Behind The Shield

Zar Horton is a retired Battalion Chief and a StrongFirst Master Kettlebell trainer. We discuss his transition out of the fire service, BMX racing, glycolytic training, exercise and the nervous system, fostering longevity, the importance of sleep and so much more.

Byron Branch is a law enforcement officer, elite fencer and amputee. We discuss his multifaceted childhood, the importance of mentorship, his journey into fencing, the traffic accident that took his leg, the incredible physical and mental road back to full duty, wheelchair fencing and so much more.

Jeremiah Wilber is a Green Beret combat veteran, cowboy and self described mountain man. We discuss his early life on the reservation, the dark side of the Indigenous Residential School program, profiteering from war, the mental health toll of the Afghanistan withdrawal, the vulnerability of those left behind and so much more.

Dr Chris Colvin is a Veteran, ER Physician, EMS Medical Director and author. In this important third conversation, Chris takes two hours to fully explain the truths and myths surrounding this pandemic. We discuss the demographic being hit in this second wave, the pros and cons of vaccination, the second pandemic of misinformation and so much more.

Dr Edith Eger is a psychologist, author and survived Auschwitz. We discuss her early life in Hungary, living through ballet, seeing kindness amongst immense cruelty, her own journey of healing, counselling veterans, finding the bigot within yourself, the first responder community and so much more.

Brooke Ames is a Wisconsin firefighter, bodybuilder, powerlifter and coach. We discuss growing up in rural America, her childhood obesity, becoming a volunteer firefighter, her incredible weight loss and fitness journey, learning from the corporate world, mentorship, personality diversity and so much more.

Johnny Walker is an Iraqi interpreter that became the SEAL team's trusted member. Jason Tuschen is a retired Navy SEAL Command Master Chief who worked alongside Johnny. We discuss their parallel early lives, the Taliban's terror campaign in Mosul, the power of communication, his powerful immigration story and so much more.

Colin Broderick is an author, playwright and filmmaker. We discuss growing up in Northern Ireland during the troubles, laboring in London, his powerful addiction story, the catharsis of writing, self belief, the importance of seeing commonalities and so much more.

Bill Anthes is a Green Beret veteran, strength and conditioning coach and psychology student. We discuss his journey into the special forces, training the tactical athlete, the emotional and mental components of coaching, nutrition and so much more.

Jarred Alden is a veteran firefighter, SWAT Medic and an authority on clandestine explosives. We discuss his journey into the fire service, how the tactical medicine program unified FD and PD, juvenile offenders, terrorism and so much more.

Denise Olsen is a nurse, yoga teacher and the widow of Jeff Olsen, one of the 343 firefighters killed on 9/11. We discuss her entry into healthcare, the genesis of their romance, protecting the WTC, the ripple effect of the attacks, grief, healthy coping mechanisms, growing from trauma, the importance of movement and so much more.

Judge Craig Mitchell is a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge and the founder of the Skid Row Running Club. We discuss his challenging childhood, teaching in South Central, the importance of parents, the power of mentorship, homelessness, addiction and so much more.

Akshay Nanavati is a Marine Veteran, endurance athlete and the author of "Fearvana". We discuss his childhood in India, moving to the US, entering the military, mental resilience, the importance of fear, his explorations and much more.

Felix Manjarrez is a veteran FDNY firefighter, strength and conditioning coach and jiu-jitsu practitioner. We discuss his early life, EMS in New York City, entering the fire service, the importance of mentoring, diversity through education, FDNY Grappling and much more.

Terrance Kosikar is a retired firefighter and the founder of Camp My Way. We discuss life in the Canadian Mountains, the pandemic, the healing power of nature, mental health and much more.

Jamie Cochran is the Chief Operating Officer of Echelon Front and a military spouse. We discuss her early life, becoming a Navy SEAL wife, her journey into Echelon Front, the genesis of the Musters, dealing with grief, the cost of service, her powerful presentation and so much more.

Jim Burneka is a veteran firefighter, podcaster and the founder of Firefighter Cancer Consultants. In a tragic twist of irony, Jim is also battling cancer himself. We discuss his journey into the fire service, becoming involved in firefighter wellness, mental health, dealing with a cancer diagnosis, the harmful chemicals in our gear and much more.

Jon Hancock is a Marine Veteran and the subject of the documentary "Bastards' Road". We discuss his journey into the military, Cartel violence, his work in human intelligence, transitioning out, PTSD, his cross country ruck, making the film and so much more.

Tom Morgan is a British firefighter, strength and conditioning coach and former bouncer. We discuss working the door, his journey into the fire service, embracing innovation, training the tactical athlete, the pandemic, his powerful mental health journey and so much more.

Dan Skidmore is a veteran Air Force special operations combat controller, GORUCK cadre and a member of team Force Blue. We discuss his journey into the military, conflict in Africa, living in Morocco, tribalism and much more.

Kory Pearn is a veteran firefighter and the man behind Crackyl Magazine. We discuss his journey into the fire service, mentoring future firefighters, overcoming a near fatal cardiac condition, mental and physical health, the origin story of Crackyl and much more.

Tom McLay has spent his career in corrections, working his way up to the Superintendent of Powder River Correctional Facility. We discuss his journey into corrections, recidivism, addiction, drug prohibition, adopting the Norwegian Prison model, the wildland firefighter program and so much more.

Debbie Lee is an author, public speaker, political activist and the mother of fallen Navy SEAL Marc Lee. We discuss her early life, domestic abuse, suicide, grief, forging resilience through loss, the SEAL brotherhood, her non profit America's Mighty Warriors, the importance of gratitude and so much more.

Marc Polymeropoulos is a retired Senior CIA officer and the author of "Clarity in Crisis". We discuss his adventurous childhood, entering the CIA, the importance of professionalism, grooming agents, leadership, humility and much more.

Paul Combs is a retired firefighter and world renowned cartoonist. Frank Viscuso is a retired firefighter and best selling author. We discuss their new children's book, retirement, mental health, internet trolls, leadership and so much more.