Behind The Shield

Michael Hawkes served in the British Military for 24 years with 12 years in 22 SAS (Including 6 years Covert operations). He spent 2 years as a military advisor to the British Secret Intelligence Services in London (MI5 for Covert operations). The last 22 years have been spent in corporate security operating out of Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Sudan, Libya and the last 6 years in West Africa.We discuss gymnastics, his journey into the military, Northern Ireland, the Falklands War, serving with the Special Forces, his transition story, school safety, farm security, armed policing in the UK and so much more. https://www.hawkesandco.uk/

Gwen Grimes is a former firefighter, paramedic and law enforcement officer as well as the winner of the TV show "Naked and Afraid". We discuss how outdoorsmanship forged resilience as a child, the unique challengers for first responders in remote communties, the proactive nature of policing, the driver who ended her career, her powerful mental health story, competing in reality television, creating a wilderness retreat and so much more.

Denise Olsen is a nurse, yoga teacher and the widow of Jeff Olsen, one of the 343 firefighters killed on 9/11. We discuss her entry into healthcare, the genesis of their romance, protecting the WTC, the ripple effect of the attacks, grief, healthy coping mechanisms, growing from trauma, the importance of movement and so much more.On the eve of Sept 11, 2001 my husband kissed me goodbye, left for work at his firehouse in downtown Manhattan and I never saw him again. He left behind 3 small children and made me a 32 year old widow. I felt as if my life came to a complete stop. Not living, not dead. Learning how to navigate this new life was difficult, to say the least.The journey over the past 20+ years has been nothing short of miraculous. When we experience a tremendous loss or trauma, the grief is all encompassing. Trying to find your way out is similar to climbing a mountain. It certainly helps to have an experienced guide. I didn't have anyone nearby who had walked in my shoes. The internet was just beginning to pick up momentum so virtual groups were not popular. My husband was a lover of quotes and one day while going through one of his notebooks (just so I wouldn't forget his handwriting) I found a quote scribbled across the page-”Know Thyself”. It felt like a brick hit me in the head. This was it. Digging my way out of this pile of shit named “Grief” wasn't about getting over him. It was about finding myself. I learned mostly through trial and error.(Lots of error) The closer I came to my own truth, the clearer everything became. I was able to see how my entire life was a series of moments that gave me the tools to survive what was the most debilitating pain I had ever felt. https://denise-olsen.com/

Rudy Reyes is an American conservationist, martial arts instructor, actor, and Recon Marine. He is best known for portraying himself in the HBO TV miniseries Generation Kill. In this second conversation we discuss the suicide epidemic, courageous vulnerability, the importance of tribe, hormonal disruption, peptides, emotional TCCC and so much more.Rudy was born in 1971 on Richard’s Gebauer Air Base in Missouri while his father, a US Marine, was fighting in Vietnam. His parents had 2 other sons, all three boys a little over a year apart. After his parents' divorce in 1975, and with his mother unable to look after the boys, Rudy and his brothers were moved around Texas staying with various relatives before eventually settling with his grandmother. Sadly, four years later both grandparents passed away within the same year, leading to Rudy (then aged 7) and his brothers drifting throughout the mid-west, to eventually (at age 11) be saved by the Omaha Home for Boys. Rudy and his brothers would remain at the boys’ home until age 17, when Rudy would then emancipate himself and take formal custody of his brothers by the age of 18.During his younger years (age 11 throughout his youth), Rudy began competing in wrestling and football, as well as developed a deep affection for comic books and heroes. At the age of 18, he then began to study martial arts, training in Kung-Fu, eventually winning the title of International Jing Woo Martial Art College Champion, multiple times. In sum, his martial art achievements are over 20 medals, 14 of which were gold. He worked various jobs, from construction to table bussing, while simultaneously training as a kickboxer, in an effort to provide stability and discipline for himself and his brothers (who he also got into kickboxing.)In 1998, Rudy found himself watching a film covering orphans in Kosovo who’s parents were killed by their own countries snipers. Rudy, at the age of 26, was so compelled to do something to help, decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corps (USMC).Military CareerRudy enlisted in the USMC as a infantryman, and graduated as the honour grad and iron man of Boot Camp and School of Infantry. Rudy, due to his merit and initiative, was granted an opportunity to try out for Recon. The Reconnaissance Marine Community is 300 strong, between 5 units, making it the most prestigious and difficult group in a Marine Corps of 300,000. A group that no man may sign up to join but must be invited and prove their worthiness to earn the title of a United States Recon Marine.After being a special forces operator for three years, during which Rudy became a “schooled-out“ (paratrooper, combat diver, demolitions expert, scout sniper, closed quarter combatant, and SERE trained) Recon Marine, Rudy was called for his first combat reconnaissance mission in 2001 in Pakistan – a preparation mission for USA's Special Ops insertion to Afghanistan. Once the war officially started, his team ran operations that located and destroyed Al Qaeda within Afghanistan. In 2003, Rudy’s dear friend and senior Recon mentor was killed. Later in combat, his team leader was wounded in a horrendous night-time ambush, which lead to Rudy leading his four man team after cas-evac (casualty evacuation), through Baghdad to the Syrian Border and back. These events are what the HBO series Generation Kill was based on, telling their story of the Invasion of Iraq. His last active combat was in The Battle of Fallujah and Ramadi in Iraq in 2004, where he served as Senior Team Leader of his platoon. It was a brutal fight that took the lives, and limbs, of some of his most beloved comrades.

After eight years interviewing the greatest minds in wellness, I decided to record a live Q&A on how to transition to the 24/72 firefighter shift schedule. In this episode, I discuss the immense physical and mental health costs caused by sleep deprivation, the false economy of breaking our first responders, the cost savings of a shorter work week, how to solve the current recruitment crisis and so much more.Podcast Video: https://www.youtube.com/live/nn3PX3Qtq3o?si=oTvbOwQVB6gICGOcHere are the podcast episodes of the true subject matter experts that I reference in the podcast:Departments that have made the change:Chief Hugh Bruder - Episode 854Dixon Philips - Episode 879Matthew Harrison/Brian O'Connell - Episode 942Military Sleep Science Experts:Dr Allison Brager (Army) - Episode 117Rachel Markwald (Navy) - Episode - 196Capt. John Cordle (Navy) - Episode 389Dr Kirk Parsley (Navy Special Warfare) - Episode 6Lt Col. Jannell MacCaulay (Air Force) - Episode 175Dr Sara Jahnke (Firefighter Health Researcher) - Episode 928Dr Stuart McGill (Injuy and Performance) - Episode 95Prof. Russell Foster (Circadian Neuroscience) - Episode 647Rob Bilot (PFAS) - Episode 631The Firefigher Resilience Blue Sky Project:https://www.ihmc.us/BlueSky/20231107BlueSkyFirefighter.pdfWellness Solutions Mentioned:Transcend - https://transcendcompany.com/schedule-a-consultation/?ls=BehindtheShieldFoundation Training - https://www.foundationtraining.com/One More Light: Life, Death and Humanity Through the Eyes of a Firefighter -https://www.amazon.com/One-More-Light-Humanity-Firefighter/dp/1735586803/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

JP McMichael is a law enforcement veteran, professional wrestler, MMA fighter and the man behind "Catalyst of Change". We discuss his journey into policing, responding to the Pentagon on 9/11, the kindness of 9/12, his powerful mental health journey, suicide, Operation Enduring Warrior, the Strugglewell program and so much more.J.P. is a veteran First Responder of 20+ years. A responder to the Pentagon on the morning of September 11, 2001, J.P. was later diagnosed with PTSD and in 2003 almost ended is life. Now the owner of Catalyst of Change Associates LLC, a former wrestler and competitve MMA fighter unitl he broke his neck in 2012, J.P. now shares his journey and lessons learned around the world, virtually and on the pages of his books. J.P. has authored three childrens books and is currently working on two adult books, one on the Americans with Disabilites Act in Corrections and Law Enforcement and the other on his Journey and lessons learned form those whose path he has intersected with along the way. J.P. bring the engergy and excitement you would expect from a performer and fighter to the stage and keeps his audiences on the edge of their seats. J.P. Can be reached through his website at www.CatalystofChangeAssociates.com and will soon be seen weekly on his web show The Wayward Path of the Warrior.

Timea Nagy is Human Trafficking survivor turned author and victim advocate. We discuss her early life in Hungary, human trafficking myths, how predators target the vulnerable, using fear as a restraint, DeliverFund and much more.Human trafficking survivor, author, speaker, and social advocate Timea Nagy immigrated to Canada in 1998. Her nightmare unfolded in Toronto that same year after arriving from Budapest, Hungary in the hopes of finding meaningful employment. The daughter of a Hungarian police woman, Timea was held in a cheap motel at the hands of traffickers and forced to work in the sex industry. ​ Ten years later, Ms. Nagy founded ‘Walk with Me’, a non-profit organization to assist victims of human trafficking and law enforcement agencies. ​ ​ ​In 2015, Ms. Nagy closed down her agency: ‘Walk with Me’, a non-profit organization to assist victims of human trafficking and law enforcement agencies due to ongoing financial struggles. As a result she started Canada's first FOR PROFIT Corporation, Timea's Cause Inc. A Social Enterprise to create her own funding and work with victims of Human Trafficking in North America.

Craig Weller is a former USN SWCC (Special Warfare Combatant Crewman) and the co-founder of "Building the Elite". We discuss his journey into the military, fighting extremism in the Phillippines, his transition story, training the tactical athete, sleep and performance, injury prevention, his incredible book and so much more.He is also certified under the Department of State’s Worldwide Personal Protective Service-2, and spent nearly two years on the High-Threat Protection team for the U.S. Ambassador to Baghdad in Iraq. In Special Operations and in subsequent private deployments, Craig held a variety of instructional and diplomatic security roles in locations including Kenya, the Philippines, Central America, South Sudan, and Iraq.

Robb Milano is 30 year veteran of the Fire Service. He is currently the Division Chief of EMS for the Vancouver (WA) Fire Department. We discuss his journey into the fire service, the impact addiction had on his family, the progressive solutions his department has in place to combat the opiod crisis, the innovative 911 Telehealth integration they've employed to reduce non-emergent calls, leadership, shift work and so much more.He has had the privilege of serving in multiple departments as a high school fire explorer, volunteer firefighter, career firefighter, Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief and Division Chief. This journey has afforded him the opportunity to gain multiple experiences and education. In his home life, he and his wife have blended four bio kids and foster/adopted four additional kids. The trauma from addiction in all of their kids lives has led his passion to battle the opioid crisis in his local community thru innovations of leave behind narcan and medication assisted treatments in the field. As the EMS Chief of an urban fire department he has worked to find alternatives to lower acuity medical calls thru response changes, BLS ambulance response and nurse navigation / tele health at the 911 dispatch center. Thus allowing ALS resources to be available for life critical calls. Thru these innovations his department has ALS treatment and transport within 9mins 90% of the time.

Travis Gribble is a 24 year veteran of Law Enforcement, SWAT commander and the man behind "My Arena" We discuss his journey into policing, fitness standards, his officer involved shooting, the child abuse call that almost broke him, the damage a mismatched counselor can do, his healing journey, the Strugglewell program and so much more. My name is Travis Gribble and I am a retired 24 year law enforcement veteran. I spent 11 years in Michigan where I worked as a deputy, deputy sergeant, and SWAT team commander. In 2008 I made a lateral move to Mesa Police Department in Arizona. Mesa is a city of 520,000 and 850 sworn police officers. In Mesa I worked as a patrol officer, patrol sergeant, SWAT assistant teamleader, and SWAT sergeant team leader. During the course of my career I was a part of countless critical incidents and I always thought none of the calls were affecting me. In 2016 I experienced what I now know to be a life-changing call. For five years after the call I never sought appropriate help and I was slowly self-destructing within. As the years and calls went by my cup was reaching capacity and in 2021 I was brought to my knees. Thankfully I was put in touch with a therapist who specializes in first responder care and I began the journey of healing.It was then I learned to live life in a much better way, but due to the extent of the trauma I decided I would seek retirement. In 2022 I was awarded a post-traumatic stress injury retirement and my current journey began. Only one short month after my retirement and through unplanned circumstances, I was given the opportunity to share my story with a leadership group of SWAT operators. The response to my raw story while sharing lessons learned by me and my agency was nothing short of amazing. From that day forward I continued sharing my story on podcasts, at law enforcement conferences, for first responder organizations and through a social media platform. This path has now turned into creating a community and advocating for first responders mental health well-being. I have created the organization “My Arena” where we are dedicated to provide training for individual first responders, their families, and agencies. This community will stand for one very specific concept: you’re not alone! I am working with like-minded organizations and providers to smash the stigma of getting help while providing a landing spot for those who need to see they are not alone. I now live in the mountains of Montana with my wife Emily where we are establishing roots and chasing our dreams.

Tom Eberhardt is a Senior Adviser for the Norwegian Correctional Service (KDI) and Amend Norwegian Director. He was educated at the Correctional Service of Norway Staff Academy as a prison officer and has higher education in economics and crisis management. Tom worked 26 years in different prisons in Norway and held several management positions. Tom was the Warden at Bastøy Prison for six years. Since February 2020, he has worked full time for Amend.We talk crime, guns, healthcare, prison models and much more.

Dr. Casas is a Clinical and Police and Public Safety Psychologist in the State of Nevada. She also holds a PSYPACT Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Psychology license that allows for the practice of virtual practice in 32 additional states. We discuss her experience in EMT school, clinical psychology, first responder mental health, entrance testing, dispatchers, retirees and so much more.Dr. Jena Casas, Ph.D. is a Licensed Clinical and Police and Public Safety Psychologist who owns and operates a private practice in Northern Nevada. She holds a master's degree in Criminal Justice and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno, and is a certified emergency responder and public safety clinician. She specializes in providing mental health services to first responders and their families and organizational consultation to agencies interested in developing wellness programming for their staff. Dr. Casas is an accomplished researcher, having published dozens of peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on topics related to the intersection of culture, psychology, and law; her most recent publications are related to the mental health of first responders. Dr. Casas is also a member of key organizations for providers that practice in police and public safety psychology, including APA’s division 18, the IACP psychological services section, the national sheriffs association, and the society for police and criminal psychology.

Ryan Munsey is the author of best selling book F*ck Your Feelings and co-founder of The Better Human Project, Ryan Munsey is a sought-after thought leader who specializes in high performance and the development of both individuals and organizations. An athlete and avid outdoorsman, Ryan personally coaches Olympic and professional athletes, Special Forces Operators, Hollywood celebrities, and leading entrepreneurs and C-Level executives while speaking and hosting leadership workshops around the world.Hassan Kamel is the Lead Consultant at OKA, Hassan is a thought leader and Certification-level Trainer and coach with extensive experience in leadership development, experiential learning, and teambuilding, who specializes in resilience and grit of both individuals and teams. Hassan personally coaches C-Suite executives, military personnel, and first responders. Additionally, Hassan is a sought-after public speaker and Master Trainer on a variety of industry-leading psychometric tools and assessments.We discuss a spectrum of topics from their Emotional Resilience program to leadership in the first responder professions and everything in between.

Rob Cefoli is a 20 year veteran of FDNY, their Director of Health and Fitness and the Co-Founder of FYR Tribe. We discuss his journey into the fire service, training the tactical athlete, sleep deprivation, some notable calls, his powerful mental health story, releasing trauma from the body, his non-profit and so much more.Robert CefoliDirector of Health and Fitness FDNYI’m a married father of 4. I have 3 boys (4-9months) and 1 daughter (12).I am currently a 20-year member with the FDNY and hold the rank of Captain. I am the company commander for Engine 211. Additionally, I have been a member of the FDNY Health and Fitness Unit since 2018. I assumed the role of Director for the Health & Fitness Unit in January 2020.The Director oversees the Physical Training of Candidates in the Fitness Awareness Program as well as the Probationary Firefighters in the Fire Academy. The training programs, new initiatives and counseling of active members all fall under the Health and Fitness Units task list. I work with the Bureau of Health Services, the Office of Professional Development and the Legal Dept regarding strategy and the use of data in relation to incumbent standards and testing.In the private sector, my 20+ year experience in the physical fitness training of different populations has helped me introduce and execute new initiatives within the Health and Fitness Unit. To name a few; the trauma release exercise workshops, corrective exercise techniques and cardiovascular protocols.I am among a select few FDNY Health & Fitness Unit officers who have been personally trained by the founder of TRE, Dr. David Berceli to become global and Agency TRE providers. We, as FDNY representatives, are the first agency to be trained and as such we are working intimately with the TRE foundation to co-create a curriculum for other fire service agencies. Our workshop, which also includes postural reintegration and cardiovascular protocols for current members, is in high demand due to it's positive reviews. We have also created 'TRE Aware', which is a level of certification that includes 3 guided TRE sessions in Probationary Firefighter school and the Fire Cadet academy.IAFF WFI- Recently added to the task force to update the next Wellness-Fitness Initiative Manual as Subject Matter Expert for the FDNYCO-Founder of Fyr TribeNot for Profit started to address the mental health and physical health challenges faced by first responders. We are currently starting our mission by providing our workshops to our own retirees of Fire/EMS. We see a large gap in support and our bottom up method is something unique and works well within our population.@fyr_tribeFyrtribe.org

Pete began his career in Search and Rescue for San Miguel County in 2009. He joined San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office in Corrections and Communications/Dispatch in 2013, then Patrol in 2014. He transferred to Garfield County Sheriff’s Office in 2016 where he worked in Patrol, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Field Training Officer and Firearms Instructor. Pete left law enforcement in 2020, after receiving a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. Pete utilized the methods he teaches now to heal his own injuries.Pete is the founder of the ASM Foundation which addresses stress and allostatic load through hollistic practices.https://asmfoundation.com/

Jules and Gédéon Naudet are the French brothers behind the documentaries 9/11, November 13 and Notre Dame to name a few. We discuss their childhood in Paris, studying film in NYU, what took them to the FDNY, their accounts of September 11, the heroism at the 2015 Paris attacks, saving Paris' most treasured landmark and so much more.

Sonya McVay is a movement therapist and the woman behind The Six. We discuss childhood trauma, her journey into pilates, trauma release, woking with Formula 1 Drivers, performance vs pain, injury rehabilitation, manual therapy in the first responder communites and so much more.Sonya McVay-Straub, MP, is a certified ART (Active Release Techniques), NKT (NeuroKinetic Therapy), AiM (Anatomy in Motion), PMT (Performance Movement Taping by RockTape), KABUKI integrated Power Lifting, and ICT (Integrated Cranial Therapy) provider. She is also a certified master Pilates Instructor and a PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) and NKT credentialing author and continuing education provider. ART is a clinical soft tissue therapy system used to treat pathologies and/or movement restriction with muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves.Alongside manual therapy, she specializes in Neuro-Gate, functional/movement assessment, sports injuries, spinal pathologies, "special-populations" and post-treatment exercise. Her practice combines multiple methods and provides incredible results. Her clients include internationally competitive athletes (Ferrari's Racing team), professional baseball players, both pro golfers and tennis players, triathletes, cyclists, PTSD patients, competitive marathoners, UFC fighters, IronMan/ToughMudder and Spartan athletes, avid and competitive CrossFitters, Olympic lifters, business executives, chronic pain patients, senior citizens, and youth. Sonya has personally treated hundreds of First Responders and Military Personnel over the last ten years. It is her life’s mission to demand NFL quality health care to these populations.

Frank Larkin is a former Navy SEAL, police officer, flight medic, Secret Service Agent and current firefighter. Frank lost his son, Ryan to suicide and has been a powerful voice in the military and first responders mental health and TBI conversation. We discuss his journey into the military, pre 9/11 SEAL training, some career calls, CTE and suicide, working though grief, sleep deprivation, institutional bretrayal and so much more. Frank Larkin is a national advocate for veteran suicide prevention and traumatic brain injury research relative to military blast exposure and “invisible wounds”. He currently serves as chief operating officer for the Troop’s First Foundation, leading the National Warrior Call Day initiative. He is a board member for Cohen Veterans Bioscience, a non-profit research organization, along with being an active supporter of the Navy SEAL Foundation.Frank was the 40th United States Senate Sergeant at Arms. As chief law enforcement and executive officer of the Senate, the Sergeant at Arms enforces rules of the Senate; provides a range of technical and administrative services to Senators in their Washington D.C., and state offices; and maintains security in the Capitol and Senate office buildings. He had direct oversight of the US Capitol Police Department, a 2200-member agency, and led numerous national security events.Frank was a member of the federal Senior Executive Service for almost 15 years, serving as both the Acting Director and the Vice Director of Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) and Director of the Counter IED Operations-Intelligence Integration Center (COIC) within the Department of Defense. He led the integration of technical capabilities, information analysis and human resources against the global IED threat and terror networks.Frank served for more than two decades as a special agent and senior leader in the United States Secret Service (USSS). He conducted complex criminal investigations and protected four US presidents, until his retirement as the Deputy Assistant Director for Protective Research and the agency’s Chief Technology Officer.In the private sector, Frank continued to support the defense and intelligence communities. He recently was the vice president for Corporate Development at SAP National Security Services. In the past, he was the Director for Program Management & Leadership for the Raytheon Company and Senior Program Manager at Lockheed Martin’s Defense & Intelligence Solutions.A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Frank served as a special warfare operator in the Navy SEALs. After his military service, he was a uniformed patrol officer with the Norristown (PA) Police Department, a homicide detective with the Montgomery County (PA) District Attorney’s Office, and a Maryland State Trooper-Flight Paramedic. He has been a nationally licensed paramedic for 40 years and still serves Maryland as a firefighter-paramedic for the City of Annapolis Fire Department.Frank holds a BA degree in criminal justice and a MS degree in public administration from Villanova University. He is the recipient of numerous awards, to include the USSS Valor award, the Department of the Army’s Exceptional Civilian Service award and the Superior Civilian Service award.

Don Campbell is a District Chief, 23 year veteran of Gainesville Fire Rescue and a member of Florida Task Force 8. He has instructed at the Florida State Fire College for 18 years and is a Florida Smoke Diver. We discuss growing up with a firefighter father, his own journey into the fire service, the Smoke Diver Program, firefighter fitness, leadership, Gainesville's pioneering switch to the 24/72, USAR deployments, his deep faith and so much more.

Greg Yacoubian is a 26 year veteran of LAPD and a Litigation Attorney who has become a champion for first responders still being terminated over vaccine mandates. We discuss his family's immigration story, his journey into policing, the Rampart Scandal, the LA Riots, drug prohibition, government overreach, cowardice in leadership and so much more.Greg Yacoubian and his wife, Sue, have three grown daughters. Greg has worked in law enforcement since 1985. Before retiring as a police lieutenant, Greg worked a variety of assignments including Homicide, Hollywood Vice, Police Academy instructor, CRASH (Gangs) supervisor, Anti-Terrorist Division, and Narcotics Division (Majors). Greg also obtained two college degrees and a Juris Doctor degree while working as a police officer. Greg served several years as an adjunct law instructor after passing the California Bar Exam. Greg is now a practicing litigation attorney and reserve police officer, and he continues to serve as an instructor for California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST). Greg’s law practice focuses on defending police officers and other public servants. Greg has been sought out by various prosecutors, defense attorneys, and media entities as a police practices consultant and witness for matters in California and other states. Greg’s passion is, by God’s grace, to that ensure that Truth is protected in every matter he handles.

Dr Sean Rockett is the Head Orthopedic Surgeon for the Crossfit Games and a lifelong athlete. In this second conversation, we discuss the impact of the pandemic on gyms, firefighter cancer, saving Emily Rolfe's arm, aging and exercise, Workman's Comp, rehabiliting the injured tactical athlete and so much more.Dr. Rockett has been with Orthopedics New England since 1999 and is the senior partner. A native of Brookline, Dr. Rockett received his bachelor of arts degree in biology from Harvard University. Following that, he completed his medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston and his internship in general surgery from Tufts Medical Center. From there, Dr. Rockett finished his residency in orthopaedic surgery from the same institution.In addition to his clinical and surgical duties at Orthopedics New England, Dr. Rockett serves as Assistant Clinical Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. He has been a coach for the Wellesley football, baseball, softball, and soccer youth teams. When he’s not seeing patients or teaching students, Dr. Rockett’s outside interests include art history, ancient Greece and Rome, and spy novels. Since 2012, Dr. Rockett enjoys being the Head Orthopedic Surgeon for the CrossFit® Games. Additionally, he is a triathlete and CrossFit® Level 2 Certified. He is the author of the injury prevention website for athletes called: 321gomd.com.

The Goode Show is hosted by Surinder Goode, a military spouse who has experienced 14 deployments over 25 years. Her husband served 30 years as a Navy SEAL in Coronado before retiring as a CMC. We discuss her childhood in England, her journey to the airline industry, opening coffee shops on Coronado, how some military families are living below the poverty line, racism, rugby and much more.Surinder is an entrepreneur with work experience in the U.K., the Middle East and theUnited States. Born in England at a young age the family decided to move to Scotland. After graduating college she moved to the Middle East, working as a flight attendant on commercial and private flights. It was in 1998 while visiting a friend in Coronado, CA that she met her future husband who was active duty.‘I had no idea what the life of a military spouse looked like, I wasn’t briefed on what I should expect, or how to overcome the new challenges that are a part of this lifestyle. The saying is true…If only I knew then, what I know now.”

Ethan Suplee has starred in a spectrum of film and television roles including "My name is Earl", "American History X" and "Remember the Titans". We discuss childhood obesity, eating disorders, the Tour de France, his weight loss journey, self experimentation, weight training, racism and much more.

Tina Guiler is a veteran firefighter, head of the FFF page and creator of the Female Firefighter Plush Dolls. We discuss her journey into the fire service, diversity through mentorship, her cancer recovery story, mental health, inspiring young women, entrepreneurship and so much more."I am a Lieutenant for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) in Miami, Florida, in the US.I started my career in 1999 as a Firefighter and became a Paramedic within 3 years. I later earned Driver engineer and for the past 20 years I have served as a Lieutenant.I have an Associates in Science degree. I am a state certified Fire Inspector.I am an active member of our Departments Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM).After 18 years in operations,I obtained the bid position of a Lieutenant Fire Inspector for my Fire Department.I am also the Owner and CEO ofTriple F- Fierce Female Firefighters.Triple F started off as a private group page on Facebook for women in the fire service. This was started in 2013, to create a platform for women to be able to reach out for support, advice, and encouragement and to help navigate the different obstacles women may face in the fire service.We now have over 7,200 female firefighters from 58 different countries.Due to our unique and popular female firefighter logos, I started a company called, Triple F- Fierce Female Firefighters. We have many different items such as t-shirts, decals and challenge coins designed for women in the fire service. I also created a female firefighter plush doll for kids. We have three different girls and our logos are on these dolls. They come with removable gear just like a real firefighter. I wanted to show little girls they can be anything, even a firefighter."

Christina is an author, TEDx speaker, and perpetual question-asker. She grew up in a conservative, Christian home and earned a degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Christian Ministry from Belhaven University.As a young adult, Christina assumed she had a solid understanding of how the world works. That changed when she and her husband became foster parents in 2014. The neat bow she had tied around her mental box of how the world works began to unravel.What had previously been a category of people in her mind, people addicted to drugs, now had a name, face, and an infant son sleeping in the extra bedroom down the hall. Her foster care experience gave her an up-close look at the realities of addiction, drug use, and the far-reaching impact of our drug laws.This became the catalyst for months of reading, questions, and listening as she tried to reconcile her beliefs as a Christian with the pain and suffering she saw first-hand. What she learned changed her mind. The laws she thought were the answer to keep people from using drugs she now saw as causing more harm than help to people made in God’s image. Christina founded End It For Good out of her desire to invite others to listen to the voices directly impacted by our drug laws. She hopes that more people will explore the root causes of drug-related harm and consider a different approach. She wrote the book Curious: A Foster Mom's Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs and Addiction to share her story and the research and experiences that changed her mind about the best path forward to help people thrive, even in a world where harmful drugs exist Christina is married to her college sweetheart Thomas, and they live in Ridgeland, MS, with their three sons. On the weekends, you can find her biking, in a hammock reading a biography, or playing board games with the family.

Daniel Corbett III served as an elite Navy SEAL operator, part of SEAL Teams 5, 6, and 17. He’s now an ex-military operator for hire. He joined the navy shortly after graduating high school in 2002 and was deployed to Iraq in the summer of 2005 with SEAL Team 5. He joined SEAL Team 6 in 2007, deploying to various locations around the world. In 2010, Daniel returned to the West Coast and began instructing at the Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command (NSWBTC). Daniel ended his active-duty career after two years with NSWBTC and quickly fell into the world of private military contracting. Daniel joined the active reserves in 2014 and maintained his active reserve status until 2019. In 2017, Daniel made international news when he was thrown in jail in Belgrade, Serbia, for eighteen months after traveling there as a private contractor to track a terrorist financier. Daniel still monitors international news and continues to entertain phone calls and meetings with those who need unique solutions to unique problems.Daniel is also the author of "American Mercenary".

Marcus Waugh is the World's Strongest Firefighter and Ohio's Strongest Man. We discuss college football, his journey into law enforcement, his experience in the jails, powerlifting, his path into the fire service, strongman competition, training the tactical athlete, fitness standards, the firefighter marriage, the powerful spiritual experience that bolstered his faith and so much more.

Alex Douglass was an 11 year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police when his station was ambushed by a psychotic gunman. His brother trooper Bryon DIckson was murdered and Alex suffered near fatal wounds.We discuss his journey into law enforcement, the horrendous attack, the manhunt that followed, his mental health journey, the decision to amputate his leg, Operation Enduring Warrior, the healing power of community and so much more.

Josh Brolin is a former wildland firefighter, actor and the author of his upcoming book "From Under the Truck" . In this second interview, we discuss social media, fame, family, kindness, trolls, adventure, writing and so much more.

Amanda Testa is a Sex, Love and Relationship Coach and the founder of Find Your Feminine Fire. We discuss the impact of childhood on sexuality, how open conversation improves your childrens' safety, body dysmorphia, tantric sex, the negative impact of porn, sex and marriage and so much more."Something I often see in working with busy women as a Sex and Relationship Coach is that on the outside it may appear they are thriving, but inside they really struggle with balancing the passion they have for their work, with the passion they have for their partners, much less themselves.They’re busy all day. Taking care of everyone else’s needs… their family, their business, and then, very last on the list becomes their relationship with their partner. And their own desires? Often not even on the page.They struggle because they feel disconnected, and they’re really missing that connection, that deep connection that they had at one time in their intimate relationship.After burning both ends of the candle all day long, they come home and pretend to be asleep when their partner comes to bed because they don’t want to have sex… or worse, they don’t want to get into an argument about why they’re not having sex.There’s nothing worse than the feeling being extremely alone and disconnected when there is a warm body lying right next to you in bed. The good news is that life absolutely doesn’t have to be this way.And I know this is true because I was that woman.A woman feeling so disconnected, waking up in the morning, super resentful before my day even began, lashing out at my poor little family because I was just miserable inside and I thought I was doing all the right things for myself. I was working out, I was involved in the community, I was doing all these things, but something deep was missing.I remember one snowy morning stumbling into the bathroom and looking in the mirror, thinking who IS this woman looking back at me? I had no connection with her at all. I promised myself I would do whatever it took to find her again. I would follow whatever crumbs came my way.Thankfully I stumbled upon The Tantric Institute For Integrated Sexuality, that taught me how to connect with myself, how to communicate, how to have amazing intimacy, and it became my life’s work to help others in this way.It was like I had come back from the dead.I felt alive again.Feeling that joy of waking up with energy and excitement for my day. I had forgotten what that was like.I just remember after doing this work, I thought to myself, WHY?? Why haven’t women been taught these tools?! We’re never taught about how to have relationships. We’re not taught about how to have amazing sex and thankfully, these are learned skills (and the education we do have is so fear and shame-based so it’s no wonder we have issues.)I decided at that moment to make it my life’s mission to help women turn things around, and that is why I created my signature Feminine Fire Method.I believe deep in my soul is that sexuality is the missing key in personal growth and development. I believe your sexuality and sexual energy fuels your creativity, confidence, and power. It is a vital part of your holistic health and vitality.When women own their sexual power their pleasure and creativity flourish. Their confidence and body image soar.Their relationships deepen.And when you can connect to that power and yourself as a woman, it’s life-changing.

Chuck DeSmith is a 35 year veteran of the fire service and the Deputy Fire Chief at Renton Regional Fire Authority. We discuss his early life, his journey into the fire service, the evolution of Fire/EMS, 911 abuse, the recruitment crisis, sleep deprivation, peer support and much more.

David Vaux began his career working as a London Firefighter, serving for 15 years on fire rescue operations and as physical education officer until he suffered a career ending injury. He subsequently retrained as an Osteopath and threw himself into the world of academia. He successfully applied strength and movement research to his own rehabilitation from long-term pain and disability.As one of the UK’s leading Osteopaths, David uses his lived and clinical experience to provide injury prevention and conditioning advice within the performing arts and international sports. In addition to this, David provides strategic advice on therapy and exercise for a UK arthritis charity. He is an authority on older age strength and resilience, providing his expertise to healthy ageing projects for the government, private, and third-party sectors.David is a vocal advocate for breaking down barriers to strength focused activity in middle age and promoting strength as a reservoir on which our later life health relies. David’s new rescue mission is the democratisation of strength for all, in the fight for optimal immunity, independent aging and resilience for an aging population.He is a regular contributor to magazines, journals and podcasts that focus on achieving strength and fitness in older age, the prevention of frailty and how to train optimally in middle age. STRONGER: HOW TO BUILD STRENGTH: THE SECRET TO A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE was published by Short Books, an imprint of Hachette, in March 2024.Bringing together the latest scientific research to explain why strength training in mid-life is the simplest and cheapest thing people is can do to transform their bodies, STRONGER provides a 10-step strength training plan readers can tailor to their own needs, and a clear roadmap to follow.

Clint Malarchuk is an NHL veteran as both a goalie and coach, author and mental health advocate. Clint cheated death three times, one notoriously when he almost bled out on the ice after taking a skate to the neck. We discuss his childhood mental health challenges, outworking the competition, OCD, addiction, suicide, EMDR, recovery, post traumatic growth and much more.Hockey is notorious for its rough play even among a long list of contact sports, and the life of a professional athlete is demanding even at the best of times. For over a decade Clint was a National and International Hockey League goaltender, making his debut at just twenty years old. In 1989 he suffered a cut to his jugular vein from the blade of another player’s skate. Just ten days later Clint was back on the ice, continuing to play the game he loved while suffering from undiagnosed PTSD. After years of overcoming mental illness and surviving a suicide attempt, Clint is a mental health advocate dedicated to erasing the stigma surrounding mental health and sharing his story to help those who need hope and a voice. Clint was born in Alberta Canada, where he played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League. He then went on to play professionally in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Quebec Nordiques, Washington Capitals, and Buffalo Sabres, and in the International Hockey League (IHL) for the San Diego Gulls and Las Vegas Thunder. After retiring as a player, he went on to serve as both head coach and goaltending coach for several teams. Throughout the decades he dedicated to the game, he was awarded the Punch Imlack Award and was inducted into the New York Hockey Hall of Fame.After recovering from his suicide attempt, Clint turned to public speaking, shining a light on mental illness. He has spoken at a Canadian Mental Health Association meeting and the International OCD Foundation conference in Boston, MA. In 2014 he released his book The Crazy Game - How I Survived the Crease and Beyond, which talks about OCD, alcoholism recovery, trauma, and suicide prevention. He now resides in Carson Valley, Nevada, where he lives on his ranch and practices equine dentistry.Clints story is singular, showing not only the trauma that rises from a life-threatening injury but also the relentless strength of one individual to face mental illness and help others do the same. As a mental health advocate and renowned public speaker, Clint tells his heartfelt life story, discussing his battles with mental illness and the stigma that those who suffer it face. He focuses on motivating people to keep fighting, speaking to the importance of team building, goal setting, personal development, and leadership.

Peter J. Forcelli is a recently retired Deputy Assistant Director of the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), where he served as head of training. Before becoming a Special Agent for the ATF in 2001, Forcelli was a NYPD homicide detective and survivor of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Forcelli became widely known as a whistleblower for the highly publicized Operation Fast and Furious scandal. He suffered retaliation at the hands of highly placed individuals in the Department of Justice for shining a light on their mistakes, but ultimately prevailed in seeking justice in a settlement through a lawsuit he filed with the United States Office of Special Counsel.Forcelli is a respected investigator noted for developing complex criminal investigations targeting armed gangs and criminal organizations. He has made over one thousand arrests and has served over three hundred search warrants. He is well regarded by those who have worked with him for his unwavering commitment to what he calls “investigative excellence.” His work in the investigation into the Neese Bello Organization led to members of the group pleading guilty to over 145 home-invasion-style robberies. Still, Forcelli is best known for his efforts to fight for justice in instances where he has uncovered injustice. He has been involved in the exoneration of eight people who were wrongfully arrested and convicted in the Bronx, New York, for murders they did not commit.Forcelli is also a cancer survivor—he developed lung cancer from the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. He is a recurring guest speaker at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.

Thaer Ahmad, MD is a board certified emergency medicine physician in Chicago. Dr. Ahmad is the assistant program director for the emergency medicine residency program at Advocate Christ Medical Center. He also serves as the global health director and medical ethics director for the emergency department at Advocate Christ. Dr. Ahmad is a clinical assistant professor at the university of Illinois at Chicago and a board member for MedGlobal, a medical humanitarian NGO that works at building healthcare capacity at reducing health inequities globally.In this second conversation, we discuss the harrowing dispatch tapes from the attempted rescue of Hind Rajab, how divisive American politics have forced polarisation on Gaza, the deliberate blocking of both aid workers and humanitarian relief, the starvation and violence that continues to claim young lives, how a ceasefire can prevent the US being dragged into additional wars and so much more.

Brandon Harding is the man behind the incredibly successful “Veterans in the Wild”, a wilderness program that has been embraced by the US Military. Anthony Droz is a Marine Veteran, Spartan Instructor, and wilderness guide. He aided Brandon in his quest to bring this wilderness program to life, as it was also his goal to provide wellness to Marines and Sailors.We discuss their journeys into uniform, the tragedy that shook Brandon's faith, the motorcycle accident that almost claimed Anthony's life, mental health in our military, chaplaincy, community, the healing power of nature, Immunity to Change and much more.Brandon Harding is a recently retired military chaplain with nearly three decades of service. He is a wilderness guide and leadership & relationship coach, holding multiple certifications and a degree in psychology. He fuses adaptive coaching with wilderness expeditions to facilitate change in individuals, couples, and leaders. Additionally, he is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Brandon has been married for 27 years, and he and his wife have seven children.Anthony Droz is a United States Marine Infantry Veteran, wilderness guide, and athlete. He has worked internationally for Spartan Race and in the United States for Outward Bound. He co-created the Navy and Marines' first wilderness-based personal growth program with Chaplain Harding, and he continues that service to this day.

Angela Graham-Houweling is a former firefighter and co-founder of the SIREN Project. We discuss her early life, her journey into the fire service, some career calls, her powerful mental health story, the psychedelic journey that saved her life, the creation of her non-profit to help first responders find healing with entheogenics and so much more.My name is Angela Graham. I’m a Co-Founder of The S.I.R.E.N. Project. I was a Firefighter/Engineer/HAZMAT Spec. for almost 20 years with Santa Clara County Fire Dept. in Silicon Valley. Prior to that I was a D1 & professional softball pitcher. I have a loving husband, who is a Fire Capt., and a 7-year-old son. For the first five years of my son's life I was a single mother. For years I’ve struggled with mental health trying every modality available. A friend of ours, who happened to be a special forces operator, connected me to providers of Entheogenic Medicines. It has completely changed my life. The change was so profound my husband and I decided to start The S.I.R.E.N. Project to make these medicines available to all First Responders and their Spouses.

Shawn Coss is an ER Nurse and the artist behind Any Means Necessary. We discuss his early life in Ohio, his journey into medicine, the opioid epidemic, his love of art, Cyanide and Happiness, working on a Stephen King movie, mental health art, music and so much more. Shawn was born in England whilst his Father was stationed there during his time in the Army, but moved back to America with his family when the base closed down. They ended up in West Virginia where money was tight, but eventually moved to Akron where they took over a relative’s janitorial business. Much like his parents, Shawn struggled to make ends meet, working long days in a factory, as a screen printer, and a pizza delivery guy. He would move into the nursing field, seeing it as a more stable way to support his wife and two young daughters, which would become a job he held part time for many years. Shawn was driven, stubborn, loyal, and passionate in equal measure, wanting to prove himself and to make those around him feel proud. A legacy that his kids could look up to. He would go on to working with Cyanide & Happiness as one of their artists, having his work featured in the Stephen King film Cell, appearing at comic-cons, and even designing album covers for Seether (Poison the Parish, and Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum).But when Inktober 2016 hit, Shawn’s Mental Health awareness pieces gained him massive recognition, a swathe of new Any Means Necessary fans, as well as organizations such as Buzzfeed, and The Huffington Post reaching out to him, securing his name as a dark artist worth paying attention to. His hunger though has never been sated, and has helped drive the brand into as many places as it can possibly go, never missing a financial trick if one’s there to be learnt.

Ruari Fairbairns is a former Oil Broker and the man behind "One Year, No Beer".We discuss his childhood mental health struggles, the letter that changed his life, alcohol and business, introversion, the health impact of alcohol, its impact on sleep, the predatory actions of marketing, the power of peer support, healthy downregulation and so much more. Born on the Isle of Mull, Scotland, from an early age Ruari harboured a deep-seated determination to make an impactful mark on the world. He left school at 15 to start his first business, and eventually landed in London where he carved out a successful career as a senior oil broker. However, he quickly found himself immersed in a binge-drinking culture, leading him to the profound realisation that alcohol was causing him more harm than good.Taking a transformative break from alcohol, Ruari witnessed significant improvements across all areas of his life: he became healthier, happier, more productive, and a better father and husband. Motivated by these personal improvements, he embarked on a mission to help others experience the same positive changes. In 2015, he launched One Year No Beer (OYNB), to help people reassess their relationship with alcohol. The initiative quickly went viral, attracting over 20,000 sign-ups in its inaugural year. And so OYNB was born, with its core values deeply rooted in the supportive online community established by its initial members.Today, Ruari takes immense pride in the fact that OYNB is recognised as a leader in preventive behaviour change, with ambitious plans to diversify into numerous other behaviour-change models beyond alcohol. His previous experiences, particularly the harmful alcohol culture he encountered during his tenure in London, continually drive his work.https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/

Robert Burke is an actor and veteran volunteer firefighter. We discuss his early life, his journey into acting, the tragedy that inspired his fire service, portraying General Mattis in Generation Kill, working on Rescue Me, martial arts, altruism, his powerful sobriety story, becoming Robocop and so much more.

Eric Reynolds is a former police officer and the man behind Cops and Campers and Keto Five O. We discuss his mother's capture of Griselda Blanco, his own path into law enforcement, being wounded in an officer involved shooting, his rehabilitation journey, his powerful mental health story, the power of ketosis, creating a non-profit and so much more. As a 54-year-old retired wounded police veteran suffering from PTSD, I have made it my mission to help other first responders who are struggling as I have.In 2012, I was involved in a shooting and sustained injuries on the job, leading to a multitude of physical and mental health issues. Through my own healing journey, I have gained valuable knowledge and insight on the correlation between first responder work and heart disease, as well as the importance of therapy, nutrition, and exercise. In 2019, my family and I decided to sell our home and travel the country in a 28′ trailer to raise awareness and share our wisdom with others. I am a licensed sports nutritionist and personal trainer, and have met many individuals who have been positively impacted by my advice. However, my journey has not been without its challenges, as I recently encountered resistance to my Thin Blue Line flag at a campground in Upstate NY. This experience solidified my resolve to create ‘Cops and Campers’, a wellness retreat at campgrounds for first responders to come together, share their stories, and continue their healing process. Onsite therapists, yoga instructors, and healing nutrition options will be provided to help first responders overcome the stigma of PTSD and improve their overall health and well-being. All first responders are welcome to join.

Matthew Harrison and Brian O'Connell are members of the Gainesville Fire Rescue in Florida which will be transitioning to the 24/72 schedule in August. Matt is a SWAT Medic and Brian in the Vice President of the FIrefighter's Union.We discuss their journeys into the fire service, the mental and physical imact of shift work, sleep deprivation, the recruitment crisis, the money saved by this transition, how they overcame resistance at each level and so much more.

Bethel Cagan lost her firefighter husband to suicide in 2022. We discuss Frank's journey into the fire service, his love of martial arts, becoming a father, the unwraveling she witnessed, the compounding elements of psychiatric meds and holds, processing grief, improving mental health in the fire service and so much more.

Dany Cotton spent over three decades serving with the London Fire Brigade, retiring as Commissioner. We discuss her journey into the fire service, forging diversity through mentoring, the impact of budget cuts on service and health, violence on first responders, heroism at the Grenfell Tower fire, dirty politics and much more.

Ricky Nuttall is a veteran of the London Fire Brigade and was one of the firefighters at the Grenfell Tower fire that claimed 72 lives. We discuss his journey into the fire service, physical fitness, budget cuts, building construction, the inability to save, PTSD, addiction, suicide, community, poetry and much more.

Rashad Evans is the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Hall of Famer and co-founder of Umbo. We discuss his turbulent childhood, mentorship through wrestling, his journey into MMA, his powerful mental health story, psychedlic therapy, functional mushrooms, entrepreneurship and so much more.Retired professional MMA fighter, UFC Hall of Famer, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and Ultimate Fighter 2 winner, now living my entrepreneurial dreams. As one of the founders of UMBO, we have developed a full line of potent functional mushroom supplements to help athletes fuel focus, endurance, sleep, and heal their bodies. As the Professional Athlete and Business Ambassador with Naturals2Go, I’m able to help both athletes and business professionals make the transition to the next phase of their lives. Through launching my own healthy vending business, I have harnessed that intense drive I had as a professional fighter and now run a highly successful business. But my true passion really lies in helping others regain their focus, harness their own drive and dedication, launch a successful business and get back precious time to spend with their loved ones. When I’m not helping others fuel their focus and recover, and transition to successful entrepreneurs, I love spending time with my young, loving family. As a professional athlete, so many years are spent training in the gym, and sometimes missing family milestones. While I never regret chasing and fulfilling my professional dreams, I knew the next phase of my life needed to regain precious time. Through Naturals2Go, I’m able to fulfill my business dreams, but not sacrifice my time. I’m able to be there for my family because I control my schedule, and I control my life.Through both UMBO and Naturals2Go, I’m able to help others get back to who they are as people, and regain the time and focus for what is truly most important to them. And in doing so, I’m living my next dream.

Nick Hall is a veteran Police Officer and speaker. In 2000, an armed intruder held Nick and his family hostage. Through a tragic miscommunication, an Orlando PD sniper shot Nick's mother, Andrea. After struggling through both grief and aner, Nick decided to become a law enforcement officer and thus part of the solution.In this second conversation we discuss fatherhood, vascectomies, post traumatic growth, fitness, sefl sufficiency, mentorship and so much more.I was born in Long Island, New York. My parents were divorced at the time, father moved to Florida with my older brother. I then moved to Orlando with my infant sister and mother in 2000. We moved in with my aunt and her family.On a weekend in July at that time, a male entered our residence with a firearm. He was an older white male. It was later revealed that the suspect, Jamie Petron, was fleeing from law enforcement after killing a convenience store clerk in south Florida earlier. Once Petron entered our residence, he then shot my cousin in the face. My cousin survived and was allowed to leave the residence to receive aid. We, my mother, me, sister, and two other cousins, were then held hostage for approximately 50 hours. At one point, Petron instructed me to retrieve donuts from law enforcement outside. I stated that I didn’t want to go and asked my mother to go. It was at this time that Orlando SWAT subsequently shot my mother, thinking she was the suspect. Petron later escorted myself and my sister out of the house and subsequently killed himself.I later went on to live with my older brother and dad after the incident. Around the time I was 18, I had a falling out with my father after discovering that he was having an affair against my step mother, whom he had been with since before I lived with him. This prompted me to go down the rebellious road and started smoking weed and having friends over any time my dad and step mom were out of town. This ended rather quickly with me getting kicked out of the house. I ended up homeless living out of my car for a few months and couch surfing with friends. Eventually my girlfriend, now my wife, and her parents allowed me to live with them temporally. I then found out from my father that he wasn’t in fact my real father in a heated argument.Time goes on, I get older, and started working construction. Eventually I get into law enforcement, because I wanted to help people and do the right thing. My past experience gave me perspective on what could go wrong on the job and I wanted to be there in the heat of the moment, believing I could make a split decision when it comes down to it. That saying rings in my head, “If not me who, If not now, when?”During my career in law enforcement, I’ve met a lot of people along the way. Older SWAT cops knew who I was before I’d even met them. I’ve even met a SWAT Officer that was on my very own call out while he was teaching an advanced training class that I’d sign up for. While working at Cocoa Police Department I was lucky enough to make the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT). While at hostage negotiation training, the instructor had a PowerPoint that had a picture of my mother and the incident on the projector. I figured that’d be a great time to tell the class a story as well.

Marcos Orozco is a veteran firefighter and the man behind Hard Knox Sunday. We discuss his journey into the fire service, chasing his dream department, firefighter fitness, his powerful sobriety story, organisational stress, Hard Knox Hitters and much more.I have been passionate about fitness since the age of 12 when my Dad bought me my first gym membership. Growing up I played football, baseball, and ran track through high school, and ran track for Arizona State University. I graduated from ASU with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science/Kinesiology. I have been a career fireman for 16 + years, and have been training in gear for 10 + of those. My passion for fitness as it translates to performance on the fire ground is my wheelhouse. I have spent the last decade training "tactical athletes" (firemen, police, military) and helping them become the best version of themselves. Some of my "HARD" accomplishments include completing the Dunes 100 mile Ultra Race, completing the Georgia Smoke Diver Program (at 45 years old) and running Pikes Peak Ascent (13.1 miles up to 14,115ft) in bunker coat/pants. Challenging myself and others is what I am passionate about, and I enjoy pushing my clients past their perceived physical and mental limits, and unlocking their true potential.

Sean Spencer is a filmakerm whose work includes 'Nguen', 'Grunt' and 'Ranger'. David Waterhouse is the subject of 'Ranger', which tells an essential story of the wars we sent our young men and women to for twenty years and the ripple effect of trauma.We discuss thir journeys into their respective careers, David's path into the Ranger Regiment, retrieving the fallen from Operation Red Wings II, losing Pat Tillman, Ramadi, homecoming, David's powerful mental health story, the military industrial complex, healing and so much more.Ranger is a true tale of war told by Sergeant David Waterhouse recalling his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Seen through the eyes of a Special Operations soldier, this first hand account documents the brutality of combat, and the raw nature of killing and death. It's a journey of innocence lost and the scars of war etched into the minds of service members. An untold account everyone should hear.

Ed Monroe is a veteran firefighter, speaker and soon to be author. He was first on scene after the horrific Murder/Suicide at LA County's Station 81 in 2021. We discuss his journey into the fire service, mentorship programs, inmate wildland crews, the horrendous events at station 81, the physical and mental health ripple effects, post traumatic growth, warning signs and so much more. I am a 53-year-old Fire Captain for Los Angeles County Fire Department. Born in Del Rio Texas, the son of an Air Force pilot, I grew up on Air Force Bases in states such as North Dakota, Washington, California and internationally in Japan. I refer to Huntington Beach Ca as my hometown as I graduated from high school there, and I am a graduate of Cal State University Northridge with a degree in Mathematics - Applied. I was married in 1995 and have 3 children that are currently 22, 18, and 15. I have been a member of LACoFD for 16 years and a fire Captain for the past 4. I have been directly involved in a very notable, significant critical incident and speak publicly on the topic. In addition to addressing fire service crews directly, I spoke on a panel at the 2022 PSPSA conference in San Diego, at the ICISF 17th world conference held in May 2023 in Maryland and am scheduled to speak at 1st Responder Conferences in Tempe AZ in January 2024. I have been a guest on the Trauma Behind the Badge Webinar, No One Fights Alone podcast, and Forged in the Fires podcast with Fireman Rob. In all cases, I have addressed responding to an unimaginable critical incident, cumulative traumatic stress, my short term and continuing long term experiences with it. I am passionate about continuing to advocate for those who have experienced and are struggling with their own cumulative traumatic stress, critical incidents, and PTSD. No one has to fight alone!