Behind The Shield

James Norris is an athlete, author and the founder of Handi Capable Fitness. We discuss the medical malpractice that led to his cerebal palsy, navigating childhood with CP, his career in radio, the gym mentor who challenged the way he saw himself, the genesis of his non-profit, his new book and so much more.

Sam Dillon is a Marine, Purple Heart recipient, firefighter and the President of the Boston Fire Department Union. We discuss his journey into the military, his perspective on war, entering the fire service, cancer, mental health, hockey, the vaccine mandates that still threaten BFD's firefighters and much more.

Valerie Groth is a social worker, school founder and a member of the Stella team. Aaron Terrill is a veteran law enforcement officer who survived a near fatal accident after being struck by a car. We discuss social work, the tragedy that inspired the Ryan Banks Academy, Aaron's near death experience, the impact his accident had on his family, therapy dogs, Stellate Ganglion Block and so much more.

Steve Dunlevy is an actor, stuntman and stunt coordinator known for his roles in Spartacus, Jumanji, John Wick and many more. We discuss his childhood in Australia, his journey into stunts, the importance of strength and conditioning, losing a beloved cast member, mental health, awards and so much more.

Joel Evan is a former California police officer and the founder of Joel Evan Coaching. We discuss his journey into policing, Califronia's homelessness crisis, addiction, the powerful story that drove him into functional medicine, the vaccine mandate that stole his career, entrepreneurship and so much more.

Dr Tommy Wood is an MD, neuroscientist and Pediatrics professor. We discuss his journey into medicine, neonatal TBI, Alzheimer's, ALS, sleep and mental health, Crossfit, nutrition, psychedelics and so much more

Nick Murray is the founder of Wake, a psychedelic treatment facility in Jamaica. He has united with Revitalist founder Kathryn Walker to provide a comprehensive treatment option called Unit Retreat. We discuss Nick's journey into plant medicine, treatment resistant PTSD, a holistic approach to cancer, the healing power of mushrooms and so much more.

Larry Doyle is a Vietnam veteran and one of the most respected journalists of his era. We discuss his journey into journalism, interviewing Nelson Mandela, his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, the devolution of American journalism, veteran mental health and so much more.

Pat Kenny is a retired Illinois Fire Chief, public speaker and the author of "Taking the Cape Off". In this second conversation, we discuss the mental health impact of the pandemic, the suicide crisis, catharsis through writing, the power of faith, grief and so much more.

Laura Kunces is a Registered Dietitian, Exercise Physiologist and a member of the Thorne team. We discuss her journey into nutrition, hospital food, malnutrition, Thorne's new comprehensive blood panels, exogenous testosterone, sleep, supplementation and so much more.

Danny Pritchard is a Green Beret and Tier One operator veteran and a member of the Human Performance Project. We discuss the power of mentorship, his journey into Army Special Forces, Pat Tillman, strength and conditioning, mental health, the desire to serve and so much more.

Erik Stolhanske is an actor, producer and member of the Broken Lizard Comedy Troupe. We discuss his childhood amputation, overcoming adversity, the speeding ticket that spawned Super Troopers, P90X, fostering and so much more.

Shauna Dukes is an author, nutritional coach and the mother of Trucker Dukes. We discuss her early life, wanderlust, her journey to Hawaii, motherhood, pediatric cancer, losing her three year old son, grief, healing, her new book "Even If' and so much more.

Judge Gary Sanders is a judge in the Fifth Circuit Court in Florida. He is also known as one of the fairest and most compassionate justices in Marion County. We discuss his journey into law, addiction and mental health, frivolous lawsuits, physical education, running and so much more.

Lee Phillips is a London firefighter, tactical athlete and model. We discuss his childhood in Wales, his journey into the fire service, protecting the Thames, the impact the Grenfell fire had on his department, firefighter fitness, mental health and much more.

Dan Bornstein is a former volunteer firefighter, Health and Performance professor at the Citadel and Chair of the US National Physical Activity Plan. We discuss the childhood injury that led him into the fire service, obesity and national security, the financial impact of the nation's ill health, physical education, physical readiness in the tactical professions and so much more.

Ted Dreaver is a former construction manager and the co-founder of Iron Legion Athletics. We discuss his journey into construction, mental health, finding Crossfit, the genesis of his gym, creating a healthier population, the Down Syndrome community jiu jitsu and so much more.

Shaun Taylor is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, Pathfinder and one of the founding members of their Tier One unit JTF-2. We discuss his journey into the military, military medicine, the warrior's heart, physical conditioning, mental resilience, coffee, mountain biking and so much more.

Mike Tanzer is a former firefighter/paramedic and a 20 year veteran in emergency medicine. We discuss his journey into EMS, violence in Boston, his burnout in the fire service, addiction, compassion fatigue, suicide, post traumatic growth, refinding purpose and so much more.

Brian Bushway has been described as "probably the world's best completely bind mountain biker". In this incredible conversation we discuss losing his vision at 14 years old, the mental health impact, redefining his identity, how hearing is underutilized by so many, echo location, the power of active listening, how his company Acoustic Athletics can help the tactical communities and so much more.

Billy Cushing is a veteran law enforcement officer, K9 handler and Medal of Valor recipient. We discuss his journey into policing, working with his K9 Kitt, the shooting that left him wounded and Kitt dead, the physical and mental healing journey, Operation Enduring Warrior and so much more.

Ernest Emerson is a lifelong martial artist, teacher, author and the founder of Emerson Knives. In this second conversation we discuss his new book, "Bad Guy with a Gun", school safety, the psychology of violence, mental health and much more.

Col. Carolyn Carroll is a 30 year veteran Army helicopter pilot and instructor. We discuss her journey into the military, overcoming prejudice, flying in Desert Storm, her contract work in Africa, the importance of fitness, mental health and so much more.

Steve Farina is a veteran Canadian firefighter, mental health advocate and one of the men behind The BC Firefighter's Resiliency Program. We discuss his journey into the fire service, the importance of fitness, his own powerful mental health story, the power of community and much more.

Sara Wilkinson is a Crossfit athlete, mental health advocate and the widow of Navy SEAL Chad Wilkinson. In this second interview we discuss navigating grief, the pursuit of identity, the healing power of plant medicine, advances in TBI treatments, Chad 1000x and so much more.

Sean Chuma is one of the world's top BASE Jumpers and a member of the Human Performance Project team. We discuss his childhood athletics, his journey into extreme sports, injury, fitness, mental health, overcoming fear, when to say no, psychedelics and so much more.

Ashley Cummins is a retired veteran law enforcement officer, MMA fighter and one of the founders of OTX Tactical. We discuss her journey into martial arts, policing, defensive tactics, training the tactical athlete, mental health and so much more.

Doc Pete Chambers is a Green Beret veteran, physician, cowboy and the man behind Full Spectrum American. We discuss his father's immigration story, Doc's journey into the military, his road into medicine, 9/11, Army special forces, vaccine mandates, mental health, the border crisis and so much more.

Annette Verpillot is a Canadian entrepreneur, therapist, public speaker, and internationally recognized Posture Specialist. We discuss the injuries that sent her into medicine, coaching youth athletes, posture and pain, barefoot training, vision and performance, mental health and so much more.

Pete Wakefield is a veteran British firefighter, athlete, coach and the host of The Firefighters Podcast. We discuss his journey into the fire brigade, firefighter fitness, exogenous testosterone, the mental health crisis, sleep, helmets and so much more. https://linktr.ee/the_firefighters_podcast

Bill Denehan has spent over 35 years in aviation, flying helicopters for the military, fire and EMS. We discuss his journey into the Army, flying for the Special Operations Squadron, Operations Desert Storm, the Hammer 34 rescue, veteran mental health, the World War II Museum and so much more.

Clayton Lindley is a professional scooter rider, base jumper, skydiver and member of the Human Performance Project. We discuss his journey into extreme sports, radiation in Umatilla, the good and bad sides of social media, Undialed, 7X and so much more.

Toby Harkins is a College Athletic Trainer, martial artist and the founder of Fifith Hand Jiu jitsu. We discuss his journey into sports medicine, training the youth athlete, pre-hospital treatment of heat emergencies, proactive injury rehabilitation, jiu jitsu and so much more.

Dean Lister is a veteran jiu jitsu competitor, MMA fighter, co-founder of Victory MMA and a member of the Echelon Front family. We discuss his early life in the Americas, his journey into grappling, competing in the UFC, the power of plant medicine, BJJ Hero Retreats and so much more.

Leah is a gym owner, strength and conditioning coach, birth doula and the online program director for BIRTHFIT. We discuss her journey into Crossfit, pregnancy myths, prenatal health, fertility, post-partum depression, pelvic floor function, nutrition, supplementation and so much more.

Jonny Garrett is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and the founder of William Wood Watches. We discuss his grandfather's service in the British Fire Brigade, the impact that had on Jonny, watch making, firefighter history, social business, Tunnel to Towers, The Firefighters Charity and so much more.

LTC Scott Mann is a Green Beret veteran, author and one of the men behind Task Force Pineapple. We discuss his journey into the military, rooftop leadership, rescuing our Afghan allies, the industrial military complex, writing plays, his latest book and so much more.

Russell Foster is a neuroscientist, professor, author and a pioneer in the world of circadian rhythms and sleep. We discuss his journey into chronobiology, the physical and mental ill health caused by sleep deprivation, how shift work is killing our front line personnel, pushing progressive change, the power of recovery, his new book "Life Time" and so much more.

Nichole Scaraglino is an artist and member of the Black Rifle Coffee family. We discuss her journey into the fashion industry, her powerful 9/11 story, tattoos, bodybuilding, post traumatic growth, the healing power of art and so much more.

Kevin Holtry is a veteran Boise Police Officer, SWAT operator, undercover officer and adaptive athlete. We discuss his journey into policing, the war on drugs, the shooting that left him paralyzed, his physical and mental rehabilitation, the importance of realism in training, the heroism of K9 officers and so much more.

Ethan Suplee is an actor, athlete and the host of the "American Glutton Podcast". In this second interview we discuss the impact of lockdown on the Nation's health, racism, male body dysmorphia, his own mental metamorphosis, overcoming injury, the importance of rest and so much more.

Anthony Gillan is a Scottish immigrant, US Recon Marine and veteran Florida firefighter. We discuss his childhood in Scotland, his journey into the military, special forces training, firefighter fitness, down to earth leadership, mental health and so much more.

Sheena Sharapata is a former High School soccer athlete, TBI survivor and advocate. We discuss her athletic journey, the concussions that cut her soccer career short, her migraine misdiagnoses, Trigeminal Neuralgia aka "The Suicide Disease", how surgery is saving lives and so much more.

Brendan Hynes is a Canadian Special Forces veteran, who spent a majority of his career as a breacher and IED expert. We discuss his journey into the military, the role of a Combat Engineer, the ingenuity of guerilla tactics, traumatic brain injuries, the power of psychedelics and so much more.

Kenneth Panagiotakos is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt and the owner of BJJ Swamp Academy in Gainesville, Florida. We discuss his childhood in the Philippines, immigrating to New York, his journey into martial arts, personalisation of jiu-jitsu, innovation, humility and much more.

Will Jimeno is a retired law enforcement officer, author, speaker and was the last remaining survivor pulled from the World Trade Center collapse along with his sergeant, John McLoughlin. We discuss his family's immigration from Colombia, patriotism, his journey into policing, the attacks on 9/11, survival, rescue, the physical and mental rehabilitation, his latest book "Sunrise through the Darkness and so much more.

Rudy Reyes is a Recon Marine, martial artist, actor and television personality. We discuss his turbulent childhood, the importance of mentorship, his journey into the martial arts, his powerful mental health story, shooting Generation Kill, service and gratitude, the aging tactical athlete, the true cost of war and so much more.

Jeff Denholm is an extreme athlete, entrepreneur and the man behind Strong Water. We discuss his journey into deep sea fishing, the accident that took his arm, treasure hunting, wildland firefighting, PFAFs, psychedelics, creating a safe firefighting water enhancement and so much more.

Ray Murphy is a Marine, BASE jumper, Canine trainer and the founder of Warriors Healing Network. We discuss his journey into the military, Operation Desert Storm, his introduction to skydiving, his rescue attempt during a parachuting accident, training warrior dogs, his powerful mental health story, ayahuasca and so much more.

Shane Taylor is an actor, ambassador and the man who portrayed Army Medic Doc Roe in "Band of Brothers". We discuss his journey into drama, Captain Dale Dye's movie boot camp, forging camaraderie, the real men of Easy Company, horse riding, mental health and so much more.