Behind The Shield

Doug Orchard - Episode 576

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Doug Orchard is a professional cinematographer, director, editor and an expert researcher. Doug's documentary "The Motivation Factor" shows the incred...

Nicole Kopolovits - Episode 575

12 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nicole Kopolovits is a Florida firefighter, SWAT medic and Smoke Diver. We discuss her journey into the fire service, strength and conditioning, the p...

Brandon Webb - Episode 574

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brandon Webb is a former Navy SEAL, author and the man behind SOFREP. We discuss his journey into the military, Navy Search and Rescue, losing friends...

Bedros Keuilian - Episode 573

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bedros Keuilian is a best-selling author, speaker and business consultant. He’s the founder and CEO of Fit Body Boot Camp. We discuss his childhood ...

Kevin Cyr - Episode 572

05 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Cyr is a RCMP SWAT Commander who has worked in multiple specialist teams in his 21 year career. We discuss his journey into policing, jiujitsu i...

Dr Sean Rockett - Episode 571

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Sean Rockett is the Head Orthopedic Surgeon for the Crossfit Games and a lifelong athlete. We discuss his journey into medicine, injuries in the yo...

Ryan Parrott II - Episode 570

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Parrott is a former Navy SEAL and the man behind the burn charity "Sons of the Flag". In this first of the HPP Series, Ryan unveils the Human Per...

Katherine Grimm - Episode 569

29 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Katherine Grimm is a massage therapist, strength and conditioning coach and meditation teacher. We discuss her journey into wellness, the power of mas...

Jim McDonald - Episode 568

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jim McDonald is a strength and conditioning coach and firefighter. We discuss his journey into coaching, the importance of movement diversity in youth...

Doug Mitchell And Dan Shaw - Episode 567

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Doug Mitchell and Dan Shaw are veteran firefighters, authors and members of Traditions training. We discuss the importance of mentorship, combat readi...

Neville Johnson - Episode 566

22 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Neville Johnson is a native South African, British Army veteran and author. We discuss growing up during apartheid, his journey into the British milit...

Sebastien Lavoie - Episode 565

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sgt Maj Sebastien Lavoie is a retired commanding officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, use of force expert and elite tactical athlete. In this...

Richard Browning - Episode 564

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Browning is a former oil trader, Royal Marine Reservist and the founder of Gravity Industries. We discuss British education, the impact of los...

Mike And Danielle - Episode 563

16 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Salemi and Danielle Cook Kawash are wellness coaches and the founders of First In Wellness. We discuss the impact of the last two years on the fi...

Erik Paulson - Episode 562

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Erik Paulson is a former Shooto world champion and renowned catch wrestling coach. We discuss his journey into the martial arts, Jeet Kune Do, weapons...

Frank Wright - Episode 561

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Frank Wright was one of the original Marine Raiders who fought on both Guam and Iwo Jima in WWII. We discuss his journey into the Marines, special for...

Johnny McLaughlin - Episode 560

08 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Johnny McLaughlin is a veteran firefighter and one of the early Crossfit athletes and coaches. We discuss his time as a lineman, responding to Hurrica...

Kathryn Walker - Episode 559

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kathryn Walker is a former ER and ICU Nurse and current CRNA and the CEO of Revitalist Lifestyle and Wellness. We discuss the powerful story that insp...

Sean Lake - Episode 558

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sean Lake is a former professional snowboarder, extreme sports manager and the co-founder of BUBS Naturals. We discuss his journey into winter sports,...

Derek Robinson - Episode 557

02 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Derek Robinson is a veteran firefighter and the author of "Continue". We discuss his early life, finding solace in swimming, lifeguarding in Australia...

Kara Smith - Episode 556

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kara Smith is an Airforce, FBI and NSA Intelligence Analyst Veteran and an integral part of the DeliverFund team. We discuss her journey into the mili...

Paul Tylla - Episode 555

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Tylla is a veteran firefighter, Swift Water Rescue instructor and the creator of HEAL. We discuss his time in search and rescue, realism in train...

Patrick McKeown - Episode 554

25 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick McKeown is a world renowned breath coach and bestselling author. We discuss the childhood ailments that led him into breath work, Da Costa's s...

Merritt Cassell - Episode 553

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Merritt Cassell is a veteran law enforcement officer and the host of the "Brownie in Blue" Podcast. We discuss his childhood in El Salvador, childhood...

Codey Gandy - Episode 552

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Codey Gandy is a Marine veteran and a member of the Echelon Front team. We discuss the youth athlete, his journey into the Marines, his leadership hig...

Mike and Anne Gagliano - Episode 551

18 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Gagliano is a retired firefighter, author and speaker. Mike and Anne began writing and speaking about the multiple stressors in a first responder...

Rodney Smith Jr - Episode 550

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rodney Smith Jr is a Bermuda native who founded Raising Men and Women Lawn Care Service. We discuss his childhood on the island, his journey into IT, ...

Josie V - Episode 549

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Josie V is a law enforcement officer and elite tactical athlete. We discuss growing up in Holland, Dutch policing, chasing the American dream, her can...

Jeff Nichols IV - Episode 548

11 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Nichols was an operator in the Navy's most elite special operations team and is one of the most respected tactical athlete strength and condition...

Lisa Houlé - Episode 547

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Houlé spent a majority of her career as a prosecutor for the LA DA before becoming a defense attorney. We discuss her journey into law, the role...

Tyler Gaddy - Episode 546

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tyler Gaddy is a veteran firefighter and yoga instructor. We discuss his journey into the fire service, fulfillment, his mental health story, finding ...

Joe Lowrey - Episode 545

04 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Lowrey is a Green Beret Veteran and the co-founder of United Wings of Liberty. We discuss his journey into the military, special forces selection,...

Rachel Vickery - Episode 544

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Vickery is a former Team New Zealand gymnast turned performance coach. We discuss her journey into gymnastics, the parallels between sporting a...

Ben Wadham - Episode 543

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Wadham is a Royal Marine Commando veteran, Physical Training Instructor and coach. We discuss his journey into the military, the true cost of war,...

London Papamichael - Episode 542

28 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

London Papamichael is a fitness trainer based in LA. We discuss living in Cyprus, witnessing the grip of addiction on his mother, feeling unfulfilled ...

Knocko Nolan - Episode 541

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Knocko Nolan is a law enforcement veteran who has worked for both NYPD and LAPD, serving in multiple specialized roles. We talk about his journey into...

Kendra Fisher - Episode 540

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kendra Fisher is a former Canadian national ice hockey team member and current firefighter. We discuss her childhood mental health struggles, finding...

Mark Matzeldelaflor - Episode 539

20 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Matzeldelaflor is a Navy SEAL and the founder of Guardian Grange. We discuss his journey into the military, how veterans struggle with transition...

Dr Eric Goodman III - Episode 538

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Eric Goodman is a chiropractor, author and the creator of the movement practice Foundation Training. In this third conversation, we discuss proacti...

Mike Simpson II - Episode 537

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Mike Simpson is a Special Forces veteran, Emergency Medicine physician and SWAT Medic. In this second conversation, we discuss his new book "Honed"...

David Prochera Best - Episode 536

13 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

David Prochera Best is a veteran helicopter pilot, working with both British and Canadian armed forces. We discuss his journey into the RAF, flying in...

Julian Serrano - Episode 535

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Julian Serrano is a firefighter, smoke diver and endurance athlete. We discuss his challenges entering the fire service, overcoming his physical and m...

Kristen Ziman - Episode 534

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kristen Ziman is a 30 year law enforcement veteran, retiring as the police chief of Aurora, IL. We discuss her journey into policing, drug prohibition...

Thomas Dzieran - Episode 533

06 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Thomas "Drago" Dzieran fled Socialist Poland, finding home in the USA. He then enlisted in the US Military, ultimately serving multiple deployments as...

Wim Hof - Episode 532

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wim Hof is an extreme endurance athlete, teacher, author and speaker. Using breath work and cold exposure, Wim was able to demonstrate his ability to ...

Brandon Griffith - Episode 531

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brandon Griffith was at his physical and mental peak as a police officer when he had a sudden cardiac arrest. Due to the quick response of his wife an...

Keith Dow - Episode 530

30 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Keith Dow is a Military Police veteran and co-founder of Dead Reckoning Collective. We discuss his journey into the military, the mental scars of war,...

Robert Burke - Episode 529

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Burke is an actor and a nineteen year veteran firefighter. We discuss his early life, his journey into acting, the tragedy that inspired his fi...

Steve And Jason - Episode 528

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Battalion Chief Steve Davis was recently terminated after refusing to impose discipline on an erroneous list of unvaccinated firefighters. Firefighter...

Ed Kressy - Episode 527

23 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Kressy overcame 20 years of drug addiction: incarceration, destitution, mental health challenges. He went from being arrested by the FBI, to being ...

Cody, Amanda And Adam - Episode 526

21 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cody Gately is a Louisiana firefighter who has teamed up with LSU researchers Amanda Weathers- Meyer and Adam Lowe. We discuss their latest research o...

Hon. Allen B Clark - Episode 525

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Allen Clark is a Vietnam veteran, author, public speaker and Minister. We discuss giving both his legs for his country, the physical and mental rehabi...

Dr Chad Eldridge - Episode 524

16 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chad Eldridge, DC is a Chiropractic Physician with a primary focus on performance enhancement, movement, and corrective exercise. We discuss the ailm...

Keith Knotek - Episode 523

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Keith Knotek is a law enforcement veteran and the author of "From Sorrow to Amazing Grace". We discuss his early life, the power of mentorship, defens...

Alastair Macartney - Episode 520

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alastair Macartney is a British Army veteran, world champion BASE jumper, author, speaker and the founder of Jump4Heroes. We discuss boading schools, ...

Tasha Browning - Episode 521

09 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Tasha Browning is a mental health counsellor specializing in Critical Incident Stress. We discuss her early life, traumatic brain injuries, mental ...

Kevin Malahy - Episode 520

07 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Malahy is a martial artist and strength and conditioning coach working with the Canadian military. We discuss coaching young athletes, performan...

Sara Wilkinson - Episode 519

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sara Wilkinson is a Crossfit coach and the widow of Chad Wilkinson. Chad was a member of the revered SEAL Team Six but tragically took his own life in...

Ricardo Roman - Episode 518

02 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ricardo Roman is a veteran FDNY firefighter, Crossfit coach and the founder of the FDNY Barbell Club. We discuss his journey into the fire service, th...

Chad Lyman - Episode 517

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chad Lyman has combined his years of operational law enforcement and Mixed Martial Arts experience to emerge as one of the nation’s leading defensiv...

Tom And Jen Satterly - Episode 516

28 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Satterly spent 25 years in the US Army, 20 of which serving with the elite Delta Force. Jen Satterly spend years embedded with the special forces ...

Brian MacKenzie II - Episode 515

25 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Mackenzie is an innovator in human performance on stress adaptation and a pioneer in the development and application of custom protocols to opti...

Eric And Christy Siena - Episode 514

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Siena was a veteran firefighter and special operations Lieutenant. Eric was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. His wife, Christy is also a fir...

Allison Brager II - Episode 513

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Major Allison Brager is an Army neuroscientist, Crossfit competitor and astronaut candidate. We discuss advances in sleep research, transgender athlet...

Roger Schei - Episode 512

18 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Roger Schei is an Idaho Police Chief, SWAT officer and jiu jitsu practitioner. We discuss his journey into law enforcement, strength and conditioning ...

Melvyn Downes - Episode 511

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Melvyn Downes is a British Army veteran with 12 years spent in the SAS. We discuss his early life in England, the importance of mentorship, his journe...

Fahim Fazli II - Episode 510

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fahim Fazli is an Afghani native, American immigrant, actor and former interpreter for the US Marine Corps. We discuss the impact of the withdrawal on...

Jeff Schwerdtfeger - Episode 509

11 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Schwerdtfeger is a retired firefighter and the Vice President of Worldwide Peer Support. We discuss his journey into the fire service, gang viole...

Jay Smith - Episode 508

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jay Smith is a strength and conditioning coach and the president of the first responder testing and wellness company FitForce. We discuss his journey ...

Beth Bowersox - Episode 507

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Beth Bowersox is a former firefighter and resident of Paradise CA who was on duty as a dispatcher when the Camp Fire destroyed her community. We discu...

Dr Ellen Kirschman II - Episode 506

04 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Ellen Kirschman is an author and clinical psychologist who has spent her career working with the first responder professions. In this second interv...

Rich, Jason And Emily - Episode 505

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Rice is one of the founding members of Delta Force with a career spanning Vietnam to Mogadishu. Jason McCarthy is a Green Beret veteran who se...

Zar Horton II - Episode 504

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Zar Horton is a retired Battalion Chief and a StrongFirst Master Kettlebell trainer. We discuss his transition out of the fire service, BMX racing, gl...

Byron Branch - Episode 503

28 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Byron Branch is a law enforcement officer, elite fencer and amputee. We discuss his multifaceted childhood, the importance of mentorship, his journey ...

Jeremiah Wilber - Episode 502

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremiah Wilber is a Green Beret combat veteran, cowboy and self described mountain man. We discuss his early life on the reservation, the dark side o...

Dr Chris Colvin III - Episode 501

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Chris Colvin is a Veteran, ER Physician, EMS Medical Director and author. In this important third conversation, Chris takes two hours to fully expl...

Dr Edith Eger - Episode 500

21 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Edith Eger is a psychologist, author and survived Auschwitz. We discuss her early life in Hungary, living through ballet, seeing kindness amongst i...

Brooke Ames - Episode 499

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brooke Ames is a Wisconsin firefighter, bodybuilder, powerlifter and coach. We discuss growing up in rural America, her childhood obesity, becoming a ...

Johnny Walker and Jason Tuschen - Episode 498

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Johnny Walker is an Iraqi interpreter that became the SEAL team's trusted member. Jason Tuschen is a retired Navy SEAL Command Master Chief who worked...

Colin Broderick - Episode 497

14 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Colin Broderick is an author, playwright and filmmaker. We discuss growing up in Northern Ireland during the troubles, laboring in London, his powerfu...

Bill Anthes - Episode 496

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Anthes is a Green Beret veteran, strength and conditioning coach and psychology student. We discuss his journey into the special forces, training...

Jarred Alden - Episode 495

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jarred Alden is a veteran firefighter, SWAT Medic and an authority on clandestine explosives. We discuss his journey into the fire service, how the ta...

Denise Olsen - Episode 494

08 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Denise Olsen is a nurse, yoga teacher and the widow of Jeff Olsen, one of the 343 firefighters killed on 9/11. We discuss her entry into healthcare, t...

Judge Craig Mitchell - Episode 493

05 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Judge Craig Mitchell is a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge and the founder of the Skid Row Running Club. We discuss his challenging childhood, teachin...

Akshay Nanavati - Episode 492

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Akshay Nanavati is a Marine Veteran, endurance athlete and the author of "Fearvana". We discuss his childhood in India, moving to the US, entering the...

Felix Manjarrez - Episode 491

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Felix Manjarrez is a veteran FDNY firefighter, strength and conditioning coach and jiu-jitsu practitioner. We discuss his early life, EMS in New York ...

Terrance Kosikar II - Episode 490

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Terrance Kosikar is a retired firefighter and the founder of Camp My Way. We discuss life in the Canadian Mountains, the pandemic, the healing power o...

Jamie Cochran - Episode 489

27 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jamie Cochran is the Chief Operating Officer of Echelon Front and a military spouse. We discuss her early life, becoming a Navy SEAL wife, her journey...

Jim Burneka - Episode 488

24 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jim Burneka is a veteran firefighter, podcaster and the founder of Firefighter Cancer Consultants. In a tragic twist of irony, Jim is also battling ca...

Jon Hancock - Episode 487

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jon Hancock is a Marine Veteran and the subject of the documentary "Bastards' Road". We discuss his journey into the military, Cartel violence, his wo...

Tom Morgan - Episode 486

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Morgan is a British firefighter, strength and conditioning coach and former bouncer. We discuss working the door, his journey into the fire servic...

Dan Skidmore - Episode 485

17 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Skidmore is a veteran Air Force special operations combat controller, GORUCK cadre and a member of team Force Blue. We discuss his journey into th...

Kory Pearn - Episode 484

15 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kory Pearn is a veteran firefighter and the man behind Crackyl Magazine. We discuss his journey into the fire service, mentoring future firefighters, ...

Tom McLay - Episode 483

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tom McLay has spent his career in corrections, working his way up to the Superintendent of Powder River Correctional Facility. We discuss his journey ...

Debbie Lee - Episode 482

10 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Debbie Lee is an author, public speaker, political activist and the mother of fallen Navy SEAL Marc Lee. We discuss her early life, domestic abuse, su...

Marc Polymeropoulos - Episode 481

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Marc Polymeropoulos is a retired Senior CIA officer and the author of "Clarity in Crisis". We discuss his adventurous childhood, entering the CIA, the...

Frank And Paul - Episode 480

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Combs is a retired firefighter and world renowned cartoonist. Frank Viscuso is a retired firefighter and best selling author. We discuss their ne...

Robert Ingram - Episode 479

03 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Ingram is a lifelong martial artist, instructor and the man behind McDojo Life. We discuss bulling, assault, his journey into the martial arts,...

Alex Vazquez - Episode 478

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Vazquez is a veteran firefighter, comedian and Dive Rescue team member. We discuss his traumatic early life, comedy, his mental health struggle, ...

Tom Beaver - Episode 477

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Beaver is an elite endurance athlete, welder and the founder of BeaverFit. We discuss farm life, bridge building, SAS selection, creating strength...