Behind The Shield

Ashley Deringer is an educator, entrepreneur, curriculum creator, and nonprofit founder dedicated to changing lives through education and advocacy. Ashley is also the founder of the Clean Gier Foundation, a nonprofit established in honor of her father, firefighter Floyd Gier, who lost his battle with occupational cancer. The foundation is committed to improving the health, safety, and well-being of firefighters through education, cancer prevention initiatives, mental health awareness, and advocacy for safer working conditions.As the founder of The Teacher’s Treasure Chest, Ashley creates evidence-based reading and math intervention resources used by thousands of educators across the country. Drawing from her experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and instructional coach, she is passionate about equipping teachers with practical tools that help struggling students build confidence and close learning gaps. (Teachers Pay Teachers)Beyond her organizations, Ashley is the owner of AB Social Consulting, where she helps businesses, nonprofits, and public figures grow their brands through strategic marketing and storytelling. Whether she’s creating educational resources, advocating for first responders, or helping organizations amplify their message, Ashley believes that one person can make a lasting difference by using their voice to serve others.Ashley lives in Nassau County, Florida, where she continues to lead with faith, compassion, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact in her community and beyond.https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Clean-Gier-Foundation-61591282194722/

Lee Spencer is a 24 year veteran of the Royal Marines and has undergone some incredible feats to raise money and awareness for various charities. We discuss his early life, recruitment, Ireland, combat, his near death experience, rowing across the Atlantic and much more.Lee Spencer, a single leg amputee, is the first physically disabled person to have rowed solo across the Atlantic. He smashed the previous able-bodied record, set by Stein Hoff in 2002, by over a month and gained two new World Records.Leaving Portugal on 9 January 2019, Lee crossed the line on 11 March 2019 in French Guiana, South America, at 60 days, 16 hours and 6 minutes. He had rowed unsupported for a total of 3,500 miles.He faced waves of up to 40 foot, four 15-metre sperm whales swimming beneath him, being pursued by a large shark, a bout of gastroenteritis and various technical issues. He slept for just two hours at a time, all while battling the daily routine at sea and the challenges of being a single leg amputee.The goal behind Lee's mission was to enforce his message to the world; that no one need be defined by their disability, mental or physical.

Dean Lister is a veteran jiu jitsu competitor, MMA fighter, co-founder of Victory MMA and a member of the Echelon Front family. We discuss his early life in the Americas, his journey into grappling, competing in the UFC, the power of plant medicine, BJJ Hero Retreats and so much more.Dean Lister is a Founder and Owner of Victory MMA, and instructs members daily in both Gi and No-Gi Jiu Jitsu. He has a unique and inspiring presence on the mat, where his incredible and in depth understanding of this sacred art is apparent.Dean grew up in a military family and lived in such places as Venezuela and Panama, as well as several areas in the United States before his family settled in San Diego for Dean's high school years. Dean was a high school division wrestling champion. Shortly after high school he became interested in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. After becoming a U.S. National Sambo Champion, Dean took an introductory class with some wrestling teammates at Fabio Santos Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in San Diego. Dean was already familiar with the concept of groundwork but he found a new challenge in Jiu Jitsu, a unique sport that includes innumerable self-defense moves.It is the depth of this sport that has kept Dean's dedication and commitment to his training at an optimum level. He believes that practicing this sport reveals the true character of each participant by showing courage, patience, honesty, discipline, innovation, and integrity. Dean also loves the challenge involved in practicing a sport that is constantly evolving. He is known for unstoppable foot locks and is always working to modify and refine existing moves and create new moves that will benefit him in competition and that will enhance the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.Dean has competed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 1996, starting just 6 months after he began training. He quickly made a name for himself in the sport and since has earned a respectable reputation as a fierce competitor.Dean's record includes 111 wins and 12 losses, with over 90 of these wins coming by submission. In MMA competition Dean has never been knocked out or submitted but all his victories have come by submission.Dean began instructing for Fabio Santos in 1997, and in 2000, Dean traveled to Brazil and trained at the world-renowned "Top Team" Academy for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro. Dean teaches both beginner and advanced students at Victory MMA in San Diego. He begins class by going over movements essential for mastering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu such as sweeps, takedowns, and submissions. These moves are applied during "free mat" time where students are matched with partners of different sizes and skill levels to practice what they have learned. Dean believes this is the most important part of the class because it mimics a realistic one-on-one combat situation, which prepares students to defend themselves on the street.

In this episode, I welcome the founders of The Unmasked Warrior: Sam Juan is a U.S. Army combat veteran, former CST with SEAL Team 6, artist, writer, and advocate for authentic leadership. Noah Galloway is a combat veteran and speaker focused on post-traumatic growth. Anton Nootenboom is a Dutch army veteran, multiple world record holder and men’s mental health advocate. Dr. Mike Sapiro is a clinical psychologist for first responders and special operations veterans."Unmasked Warrior is a live, veteran-led theatrical experience about what it takes to remove one’s armor and return to the self through vulnerability and authenticity. Our show: Three veterans share their personal stories of hurting and healing, a real and raw clinician-guided conversation on mental health struggles and growth, followed by audience Q&A.Storytelling has been a fundamental component of human life since the dawn of language. Historically, it’s been used ritually, and around fires, to strengthen community connection, process personal struggles and share triumphs, and to help make meaning out of the chaos of life. Through modern science, we know that storytelling has been shown to reduce cortisol, increase oxytocin, evoke empathy and reduce trauma responses, thus overall reducing stress and increasing a sense of connection to self and others. Vulnerable storytelling is one of the most powerful, transformative tools of healing for both the speaker and the audience. Afterall, we are all in this together.We invite you to join us for a veteran-led healing experience that will leave you feeling connected and inspired."

Mayra Uribe was elected to the Board of Orange County Commission District 3 in 2018 and has since been re-elected in 2020 and 2024. Mayra is currently running for the position of the Mayor of Orange County. She is an Orlando native, born and raised in the district she represents. Mayra is of Colombian and Argentinean descent and celebrates the diversity in herself and in our community.Mayra is a business owner who understands the concerns of those calling Central Florida home. While the economy has strengthened for some, not everyone feels that the County has done enough to address their needs.She serves on several boards, including MetroPlan Orlando, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Affordable Housing Advisory Board, Community Action Board and The Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board. She motivates her office to focus on consistency and accuracy through believing no issue is too small if it affects her constituents. She is a fierce and tireless servant of the people in her district.

A fourth-generation Floridian, Bernard Taylor is a dedicated EMT/Paramedic, husband, father of five, and community advocate who has spent years serving and protecting the people of Florida.Now, he's running for Congress to fight for the people our elected congressional representatives are ignoring. Bernard was inspired to run to represent his community after seeing how the disparities in access to affordable healthcare that resulted in the death of a diabetic patient who had to ration insulin due to the high cost. This loss was a stark reminder of the real human cost of systemic inequities. Witnessing firsthand how individuals and families are forced to make impossible choices between life-sustaining medication and basic necessities fueled his determination to change things.https://bernardtaylorforcongress.com/

The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11 is a deeply moving documentary narrated by actor Gary Sinise. Produced by Gier Productions in collaboration with SoldierStrong and directed by Michael Gier, an award-winning director/producer, the film goes beyond the tragedy of September 11 to showcase the incredible acts of bravery, humanity, and resilience that followed.Through the eyes of first responders, survivors, and ordinary citizens who became extraordinary heroes, the movie will be released in 2026 for the 25th observance of 9/11, and honors the selflessness and bravery that defined a generation. Featuring real-life accounts, archival footage, and dramatized reenactments, The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11 is not just a tribute to those we lost, but a celebration of the indomitable spirit that rose from the ashes. It is a story of hope, proving that even in tragedy, light can be found in the courage and compassion of everyday people.https://heroismandresiliency.com/

For over 45 years, Tony Blauer has been at the forefront of personal defense, fear management, and performance psychology, revolutionizing the way individuals and teams prepare for real-world violence. Since 1977, Blauer has dedicated his life to helping people become safer, sooner, bridging the gap between science, psychology, and combatives. He is the creator of the SPEAR System®, the world’s first behaviorally based self-defense method, which has redefined close-quarter tactics for military, law enforcement, and self-defense instructors worldwide.In 1985, he founded Blauer Tactical Systems Inc.® (BTS), an industry leader in scenario-based training, de-escalation, and fear management. Today, his influence spans elite government agencies, tactical teams, and personal defense instructors across the globe.Blauer’s fear management research has transformed how warriors, protectors, and civilians approach danger, intimidation, and sudden violence. His philosophy is simple: Fear isn’t the enemy. It’s the energy.™https://blauerspear.com/

Kelly is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at Daydream MD, bringing a unique blend of clinical training and lived experience to his work as a therapist. Before beginning his career in counseling, Kelly served as a firefighter/paramedic for 22 years, where he was a peer support team leader and assisted with critical incident stress debriefings. This extensive frontline service gave him a deep understanding of trauma—both primary and vicarious—and inspired his journey into the mental health field.Through his own recovery work and transformative experiences in therapy, Kelly felt called to become a counselor who could walk alongside others on their path to wellness. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Concordia University, Irvine.Kelly has specialized expertise working with clients experiencing PTSD, addiction, and co-occurring mental health disorders (dual diagnosis). He is Level 1 certified in the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy and has completed training in Couples and Addiction Recovery. Additionally, he has supported veterans and first responders in psychedelic-assisted therapy integration. His therapeutic approach is client-centered, compassionate, and empathetic—honoring each individual’s unique journey, personal goals, and spiritual beliefs.Outside of his clinical work, Kelly values time with his wife, two sons, and daughter. One of his sons is internationally adopted and lives with Reactive Attachment Disorder, giving Kelly a personal understanding of complex family dynamics. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his family through traveling, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, stand-up paddle boarding, and skiing.https://www.daydreammd.com/team/kelly-lucas-apcc

I'm reposting this today in memory of Nimsadi Purja, who lost his life on Pakistan's Broad Peak. Nimsdai was a former Ghurka, member of the British SBS, record breaking mountaineer and author. We discussed his powerful journey into the special forces, Project Possible, mountain rescues, his book "Beyond Possible", environmentalism, forging an indomitable spirit and so much more.Born in Nepal, Nims had a distinguished 16-year military career, of which he spent 6 years as a Ghurka and 10 years with the UK Special Forces (SBS). He has since become a truly historic mountaineer, accumulating an ever-growing list of record-breaking summits alongside many high-altitude rescue missions.Astonishingly, Nims didn’t grow up in the shadow of the Himalayas, in fact he was born in the Dhaulagiri region of Nepal and raised in Chitwan, in the country’s flatlands. He performed well at school, but at that time there was no yearning to climb mountains instead he had another focus, to become a Gurkha in the British military like his father and brothers before him. In 2003 that dream became a reality when he joined the Gurkhas in 2003, at the age of eighteen.Never shy of pushing himself to another level #alwaysalittlehigher, six years later in 2009 he became the first ever Gurkha to join the UK Special Boat Service (SBS). The unit is predominantly made up of Royal Marines Commandos, and specialises in classified undercover raids. Along with the SAS, the SBS is regarded as the most elite unit in the British military.During this time, he developed an interest in mountaineering that quickly turned into a passion. It all began in December 2012, when on leave from his Special Forces duties, he set out on a trek to Everest Base Camp. This experience fired his passion and ambition for the mountains immediately, and not content with simply returning to Kathmandu, he managed to convince his guide to teach him how to climb ‘for real’ and he successfully summited the 6119-metre Lobuche East with his guide shortly after. It was his first peak.The following year he proudly led a team of Gurkhas to their first successful Everest expedition. Immediately after, he made his way back up to the mountain this time with his sights set firmly set on a World Record. Just a few days later he achieved his goal after summiting Everest, quickly followed by Lhotse and Makalu all within a total of just 5 days. It was to be the first of many records he would claim in the mountains.At the time the record for climbing the world’s fourteen highest peaks (the 8000ers) was just under eight years. Nim’s dream was to do it in seven months, he aptly named it Project Possible. He would embark on it, as he had done for the rest of his life, through all the planning, every storm, every step on every mountain, each selfless rescue mission he answered with just one approach ‘Everything in life is possible armed only with a determined approach and positive mindset’. A little over six months later on the summit of Shishapangma and with weeks to spare, Nims proudly announced to the world ‘Mission Achieved’ delivering on his promise and what many claimed to be ‘impossible’.In March 2020 he officially announced his new enterprise ‘Nimsdai’– from the Nepalese ‘dai’, meaning ‘brother’. With a primary objective to share his knowledge and approach of big mountain climbing, he now offers mountaineers the exclusive chance to team up 1:1 with one of the most ground-breaking expedition leaders of a generation and provide commercial clients opportunities for breath-taking high-altitude special projects.

Jonathan Sheinberg is a cardiologist, chief medical officer, police officer and Air Force veteran. He has over 30 years of experience in providing advanced cardiovascular care. He is passionate about preventing coronary disease and managing acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions. Jonathan has a strong background in non-invasive imaging and cardiac catheterization, and is nationally known in the field of preventative cardiology. He is also a sworn police officer and serves as a lieutenant at the Travis County Sheriff's Office, where he applies his medical expertise to support law enforcement operations. His goal is to improve the health and well-being of his patients and community through evidence-based practices and innovative solutions.

Ethan Suplee is an actor, athlete and the host of the "American Glutton Podcast". In this second interview we discuss the impact of lockdown on the nation's health, racism, male body dysmorphia, his own mental metamorphosis, overcoming injury, the importance of rest and so much more.Ethan has established himself over the past few decades as an actor of considerable talent and accomplishment. His diverse and eclectic resume ranges from hilarious roles in such comedies as Mallrats (1995) and My Name Is Earl (2005) to hauntingly dramatic performances in intense features such as American History X (1998), Blow (2001), Cold Mountain (2003), The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013) and Deepwater Horizon (2016). His breakthrough performance as a young football player in Disney's Remember the Titans (2000) with Denzel Washington garnered him critical acclaim and led to two other roles opposite Washington in director Nick Cassavetes' thriller, John Q (2002), and Tony Scott’s Unstoppable (2010). Suplee was most recently seen starring in 2020s The Hunt, which was released despite the bipartisan political misrepresentation of this film, as well as in two seasons of Hulu’s Chance alongside Hugh Laurie (2016-2017).Born in New York and raised in Los Angeles, Suplee is the son of actors Deborah Deeble and Bill Suplee. He landed his first role, at the age of 16, on the popular television series, Boy Meets World (1993). He had a recurring role as the reluctant bully "Frankie" for three seasons. He went on to see My Name Is Earl, Jennifer Falls, and Chance go to series.He made his feature film debut in 1995 in writer/director Kevin Smith's Mallrats (1995), where he played the memorable "Willam Black", a young man determined to crack the mystery behind the mall's magic eye poster. Smith went on to cast Suplee in Chasing Amy (1997) and as the voice of "Norman the Golgothan" in Dogma (1999). Other credits include "Without A Paddle" with Seth Green and Matthew Lillard, director Todd Phillips, Road Trip (2000), Evolution (2001) for director Ivan Reitman, Walk Of Shame (2014) for director Steve Brill, and Motherless Brooklyn (2019) for director Edward Norton.In Tony Kaye's "American History X", Suplee played a carelessly violent racist skinhead who tries to convince his friend (Edward Norton) to "come back to his roots" in their gang of white supremacists. His role of high school football lineman "Louie" in Disney's "Remember the Titans" exposed Suplee to a larger audience, and he was singled out by many critics as a fresh and welcome screen presence, with the Hollywood Reporter calling his performance "scene-stealing."With Ted Demme's 1970s drug-cartel drama "Blow," Suplee continued to raise his profile, playing "Tuna", the best friend of Johnny Depp's newly turned drug dealer "George Jung". Suplee played a pivotal role of a young soldier in Miramax and Anthony Minghella's period piece "Cold Mountain," with Jude Law and Nicole Kidman.In his spare time, Suplee enjoys arguing the ambiguities of moral “truth,” cooking, and eating on his incredibly in-depth American Glutton podcast.

"Burnin' Down the House" is a powerful new documentary from award-winning filmmaker Tommy Jay Dwyer that shines a light on the hidden crisis facing firefighters. Aging stations, chronic underinvestment and the growing health risks associated with the jobs they do every day.Through intimate interviews and unprecedented access inside Massachusetts firehouses, the film reveals the sacrifices firefighters make long after the flames go out.In this conversation, we discuss his own experience as the son of a firefighter, the Cold Storage Fire, the occupational illness that plagued his family, mold, mental health and so much more.

Brad Mason is a professional negotiator, community leader, and firm believer that strength is built by doing hard things in service of others. He is the founder and head coach of The Give Team, a youth leadership and endurance program built on a simple belief: No matter how little you have, you always have something to give. Brad also serves on the Board of Directors of New Image Youth Center, supporting young people in Orlando’s Parramore community.A lawyer by training and a Managing Director at Cornerstone Advisors, Brad has spent his career helping financial institutions build stronger relationships and better outcomes. His work in the community is driven by the same principles that guide his leadership: strength, empathy, courage, and love. Most recently, Brad helped lead The Give Team’s 54-mile journey from Selma to Montgomery—an experience captured in the documentary 54 | Something to Give.Angel Santiago is a professional wrestler, documentary filmmaker and the man behind the production of 54 - Something to Give.https://www.thegiveteam.org/

Chris Hinshaw is the founder of aerobiccapacity.com, and is widely considered one of the top endurance coaches in the world. Chris is known internationally for his extensive knowledge and practical experience developing aerobic capacity in athletes of all experience levels using his comprehensive, cutting edge approach to training. Hinshaw is a former All American swimmer and world-class professional triathlete. His top international finishes includes a 2nd place overall finish at the Hawaiian Ironman World Championships, 2nd place overall finish at the Ironman World Championships in Canada, and a 1st place overall finish at Ironman Brazil. In 2016, CrossFit Headquarters selected Coach Chris as their Subject Matter Expert (“SME”) in Aerobic Capacity. He is also a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2), CrossFit Competitor Course certified, Endurance Course certified, CrossFit Mobility certified, and CrossFit Judge. He has been a CrossFit athlete since 2008. Hinshaw currently shares his coaching and endurance programming through aerobiccapacity.com and travels the world teaching his coaching & training methodology via his Aerobic Capacity Course. He is very excited about his next project to be released later this year: CrossFit Aerobic Capacity “on-line” coaches course. He is the coach to hundreds of athletes that range from the day-to-day fitness enthusiast looking to efficiently and effectively improve their aerobic fitness to professional surfers, Olympians, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu World Champions to more than three-dozen podium athletes & teams at the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 CrossFit Games including Mat Fraser, Rich Froning, Jason Khalipa, Katrin Davidsdottir, Tia Clair Toomey, Kara Webb, Camille Leblanc-Bazinet, Kristen Holte, Sara Sigmundsdottir, and Julie Foucher.

Rob Ramirez is a 24-year fire service veteran with degrees in Fire Science and Public Administration. Since 2005, Rob has been a Technical Rescue Team Manager for the Department of Homeland Security F.E.M.A. U.S.A.R. Task Force in Miami, FL., where he has served on dozens of high-profile national and international disaster deployments. In addition, Rob has been a student of psychology, physiology, and the effects of stress on human performance for over a decade.His education, training, and personal experiences have provided him with a variety of unique instructional strategies and methods that apply to Firefighters of any rank or tenure. Rob is also an international fire service speaker, FDIC instructor, and a published Fire Service author. Throughout his fire service career, he has held the ranks of Firefighter, Paramedic, Lieutenant, and Captain. Rob is the very proud father of two amazing boys and currently serves as the Division Chief of Training & Safety for the new Jupiter Fire Rescue Department in South Florida.https://www.instagram.com/robramirez1075_official/?hl=en

Mark was born in West-Berlin, Germany, and has lived in the USA, India, and Germany. From an early age he has been fascinated with the spiritual quest of the human soul, which eventually led him to the study of indigenous traditions and native wisdom. Mark has a degree in Theology and a PhD in Clinical Psychology. He is a founding member of Ken Wilber’s Integral Institute, an Advisory board member of the Association Holotropic Breathwork International, and a Founding member of the German College for Transpersonal Psychotherapy. He has studied indigenous ceremonial traditions with Luis Eduardo Luna. He has written ‘Das Selbst als Ort der Gotteserfahrung’ (The Self as the Dimension of Spiritual Experience) and several articles about Kundalini, and Near-Death Experiences in the ‘Journal of Near-Death Studies’, the ‘Inner Door’, and ‘Religion Heute’ (Germany). Inspired by shamanic journeying he studied Asian Indian Classical Music on the Bansuri (bamboo flute) in India. He has released several award wining shamanic-ambient collaborations to induce and support shamanic states of consciousness with notable artists in the space including Byron Metcalf and Steve Roach. His recording are being used extensively in psychedelic session work. These cd’s include: ‘Wachuma’s Wave’, ‘Mantram’, ‘Nada Terma’, and ‘Nightbloom’, ‘Intention’, ‘Tree of Life’ and ‘Disciple’. Mark has 20 years of experience as a clinical psychotherapist, working with groups, couples, and individuals. He has had extensive clinical experience using the MDMA analogue Methylone in clinical settings. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-seelig-mdiv-phd-57b76720/

Mike Dugan is a retired FDNY firefighter, podcast host and speaker. We discuss the impact of WWII on his family, his journey into the fire service, the importance of training, fitness, contrasting both of the WTC attacks he responded to, mental health, cancer and so much more.Michael M. Dugan is a 42-year veteran of the fire service and a 27-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), currently serving as captain of Ladder Company 123 in Brooklyn. As a firefighter in Ladder Company 43, Dugan received the James Gordon Bennett medal in 1992 and the Harry M. Archer Medal in 1993, the FDNY’s highest award for bravery.He was an instructor at the inception of the FDNY’s Annual Education Day and has developed programs currently taught to all FDNY members during the annual event. Dugan is a member of the IAFC Safety, Health & Survival Section. He serves as a HOT instructor at Firehouse Expo and FDIC, and is a regular contributor to fire service magazines. He also lectures at various events around the country on topics dealing with truck company operations, building construction, scene size-up and today’s fire service.

During his service, Flip participated in more than 75 real-world rescue and medical missions and served as a lead advisor for MEDEVAC operations during the Fukushima disaster response. He also supported large-scale emergency planning initiatives, operational readiness programs, and leadership development efforts across organizations totaling more than 4,000 personnel.Following retirement from military service, Flip founded Firehouse Freedom, an accountability and organizational development company focused on helping fire service leaders strengthen culture, communication, accountability, and crew performance through practical, immediately applicable leadership frameworks. His work centers on modern firehouse leadership challenges and emphasizes actionable next-shift implementation strategies designed to create measurable cultural improvement at both the crew and organizational level.Flip currently works with career, volunteer, combination, rural, and urban fire departments nationwide and is also a columnist for Firehouse Magazine, where he writes on leadership, accountability, communication, and firehouse culture. His presentation style combines operational credibility, relatable storytelling, and practical leadership tools designed to create immediate impact both inside and outside the firehouse.Flip Griffin is a retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief with over 23 years of leadership experience serving in high-performance operational environments, including Search and Rescue, special operations, aviation operations, disaster response, and senior enlisted leadership roles. Throughout his military career, he led teams in complex, highrisk environments where accountability, communication, leadership, and operational execution directly impacted mission success and the lives of those on the line.https://firehousefreedom.com/

Andrew Prisco is the founder of Jumpstart Mastery, an elected Fire Commissioner, and a nationally recognized authority on human performance, leadership, crisis de-escalation, and organizational culture. For more than 25 years, his career has been dedicated to improving how people and organizations perform when the stakes are highest.Since beginning his behavioral health career in 1999, Andrew has worked at the intersection of behavioral health, public safety, and organizational leadership. From 2011 through 2022, he simultaneously served as a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) while advancing through leadership roles within Washington State's behavioral health system. This unique combination of public safety and behavioral health experience shaped his philosophy that exceptional performance under pressure depends on the integration of operational readiness, human behavior, leadership, and communication.During his nearly fourteen years with Washington State's behavioral health system, Andrew founded Washington State's Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) program. The program integrated behavioral health principles with first response principles, creating a practical model for safely engaging individuals experiencing psychiatric and behavioral crises while supporting responders in making effective decisions under pressure. The program evolved into a statewide service supporting both of Washington's state psychiatric hospitals, as well as numerous institutional and residential treatment settings, demonstrating that compassionate care and operational safety are complementary disciplines.Andrew later served as Clinical Training Manager for Washington State's forensic behavioral health system, where he expanded his work beyond traditional behavioral health settings by partnering with public safety agencies, healthcare organizations, correctional systems, juvenile justice programs, and other publicserving organizations to strengthen leadership, crisis response, communication, and workforce performance. These experiences laid the foundation for Jumpstart Mastery, which Andrew founded in 2021 and launched in 2022. Through Jumpstart, he partners with behavioral health organizations, juvenile justice systems, corrections agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and public safety organizations throughout North America to strengthen leadership, improve communication, reduce workplace violence, and build resilient organizational cultures.Andrew is the developer of the Advanced Crisis Intervention Training (ACIT) methodology, an evidenceinformed framework that integrates behavioral science, trauma-informed practice, communication strategy, operational decision-making, and leadership principles into practical skills that professionals can immediately apply. Today, ACIT is delivered to organizations throughout North America, equipping leaders and frontline professionals to safely navigate conflict, crisis, and high-risk human interactions.As an elected Fire Commissioner, Andrew continues his commitment to public service by providing strategic governance and oversight for his community's fire district while advocating for responder wellness, organizational excellence, and community safety. https://www.jumpstartmastery.com/

Emmy® award winning makeup artist Brian Sipe has been working professionally since 1989 as a freelance artist and through his company, Gamut Studios. Several Hollywood makeup effects companies and production studios have taken advantage of his extensive knowledge and experience as a character effects designer and project manager. Brian has had his professional makeup work featured in films and television projects like Jennifer Lawrence / Mystique in the last three X-Men films, Syriana, Ali, Friends, several Terminator films, Big Momma's House 1 and 2, Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Black White to name a few. He has also been the prosthetics makeup department head (as well as makeup artist) on several large-scale films like Guardians of the Galaxy - Volume 2, Avengers - Infinity War, Avengers – Endgame, X-Men - Dark Phoenix, Captain Marvel, and the Star Wars project The Mandalorian. Brian's groundbreaking makeup design for the FX Network's reality television show Black, White personally garnered him an Emmy Award in 2006. In 2013 he was also nominated for his work on How I Met Your Mother. Brian's work on David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, helped nab the BAFTA and Oscar for Best Makeup. Brian is very proud of the work that he, representing Legacy Effects, and the entire team did for the Guardians of the Galaxy - Volume 2. A tremendous amount of work went into the film as his team took over from the first in the series, and it had the honor of making final 7 for the Oscar Bake Offs.

Frank Meeink became a skinhead at thirteen. By eighteen, he was roaming the country as a skinhead leader and neo-Nazi recruiter with gangs that would beat people indiscriminately. In Illinois he had his own cable-access TV show, “The Reich.” He was finally arrested and convicted of kidnapping and beating a member of a rival skinhead gang. While in prison he befriended men he used to think he hated, men of different races. After being released from prison, Mr. Meeink tried to rejoin his old skinhead pals, but couldn’t bring himself to hate those whom he now knew to be his friends. He now regularly lectures to students about racial diversity and acceptance, author and founder of Harmony Through Hockey, Mr. Meeink’s life stands for tolerance, diversity, and mutual understanding in racial, political, and all aspects of society.

Dr. Kellie O’Dare is a nationally recognized researcher and educator focused on advancing mental wellness, suicide prevention, and organizational resilience within public safety. In this second conversation we discuss the successes seen by deparments that moved to the 24/72, the corrolation between organisational betrayal, finding accurate fire service suicide statistics and so much more.Kellie serves as Research Associate Professor and Deputy Executive Director of UCF RESTORES. She is also the Founder of the 2nd Alarm Project. With a Ph.D. in Social Work and background in public health and policy, her work centers on translating research into practical, sustainable solutions.She has secured more than $8 million in external funding to advance applied research, prevention initiatives, and statewide capacity-building efforts for public safety. She is especially passionate about supporting first responder families, recognizing their critical role in resilience and long-term wellbeing. In addition to her professional expertise, Dr. O’Dare brings meaningful personal connections to the fire service.She is the niece of Shawn T. O’Dare, a firefighter/paramedic killed in the line of duty in Miami-Dade County, and the spouse of a current Florida professional firefighter/paramedic. Her work is grounded in both the science of and her lived experience in the first responder community.https://2ndalarmproject.org/

Mitch Dryer was a Firefighter for the City of Oneida, NY and also a member of the New York State Air National Guard, 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock Field, Syracuse, NY. His brief career included a 2006 deployment, taking part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On April 22, 2007 he was injured when responding to a structure fire, in which the roof collapsed, causing 3rd & 4th degree burns over 20% of his body. These injuries resulted in the amputation of his right arm.Today Mitch lives in Crested Butte, CO with his wife Aimee and their twins Daniel and Emeri. They enjoy skiing, hiking and climbing together. Mitch also volunteers with the Adaptive Sports Center and is a peer supporter for the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. Mitch has completed the Washington, D.C. Fire Fighters Burn Foundation's Burn Awareness Program, "It Happened in Seconds." He has shared his story around the country at FDIC, with the Burn Prevention Network (PA) and several Fire Departments across New York State.Mitch Dryer was a Firefighter for the City of Oneida, NY and also a member of the New York State Air National Guard, 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock Field, Syracuse, NY. His brief career included a 2006 deployment, taking part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On April 22, 2007 he was injured when responding to a structure fire, in which the roof collapsed, causing 3rd & 4th degree burns over 20% of his body. These injuries resulted in the amputation of his right arm.Today Mitch lives in Crested Butte, CO with his wife Aimee and their twins Daniel and Emeri. They enjoy skiing, hiking and climbing together. Mitch also volunteers with the Adaptive Sports Center and is a peer supporter for the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. Mitch has completed the Washington, D.C. Fire Fighters Burn Foundation's Burn Awareness Program, "It Happened in Seconds." He has shared his story around the country at FDIC, with the Burn Prevention Network (PA) and several Fire Departments across New York State.

Tara is the Founder of FLAME Natural Decon. She is also a Navy Veteran and the sister of a San Diego firefighter. Tara founded FLAME when she realized there was a need for a product developed specifically for firefighter personal decon. After a year of extensive R&D, Tara launched FLAME in 2020 with their bar of Soap and Shampoo + Body Wash and since then she’s developed decon Hand Soap, Laundry Detergent, and Shave Soap. The power behind FLAME’s products is their proprietary blend of activated charcoal, which removes the smoke smell and carcinogens so they’re no longer detectable on the skin. Tara’s passionate about working with firefighters to reduce their risk, so they can have long, healthy careers and be around for their families.https://flamedecon.com/

Tom Beaver is an elite endurance athlete, welder and the founder of BeaverFit. We discuss farm life, bridge building, SAS selection, creating strength and conditioning equipment elite tactical athletes, bringing solutions to strength and conditioning space challenges, his incredible endurance feats, rhinos and so much more.Tom has always had a passion for exercise. He has competed in some of the world’s most difficult and challenging ultra-distance foot races and triathlons from the Sahara Desert to the streets of Paris, motivated by endurance, distance and discovery. Having been brought up in the family bridge building business, Tom is an experienced welder and metal worker with a passion for pushing the limits of fitness. Initially building a few bits of functional exercise equipment to help him work out on the farm, he found himself with the opportunity to create a functional training rig for the British Army. The success of the first commander training rig lead to more requests and BeaverFit was born. https://beaverfiteu.com/

Tyler Grey spent the better part of a decade operating in environments most people will never see. As a member of Delta Force, a US Tier 1 military unit, he deployed multiple times during the War on Terror. On a night raid in Sadr City, Iraq, an IED explosion left him approximately twenty seconds from bleeding out. He survived, by what came after the survival was harder. The recovery involved years of surgeries, chronic pain, and an addiction to the medication prescribed to manage it. Tyler has spoken about that period with the kind of honesty that is rare in any industry, and especially rare in his. He didn’t frame it as weakness. He framed it as data. Information about what happens when the environment that built you disappears and leaves a gap nothing else is designed to fill. That insight became the foundation of LTSD, Lack of Traumatic Stress Disorder, a theory Tyler developed to explain something that traditional PTSD frameworks consistently miss: that for many warriors, the struggle isn’t caused by a specific event. It’s caused by the absence of the environment they were neurologically shaped to operate inside. Calm feels wrong. Chaos feels like home.Today, Tyler is the founder and president of Saberdyne Systems, a Purple Heart recipient, a speaker on veterans’ mental health, and the author of Forged in Chaos: A Warrior’s Origin Story, co-written with Lauren Ungeldi and published by Knox Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.He has also spent years in Hollywood as a military technical advisor, producer, actor, and director, with seven seasons on the CBS and Paramount+ series SEAL Team and work on productions including The Gray Man and Suicide Squad.Tyler chose to be what he calls Patient Zero: someone who battles his own trauma publicly, so that fellow warriors can see it is possible to come through it. That same philosophy drives Saberdyne Systems. No pretense, no unnecessary steps. Build the thing that actually works.https://saberdynesystems.com/

Justin Eaton was born in Lawrence, MA. After years of Gymnastics and Martial Arts Justin found himself doing live shows out of Southern California and in the early 2000’s got introduced to the idea that “stunts could be a real job”. Since then he has managed to double for some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt to name a few.Spending over half of a 20 year career doubling for on screen super hero’s like Daredevil, Punisher & Captain America has given a unique experience and perspective. Justin hopes to continue to make films and tv shows that inspire.

John Nittolo has spent 31 years inside public education proving a thesis most of the field only theorizes about: that healthy bodies and disciplined minds aren’t enrichment — they’re the foundation everything else is built on. He has served at nearly every level of a school system along the way — classroom teacher; Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment; Director of Personnel and Staff Development; Director of Early Childhood Education; Principal; and Superintendent — a breadth of vantage few in the field ever earn.As Superintendent-Principal of Oxford Central School District in Warren County, New Jersey, he led a small PreK–8 district to two distinctions unmatched anywhere in American public education — the nation’s first STSI (Systems Thinking Standards Institute)–certified public school, and the world’s first school-based MetFix affiliate. Under his leadership, systems thinking became not a program but the cognitive architecture of the school, and metabolic health became the precondition for learning rather than an afterthought.Working in close partnership with Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera and the Cabrera Research Lab on the systems-thinking side, and with Emily Kaplan and the MetFix / Broken Science Initiative team on the metabolic-health side, he built an innovation ecosystem years before the frameworks existed to name it — and his former school district became the only traditional public school featured in the award-winning RE:Thinking documentary. His influence now reaches well beyond his district: formal comment shaping New Jersey’s State Learning Standards, an election as Vice President of Education of the International Society for the Systems Sciences, and his forthcoming book, STOLEN FIRE: A Manifesto on Thinking, Thumos, Education, and the Future of the American Mind.A Professional Systems Thinker, CrossFit Level 1 coach, and Architect of MetFix School Programs, with a Master’s in Educational Leadership, John works from a single conviction: that the purpose of education is to create the best version of every child. As he steps beyond the superintendency, he carries that conviction outward — to every school, every family, and every community willing to build it.https://www.instagram.com/themetfixsuperintendent/

Jeffrey L. Schwartz is a University Professor in Criminal Justice. Dr. Schwartz has numerous certifications and ongoing practical experience in the law enforcement and security field. He is a retired police officer, served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, a former Department of Defense contractor as a manager of a guard force and instructor, an approved trainer with the Federal Protective Service, the General Services Administration, the Department of Defense, the National Rifle Association (both as a civilian training counselor and as a law enforcement division instructor), the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and has been certified by the New Jersey Police Training Commission as an instructor since 1989, teaching at police academies and in service training. A certified lethal weapons instructor (including baton, handcuffing, defensive tactics, and firearms) for the Pennsylvania State Police and an instructor for the Delaware State Police (baton, handcuffing, pepper spray, firearms). Professor Schwartz is a recognized firearms instructor for the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) and Maryland State Police (MSP) and the Department of State. Dr. Schwartz has taught martial arts for over thirty-five years. He has authored three books and has spoken at numerous conferences. Dr. Schwartz has been the director of training for a close protection detail for a billionaire, is a recognized court expert and has taught hundreds of instructors, trained countless basic users in baton, pepper spray, handcuffing, self-defense, low light tactics, firearms, executive protection, and take down techniques. Professor Schwartz is a subject matter expert in terrorism, use of force, supervision, and tactical training. Professor Schwartz is an instructor trainer in pepper spray, handcuffing, baton, defensive tactics, and firearms. He is a private detective, Delaware security instructor, and a Pennsylvania Lethal Weapons instructor in academic, skills and firearms. He has instructed at various police academies, security training academies, consulted with public and private schools, as well as, consulted with numerous private businesses on safety and security. Further, Dr. Schwartz is an instructor trainer in many facets of trauma, first aid, CPR, AED, and emergency response. Dr. Schwartz also is a concealed carry instructor for Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and many other states.Dr. Schwartz has been awarded by the college and university, being recognized by the law and justice department and the honor society. He is the only professor to have received the college Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Service awards, the distinguished alumni award, the Gamma Phi Excellence in Law Enforcement award, the university Joseph Barnes Excellence in Service award, and is this years inductee in the Law and Justice Hall of Fame.

Tim Houweling and Angela Graham-Houweling are two firefighters with almost 40 years of experience combined in emergency services including Fire, EMS, and Search & Rescue. They have witnessed firsthand the growing mental health challenges faced by first responders. Over the years, they have lost several friends and family members to depression and PTSD. After navigating their own mental health journeys, they felt compelled to create a path to support others.Angela Graham. is the Co-Founder of The S.I.R.E.N. Project. IShe was a Firefighter/Engineer/HAZMAT Spec. for almost 20 years with Santa Clara County Fire Dept. in Silicon Valley. Prior to that she was a D1 & professional softball pitcher. She has a loving husband, who is a Fire Capt., and a 7-year-old son. For the first five years of her son's life she was a single mother. For years she struggled with mental health trying every modality available. A friend of hers, who happened to be a special forces operator, connected her to providers of Entheogenic Medicines. It completely changed her life. The change was so profound that Angela and her husband decided to start The S.I.R.E.N. Project to make these medicines available to all First Responders and their Spouses.Tim Houweling works as a Fire Captain, Paramedic, and Hazmat Technician on a Type 1 Heavy Rescue for a San Francisco Bay Area Fire Department. Tim has also been a professional dog trainer since 2004. Tim is also co-founder of the S.I.R.E.N Project which helps first responders access sacred medicine served by indigenous people.Tim began his career with search and rescue dogs in 2005 and has certified six dogs: Deuce, Tater, Georgie, Charley, Carl and Rory in various disciplines from wilderness area search to US&R live-find and human remains detection. He is the Canine Coordinator and a Canine Search Specialist with one of the 28 FEMA Urban Search & Rescue teams in the United States. In that role, he has deployed eighteen times to various US&R environments including post-fire searches, debris flows, floods, explosions, and hurricanes. He is also a member of the canine component of the Yosemite Search and Rescue team (“YODOGS”).In addition to being a Canine Search Specialist, Tim is qualified as a Search Team Manager, Technical Search Specialist, Rescue Specialist, and Finance Specialist. He is a FEMA Evaluator and FEMA instructor. He has served on the Board of Directors of the California Rescue Dog Association, which has the most search wilderness dogs in the United States. He founded a non-profit, HD Search Dog Fund, Inc., that provides training and gear to our nation’s search and rescue dogs. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Extension Studies/History from Harvard University with his thesis on “The Origin and Evolution of Search and Rescue Dogs in California.” He also serves on the Board of Directors of First Responder Therapy Dogs, Inc., and is on the Executive Board of his local IAFF Union.In addition, he is passionate about improving first responder mental health. With his wife Angela, he co-founded The S.I.R.E.N. Project to help first responders access sacred medicine served by indigenous people (www.thesirenproject.org). These medicines have proven more effective than western medicines in treating post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI.)https://www.thesirenproject.org/news-events/announcement-the-415-gala-september-2026

Justin Wren is an MMA Heavyweight and founder of the organization "Fight for the Forgotten". We discuss his early life, bullying, combat sports, addiction, the pygmies and much more.Almost a decade ago the world got to know Justin Wren through his successful mixed martial arts career in the UFC – from starring in the Spike reality show “The Ultimate Fighter,” to becoming a dominating force in the heavyweight division, to his MMA record of 15-2. Today, the world knows this 6-foot-3-inch, 265-pound fighter for the size of his heart.Following a six-year struggle with addiction and depression in his early career, Justin stepped away from MMA to seek out purpose and passion for his life. What he found was a forgotten tribe of Mbuti Pygmies deep in the jungles of the Congo, beaten down by economic enslavement, disease, and hopelessness.Through his Fight for the Forgotten initiative, 1,500 members of this formerly enslaved people group are now free and flourishing on 3,000 acres of their own land with access to clean water and their own farms.“I still love MMA, and my work in the Congo didn’t change that,” he says. “But it did change me. I’m not fighting for myself anymore. I’m fighting to bring attention and change to those who don’t have a voice.”A champion Greco-Roman wrestler, Justin's life changed when he traveled to Congo to help the Pygmies. This ethnic group, indigenous to Africa, is preyed upon by armed rebels, being killed, raped and even eaten. Having fought for himself as an MMA fighter for his entire life, Justin urges us to use the tools around us to fight for the forgotten.Today Justin “The Big Pygmy” Wren has expanded his Fight for the Forgotten to empower all those who don’t have a voice. He regularly speaks to raise awareness for those affected by the water crisis, as well as those who are bullied, and those suffering from depression and addiction.

Captain James Owen is a retired Long Beach Fire Department Captain, author of The Last Patient: A Memoir of Resilience and Recovery, speaker, recovery advocate, and founder of Camp Pivot, a platform dedicated to helping first responders, veterans, high-stress professionals, and their families confront trauma, rebuild trust, and recover with discipline.James spent nearly three decades in emergency response and public safety, including more than two decades with the Long Beach Fire Department. His career included service as a firefighter, paramedic, fire captain, incident commander, peer support member, and responder to all-risk incidents across one of Southern California’s busiest urban environments. His background spans paramedicine, fireground command, wildland response, hazardous materials, urban search and rescue, maritime operations, and leadership inside high-pressure public safety systems.But James’s work today is not built on rank alone. It is built on cost. For years, he ran toward other people’s emergencies while quietly carrying his own. Childhood instability, cumulative trauma, death, divorce, addiction, organizational betrayal, physical injury, and the slow erosion of identity all became part of the story he would eventually have to face. Like many first responders, James learned how to function under pressure long before he learned how to process what pressure was doing to him. The job rewarded control, performance, humor, and silence. Eventually, silence became too expensive.That reckoning became The Last Patienthttps://captainjamesowen.com/

Michael Easter is a journalist, professor and the author of "The Comfort Crisis". We discuss his journey into writing, the metamorphosis of the magazine industry, the concept of Misogi, the obesity epidemic, seeking discomfort, the importance of boredom and so much more.Michael is a leading voice on how humans can integrate modern science and evolutionary wisdom for improved health, meaning, and performance in life and at work. He travels the globe to embed himself with brilliant thinkers and people living at the extremes. He then shares his findings and experiences with people around the world in his books and podcast and TV appearances.He is the author of The Comfort Crisis, a bestseller. The Comfort Crisis been translated into 10 different languages and adopted by Major League Baseball teams, top-ranked NCAA D1 football programs, top-tier universities and law programs, major corporations, and tier-one military units.His work shows that science has many answers. But it also proves that many aspects of the human experience and living well cannot be measured. To that end, his work combines the statistical and mystical. It melds topics ranging from medicine and anthropology to theology and philosophy, along with case studies of everyday people doing extraordinary things.He believes that new discoveries and a deeper understanding don’t happen from behind a screen. To that end, Michael’s investigations have taken him to meet with monks in ancient monasteries in Bhutan, lost tribes in the jungles of Bolivia, US Special Forces soldiers in undisclosed locations, gene scientists in Iceland, drug kingpins in Iraq, CEOs in Fortune-500 boardrooms, and elsewhere.Michael’s work and ideas have appeared in over 60 countries. They’ve been endorsed by directors of the CIA and Navy SEALs, gold medal-winning Olympians, leading physicians, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, Buddhist and environmental leaders, and more. His writing has appeared in Men’s Health, where he’s a Contributing Editor, and Outside, Men’s Journal, Cosmopolitan, Vice, Esquire, Scientific American, and Women’s Health. He’s also talked about his work and ideas on the world’s largest, most influential podcasts, like The Joe Rogan Experience, Art of Manliness, Impact Theory, NPR, EconTalk, and more.He’s spoken to or consulted for various top-tier universities, medical schools, Fortune-500 companies, government agencies, and some of the country’s largest nonprofits.When he’s not on the ground reporting, Michael is a professor in the journalism department at UNLV. He co-founded and co-directs the Public Communications Institute, a think tank at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).He lives in Las Vegas on the edge of the desert with his wife and their two dogs, Stockton and Conway.

Charles R. Johnson is an entrepreneur, operator, and strategist with over two decades of experience spanning entertainment, technology, economic development, and consumer products. As the Founder and CEO of The Bump Serum, he leads the development and growth of a performance-driven skincare brand focused on solving pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), commonly known as razor bumps—a condition he spent years personally working to overcome before turning that experience into a scalable solution.Johnson’s career began in Hollywood as a Writers Guild of America member, working with studios including Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures. He collaborated with industry leaders such as Frank Renzulli and contributed to projects across major networks including ABC, CBS, Starz, and The CW. This foundation in storytelling and production later informed his approach to brand building, marketing, and strategic communication.Transitioning from creative to operational leadership, Johnson expanded into film distribution and digital media, managing cross-functional teams spanning editing, marketing, public relations, and development. He went on to play a key role in raising $10 million in Series A funding for a streaming video platform, where he served as COO and helped shape business strategy, content acquisition, and monetization models in an evolving digital landscape.As a technology entrepreneur, Johnson is also a patent holder, having developed an advertising technology solution designed to generate incremental revenue for streaming platforms. As President of Pause Commercials, he built partnerships across OTT ecosystems, integrating solutions across mobile, web, and connected TV platforms. In parallel, Johnson has worked internationally as a business strategist and consultant, advising companies in Brazil, Sweden, and Canada on market entry, growth strategy, and operational turnaround. His work in economic development includes leading large-scale, multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the California Jobs First Program with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, where he helped coordinate over 150 stakeholders and contributed to securing $19 million in funding to support regional job creation and investment strategies.Johnson holds an MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management. He is also committed to mentorship and community impact, volunteering with organizations like Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship to support underserved youth in building entrepreneurial skills.Across every role, Johnson brings a systems-driven approach to execution—combining creative insight, technical understanding, and operational discipline to build, scale, and refine complex ventures. Whether developing a consumer brand, structuring a media platform, or leadingcross-sector initiatives, his work is defined by a focus on precision, adaptability, and long-term value creation.https://thebumpserum.com/

Jorge Carvajal is a veteran Performance Coach and Tactical Performance Consultant with more than 30 years of experience developing elite athletes and high-performance operators at the highest levels.His background includes training thousands of athletes at the University of Florida, University of Nebraska, and the U.S. Olympic Training Center, along with professionals from the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and the World Surf League Big Wave Tour. He has also provided specialized performance training for firefighters, SWAT and Special Response Teams, and military personnel.Respected for his no-excuses, evidence-driven approach to force development, mobility, durability, and performance, Jorge builds explosive, resilient athletes and operators engineered to perform under pressure and endure over time.Today, he continues to consult with elite teams and individuals, develop cutting-edge performance content, and help high performers unlock new levels of strength, resilience, and competitive edge.https://x.com/carvperformance

Dr. Stacy Cecchet, Ph.D., ABPP, is a forensic and operational psychologist with over a decade of experience supporting law enforcement, tactical teams, investigative units, and other high-demand professionals. Her work focuses on behavioral analysis, investigative strategy, offender typologies, interview strategy, human performance under stress, and functional wellness in operational environments. She consults on complex and high-risk investigations and provides training to investigators, undercover units, tactical teams, K9 handlers, peer support teams, and command staff. Her work helps agencies apply psychological science to improve operational decision-making, performance, stress management, and long-term readiness. Dr. Cecchet considers it a professional responsibility and an honor to support those who serve in these demanding roles.https://drstacycecchet.com/

Nathanael “Nate” Block is a leadership and culture development coach, crisis de-escalation instructor, and public-sector leader committed to helping people and organizations operate with clarity, courage, and purpose.He is the owner of Stewardship Dynamics, where he teaches leadership, communication, and culture development to teams seeking to build healthier, more effective organizations. Nate also serves as an instructor with Jumpstart Mastery, a high-performing crisis de-escalation training company known for equipping professionals to navigate conflict, pressure, and high-stakes human interaction with skill and composure.In addition to his training and consulting work, Nate serves in public service with Thurston County as Program Manager of the Thurston County Resource Hub, a drop-in center supporting justice-impacted individuals with behavioral health, housing, employment, healthcare, legal, and basic-needs resources.A former firefighter and crisis negotiator, Nate brings a grounded, real-world perspective to leadership, culture, and crisis communication. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Management through Johns Hopkins University, where his studies continue to shape his approach to leadership, systems change, and public service.Nate’s work is shaped by the belief that strong leadership is ultimately an act of stewardship: caring well for people, building trust, and creating environments where both individuals and teams can thrive.

Dr Kelly Starrett is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, the author of the Supple Leopard books and the co-founder of The Ready State. We discuss the importance of hydration, the power of sleep, the aging athlete, overcoming injury, forging wellness in our schools and so much more.Kelly is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, 3x New York Times bestselling author, and the person behind the movement systems used by Navy SEALs, Olympians, and the world’s top companies. He doesn’t just talk about performance — he’s spent decades building practical tools that help real people move better, last longer, and perform at their highest level.

Mitchell Brown is an Air Force Medic veteran, one of the orginal paramedics from Pittsburgh's Freedom House and retired Columbus City Councilman. We discuss how the loss of his mother sent him into medicine, physical and mental trauma in Vietnam, America's first paramedics, the origin of CPR, the opiod crisis, leadership and so much more.

Walt Dix is the IAFF 12th District Vice President and 38 year veteran of the fire service. We discuss joining the fire service in the 1970s, the evolution of fire attack, the firefighter work week, the truth behind the FLSA, mental health, fitness standards, forging journeymen and so much more. Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Walter, a native of South Florida, dedicated his career to the Fire Rescue Service. He served for over 37 years as a Firefighter/EMT with Broward County Fire Rescue, achieving the rank of Fire Captain in 1986.Under his leadership in the early 1990s, Broward County consolidated its Fire and EMS services into a single department. Captain Dix has held various positions within the department, including Captain Special Operations Technical Rescue, Captain Hazardous Materials team, and head of the Fire Training Division.As a charter member of the Local Union in 1979, he served in several Union Officer positions until his election as President of the Broward County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association IAFF Local 4321 from 1990 to 2017. In 2017, he was honored as President Emeritus of IAFF Local 4321.In 2004, the Broward County Council of Professional Firefighters honored him with the prestigious title of Firefighter of the Year. Subsequently, in 2009, he was recognized as the Florida Professional Firefighter of the Year by the Governor, State Fire Marshal/CFO, and Florida Cabinet. In 2010, he received the IAFF Local Leadership award at the IAFF 50th Convention held in San Diego.President Dix concurrently served as a Trustee and Vice President of the Florida Professional Firefighters for a total of 13 years. The State Association honored him with Vice President Emeritus status for his distinguished service.From 2001 to 2017, President Dix served as the International Association of Firefighters 12th District Field Service Representative. In 2008, he was appointed to the IAFF/IAFC Labor Management Initiative as an LMI Facilitator, collaborating with numerous fire departments to provide Labor Management training.DVP Dix holds various affiliations, including the Broward County Regional Emergency Medical Services Council, the IAFF Elected Human Relations Committee, and the International Association of Fire Fighters Occupational Health and Safety committee.In 1998, the BCPPFF Benefit Fund was established to provide healthcare, supplemental benefits, and retiree subsidies. DVP Dix has served continuously as the Chairman/Trustee of the BCPPFF Benefit since its inception. Additionally, he serves as a Trustee for the International Association of Firefighters Staff and Employees’ Pension Plans.In 2017, DVP Dix was elected to the International Association of Firefighters 12th District Vice President position, a role he continues to serve today. As the IAFF 12th District Vice President, he is responsible for overseeing the membership of over 44,000 Firefighters in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands.

Liz Carmouche is a Marine Veteran and one of the first professional female fighters in the UFC. We discuss her journey into the military, serving in Iraq, homophobia, transgender athletes, underwater fitness training, mental health, overcoming injuries, service dogs and so much more.A Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Liz “Girlrilla” Carmouche is an American Mixed Martial Arts fighter currently competing in the bantamweight division. Born in Lafayette, LA, she grew up on Okinawa the daughter of an Airman. During her five year enlistment, Liz Before was an Aviation Electrician during which time she completed three tours in Iraq. Carmouche started training MMA to ease her transition. She began her professional fighting career in 2010, and was named the WMMA Press Awards Newcomer of the Year in the same year. In February 2013, Carmouche was recognized as the first openly gay fighter in the UFC and has served as a positive role model throughout the MMA community. She is also the FIRST woman to NOT be arm-barred by Ronda Rousey and the first fighter in UFC history to win at Madison Square Garden.

Jeff “Bones” Bonner is a former combat fighter pilot, squadron commander, airline captain, keynote speaker, and creator of The Debrief Advantage™ System. Drawing from decades in high-pressure aviation environments, Jeff teaches leaders and teams how fighter pilots use debriefing, reflection, and intentional adjustment to improve performance, strengthen culture, and grow through adversity.Jeff is the author of The Daily Debrief™ and a Harvard-trained performance strategist whose work centers on one core belief: experience alone doesn’t make us better — reflection followed by adjustment does. Through his speaking and writing, he helps leaders across public safety, healthcare, athletics, aviation, and business build habits and cultures of continuous improvement.His mission is simple: help people navigate pressure with greater clarity, resilience, humility, and purpose.https://debriefadvantage.com/

Jason McCarthy enlisted in the Army after 9/11 because of 9/11 and served in Special Forces in Iraq and the Sahel region of West Africa. In 2007, while visiting Emily in war-torn West Africa, Jason built Emily a “go-ruck” for her to keep in her vehicle and at home, ready to go at all times. This was the origin of what is now GORUCK.Former Central Intelligence Agency case officer, Emily McCarthy, served her country on the frontlines of the Global War on Terrorism. In the years following 9/11, she operated in war-torn Africa where she was responsible for recruiting human sources and collecting intelligence in the interest of national security.Richard Rice retired from the U.S. Army as a Special Forces Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in 1994 after 30 years of service. The last 25 years of which were spent in various Special Operations Forces (SOF) assignments. He was a Program Coordinator, Director and Vice President at Fayetteville Technical Community College from 1994 to 2015.https://www.goruck.com/

Kory Flowers is a 27-year veteran Captain with the Greensboro Police Department. Captain Flowers trains law enforcement officers nationwide on various subversive criminal groups, leadership, tactical communication, and has written articles and conducted podcasts for publications including Police1, Police Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and National Public Radio. He is a frequent guest on numerous law enforcement podcasts, and guest television host on On Patrol Live.We discuss his childhood in North Carolina, the addiction crisis, reducing recidivism, the power of mentorship, losing brother police officers, the impact of Hurricane Helene, community, the Run Well programme and much more.

Carmen Ordoñez is a TV host, lifestyle expert and the widow of Miami firefighter Fernando Ordonez. We discuss their parents' immigration stories, their romance story, the birth of their son, Fernando's cancer diagnosis, grief, growth, community and so much more.Carmen is a TV Host and on-air lifestyle expert. She was married to City of Miami firefighter, Fernando Ordoñez, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2014 and passed away 10-months later at the age of 34. Carmen found herself a young widow at the age of 31, left behind to raise their 2-year old son.

Tim Mickelson is a professional golfer, caddie and the CEO of Cedar Valve. We discuss growing up in a golfing family, training the youth athlete, midfullness and performance, his brother Tim's success, caddying, learning from the tragic Cedar fire, innovating engine operations and so much more.Tim Mickelson brings over 20 years of experience in both the sports industry and small business. After officially retiring in 2024, he returned in 2025 driven by his belief in Cedar Valve’s potential to transform fire industry standards. His objective: to put this innovative device on every fire engine in the United States and help protect countless firefighters, communities and structures.https://www.cedarvalve.com/

Nate Morgans is National Guardsman, Tusla Fire Department Deputy Chief and the CEO of the Casey Skudin 343 Fund. We discuss his journey into the military, joining the fire service, combat deployments, his battle with alcoholism, the healing power of Ibogaine, fighting for plant medicine treatment in Oklahoma and so much more. Nate has devoted his life to serving others, both in uniform with the U.S. Army National Guard and on the frontlines of the Tulsa Fire Department. He enlisted young, commissioned in 1998, and soon transitioned to the National Guard while beginning his career at the Tulsa Fire Department, following in his father’s footsteps. In 2003, Nate deployed to Afghanistan for a year, leaving just days after the birth of his first child. When he returned, he pushed ahead without processing the emotional toll of deployment and new fatherhood. Looking back, he can see this was when he started leaning on alcohol to cope.A devoted father of three, Nate tried to manage the demands of firefighting, military service, and family life. By 2019, after deployments to Ukraine, mounting pressures at work, and the collapse of his marriage, his drinking spiraled. A DWI and a near-blackout incident resulted in a two-rank demotion and derailed the future he’d been building. In the years that followed, he tried everything – AA, leadership programs, two rounds of inpatient rehab, and repeated detox attempts through the VA. Doctors prescribed Ativan to manage his withdrawals until a psychiatrist told him they could no longer continue. Terrified of detoxing alone, Nate began flying to Mexico to buy the medication without a prescription, doing whatever he could to survive a cycle he desperately wanted to break. Everything changed when he learned about ibogaine therapy from a close friend and fellow firefighter. He applied to the 343 Fund for a first responder grant and was approved the next day.Ibogaine was the intervention that finally broke the cycle he’d been trapped in for years. During his ibogaine treatment, he saw flashes of memory that helped him understand how he’d gotten so stuck. In the days that followed, years of guilt and shame began to lift, and the compulsion to drink finally disappeared. He describes ibogaine as “smoothing out the ruts” in his brain – and credits the 343 Fund’s integration program with helping him build new pathways and stay grounded in recovery. When he returned to work, coworkers told him he looked ten years younger. Nate went straight to the fire union and said, “This is going to save lives.” He has since helped connect multiple firefighters to treatment and now serves as a Board Advisor to the 343 Fund, working to expand healing pathways for first responders and their families. Today, Nate is grounded, present, and hopeful. His three children are proud of him, and his mission is renewed. Nate took his last drink on November 21, 2024 – and is now celebrating one year of sobriety. He also serves as an Ambassador for Americans for Ibogaine and is proudly helping lead the charge to help legalize Ibogaine for therapeutic use in his home state of Oklahoma.https://343fund.org/

Ryan Scalmanini is a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran and the Director of VA Disability Compliance and Analytics for Veteran Benefits Guide (VBG). In his role, Ryan manages the training and development for VBG’s VA disability claims manager team to ensure they are equipped with the information and resources they need to successfully support the company’s Veteran clients. He is also responsible for end-to-end quality control of the claims support process.Prior to joining VBG, Ryan was a Rating Veteran Service Representative, or Rater at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where he became an expert on the VA’s Disability Compensation System. Ryan also served in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years, where he was an engineer and rescue swimmer while attached to a law enforcement and rescue unit.Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix. Outside of VBG, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife, playing beach volleyball and assisting Veterans/first responders in finding their path of healing and purpose.

Frank Wright was one of the original Marine Raiders who fought on both Guam and Iwo Jima in WWII. We discuss his journey into the Marines, special forces selection, hand to hand combat, facing banzai attacks, his powerful mental health story, writing his book and so much more."I fought like mad as the Japanese stormed down the hill yelling 'Malians you die, Malians you die.' I emptied my rifle magazine, twice. Out of ammo I slashed and plunged my bayonet into as many as I could until…"Battles in the Pacific is Wright’s autobiographical account of his four years of enlistment in World War II, including two years in the South Pacific. On January 21, 1942, Wright entered the U.S. Marine Corps by lying about his age. His was Sixteen at the time and living in Little Rock, Arkansas. He reported to boot camp on January 24, 1942 at the 12th Recruit Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Platoon 150, in San Diego, California.Like many war veterans, Wright’s traumatic experience in war left him in a battle with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His detailed description of his teenage years shows why he still feels the effects several decades later. Wright’s hope is that other veterans will find hope and help through his book and perhaps be inspired to write about their own experiences.Frank S. Wright was born on July 5, 1925, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and as a member of the 4th Marine Raiders Special Forces with Colonel James Roosevelt as commander. He fought in four major battles, traveled between islands on eleven different Navy ships, was wounded by a bayonet in the stomach while recapturing Guam, and was shot in the chest and arm by machine gun fire on the island of Iwo Jima. He spent the last six months of his enlistment as a Marine drill instructor training new recruits.Wright’s personal awards include a Purple Heart with two stars, the Presidential Unit Citation with two stars, Navy Unit Commendation, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with three service stars, the Fleet Marine Force with four stars, the Marine Corps Expedition Medal, Combat Action with four stars, the Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.