The Any Given Day Podcast

Overview Lt. Col. Joe "Coach" Cruz has spent 32 years in uniform and every year of it trying to make the people around him better. This episode covers building meaningful connection and military peer training pipelines that actually work, running a 50-mile ultramarathon at 50 years old, and the three mantras that have guided everything Joe Cruz does. About Joe Cruz Lt. Col. Joe "Coach" Cruz is an...

Overview John Mackersie called in from a hotel room in Crete — which tells you everything you need to know about him. A former collegiate athlete turned strength coach, John spent nearly seven years living in Europe before heading back stateside with his wife, three boys, and a coaching philosophy built on simplicity, creativity, and showing up consistently regardless of what life looks like that...

Overview Viviana Morales Kolb is a 12-year Army veteran, mom of four boys, and self-described semi-professional manager of chaos who has made a second career out of dragging people back to life. This episode covers community, purpose, endurance challenges nobody asked for, range games, and the one question every veteran needs to answer — not who they used to be, but who they are now. About Viviana...

Overview Brad Hollingsworth spent four and a half years as a Marine Corps infantryman, including time in a sniper platoon he wasn't supposed to be in, before an abrupt exit forced him to rebuild from scratch. What followed was a decade-plus career in human performance built entirely on the same principle that kept him in that sniper platoon: make yourself impossible to cut. This episode covers ser...

Overview This one is dedicated to Rob Wadleigh — Senior Enlisted Leader within 1st Special Forces Group, AGD Master of None team member, and by all accounts the Green Beret everyone else was trying to be. Nate reflects on Rob's life, his approach to training, and the philosophy that defined both.. Episode Takeaways Attack your weakness — find something you're genuinely bad at and throw yourself at...

Overview Andy Holmes is a Marine veteran turned collegiate soccer strength and conditioning coach who brings a rare blend of military leadership, athletic performance, and self-aware humor to everything he does. This episode covers coaching philosophy, vulnerability, the role of sport in combating apathy, the value of the near-miss, and why it's okay to not be okay. About Andy Holmes A wellspring...

Overview Mark Christiani has coached at every level — D1 collegiate, Army H2F at Fort Bragg, Army Reserve, and now human performance management with O2X. This episode is a wide-ranging coaching conversation covering training variation, programming philosophy, the tactical human performance landscape, and what it actually takes to build culture inside large organizations. About Mark Christiani Mark...

Overview Nick Umble spent 20 years in Special Forces before walking off a military base and onto a college football field. Now he's competing at the national level in strongman — including top-ten finishes at Masters Nationals and the Arnold Masters Strongman World Championships — and building Sentinel Strength. This episode covers nutrition, identity, competition, coaching culture, and what happe...

Overview Ben Seims brings two decades of health and human performance experience, 24 years of Army National Guard service, and a nursing career to a conversation that goes far deeper than his credentials. In the most honest episodes yet, Ben shares a story of homelessness, multiple suicide attempts, and the long road to finding peace. About Ben Seims Ben Seims currently works with the Consortium f...

JD Mata shares how he applies his diverse professional and educational backgrounds to affect positive change in the humans he coaches and counsels. He reveals how discomfort experienced by physical training is actually a source of comfort for him compared to stepping back and letting others take the lead on occasion. About JD Mata JD Mata is a 10-year United States Air Force veteran with multiple...

The conversation with Mauri DiMeo of Tactical Alpinism covers the challenges of transitioning from military service to civilian life, the process of certification for international mountain guides, the relationship with risk and passion in the mountains, and the experience of sharing mountain adventures with others. The conversation delves into the themes of pushing beyond limits, professional mou...

Colin Meadors shares his experiences preparing for Ranger School and RASP, his deployments to Syria and Afghanistan, the weight of deployment experiences, the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life, and the importance of finding balance during the transition period. He emphasizes the need for patience, support, and companionship, as well as the value of seeking help from other veterans...

Host Nate Palin explores the theme of growth after service and the process of resilience. He delves into the layers of resilience, experiences in combat, dealing with trauma, and the concept of rock bottom. Nate also touches on testing of the rebuild, emphasizing the importance of feeling and acknowledging emotions as part of the rebuilding process.

Noel shares his military journey from the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps to his successful transition into strength and conditioning. He discusses the importance of discipline, continuous learning, and adapting military principles to civilian life, offering valuable insights for veterans navigating post-service challenges. About Noël Brand Noël Brand is a performance coach and (co-)owner of Breda...

Matt Luke shares his remarkable journey from incarceration to becoming a dedicated firefighter, husband, and father - personifying the value of mental toughness, doing hard things, and maintaining perspective. Discover how overcoming adversity and embracing discomfort can lead to growth, resilience, and a truly fulfilling life. About Matt Luke “In every challenge or even tragedy lies opportunity....

Margarita Valenzuela, a former Marine, shares her journey from military service to civilian life. She discusses her diverse background, her experiences in the Marine Corps, and the challenges she faced transitioning to civilian life. Maggie shares her educational pursuits in psychology, her insights on the importance of physical training, and her understanding of the pain-pleasure balance in life....

Paul Ngyuen shares how he overcame the physical limitations and loneliness of being removed from his Ranger family during rehab from a combat injury, and how his perseverance has translated to successes as a veteran in the civilian world. Paul emphasizes the importance of finding community and purpose after service, his transition into entrepreneurship, and the value of connection among veterans....

Ryan Antes, a former Ranger and current attorney, shares his military experience, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and the importance of resilience. Ryan recalls his journey from military service to law, his experiences in combat, and the health challenges he has faced since leaving the service. They discuss the value of volunteerism, friendship, community engagement, and the impo...

Giovani Urrutia shares his journey from military service to coaching, emphasizing the importance of discomfort for personal growth and resilience. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, the impact of health issues on his perspective, and his creative pursuits in writing. Giovani highlights the value of authenticity in communication and the role of mentorship in guiding othe...

Celebrating the birthday of his friend David Pedersen, who shares his journey from being a high school football player to joining the Marine Corps. David reflects on his motivations for enlisting, the impact of influential leaders like Gunnery Sergeant Duffel, and the lessons he learned about leadership and empowerment. The conversation delves into David's transition from military life to pursuing...

Nate Palin and James McLanahan discuss their journeys through military service and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. They explore the importance of finding a supportive community, maintaining physical fitness, and the value of mentorship. James shares insights from his experiences in the military and how they shaped his approach to life after service, including his creation of Prim...

In this episode of the Any Given Day podcast, Nate Palin and Jason Clark engage in a deep conversation about parenting, military experiences, personal growth, and the importance of mindset. They explore the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, the significance of embracing discomfort, and the power of truth in shaping one's identity. Jason shares his journey from an overweig...