The Bear Essentials Podcast

Today's guest, Mike Bates is a former British Royal Marine Commando and covert counter terrorism operator who is often referred to as the real-life James Bond. Military: The day Mike stepped foot off the train at Lympstone Commando to begin Royal Marines training was the start.  The start of a journey into finding his physical and mental limits, then overcoming them.  This journey took h...

Today's guest, Jack Pearson, is an Australian born actor, singer / songwriter who has gotten a second chance at life after surviving a suicide attempt. Who Is Jack Pearson: Jack Pearson was born on September 3, 1989 in Strathewen, Victoria, Australia. He is an actor, known for Pam & Tommy (2022), ABC Discovers: Los Angeles Talent Showcase (2018) and As the Bell Rings (2007). Family: Grew up on...

Today's guest, Glen Macnow, is an on-air radio personality in Philadelphia for "Sports Radio 94 WIP".  Additionally, he is seen on NBC Sports Philadelphia every Saturday night at 11 p.m. (EST). There, he co-hosts “What’s Brewing” alongside Don Russell. In the show, they travel to local breweries and beer retailers mainly located in the Bucks County area. https://www.youtube.com/c/WhatsBrewing...

Today's guest, Rafa Conde, has dedicated his life to the resurgence of the warrior mind. With four decades of martial arts training under his belt, tutelage from Zen masters, experience as a DEA/Narcotics/SWAT officer, and at one point in his life having been an elite Wall Street broker, to call Rafa a modern-day warrior is an understatement. Having cultivated his philosophies of what a modern day...

Today's guest, Banning Sweatland, is a Marine Corps veteran and seasoned law enforcement officer with over twenty years of service, currently working as the Patrol Supervisor for the Sheriff’s Office in Jack County, Texas. He knew from a young age that he wanted to be in law enforcement. Born in Waco, TX, in 1979, he was adopted at birth by a military family and lived all over the country. He enli...

On this episode, I speak with Chris Rubio, host of "The Rubio Method" podcast and president of "Rubio Long Snapping". In just 17 years, Chris Rubio has become the #1 snapping instructor in the country and the go-to man when a college coach needs a snapper. Colleges from across the country rely on Chris Rubio's word day in and day out on who the best snappers are in the country. Chris Rubio has ass...

On this episode I speak with professional mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer, Joey "The Cinderella Man" Angelo. Tune in as we discuss the life of a combat sports professional and how he balances that while working a full-time job and his family. NGBN.TV is a holistic personal & professional development network that serves men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. It’s home to top experts, autho...

On this episode I interview Muay Thai fighter and trainer Jorden Jones.  Jorden has trained and fought in Thailand. He is also my Muay Thai trainer and played a big role in me regaining my health and fitness.

Today's guest, Ronald smith was just 6 days out from competing in an "Iron Man" competition. He was about to embark on what some say is the toughest day in sports.  The devastating diagnosis he received would break most people. Instead, Ronnie completed the "Iron Man" and now he is facing an even greater challenge, colon cancer. NGBN.TV is a holistic personal & professional development ne...

Dave Bradley was born and raised in Manchester, England. Dave is highly experienced when it comes to dealing with people in the business and sporting world. He was a professional soccer player for 14 years, playing for Manchester United and Doncaster Rovers in England. He also played for Hellenic and Witz University in South Africa, and played and coached for Dunedin City and Manurewa FC in New Ze...

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This is one of the most inspirational comeback stories in professional sports.  Today's guest on The Bear Essentials, Aaron Volpatti, was never supposed to play in the NHL. As an average, undersized youth hockey player, Aaron had to fight his way, literally, into competitive hockey. But in the early hours of April 20, 2005, he found himself in a very different fight–a fight for his life after...

Today guest on The Bear Essentials is writer, speaker, facilitator and mentor, Benjamin Smith. As a black child born in 1971, Ben was adopted in Seattle and raised by white parents in a  tough neighborhood in East Vancouver. He experienced relentless violence, bullying and  racial discrimination. As a way to overcome fear and self-loathing, Ben became a  competitive boxer, wrestler,...

Mike Simpson was born the oldest of two children in Redondo Beach California. At the age of 11, his father's employment with Rockwell International caused his family to relocated to Tehachapi California, where Mike would go on to attend high school and play football for the Tehachapi Warriors. Growing up in a working class family in a rural cAfter training as an infantryman and completing airborne...

Ciaran Gribbin is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and performer who, in addition to working with world class artists such as Madonna, U2, Paul McCartney, Snow Patrol and Al Pacino, has toured the world as the singer of INXS. Ciaran was born during the Northern Ireland conflict and grew up in The Troubles. As a young musician he cut his teeth doing gig after gig in the tough bars of Belfast and Derry...

Today's guest on The Bear Essentials is former NFL lineman, actor and fitness trainer, Pete Koch.   Born on Long Island, NY Pete began playing contact football at the age of seven and didn’t stop for twenty years. Along the way he captained his winning New Hyde Park High School team, then his University of Maryland team to the  ACC Championship and appearance in the prestigious Citrus Bo...

I've been vapor for years; a ghost trapped in my fears. When they see through me; only you can see me.   These lyrics are from the powerful new single, Vapor, by today's guest, Toby Rand.   Toby Rand is an Australian singer best known for being lead singer of rock band RAND, previous band Juke Kartel, and his appearance on Rock Star: Supernova.    He is a modern-day front man w...

What started as a mission of thirteen friends to save one Afghan interpreter quickly turned into one of the largest civilian rescue operations in history.    Today's guest on The Bear Essentials is director, Nick Palmisciano. His gripping documentary, Send Me, is the account of twelve Veterans and one spouse of a catastrophically wounded Afghanistan Veteran who used all of their resource...

Imagine you just summited to the highest peak in the world, alone. One minute you are standing atop Mount Everest taking it all in, the next minute, you are experiencing snow blindness.    What would you do?   Today's guest on The Bear Essentials, former Navy rescue swimmer Brian Dickinson, was roughly 1,000 feet from the summit of Mount Everest—also known as “the death zone”—when h...

Unfortunately, there is a lot of evil in this world and we need brave individuals who are willing to risk their lives to protect those who can't protect themselves.   Today's guest on The Bear Essentials, Eric McCants, is one of those special individuals.   Eric is currently an investigative sergeant at the Burke County Sheriff Office and a member of their SWAT Team, currently assigned t...

Remi Adeleke is former Navy SEAL, author, actor and filmmaker.    His acting credits include the films 6 Underground, Transformers: The Last Knight, and Ambulance. Remi was also featured on the TV series SEAL Team and the Amazon Prime original series, The Terminal List.    Remi has written and directed a very important and gripping film, The Unexpected. This movie explores &nbs...

You can’t be brave if you’re not afraid.   Today’s guest on The Bear Essentials, Tony Blauer, is an expert in fear management, self-defense and is a mindset educator.    Coach Tony Blauer has been in the martial art, self-defense, defensive tactics, and combatives industry for over four decades.    He is one of the only Combatives experts who has successfully affected trai...

There is an old saying, it is better to give than to receive.   Today’s guest on The Bear Essentials, is Bob Burg, coauthor of The Go-Giver, a Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek Bestseller, that has sold over a million copies. Since its release it has consistently stayed in the Top 25 on Porchlight’s (formerly 800-CEO-READ) Business Book Bestsellers List. The book has been translated into 3...

Douglas J. Woods Sr. has been providing life insurance & Tax-advantaged retirement solutions to clients in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and 8 other additional states. He believes that putting his clients first and maintaining a high level of professionalism on their behalf is what makes clients eager to refer him to their family and friends. Douglas brings a high level of expertise to his cl...

The birth of your child, this day is field with so much joy as you imagine all the hopes and dreams of your baby boy or girl. Now fast forward a few years as something seems off, your child isn't developing accordingly and they tell you that the life that once held endless possibilities will eventually come to a premature end.   In this episode of The Bear Essentials, I interview fitness expe...