On the X

Peloton strength and tread instructor Andy Speer joins On The X to break down why most people train the wrong way as they age. From his roots as a competitive gymnast and college pole vaulter to building Peloton’s TS60 program, Andy shares his “strength span” philosophy - the 5 key pillars for staying strong, mobile and capable for life. Andy and Chris dive into what a day as a Peloton instructor...

Marine Corps veteran Kirstie Ennis survived a helicopter crash in Afghanistan that shattered her body and nearly broke her mind. After 40+ surgeries, a battle with the VA, and a suicide attempt, she made a choice: keep going. This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, mental toughness, and rebuilding your life from the ground up. From growing up in a three-generation Marine family to climbi...

On today's episode of On the X, Jim Harbaugh, All-American quarterback, 15-year NFL veteran, and one of the most decorated coaches in football history - sits down to share the principles, mentors, and mindset that have driven him to a national championship at Michigan and the helm of the LA Chargers. He opens up about the life philosophy passed down from his parents, his rules for never quitting,...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Patrick Vellner, the nine-time CrossFit Games athlete and Doctor of Chiropractic. Patrick reflects on a decade competing at the highest level of CrossFit, the burnout that reshaped his career in 2019, athlete safety and the case for real reform, the gymnast versus powerlifter debate, and what the sport needs to do to stay relevant in a fitness industry...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with George Mumford, the mindfulness coach Phil Jackson called his secret weapon, who has worked with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and countless other elite performers over more than 35 years. George shares his unlikely path from addiction to coaching champions, and breaks down the core ideas behind his work: finding the eye of the hurricane, getting comfortable...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Harvard-trained social scientist Kasley Killam, author of The Art and Science of Connection, to break down why social health belongs alongside physical and mental health as a core pillar of well-being. To learn more about Kasley and download the free 5-3-1 Connection Plan, visit: https://www.kasleykillam.com/ On the X is an IRONCLAD Original. More about The...

On today’s episode, Chris sits down with pioneering computational neuroscientist Dr. Read Montague (Director of the Center for Human Neuroscience Research at Virginia Tech) to break down how our brains use dopamine and serotonin to calculate expectations, navigate uncertainty, and drive human behavior. They dig into "Reward Prediction Errors," how your brain shifts between "explorer" and "exploite...

On today’s episode, Chris sits down with neuroscientist and bestselling author Lisa Feldman Barrett to discuss how the brain constructs emotion, perception, and thought in real time. They explore the concept of the predictive brain, why the “lizard brain” theory has been debunked, and how the brain’s primary role is regulating the body. Lisa also explains how past experiences shape what we see and...

Today's episode is a compilation of conversations about how we communicate: how we share what we're feeling, how we listen, and how the words we choose shape the way people respond to us. Chris revisits conversations with Jeff Weidenhofer on emotional fitness and why face-to-face connection beats any virtual support group; former FBI lead international kidnapping negotiator Chris Voss on the art o...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Jud Brewer, a psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and bestselling author of "The Craving Mind," "Unwinding Anxiety," and "The Hunger Habit." Dr. Brewer's research has reshaped the science of the loops that keep people stuck in worry, in eating, and in their worst habits. They dig into why willpower isn't doing what most people think it's doing, how anxiety op...

On today’s episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Elisha Goldstein, a clinical psychologist, author of Tiny Shifts, and co-founder of the Center for Mindful Living, to explore how emotional patterns drive stress, self-doubt, and reactivity. Drawing on more than two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Goldstein explains how to recognize these patterns and apply practical strategies to manage them more e...

On today’s episode, Chris sits down with Dacher Keltner, a world-renowned psychologist, professor at UC Berkeley, and founding director of the Greater Good Science Center. He is the bestselling author of Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, as well as The Power Paradox and Born to Be Good, and his work helped inspire Pixar’s Inside Out. In this conversation,...

On this episode of On the X, Chris sits down with renowned psychologist Richard J. Davidson, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, to break down the science of flourishing, resilience, and well-being. Drawing from decades of research and insights from his latest book "Born to Flourish," he explains how the brain shapes emotion, stress, awareness, and conne...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with bestselling author Chris Bailey to discuss intentionality, goal setting, procrastination, and the systems that help people follow through. The conversation covers values, process vs. outcome goals, productivity frameworks, and how AI can be used as a tool for thinking and organization. To find out more from Chris Bailey and purchase his books, visit: https:...

Today's episode is a compilation of our most powerful conversations about the brain. Neuroscientist Sandy Chapman, former Navy SEAL Kevin Gatley, peak performance expert Steven Kotler, and brain retraining specialist Ashok Gupta share strategies to improve focus, manage distractions, harness flow states, and truly rewire your brain for peak performance—helping you think more clearly, perform bette...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Marc Brackett, psychologist, professor at Yale University, and founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Dr. Brackett breaks down why we are historically so bad at dealing with our emotions and provides actionable frameworks to change that. They dive into the critical difference between IQ and EQ, why mislabeling your feelings (li...

On today’s episode, Chris sits down with psychologist and bestselling author Ethan Kross to talk about the science of emotions and “mental fitness.” They break down why we struggle to control our emotions, the difference between reacting and regulating, and how your inner voice can either help or hurt you. On the X is an IRONCLAD Original. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us...

On today’s episode, Chris sits down with Brigham Buhler, founder and CEO of Ways2Well, a company focused on preventative health and personalized care. Brigham shares his journey from working in pharmaceutical and medical device sales to building a company aimed at helping people take control of their health. They discuss metabolic health, lifestyle choices, and the tools and strategies that can he...

Today’s episode is a compilation exploring how the brain responds under extreme pressure. Guests include Laird Hamilton, who has faced some of the largest waves on the planet; Tommy Caldwell, a professional rock climber who survived being held captive in Kyrgyzstan; and Dr. Nicholas Wright, a neuroscientist studying stress, fear, and resilience. Together, they share firsthand experiences of life-o...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with neuroscientist Dr. Sandi Chapman and former Navy SEAL Kevin Gatley to discuss brain health, neuroplasticity, and cognitive performance, including how the brain can adapt throughout life and strategies to improve focus, decision-making, and resilience. Dr. Sandi Chapman is a neuroscientist and the founder of the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Te...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Ashok Gupta, founder of the Gupta Program, to discuss neuroplasticity and the role of the brain and nervous system in chronic illness. Ashok shares his experience with chronic fatigue syndrome and how it led to the development of his brain retraining program. The conversation explores conditions such as fibromyalgia and long COVID, the science behind nervou...

This compilation episode of On the X focuses on trauma, PTSD, and resilience, featuring conversations with VA counselor Jeff Wiedenhofer, psychiatrist Dr. Paul Conti, and Taya Kyle, widow of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. The episode covers clinical definitions of trauma and PTSD, how trauma affects the brain, and how individuals experience and carry trauma across different contexts, including military ser...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Nicholas Wright, a neuroscientist and strategist, to explore how our biology drives the future of conflict. The author of Warhead: The Neuroscience of Conflict and Strategy, Dr. Wright, draws on his background advising the Pentagon and White House to explain how the brain’s architecture shapes decision-making in war and how the chaos of battle physicall...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Steven Kotler, New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and expert on human performance. Steven is the co-founder of the Flow Research Collective and author of books including The Rise of Superman, Stealing Fire, The Art of Impossible, and Bold. In this conversation, they discuss the science and application of flow states, their impact on mental and p...

On today's episode, Chris Irwin speaks with The Honorable Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, about the Department of Veterans Affairs’ efforts to enhance healthcare and services for U.S. veterans. They discuss reducing disability claim backlogs, improving wait times, expanding community care, supporting mental health, and VA research initiatives. On the X is an IRONCLAD Original More abo...