Building the Elite Podcast

Author and journalist Alex Hutchinson discusses the science of endurance, limits of human potential, mental fatigue, and practical strategies for maximizing performance in this engaging podcast episode.

Exploring the curse of knowledge in communication, the podcast delves into the challenges of conveying information effectively, using examples from military training and teaching mishaps. It also discusses the use of visual aids, learner-centric approaches, and the impact of insider lingo on communication.

This is part two of our interview with Shaun Taylor, a founding member of Canada's tier-one SOF unit, JTF2. Shaun has also managed to fit numerous other careers into his lifetime, ranging from coffee shop owner to computer systems teacher to a world championship title in 24-hour solo mountain bike racing, followed by 15 years as a professional coach. In this half of the interview, we talk about his career(s) after JTF2, his experiences as a world champion MTB racer and coach, and what eventually led him to become part of his podcast, The Collective. Shaun's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shauntaylors1/The Collective Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@the_collective_yt/streamsThe Collective Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_collective_ig/Timestamps:00:00:22 Maintaining Mental Health00:04:11 Becoming A Civilian Again00:09:04 24-Hour Mountain Bike Racing00:13:45 Mental Strategies00:22:14 What Did You Look For In Coaching Clients00:26:20 Regulating Stress Response00:30:08 Better Manage Stress Response00:31:46 Embarrass Past Selves00:34:30 MetacognitionRapid Fire Questions00:40:12 Tips On Building Positive Group Culture00:40:34 Recovery Routine00:40:45 Soft Selection Course Prep00:40:53 How Should Women Train00:41:00 Managing Egos00:41:08 Carryover Exercises00:41:19 Reset Mindset00:41:35 Optimal Balance in Training00:42:01 Preparation Training00:42:15 Training For BJJ00:42:35 Integrating

Shaun Taylor has had a dizzying array of careers and life experiences. He was one of the original members of JTF2, Canada’s tier-one special operations unit, and retired as a warrant officer. Shaun was also a Use of Force instructor for a Canadian Police college, and shortly after that, he became a computer systems engineer and was a full-time teacher in that subject. The experience he gained there led to him writing a 700-page study guide that was sold throughout North America. He followed his stint as a professional nerd by moving into a consulting role in private international security, where he eventually met his wife.This led him to the next stage of his career, where, as one would expect of a retired special operator, he settled down and opened a successful coffee shop.Shaun then discovered a passion for ultra-endurance racing, eventually leading to competitive 24-hour Solo mountain bike racing. During thirty 24-hour solo races, he competed around the world and eventually became a World Champion. People in the racing circuit began asking Shaun for help, so he created his own coaching company and worked with high-performance race athletes worldwide for the next 15 years.In 2022, after several discussions with friends within the veteran community about the concerning statistics on veteran suicide and mental health, Shaun stepped away from his coaching business. Since then, he has focused on improving things for the Veteran, LEO, and First Responder communities, which led to podcasting and the start of a new podcast platform called The Collective. His podcast has had over 200 guests, ranging from SOF members to human behavioral scientists, with a general focus on human betterment.Shaun's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shauntaylors1/The Collective Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@the_collective_yt/streamsThe Collective Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_collective_ig/Timestamps:00:00:22 Intro to Shaun Taylor00:02:20 Seven Careers00:07:17 JTF200:10:24 Problems Establishing Unit00:11:43 Team Culture00:14:41 Extreme Accountability00:19:17 Positive and Negative Competition00:23:24 Reason For Being00:26:02 Understanding Your Own Purpose00:31:22 How Do You Get Motivated00:40:26 When Did You Start Training00:44:08 What Did You Most Struggle With00:46:30 Living Two Different Lives00:51:50 How to Fit Training Plan Into Operational Schedule00:54:51 Always Ready To Get The Go Signal00:58:34 Maintaining Mental Health01:00:25 Outro

The podcast discusses the all-or-nothing trap in training, emphasizing the importance of sprint and maintenance phases for long-term success. It explores balancing long-term goals with short sprints, embracing imperfections for growth, and the significance of the Sprint and Maintain cycle for consistent growth.

Dr. Christopher Lowry, a gut microbiome professor, discusses gut health, stress resilience, and microbiome-based interventions for anxiety disorders. Topics include neurotransmitters in the gut, Ayahuasca for PTSD, and the two-hit model of stress exposure. Practical tips for improving gut health and reducing inflammation are also explored.

Dr. Chris Lowry discusses microbiome-gut-brain axis, how gut health impacts mental health, and potential interventions for anxiety disorders. Topics include gut microbiome diversity through diet, probiotics for gut health recovery, and communication pathways between gut and brain.

Exploring the mental and physical challenges of elite military training, emphasizing the significance of resilience and perseverance. Delving into Stoic philosophy for tranquility and resilience, with references to Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus. Highlighting the impact of impactful morning routines and decision-making in preparing for demanding professions.

Strength and conditioning coach Casey Glass discusses training for longevity in special operations, highlighting energy balance and auto-regulation. She emphasizes the importance of movement quality and individualized training methods. The podcast explores optimizing training, nutrition's impact on cognitive resilience, and techniques for maintaining proper form during workouts.

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL Lieutenant and an NSCA CSCS who graduated from the US Naval Academy and Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, also known as BUD/S. For over 25 years, he has been writing workout books that prepare people to ace fitness tests and selection programs. People from all fitness levels use his military preparation products for help with everything from losing weight and getting ready for basic training to preparing for special operations. Stew founded StewSmithFitness.com and Heroes of Tomorrow Fitness – an online fitness resource for people seeking to join the Military, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting professions. He and his team train over 5,000 young men and women who wish to serve their country and communities locally for free each year.In this episode, we discuss his career, his approach to coaching everything from the specifics of the CSS to big-picture SOF prep training, and what he's learned about successful SOF candidates in his 25+ years of coaching.  Timestamps:00:00:22  Intro00:01:12 Background00:03:50 What Have You Learned Since You Started00:06:31 Approach to Coaching CSS00:08:49 Technique Preference00:13:23 Working on Range of Motion00:16:25 Alternating Breaststroke Kick00:17:50 What Are You Currently Doing00:19:03 How Far do People Travel to Train With You00:20:05 How Does Your Coaching Change From Person to Person00:24:20 Helping People Prepare For The PST00:29:12 Most Common Beginner-Level Issues00:34:34 Balance of Treading Training00:37:01 Biggest Differences in Prep Strategies00:41:12 Reasons Attrition is High00:43:29 Have They Been Doing the Work00:45:21 Main Variables in Prep for Individual Characteristics00:48:09 Advice for Talking to Recruiters00:51:48 Scruff Duty00:54:10 Best and Worst Advice You’ve Ever Received00:58:21 Learn More About You00:59:24 Outro