Behind The Shield

Kevin Hazzard is a Paramedic and the author of 1000 Naked Strangers and American Sirens. We discuss his journey into EMS, journalism, 911 abuse, burnout, career calls, mental health, the unknown story of America's first paramedics in Pittsburgh, racism and so much more.

Lee Sammartino is a BASE Jumper, musician and Marketing guru. We discuss his journey into extreme sports, his path into business, branding the fire service, his perspective on the drug industry, how to start a non-profit, leveraging marketing tools, social media, the power of relationships, the Human Performance Project and so much more.

Scott Chappell is a Florida Fire Captain, US&R/HazMat/MARC Program Coordinator and instructor. We discuss his journey into the fire service, responding to international incidents, special operations, firefighter fitness, shift work, sleep deprivation and much more.

John Doolittle is a former Navy SEAL Captain, Chief Revenue Officer for KAATSU and a public speaker. We discuss his journey into the Navy, the power of mentorship, his perspective on war, human performance, blood flow restriction, the Frogman Swim, transition, sleep and so much more. https://kaatsu.com/ https://johndoolittle.com/

Ben Bergeron is an author, podcaster and one of the world's most successful Crossfit coaches. We discuss his early life, coaching the youth athlete, his philosophy on mental toughness, seeking discomfort, Icelandic athletes, sleep and so much more.

Kegan Gill is and F-18 fighter pilot and the only man to survive an ejection at the speed of sound. We discuss his journey into aviation, entering the military, his near death experience, the physical rehabilitation road, his powerful mental health story, traumatic brain injury, psychedelics and so much more.

Whitney Lindsay is a former Army helicopter pilot and wildland firefighter. We discuss her journey into the military, training standards and safety, organizational betrayal, her powerful mental health story, Crossfit, the healing power of the wildland community and much more.

Chris Hauth is a world renowned endurance athlete, coach and podcaster. We discuss his shared childhood between Germany and America, physical education, mental toughness, Health Care, the importance of suffering, recovery, sleep, swimming, breath, the Human Performance Project and much more.

Brandt McCartney is a Gold Star sibling, brain health advocate and the man behind The 38 Challenge. We discuss the impact his older brother Cpt. Matthew Brewer had on his childhood, their shared love of football, Matthew's journey into the Marines, Matthew's suicide, grief, traumatic brain injury and mental health and so much more

Kent Stanway is the only member of the Canadian Armed Forces to transition from Search and Rescue Technician to Pilot. We discuss childhood bullying, his journey into the military, the role of the SAR Tech, stress inoculation, physical fitness, training standards, sleep and so much more.

Dr Lori Moore-Merrell is a former firefighter/paramedic, Chief Executive of Research and Data Analytics for the IAFF and the current US Fire Administrator. We discuss her journey into the fire service, emergency medicine, firefighter mental health, sleep deprivation, shift work, the wildland firefighter community, wildland/urban interface and so much more.

Christian Meyers is an Air Force veteran and the co-host of the MEDEVAC Podacast. We discuss his journey into the military, the role of a Special Missions Aviator, fitness, mental health, his transition story, psychedelics, extreme sports, the Human Performance Project and so much more.

Jessie Salas is a retired Orlando firefighter and the Director of Coaching for Foundation Training. In this second conversation, we discuss holistic cancer treatment alternatives, strength training, his work with jiujitsu legends and world champion up and comers, breath work, meditation and so much more.

Justin Menchaca was a Green Beret when he was shot in the head by an Afghani sniper in 2011. The traumatic brain injury left him paralyzed on one side and unable to speak. Justin was joined in this interview by his mother Julie and wife Carissa. We discuss his journey into the military, the events leading up to his near fatal wounds, what that phone call was like for a parent, Justin's incredible physical and mental rehabilitation journey, online dating, the healing power of stem cells, his incredible mindset, how Carissa began "Cells for Chac" and so much more.

Matthew Crane is a Navy veteran, musician, artist and a member of the Human Performance Project team. We discuss his journey into the military, his near death experience, sleep deprivation, trauma, volunteerism, the healing power of art, 7x and so much more.

Darin Olien is an expert in the Holistic wellness space, author and the co-host of the Docuseries "Down to Earth". In this second conversation we discuss his journey through Australia, ancient Aboriginal wisdom, the devastating effect of wild fires, grief, forever chemicals, the impact of environmental toxins on our health, his latest book "Fatal Conveniences" and so much more.

Matthew Thomas is the Chief Deputy of Pinal County and the author of Interceptors: The Untold Fight Against the Mexican Cartels. We discuss his childhood perspective of gangs, his journey into law enforcement, the genesis of Cartel violence, human trafficking, the illicit drug trade, the war on drugs, school safety, mental health and so much more.

Michael Hicks lost his son Macoy to suicide whilst serving in the US Navy and ultimately started the non-profit Hicks Strong. We discuss Michael's own mental health journey, Macoy's journey into the military, the deadly effects of toxic leadership, Gold Star siblings, hug mugs and so much more.

Zack Garner is a former Green Beret, Protection Specialist and I would argue the walking example of resilience. We discuss his journey into the military, his work with the Special Forces, the Epilepsy and TBI that forced him out of active duty, the Ride to Valhalla, the power of plant medicine, his near fatal bicycle accident, the flesh eating bacteria that almost killed him, his powerful mental health story, 7x and so much more.

Stack is a Virginia Firefighter, Rescue Technician and the man behind The Things We All Carry Podcast. We discuss his tumultuous childhood, working with special needs children, his journey into the fire service, his own mental health story, plant medicine, podcasting, sleep and so much more.