Behind The Shield

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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