

#092: US Army Recruiting Command - COL Stephen Battle & Author Of Meathead MAJ Allison Brager (TYR Wodapalooza 2023 Series)
TYR Wodapalooza brings the best of the fitness world to downtown Miami for four days of competition, sun, and neon lights. Ninja Warrior & Stuntwoman Jessie Graff joins Fran Racioppi for eight episodes with some of the most elite athletes on the stage today.
In this series launch, they cover US Army Recruiting with Brigade Commander Colonel Stephen Battle and Major Allison Brager, the chief science officer at US Army JFK Special Warfare Center.
Allison shares the importance of sleep in building elite performance and is the author of Meathead: Unraveling the Athletic Brain. Steve explains why fitness is a critical component of leadership and building high functioning teams, and how the Army is developing thought leaders; not just people who standby waiting to be told what to do.
Take a listen to the conversation, then tune into our YouTube channel to watch as Jessie and Fran workout with the US Army Warrior Fitness Team.
Learn more about Allison Brager @docjockzzz.
Find out how you can become one of our nation’s most important assets and impact the world at goarmy.com/wza.
Follow Jessie on Instagram and FB @jessiegraffpwr.
Click here or use code JED for $10 off your first order of Modballs.
Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media.
Highlights:
- 0:00 Welcome to TYR Wodapalooza!
- 5:30 Why fitness is important to the US Army
- 10:27 The Army’s focus on developing thought leaders
- 15:39 What COL Battle and MAJ Brager look for in their leaders
- 18:38 Using sleep to chase excellence
- 22:12 The Peak Alert App
- 22:45 The difference between the athletic brain and the normal brain
- 25:18 Using our Circadian Rhythm to maximize performance
- 34:08 The effects of sleep deprivation & high operational tempo
- 40:00 Three Daily Foundations
Quotes:
- “We have to engage with American youth at their level, at areas and places that they congregate.” (8:40)
- “You don’t have to be an elite fitness athlete to join the military.” (8:23)
- “We’re not here to break you down, or embarrass you, or scold you. We’re here to build you up.” (9:22)
- “We’re looking for fit, resilient soldiers of character.” (16:19)
- “Sleep is the performance enhancing drug.” (18:54)
- “If the soldiers are getting about 30% less sleep, they’re only 50% combat effective. It’s an exponential relationship.” (19:32)
- “They don’t have to think about the complex movements that they have to do. They just act.” (24:05)
- “Shift Work takes anywhere from 10 to 15 years off your life.” (34:41)
This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s, Rhone, Modballs, 18A Fitness & Compass Workforce Solutions