriginal wisdom, the devastating effect of wild fires, grief, forever chemicals, the impact of environmental toxins on our health, his latest book "Fatal Conveniences" and so much more.

Matthew Thomas is the Chief Deputy of Pinal County and the author of Interceptors: The Untold Fight Against the Mexican Cartels. We discuss his childhood perspective of gangs, his journey into law enforcement, the genesis of Cartel violence, human trafficking, the illicit drug trade, the war on drugs, school safety, mental health and so much more.

Michael Hicks lost his son Macoy to suicide whilst serving in the US Navy and ultimately started the non-profit Hicks Strong. We discuss Michael's own mental health journey, Macoy's journey into the military, the deadly effects of toxic leadership, Gold Star siblings, hug mugs and so much more.

Zack Garner is a former Green Beret, Protection Specialist and I would argue the walking example of resilience. We discuss his journey into the military, his work with the Special Forces, the Epilepsy and TBI that forced him out of active duty, the Ride to Valhalla, the power of plant medicine, his near fatal bicycle accident, the flesh eating bacteria that almost killed him, his powerful mental health story, 7x and so much more.

Stack is a Virginia Firefighter, Rescue Technician and the man behind The Things We All Carry Podcast. We discuss his tumultuous childhood, working with special needs children, his journey into the fire service, his own mental health story, plant medicine, podcasting, sleep and so much more.

Desiree De Spong is a Holistic Medical Practitioner, Lymphatic Specialist and the Founder of Flowpresso. We discuss her childhood in New Zealand, working with the Fire Service, her journey into healing, the ripple effect of the pandemic, lymphatics, deregulation of the nervous system, cancer, sleep, her work with first responders and much more.

Helen Barnett is a retired London Metropolitan Police officer and a member of their Armed Response Unit. We discuss her journey into law enforcement, the power of mentorship, surviving a stabbing, an IRA bomb and being shot, her physical and mental health journey, the healing power of nature, breathwork and so much more.

Thomas Newman is a coach, Sports Scientist and the Chief Innovation Officer at Hawkin Dynamics. We discuss his journey into sports, the power of Sports Science data analysis, tactical athlete selection, fostering longevity, sleep and recovery, his own physical and mental recovery journey following a brain tumor, his non-profit and so much more.

Ryan Gallik is a former Florida Firefighter/Paramedic, author and co-founder of The Mental Hygiene Project. We discuss the school shooting he witnessed in middle school, his journey into the fire service, the Pulse massacre, leadership, his own powerful mental health story, transition and so much more.

Lisa Farmer is the Chief Executive of Royal British Legion Industries, one of the UK's oldest charities with it's genesis in WWI. We discuss her journey into charitable fundraising, working with special needs children, epilepsy, veteran homeless, addiction, RBLI's housing services, transitioning back into the workforce, Harry Kane and so much more.

Chad Robichaux is a former police office, Recon Marine and the Author of "Saving Aziz". Azizullah Aziz is an Afghani interpreter assigned to Chad as part of a unique JSOC Task Force team. We discuss their respective childhoods, fleeing the Taliban as a young man, Chad's career call as a police officer, some of the heroism from our Afghan allies, the travesty that was the Afghan withdrawal, how Chad's team of veterans liberated thousands of our allies, their powerful mental health stories and much more.

Kevin Conley is a Wildland Firefighter, Author and extreme adventurer. We discuss his turbulent youth, working with the special needs community, his journey to becoming a Snake River Hotshot, his career near miss, his powerful mental health journey, using a cross country bicycle ride to overcome his depression, his book "Above the Ashes" and so much more.

Christine Bald is an athlete, Crossfit coach and the co-author of several books. We discuss her childhood in Ocala, Middle Eastern politics, her journey into Crossfit, mentorship under renowned coach Ben Bergeron, becoming the behind the scenes voice for the Crossfit Games, writing, Iceland, the longevity of Annie Thorisdottir and so much more.

Dr Dan Pronk is a former Special Operations Medic, physician and author. In this second conversation we discuss creating resilience by proactive self care, processing the inability to save, flow state, treating gunshot injuries, blast trauma, mental health and so much more.

Rebecca Ivory is a Doctor of Nursing Practice, a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and the woman behind "Tactical Psychiatry". We discuss her journey into nursing, being a coxswain in elite rowing teams, her road into psychiatry, Operator Syndrome, traumatic brain injury, sleep, testosterone and so much more.

Laurianna Sargent is a veteran firefighter, former elite rower and cancer survivor. We discuss her journey into military firefighting, rowing and the Crossfit community, joining a municipal fire department, human trafficking, her physical and mental health journey, firefighter fitness and so much more.

Andrew Biggio is a Marine, law enforcement officer and the man behind "The Rifle". We discuss his journey into the military, his own combat story, his journey into policing, interviewing our WWII veterans, the power of story, the Boston bombing, mental health, addiction and so much more.

Maximillian Potter is a best-selling author and a Contributing Editor to Vanity Fair. Richard Stayskal is a Marine, Green Beret and Purple Heart recipient. We discuss the journeys into their respective careers, Richard's near fatal combat wounds, interviewing celebrities, Richard's Cancer diagnosis, how The Feres Doctrine is stopping our military members from pursuing legal action after non-combat related illness and injuries, medical malpractice, wine and so much more.

Daniel DeBrocke is a chef, strength coach and the Director of Education for Kabuki Strength. We discuss his international childhood, the culinary world, his journey into the strength sports, boxing, nutrition, the importance of sleep, mental health, mentorship and so much more.

Frank Leeb is a veteran FDNY firefighter, author and the Chief of Training. We discuss his journey into the fire service, his powerful 9/11 story, responding to Hurricane Katrina, the Twin Parks NW fire, cancer, sleep deprivation, mental health, firefighter fitness and so much more.

Captain Katie Hernandez is an Army EOD Company Commander, athlete and holds the world record for the one mile run in a bomb suit. We discuss her journey into the military, the importance of strength and conditioning, diversity, recruitment, leadership, ROTC, the Human Performance Project and much more.

Tim Dietz sent a career as a firefighter/paramedic before becoming a mental health clinician. We discuss his journey into the fire service, losing his young son, grief, death notification, compassion, first responder mental health, healing retreats and so much more.

Mohammad Deen is a CRNA, humanitarian and model. In this second conversation we discuss life in Chicago over the last couple of years, Norway at the beginning of the Pandemic, his work in Kenya, working on a rescue boat off the Turkish coast and so much more.

Eddie Wineland is the Former WEC World Champion, UFC fighter and a career firefighter. We discuss his journey into the combat sports, the house fire that almost claimed his brother's life, the fighter's mindset, sleep and performance, mental health and so much more.

Bryce Hansen is a former Green Beret, artist and part of the Human Performance Project team. We discuss his journey into the military, commonalities with the world's warriors, the art of diplomacy, leadership, his powerful mental health story, the incredible healing power of plant medicine, 7x, healing through art and so much more

Dr Belisa Vranich is a clinical psychologist and renowned breath coach. Bas Rutten is a legendary MMA champion and the founder of the O2 Trainer. We discuss the importance of respiratory strength to combat disease, breath and the nervous system, the impact of protective equipment on ventilation, their latest program "Breathing for Warriors: MMA and so much more.

Gary Hayes is a former British football player, veteran, police officer and the man behind PTSD 999. We discuss his journey into football, being the victim of two sexual predators, joining the Green Jackets, being assigned to the morgue after the 2005 London bombings, his own powerful mental health story, his non-profit and so much more.

Raphael Port is a Brazilian native, American firefighter and US Navy Reserve Corpsman. We discuss growing up in São Paolo, his journey into law enforcement, transitioning to the Brazilian fire service, his immigration story, triathalons, leadership, service, mental health and so much more.

Sachin Latti is a member of a long lineage of Indian warriors, serving himself in The Canada Border Services Agency. We discuss his warfighter ancestors, his immigration story, jiujitsu, his powerful mental health story, finding running, his 2025 record attempt to run across Canada and much more.

Dr. Carpenter is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years experience in screening, diagnosing, and treating substance abusing and dependent individuals. We discuss his journey into psychology, his experience with Vietnam veterans, addiction, communicating with a loved one who is struggling, the incredible workbook he just released "The Beyond Addiction Workbook for Family & Friends" and so much more.

Manny Vega is a Marine, retired police officer and a Gold Star father. We discuss his childhood trauma at the hands of a catholic priest, his journey into the Marines, violence, addiction, the Rampart scandal, the loss of his son, the Feres Doctrine and so much more.

Tom Synan is a Police Chief, Tedx speaker and mental health advocate. We discuss his journey into the military, Ohio's opioid crisis, mental health and addiction, the war on drugs, mentorship, compassion, the psychology behind mass shootings, his County's proactive coalition and so much more.

Steve Chikerotis is a retired Chicago Deputy District Chief, author, teacher and the man behind "Chicago Fire". We discuss the childhood mentors that forged his success, boxing, the inability to save, firefighter fitness, mental health, leadership, grief and so much more.

Dr Kate Pate is a neurophysiologist and the founder of "The Way Back". We discuss childhood trauma, eating disorders, traumatic brain injury, combat casualty care, the power of breath, sleep deprivation and mental health, human performance and much more.

Ash Cooper is a former youth choirboy, Gurkha officer, pilot and specialist military unit commander. We discuss his journey into music, joining the military, the heroism of the Gurkhas, the horrors of war, altruism on the battlefield, mental health, his non-profit The Unsung Foundation and much more.

Jo Patti Munisteri is a combat analyst, author, dancer and hollistic medicine practitioner. We discuss her unique childhood, the power of travel, working with the military, indigenous populations, herbal medicine, fostering resilience, her latest book "Travelling off the X" and so much more.

Leif Babin is a former Navy SEAL, author and co-founder of Echelon Front. We discuss his childhood in Texas, the Native American community, his journey into the Navy, leadership in the first responder professions, the fallacy of an "overnight success", transition and so much more.

Brooke Bartlett is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the founder of The Center for Trauma, Anxiety and Stress. We discuss her journey into psychology, youth athletes, her work in the VA, working with the tacical professions, the unique challenges facing wildland firefighters, post traumatic growth and so much more.

Chad Conley is an active Green Beret and the founder of "50 for the Fallen". We discuss his journey into Army Special Forces, the importance of leadership, the horrors of war, mental health, community through shared suffering, his latest fundraiser in Hawaii and so much more.

Paul Maleary is a retired Essex Police Officer, television personality and the founder of Ex Job. We discuss his journey into law enforcement, community policing, gun crime in the UK, the Rettendon murders, transitioning out of the first responder professions, his new podcast Ex Job Downloaded and much more.

Craig Gile is a former fighter pilot, entrepreneur and co-founder of Cool Mitt. Joe Bielitzki is the Chief Veterinary Officer for NASA and former researcher for DARPA. We discuss veterinary medicine, challenging innovation, 9/11, exogenous ketones, cooling the tactical athlete, sending animals to space and so much more.

Jamie Metcalf is the widow of Navy SEAL veteran David Metcalf and co-founder of the David Metcalf Foundation with Shannon Finn Connell. We discuss Filipino culture, China's diversity, their love story, traumatic brain injury, David's tragic mental health story, the genesis of their non-profit, brain research, the Human Performance Project and much more.

Raul Martinez is both an Army and law enforcement veteran and the founder of Rogue Methods. We discuss his journey into the military, compassion on the battlefield, working specialty units in Chicago PD, Arizona, defensive tactics, civilian weapons training, jiu-jitsu and so much more.