On the X

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Chris Cassidy, a former Navy SEAL and NASA astronaut. Cassidy served as a SEAL for 10 years, deploying to Afghanistan and the Mediterranean before being selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004. Over the course of three spaceflights, he logged 377 days in space and completed 10 spacewalks, contributing to critical missions aboard the International Space Station...

In this episode, Chris speaks with Jason Jaggard, author of Spark: Transform Your World One Small Risk at a Time and Beyond High Performance: What Great Coaches Know About How the Best Get Better. Jason is a leadership coach and the founder of Novus Global, a coaching firm working with elite performers, including athletes, executives, and creatives. They discuss his journey into coaching, his beli...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Tracy Heller. Dr. Heller is a cognitive behavioral practitioner and mental performance expert, specializing in helping individuals unlock their full potential through effective mindset strategies. With years of experience in mental health and performance coaching, she empowers clients to overcome challenges, manage stress, and enhance overall well-being...

In this episode of On the X, Chris talks with Ben Milligan, former Navy SEAL and author of By Water Beneath the Walls: The Rise of the Navy SEALs. Together, they discuss the origins and evolution of the Navy SEALs, as well as the extensive research and writing process behind Ben's book. Ben shares how he uncovered key historical details, and what inspired him to document the SEALs’ history in dept...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Tommy Caldwell, one of the world’s top rock climbers known for his historic ascent of the Dawn Wall on El Capitan. Tommy's career includes numerous achievements in rock climbing, including his pioneering efforts on big wall climbs. He also shares his personal journey, including surviving a kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan and losing a finger in an accident. Tommy d...

In this episode of On the X, Chris sits down with Jocko Willink, retired Navy SEAL, bestselling author, and leadership expert. They discuss Jocko’s journey from the SEAL Teams to becoming a prominent voice in leadership and personal development. Jocko shares his insights on the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life and strategies for finding purpose beyond military service,...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Jeff Byers, co-founder and CEO of Momentous Nutrition. They discuss the importance of transparency in the supplement industry. Jeff explains how Momentous approaches quality, accountability, and trust to raise the standard for nutritional products. He also sheds light on common misconceptions about supplements and what consumers should know when choosing pr...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with former Navy SEAL, actor, author, and inspirational speaker, Remi Adeleke. Born in Nigeria and raised in the Bronx, Remi shares how he overcame adversity to serve in the SEAL teams. Following his military service, he transitioned into Hollywood, appearing in films like Transformers: The Last Knight and writing his memoir, Transformed: A Navy SEAL's Unlikely...

In this episode of On the X, Chris Irwin sits down with NY Times best-selling author, filmmaker, and podcaster Joshua Fields Millburn of The Minimalists to explore the transformative power of minimalism. They discuss how living with less can lead to more freedom, purpose, and joy, while tackling the challenges and misconceptions surrounding a minimalist lifestyle. To find out more about The Minima...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with Cheryl Zonkowski, a seasoned registered dietitian and performance nutrition expert with over 20 years of experience. Cheryl has served as a performance dietitian for Naval Special Warfare, where she helped some of the world’s most elite operators achieve peak mental and physical performance through precision-targeted nutrition strategies. As the founder of...

In this episode of On the X, Chris Irwin sits down with Dr. Paul Conti, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and leading expert on trauma and mental health. Dr. Conti is the founder of a nationally recognized clinic specializing in trauma treatment and the author of Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic. On the X is an IRONCLAD Original. More about The Navy SEAL Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.navysealfoundation.o...

In this episode of On the X, Chris is joined by leadership expert and bestselling author Simon Sinek. Known for his transformative ideas on leadership, Sinek has inspired millions with his concept of "Start With Why" and his work on building organizations that prioritize trust and collaboration. His books, including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, and The Infinite Game, have impacted thousands o...

In this episode of On the X, Chris Irwin sits down with Bear Handlon, CEO and co-founder of Born Primitive, a fitness apparel brand known for its high-quality and functional athletic wear that is rooted in values of patriotism and purpose. They discuss Bear's journey from serving as an active-duty Navy officer to founding a successful company. Bear shares how he balanced military life with entrepr...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with former Navy SEAL turned serial entrepreneur, Todd Ehrlich. After his military service, Todd founded Kill Cliff, a sports beverage company known for its clean ingredients and dedication to supporting military veterans, which quickly gained recognition, ranking #103 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in the U.S. Today, he continues to drive in...

Today's guest is Rob Wilson. Rob Wilson is a Human Performance Specialist with over 20 years of manual therapy, coaching, and education experience. His  career in health and performance has evolved over the past two decades from his beginnings as a massage therapist specializing in chronic pain, movement dysfunction, and stress. He has worked in various settings, including spas, pain clinics, and...

On today's episode of On the X, Chris sits down with renowned journalist and author, Johann Hari. Johann is best known for his work on mental health, depression, and addiction. He has written several best-selling books including Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression - and the Unexpected Solutions and Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention -- and How to Think Deeply Again, e...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with winning actor and humanitarian, Gary Sinise. Gary is best known for his portrayal of Lieutenant Dan Taylor in the Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump. Beyond acting, Gary is a dedicated advocate for veterans and active-duty military personnel. He founded the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2011, which supports veterans through various programs, including mental healt...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with board certified clinical psychologist, Dr. Craig Bryan. Dr. Craig Bryan is an expert in suicide prevention and trauma. He serves as a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Ohio State University, where he leads research efforts focused on developing and evaluating treatments for military personnel, veterans, and first responders. Dr. Bryan has pub...

On today's episode, Chris sits down with fitness expert, Jon Arend. Jon Arend is the co-founder of Combat Science. With multiple certifications in fitness, holistic health, and tactical training, Jon has trained A-list celebrities, professional athletes, and executives from Fortune 500 companies. He is known for his innovative approach to functional fitness, blending survival tactics with health o...

On this episode of On the X, Chris sits down with Dr. Leah Lagos. Dr. Lagos is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in health and performance psychology, renowned for her pioneering work in heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback. Her expertise includes strategies to reduce anxiety, enhance resilience to adversity, and improve overall health. She has worked extensively with NBA and NFL p...

Today, Chris sits down with actor, director, and producer David Boreanaz. David is known for his leading roles and behind-the-scenes work on TV. He currently stars as Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Jason Hayes in the hit drama SEAL Team, where he also serves as producer and director. The show is now in its seventh and final season on Paramount+. Before SEAL Team, Boreanaz spent 12 seasons o...

Chris Voss is one of the world's leading experts on the craft of negotiation. Chris Voss was the lead international kidnapping negotiator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as well as the FBI’s hostage negotiation representative for the National Security Council’s Hostage Working Group. He also served as the lead Crisis Negotiator for the New York City division of the FBI and was a mem...

Today, Chris sits down with CrossFit legend, Mat Fraser. Mat Fraser is largely considered one of the greatest CrossFit athletes of all time, having won five consecutive CrossFit Games from 2016 - 2020. He’s also a former Olympic weightlifting champion, overcoming a broken back as a teenager. Today he is the founder and Chief Product Officer of HWPO (“Hard Work Pays Off”) — a fitness training progr...

Today, Chris talks with bestselling writer, filmmaker, and combat journalist, Sebastian Junger. He is the bestselling author of books including Freedom, Tribe, War, A Death in Belmont, Fire and The Perfect Storm. His latest book is called In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife. His films include Restrepo, Korengal, The Last Patrol, Which Way Is the Front Line Fr...

Today, Chris sits down with Dr. Maya Shanker. She is a cognitive scientist and the creator, executive producer, and host of the podcast, A Slight Change of Plans. Maya has a postdoctoral fellowship in cognitive neuroscience from Stanford, a Ph. D. in cognitive psychology from Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, and a B.A. from Yale. On the X, an IRONCLAD Original, is the official podcast of The Navy S...