Behind The Shield

Aaron Suozzo is a multifaceted professional with a background in law enforcement, tactical training, and collegiate athletics. We discuss his journey into policing, his officer involved shootings, his powerful mental health journey, healing through psychedelics, CTE, the 343 Fund and so much more.Suozzo was born in Valley Stream, New York. He majored in business management at Monmouth University and was active in both football, track and field and wrestling during his high school years at Old Bridge High School in New Jersey. Suozzo also played collegiate football at Monmouth University. Suozzo has extensive experience in law enforcement, having served as a SWAT Operator and worked with the gang unit in Hayward California. After medically retiring in 2021, Suozzo moved to Florida. He is involved in the firearms/tactical gear-industry, working with companies such as Classicfirearms, a company known for its firearms and accessories. Suozzo has been featured on podcasts like the Executive Protection Lifestyle Podcast, Protector Nation Podcast, Classicfirearms Podcast as well as several others, where he shares insights on officer-involved shootings, the importance of both hard and soft skills in tactical situations, his experiences in the field and his path to healing. In September of 2024 Suozzo participated in his first Ibogaine and 5 MEO journey.

Debbie Lee is an author, public speaker and political activist who has traveled the nation telling her sons amazing story and advocating for our troops, their families and families of the fallen. Debbie understands the sacrifice our troops make and that “Freedom isn’t free.” On Aug 2, 2006 she received a knock on the door that would forever change her life. She was notified that her son Marc Alan Lee had been killed in action becoming the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq. Since that day Debbie has dedicated her life to honoring our troops and the families of the fallen, defending our defenders and fighting to keep the freedoms that our troops have fought for.She has worked tirelessly to ensure that our troops and military and Gold Star families have access to respite and important services that help assist recovery after injury or loss.By God’s strength she chose to rise above the most devastating circumstance of her life to impact other’s lives giving them hope and encouragement. In response to her son’s last letter home to “pass on the love, the kindness, the precious gift of human life” she founded America’s Mighty Warriors and is providing programs that improve quality of life, resiliency and recovery.Debbie has completed a multitude of cross country tours, visited Gitmo, and visited Iraq in 2007 and 2010 becoming the First Gold Star Mom in history to visit the combat zone where her son died. She has conducted over 1000 media interviews and has been a regular on FOX news. Debbie appeared on stage with Tim McGraw at the ACMA’s in 2007, has met with President Bush numerous times and can often be found on Capitol Hill advocating for our troops.“God has equipped me and given me amazing strength and hope, and I want to share that with others.”~Debbie Leehttps://americasmightywarriors.org/

Russell Jones is a Vietnam veteran, retired law enforcement officer and the author of Honorable intentions. We discuss flying helicopters in Vietnam, policing in California, undercover work, riding with the Hell's Angels, Operation Tipped Kettle, the failed 'War on Drugs', proactive solutions and so much more. Russell's bio:CW2 Army Helicopter Pilot 1967-1969a. Flew Scouts/little birds, and the Huey. Shot down several timesb. Awarded Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Air Medal w/ 15 Oak Leaf Clusters2. Police Officer, City of San Jose 1970-1980a. Patrol, canine, field training officerb. Worked undercover narcotics. Infiltrated and exposed the Nuestra Familia.Rode with the Hells Angels (as a prospect), a case resulting in the ‘79RICO trial.3. Department of State contract employee 1980-1990a. Worked undercover intelligence in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador,during Iran/Contrab. Uncovered Operation Tipped Kettlec. Discovered that other contract employees, pilots, etc., were running drugsfrom Central America back to the USd. Worked narco intelligence in Soviet Unione. Worked general intel in China, including Tibet4. Federal and State Court forensic expert in the Psychological andPhysiological effects of drugs and alcohol 1980-1990a. Testified in cases such as murder and rape, as well as traffic fatality caseswhere drugs and/or alcohol play a role5. Books available on Amazon including Honorable Intentions by Russell Jones.

Ryan Provencher is currently serving as an Operations Battalion Chief in his Fire Department, he is the founder of Firefighter Peak Performance and Executive Fitness Advisor for CRACKYL Magazine. He worked as a Health/Fitness Specialist before beginning his professional fire service career in 1996. He has experience as a Volunteer Firefighter, Firefighter/EMT, Firefighter/Paramedic, Company Officer, and Training Division Chief/Health Safety Officer before promoting to his current position. He has served as a Peer Fitness Trainer and Health Fitness Coordinator in his department for more than 25 years.https://www.firefighterpeakperformance.com/

Brian Kleindienst is a certified psychedelic integration coach and his life's mission is to help others through personalized experiences in opening new doors of self for personal healing, self-optimization, and transformation.He is a devoted student to mindfulness who guides his clients in incorporating, breathe work, movement, surf therapy, meditation, leadership/facilitator development, holistic health, immersion into psychotherapy, and plant medicines. He currently works in various capacities in the health and wellness space and is also the Director of Business Development for Firefly Immersive a behavioral health and wellness technology company optimizing virtual reality for healing.Firefly Immersive has created a platform called The Sanctuary, which immerses patient/clients in beautiful settings that is highly conducive to positive therapeutic experiences. Our evidenced-based digital therapeutics allows for more focused, distraction-free experiences to firmly establish a beneficial mindset that can drastically improve therapeutic outcomes. The Sanctuary is adaptable to specific patient populations (first responders and VETS) with unique care journeys from SUD, PTSD, Anxiety, Suicide Intervention, Sleep, and of course Whole Health. When in the headset, the user is transported into worlds where one can participate in experiential practices such as deep breathing exercises, cognitive activities and mindfulness practices.Brian works in southern California and collaborates with a team of psychotherapists, nurse practitioners, and neurotherapists to help those who are suffering from behavioral or emotional distress in his local community. He is also extremely passionate about his work as an integration coach for Heroic Hearts Project a non profit that connects veterans to psychedelic therapy options including ayahuasca, psilocybin and ketamine to heal mind and body. https:www.fireflyvr.comdoorstodelicminds.com

Ernie Colling served in the United States Army as an 11B infantryman from 2000-2004. He spent almost a decade as an overseas contractor working for a variety of agencies.Ernie quickly realized that service members and private contractors, as well as himself, were constantly feeling sluggish and unable to achieve peak performance. Ernie found that it was often viewed as an unnecessary issue and that medical establishments were unable to address many of the issues.This void provided the framework, motivation, and drive to create Transcend Company in 2020 and subsequently launch the Transcend Foundation in 2022.We discuss his early life, his journey into the military, multiple near death experiences, contracting, entrepreneurship, the factors that cause homone imbalance, testosterone replacement therapy, blood work, mental health, The Transcend Foundation, 7x and much more.https://transcendcompany.com/

Justin Sheehan is a Michigan Native of the Whittemore-Prescott Area, and graduated High School in 2003. Following the horrific events of 9/11, he enlisted in the US Navy with ambitions of becoming a Navy SEAL. After an arduous two-year pipeline, he graduated with BUDS Class 261 and earned the right to carry that title, and wear “The Trident”.Justin received orders upon graduation to report to SEAL Team Two, Little Creek, Virginia. While assigned there he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and received the Bronze Star with “Valor” for combat actions. Later, Justin screened for the elite hostage rescue team, SEAL Team SIX, where he would remain until 2017. There, he deployed several more times, conducting discrete missions around the globe as a SEAL Team SIX Operator.During his service time he held the following qualifications: Demolition Expert Open Water Diver Static Parachutist Freefall Parachutist Combat Medic SEAL Sniper Pashtun Language Specialist Heavy Breacher CrossFit Level 1 TrainerAfter working for the last several years towards becoming a physician, After returning home, he completed a Bachelors of Science from Grand Valley State University. He is now the founder of Carcajou Resilience Group LLC., a company centered around strengthening the body and mind through tactical training, firearms competency and jiujitsu.

Ian Thurber is a 17 year veteran of the fire service and health coach. We discuss his journey into the fire service, water rescue, his health decline, healing the gut biome and so much more. "Health and fitness has always been important to me but I've alwaya felt that something was missing, especially in the first responder community. Over the past year and a half, I've dived deep in the world of gut health and now share it however I can as the missing link in first responder (and general) health and wellness as well as preventative measures. I've also obtained my Life and Performance Coaching certificate to better help and serve."

Founder of the Child Liberation Foundation, Paul Hutchinson, is a dedicated philanthropist and entrepreneur. He has committed his life to protecting vulnerable children. With experience in over 70 undercover rescue missions across 15 countries, Paul has played a vital role in combating human trafficking. Additionally, as an Executive Producer of the impactful film “Sound of Freedom”, he raises awareness and inspires action against child trafficking.Paul’s journey took a transformative turn when he began leading undercover operations. These efforts aimed to rescue children from the horrors of child sex trafficking. Over 70 missions across 15 countries highlight his extraordinary bravery and dedication. His role as a guardian and advocate showcases his tireless commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable.https://liberating-humanity.com/

Dr Bonni Goldstein is a Pediatric Emergency physician, Cannabis Medicine physician and author of "Cannabis Revealed". We discuss emergency medicine, modern chronic disease management, cannabis medicine successes, CBD and much more.A native of New Jersey, Dr. Bonni Goldstein received her undergraduate education at Rutgers College. She pursued her medical degree at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Her post-doctoral education included internship and residency at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Goldstein also served as Chief Resident at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. She was a Clinical Instructor in Pediatrics at USC School of Medicine in Los Angeles, Emergency Transport Attending Physician at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and Emergency Medicine Attending Physician in the Pediatric Emergency Department at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center.In 2008, Dr. Goldstein developed an interest in the science of medical cannabis after witnessing its beneficial effects in an ill friend. Since then she has been evaluating both adult and pediatric patients for use of medical cannabis. Dr. Goldstein has given numerous lectures to many patient support programs, including the Cancer Support Community, Southern California Prosthetics, and Pediatric Epilepsy. She has also lectured at CannaMed 2016 at Harvard University, United in Compassion Medical Cannabis Symposium in Sydney, Australia, Patients Out of Time 2015, and United Patients Group Conference 2016.She is currently the Medical Director of Canna-Centers, a California-based medical practice devoted to educating patients about the use of cannabis for serious and chronic medical conditions. She is a Medical Consultant to WeedMaps.com. She is a Member of the International Association of Cannabis as Medicine, the International Cannabinoid Research Society, and the Society of Cannabis Clinicians.