Behind The Shield

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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