Rituals of Strength

This week I interview Vadim Kolganov, Master of Sport in Sambo and Judo, 4th Dan in Jujitsu, Master Instructor in ROSS, Strength and Conditioning Coach. Vadim discusses his early life training in Russia, his time in the military, his studies at the Central University of Culture and Sport, and his life after moving to Glasgow. A noted competitor, with titles that include Moscow Champion (1986) , Wo...

In this episode I'm in conversation with a former colleague who rose up from the bad streets, to serve in the military, and then to provide over 3 decades of high-level intervention as a global security contractor. We discuss combat, awareness, mindset and much more. This one took some gymnastic efforts to make happen. I hope you enjoy it.

To celebrate episode 20, this installment will outline 20 ideas for improving your ability to make decisions under stress.

With the gracious permission of my brothers Owen Schilling and Randel Davis over at The Kung Fu Conversations Podcast, here is a rebroadcast of a conversation I had with Sifu Russ Smith. Sifu Russ expressed an interest in martial arts as a young teenager, and began learning Karate basics with a family friend. It wasn't until Russ was on extended vacation in the Philippines over thirty years ag...

In this week's episode, I have the great fortune to interview martial arts and defensive tactics instructor Alex Jansen, about his journey through the martial arts, the military, and beyond. Among his many experiences, Alex trained directly under the founder of Systema Kadochnikova and enjoys unique insights into combat readiness. To find out more about Alex, please visit: warrior_minds_et on inst...

In this week's episode we discuss the effect that anxiety, fear, and specifically anger can have on your performance, even in combative situations. This is an expansion and response to our week 5 episode, which generated a lot of feedback.

In this week's episode, actor, writer and comedian Dan Bingham, discusses his journey to success, the process of creation, dealing with performance anxiety, heckler's, writer's block, and much more.

In this week's episode we delve deep into the field of trauma-informed care and training with the co-founders of Thrive Self Defense, Lauren Bailey and Lindsey Falcon. In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore how to create a safe training space, essential principles of personal protection, and the path to healing. Not to be missed by anyone serious about making the world a better place....

In this week's episode, we speak with Max White. This veteran stunt performer and coordinator has appeared in some of the biggest films of the past 2 decades which include "300", "Kingsman", "Hellboy 2", and "Superman, Man of Steel" as well as tv shows like "The Boys". Also a lifelong martial artist, in this week's episode we broach topics like coping with and overcoming fear, healing and recovery...

You don't need to be a tactical operative to benefit from a clear understanding of tactical principles. These concepts permeate public consciousness in motivational literature and misinterpreting them can be a serious roadblock to progress. In the second half of this conversation, Kevin and master tactical instructor Mike Malpass continue to share their ideas and experiences on 6 of the most misun...

Tactical concepts permeating our consciousness, from self-help books, to TED talks, to the martial arts. In part 1 of this conversation with master tactical instructor Mike Malpass, we discuss 6 of the most misunderstood tactical rules and how they damage our learning process. Check out all three of Mike's books on Amazon at ⁠Amazon.com: Michael G Malpass: books, biography, latest update⁠ Or reach...

Trauma creates measurable physical changes in our brain structure, body chemistry, and nervous system. In this episode, we will explore the modern movement of Trauma-Informed Training, and learn how to integrate elements of respect, self-care and healing into our solo training and environments, to create lasting positive change in our bodies, minds, and behaviours.

Studies continue to emerge, substantiating the use of "Magic Mushrooms" as a powerful and rapid treatment for conditions ranging from medication-resistant depression to PTSD. In this episode, mushroom facilitator Cliff "Trip" Maxwell, shares his journey and experience with the healing power of Psilocybin.

The martial arts of Russia are among the most maligned and misunderstood in the world today. Clouded by misinformation, a fragmented historical record, and outright charlatanism, it can be difficult to separate the beneficial from the bogus. In this episode, Kevin, himself a seasoned expert in the art, dissects some of the biggest misunderstandings, with a focus on which aspects can create the big...

In the second portion of this interview, we learn how consolidate Stewart's martial, military and fitness mastery to forge a "Tactical Athlete". You will learn detailed prescriptions for creating a personal fitness system, clearly and simply. For more about Stewart, please visit: ⁠Five Stones Barbell⁠ ⁠ or Soma Strong

In this episode, we explore the first half of an interview with Stewart Breeding. He is a master-level fitness instructor, martial arts expert, and combat veteran with the infamous 82nd Airborne. We discuss his early years of getting into fitness, his military experience, his training with legendary martial arts masters, and much more. For more about Stewart, please visit: Five Stones Barbell or S...

In this week's show, I interview Dr. John Giduck. John was a pioneer in the establishment of the Slavic martial arts in the West. He is a retired lawyer who earned his law degree from the University of Denver. He has been a doctoral studies professor in homeland security for the past 10 years and a criminal justice professor for 30 years. In addition, he has a Master's Degree in Russian St...

Within the self-defense world, a constant debate rages on regarding how ferocious you should train yourself to be. Should we train ourselves to be resolute and to resort to any means necessary unthinkingly? How burdened by the risk of consequences should we allow ourselves to become? In this podcast, we discuss various perspectives and establish some potential tenets and guidelines for assessing o...

The Ecological Approach to learning as well as the Constraints Led Approach are enjoying growing popularity. This discussion with tactical expert and instructor Mike Malpass specifically discusses some of the limitations of this approach as it applies to the martial arts, self-defense, and tactical instruction. It attempts to unpack some of the inflated marketing claims. It provides a balanced dis...

One of the questions I’ve been asked the most in my decades of training and teaching, is how do I train myself to be more confident when everything is on the line? How do I tame my fear and have the resolve to face my fears? In part two of this episode, we will conclude our 25 exercises to practice in your daily life that will grow your ability across the entire spectrum, from assertiveness to agg...

One of the questions I’ve been asked the most in my decades of training and teaching, is how do I train myself to be more confident when everything is on the line? How do I tame my fear and have the resolve to face my fears? In this two-part episode, we will give you 25 exercises to practice in your daily life that will grow your ability across the entire spectrum, from assertiveness to aggression...

With so much conflicting and competing information on the market about breath training, we start by looking at research that suggests breath retraining may be a rational placebo. From there, we delve into the mechanics of specific techniques, including 3 levels of breathing, Box Breathing, and The Physiological Sigh, providing new insights and simple ways to test and integrate these concepts in yo...