Sentinel Strength

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Hallberg, Army veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of The Business Sergeant and GoExpand. Chris has made it his mission to help veterans successfully transition from military service into meaningful careers and business ownership by providing education, mentorship, and real-world opportunities. We discuss the mission behind The Business Sergeant, the free trai...

In this episode, I sit down with Guillermo Blanco, Tactical Strength and Conditioning Coach and one of the many professionals helping shape the future of the Army's Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program. With nearly 15 years of experience spanning collegiate athletics, private sector coaching, and tactical performance, Guillermo brings a unique perspective on what it takes to build stronge...

In this episode, I sit down with Nick O'Brien, a Tactical Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), a national-level strongman competitor, a Highland Games athlete, an Army Reserve officer, and the host of The Strength Game Podcast. We dive into the world of tactical strength and conditioning, discussing why physical readiness remains one of the mo...

In this episode, I sit down with Wells Jones to talk about a life that’s anything but conventional. Wells shares his experience serving in the U.S. Navy, including time spent operating in one of the most extreme environments on earth, Antarctica, where the mission demands resilience, adaptability, and a unique mindset. From there, we shift into life beyond the military and his involvement with Ref...

In this episode, I sit down with Brock Mergist, a retired U.S. Army Green Beret, who shares a raw and deeply personal story of failure, loss, and ultimately, redemption. Brock opens up about leaving the military disgruntled and angry, only to later realize that many of the challenges he faced were rooted in his own decisions. He speaks candidly about the consequences of alcohol abuse, infidelity,...

In this episode, I sit down with Francesca Graham, the Chief Operating Officer of the Walk the Talk Foundation and host of the Star Chamber Podcast. Francesca has become a leading advocate for service members, government civilians, and veterans who face Inspector General (IG) investigations and retaliation after reporting wrongdoing. We dive into the complicated reality of the IG complaint process...

In this episode, I sit down with Carl Roush, a retired U.S. Army Green Beret and the owner of Roush Global Advisory. Carl shares what life looked like as he approached the end of his military career and the transition into the next chapter after Special Forces. We talk openly about the blessings and challenges that come with life after service, how perspective changes once the uniform comes off, a...

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Mendoza, a Force Recon Marine, endurance athlete, and founder of the Military Reunion Foundation (MRF). Mike shares stories from his time serving in one of the Marine Corps’ most elite units and the mindset that carried him through that demanding career. After his time in service, Mike pushed his limits in a different arena, setting a world record for completi...

In this episode, I sit down with Miles Spencer, founder of Reflekta, to explore one of the most complex intersections of technology and humanity: AI-driven remembrance of loved ones. Miles explains how Reflekta uses artificial intelligence to preserve a person’s voice, stories, and personality, not through generic internet data, but through family-owned inputs, strict data parameters, and intentio...

In this episode, I sit down with Kaedy Molley of the Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP). This national nonprofit helps enlisted veterans transition from military service to success at America’s top universities, including Ivy League schools. Kaedy shares her journey from serving as a U.S. Navy Arabic Cryptologic Linguist to mentoring and empowering fellow veterans through organizations like WSP, Studen...

In this episode, I sit down with Todd Strader, founder of OverPressured.com, to discuss the long-term effects of blast overpressure on service members and what’s being done to address them. Todd explains his mission to implement a Blast Safety Officer program, ensuring that data from blast gauges is recorded and added to service members’ medical records, a critical step toward recognizing and trea...

Today, we sit down with Craig Hannum, a nationally recognized mental health expert who has delivered seminars across North America with one mission: to save lives from suicide. We dive deep into the critical topics of mental health, men’s mental health, and resiliency. Craig shares why the conversation around mental health is louder than ever—yet the mental health crisis continues to grow at an as...

In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Bracamontes, author of Resilient, a powerful memoir about growing up in a group home in Southern California. Jeremy opens up about losing his father to cancer and his mother to heroin addiction and how those early hardships shaped his journey toward strength, purpose, and perseverance. From navigating life in the system as a young boy to serving in the U.S....

In this episode, I sit down with Jason Bacon, a retired Green Beret, former congressional candidate, and founder of Green Beret PAC. Jason shares his story of why he chose to run for Congress and the challenges of entering the political arena. Since this conversation was recorded on 9/11, we reflect on where we were when the towers fell and how that day shaped our paths. We then dive into the Char...

In Episode 49, we sit down with Geoffrey Harpster, a U.S. Army veteran, educator, and leader in human performance optimization. Geoffrey served for over 11 years in theArmy as an Infantry Staff Sergeant, recruiter, and instructor, leading more than 150 combat operations across Iraq and Afghanistan. After transitioning out of active duty, Geoffrey carried his passion for service into new arenas, fr...

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Kris, born in the former USSR and lived in Ukraine before moving to the United States. We dive into his unique perspective on growing up under Soviet influence and life in Ukraine, and how those experiences shaped his worldview. Together, we explore the intersections of technology, politics, and culture and discuss the challenges facing the United States today...

In this episode, I sit with Ed McAndrews (aka Sub60Ed) for a wide-ranging conversation about football, resilience, and purpose. We discuss the NFL and college games, explore how adversity builds strength, and how finding purpose can transform your mindset in life or the gym. We also tackle timely and controversial topics, including gun rights and why banning firearms is not the solution, especiall...

This week, we sit down with Eddie Gomez, Patient Advocate at Core Medical Group (CMG) in Boca Raton, FL. Eddie breaks down what CMG offers, from testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to peptides and more. He explains how to get signed up with CMG, what sets them apart in the wellness space, and why they’ve become a trusted resource for veterans, especially given the VA's lack of adequate serv...

In this episode, Nick sits down with Brian Alsruhe, a strongman competitor, coach, and all-around powerhouse, to talk training, resilience, and becoming a better human. The two dive into what it takes to get the most out of weightlifting, how to find real value when hiring a coach, and why mental toughness matters as much as physical strength. They also unpack the role of peptides, recovery strate...

In this episode, I sit down with Melissa, Tactical Manager at TeamBuildr and General Manager of TeamBuildr Practice. With over five years of experience as a Tactical Strength and Conditioning Coach, Melissa brings knowledge from her work at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Wounded Warrior Battalion-East, and the School of Infantry-East. We dive deep into one of the most important aspects of training cu...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Fontaine, a Christian, fitness coach, and founder of the John 5 Movement. Matt shares his powerful journey of transformation, from battling addiction and depression to building a life rooted in faith, discipline, and fitness. We dive deep into how the John 5 Movement uses strength and conditioning, proper caloric intake, discipline, and the will to change as...

In this episode, I sit down with Jason Frawley, a Super Heavyweight strongman competitor, to talk all things strength. We discuss his background in collegiate sports, journey into strongman, and why we love the sport. Jason shares insights into his upcoming Pro-AM event and the dedication required to compete at the highest levels. We also cover his aspirations for the Arnold and why the Original S...

In this episode, I sit down with Pat Hubbell, co-founder of Candorful, to discuss the often-overlooked challenges of the interview process, especially for transitioning service members and military spouses. Pat explains how Candorful’s unique system prepares candidates to navigate tough interview questions and confidently present their best selves. Whether you're leaving the military or making...

In this episode, I sit with Hunter Schurrer, Vice President of Training at the University of Health and Performance (UHP). With over 20 years of experience in collegiate and tactical strength and conditioning, Hunter shares his powerful journey from coaching NCAA athletes to shaping the foundational human performance program for the 1st Special Forces Group. We dive into UHP's unique interdiscipli...

In this episode, I sit down with Phil Betterly, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Shenandoah University, for an in-depth conversation on the art and science of athletic development. We explore foundational principles of strength and conditioning, effective program design, and Phil’s specialized work with the university’s softball, baseball, women’s lacrosse, and field hockey teams. With...