

Behind The Shield
James Geering
Bringing the greatest minds in mental and physical wellness to the men and women who serve our communities.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 28, 2025 • 2h 27min
Alan Shebaro II (Violence in the West Bank, ICE Raids and The Iranian Conflict) - Episode 1103
Alan Shebaro has trained a broad spectrum of operators during his deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. These operators included U.S. Army Special Forces from all Groups (Active Duty and National Guard), U.S. Army Rangers, U.S. Navy SEALs, U.S. Air Force Special Operations, Tactical Air Control Party (TACPs), Combat Controllers (CCTs), and U.S. Marine Force Recon.Professor Shebaro earned his Black Belt from Carlos Machado in 2004 and is currently ranked as a 4th degree Black Belt under Professor Chris Haueter. He was 1 of only 4 Black Belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the U.S. Army and is the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt in Special Forces Regiment.In this second conversation, we discuss settlers in the West Bank, ICE raids, the Iranian conflict and so much more.

Jun 28, 2025 • 1h 41min
Julien Pineau (Strongman Training, Muscle Imbalances and the Tactical Athlete) - Episode 5
Julien Pineau is a world renowned movement specialist and innovator. Julien specializes in getting athletes out of pain my identifying muscle imbalances and correcting them with functional movements.Sports have been a part of Julien’s life since he was young and he’s been a state and national champion in a number of sports including soccer, swimming and wrestling. As an adult, he really found something he liked with MMA (he’s a brown belt) and Ju Jitsu (black belt equivalent in the no-gi category) and spent time traveling the world to learn from the best in the industry. That time spent with the best made him want to learn more about sport and movement so that he could coach others.In 1993, he began his coaching career as a conditioning and grappling coach for the MMA gym where he trained and in 2008, he opened his own gym that focuses on strongman training (another sport at which he excelled) which allow him to train people with the movements and exercises he’s looking for. Julien’s brain is wired to see faulty patterns and visualize, in space, how people move. With his knack for diagnosing muscular & strength imbalances he has developed his own system to identify what issues are and fight root of the problem.https://www.instagram.com/strongfit1/?hl=en

Jun 27, 2025 • 1h 56min
Christian Lane (Border Patrol, Immigration and Spiritual Wellness) - Episode 1102
Christian Lane is a former Canadian Border Services Chief officer and the man behind the 10-8 Podcast. We discuss his journey into law enforcement, immigration, drug prohibition, human trafficking, transition and so much more."As a former law enforcement and intelligence professional, I built my career on a foundation of integrity, trust, and unwavering commitment to service. Throughout my years of conducting hundreds of interviews, I developed a deep ability to listen, analyze, and truly understand people’s needs—skills I now bring to my role as a mortgage professional. My goal is to ensure every client feels heard, valued, and confident in the decisions we make together.In addition to my work, I am the founder and host of the Team Ten Eight Podcast, a platform dedicated to honoring those who serve our communities. From emergency nurses and paramedics to police officers, firefighters, military members, and veterans, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with incredible individuals who embody dedication and sacrifice.Community service has always been close to my heart. I’ve served on a mayoral task force, mentored youth through Big Brothers, and even ran for city council to advocate for positive change.I also hold several leadership roles, including as a board member for the Canadian Peace Officer Memorial Association, and advisory board member and Ambassador for the True Patriot Love Foundation. I’m honored to have received the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognitions that underscore my lifelong dedication to serving others.Now, as a mortgage professional with the Invis - Pinto Mortgage Group, I bring the same dedication and integrity to helping my clients navigate the mortgage process. Whether you’re buying your first home, renewing, or refinancing, I’m here to guide you with expertise and care every step of the way. "We rise by lifting others.""

Jun 24, 2025 • 2h 14min
Marc HIll (Teaching, Fire Service Leadership and Volunteerism) - Episode 1101
Marc Hill, is a veteran firefighter and paramedic, and the author of "Two Dark Thirty." Marc is a highly sought-after educational consultant, lecturer, instructor, and mentor with over two decades of experience in both public education and emergency services. He started his career as a social studies teacher and football coach in a high school and later became an administrator and college professor. Marc also worked his way up the ranks of the fire department and became a full-time Chief, where he made a significant impact on his departments. Marc has been honored with several awards, including the Core Values Award, Teacher of the Year Award three times, and many more. He has also authored the workbook that complements "Two Dark Thirty."https://twodarkthirty.com/

Jun 22, 2025 • 1h 60min
Dr Kellie O'Dare (Fire Service Research, 24/72 and the 2nd Alarm Project) - Episode 1100
Dr. Kellie O’Dare is a dedicated researcher, educator, and advocate with expertise in first responder health and wellness, health policy, and organizational resilience. As the Founder and Director of the 2nd Alarm Project and Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management with the Institute of Public Health at Florida A&M University, Dr. O’Dare has led innovative initiatives to support the mental health and resilience of first responders and their families.With a Ph.D. in Social Work and a passion for community-driven solutions, her work bridges academic research and practical applications, fostering transformative changes in behavioral health access and support systems. She has significant experience conceptualizing, designing, implementing, and evaluating large-scale quantitative, geospatial, and mixed-method research projects in both academic and applied settings. Dr. O’Dare’s impactful efforts have garnered $8 million in external funding and contributed to significant advancements in public health and social work practice.Dr. O’Dare has meaningful personal linkages to the first responder community. She is the niece of Shawn T. O’Dare, firefighter/paramedic killed in the Line of Duty in Miami-Dade County, and the spouse of a current Florida professional firefighter/paramedic.https://2ndalarmproject.org/

Jun 21, 2025 • 1h 47min
Kyle Maynard (Mountaineering, Mixed Martial Arts and Adaptive Athletes) - Episode 124
Kyle Maynard is an entrepreneur, speaker, best selling author, award-winning extreme athlete, and the first man to bearcrawl to the top of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet), and the summit of Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua (22,838 feet), the highest peak in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres.Born with a rare condition known as congenital amputation, that left him with arms that end at the elbows and legs that end near his knees, he learned early on to live life independently and without prosthetics. Kyle thrives on physical challenges and is a champion wrestler, CrossFit Certified Instructor and gym owner, competitive Mixed Martial Arts fighter, world record-setting weightlifter, and skilled mountaineer.He is on a mission to make the world a better place and to inspire others to do the same by sharing his story and living by example. He travels across continents, speaking to thousands of executives and students, athletes and warriors, to share his "No Excuses" philosophy. He is a humanitarian who passionately supports numerous charities, and commits time and resources to work with wounded and recovering U.S. military veterans.Kyle is the New York Times best selling author of his life story, “No Excuses,” and the focus of the moving ESPN documentary, “A Fighting Chance.” His story has been featured in countless television programs and editorials, which have been viewed by millions around the world.https://www.kyle-maynard.com/

Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 42min
Chris Cameron (Law Enforcement Aviation, Rescue Swimming and Swimming with Sharks) - Episode 1099
Chris Cameron is an airplane and helicopter law enforcement pilot, rescue swimmer, wildlife guide, and adventure enthusiast who specializes in apex predator interactions (sharks, whales, alligators). Chris is a native Floridian and attended Mississippi State University where he played football in the South Eastern Conference before beginning his professional flying career.Chris is a strong supporter of 1st responders mental health, advocating through social media through his determination to showcase the richness of life outside of the profession as a means of needed balance and perspective.https://www.instagram.com/chriscameron.cc/

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 24min
Mike Clelland III (Cancer Presumption, Workman's Comp Claims and First Responder Health) - Episode 1098
Mike was a firefighter in Central Florida for 26 years with Longwood, I.A.F.F. Local 3163. He entered the fire service directly out of high school and became an active member of his union, taking the lead in contract negotiations and labor disputes.He entered management as Battalion Chief in 2002 and retired in 2007 at this rank. With this unique perspective, Mike is keenly aware of issues confronting firefighters and other first responders today.His primary area of law practice is first responder litigation concerning Florida's Heart/Lung Bill, but he also handles first responders’ line-of-duty pension, and personal injury/accident matters.Mike attended Seminole Community College and received an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science Technology in 1999. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 2002 from the University of Central Florida. He received a Law Degree in 2006 from Florida A&M University College of Law.Mike joined forces with Morgan & Morgan, P.A. in 2014. And because the firm has offices in every state, he can help firefighters with any injury/accident claim, regardless of the location. Trust Mike to connect you with a highly qualified injury attorney to help you with your injury claim.https://www.forthepeople.com/attorneys/mike-clelland/

Jun 15, 2025 • 2h 4min
Michelle Harris (Pediatric Nursing, Infant Mortality and the Nation's Health) - Episode 1097
Michelle is a 36-year veteran of the nursing profession, having split her years equally between pediatric and neonatal intensive care. She’s held various roles including bedside nurse, charge nurse, and developmental/lactation nurse. She is certified in neonatal intensive care.After retiring in 2022, Michelle had difficulty letting go of her nurse identity. During her career, she had always been interested in learning about other nursing specialties. This curiosity led her to create The Conversing Nurse podcast, highlighting the voices of nurses who make the profession great.She can now say she is enjoying a retirement filled with the laughter of grandchildren, the adventure of travel, the joy of volunteering, the love of family and friends, and the deep connection to the nursing community. Her podcast continues to be a valuable resource for those interested in the nursing profession.https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/

Jun 14, 2025 • 1h 34min
Billy Moore (Surviving the 'Bangkok Hilton' Thai Prison, Overcoming Addiction and Boxing) - Episode 181
BILLY MOORE was born in Liverpool in 1973. He had a difficult upbringing and struggled with addiction. In 2005, wishing to make a fresh start, Billy relocated to Thailand and entered a period of sobriety. However, he eventually relapsed and was arrested and charged by Thai police and sent to Klong Prem prison, the infamous 'Bangkok Hilton'. Billy witnessed acts of extreme violence and sexual assault. Eventually he found purpose through taking part in Muay Thai tournaments in jail. Here, he found 'a wall of human community' amongst the elite boxers and regained his sobriety. Ultimately his success as a member of the boxing team at Klong Prem led to his release. Upon release, Billy wrote about his experiences in his book, A Prayer Before Dawn which was later adapted for the screen and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. Since then, Billy has not only survived cancer, but also gone on to become a powerful advocate of boxing and anti-knife crime initiatives in the Liverpool area. He trains young boxers and appears regularly in the national media.