“Service doesn’t require a great platform or require you to be the sole author of a solution. It is a humble task. And the only requirement is a love of people.” For Episode 39 of Glorious Professionals, Jason and Emily talk to Chris Long about the power and pressure of professional sports and using his platform in service to others. In an 11-year career in the NFL as a Defensive End, he was the 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year – considered by many to be one of the top honors in the NFL – for his charitable efforts. Chris has turned his transition to retirement life into a force-multiplying effort to give millions access to clean water through his foundation and it’s signature initiative Waterboys.  Despite coming from a football family (his dad is hall of famer Howie Long), Chris says he wasn’t initially good at sports and his parents hoped he would be knocked down enough to choose something else. Instead, Chris used his early challenges and his dad’s shadow as fuel to do “the repetition of hard work” required to excel. Chris was an All American Defensive End for the University of Virginia before being drafted as the second overall pick to the Rams in 2008. He speaks about dealing with the vastly more rock-bottom moments than highs in the NFL, especially in those early years. He also talks about the anger and conflict of the NFL and how his “life role model” mom Diane’s powerful example of fostering relationships and being thoughtful in service to others, along with his wife Megan, helped him deal with the spotlight and adversities of pro football in healthy ways. Chris’ extra grind through challenging years paid off, culminating in winning two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots and the Eagles before retiring in 2019. Throughout, he has quietly contributed to the communities where he played.  After a trip in 2013 to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, he and Megan began Waterboys and he formalized his giving into the Chris Long Foundation. Through efforts like Conquering Kili which joins NFL players and Veterans to summit Kilimanjaro, they have raised 1.3million dollars to build 24 solar-powered wells in Tanzania – with a goal to build 32, one for each team in the NFL.  Links: Waterboys and The Chris Long Foundation “The Way Up” - Waterboys Documentary film Chris’ Podcast “Greenlight with Chris Long” Learn more about GORUCK Glorious Professionals podcast website

110 Days, 3 Missions over an 11,000 foot mountain, 45 “Sensitive Items,” and 10 rather small donkeys For Episode 038 Rich and Jason are alone in the SCIF at GORUCK HQ for an oral history of Rich’s experiences in Operation Cyclone, also known as “Charlie Wilson’s War.” Rich picks up his story a bit where Episode 003 left off, just after his two tours in Vietnam, and shares what led -- from the fall of Saigon, to SAS Selection in Wales, to the first enlisted person in financial training in Indiana -- to working as a “cog” on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. While it might be helpful to have read George Crile’s book “Charlie Wilson’s War,” or have seen the movie starring Tom Hanks based on it, you don’t need to have to appreciate Rich’s tales. Briefly: in the 1980s, a Congressman from Texas named Charlie Wison made it his mission to secretly arm the Afghan mujahideen against an invasion by the Soviet Union at the height of the cold war. To hide American involvement, support went through Pakistan and was coordinated by an OGA (Other Government Agency aka the CIA) and came in the form of guns, ammo, medical supplies and eventually Stinger Missiles to take down especially Soviet Mi-24 Hind Helicopters.  This is not a typical “by, with and through” Green Beret ODA mission but a Cold War “OGA” Operation. Still it is a story about making a difference -- not a silver bullet but piece by piece -- and as Rich says “it really feels good to have done that.” Make sure to stay tuned for the “it’s a small world” kicker story in Fayetteville, NC.  Links: Glorious Professionals Episode 003 - Richard Rice and From Rich: Back in Vietnam “Charlie Wilson’s War” by George Crile Operation Cyclone Explainer FIM-92 Stinger Missile Learn more about GORUCK Glorious Professionals Website

“Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is specifically your own” — Bruce Lee Born in England on a farm, our guest for Episode 037 James Geering had always dreamed of becoming a Firefighter but was told because of color blindness he was unable to serve. James, now a podcast host, author and firefighter and paramedic of 15 years, joins Jason and Rich after a ruck on the Jacksonville Beach to talk about his winding road from lifeguard, to stuntman in Japan, to naturalized American citizen living his dream of service. James traces his work ethic and humility in training to his early martial arts training. The idea of using information and skills from different disciplines to constantly improve is now a common thread in his work. He continues to serve by using his platforms to educate the public through his lens as a first responder.  Throughout his career, he also witnessed a giant void in the area of First Responder wellness -- and is blunt about how the mental and emotional costs of service simply weren't talked about in his training or early years -- but the conversations are changing now. Some of those conversations happen on James’s podcast “Behind the Shield” and are chronicled in his book, One More Light, which takes readers through heart-wrenching stories that are coupled with a unique and mental health perspective about preventing tragedy and unnecessary suffering. An “incurable optimist,” James in One More Light ultimately leaves the reader with the hope that, with us at our best, we have a fighting chance to thrive in an uncertain world.  James talks about not just saving lives as a first responder but improving quality of life for those serving and all of us. James’ years of selfless service and dedication to humanity are two qualities we aspire to achieve here at GORUCK and we’re happy to welcome this Glorious Professional as our first firefighter to the podcast.  Links: James Geering of the Behind the Shield podcast One More Light by James Geering with foreward by Josh Brolin Glorious Professionals Episode 035 - Roger Sparks Learn more about GORUCK and Ruck Clubs

"These Things We Do, That Others May Live." Dr. Doug Kechijian (Dr. K) is a former Pararescueman, or PJ, in the US Air Force and now a Doctor of Physical Therapy and CEO / co-founder of Resilient Systems; he talks professionalism, procedure, self discipline, human performance and getting the call with Jason and Rich for Episode 036.  In his senior year at Brown -- not a typical military feeder school -- the events of 9/11 steered Doug onto a different path in medicine than the one he had been planning. He was particularly drawn to the mission of the PJs. Through his 13-year military service in the “911 of the military,” including being named as the Air National Guard's 2015 Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Doug learned the importance of smart training, being really really prepared and strategies to cope with challenges (medical and otherwise).  Dr. K now works with athletes and operators at every level from Major League Baseball to the NCAA to Special Operations Forces. He has been featured in Men’s Health advocating for rucking along with other items from his “menu” of training (mobility, structure, power and capacity -- all with variety). He shares his philosophy of human performance and approach to physical therapy -- which is informed by his time at the tip of the spear so is grounded, accessible and a little different than most.  Links: Resilient Performance Systems Episode 035 with fellow PJ Roger Sparks and Bulldog Bite Explainer Episode 026 with Kelly Starrett Learn more about GORUCK Glorious Professionals Website

Silver Star Recipient Roger Sparks joins Jason in Jacksonville for a raw Episode 035 about resolve and intentions. From his wild upbringing and early struggles with his physical limits, through diverse experiences in the tip of the spear of two military branches pushing his body and mind to aid and train others, Roger’s life focus has been to “grow mentally, physically and spiritually as much as possible.”  He used early struggles as fuel and with a learned perspective of both being a grunt and then training and leading men in the grey areas of war, Roger shares his stories about the “sex, violence and intimacy” of the military -- not to glorify war, but to understand it. He speaks about how in his 15-year career as a PJ, helping rescue and save others in both Alaska and deployed to Afghanistan, was deeply personal to and tied to saving his own son Oz. Now as a father and tattoo artist, GORUCK Tribe Cadre and Force Blue volunteer, he seeks to heal others to help heal himself. A gifted storyteller in his own right, author of A Warrior’s Creed, his current project is Backbone, a documentary series which strives to give “a voice to the struggle and hope for better healthcare for military veterans and civilians alike.” Links: Roger Sparks Instagram and more about Bulldog Bite Backbone Docuseries Warrior’s Creed by Roger Sparks and Don Reardon Chondromalacia Force Blue and GP016 with Will Hinkson (also on Force Blue) Papillon In Search of the Warrior Spirit The Way of the Peaceful Warrior Learn more about GORUCK and GORUCK Tribe Glorious Professionals podcast website

Dr. Ellen Glasser joins Jason and Emily for Episode 034. Dr. Glasser was recently re-elected as Mayor of Atlantic Beach, FL and has a long history of public service. She was sworn in as an FBI Special agent in 1982, one of the first 500 women to do so, and through her 24 years as “Agent Mom” this glass-breaking-badass served with distinction on high-profile cases from bank robberies to the Iran-Contra Investigation. She talks candidly about her drive to live an interesting life — as well as a thrill seeking streak — led to her success doing “unglamorous work” with the bureau; and how the sacrifices and big events (like her one and only shootout) because of those choices effected herself and her family. With such a breadth of career she has unique perspective on the culture shifts in the FBI, especially from being reactive to terrorism to having a more proactive stance -- which she saw directly as the Inaugural Coordinator of the North Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force after the September 11th attacks. After her retirement from the FBI she took a “clarifying” bike ride across America to benefit the American Lung Association which spurred her to focus locally for continued service to her community. Dr. Glasser’s dissertation focused on women in leadership and she taught in Criminal Justice at the University of North Florida and served as president of a national association of FBI agents -- while also mothering 4 children and 2 step-children. She realized through her research and direct work with students the importance of mentorship, something she felt was lacking for herself and many women especially in traditionally male fields. Now as Mayor, Dr. Glasser focuses on community ties and finding common ground outside of the partisan fray. Her focus on safety, attention to detail and drive to “not be last” continues to help protect community and country.  Links: Mayor Ellen Glasser The Iran-Contra Affair Explainer and Press Coverage from 1990 featuring Dr. Glasser’s Interview Skills The Oklahoma City Federal Building Bombing in 1995 Learn more about GORUCK Glorious Professionals podcast website

Medically Retired Green Beret Kevin Flike joins Jason and Rich for Episode 033. Kevin tells the story of his life of service up to and after his second tour as a combat engineer in Afghanistan in September 2011 when during a 10+ hour firefight he was shot in the stomach. He suffered a fractured hip, damage to his femoral nerve and was paralyzed on his left side. He medically retired and he, along with his wife Kimberlee, have fought ever since to recover and build a life worthy of his teammates. “Ask for help. Receive help. Give Help.” Kevin shares how his work ethic, drive and ideals of service and sacrifice were founded at an early age working for his father and playing football. He explains how these convictions led to his decision to join the Army at a time of war and earn his Green Beret. Since retiring from the Army, as part of his recovery, he’s earned degrees from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the MIT Sloan School of Management. He talks about the hard transitions -- between deployments and through recovery and grad school. He describes his search for ways to live a life of service to others even when struggling in the darkest of places. Once a recipient of their help, one of the ways he currently gives back is on the Board of Directors of the Green Beret Foundation. Be sure to stay tuned for some surprised special guests who pop into the conversation -- proof that the journey has been worth it and also continues. “A life that’s easy, in my opinion, is not a life worth living.” Links: Kevin Flike on Instagram “Wounded by War” Documentary Learn more about GORUCK Glorious Professionals podcast website

“We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain Since the first GORUCK Challenge in 2010, GORUCK has been synonymous with the harder path. To push yourself, and to be pushed. To find meaning in the beauty of shared pain, to seek challenges that demand growth, to serve something greater than yourself. To be a part of a real community of people pushing each other a little harder. GORUCK Tribe is the next evolution of commitment — of mind, body, and spirit — to this harder path. Jason, Emily and Rich are together in the SCIF for Episode 032 talking about the impetus and meaning behind GORUCK Tribe, and what they hope it builds in our communities and world. Links: GORUCK Tribe Sebastian Younger’s “Tribe” and “Restrepo” Cadre DS and GORUCK Sandbag and Ruck Training Roger Sparks and “A Warrior’s Creed”  Learn more about GORUCK and the Rucker 3.0 Glorious Professionals podcast website

Dr. Stuart McGill, expert in back injury, discusses importance of movement, rucking to alleviate back strain, impact of sitting, and best progression for rehab. Emphasizes core stability, functional movement over muscle strength, and avoiding heavy bending in the morning. Highlights benefits of proper form in rucking for spine strength and injury prevention.

Foster Huntington is a photographer, filmmaker, and adventurer who talks to Jason and Emily about creating his life off the beaten path on his own terms. The focus is on creativity and overcoming obstacles to intentionally choose your course - along with finding your natural talents - for Episode 030. Foster recounts his struggles with in formal education, beginning with a dyslexia diagnosis in the 4th grade through finding college just not for him. He found release and relief in the freedom of the outdoors as a kid. He then discovered the “fun” and his innate talents for photography and telling stories visually.  After a successful internship and 2 year stint with Ralph Lauren, Foster chose to leave NYC and the fashion world for his own created #vanlife - turning his blogging and book creation into the money to live the life of adventure on the road he wanted. He shares his thoughts about working for big brands at the boom of social media - he ran the Patagonia instagram account from zero to tens of thousands of followers - and the rise of “influencers.” Foster is blunt about how that life wasn’t and isn’t for him and the pitfalls he sees with social media now and moving forward.  Instead of trying to keep one-upping himself, Foster created a home-base in a treehouse, close to family and friends, to pursue his own projects including a new book “Off Grid Life,” stop-motion animation shorts, and a documentary.  Links: Foster’s Instagram “Van Life” and “The Burning House” by Foster Huntington “Off Grid Life” (Release: Oct 27, 2020) by Foster Huntington Foster’s Gear Patrol article on Ascent 2010 NYC Challenge Video Learn more about GORUCK Glorious Professionals podcast website