The Tony Montgomery Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Oneid, world-class powerlifter, bodybuilder, and founder of Master Athletic Performance and Coaches Corner University, to explore the psychology behind strength and performance. Paul shares how he weaves mindset, resilience, and personality into his coaching, what separates successful athletes from the rest, and why he continues to push himself to pursue more. From training philosophy to the deeper motivations that fuel both athletes and coaches, this conversation goes far beyond sets and reps into what it truly takes to succeed in sport and in life.

What if your first psychedelic trip wasn’t in adulthood, but at birth? In this episode, we explore the Birth Echo Hypothesis, a bold new theory proposing that DMT acts as a neurochemical interface between the brain and consciousness itself, triggered during life’s greatest transitions: birth and death. Drawing on neuroscience, developmental psychology, psychedelic research, and evolutionary biology, we ask whether the classic DMT "breakthrough" experience is more than a hallucination, could it be a symbolic memory of our own emergence into the world?We dive deep into how DMT may shape early sensory development, the strange parallels between neonatal brain states and psychedelic brain scans, and the possibility that this molecule has been guiding consciousness since life began. Featuring ideas inspired by cell assembly theory, the entropic brain model, and archetypal psychology, this episode blends hard science with deep wonder. Whether you're a psychonaut, a scientist, or someone curious about where consciousness comes from, this conversation might just change how you see birth, death, and everything in between.

n this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jason Moser, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Michigan State University and director of the Clinical Psychophysiology Lab, to explore what the brain’s response to errors, emotions, and internal conflict reveals about mental health. Dr. Moser’s groundbreaking research on cognitive control, anxiety, emotion regulation, and resilience sheds light on why some people struggle more with worry and perfectionism—and how simple tools like journaling, mindfulness, and even belief in placebo can help us manage emotional challenges. From neural biomarkers like the ERN and LPP to personalized, low-cost interventions, we dive into the science that connects our brains to our behavior, and what it means for creating a more compassionate, adaptive approach to mental health.Dr. Jason Moser is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Michigan State University and the director of the Clinical Psychophysiology Lab. His research investigates the intersection of emotion, cognition, and behavior, with a focus on anxiety, resilience, and how the brain monitors mistakes and regulates emotion. He is widely recognized for his work on neural markers like the ERN and LPP, and has pioneered research translating laboratory findings into practical, scalable tools to improve mental health. His work has been featured in Scientific Reports, Nature Communications, Psychophysiology, and mainstream media outlets like VICE, Yahoo Life, and PBS KIDS.

In this episode I talk to Carlos Reyes, elite level strength athlete and firefighter. We discuss his path to becoming one of the best overall strength athletes. What it means to follow in his dad's footsteps of becoming a firefighter, along with how he carved his own path to success. We touch on what legacy he wants to leave behind and how he juggles all of his training and roles of being a father, husband, and firefighter without skipping a beat.Carlos Reyes is a firefighter and competitive powerlifter. With a background in emergency response and strength training, he brings a practical perspective on resilience, discipline, and performance under pressure. His experience bridges the physical demands of firefighting with the mental focus required in high-level strength sports.

In this episode I talk to Tom Griffen an adventurer, endurance athlete, writer, and artist. We talk about the life lessons he's learned from his adventures. How writing allows him to express himself and the freedom that brings. How nature gives back to him in so many ways, that can benefit anyone. As a long-time runner and former National Director of Training at Fleet Feet, he’s tackled grueling feats like walking across America in 2018 and thru‑hiking both the Appalachian and Arizona Trails. His writing—covering travel, self-awareness, and the art of trail life—appears on his WordPress blog and his Substack titled “With a Good Heart”, where he blends reflections on hiking, creativity, and endurance. He also carves wooden spoons as a creative outlet and hosts workshops and coaching around storytelling, kindness, and adventure. 🔗 Key links Website (Writer & Adventurer): tomgriffen.com Substack “With a Good Heart”: withagoodheart.substack.com 

In this episode, I talk to Sam Loch about what it takes to be an Olympian and the lessons he learned from that pursuit. Sam Loch is an Australian Olympian, world record-holding rower, and elite strength athlete known for his relentless work ethic and unmatched power on the erg. With a career spanning two Olympic Games (2008, 2012) and numerous world records in indoor rowing, Sam embodies the spirit of athletic resilience and high-performance mindset. Beyond the boat, he’s a dedicated coach, speaker, and advocate for pushing physical and mental limits. Join us as we dive into his journey, exploring the grit, discipline, and unwavering determination that fuel his success both on and off the water

In this episode I explore the idea of how our beliefs can impact our physiology, biology, and psychology.  How the research shows the power of changing our beliefs can have on our mind and body. Tangible tools to improve our mind and body. Lastly how storytelling can impact our creativity, education, and motivation to exercise.

In this episode I discuss the role of storytelling in shaping our beliefs and who we are in the world and the power to overcome it. Storytelling isn’t just how we entertain—it’s how we survive, connect, and make meaning. From an evolutionary standpoint, stories helped early humans bond in larger groups, transmit wisdom, and navigate danger. Neurologically, they activate empathy circuits, mirror sensory experiences, and even synchronize brainwaves between speaker and listener. But the real power of storytelling lies in its ability to shape belief and identity. Whether it’s a nation’s founding myth, a personal trauma narrative, or a viral conspiracy theory, stories determine how we see ourselves, others, and what we think is possible. And when people reclaim authorship of their own story—especially those who’ve been marginalized or silenced—it can restore agency, reshape mental health, and catalyze collective healing. Storytelling is not just reflection—it's revolution.

In this episode I explore the use of The Biopsychosocial Model for Mental Health. I break down each component of the model exploring the validity of biological, psychological, and social interventions. I go over the research comparing this model to single treatment options. Why the US health care system has not adopted yet and future directions on how we can push it into the US health care hemisphere for adoption.

In this episode I discuss how we can become more resilient through different protocols. Stress resilience is the ability to maintain or quickly regain mental health during or after adversity, and it depends on how well we regulate our emotional, physiological, and cognitive responses to stress. I discuss the different brain areas related to building resiliency and different techniques one can use to improve resiliency. Memory, attention, and emotion regulation training tools to immediately improve one's resiliency. Resilience isn't a fixed trait—it's shaped by experience and can be strengthened. At the brain level, key systems involved include the hippocampus (for distinguishing safety from threat), the prefrontal cortex (for cognitive control), and the reward system (for motivation and positive emotion). Together, these systems support positive appraisal—the ability to interpret stressors as manageable or meaningful—which helps keep stress reactions in check. To improve resilience, we can train cognitive control (e.g., through mindfulness or working memory exercises), shift attention and interpretation biases (e.g., using attentional bias modification), boost reward sensitivity (e.g., through exercise, social connection, or positive experience recall), and reduce inflammation and stress-related physiological wear (e.g., with anti-inflammatory diets, good sleep, and stress inoculation). Ultimately, resilience grows when we repeatedly adapt to challenges and learn that we can handle them.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Gwen Adshead to explore the human nature of violent criminal offenders through the lense of a forensic psychiatrist. Dr. Gwen Adshead is a renowned forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience working with individuals who have committed violent crimes. She has worked extensively in high-security hospitals, prisons, and mental health services, helping offenders understand the psychological factors behind their actions. Dr. Adshead has a particular interest in moral reasoning, empathy development, and the therapeutic potential for change in those society often deems irredeemable. She is the co-author of The Devil You Know: Stories of Human Cruelty and Compassion, which explores the inner lives of violent offenders through case studies, challenging traditional perceptions of "evil" and advocating for a more compassionate approach to forensic psychiatry. Her work highlights the intersection of trauma, mental illness, and criminal behavior, emphasizing the potential for rehabilitation through psychological therapy. As a lecturer, researcher, and author, she continues to influence both academic and public discussions on criminal justice, mental health, and the psychology of violence.

In this episode I sit down with Karissa Johnson, PhD candidate at the University of Saskatchewan where she focuses on research supporting female athletes through self-compassion. We talk about what self-compassion research and how that translates to helping athletes. How to build confidence, overcome challenges, and so much more.

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Alex Olmos and discuss the ins and outs of strength training. The mechanisms behind why we get strong. The benefits of strength training. What he has learned from his recent research and what life is like transitioning from a PhD candidate to a professor.

In this episode I talk about the building blocks to create a successful strength or hypertrophy program. I go over strength training considerations of skill acquisition and how we get strong. Hypertrophy program, how we grow and the importance of progressive overload. I end with going over the psychological considerations of programming and tools to improve your awareness of the psyche.

In this episode I talk to Burkhart Hahn PhD candidate from Oklahoma State University where is specializes in research focusing on anxiety disorders. Here we talk about his own mental health and how that has made him a better therapist. Tools to better understand and cope with anxiety disorders. The anxiety disorders as a whole and the mechanism behind their function. Along with how exercise can help improve anxiety symptoms.

In this episode I sit down with 20-year Special Forces Veteran Eric Maxwell. We discuss what makes a good leader and how can one build leadership skills. How war impacts our human behavior. How has mental health changed in his 20 years of service. How to balance family life in the military and transitioning out.

In this episode I discuss how we can use exercise to improve our mental health. I discuss the mechanisms of action to get a better understanding of how exercise can help improve mental health. Developing a biopsychosocial model to create a better understanding of mental health. Psychological strategies to improve motivation and adherence. Along with exercise prescription ideas that are backed by research to improve mental health.

In this episode I discuss the science behind how emotions are made. The difference between emotions and feelings and why that is an important distinction to make. I also talk about effective strategies on how to regulate emotions, cope with stress, and shift one's perspective and beliefs towards stress to improve the nervous system response.

In this podcast I will be exploring human behavior in all its aspect. From the lived experiences to what the science says and everything in between. There will be solo episodes diving into the research of specific topics, along with guest interviews from some of the top performers, researchers, and writers. I hope that you enjoy the show and it prompts you to become more curious.