Behind The Shield

Ben Bergeron is an author, podcaster and one of the world's most successful Crossfit coaches. We discuss his early life, coaching the youth athlete, his philosophy on mental toughness, seeking discomfort, Icelandic athletes, sleep and so much more.

Kegan Gill is and F-18 fighter pilot and the only man to survive an ejection at the speed of sound. We discuss his journey into aviation, entering the military, his near death experience, the physical rehabilitation road, his powerful mental health story, traumatic brain injury, psychedelics and so much more.

Whitney Lindsay is a former Army helicopter pilot and wildland firefighter. We discuss her journey into the military, training standards and safety, organizational betrayal, her powerful mental health story, Crossfit, the healing power of the wildland community and much more.

Chris Hauth is a world renowned endurance athlete, coach and podcaster. We discuss his shared childhood between Germany and America, physical education, mental toughness, Health Care, the importance of suffering, recovery, sleep, swimming, breath, the Human Performance Project and much more.

Brandt McCartney is a Gold Star sibling, brain health advocate and the man behind The 38 Challenge. We discuss the impact his older brother Cpt. Matthew Brewer had on his childhood, their shared love of football, Matthew's journey into the Marines, Matthew's suicide, grief, traumatic brain injury and mental health and so much more

Kent Stanway is the only member of the Canadian Armed Forces to transition from Search and Rescue Technician to Pilot. We discuss childhood bullying, his journey into the military, the role of the SAR Tech, stress inoculation, physical fitness, training standards, sleep and so much more.

Dr Lori Moore-Merrell is a former firefighter/paramedic, Chief Executive of Research and Data Analytics for the IAFF and the current US Fire Administrator. We discuss her journey into the fire service, emergency medicine, firefighter mental health, sleep deprivation, shift work, the wildland firefighter community, wildland/urban interface and so much more.

Christian Meyers is an Air Force veteran and the co-host of the MEDEVAC Podacast. We discuss his journey into the military, the role of a Special Missions Aviator, fitness, mental health, his transition story, psychedelics, extreme sports, the Human Performance Project and so much more.

Jessie Salas is a retired Orlando firefighter and the Director of Coaching for Foundation Training. In this second conversation, we discuss holistic cancer treatment alternatives, strength training, his work with jiujitsu legends and world champion up and comers, breath work, meditation and so much more.

Justin Menchaca was a Green Beret when he was shot in the head by an Afghani sniper in 2011. The traumatic brain injury left him paralyzed on one side and unable to speak. Justin was joined in this interview by his mother Julie and wife Carissa. We discuss his journey into the military, the events leading up to his near fatal wounds, what that phone call was like for a parent, Justin's incredible physical and mental rehabilitation journey, online dating, the healing power of stem cells, his incredible mindset, how Carissa began "Cells for Chac" and so much more.