Building the Elite Podcast

Rima is a medic in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a tactical medicine instructor originally from the United States. She came to Ukraine as an NGO volunteer in 2022 and began medical studies in 2023 before enlisting in 2024. Now, she works on medical evacuations of soldiers from the frontlines and works in stabilization points where they receive casualties and stabilize their injuries for transport to the nearest hospital. Before enlisting, she taught tactical medicine per TCCC standards at the International Center for Tactical Medicine in Ukraine. In her spare time, she writes about tactical medicine for a wider audience based on evolving needs and lessons learned on the ground in Ukraine. More about Rima:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rimameduaSend Rima and her team medical supplies:  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3QM0WCUA0PBK2?ref_=wl_shareOr, snacks from home: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/390U40XEQSS4P?ref_=wl_shareBlue Yellow USA address for care packages:C/O Blue Yellow USA NFP PO box 641Naperville, IL60566Timestamps:

Chris Brennan served for 15 years in the Australian Army, 11 of which were as an operator within the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR).He fulfilled multiple team specialist roles, including as a JTAC and Tandem Bundle Master within a Freefall Assault Team, before progressing into leadership roles as a team 2IC and culminating his career as an SASR Team Leader.Chris deployed on multiple occasions and spent two years as a specialist trainer and assessor in the SASR's selection and training squadron.He assisted in the design and implementation of high-risk training for new members undergoing the SASR reinforcement cycle, as well as assisting in the delivery of team-leading packages tothose undergoing progression into tactical leadership functions.Upon transitioning from the Australian Defence Force, Chris completed his Master of Business degree through the University of New South Wales, which provided academic backing to his lived experiences within the SASR.As a result, Chris founded OMADA Performance Concepts, a high–performance team consultancy. Through OMADA, he now delivers specialised Team Development solutions, Team Leadership packages, and Instructor Development programs for critical response teams operating in high-risk environments.More about Chris:Website: www.omadapc.com.auInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/omada.performance.concepts/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-brennan-991215353/Timestamps:00:00:21 Introduction to Chris Brennan00:01:41 Brennan’s Career in the Australian SAS00:04:05 Unit Supporters' Success in the U.S.00:05:39 Hardest Part of Selection00:07:16 Testing Standards00:09:17 Quick Note: Mental and Emotional Demands of Selection00:10:14 Freefall Rules00:11:19 Jumping Bundles00:12:24 Working as an Instructor00:13:21 What Makes a Student Stand Out in the Reinforcement Cycle?00:14:51 Evaluating Attributes00:21:24 Cultural Fit00:24:44 Team Gear, My Gear, Me00:25:25 Training Other Team Leaders00:26:03 What Makes an Effective Team Leader?00:31:02 Tom Satterly and the Hot Wash00:35:55 Staying Focused on Things You Can Change00:39:17 Founding Omada00:44:40 Applying Previous Experiences 00:51:37 Future Plans for Omada00:53:36 Working for Omada00:54:06 One Book that Everyone Should Read00:58:09 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received 00:59:48 Contact Chris Brennan01:00:37 Outro

Philip Andrew Armstrong is a decorated combat veteran, elite-level medic, program manager, and resilience-driven father of four. Raised in the woods by hippies and unable to read until the age of 14, his early life was unconventional, marked by hardship, self-reliance, and grit. Those experiences became the bedrock for a path of resilience that carried him through combat, service on some of the world’s most elite special operations teams, and ultimately, earning a master’s degree from Harvard, proving that where you begin doesn’t define how far you can go.Philip began his military journey as a U.S. Air Force Pararescueman (PJ) with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor and the Purple Heart for his actions under fire in Afghanistan. He earned additional valor recognition while serving as a civilian contractor with various agencies, deploying five more times to Afghanistan and once to Libya in support of counter-terrorism operations.In 2018, Philip sustained a leg injury from an AK-47 ricochet during an overseas deployment. He officially retired from contracting in 2019 to focus on recovery, his family, and building a purpose-driven life beyond the battlefield.Today, Philip serves as a medical and operational program manager, co-owner of a real estate brokerage in Florida, and co-founder of Ambassadors of World Wildlife, a nonprofit delivering medical and conservation support in remote, high-risk environments.He holds a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University Global and a Master of Liberal Arts in Sustainability from Harvard Extension School. He is a board-certified Critical Care Flight Paramedic and has completed some of the most grueling and advanced tactical training in U.S. Special Operations. He’s also a triathlete and a licensed private pilot and paraglider pilot.Philip lives in Florida with his wife—a former F-15 Strike Eagle backseater with two combat deployments—and their four young children. Together, they are embarking on the journey of homeschooling, with a focus on cultivating resilience, leadership, and adaptability in their family. Through social media, Philip shares raw, honest reflections on post-traumatic growth, high-performance living, mental health, and the challenges and triumphs of modern fatherhood.---------Follow Philip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operator.drama.llama/--------Timestamps:

Ben Strahan is a Hotshot Superintendent and wildland firefighter with over 25 years of operational leadership on the fireline. Ben has spent decades in high-risk environments where clarity, discipline, and trust mean survival. His journey through fire has shaped a deeper calling—one that now centers around helping others cultivate resilience, emotional strength, and self-awareness. Through consulting, mentorship, and public speaking, Ben bridges the gap between tactical readiness and inner leadership, guiding others to face the fires within as courageously as those in the wild.More about Ben:Moment Consulting: https://momentconsultingllc.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benstrahan/Timestamps:

What makes a hero? It’s easy to point to the dramatic moments in history: the burning tanks and bullet-swept battlefields. This form of heroism is important, but it's not the only form. Heroism also manifests in other ways that impact lives, strengthen our communities, and shape our culture. In this episode, we look beyond the headlines to the everyday acts of heroism that rarely make the news. Through stories of soldiers, first responders, teachers, and ordinary people, we explore a different kind of courage: the steady, humble, often invisible bravery that changes lives without seeking recognition. 

Alex Potter is a photojournalist, trauma nurse, former wildland firefighter, and co-founder of Global Response Medicine, a humanitarian non-profit bringing emergency medicine to low-resource and high-risk areas. Alex spent her early career photographing conflict in the Middle East, before spending two seasons as a wildland firefighter in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. She then moved to Alaska to pursue a career as an Air Force Combat Rescue Officer and was selected in Phase 2 of the CRO pipeline in 2022. While a twist of fate (and knee) changed that path, she remains passionate about mountain pursuits, far-forward medicine, and the ability to help others achieve their goals. She is a current board member of the Special Operations Climbers Coalition, and recently moved to Bozeman, Montana.More about Alex: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexkpotter/Global Response Medicine: https://global-response.org/Photography: https://www.alexkaypotter.com/Support GRM: https://givebutter.com/AcuteCareTimestamps:00:00:22 Introduction to Alex Potter00:01:14 Piecing Together Alex Potter's Career00:04:48 Combat Rescue Officers VS. Pararescueman00:06:43 Everybody Loves PJs00:09:00 Trauma Nurse in Iraq00:13:16 Notable Things in the Learning Curve00:14:31 Where Did Your Food Come From00:16:12 Being a Women in Traditional Muslim Culture00:21:47 Ending two years in Iraq00:24:03 Firefighter in Alaska00:24:57 Month Long Boot Camp00:26:13 What Makes Effective Leadership00:27:21 Not Hoarding Knowledge00:29:56 Becoming a Wildland Firefighter00:33:15 Specific Boots for the Job00:34:37 Physical Training Prior to Firefighting00:37:10 Marriage & Nursing on the East Coast00:40:07 The CRO Pipeline00:45:45 Training to Maintain While Working on Weaknesses00:50:27 Phase Two of Training00:55:60 Qualifying for Air Force after Training00:58:28 Pete Gets Director Position in Ukraine01:02:35 Long Journey to Bring Pete Back Home01:03:37 The OTS Pipeline01:10:51 What is Alex Potter Doing Now01:11:42 Mountain Guiding Professionals01:13:25 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received01:15:29 Outro

Mauri DiMeo is an Infantry officer in the US Army currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Military Science (APMS) at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). He attended Ranger, Airborne, SFAS, the SFQC, and the Austrian High Alpine School. Mauri was a platoon leader in the 4th Infantry Division and Rifle Company Commander in the 10th Mountain Division. His career took a turn in the final Robin Sage stage of the SF Q course, which we discuss early in our conversation. The lessons he learned there are important for any officer going through the SF qualification process. Outside of the military, Mauri founded Tactical Alpinism in 2022 with the mission to expand the capability of individuals to go bigger in the mountains by teaching mountain navigation and planning best practices. Enabling people to go bigger in the mountains expands the military’s capability in this environment by focusing on the expertise of the individual within mountain and arctic units. He professionally guides in the mountains in the ski, rock, and alpine disciplines.His mountain experience includes two decades of climbing across much of the world and multiple ski-based ascents and descents, including Mount Shasta, Mount Rainier, and Denali, all by multiple routes. His civilian mountain certifications include AIARE Avalanche Professional Level 2, AIARE Avalanche Instructor, AMGA Assistant Ski Guide, and AMGA Assistant Rock Guide.More about Mauri:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacticalalpinism/Timestamps:00:00:23 Introduction to Mauri DiMeo00:01:49 Mauri DiMeo’s Career 00:03:20 Final Year at West Point00:04:26 Preparing for the Course00:05:32 Junior West Point Cadet00:08:45 Doing Too Much00:10:54 10th Mountain Warfare Training00:15:56 Ready in a Month00:18:13 Conventional Units in Cold Environments00:21:48 The Gap Between What Soldiers Are Taught and Tying Knots 00:26:09 Practicing Skills Where They Matter00:28:20 Tactical Avalanche Education00:32:13 Avalanche Bell Curve Management00:36:20 Speed is Safety00:42:00 Time Recommended to Build Aerobic Capacity00:46:50 Balancing Volume Training00:51:03 Zone 2 Running vs Rucking00:55:34 Getting the Body to Do What It’s Meant to Do00:58:48 Effective Mental Frameworks in the Mountains01:02:27 Filling Gaps in Military Training01:05:34 Tactical Core Skills for Operating in the Snowy Mountains01:10:25 What Does Mauri DiMeo Do with Tactical Alpinism?01:12:20 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received01:14:44 Outro

Anthony ‘Harry’ Moffitt retired from the Australian Defence Force after almost 30 years, most of which was spent with Australia’s Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment as a Team Commander and Team Specialist. He completed 11 active service deployments and was wounded in action in 2008. He completed his time with the SAS as their Human Performance Manager. Harry is a registered psychologist and runs a human performance consultancy called Stotan Group, which works with sports teams, the military, and the industry. He is also a Director at the Mission Critical Team Institute and founded the Wanderers Education Program, a multi-million dollar not-for-profit that prepares soldiers for transition. He recently published his memoir Eleven Bats, a book about his military service and his love of cricket.Harry has been married to Danielle for 27 years and has two children. He values integrity, humor, and bricolage.More about Harry:Stotan Group: https://stotangroup.com.au/Eleven Bats: https://www.booktopia.com.au/eleven-bats-anthony-harry-moffitt/book/9781760877842.htmlSAS Wanderer's Education Program: https://www.sasresourcesfund.org.au/about-the-fund/wanderers-education-programLBW Trust / National Backyard Cricket: https://lbwtrust.com.au/The Externals (Harry's band): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWSYUvRoa8QInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrymoffitt353/Timestamps:00:00:22 Introduction to Harry Moffitt00:01:22 Career Overview00:04:28 Human Performance and Nuance in SAS Selection00:06:16 Success in Selection 00:09:45 Being In Love With The Process00:13:49 Building a Nest: The Ways We Quit00:14:51 The Challenge Beyond Selection00:17:56 Self Doubt: Questioning Your Sense of Belonging00:24:55 Moving On From “You Suck. Suck Less.”00:29:05 Accessing for Integrity00:31:06 Leadership, Character, & Stress00:35:04 Sponsor Note: Building The Elite 00:35:58 Protecting Us From Ourselves00:40:21 Special Operations in Civilian Life: Which Concepts Work? Which Don’t?00:45:51 The Hallmarks of Camaraderie00:50:31 Playing ‘Company’00:53:17 The Cricket Bats00:58:30 Harry Moffitt’s Next Book01:01:59 Philosophy: Wonder, Intuition, & Imagination01:05:29 Clarifying Values: Your Personal North Star01:11:16 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received01:11:50 Outro

Josh Bridges, a former Navy SEAL and second-place finisher in the 2011 CrossFit Games, shares insights from his remarkable journey. He emphasizes how wrestling built his mental toughness, crucial for SEAL training. Josh discusses the importance of adaptability over rigid rules in training, fostering an understanding that transcends traditional methods. He also delves into the challenges athletes face while transitioning into CrossFit and shares strategies for effective remote coaching, highlighting the value of camaraderie and resilience.

Ryan Wilson completed a long and challenging career in the Australian Army spanning 18 years, primarily in the Special Air Service Regiment, where he gained extensive experience leading teams in highly complex and uncertain environments on multiple combat tours.   During his time in the special forces, Ryan experienced many life-changing and challenging situations that sparked his interest in resilience, high performance, and operational management.  Following his military career, Ryan commenced his journey into the whiskey industry, starting in 2020 as Business Development Manager for Whipper Snapper Distillery, and is now the General Manager overseeing the entire operation.      Ryan is active in the veteran support space. He is on the Board of Directors for the Veteran employment non-profit Working Spirit and is the WA manager for the veteran charity Wandering Warriors.  He has recently founded a new charity called Working Paws Australia, which aims to raise money and provide financial assistance for medical bills and other areas associated with retired military and police working dogs.  He holds a BA in Politics and International Studies from Murdoch University and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Western Australia.  He is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Course.  Ryan spent much of his career living and working throughout Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, and is fluent in Bahasa Indonesian.   More about Ryan:You can learn more about Ryan and the charities he’s involved with at his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanwilson_1984/Timestamps:00:00:22 Introduction to Ryan Wilson00:01:55 Career Overview00:04:16 SAS Selection: What makes people quit?00:07:32 Mental Preparation: How to Keep Going and Stay Out of Your Head00:10:40 Keeping An Internal Compass 00:13:40 Segmenting: A Thousand Manageable Steps, One At A Time00:15:56 Stories of Selection & Low Points00:19:13 What Are My Odds of Making It00:22:20 End of Selection: Three Sentences and You're On Your Way Home00:24:08 The Sword in the Stone Mentality00:27:21 Selection Starts When the Stress Sets In00:28:46 Sponsor Note: Mindfulness in Training App00:31:32 Rationale for Snapping & Trainability 00:36:04 The Ability to Deal With Failure & Setbacks00:39:30 How Powerful Nutrition Is & Can Be00:43:23 Foundation for Metabolic Flexibility00:45:32 Team Dynamics in Selection: Knowing When to Follow & When to Lead00:47:21 Building Trust and Rapport With a New Group00:50:32 Career Progression After Selection00:54:06 Work/Life Balance Compared to the Army00:58:23 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received01:01:39 Outro