Behind The Shield

Dr Eric Goodman is the founder and creator of Foundation Training, a system of movement that facilitates the body’s natural healing ability and quickly improves degenerative movement patterns. He has published 3 books, including his latest, True To Form, which have contributed to health innovation for individuals, communities, and the Yoga world. His incessant curiosity for anatomy, movement, and healing has led him to become one of the most sought out trainers in the world, training prominent media figures and top level athletes, including Olympians as the strength and conditioning coach of the U.S.A. Men’s Water Polo Team. During the last few years he has also been directing the Foundation Training Instructor Certification Program, a four day intensive workshop for doctors and movement specialists, and he continues to treat patients and lecture around the world. Currently, Eric lives in Florida with his wife, Jen, and their daughters, Sunny and Veda.Foundation Training was born of out of necessity. In 2007 Eric Goodman was in his last year of chiropractic school gaining knowledge and skills but remaining debilitated by back pain that had followed him for years. He was advised to get spinal fusion surgery, but after deeply considering the effectiveness and physical toll it would take, declined this option. He instead worked to create a better solution. This choice became the catalyst for his life’s workDr. Goodman became the doctor he wished he had, creating innovative corrective movements as the answer to his pain. Understanding the challenge of being a patient without viable options, he started teaching the exercises to help other people help themselves. These exercises became Foundation Training and have been utilized by tens of thousands of people to get out of pain.The business of Foundation Training is committed to the common goal of helping people heal and redefining a life without pain. The team behind the scenes holds to the commitment of continually learning how to do this better. Over the years, our talented teaching staff have contributed significantly to helping us breakdown the information to make it easier to learn, including developing certifications that allow us to produce instructors who deeply understand and are skilled at teaching the material.The programs Foundation Training offers remain innovative and are continually evolving as knowledge, resources, and applications expand. The community of instructors, clients, patients, and friends whose lives have been improved remains the core of who we are.https://www.foundationtraining.com/

David Shuford is a twenty year veteran of the fire service. He is the Union President for Gainesville Fire Rescue and their Hazmat Training Captain. We discuss becoming a volunteer firefighter at 18 years old, the high level of competition to become a firefighter 10 short years ago, the recruitment and retention crisis, how they made the move to the 42 hour (24/72) work week, the health and financial benefits, the dramtic increase in recruitment and retention they've witnessed, debunking deliberate misinformation from neighbouring agencies and so much more.

Sean Glass is a former SEAL Officer. His tours include combat deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq and Eastern Africa. Sean was the Officer in Charge of the final phase of the initial SEAL selection pipeline where he helped select, train and mentor future SEALs. His last tour in the Navy he served as the Officer in Charge of all wartime training for the West Coast SEAL teams.He is a leadership instructor for Echelon Front and is the founder of Primal Beef. A Virginia based, all-natural, all-American, farm-raised beef company.He is a husband and father of five. He lives with his family on a regenerative cattle farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.https://www.primalbeef.com/

Dennis Pishock is the author of “Demons and Angels”, a book about Trauma, Peer Support and how to care for yourself while in a career in public safety. He is a 24 year veteran in Law Enforcement, Firefighting, Swift Water Rescue, EMT-I, and Peer Support. He holds a rank in multiple martial arts, defensive tactics & combatives. He holds certifications in all aspects of public safety, including SPEAR Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Peer Support Counselor, Hostage Negotiator, EMT-I, and Swift Water Technician. Dennis ran his own martial arts school for 17 years. https://pishockbooks.com/

Dr Belisa Vranich is a Clinical Psychologist who teaches breath work for both physical and mental wellness. Dr Vranich is also the founder of The Breathing Class. We discuss healthy relationships, sex myths, diaphragmatic breathing, mental health and much more.A clinical psychologist and a leading expert in mental health and fitness, Dr. Belisa Vranich is the author of Breathe: The Simple, Revolutionary 14-Day Program to Improve your Mental and Physical Health (St. Martin’s Press/Hay House). She is the founder of www.thebreathingclass.com.Dr. Belisa is a regular guest on national television; e.g., CNN, Fox News, the Today Show, Good Morning America, and Inside Edition, and has been interviewed by Anderson Cooper, Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Bill O’Reilly, and Nancy Grace. Dr. Oz has recognized her as one of the top US doctors in her field. She has appeared as a guest on Cesar Millan’s show, Cesar 911, and has been a guest on podcasts with hosts Robb Wolfe, Ben Greenfield, Joey Diaz, and Dr. Mercola. In addition, Dr. Belisa has been interviewed as an expert in numerous publications, including Crain’s magazine, GQ, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Time Magazine, and Cosmopolitan.Dr. Belisa has extensive experience working with first responders: firefighters, military and law enforcement for topics related to endurance, stress reduction, precision, pain reduction, and PTSD. A firm believer in the importance of giving back, she volunteers and supports numerous organizations related to veterans and animal rescue organizations in New York City and Los Angeles. Dr. Belisa is an outspoken advocate of organ donation and dedicated her first book to Liamslife.orgDr. Belisa was the former Director of Breathing Science at The Ash Center for Comprehensive Medicine in New York City, and has served as an advisor for the Fitness Institute for Gold’s Gym. She was previously the Health and Sex Editor at Men’s Fitness Magazine, an expert for Men’s Health, and Shape magazine, an advice columnist for the New York Daily News, and Foxnews.com. She was the Director of Public Education at the Mental Health Association of NYC; taught at New York University, was a consultant at the National Mental Health Association in Washington, DC; director of an outpatient clinic at Jacobi Hospital Center, Bronx, NY; a school psychologist in the South Bronx; and part of the Brooklyn Aids Task Force supporting parolees and their families.

Jay Morgan Hyrons is an author, bodybuilder, grief counselor and a Falklands War widow. We discuss her turbulent childhood, losing her military husband in combat, her powerful grief story, gym therapy, near death experiences, counseling and so much more. Jay was born in the War Memorial Hospital in Crickhowell, Wales in 1957 unsurprisingly leading her to a life as a War Widow and Military Family Researcher. Grammar School education in the 1960’s meant many like Jay went undiagnosed with ADHD, in short many of her qualifications were obtained during her forties when she had mastered how to study with a less than forgiving brain.She has had an unusual career path including counselling the terminally ill for the NHS, dancer, personal trainer, champion bodybuilder, podcaster, author, and public speaker. Described by many as an extraordinary woman, Jay herself feels she has had an extraordinary life journey marked by both triumph and tragedy. Her lifelong commitment to fitness enabled her to beat the odds and survive medical emergencies more than once, in 2015 she astonished doctors by making an unlikely full recovery.Eventually diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder the prognosis was guarded. At times these life experiences have tested her spiritual beliefs until she began to understand the deeper meaning of the journey. Jay found herself on a true ‘Dark Night of the Soul’. The journey eventually led her to acceptance which after all is the last stage of grief…Jay published her first book ‘And She Danced’ in 2019, her second book ‘The Falklands Widow’ followed in 2021. In 2023 Jay began a new chapter as a Volunteer Speaker for the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation a role which continues to date. Most recently her volunteering encompasses recording the Chelsea Pensioners on the Oral History Project at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. November 2024 saw the publication of ‘The Falklands Fallen’ with Pen & Sword Military, royalties from which are donated to the Royal Hospital.https://www.jaymorganhyrons.com/

Jason Griffasi and Trip Harlan are body and brain optimization specialists and the founders of The Bio Optimization Institute. We discuss youth athletics, Trip's traumatic brain injuries, his powerful recovery story, altitude training, neurodegenerative diseases, elite performance and so much more.Jason combines his personal "pain to purpose" wellness experiences along with over 19 years of launching and scaling companies across wellness, education, and nonprofit sectors. Known for building both digital and physical businesses—from online universities to international conferences—Jason brings a strategic, systems-driven approach to human optimization.At the Institute, he bridges the gap between science, service, and scalability—delivering transformative experiences that integrate physical, cognitive, and emotional optimization. His leadership plays a key role in expanding flagship programs like The Bio Optimization Protocol and immersive retreats, while guiding clients and partners through the evolving landscape of holistic performance and longevity.Driven by a lifelong mission to help people build successful businesses and balanced lives, Jason empowers entrepreneurs and wellness leaders to align purpose, profit, and personal well-being.Trip is a leading figure in biohacking innovation, renowned for his expertise in Nobel Prize-inspired oxygenation technology and advanced biohacking protocols.As a co-founder of The Bio Optimization Institute, Trip has revolutionized the wellness industry by integrating Eastern medicine with state of the art health technology.His work with professional athletes has set new standards in performance enhancement and recovery, showcasing his ability to blend scientific excellence with practical application.Trip's leadership and pioneering approach have established him as an expert in health optimization, driving forward the boundaries of what's possible in athletic performance and cellular recovery.https://biooptimizationinstitute.com/

Founded by Patrick Long, a firefighter with over a decade of service in Southeast Georgia, The Decon Project began with a deeply personal mission. In February 2025, Patrick was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. After six rounds of chemotherapy, he is now grateful to be cancer free—but his fight didn’t end there.Unsure whether his cancer was linked to the job, Patrick knew one thing for certain: no firefighter should have to face what he did. His experience ignited a new flame—a drive to help his brothers and sisters in the fire service reduce their cancer risk and stay healthy for years to come.The Decon Project is dedicated to ensuring that no firefighter has to choose between serving their community and safeguarding their health. Through evidence-based decontamination practices, early detection programs, and essential supplies, they’re helping reduce cancer risks in the fire service—so every firefighter can go home safe and stay healthy for years to come.https://thedeconproject.com/

Tori Gonzalez was a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas when a former student murdered 17 school children and staff in 2018, including her boyfriend Joaquin Oliver. Anthony Gonzalez is Tori's father and was one of the responding firefighters to the attack. We discuss their early lives, Tori and Joaquin's romance, the aftermath of the massacre, grief, tactical medicine, the media, mental health and so much more.Tori Gonzalez is a young artist, transforming pain into purpose, dedicated to pouring her heart into creating pieces that inspire and comfort others on their journey of healing.Anthony Gonzalez is the Coral Springs–Parkland Fire Department Battalion Chief assigned to the Training Division. Battalion Chief Gonzalez has been with the city since 1995 where he began his career as a volunteer firefighter for the department until 2000 when he became a full-time firefighter for the city.In addition to serving as one of the chiefs of training, Battalion Chief Gonzalez is also an instructor and is involved in several areas within the organization.Battalion Chief Gonzalez earned his AS degree in Fire Science and is a State of Florida Certified Live Fire Instructor, Instructor 2, Fire Officer 2, Incident Safety Officer, Fire Safety Inspector 2, Fire Investigator 1 and a FLUSAR Rescue Specialist. Furthermore, he received his Fire Officer Designation from the Center of Public Safety Excellence (CSPE).Responsible for training members of the team when participating in scheduled training throughout the year, Battalion Chief Gonzalez is a member of the Urban Search and Rescue Team, Florida Task Force II where he is a squad boss and directs crews on varies assignments when deployed. A few of his deployments included Hurricane Michael in 2018 and in Puerto Rico in 2020 for the Earthquakes.Moreover, Battalion Chief Gonzalez is a Fire Instructor for the Coral Springs Regional Institute of Public Safety and has been teaching programs since 2004. Some of those programs are, minimum standards, Driver Operator, and all the courses related to Special Operations. In addition to the Special Operations curriculum, Battalion Chief Gonzalez is the Lead Instructor for the Trench Rescue course where students learn how to remove individuals trapped in a collapsed trench. This particular program leads the construction industry as being one of the most hazardous type of work in that industry. Battalion Chief Gonzalez also provides all types of training, education, knowledge and skills required to do the job.Battalion Chief Gonzalez has received several awards and recognitions throughout his career including Administrative, Lifesaving, Unit and Team Citations and Meritorious Awards.

Tim Houweling works as a Fire Captain, Paramedic, and Hazmat Technician on a Type 1 Heavy Rescue for a San Francisco Bay Area Fire Department. Tim has also been a professional dog trainer since 2004. Tim is also co-founder of the S.I.R.E.N Project which helps first responders access sacred medicine served by indigenous people.Tim began his career with search and rescue dogs in 2005 and has certified six dogs: Deuce, Tater, Georgie, Charley, Carl and Rory in various disciplines from wilderness area search to US&R live-find and human remains detection. He is the Canine Coordinator and a Canine Search Specialist with one of the 28 FEMA Urban Search & Rescue teams in the United States. In that role, he has deployed eighteen times to various US&R environments including post-fire searches, debris flows, floods, explosions, and hurricanes. He is also a member of the canine component of the Yosemite Search and Rescue team (“YODOGS”).In addition to being a Canine Search Specialist, Tim is qualified as a Search Team Manager, Technical Search Specialist, Rescue Specialist, and Finance Specialist. He is a FEMA Evaluator and FEMA instructor. He has served on the Board of Directors of the California Rescue Dog Association, which has the most search wilderness dogs in the United States. He founded a non-profit, HD Search Dog Fund, Inc., that provides training and gear to our nation’s search and rescue dogs. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Extension Studies/History from Harvard University with his thesis on “The Origin and Evolution of Search and Rescue Dogs in California.” He also serves on the Board of Directors of First Responder Therapy Dogs, Inc., and is on the Executive Board of his local IAFF Union.In addition, he is passionate about improving first responder mental health. With his wife Angela, he co-founded The S.I.R.E.N. Project to help first responders access sacred medicine served by indigenous people (www.thesirenproject.org). These medicines have proven more effective than western medicines in treating post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI.) Prior to his life going to the dogs, he worked as an investment banker on Wall Street and is a certified public accountant. He lives in Carmel Valley, California with his wife and son.

Dr Neale Kinnear is an internationally recognised behavioural scientist with over 20 years’ experience understanding human behaviour in transport, technology, and risk. As a Chartered Psychologist, he specialises in bridging the gap between academic research and commercial application, translating evidence into effective products and policies that save lives. He is a Trustee of the Road Safety Trust and a member of UKROEd's (UK Road Offender Education) Research and Development Unit. He is also a Board Member for the Transportation Research Board’s Standing Committee on Behavioural Safety in the USA, and a member of Road Safety Education Australasia’s Expert Panel.Through his independent consultancy, Affective Mobility, he advises the transport and insurance technology sectors from start-ups to global companies. Previously, as Head of Transport Safety at TRL, he directed major research programmes that influenced national and international road safety policy. In the insurance sector, he led the development of an AI-based driver risk platform at Humn AI and Aon.https://www.linkedin.com/in/neale-kinnear-09805539/

Dewey Yopp is a retired Army warrant officer 24 years service and a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan. Dewey was deployed in 2002, spending a total of eight and a half years in Afghanistan. He was the Chief training officer “embedded” for the Afghan Army and Police Force, training 19 NATO weapons systems. He lived with the ANA and trusted civilian contacts.In this conversation, we discuss his journey into the military, 9/11 through his eyes, the Horse Soldiers, the heroism of our Afghan allies, the withdrawal, immigration, broken promises and much more.

Michael Lopez turned a life of addiction and gang life into a degree in forensic psychology and the genesis of Mission Echo, helping feed the homeless on Skid Row. We discuss childhood trauma, the tribal element of gangs, addiction, finding the power to change, altruism and much more.As a young man, Michael Lopez found himself on a path of gang life and addiction. One day, he made the decision to turn his life around. He now is a Forensic Psychology graduate and the man behind Mission Echo, feeding Skid Row’s homeless.Mission Echo: https://www.instagram.com/mission_echo/

Ryan Lucas is a second-generation journeyman power lineman and the creator and host of Powerline Podcast, one of the most trusted platforms in the electrical utility and line trade. With over two decades in the field, his experience spans urban distribution, major transmission construction including 500kV barehand work, helicopter operations, and large-scale infrastructure projects work rooted in discipline, teamwork, and operating under pressure. In 2019, Ryan launched Powerline Podcast, now backed by Quanta Services, to spotlight the people, culture, and leadership behind the power grid while inspiring the next generation to consider a future in the trades.

Marc Wysocki is a dedicated clinician and public safety leader with over 30 years of experience in emergency response and sports medicine. Currently serving as the Head Athletic Trainer and Associate Director of Campus Safety at Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA, Marc has spent over two decades to help developing crisis response protocols and leading athletic training services student-athletes as an athletic trainer for 35 years.In 2025, Marc reached a significant professional milestone by earning his Doctor of Athletic Training from Moravian University. His academic journey is marked by prestigious accolades, including being named the National Winner of the 2025 Thought Leadership Essay contest, sponsored by WS Darley and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, for his impactful work titled "Behind the Mask". He is also a recipient of the Frank George Doctoral Scholarship and the NATA Memorial Scholarship.Beyond the clinic, Marc serves his community as a Captain with the Sheffield Volunteer Fire Department, where he has been a member since 2014. As a Certified EMT and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) specialist, Marc operates at the intersection of tactical performance and mental health advocacy. He is passionate about changing the "tough guy" culture in the fire service and helping first responders navigate the complexities of identity fusion and mental resilience.Marc’s clinical expertise is further supported by certifications as a Graston Technique Specialist and a Corrective Exercise Specialist, along with proficiency in Blood Flow Restriction Training and Dry Needling.https://www.darley.com/essay-competition/

Jonathan Williams is a modern country artist from Vernon, British Columbia, whose music blends heart, grit, and the honesty of lived experience. A retired RCMP officer turned singer-songwriter, Jonathan’s journey from the front lines of law enforcement to the spotlight of the Canadian country scene is a story of resilience, redemption, and rediscovery through music.His breakout single “That’s What a Heartbreak Tastes Like” reached #3 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown, earning radio play across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, and racking up over 26,000 streams. His follow-up singles “Wild Fire” and “Goodbye Back” have continued that momentum, with “Goodbye Back” surpassing 150,000 digital streams, gaining national radio traction, and solidifying Jonathan as one of Canada’s most promising independent country voices.Produced by Jeff Johnson (The Washboard Union, Chris Buck Band) and recorded at Saxman Studios in Nashville, Jonathan’s recordings capture the energy and authenticity that define his live performances. His songs are built around real emotion — stories of heartbreak, hope, and hard-won lessons — anchored by a powerful voice and a sound that merges modern Nashville polish with the heart of true country storytelling.Jonathan’s career continues to rise with two new singles on the way — both produced by Jeff Johnson and recorded in Nashville — leading up to the release of his six-song EP planned for 2026. The project will showcase his strongest songwriting to date, highlighting his distinct blend of heartfelt ballads and high-energy anthems that speak to life, love, and resilience.Over the past year, Jonathan has performed more than 50 shows across British Columbia, including major events like Peachfest, Westside Daze, Armstrong IPE, Vancouver Island Exhibition, and Parks Alive, along with brewery residencies and sold-out shows at venues like Crown & Thieves. His “Boots, Bars & Battle Scars Tour” combined live music with storytelling about mental health and PTSD — connecting deeply with audiences and first responders across the province.Media and industry have taken notice. Jonathan has been featured on Global TV, CTV, Castanet, and the Vernon Morning Star, and was a 2nd Ballot Nominee for both Male Artist of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2025 BC Country Music Association Awards. His music has also received consistent coverage on 91.5 Bounce FM, 105.7 The Ranch, Move 101.5 Kelowna, and numerous U.S. and international country stations.Looking ahead, Jonathan is preparing for a Canada-wide tour to support his upcoming EP release — with plans to expand into national festivals, international showcases, and sync placements through recent connections at VIFF AMP Summit. His career continues to grow from the grassroots upward, built on talent, authenticity, and a genuine desire to connect through every lyric and performance.Whether on stage or on record, Jonathan Williams embodies the spirit of modern country — real stories, raw emotion, and the reminder that no matter how tough the road gets, there’s always music to carry you through.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Craig Mitchell is the founder of the Skid Row Running Club which is featured in the documentary Skid Row Marathon. Founded in 2012, The Skid Row Running Club provides a running program for the Skid Row Community of Los Angeles and involves the larger community in supporting its members in overcoming alcohol/drug abuse and achieving positive life goals.It all began when a young man he had previously sentenced to prison, Roderick Brown, contacted him through the Midnight Mission. “For some reason he decided he liked the way I treated him, even though I sent him to prison,” Mitchell says. “He looked me up and introduced me to The Mission.”As soon as Mitchell got there, he decided the best way to reach the people was through running. “There are so many little things that emanate from this very basic idea of just running,” he says.Mitchell had been running for about 15 years when he started the club. He ran his first race because he was asked by his boss at the District Attorney’s Office to run a relay. It was too early in his career to say no, so he joined the team. It was a blessing—he’s a runner to the core now, even when he’s in the courtroom.Under the black robe he wears on the bench, Mitchell is in a shirt and tie as you’d expect. But below the belt he’s in just his running shorts and shoes—he likes to change out of his robe quickly to maximize the time of his lunchtime run. -- Runner's World, Liam Boylan-Pett

Dr. Yosef “Sefi” Chodakiewitz, MD, serves as the Medical Director of Primary Care Radiology and the Founding Medical Director of Clinical Research at Prenuvo. Dr. Chodakiewitz directs the Hercules Project—a 10-year clinical study with the goal of enrolling 100,000 participants for proactive WB-MRI screening, coupled with longitudinal follow-up to evaluate diagnostic accuracy and long-term health outcomes. This ambitious initiative exemplifies Prenuvo’s commitment to using advanced imaging as a transformative tool for primary prevention and early intervention. Additionally, Dr. Chodakiewitz directs the radiology-consultation service at Prenuvo, an innovative approach to practicing patient-centered radiology.Dr. Chodakiewitz completed medical school at Brown University, followed by a radiology residency at Cedars-Sinai and a fellowship at Stanford’s Body MRI Division and Minimally-Invasive MR Interventional Center (MIMRIC). There, he developed expertise in advanced MRI techniques, including performing WB-MRI for cancer screening in high-genetic-risk individuals, as well as tailoring protocols for evaluating known cancers and other complex cases.Prevuvo Warriors Program:https://prenuvo.com/warriors-program

Recently retired after 25 years with the United States Secret Service, brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished career. In his final position as an instructor and liaison at the National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA), he trained thousands of federal law enforcement and intelligence agents in credibility assessment and elicitation techniques. Brad also served on the protection detail for former president George H. W. Bush and various foreign heads of state. As a federal polygraph examiner for 17 years, he secured numerous confessions in high-profile investigations and conducted the most criminal polygraph examinations in the agency’s history. With a master’s degree in criminology, he was honored as the U.S. Secret Service Special Agent of the Year for combating crimes against children. Recognized globally as a communications expert, Brad has delivered sought-after presentations to law enforcement and intelligence agencies worldwide.

Mark Pearce is a British health and fitness coach specialising in tactical populations, with over 20 years’ experience in the fire service. He spent 17 years as an operational firefighter and three years as a fire service fitness advisor, giving him first-hand insight into the physical, psychological, and organisational demands placed on frontline professionals. A qualified Strength and Conditioning Coach within the tactical sector, Mark supports firefighters, police officers, and other high-stress professionals to improve functional strength, manage body composition, reduce injury risk, and sustain long-term performance. His approach blends evidence-based practice with practical, real-world application that fits the realities of shift work and operational life. Alongside his coaching work, Mark regularly delivers guest lectures at universities on Strength & Conditioning, health, and wellbeing programmes. These sessions provide students with insight into the role of S&C beyond traditional sport settings, highlighting the complexities, constraints, and organisational challenges of applying performance support within emergency services and other non-sport environments. Mark is the founder of Fitness for the Frontline and is actively involved in research projects aimed at driving meaningful, system-level change in frontline health and performance. He is open to conversations around delivering presentations, workshops, and collaborative projects. Episode Sponsor:https://www.carnabunkergear.com/

Ishmael Beah grew up in the African Country of Sierra Leonne. At the age of 10, civil war broke out and his world change forever. By thirteen, his family had all been murdered and he was forced into war as a boy soldier. Three years later, he was rescued by members of UNICEF and ultimately brought to the US. We talk about his journey through this nightmare, how he rehabilitated, gratitude, forgiveness and much more. Do not miss this episode!!Ishmael Beah, best-selling author and human rights spokesperson, was appointed UNICEF’s first Advocate for Children Affected by War on 20 November 2007. In accepting the position Mr. Beah said, “… for me it’s just a way to give me more strength to continue doing what I’ve already embarked on, what I’ve dedicated my life to doing – which is to make sure that what happened to me doesn’t continue to happen to other children around the world.” He pledged to give a voice and hope to children whose lives have been scarred by violence.In 1991, the outbreak of a brutal civil war in Sierra Leone upended the lives of millions. Ishmael Beah’s parents and two brothers were killed and he was forcibly recruited into the war at age 13. After two years, with UNICEF help, he was removed from the army and placed in a rehabilitation home in Freetown.At the 1996 United Nations presentation of the Machel Report on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children, Mr. Beah spoke about the devastating effects of war on children in his country. In May 2000, at the UN Special Session on Children he served on a panel entitled ‘Reclaiming Our Children: The UN Responds to the Plight of the Child Soldier’. The panel included then Secretary General Kofi Annan and UN agency heads.Mr. Beah continues his advocacy to help change the course for the thousands of children still trapped in wars. He is a member of the Human Rights Watch Children’s Rights Division Advisory Committee and has testified before the United States Congress. In 2008, he co-founded the Network of Young People Affected by War (NYPAW) with a mission to raise awareness of the plight of children in conflict zones, advocate for an end to hostilities and provide role models for children who are currently struggling to recover from war.Activity highlightsIshmael Beah’s book, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier was published in the United States in 2007. It has since been published in Canada, Europe, Latin America and Asia and appears in over 35 languages. The book was also available in Starbucks shops, and for each book sold, US$ 2.00 went to the US Fund for UNICEF. A Long Way Gone has been assigned to freshman classes of several universities in the US.Mr. Beah has received numerous humanitarian and writing awards. He has spoken at many literary festivals including the Hay on Wye Literary Festival in Wales, United Kingdom. He appears in Bling: A Planet Rock, a 2007 documentary that draws attention to the diamond conflict.

Sheila Thelen, President of Vestibular Training Services and Master Rated Figure Skating Coach, applied these world class vestibular training tools (US PATENTED) INNOVATION on how spinning affects the vestibular system and can improve the brain’s ability to balance the cognitive processes. How these sports innovation can help the entire general public.Vestibular Training Services, LLC specializes in vestibular training tools addressing: Vestibular: Balance, Cognitive, Spatial & Sleep. Vestibular training enhances more than just balance—it sharpens memory, abstract thinking, and decision-making. Stimulating the vestibular system improves neural integration, helping the brain process spatial awareness and executive functions more efficiently.The Romberg Test, a trusted measure of postural stability, highlights the connection between sensory integration and cognitive performance. Strengthening vestibular input leads to better neural responsiveness, improving cognitive flexibility. Movement refines the mind.

Michael D’Angelo was born and raised in Las Vegas. He left high school his junior year to join the Marines, escaping the war back home. The Corps saved his life, and after he got out, his buddies pushed him into standup comedy. He started performing in 2013, spent four years in the Vegas scene, then moved to LA to sharpen his skills.In 2018 he launched the Rapid Fire Comedy Tour, a 501(c)(3) bringing live comedy to military and first responders. His mission for 2026 is expanding the tour’s reach- more bases, more shows, more morale.Episode Sponsor:https://www.carnabunkergear.com/

WildFitLife805 is a family-run business owned by Justin and Jenny Mahaffey. They have five kids and are passionate about challenging themselves to grow. As the driving force behind this Southern California company, Justin has been a wildland firefighter for 15 years. WildFitLife805 was born out of his commitment to growing stronger and building a community. Anyone is welcome — firefighters, athletes, wellness enthusiasts, and fitness beginners. There is a place for every journey in this incredible group of people!As a firefighter, Justin understands the importance of taking risks the right way. He also understands that risks look different for everyone. To tackle any challenge successfully, you have to be smart about it. You have to have community to back you up. WildFitLife805 is the community you need. It’s a place full of people who are not strangers to facing challenges — people who have won/lost and learned enough to understand that both are worthwhile experiences.Episode Sponsor:https://www.carnabunkergear.com/

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.Spanning nearly two decades, Thomas Newman's career in sports performance is a testament to his unparalleled ability to not only optimize athlete development but also provide a truly customized service for each client. Newman's approach is visionary, blending the precision of sports science with unwavering leadership and an innovative spirit. His hallmark is the adept integration of data science, athlete development, and program design.Newman’s role as a dynamic thought leader is evidenced by his profound contributions to the understanding of athlete biomechanics, talent identification, and investment strategies. He stands as a beacon of inspiration, with his presentations resonating with audiences globally—from specialized tactical teams to international sports science gatherings. This ability to inspire extends beyond the podium; it reflects his passion for educating and advocating for his clients, empowering them to focus on their strengths while he and his team manage the complexities of their careers in both physical development and performance optimization.Newman’s innovative research, particularly his application of economic models to recruitment strategies, demonstrates a unique capacity to navigate and solve the most complex challenges in sports with practical, impactful solutions.Thomas Newman is more than an expert; he is a pioneer whose forward-thinking and dedication to athlete development are profound. His commitment to his clients is unwavering, characterized by a deep dedication to ensuring their success and well-being. It is this commitment that has made Newman not only a trusted advisor but also a passionate advocate for athletes at every stage of their careers on and off the field.In every facet of his career, Thomas Newman exemplifies a commitment to excellence, passion for innovation, and a genuine desire to advocate for and educate his clients. This blend of qualities not only defines his professional identity but also establishes the Newman HP team as an essential pillar in the careers of athletes aiming for the pinnacle of performance.

Dr. Dave Rabin MD, PhD is a board-certified psychiatrist, translational neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and inventor who has studied resilience and the impact of chronic stress on our lives for over 15 years. Dr. Rabin and his team collaborate with clients at the Apollo Clinic, empowering clients to take control of their mental and physical health by tapping into our abilities to adapt and heal ourselves.In addition to focusing on integration therapy, plant and natural medicines, couples therapy, and medicine-assisted psychotherapy, and technology-based therapeutics, Dr. Rabin specializes in treatment-resistant mental illnesses including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosomatic disorders, personality disorders, chronic pain disorders, insomnia, and substance use disorders using minimal and non-invasive treatment strategies.Unlike other wearables, this is not a biometric tracking device. Apollo is a therapeutic wearable, designed to be worn discreetly on the wrist, ankle, or anywhere by clipping it to your clothing, that works by sending gentle vibrations to the body that signal safety to the brain. It's a safe, non-invasive way to relax, get the sleep you need, focus your attention, and find your flow. Using the Apollo wearable consistently over time helps to retrain your nervous system, helping you recover from stress and feel better overall.Episode Sponsor:https://www.carnabunkergear.com/

Marcy Levy Shankman, Ph.D. is a Leadership Development Professional and the founder of MLS Counsulting. We discuss philanthropy in leadership, the cost savings of investing in your people, moral courage, revolutionising American education, learning from the Amish, non- profits, reigniting the fire service and so much more.Marcy is a leadership development professional with over 20 years of experience working with individuals, groups, teams, and organizations. Marcy’s commitment to her work comes from a passion for helping individuals and organizations leverage their strengths and increase their impact. Working on initiatives that drive individual, team, or organizational change is a top priority. Marcy does this through designing and delivering powerful learning experiences for her clients through consulting, coaching, training, and facilitation services.Most recently, Marcy served as the inaugural Chief Organizational Learning Officer for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. In that role, Marcy had primary responsibility for designing and leading an organization-wide learning strategy for a diverse workforce of over 6500 individuals. Marcy facilitated organizational development strategies, coached senior and executive leaders, and created/co-created 3 distinct District-wide professional learning series. Prior to this position, Marcy served as the executive leadership coach and organizational development strategist for the District for 5 years (2016-2021).From 2012-2016, Marcy was the Vice President of Strategy and Director of Leadership Cleveland for the Cleveland Leadership Center. This is when Marcy deeply connected with the community of Cleveland and discovered that collaborative leadership is a practice that many organizational leaders from diverse sectors had not spent intentional time learning much about.MLS Consulting, LLC was Marcy’s full-time focus from its launch in 2001. Prior to that time, she served in professional roles at Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, The Hillel Foundation, and the University of Iowa.Marcy is also an instructor in higher education and an author. She co-authored Emotionally Intelligent Leadership: A Guide for Students and its corresponding suite of companion resources, published in 2015 (2nd ed.) and 2008 (1st ed.). She continues to write articles and book chapters on the topic, including two chapters in leadership textbooks due out in late 2024/early 2025. In 2022 she co-edited a monograph on the effective and ethical use of leadership assessments for the New Directions in Student Leadership series.Episode Sponsor:https://www.carnabunkergear.com/

Datwain "DJ" Shipp is a 13 year fire service veteran and former collegiate athlete. We discuss his journey into football, TBIs in youth athletics, prioritising the firefighter family, CBD and Cannabis, Psychedelics and much more.Episode Sponsor:https://www.carnabunkergear.com/

Pat Byrne is a leader in sleep and fatigue management and the author of Inconvenient Sleep. We discuss his early work in Occupational Health and Safety, the tragedy that led him into sleep research, working with NHL athletes, the pros and cons of wearables, first responder sleep deprivation, AI in medicine and so much more.Pat has changed the way professional sports teams and 24/7 workplaces manage their sleep and fatigue to optimize performance and mitigate risk. Pat's fatigue management systems, using state of the art knowledge and technology, have proven to be successful. Clients have included the US Department of Defense, Harvard Medical School, major mining and transportation companies and leading sports teams in the National Hockey League, National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball, Australian Football League, national soccer programs, and National Olympic Committees.With a wealth of knowledge and over 30 years of experience in risk management, performance optimization and health and safety, Pat is the expert to connect with whether you are seeking information on improving worker safety or are interested in boosting athletic performance.

Ash Alexander-Cooper is a former specialist military unit commander, combat helicopter pilot, wounded veteran, international athlete, musician, leadership and resilience expert. In this second conversation, we discuss the potential healing and damaging potential of drone technology, his new book Mindful Soldier, forging human performance, growing from childhood trauma, the healing power of altruism and so much more.Ash became one of the most operationally experienced officers of his generation, spending almost seven years deployed, leading some of the world’s most skilled forces in predominant challenging, complex and hostile environments, such as the Balkans, the Middle East, and Central Asia.Following retirement from active duty, Ash turned his attention to business, focussing on addressing issues of leadership, resilience, team-building, leader development, talent management and more, after recognising how many companies today experience very similar difficulties to what he and his colleagues faced in combat.Ash draws on lessons learned from more than 25 years of experience in managing and leading diverse multinational military, civilian, government, sports, and other elite teams, using those insights and experience gained from working in some of the world’s most challenging, hostile and complex environments.With powerful examples of resilience, leadership, teamwork and trust, Ash assists businesses and leaders develop the skills, mindset, and behaviours necessary in order to adapt and win. Leveraging empowering and motivational stories from his personal and professional life, Ash now supports companies, organisations and teams of all sizes to fulfil their potential.Episode Sponsor:https://www.carnabunkergear.com/

Lisa Mason is a Canadian CPA who works as a Chief Financial Officer for a healthcare technology company. In 2021, her life was changed forever when her brother Sgt. John R Little, CD died by suicide after serving two tours in Afghanistan. Through her grief journey she co-founded Operation: Talk 2 Me Johnny, a family run non-profit that aims to encourage loud conversations about mental wellness for veterans & first responders. Using their lived experience, Lisa and family share their story with everyone who will listen and organize community family friendly events to bring the mental health conversation to all individuals in a fun way with an aim of normalizing the topics and breaking the stigma.

Jason Kubiak is a serving Leading fire fighter with over 27 years in the UK Fire and Rescue Service, having worked across multiple brigades including Buckinghamshire and London Fire Brigade. We discuss his journey into firefighting, mixed martial arts, career calls, the Grenfell fire, his powerful mental health journey, prioritising family, the UK knife crime epidemic and much more. Jason is open about his experiences with mental health and PTSD, shaped by years on the frontline, and now focuses on maintaining wellbeing through honesty, structure, and support. Jason is married and a proud father of two daughters.

Dr Rangan Chatterjee is a British physician, author, podcaster and television personality. We discuss his powerful journey into progressive medicine, vitamin D, the importance of sleep, gut health, the four pillars of health, creating healthy habits through small victories and much more.Dr Chatterjee's mission is to empower 100 million people to become the architect of their own health and to help them feel fantastic with simple, practical and digestible information. Dr. Chatterjee is regarded as one of the most influential doctors in the UK and wants to change how medicine will be practiced for years to come. He hosts the biggest health podcast in Europe, ‘Feel Better, Live More’, #1 on Apple podcasts and announced as one of the most downloaded new podcasts of the past year. He is known for finding the root cause of people's health problems and he highlighted his methods in the ground-breaking BBC television show, Doctor in the House, which has been shown in over 70 countries around the world.Dr Chatterjee is the author of the international best-seller, The Four Pillar Plan which has already become one of the top 10 selling Health titles of the past 5 years. His second book, the Amazon #1 bestseller, The Stress Solution, tackles what the WHO call the health epidemic of our time – STRESS and has been featured in 2 recent New York Times articles. Feel Better in 5 launched in the UK in January 2020, quickly hit the #1 spot in all non-fiction books and is Dr Chatterjee's most accessible health plan showing how small achievable habit-changes can help everyone improve their health.Dr Chatterjee co-created the successful RCGP accredited Prescribing Lifestyle Medicine course which has been delivered to 1200 GPs and specialists since January 2018, providing doctors and primary healthcare professionals with a framework to apply Lifestyle Medicine principles in clinical practice. He regularly features on BBC news channels and has given an inspirational TED talk on making diseases disappear with over 2 million views.

Byron Branch is a veteran law enforcement officer, amputee and fencing paralympian. In this second conversation, we discuss the unlearned lessons from the pandemic, marksmanship in law enforcement, the opioid crisis, homelessness, fitness in policing, wheelchair fencing and so much more.Byron first began fencing in high school. As an indoor sport, fencing worked well for the frigid winters in Ohio where Byron grew up. As an extra bonus, Byron could still play baseball in the spring after the fencing season ended.Byron excelled at fencing. Prior to becoming a Parafencer, he competed in the able-bodied divisions of the sport. In 2011 he was top in the sport for able-bodied fencing in the Great Lakes Region, and in 2014 he was 17th in the USA for DIV1A Men’s Foil. He also volunteer coached at the local fencing club, helping numerous fencers gain scholarships and earn titles in the sport.Outside of fencing, Byron dedicates himself to his family and his community. As a police officer, Byron is committed to strengthening his community. In addition to serving on a panel to improve community and police relations, Byron has visited local schools to engage students and help build a better understanding between police and the citizenry.In 2016, Byron was injured during a traffic accident while on duty. After his injury, he continued training students at the local fencing academy, and in 2018 Byron decided to try wheelchair fencing. Shortly thereafter, he won Gold at the 2018 PanAm Games in Saskatoon, Canada. Within one year Byron quickly moved up to ranking 17th in the world.He has since won 3 Pan Am games and was a 2024 Paralympian.Episode Sponsor:https://www.stationwise.com/

Dr Nick Detrick is a Physical Therapist, US Air Force Reservist and the founder of Tactical Athlete Performance & Physical Therapy Specialists. We discuss his journey into medicine, injury screening in the tactical professions, rehab, fitness standards, working with elite units, the power of sleep and so much more. Nick has a history working in collegiate athletics as a student athletic trainer with the University of Southern California. Having a passion for “Serving Those Who Serve” Nick joined the US Air Force after PT school, serving as an active duty physical therapist before transitioning to the reserves, now working with the Special Warfare Human Performance Squadron in San Antonio, TX. In his civilian life, he works as the Health & Wellness Coordinator for the City of Sacramento Fire Department and also runs his private practice, Tactical Athlete Performance, providing physical therapy, injury prevention, and performance services for athletes across the lifespan.Episode Sponsor:https://www.stationwise.com/

Lieutenant Colonel Chris “Robie” Robishaw is a 33-year veteran of the U.S. Army . He recently retired and started his own consulting firm, Odyssey Special Operations Consulting, where he specializes in support to special operations exercises, military advisory roles in the film industry, and support to benevolent organizations around the world. His career began with an age waiver signed by his parents, at the age of 17 when he joined the United States Army Reserve whilst a Junior in High School. He spent three years in Reserve units in Ohio and Maine as a combat medic. After watching the invasion of Panama in 1989 on television, he decided to postpone his collegiate and ROTC endeavors and he reclassified to the Infantry by joining the Regular Army with an initial assignment to the 82d Airborne Division.He spent the next 6 years as a paratrooper where he served in every single position in a Rifle Platoon. While in the 82nd he rose from Private to Staff Seargent and eventually served as a Platoon Sergeant. His time in the 82nd was also marked as the top Battalion Squad Leader for two consecutive years. The 82nd took Robie to his first combat assignment for the entirety of Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Jungle Expert training in Panama, and Hurricane Andrew Relief in southern Florida. Immediately following the Gulf War, he earned the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, attended the Ranger Course, became a Jumpmaster, was inducted into the prestigious Audie Murphy Club, and was selected for Special Forces. He then attended the Army’s Officer Candidate School, finishing at the top of his class.He took his 2nd Lieutenant commission to the 101st Airborne Division where he saw additional service in the Infantry as a Rifle and a Reconnaissance Platoon Leader. He performed peace keeping operations in Haiti and was partnered in the winning 2-person team of the annual Best Ranger Competition in 1997. After graduating college with a B.S. in Parks and Recreation and subsequently being promoted to Captain, he returned to Special Forces in 2003 and has served the Regiment until his retirement in 2020. Robie was regionally assigned to the 1st Battalion of the famed 10th Special Forces group in Stuttgart, Germany. His Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha was dispatched to several partnership training missions in Europe and numerous operations in the Balkans and North Africa.He then spent a very kinetic and arduous year in East Baghdad where he led a small advisory team partnered to a failing Iraqi mechanized battalion in 2006-2007. This was followed by his first of two assignments to the SOCOM HQ as an exercise planner. Years later, he returned to Stuttgart, Germany and had the honor of leading his Special Forces Company to Afghanistan where he served as a Joint NATO Special Operations Task Force and Task Group Commander on two occasions in Eastern Afghanistan from 2010-2012. The following four years were spent traveling the globe as a SOCOM exercise planner. His last assignment involved serving as the Army’s Special Operations Command as the liaison officer and instructor at the Army Aviation Center of Excellence where he focused on Special Operations and Conventional Force integration and interoperability.Special Forces provided Robie opportunities to gain varying levels of expertise in special reconnaissance, rapport establishment, direct action, controlling close air support, counter-insurgency, Unconventional Warfare, surveillance and tracking, doctrine writing, sniper employment, advance trauma life support, mountaineering, arctic/high altitude warfare, negotiating, demolition, exercise planning, indigenous military operations, and several European languages.Since retirement, he has committed himself to volunteer humanitarian missions including the Kabul Airport rescues and activities in Ukraine.

Kellon Walch is an elite off road racer and career firefighter. We discuss his journey into extreme sports, overcoming fear, his near death experiences, the Dakar Rally, traumatic brain injury, therapeutic Ketamine, the Vegas terrror attack, the importance of sleep for performance and so much more.Kellon's Accolades:13 Time Dakar Rally participant first one being Dakar 2005 for Red Bull KTM to present 2025 with the the Red Bull M-Sport Ford Performance factory team. Over 15 Dakar rally stage wins4-time Best in the Desert Series Motorcycle Champion2-time back-to-back Best in the Desert Series Truck Champion 2009-20101- time Best in The Desert Trick Truck series Champion1 time SCORE class 1 series Champion 3-time Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada Series Champion1-time Nevada/Utah Battle of the Borders Series Motorcycle Champion1-time W.O.R.C.S 250F Pro Series Champion1-time AMA National Hare-N-Hound Open Class National ChampionStage 16 motorcycle winner in the 2005 Dakar RallyWinner of the Red Bull KTM Dakar Rally Team USA Rider SearchFactory Rider for KTM, Kawasaki, and HusqvarnaFactory support Rider for Honda and YamahaTransoriental rally finisher. Started in St Petersburg Russia. Raced across Russia, Kazakhstan, through the Gobi desert in China and finished at the Great Wall in Beijing. Races multiple times through the harshest deserts in the world including the Sahara desert, Atacama desert and the Gobi desert!Episode Sponsor:https://www.stationwise.com/

Marc Mero was a WWE wrestler, who became a motivational speaker, touring schools around the country. We talk about his early life, career, journey through substance abuse, mental health and his transition to teaching children about bullying and suicide.Marc Mero, who found global fame as Johnny B. Badd in WCW and alongside then-wife Rena ‘Sable’ Mero in World Wrestling Entertainment, played an instrumental role during wrestling’s hottest period. Sharing the squared circle with Hall of Fame stars including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H and Ric Flair, Mero’s fast-paced wrestling style and charismatic presentation made him a big hit with fans, en route to winning three WCW Television Titles and the coveted WWE Intercontinental Championship.Yet Marc Mero’s life after wrestling has been even more prolific than his time performing as a sports entertainer. For almost two decades, Marc has inspired young people globally through his motivation ‘Champion of Choices’ talks, changing many lives for the better.

Jonathan Wilson is a Navy SEAL veteran and the founder and CEO of INVI MindHealth, a mental health tech company whose mission is to save lives by making the invisible, visible. Prior to launching INVI, Jonathan worked at Capital Group and before that he was an equity trader at Goldman Sachs in New York City.Jonathan also co-founded and led the SEAL Future Foundation (SFF), a 501.c.3, in 2012, which has helped thousands of Navy SEALs and given millions of dollars back. The SFF’s mission is to provide Navy SEALs a foundation that supports their well-being, education and career to continue a life of service within their communities.Jonathan started his professional career in the military having served over a decade in the United States Navy SEALs, deploying to multiple combat theaters while serving on multiple SEAL Teams. He holds an MBA from the University of Oxford and graduated from the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School. Jonathan is based in Denver, ColoradoEpisode Sponsor:https://www.levels.com/

Peter Van Dorpe is a retired fire chief of the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District in Illinois. Chief Van Dorpe began his Fire Service career in April of 1980 as a Firefighter on Truck Co. #22 for the City of Chicago Fire Department; where he rose through the ranks including engineer, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, eventually retiring in October of 2013 as a district chief for the Division of Training. Among Chief Van Dorpe's Line experience, he was also the Lead Instructor for the Chicago Fire Departments Fire Officer School from 2005 to 2010 as well as a Field Instructor for the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute where he is still actively involved in Firefighter Training. Chief Van Dorpe obtained an associate's degree in fire science from the Chicago city-wide Colleges; moving on to obtaining his bachelor's degree in fire science management from the Southern Illinois University. Chief Van Dorpe has also taught "Building Construction for the Fire Service" at Harold Washington College's Fire Science Program. Chief Van Dorpe has been actively involved in research by being a subject matter expert on multiple UL and NIST studies dating back to 2007. Chief Van Dorpe has strived to give back to the fire service through ways of education and training which has led to him delivering the 2012 FDIC Keynote Speech as well as being awarded the 2016 Fire Engineering/ISFSI George D. Post Instructor of the Year award.

Spencer Thomas is a former football athlete turned stunt performer and John Cena's stunt double. We discuss growing up around athletics, moving to LA, humility on set, his journey into stunts, the mental impact of injury, his connection with the fire service, John's altruism, and so much more.

Patrick Pianezza is a paramedic, actor and the writer of the film Code 3. We discuss his journey into EMS, the volunteer fire service, some career calls, the US healthcare crisis, universal healthcare, screenwriting, bringing his story to the screen and so much more.Patrick was born in central Illinois. He has an associates degree in Biology from Lincoln Land Community College and a certificate of completion for his Paramedic license. He served as a volunteer fireman and EMT at the Sherman Volunteer Fire Department. Next, Patrick transferred to the University of South Carolina garnering a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in Public Relations and a Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) while concurrently working as a Paramedic Crew Chief for Lexington County Emergency Medical Services.His graduate work took him to Baltimore to complete his externship at Johns Hopkins Hospital's Human Resources Department as well as serving on The Johns Hopkins' Critical Care Transport Team known as Lifeline. He has worked in hospital operations and Patient Experience for large complex health care systems across the country since 2010. He is a published author, reference source and podcaster. He co-wrote "Code 3" with his friend Chris Leone. He is a dual citizen with the USA and Canada, Speaks Italian, bad Spanish and terrible French. Patrick is married to an amazing woman, his brother is Paul "Pizza" Pianezza a producer on the film, and has the world's greatest nephew. He lives in Long Beach, CA.Episode Sponsor:https://www.levels.com/

Rob Jamieson is a 30 year law enforcement veteran, police officer, Director of the Ontario Provincial Police Association and the author of "In pursuit of Mental Wellness". We discuss his journey in to policing, organised crime, protecting the indigenous populations, the allegations of corruption that almost destroyed his union, rebuilding trust and relationships, mental health and so much more.After joining the OPP in 1995, he began his career stationed in Southwestern Ontario in uniform patrol, eventually being seconded to the Biker Enforcement Unit. Rob then transferred to Central Ontario, taking on the role of Detective in the Nottawasaga/Dufferin Crime Unit. It was in this position that Rob began to experience the first-hand effects of sanctuary trauma. He was promoted to Platoon Sergeant team leader in 2008 and was then asked to join Professional Standards (internal affairs) in 2010.Rob saw first-hand the stressors that investigations had on police officers and, by extension, their families. In 2014, Rob joined the OPP Academy as a recruit instructor and on March 6, 2015, learned that the RCMP had executed a search warrant on the office of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, more commonly referred to as the Police Union, representing 6,200 non-commissioned officers and approximately 3,600 civilians in the OPP.Rob ran for the vacated position of President and CEO of the largest Canadian Police Association in Canada and, on November 30, 2015, was elected as the 20th President in the history of the OPPA. No one could imagine the depths of the challenges that lay ahead, but through leadership, teamwork, and determination, Rob led the OPPA team into a better future. While doing so, the organization was also dealing with a mental health crisis in the OPP, including several officer suicides. The Association’s response was the founding of a unique and comprehensive mental health program called Encompas.Since its launch on March 30, 2020, thousands of Association members and their families have received unprecedented quality of care. Encompas has saved lives, kept families together, kept officers and civilians of law enforcement in the workplace, and supported Association members with their return to work.Episode Sponsors:https://www.stationwise.com/https://transcendcompany.com/

Ryan Conley is a 10 year veteran of the fire service, Exercise Physiology graduate and the founder of Carna Bunker Gear. We discuss his journey into powerlifting, training the tactical athlete, firefighter fitness standards, rem0ving carcinogens from our gear, creating a safe bunker gear to train in, the work week and so much more.https://www.carnabunkergear.com/Episode Sponsor:https://www.levels.com/

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.

Dr. Blaine Lints is an applied physiologist, former Navy SEAL, and former professional triathlete whose research focuses on optimizing cognitive and physical performance in high-stakes operational settings. Blaine's dissertation work examined the physiological and cognitive effects of operational stressors such as thermal strain and physical exertion. His overarching goal is to generate research and communicate those findings to preserve and enhance operator performance and health.Episode Sponsor:https://www.stationwise.com/

Jeff Cool is an Air Force Veteran, FDNY Rescue Firefighter and Black Sunday Survivor. We discuss military firefighting, his journey into the FDNY, his haunting 9/11 story, the 178th Street fire, Joey DiBernardo's selfless heroism, Jeff's physical and emotional healing journey, psychedelics, lifesaving bail out systems and so much more.In January 2005, Joey DiBernardo responded to a tenement fire in the Bronx with Rescue 3. This day would come to be known as “Black Sunday” in FDNY history as three firefighters died that day in the line of duty. Due to illegal partitions and blocked fire escapes, Ladder Co. 27 and Rescue 3 became trapped on the top floor of this Bronx tenement. Surrounded by fire with no way out and running out of air, they were forced to jump out the rear windows to the yard five stories below. Tragically, two members of Ladder 27 died on impact and two others were critically injured. Jeff Cool of Rescue 3 was trapped at one window and Joey was trapped in the adjoining room.With fire blowing out over their heads, Jeff, who had his personal rope, heroically told Joey he had no place to tie off his rope but he would lower Joey. In response Joey yelled back to Jeff, “…I’m single, you have a wife and kids…throw me the rope, and I’ll lower you…” With only seconds left, Jeff threw Joey the rope, and Joey tied it around his arm, and Jeff leaped out the window. As Jeff swung out he lost control of the rope and landed in the alley below, critically injured. Joey then tied off on a child safety guard and went out the window as the room exploded in fire. Joey’s rope broke and he fell four stories to the recessed rear courtyard. He broke practically all the bones from his waist down and shattered both feet. In the hospital he suffered respiratory arrest and developed pneumonia, nearly dying twice while hospitalized.Joey’s long hospitalization was followed by a stay at a rehabilitation facility where he had to learn to walk again. During Joey’s extended recovery he was promoted to Lieutenant.Joey DiBernardo and the other survivors initiated a campaign for the issuance of personal life safety ropes for all members of FDNY and, as result of this fire, FDNY did reissue ropes to all its members. Joey and the other survivors regularly spoke out around the county for firefighters’ safety. Despite his injuries, Joey was a popular fire instructor.Joey DiBernardo continued to live in great pain every day of his life from all his injuries and passed away November 22, 2011 as a result of the injuries suffered on Black Sunday. He was recognized by the International Association of Firefighters for making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The DiBernardo family was presented with their Medal of Honor, and his name was inscribed on the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado.https://joeydfoundation.org/Episode Sponsors:https://transcendcompany.com/https://www.levels.com/

Ty Miller started his working career in the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment of the French Foreign Legion where, among other things, he used to jump out of airplanes and helicopters. Now, as a new Commercial IFR Helicopter Pilot working at Helijet International, his passion is to fly them. Previous to his flying career, Ty was an executive in the software industry with large and small analytics companies like SAP and Visier.Over his 23 year software career Ty led product management teams and advised on and implemented analytics solutions for both customers and partners. Ty holds a BS in Economics from Bentley University and dual MBA in International Business and MA in International Affairs degrees from The George Washington University. Ty lives with his wife Laura in Vancouver, BC, Canada.Episode Sponsor:https://www.stationwise.com/

Dr Stuart McGill is a world renowned authority on back health. We delve into a host of topics from removing the sit up in the Military's PT test to the correlation between sleep deprivation and musculo-skeletal injury.Dr. Stuart M. McGill is a “distinguished professor emeritus”, University of Waterloo, where he was a professor for 30 years. His laboratory and experimental research clinic investigated issues related to the causal mechanisms of back pain, how to rehabilitate back-pained people and enhance both injury resilience and performance. His advice is often sought by governments, corporations, legal experts, medical groups and elite athletes and teams from around the world.His work produced over 245 peer-reviewed scientific journal papers, several textbooks, and many international awards including the “Order of Canada” in 2020 for leadership in the back pain area. He mentored over 37 graduate students during this scientific journey.During this time he taught thousands of clinicians and practitioners in professional development and continuing education courses around the world.He continues as the Chief Scientific Officer for Backfitpro Inc. Difficult back cases, and elite performers, are regularly referred to him for consultation. Any product associated with this website has been tested in Dr. McGill’s laboratory.

Steve Gowin is an Army Veteran, retired SWAT operator and Crossfit coach. We discuss his journey into the military, horsemanship, fitness in law enforcement, leadership, coaching the youth athlete and so much more.Steve Gowin founded his goal-oriented counseling service, Targeted Motivational Engagement (TME), in 2015. Through TME, Steve has been able to address hundreds of children and adults on the topics of goal setting and personal improvement. Steve also works with sports teams and individual athletes to help develop the mental mindset needed to be successful in their sport.Steve spent six years in the U.S. Army in a light infantry unit as a combat engineer (Sapper). He served as a team leader and earned the rank of sergeant after two years. It was in that leadership role that Steve recognized his passion for helping individuals and groups reach their potential through action.Steve spent 24 yrs years in law enforcement, 19 of which were spent as a member of the King County Sheriff’s office SWAT team. He served as a team leader and was involved in planning and conducting numerous high-priority complex missions, as well as developing and writing current standard operating procedures for his team.Steve was an instructor for both the Washington State Sniper School, and for the Washington State’s Basic and Advanced SWAT school. Steve has taught, trained and competed with other teams both nationally and internationally. Currently, Steve is a consultant and instructor for the U.S. Department of State providing anti-terrorism training throughout the world.Steve lives on a cattle ranch in North Texas with his wife and two daughters.Steve is a firm believer in living what he teaches. You can follow Steve on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn under Targeted Motivational Engagement. There you can learn more about Steve and see that he truly believes what he talks about…he doesn’t just say it, he lives it.Episode Sponsor:www.levels.com