Building the Elite Podcast

Daniel Allen is a doctor of clinical psychology and a strength and conditioning coach specializing in preparing candidates for military and special operations service in New Zealand.He spent 6 years as a medic in the NZ Army before leaving to fulfill a dream to compete as a professional Muay Thai and MMA athlete and embark on a decade-long formal training in clinical psychology. He has worked with people ranging from Olympians, professional and world-class athletes, to beginners starting out for the first time to successful New Zealand SAS candidates.Dan’s wide-ranging academic background spans undergraduate study in Health Science, Exercise Science, master’s and doctoral psychology programs, and much to his wife’s dismay, he is currently in a 2-year neuropsychology program.Dan’s doctoral research focused on factors that reduced PTSD and increased flourishing among military personnel in the years following deployment, including nutrition, sleep, exercise, social support, and leadership support.His psychology background is similarly wide-ranging, including working as a high-school counselor, in a drugs and addiction service and, more recently, in a private psychology service.Dan is passionate about understanding the relationship between nutrition, psychology, and performance and how these things facilitate resilience.You can learn more about Dan at his website, drdancoach.com/ or on Instagram at @drdancoachingTimestamps:00:00:22 Introduction to Daniel Allen00:01:46 Sidequest to Be Professional Muay Thai Fighter00:06:40 Training in High-Level Gyms Around the World00:09:15 How Did Daniel Allen’s Training Impact How He Coaches?00:11:39 How to Separate Pain from Suffering00:14:02 Exercise Science and Psychology Degrees 00:14:59 New Zealand SAS 00:17:49 What Would Daniel Change About How He Coached in the Past?00:21:09 How to Balance Being Good at Running and Rucking00:24:05 Predictors of Success00:26:58 Most Common Mistakes in Prep00:29:31 Test Within a Training Cycle00:31:53 Fundamental Skills to Develop People’s Abilities00:34:04 Sponsor Note on Segmenting 00:34:28 Questioning Your Sense of Belonging00:41:02 Common Success Factors from Olympic Athletes to SAS Operators00:45:21 Cognitive Flexibility and Growth Mindset00:47:45 Operational Longevity 00:52:33 Limiting Factors During a Course 00:54:04 Candidates with Cushie Backgrounds00:57:43 Gaining Awareness of the Landscape of Your Mind00:59:43 SAS Candidates Do’s and Don’ts01:02:31 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received 01:05:29 Outro

One of the most common training questions we answer, particularly in the winter when people’s kids are going back to school and concocting new diseases, is about training when sick. While the answer is obvious if you’re bedridden or can barely feed yourself (Do not work out), how you manage yourself from when you begin to feel symptoms to when you’re back to 100% will make a big difference in your rate of recovery.This episode covers what to do and not do when you're sick, how to transition back to full-intensity training, and factors that speed recovery and influence your propensity to illness. You may want to refer back to portions of this episode so we have it published in written format on our website, broken down by sections. You can read it here: https://www.buildingtheelite.com/training-when-sick/

Scott Ryder served for 22 years with the Australian Army, including 16 years as an operator with the 2nd Commando Regiment. He served in East Timor and multiple tours of Afghanistan and Iraq. He holds numerous commendations and a Masters of Business, and he works in veteran charities to improve the life of veterans and their families. He’s the author of the book Forged in Fire: An Australian Commando's Story of Life and Death on the Frontline, available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and almost any other major retailer. Scott’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scott_ryder_zero79/Scott’s LinktreeForged In Fire on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3B9TLFGTimestamps:00:00:22 Introduction to Scott Ryder00:02:01 Time in Australia and the Military00:03:23 Commando Selection00:04:47 Having a Smaller Build in Selection00:07:19 How Long Should Training Be?00:10:37 Childhood Adversity Gives You Coping Skills00:15:19 Functional Fitness and Training00:20:19 No Resilience to Sleep Deprivation 00:21:32 Purpose and Performance00:27:11 Sponsor Note: Train to Perform Well in Stressful Situations00:30:47 Physical Fatigue Gages Where You Are Mentally and Physically00:33:30 When You Don’t Remember Why You Signed Up00:35:27 Scott Ryder’s Most Challenging Moments in Selection00:37:39 Most Common Mistakes in Preparing for Selection00:42:06 Don’t Talk to the Quitters00:47:25 Learning Land Navigation00:49:40 Common Threads of Successful Candidates00:51:41 Once the Physical Playing Field is Leveled00:54:27 Teamwork and Social Interactions00:57:45 Scott Ryder’s Book00:59:38 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received01:00:18 Outro

Chris Frueh, PhD is a professor of psychology at the University of Hawaii.  He has over thirty years of professional experience working with military veterans, servicemembers, special operators, private defense contractors, and firefighters; and has conducted clinical trials, epidemiology, historical, and neuroscience research. He was previously a professor of psychiatry at Medical University of South Carolina and Baylor College of Medicine. He has co-authored over 325 scientific publications and is the author of Operator Syndrome, which is available on Amazon.Website: chrisfrueh.comOperator Syndrome on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZuZfTxTimestamps:00:00:23 Introduction to Chris Frueh00:00:59 Rundown of Chris Frueh’s Career 00:04:42 What is Operator Syndrome?00:15:48 The Differences Between PTSD and Operator Syndrome00:17:29 Types of Traumatic Brain Injury00:22:14 TAL Proteins and Impact Trauma00:25:56 Interventions and Treatments00:30:13 Sponsor Note: Sleep Optimization Course00:34:33 Nutritional Interventions 00:36:22 Fasting to Manage TBI 00:39:05 Different Stages of an Operator and TBI 00:43:56 Staying on Top of Hormones00:48:37 Getting Treatment Outside of the VA00:51:07 Finding Credible Help00:54:12 Operator Syndrome Foundation00:55:55 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received00:58:12 Outro

Nico Seedsman spent 13 years in the Australian military, first as an electrical engineer in the Navy, then with a Recon unit in the Army, before spending his final eight years in the SAS. Nico left the military after suffering catastrophic multi-system health issues and eventually brought himself back to health through a combination of stem cell therapy, indigenous medicine, and an intensive focus on recovery. Nico is now an actor who has made appearances on Apple TV and Paramount networks, a high-performance coach, the CEO and founder of Odin Stem Cells, and the founder of a veterans philanthropy organization called Warrior Refit.Learn more about Nico: https://www.instagram.com/niclonewolf/How to prepare for Australian SAS/Commando Selection:https://www.buildingtheelite.com/australian-sasr-selection-process-sfet-training/Building the Elite Coaching App:https://www.buildingtheelite.com/sof-training-appTimestamps:00:00:21 Introduction to Nico Seedsman00:01:02 Nico Seedsman Career Overview00:06:50 Spiraling Health 00:10:40 Regenerative Medicines00:13:01 SASR (SAS) Selection 00:16:31 Fighting the Internal Battle In Your Head00:26:21 Prepping for Selection00:33:07 The Social Dynamic During Selection00:38:40 Fitness Level vs. Mentality/Personality00:44:14 The Way You Train & Effect On Health00:46:38 One-Percenters00:49:11 Sponsor Note: High Emotional Stability & High Conscientiousness 00:53:48 Best & Worst Advice You’ve Ever Gotten00:54:41 Wrap Up

Many types of fear are learned responses based on memories from previous experiences. There are, of course, also innate fears. Like other animals, we’re naturally prone to be highly vigilant the first time we’re exposed to things like heights, deep water, snakes, and spiders. But, for most things in life, fear is not a primal instinct but a learned association. These learned associations can come from almost anything, from old injuries to bad experiences or past failures, including fear responses we might not even be consciously aware of. While learned fear responses are normal and sometimes helpful, they can also hinder performance if we can’t move past them. A strong learned fear response leads to a disproportionately strong stress response, amplifies anxiety, and makes your emotions run rampant. This makes you more prone to burnout and reduces resilience. In challenging times, when one difficulty bleeds into the next, these responses can make the difference between burnout and growth.To recalibrate these fear responses, we have to look at how they’re created, the predictions our brains make based on the environmental cues around us, and the way we mentally and emotionally process those moments. As military theorists put it, we have to do the work “left of bang” rather than repeatedly trying to deal with the symptoms after the fear response has taken over.  

Lt. Col. Matthew Perry is an active-duty Marine with over 16 years of experience in the infantry and reconnaissance community. He has served in all four Marine Divisions and deployed throughout the Pacific and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.As an infantry officer, he served in the 7th Marines as a rifle platoon and 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander, with the 2nd Marine Division as an infantry Battalion Executive Officer and as the operations officer at the 2nd Marine Regiment.As a Reconnaissance officer, he served as a Force Platoon Commander and Force Company Commander with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion and as the Operations Officer at 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion.His civilian education includes an undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and a graduate degree from Syracuse University. He is a graduate of the Marine Corps Infantry Officer and Basic Reconnaissance courses and Army Ranger School.Instagram: www.instagram.com/redstick6/Timestamps:00:00:21 Introduction to Matthew Perry00:01:22 Matthew Perry’s Career & Educational Background00:05:12 Writing & Social Media00:07:47 Reading List & Recommended Resources for Leadership00:09:38 Vietnam00:11:30 Practical Leadership Experience - Becoming a Better Leader00:15:11 Important Mistakes & Valuable Lessons00:23:16 Performance & Potential00:27:10 Incentivizing Your Team00:32:52 Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC) & Recon Qualification00:38:06 Haircuts, Sideburns, and Shaving00:43:28 How to Scale Your Leadership 00:50:40 The Role of Health and Physical Fitness in Leadership01:00:45 Wrap Up

Tristan Irwin is a nine-year veteran of the United States Army, where she served as a special operations Civil Affairs Officer. As a CA Team Chief, she led a four-person team in Moldova, conducting community-level development assistance to strengthen Moldova’s resilience and support its partnership with the US. She graduated from Yale University with a dual Master of Forestry and Public Policy degree. In 2012, she graduated from the United States Military Academy with a bachelor's degree in International Relations and another in German. Tristan serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors for The Valkyrie Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on optimizing health and human performance for military women through advocacy, research, education, and physical training programming.https://www.thevalkyrieproject.org/Timestamps:00:00:25 Intro to Tristan Irwin00:01:12 Tristan Irwin's Career00:01:48 Why is the U.S. Interested in Moldova?00:02:53 What Does a Mission in Moldova Look Like?00:04:49 What Skills Are Being Taught on Missions in Moldova?00:05:32 Missions That Stand Out in Tristan's Memory00:07:05 Sustainability of What's Implemented on Missions00:08:46 How to Get the Locals to Commit to Outreach00:11:08 Lifestyle in an Eastern Bloc Village00;13:04 Establishing a Cleaning Routine to Keep Your Food Safe00:14:01 Civil Affairs Selection/Recruitment Process00:15:53 What Kinds of Cognitive Testing Occurs?00:17:09 What is the Turnout in Selection00:17:57 How to Receive an NTR (Not-to-Return)00:19:17 Qualification Process After Selection00:20:43 Languages Spoken in Moldova00:21:49 Differentiating Factor When You’re on the Cusp of Being Selected 00:23:36 Physical Prep Before and After Selection00:26:38 Pack Weight for the 12 Mile Run00:27:01 Arbitrary Fitness Standards for the Military00:34:22 Military Morale Issues00:36:57 How the Measurement of Something Determines its Success Criteria00:40:26 Tristan’s Valkyrie Project Story00:41:28 How Do You Determine Your Own Successfulness?00:43:27 What Specific Policies Does Tristan Hopes Will Change in the Military?00:44:52 How Women Can Get Involved with Valkyrie00:46:26 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received00:48:01 Outro

Kevin Smith, Founder of Terminator Training Method (TTM), specializes in virtual fitness coaching tailored for those prepping for Special Operations Forces (SOF) selection courses, especially SFAS. Born and raised in Maine, Kevin's dedication to hard work started as a young multi-sport athlete, inspired by his father and later refined through over a decade in the Army Special Forces as a Green Beret medic. He served on a military freefall team for 3.5 years at 10th SFG (A) and closed out his career on a dive/maritime team at 3rd SFG (A). During his time in, he completed multiple deployments and earned qualifications, including Ranger School, Advanced Land Navigation (SMU Selection), Dive Medical Technician, Static Line Jumpmaster, and the Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant Course. After 12 years of training for and serving as a Green Beret, he transitioned to a career in fitness coaching, specializing in 1:1 coaching, team coaching, and content creation.Kevin’s approach to coaching is rooted in simplicity, efficiency, and personalization, emphasizing smart exercise selection, intentional progression, and flexibility. He believes in training that builds resilience without unnecessary complexity, prioritizing fundamentals over fads and ensuring each athlete's program uniquely suits their goals. His mission with TTM is to provide clear, science-backed guidance that empowers tactical athletes to exceed fitness standards and develop the mental toughness needed for SOF selection while avoiding the burnout and frustration he once faced. Through TTM’s virtual coaching, podcast, and content, Kevin aims to reshape the tactical fitness space with no-nonsense, results-oriented coaching.More about Kevin:Website: Terminatortraining.comPodcast: The Terminator Training ShowYoutube: Terminator Training MethodIG: Terminator-trainingArticles referenced in the show: Mental Fortitude Prompts (Most Popular); Dealing With Pre-Selection Doubt; Crushing Team Week (Character Development); All Articles: TTM website; SubstackTimestamps:00:00:21 Introduction to Kevin Smith00:02:07 ‘How did you get into physical training…?’00:07:16 College and Joining The Army 00:13:27 Special Operations Preparation and Conditioning Course & Selection00:17:12 Helping Clients with Imposter Syndrome and Segmenting00:21:06 Sponsor Note: Building The Elite00:21:30 Segmenting (Continued)00:23:51 Self-Induced Stress00:26:57 Managing Self-Induced Stress00:36:16 18D School00:41:35 Advice for 18D00:45:37 After the Q Course00:49:15 Delta Force00:51:36 Camp Delhi00:54:01 Getting Out of The Army00:56:45 Ranger School01:01:11 Advice for Ranger School01:05:46 Learning with No Ego01:08:26 Coaching and Clearing Up Misinformation01:14:07 Nutrition01:19:33 Mindset and Character Trait Development01:27:46 Final Questions01:31:08 Outro

Alex Fichtler is a 9-year Navy SEAL combat veteran with operational experience in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. He is a Naval Special Warfare Sniper, Assaulter, Intel Specialist, and Communications Specialist and served as Troop Lead Sniper during his time with SEAL Team 7. Alex led the West Coast NSW Close Quarters Battle (CQB) training cell, providing thousands of active duty SEALs with countless hours of high-risk training and instruction on CQB, target assaults, and internal and external breaching.During his time in the civilian sector, Alex has transferred his knowledge of high performance into the service of others through personal and team coaching. He and his girlfriend, Jenna Bauer, own Highground Performance, where they teach fitness and mindset development alongside the nutrition and wellness habits that bring elite performance to life. Alex also works in the physical security sector, managing security professionals responsible for high-value asset and location protection. Alex is a father of three, a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, an entrepreneur, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership. He also has his civilian EMT certification and is completing his NASM CPT certification.More about Alex:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearded_beast8/LinktreeTimestamps:00:00:32 Methods to Manage Stress Response00:05:14 Preferred Breathing Technique00:07:36 The Mentality of a Good CQB Shooter00:09:41 Best Training Frequency for a Professional00:11:35 Common Mistakes in the Shoot House00:14:02 Three Main Objectives in CQC to Get Right00:19:36 CQC High Port vs Low Port00:22:36 Process for Integrating New Protocols00:31:33 Sponsor Note: Fuel My Day Foods00:32:13 How to Prepare for a CQB Course if You’re New to Handling Weapons00:38:31 Other Things to Practice for a CQB Course00:43:10 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received 00:46:37 Outro