Behind The Shield

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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.

In 2018, retired firefighter Tom “Bull” Hill walked from Key West to Tallahassee, more than 700 miles over 50 days, with one goal: to force the State of Florida to recognize the deadly toll occupational cancer takes on firefighters.He didn’t just talk about the problem. He put his feet on the pavement and carried the names and memories of fallen brothers and sisters on his back. His effort helped push Florida to finally pass presumptive cancer coverage for firefighters in 2019.Since then, Bull has continued to advocate for firefighters across the country. He has supported families in mourning, raised awareness for cancer prevention, and never stopped walking the walkNow he is fighting cancer himself, and he needs help. .A fundraiser has been set up to support Bull during this battle. If you have ever benefited from the protections he helped secure, or simply believe in standing by those who have stood up for others, please consider donating or sharing his story.In this conversation, I interview Sam Eaton and Richard Andrews, two veteran firefighters that not only walked with Bull, but have been at the forefront of this fundraising effort as well. Now it's our turn to help Bull. Please consider donating below. Every penny will go towards getting him back on his feet. **Check "0" on the contribute to GiveSendGo tab to ensure your entire donation goes to helping out brother.https://www.givesendgo.com/HelpBullYou can also hear my previous interview with Bull here:https://www.jamesgeering.com/behind-the-shield-podcast/tag/mybrothersburden

Greg Rudiger, brings a wealth of experience to the table, with a background in fire service training spanning over 25 years. As a firefighter and Captain of Health, Wellness, and Safety, he has firsthand knowledge of high-stress environments and the importance of resiliency. Greg was diagnosed with PTSD in 2018 and has battled suicidal ideations, alcohol use and other addictions along with emotional trauma throughout his life. Through his experiences and successfully overcoming many of these struggles, Greg brings a real and vulnerable approach to resiliency and wellness coaching.​In addition to his extensive experience in the fire service, Greg also a certified performance breathwork coach and a relationship coach. He has led his department's peer support team and wellness programs. This diverse expertise allows RAD to offer a comprehensive approach to wellness and resiliency training. By addressing the physical, mental, emotional, environmental, occupational, intellectual, social and spiritual aspects of well-being, RAD helps individuals build a strong foundation for facing life's challenges with confidence and strength. Through vulnerable, relatable experiences and personalized coaching sessions, RAD provides valuable resources, builds a supportive community, and empowers individuals to cultivate resilience in all areas of their lives.https://www.resilientanotherday.com/

Kyle Foyle is a former Professional Surfer, Captain of the famed North Shore Lifeguards and competitive jiujitsu pactitioner. We discuss his journey into surfing, mentorship through ocean lifeguarding, mixed martial arts, the importance of fitness standards, the aging athlete, Foundation Training and so much more.

Skilled but generally the most un-athletic player on the high school and college basketball court, Ben Patrick didn’t need knee pain and injuries to stack the competitive odds further against him - but that’s what he got.Instead of launching a career in pro basketball, Ben endured knee surgeries, pain medication addiction and serious depression.Rather than succumb, Ben became determined to help not just himself, but others. With intensive research and experimentation, he developed a series of exercises that turned him into a superb, pain-free athlete and provided a path for others to follow for a happier, healthier life. Ben Patrick is founder and president of ATG Online Coaching, a global training program helping tens of thousands of people of all ages and athletic abilities.https://www.atgonlinecoaching.com/