Building the Elite Podcast

Miguel Zeran, aka Z, is a retired Marine Master Sergeant, PhD candidate, and a coach at Building the Elite.He’s a former Force Recon Marine who holds a bachelor’s in Health & Wellness, a master’s in Kinesiology, and is in his third year of doctoral pursuits in Human & Sport Performance. He is a CSCS, CPT, SFG1, and trained Health Coach sitting for the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC) board exam this year.He has spent over 14 years teaching, coaching, and training military and first responder populations in Marine Reconnaissance, the US Air National Guard, the Naval Special Warfare component of the Chilean Navy, Wildland Firefighters in the BLM and US Forest Service, Municipal/Structure Firefighters, and Law Enforcement. His operational experience across multiple countries and conflicts, alongside his educational pursuits and training, has afforded him a unique perspective on what it takes to gain and maintain health, wellness, and fitness sufficient to succeed in any clime and place.If you want to work with Miguel, you can see our coaching options on our website and learn more about him and his approach to performance health coaching here. You can also reach him directly at Miguel@Buildingtheelite.comTimestamps:00:00:22 Intro to Miguel Zeran00:01:45 Cliff Notes of Miguel’s History00:04:38 Difference Between Recon & Force Recon00:06:59 How was the Transition from Reconnaissance Marines to MARSOC Perceived?00:09:45 Selection Course Differences in Recon and Force Recon 00:12:31 Where Do The 3 Communities Stand Now? (Recon, Force Recon, MARSOC)00:14:08 What It’s Like Watching People Go Through What You Went Through00:15:26 What Did You Learn About People in Selection?00:17:00 Advice For Preparing For Recon Marines00:20:03 Swimming Requirements in Recon00:22:07 Later Phases of Training00:23:06 Living in Chile With Family While Serving00:24:20 Transitioning from the United States to Chile00:28:56 Level of Professionalism and Quality Control In Central/South American SOF 00:31:24 Budgetary Contrast For Food, Equipment, etc.00:34:35 Working on Your PHD After Retirement00:36:53 Miguel’s Take on Higher Education for Marines00:40:40 Education as a Tool to Reintegrate Into Society00:42:10 Outro

This is part two of our conversation with Dr. David Walton. Dr. David “Wally” Walton is a retired Army Special Forces officer with 25 years of experience in the SF community. His career spans service with the 7th Special Forces Group, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and the Special Warfare Center and School.Dr. Walton’s extensive operational experience includes deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and much of Latin America. Since retiring in 2013, he has transitioned into academia, teaching National Security Studies and Executive Leadership. His extensive research portfolio covers Security Strategy, Organizational Culture and Dynamics, and Human Performance. His deep understanding of security studies encompasses everything from tactical operations to high-level strategic policy discussions.Currently an instructor at JSOC, Dr. Walton is a subject matter expert in Special Forces Assessment and Selection. He specializes in land navigation and runs a prep program for SFAS candidates. This is how we came across one another. We had a BTE client attend one of his land nav courses, and he returned from the experience with great things to say. So, we contacted Dr. Walton and have been recommending his course to all of our SFAS prep clients.As we’ll discuss in this episode, land nav is becoming an increasing issue at SFAS, with failure rates due to land nav shortfalls increasing dramatically over the past several years. If you’re on your way to Special Forces Assessment and Selection, Dr. Walton’s advice and in-person courses should absolutely be included in your preparation training.Contact Info:You can learn more about Dr. Walton, his courses, and his books at tfvoodoo.comHe’s also on Instagram at tf_voo_doo.Timestamps:00:00:22 Leaderless Environment: How Different Personalities Stand Up00:04:11 Significance of Peer Evaluation in SFAS 00:06:38 What is "The Sandman"?00:12:43 Importance of Toughening Your Feet in SFAS Prep00:16:23 One Thing You Should Know About SFAS00:20:42 Learning Land Navigation00:27:27 In-Person Land Navigation Training for SFAS 00:29:19 Worst Advice Received00:32:52 Best Advice Received00:34:50 Outro

Dr. David “Wally” Walton is a retired Army Special Forces officer with 25 years of experience in the SF community. His career spans service with the 7th Special Forces Group, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and the Special Warfare Center and School.Dr. Walton’s extensive operational experience includes deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and much of Latin America. Since retiring in 2013, he has transitioned into academia, teaching National Security Studies and Executive Leadership. His extensive research portfolio covers Security Strategy, Organizational Culture and Dynamics, and Human Performance. His deep understanding of security studies encompasses everything from tactical operations to high-level strategic policy discussions.Currently an instructor at JSOC, Dr. Walton is a subject matter expert in Special Forces Assessment and Selection. He specializes in land navigation and runs a prep program for SFAS candidates. This is how we came across one another. We had a BTE client attend one of his land nav courses, and he returned from the experience with great things to say. So, we contacted Dr. Walton and have been recommending his course to all of our SFAS prep clients. As we’ll discuss in this episode, land nav is becoming an increasing issue at SFAS, with failure rates due to land nav shortfalls increasing dramatically over the past several years. If you’re on your way to Special Forces Assessment and Selection, Dr. Walton’s advice and in-person courses should absolutely be included in your preparation training.Contact Info: You can learn more about Dr. Walton, his courses, and his books at tfvoodoo.comHe’s also on Instagram at tf_voo_doo.Timestamps:00:00:22 Intro to Dr. David Walton00:02:01 Dr. Walton’s Books: “Ruck Up or Shut Up” & “Shut Up and Ruck”00:14:38 Where to Find Dr. Walton’s Books00:15:02 What Dr. Walton Studied for His Doctorate 00:23:27 How did you Improve the Special Warfare Center?00:31:05 Ratio of Injuries to Voluntarily Withdrawal From SFAS00:37:05 Telling the Story of What Selection Actually Is 00:41:50 The Power of Journaling00:45:55 Important Factors & Failure Points in Prep for SFAS00:52:22 Obesity in America & Standard American Diet00:53:43 No Shortcuts in the SFAS00:58:41 Outro 

Former Chief Operating Officer at Striveworks, Eric Ross, and CEO of Apex Path, Ben Allen, discuss optimizing human performance with machine learning operations, well-rounded fitness, stress training in special operations, and building resilience through embracing challenges.

Neurophysiologist Dr. Kate Pate discusses stress management in special operations, rewiring the nervous system through body work, and the physiological impact of stress on injuries and toxins. She also explores psychedelics in therapy, spirituality in healing from moral injury, and her journey from academia to founding a medical devices company.

Former Legionnaire Joel Struthers discusses the French Foreign Legion, including training, pay scale, and filtering out recruits joining for the wrong reasons. He also delves into his transition to a helicopter pilot, experiences in risk mitigation, and his military history book projects, such as 'FinEx.'

Laura is the Lead Performance Instructor at Deep End Fitness in San Diego, a trauma therapist, and a strength coach. She is about to graduate with the Master’s portion of her Ph.D. next month (May 2024) and will continue for two more years to complete her Ph.D. She previously received her Juris Doctorate degree but opted to change career trajectories toward something more fulfilling and service-driven. Laura specializes in Applied Behavioral Neuroscience through a Polyvagal Theory approach and currently leads training sessions on Nervous System Resilience and Regulation for First Responders and Military Personnel in the greater San Diego area. She also probably squats more than you.  Laura's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauragordon__/Deep End Fitness San Diego: https://www.instagram.com/deependsandiego/Deep End Fitness: https://www.deependfitness.com/Timestamps:00:00:22 Intro to Laura Gordon00:01:15 Athletic and Educational Background00:03:12 Deep End Fitness00:06:11 Universal Factors 00:07:31 Nervous System Regulation and Resilience00:11:08 Leveling of Attitudes00:14:19 What Workouts Look Like at Deep End Fitness00:16:00 What Changes Mentally During Training00:18:25 How People Understand Their Body00:22:50 Body Prediction Error00:28:30 Tuning Out The Negative00:32:34 Polyvagal Theory00:34:49 Avoiding Full Immobilization 00:39:50 Ventral Vagal and Dorsal Vagal Systems00:43:09 Healthier Versions of Stress Coping00:44:28 Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning00:47:34  Controlled Stressors 00:49:40 Tools and Cues00:53:49 High Level of Trust While Coaching00:56:48 Behavior Model 00:59:00 Shifting the Course of Lives01:00:46 Managing Burnout01:03:33 Managing Your Recovery 01:08:57 CO2 Tolerance01:11:32 Finding Connection and Community 01:14:43 Best and Worst Advice01:16:58 Learn More about Laura01:17:22 Outro

Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon discusses emotional resilience in SOF selection courses, emphasizing the importance of handling doubts and emotional challenges. The podcast explores the need for a wide range of skills beyond physical fitness, highlighting self-compassion, facing judgement, and embracing emotional growth. It delves into personal anecdotes and strategies for building resilience, navigating self-worth struggles, and preparing mentally and emotionally for high-stress situations.

Dr. Aaron Epstein discusses the Global Surgical and Medical Support Group's work in conflict zones, setting up field hospitals in 72 hours, training local populations, empowering women in healthcare, transferring medical innovations, mitigating drone threats, and lessons learned in battlefield medicine.

Tim Richardt is a Colorado-based Physical Therapist with a passion for rock climbing, trail running, and technical backcountry skiing. Professionally, he's been involved in the physical preparation of military, tactical, and law enforcement personnel since 2010. After finishing his collegiate running career in 2012, he relocated to Denver to pursue his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Regis University. Since graduating, he has made it a priority to continue to better understand the multifaceted nature of human movement and answer the ultimate question of what makes resilient, robust, and adaptable athletes capable of withstanding competition, selection courses, or whatever life has in store for them.Tim is part of our team at BTE. We’ve worked with him to develop our movement assessment app and bulletproof joint series, which our clients use to get individualized movement drills that help them move better and train harder without injury. He’s also behind our new courses on improving the technical skills of running and rucking so that our clients can handle high training loads without breaking down. Many people struggle through cycles of training hard, getting injured, taking time off, and then starting over and trying to catch up. By integrating regular movement work and some of the concepts that we’ll talk about on this call into your training, you can break this cycle and stay healthy while training consistently. To learn more about Tim or work with him for either in-person physical therapy or online coaching, you can contact him at TimRichardt.com or message him on Instagram.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim_richardt_dpt/Timestamps:00:00:22 Intro To Tim Richardt00:01:43 SOF Selection00:04:23 Primary Reasons for Shin Splints00:08:30 Cadence 00:10:02 What Your Cadence Should Be00:11:50 Foot Strike00:13:30 Basics for Running Better00:16:03 Ankles, Knees and Hips00:17:02 Useful Running Cues00:18:53 What is ISA?00:21:01 Physiological Profile for Running and Rucking00:23:02 How Should Magnus Train00:25:37 Human Pogo Stick00:27:27 Tissue Elasticity00:31:58 What Was Thoracic Extension Training Missing 00:35:30 Why Did People Think It Worked?00:38:44 Barefoot Running00:40:47 Individual Foot Structure00:42:19 Flat Foot Type00:43:50 When Are Insoles Useful?00:45:53 Moonbounce Shoe Trend 00:48:28 Cushioning In the Floor00:50:12 Improve Foot Posture00:55:30 General Ideal Shoe Characteristics00:58:59 Insole Varieties01:01:44 ITB Syndrome01:05:22 Where Do We Learn More01:06:17 Outro