Behind The Shield

Heather McAllister is the brand training director and lead instructor of Wolf Brigade. We discuss her journey into strength and conditioning, weightlifting myths, training the female athlete, aging, overcoming injury, mace work, art and so much more.

Sean Evangelista is a former Tier One Navy SEAL and the founder of "30 Seconds Out". We discuss his traumatic childhood, going through the "Scared Straight" program, climbing, his journey into the Navy, his perspective on war, his transition story, mountaineering, Ski Patrol, entrepreneurship, post traumatic growth and so much more.

In this special episode I welcome Rasul Rasekh, a Mujahideen fighter who has defended his native country of Afghanistan since the Soviet invasion. Rasul fought alongside the allied nations and brought diplomacy to his country's many tribes. Since the withdrawal, the Afghan people have suffered at the hands of oppressors, poverty, weather and starvation. Hundreds of children perish on a daily basis. This is a call to action for both Afghans and the international communities to help.

This episode brings together two firefighters and previous guests who had career and life altering injuries. Chief Jimm Walsh suffered a stroke just weeks before being named as Fire Chief of his department, forcing his medical retirement. Lieutenant Tony Gillan was struck by a falling halligan, shattering his cervical spine. We discuss their physical and mental rehabilitation journeys, the importance of firefighter fitness, the hiring crisis, mentorship, bridging the generational gap, retirement, mental health and so much more.

John Fairbanks is a University of Florida Football Alumn, educator, strength and conditioning coach and cofounder of the Gym Owner's Revolution. We discuss his early life in California, playing in UF's glory years with Tim Teboe, his perspective on education, processing grief, farming, coaching, helping gym owners navigate the business side, podcasting and so much more.

Joe Roberts is a renowned Candian entrepreneur, author, speaker, and the man known as The Skid Row CEO. We discuss his early life, his journey into addiction and homelessness, his powerful post traumatic growth story, pushing a shopping cart across Canada, drug prohibition, the world of business, the kindness he experienced along the way and so much more.

Mike Chadwick is a former Paratrooper, Special Forces Support Group Operator, Royal Army Physical Training Corps Instructor and the author of "Red On Revolution". We discuss how his early life led him into the military, his time as a paratrooper, training the military tactical athlete, his philosophy on programming, firefighter fitness, mixed martial arts, revocery, aging, mental health and much more.

Brett Sobieraski is a veteran law enforment officer, ultra endurance athlete and the author of "Gray Man". We discuss growing up as the son of a cop, his own journey into policing, SWAT, finding himself deconditioned, how running became pivitol in his physical and mental health journey, the healing power of altruism, kindness hiding in plain sight, 8 States for Maz, Wolf Brigade and so much more.

Jared Vermeulen is a firefighter and the author of "The Modern Fire Officer". We discuss his Cicilian/Dutch upbringing, surfing, his journey into the fire service, his department's progresssive work schedule, sleep deprivation, leadership, his powerful mental health story and so much more.

Craig Shoemaker is a stand up comedian, writer, actor and the man behind "Winning with Humor". We discuss Craig's early life, his journey into comedy, the impact of censorship on stand up, his own physical and mental health struggles, the tools he used for healing, the power of laughter and so much more.