Behind The Shield

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!

In her new hour standup special Big Guy, which premieres on Netflix May 21st, Comedian and Actor Rachel Feinstein invites us into her delightfully chaotic life as the wife of a firefighter, a mother, and a comedian. In the words of her 3-year-old daughter, “my daddy’s a hero and my mommy’s sarcastic.” Rachel explores her marriage to a first responder who is also married to his firehouse family and unpacks what it’s like to navigate emotional intimacy with someone whose job it is to save people’s lives. Chock full of her signature “amazing impersonations” (Vulture), Big Guy endears us to the loveable hodgepodge of characters in Rachel’s world including a sea of fellow fire wives named Gina, her aggressively liberal mother, and her father with a never-ending sinus infection. Rachel is happily hop-scotching through all of the mayhem and inviting us along for the ride.Rachel is a favorite among fans and fellow comedians alike. She appeared on Comedy Central’s hit series Inside Amy Schumer and she won a WGA Award for “Best Comedy/Variety Sketch Series” for her work on the most recent season of the show on Paramount+. She was featured on Comedian Colin Quinn’s HBO pandemic special Colin Quinn & Friends: A Parking Lot Comedy Show as well as comedy superstar Chris Rock’s feature film Top Five. Her half hour special premiered on Netflix’s hit series The Standupsand her first hour special Only Whores Wear Purplepremiered on Comedy Central. Feinstein has appeared alongside Amy Schumer in Hulu’s hit series Life & Beth and she recurred on Amazon’s critically acclaimed Steven Soderbergh series Red Oaks as well as Judd Apatow’s HBO comedy Crashing. She was also featured in the role of “Anne Frank” in Netflix’s Historical Roasts. On the big screen, Rachel was seen in the feature filmsTrainwreck and I Feel Pretty. She has also lent her voice to Adult Swim’s Venture Brothers and the phenomenally successful GRAND THEFT AUTO video game franchise.

Darren Pallatina is a British Military Veteran seving in both the Army and Navy. He deployed on multiple tours during the GWOT.We discuss his journey into the military, the role of a Combat Engineer, the trauma of war, his powerful mental health journey, his Decision of Power project and so much more.

After marrying her high school sweetheart turned Air Force hubby, Monica Fullerton quickly learned that the military community was ripe with creators, makers and entrepreneurs. Many of her fellow spouses were pursuing their passions in between deployments and even as full-time businesses, but there wasn’t a central location to shop and support these deserving entrepreneurs within the military community – therefore Monica launched Spouse-ly!She is a twin mom on a mission to provide more career flexibility and stability no matter where the military life takes you. Monica is a firm believer that anything is possible if you just put your mind to it. She hopes that this platform helps provide a place where everyone can come together and support each other! When you shop small you are truly making a big impact.

Frank Wright was one of the original Marine Raiders who fought on both Guam and Iwo Jima in WWII. We discuss his journey into the Marines, special forces selection, hand to hand combat, facing banzai attacks, his powerful mental health story, writing his book and so much more.I fought like mad as the Japanese stormed down the hill yelling "Malians you die, Malians you die." I emptied my rifle magazine, twice. Out of ammo I slashed and plunged my bayonet into as many as I could until...Battles in the Pacific is Wright's autobiographical account of his four years of enlistment in World War II, including two years in the South Pacific. On January 21, 1942, Wright entered the U.S. Marine Corps by lying about his age. His was Sixteen at the time and living in Little Rock, Arkansas. He reported to boot camp on January 24, 1942 at the 12th Recruit Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Platoon 150, in San Diego, California.Like many war veterans, Wright's traumatic experience in war left him in a battle with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His detailed description of his teenage years shows why he still feels the effects several decades later. Wright's hope is that other veterans will find hope and help through his book and perhaps be inspired to write about their own experiences.About the AuthorFrank S. Wright was born on July 5, 1925, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and as a member of the 4th Marine Raiders Special Forces with Colonel James Roosevelt as commander. He fought in four major battles, traveled between islands on eleven different Navy ships, was wounded by a bayonet in the stomach while recapturing Guam, and was shot in the chest and arm by machine gun fire on the island of Iwo Jima. He spent the last six months of his enlistment as a Marine drill instructor training new recruits.Wright's personal awards include a Purple Heart with two stars, the Presidential Unit Citation with two stars, Navy Unit Commendation, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with three service stars, the Fleet Marine Force with four stars, the Marine Corps Expedition Medal, Combat Action with four stars, the Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.Frank's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Battles-Pacific-World-Personal-Causing/dp/164426949X

Mark Pfeifer is a former Canadian soldier, firefighter and the founder of Ronin Rescue. We discuss his journey into the military, his exposure to rope rescue, firefighter fitness, rope redundency, cancer, mental health, chasing innovation, the importance of humility, knowledge sharing and so much more.

For years as an award-winning war reporter, Sebastian Junger traveled to many front lines and frequently put his life at risk. And yet the closest he ever came to death was the summer of 2020 while spending a quiet afternoon at the New England home he shared with his wife and two young children. Crippled by abdominal pain, Junger was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Once there, he began slipping away. As blackness encroached, he was visited by his dead father, inviting Junger to join him. “It’s okay,” his father said. “There’s nothing to be scared of. I’ll take care of you.” That was the last thing Junger remembered until he came to the next day when he was told he had suffered a ruptured aneurysm that he should not have survived.This experience spurred Junger—a confirmed atheist raised by his physicist father to respect the empirical—to undertake a scientific, philosophical, and deeply personal examination of mortality and what happens after we die. How do we begin to process the brutal fact that any of us might perish unexpectedly on what begins as an ordinary day? How do we grapple with phenomena that science may be unable to explain? And what happens to a person, emotionally and spiritually, when forced to reckon with such existential questions?In My Time of Dying is part medical drama, part searing autobiography, and part rational inquiry into the ultimate unknowable mystery.

Ben Jenkin is a Parkour champion, stuntman and most recently one of Ryan Gosling's stunt doubles in 'The Fall Guy'.We discuss the daredevil influences in his childhood, finding Parkour, his journey into the stunt industry, recognising the stunt community, set safety, MMA, some behind the scenes stories and so much more.Ben Jenkin was born in Germany, raised in Blackburn, England, Ben spent his early childhood in many different schools due to his dad being in the military. At the age of 4 Ben moved back to his hometown of Blackburn. Throughout primary and secondary school Ben was heavily involved in all sports. In 2003, at age 12, Ben was scouted to play basketball at a national level for his local team, Preston Pride, which went on to win the northwest division for the 4th year running. Ben discovered Parkour and Freerunning in 2005 when he watched a documentary called "Jump Britain". He was immediately drawn in, went out with his friends the next day and began his journey in the adventure of Parkour. During the first 3 years of training Ben found himself traveling all over England to meet and train with different practitioners, to learn and gain knowledge from people who had been in the game since the beginning. In Ben's last years of high school he was inducted into the Gifted and Talented Program for his incredible skill in Freerunning and Basketball. In 2008 Ben was given the last minute opportunity to compete in the Barclaycard World Freerun Championships when a competing athlete dropped out. With only one weeks notice Ben prepared and trained the hardest he had ever trained to be ready for the championships. Being the youngest in the competition, Ben wanted to make an impact and prove that he was somebody to look out for in the future. He did that by placing 3rd in the competition and winning the award for Best Trick. This led to Ben starring in the WFPF hit series MTV's "Ultimate Parkour Challenge", and as the youngest competitor at age 18, Ben shocked worldwide audiences by winning the entire series. His victory in the show led to worldwide recognition. Since then, Ben has been featured in movies such as Fast and Furious 8, Jungle Book, Guardians of the Galaxy and many more as well as doubling some of the leading actors in Hollywood such as Jason Statham, Mathew McConaughey, James Franco, Ewan McGregor and Scott Eastwood.Photo Credit: Jason Eric Laciste

Sara Jahnke is one of the most respected researchers in firefighter health. In this third conversation we focused solely on the acute and chronic impact of sleep deprivation and how more rest is imperative for our firefighters.We discuss the alarming rise in childhood diseases amongst first responder parents, hormonal disruption, sleep deprivation and mental health, weight gain, how shift work is a known carcinigen and how the 24/72 shift would revolutionise firefighter health.Dr. Sara Jahnke is a prominent figure in firefighter health research. She is known for her dedication to translating scientific findings into practical solutions that improve the well-being of firefighters and emergency responders. With a diverse background in psychology and epidemiology, Dr. Jahnke has made significant contributions to understanding and addressing the unique health challenges individuals face in the fire service.In 2011, Dr. Jahnke became the Director of the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research at NDRI USA, Inc. – a not-for-profit research firm in Leawood, KS. During her tenure, she has spearheaded numerous research projects aimed at understanding the health risks faced by firefighters and developing evidence-based interventions to mitigate those risks. Research as a principal investigator or co-investigator has totaled more than 30 million dollars from organizations such as FEMA, NIH, DoD, and several health-focused foundations.In recognition of her groundbreaking work, Dr. Jahnke has received several prestigious awards and honors, including the President's Award for Excellence in Fire Service Research from the International Association of Fire Chiefs twice and the John Granito Award for Excellence in Firefighter Research from the International Journal of Fire Service Leadership and Management.Dr. Jahnke's leadership extends beyond academia, as she actively engages with professional organizations and community initiatives related to firefighter health and safety. She serves on dozens of advisory boards and committees, providing expert guidance to organizations such as the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and the Fire Protection Research Foundation.One of Dr. Jahnke's notable accomplishments is her role as the President of Science to the Station: A Health and Wellness Alliance, where she leads efforts to translate scientific research into practical strategies that promote the health and well-being of firefighters across the nation.Throughout her career, Dr. Sara Jahnke has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing firefighter health research and bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and real-world application. Her contributions have profoundly impacted the field, helping to improve the lives of those who dedicate themselves to protecting others.

MIck Southall was only 16 years old when he joined the Junior Paratrooper programme in the British Army. In 1982, at the age of 17, Mick volunteered to fight alongside his fellow Paras against the Argentinians in the Falklands war. We discuss his early life, the mentors he found in the military, the courage of the Falklands, taking Mount Longdon, his homecoming story, Northern Ireland, Sudan, his journey int EMS and much more.

Summer of 2022 is one we will never forget. We received a call that our 16-year-old daughter, Layla, was being trauma hawked after an ATV crash. We didn’t know much about brain injury then, but we were about to get a firsthand look. Layla was in a coma. She had multiple brain bleeds, a dissected carotid artery and a broken jaw. They explained her type of injury was typically fatal, a grade 3 DAI. They said at best, she would survive but potentially remain unconscious or be severely disabled the rest of her life. We sat bedside watching our little girl fight for her life. Day by day we prayed for another day with her and clung to the hope she wouldn’t leave us. During the next 20 days, she remained stable enough to get tracheotomy surgery, her jaw wired and a stomach PEG. Finally, the day came that the hospital could do no more for us. We had Layla med flighted to a hospital in Georgia. She was admitted under the disorders of consciousness program. They prepare you that each step may be the most you get, and we had to find peace in that, our baby was still alive after all. Brain injury can be cruel, especially to the caregivers. Layla was the strongest girl I knew; this didn’t seem possible. To everyone’s surprise, Layla began responding to commands. It started with wiggling toes and fingers and eventually evolved into her learning to walk and talk again. Fast forward to today, she made, what doctors call, a remarkable recovery. We never expected to get so much of our daughter back, and we live in gratitude for that every single day. We took a lot of lessons from the experience, and we have new eyes. We were able to return to the hospitals who cared for her and say thank you. We were able to meet the first responders who played a huge part in saving her. We have also had the privilege of working with other families navigating TBI, almost like we were meant for it all along.

Jim Burneka is a firefighter, podcaster and the author of 'Overcoming Tuesday.In this second conversation, we discuss his powerful mental health story, the Save a Warrior program, his time in the IAFF's Center of Excellence, catharsis through writing, his conference 'Brothers helping Brothers' and so much more.As a first responder, firefighter paramedic Jim Burneka encounters traumatic events the average person will likely never experience, but to him, it’s just another day—it’s Tuesday. In spite of being the wellness coordinator for the local fire department, Jim falls victim to Tuesday, the trauma he encounters daily, and finds himself spiraling down a dark and hopeless path including post-tramatic stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.Finally, Jim must make the choice between succumbing to Tuesday or asking for the help he so desperately needs.Hawkins and Burneka recount a story of healing and resilience to empower others to seek help, and to encourage them to replace despair with hope. This book shares a variety of valuable resources that are available to help those struggling with mental or physical struggles.The fight for wellness among first responders shouldn’t be a silent battle fought alone, but together; we can overcome Tuesday.

Johann Hari is the author of Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs. We discuss the weight struggle that led him to explore pharmceuticals, the psychology of obesity, processed food and disease, Japan's food philosophy, the importance of sleep and so much more. Johann Hari is the author of three New York Times best-selling books, and the Executive Producer of an Oscar-nominated movie and an eight-part TV series starring Samuel L. Jackson. His books have been translated into 40 languages, and been praised by a broad range of people, from Oprah to Noam Chomsky, from Elton John to Naomi Klein.His latest book, ‘Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention’, was published in January 2022. It was named as one of the three best books of the year by Amazon.com, and it was named as a Book of the Year by the Financial Times, the New York Post, and the Spectator. It was also chosen as ‘Book of the Month’ by Britain’s biggest bookseller, Waterstones, and Australia’s biggest bookseller Dymocks. It won several awards, including being named as ‘Most Important Book of the Year’ at the Non-Essential Book Awards and ‘Best Book of the Year’ at the Porchlight Book Awards. It has been a best-seller on three continents.

Shaun "Bish" Bishop is a former 22 SAS Air Troop Sergeant with 24 years of military experience and over 14 combat deployments worldwide. A Sniper Instructor for the elite 22 SAS CT Wing, 22 SAS CQB Instructor and SAS Patrol Medic. He is a subject matter expert on firearms training, tactics and planning. He is also a liaison to local police forces while conducting high risk arrests, SIA licensed close protection officer. Most importantly Bish is a father, husband and warrior.We discuss his journey into the British Army, his deployments with 2 Para, Northern Ireland, the Middle East, contracting in Ukraine, the rescue mission that cost his brothers' lives, the ordinance that took part of his skull, weapons training and so much more.

Kyle and Emily, married in 2016, have been a husband and wife coach/athlete team for the past 8 years. In addition to Kyle’s full time job in law enforcement, he programs and coaches his wife, Emily, who is in her quest this year to qualify for her sixth consecutive CrossFit Games. Emilys best finish at the games was last year in 2023 when she placed 12th, a successful comeback after her season ended early in 2022 due to a life threatening injury.

Mike Nasti is a 21 year veteran of the fire service and the man behind the 'Tip of the Spear Leadership Podcast'.We discuss his early life, volunteer firefighting, his 9/11 story, entering the career fire service, his leadership mistakes, mental health, firefighter fitness, his podcast and much more.Lieutenant Mike Nasti is a seasoned firefighter with 17 years of dedicated service in a major metropolitan fire department located in the Washington metropolitan area. Currently serving as the officer in charge for an engine company. he brings a wealth of experience and leadership. Lieutenant Nasti embarked on his firefighting journey in 2001 and has since accumulated a remarkable 23 years of expertise in the field. His commitment to public safety and his role as a leader within the fire service highlight his enduring dedication to protecting the community.

Vin is a master mindset & Executive coach. He's a licensed psychotherapist, full-time entrepreneur and angel investor. Also Vin is a former FDNY firefighter who served during the C-19 pandemic. He has spent over 12 years learning techniques, skills and tools to help people create lasting change. Vin has worked in virtually every setting imaginable in mental-health, he has worked in hospitals, clinics, homeless shelters, in-patient units, department of education, and private practice.In the decade plus of experience he has been trying to create a different and more innovative approach to working with clients by implementing his classically trained psychology knowledge of CBT/DBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy & Dialectical behavioral therapy) with a more modern approach of coaching. This hybrid form of mental health has been helping Vin create lasting change in the thousands of people he has come across in his profession. In the past three years Vin has dived fully into Mindset & Executive coaching working with multiple executives, and highly motivated entrepreneurs in their own respective fields. Vin also works with companies/organizations to help with work culture and team building.Recently he was featured in International Business Times in 2021 as a top coach to follow in 2022. He has also appeared on many podcasts and has been slowly getting more engaged in speaking platforms. With a mission to impact 1,000,000 lives Vin will be constantly on the path of service looking to innovate, grow and help where he can.

Major James Capers is one of the most decorated Marine Recon veterans who operated on over 50 classified missions in Vietnam. We discuss his challenging childhood, racism in the South, his indominable marriage, the impact of losing men, coming home, PTSD and so much more.

Tony Long and Mark Williams are former British Armed Police Officers. Tony is the author of the book Lethal Force which documents his career. Mark now serves as the CEO of the Police Firearms Officer Association.We discuss their journeys into policing, the power of mentorship, armed unit tactics, organisational betrayal, the media, fitness standards, Britain's knife crime epidemic, the support the PFOA offers and so much more.

Ben Timberlake is a former SAS soldier, Contractor, archaeologist and the author of "High Risk".We discuss his early life, joining the British Special Forces, the horrors of war, kindness in combat, his powerful and unique addiction story, his full circle back into archaeology and so much more. High Risk:This is a dark, raw and uncompromising tale of the human condition in extremis, drawing on the many lives of Ben Timberlake: as an archaeologist, Special Forces soldier, combat medic and drug addict.Starting with Ben’s first near-death experience—in a Nazi-themed bar in wartime Yugoslavia—High Risk is a whirlwind tour of everything from service in the SAS, combat in Iraq, and encounters with a gambling-obsessed 9/11 hijacker, to veterans blissed out on MDMA, hook-ups in the world of extreme sex, and battling a heroin habit on a remote Scottish island.Ben pursued the rush, and the chase often took him over the edge. Instead of asking why, he asked, why not? Blending confessional narrative, classic reportage and acerbic humour, this memoir takes a gonzo look at terrorists, junkies, soldiers and strippers, through the tale of one extraordinary life. https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/high-risk/

Thomas Ansu is a former New York EMT, current FDNY Squad firefighter and the founder of The Burn Box.We discuss growing up in New York, the importance of mentorship, his experiences as an EMT, his journey into the Fire service, servant leadership, special operations firefighting, entreprenurship, The Burn Box and so much more. Burn Box was founded in 2020 by Thomas, an active FDNY firefighter with the mission to enable people everywhere to support firefighters. Every Burn Box features a collection of items and firefighter apparel designed to raise awareness about fire safety and also about the fact that local firefighters are working hard and staying vigilant every day to keep their communities safe. https://www.theburnbox.com/

Tom Hewitt MBE, is founder and CEO of Surfers Not Street Children. He has worked in the field with street children in Africa for over 28 years. In 1998 he founded the Durban Street Team which went on to be renamed Surfers Not Street Children in 2012. Tom was awarded and MBE by HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 for his work with street children in Africa.Tom is perhaps most well known for his successful advocacy campaign to end the forced removals of street children in Durban, South Africa. These round-ups used to take place to “clean” the streets ahead of international conferences and events. He called for compassionate responses to street children based on psychosocial care. Tom is also well known for his model of fusing surfing with mentorship to empower street children in Durban. He assisted the national Department of Social Development in South Africa with its development of new policies around working with street children there. Tom has visited and often assisted street children projects in many different parts fo the world.

Angela Lee Pucci held the One Championship Atom Weight title for six years. Whilst announcing her retirement, she revealed that she had tried to take her own life a few years prior. In 2022, Angela lost her sister Victoria to suicide. This lead her to create her non-profit Fight Story.In this powerful and important conversation we discuss her journey into the martial arts, the pressure put on youth athletes, her success in the cage, her powerful mental health story, the healing power of motherhood, weight cutting, Foundation Training and so much more. Angela is breaking through barriers, entering a new space of one that is mental health & wellness with fight story Inc. Angela has been a professional mma fighter since 2015 and is a 6x mma world champion in one championship.While the world has only seen her in this light, she has been dedicated to the creation and development of this organization since losing her younger sister, Victoria to suicide in December 2022. Angela has been endlessly working in both her professional, and interpersonal life to ensure that narratives of mental health and illness are not left in the dark. She wishes to use her platform on social media and the world of mma to leave a positive impact on the world.For this reason, she has founded the mental health non-profit organization, fight story in honor of her younger sister, Victoria lee.Angela believes in the power of sharing personal stories and connecting through our lived experiences. She has since opened up and shared her own experiences with overcoming battles with mental health and illness. Angela understands the urgent need to talk more about mental health and is determined to help those battling in silenceThough you may feel lonely in your battle with mental health,You are not alone.https://fightstory.org/

Scott Howell is a strength and conditioning coach, podcaster and the founder of Red Dot Fitness. We discuss youth athletics, his journey into personal training, gym management, the entrepreneur's leap of faith, the pandemic's impact on gym owners, training the tactical athlete, weapons training and so much more.Founder of Red Dot Fitness, Scott Howell is a dedicated certified health and fitness professional with over 2 decades of real world, practical, hands-on experience. Following his passion for helping people and living a healthy lifestyle, Scott began his professional career in 1996 as a personal trainer while pursuing a degree in business at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California. He began working in small intimate fitness and training facilities then later took the plunge into the world of commercial & corporate fitness.As a National Director of Personal Training, he was a senior director/operator and personal training educator for one of the world’s largest fitness corporations nearly 400 clubs strong. After more than 10 years of commercial & corporate fitness, Scott made the life altering decision to stop traveling the country in 2010 and focus his skills locally to those clients who truly want to improve their health & fitness, performance, body image, and lifestyle. In April 2010 he launched Red Dot Fitness.Scott's dynamic and innovative approach to training incorporates both an art and science. He's achieved certifications through several industry organizations and authorites including the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and USA Weightlifting (USAW). He has created and authored several training programs and manuals, and serves as a mentor to select health and fitness professionals. He has competed in a multitude of sports disciplines including bodybuilding, collegiate football, and multi-sport events from adventure racing to triathlon. Scott takes pride in his diverse training and client experience that spans multiple fitness services and market segments. He guarantees an intense and motivating training experience EVERY time.

Tulsi Gabbard is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, 4-term Congresswoman, 2020 Presidential candidate and author. We discuss addressing the obesity epidemic, mental health and addiction, proactive healthcare, the prison system, the importance of diplomacy, how we can recruit trusted leaders, the military-industrial complex, the first responder professions, the Hawaii wildfires, kindness, community and so much more. Tulsi Gabbard is a combat veteran with deployments to the Middle East and Africa. She currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves working as a Civil Affairs officer. She first served in elected office in the Hawaii State House of Representatives when she was 21 years old. Due to the attacks on 9/11, she enlisted in the Army National Guard. In 2004, Tulsi gave up an easy re-election campaign and volunteered to deploy to Iraq with the 29th Brigade Combat Team where she served in a medical unit. After returning home in 2006, she worked in the U.S. Senate as a legislative aide to the late Senator Danny Akaka, who was Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. She then volunteered for a second Middle East deployment as a Platoon Leader. Having experienced first-hand the true cost of war, and in memory of her brothers and sisters in uniform, she ran for Congress at 31 years old, vowing to honor their lives and sacrifice. Tulsi prevailed in a difficult election and went on to serve for eight years in Congress as a member of the Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Foreign Affairs Committees, where she dealt with highly sensitive national security issues. She has always done her best to put country before party and approaches every issue, domestic and foreign, through the lens of what will best ensure the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.

Rick Cheatham spent 24 years as an Anahiem firefighter and was a Special Operations Captain. We discuss his early life, his journey into the fire service, his USAR deployments, sex addiction, mental health, the murder of his son, grief, spirituality, family, the freak accident that paralysed him and so much more.