Behind The Shield

Marc (Tacticoull) - Episode 630

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Marc is a veteran law enforcement officer who has served in multiple specialty roles including the Gang Unit and SWAT. We discuss incident that sent h...

Bassel Ibrahim - Episode 629

18 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bassel Ibrahim is a veteran firefighter, Florida Smoke Diver and a member of the Proactive Rescue Operations team. We discuss his childhood in the Ivo...

Michael Easter - Episode 628

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Easter is a journalist, professor and the author of "The Comfort Crisis". We discuss his journey into writing, the metamorphosis of the magazi...

Chelsea Burkart - Episode 627

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chelsea Burkart is a Performance Dietitian for some of the country's most elite warfighters, working to optimize combat readiness, health, and career ...

Mohammad Wali Tasleem - Episode 626

11 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mohammad Wali Tasleem is a former Afghan Special Forces Company Commander and a member of the Black Rifle Coffee Company team. We discuss his family's...

Owen Valuch - Episode 625

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Valuch is a veteran firefighter, athlete and Crossfit Medical Operations Team member and who was diagnosed with Lymphoma late last year. In thi...

Kelly Starrett - Episode 624

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Kelly Starrett is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, the author of the Supple Leopard books and the co-founder of The Ready State. We discuss the import...

Jake Clark II - Episode 623

04 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jake Clark worked for the Secret Service, FBI and LAPD before founding "Save A Warrior". In this second interview we discuss his own healing journey, ...

Tim Kennedy IV - Episode 622

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Kennedy is an Army Green Beret, the founder of Sheepdog Response, author and martial artist. In this fourth interview we discuss his work with "Sa...

Jason Khalipa - Episode 621

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Khalipa is a former Crossfit Games champion, author and the founder of NCFIT. We discuss Sandlot Jax, jiujitsu and fitness, his journey into Cro...

Pablo Gener - Episode 620

28 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pablo Gener is a Florida firefighter and the co-founder of Build Your Culture. We discuss his family's immigration story, toxic relationships, his jou...

Carmen Ordonez - Episode 619

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Carmen Ordonez is a TV host, lifestyle expert and the widow of Miami firefighter Fernando Ordonez. We discuss their parents' immigration stories, thei...

Dean Stott - Episode 618

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dean Stott is a former Special Boat Service operator, contractor, author and mental health advocate. We discuss his journey into the British military,...

Kevin Atlas - Episode 617

21 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Atlas is a former NCAA Division One athlete, author and speaker. We discuss his near death experience at birth, childhood as a congenital ampute...

Keelin Darby - Episode 616

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Keelin Darby is an Alabama law enforcement officer and the wife of Ben Darby; the Huntsville police officer who is currently sitting in a prison on a ...

Nick Wilson - Episode 615

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Wilson is a retired police officer and the man behind "The Resiliency Project". We discuss his journey into policing, the San Bernardino attack, ...

Matt Dawson - Episode 614

14 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Dawson is a finance manager, explorer and the man behind Dawson's Peak. We discuss the career that ended his football journey, the world of finan...

Brandon Dreiman - Episode 613

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brandon Dreiman is a veteran Indianapolis firefighter, attorney and peer support leader. We discuss his unique journey into the fire service, colour v...

Shay Eskew - Episode 612

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shay Eskew is a burn injured survivor, elite Ironman triathlete, author and proud father. We discuss his near fatal burns at aged 8, the physical and ...

Justin Melnick - Episode 611

07 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Justin Melnick is an actor, stuntman and plays k9 handler "Brock' on the TV show "SEAL Team". We discuss the nightclub industry, combat photography, h...

Bridget Truxillo - Episode 610

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bridget Truxillo is a former police officer, practicing lawyer and founder of My Protective Wellness. We discuss her journey into policing, SWAT Round...

Nick Smith - Episode 609

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Smith is a Military Police veteran responsible for investigating war crimes. We discuss his journey into policing, the London terror attacks, lif...

Cliff Walker - Episode 608

30 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cliff Walker is a Navy Veteran, retired Federal firefighter and the founder of USS Battle Series. We discuss lifeguarding, his journey into the fire s...

Dan Grunfeld - Episode 607

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Grunfeld is a former professional Basketball player and the son of NBA legend, Ernie Grunfeld. We discuss how his grandmother escaped Auschwitz, h...

Chris "Douggs" McDougall - Episode 606

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher "Douggs" McDougall is a world record holding, world champion BASE jumper and skydiver. We discuss his childhood in Australia, working on o...

Chris Jacobson - Episode 605

23 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Jacobson is a 30 year law enforcement veteran and the creator of Operation Enduring Warrior's Task Force Sentinel. We discuss his journey into p...

Tyr Symank - Episode 604

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tyr Symank, whose pen name is Charlie Martel, is a Army Special Forces Medic and part of the Black Rifle Coffee team. We discuss the ripple effect of ...

Jason Earle - Episode 603

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Earle is a former Wall Street stockbroker and the founder of "Got Mold". We discuss his childhood illness, chasing material happiness, enlighten...

RJ Casey - Episode 602

16 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

RJ Casey has held numerous roles including as an Army Special Forces Medic, Air Force Pararescueman, Physician's Assistant and Stuntman. We discuss hi...

David Vaux - Episode 601

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

David Vaux is a retired London firefighter and a practicing Osteopath. We discuss his journey into the fire service, fitness standards, the physical a...

Nick Hall - Episode 600

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Hall was 8 years old when a murderer invaded his family's home. Through a tragic miscommunication, his mother shot by a police sniper after being...

Danny O'Connor - Episode 599

09 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Danny Boy O'Connor is the co-founder of House of Pain and the founder of The Outsiders House. We discuss his early life, his journey into Hip Hop, fam...

Dan John - Episode 598

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dan John is an elite athlete, author and revered strength and conditioning coach. We discuss the impact of war on his family, training the youth athle...

Dorith Mous - Episode 597

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dorith Mous is a Dutch model, photographer and filmmaker. We discuss her journey into the fashion industry, the impact of social media on our youth, t...

Dustin Osborne - Episode 596

02 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dustin Osborne is a veteran Australian police officer and Tactical First Aid instructor. We discuss his journey into law enforcement, knife crime, gun...

Mike Dugan - Episode 595

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Dugan is a retired FDNY firefighter, podcast host and speaker. We discuss the impact of WWII on his family, his journey into the fire service, th...

Alex Racey - Episode 594

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Racey is a veteran of the Army's most elite unit and a human performance coach. We discuss his journey into the military, training the tactical a...

Scott McElroy - Episode 593

26 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Scott McElroy is a law enforcement veteran, martial artist, stuntman and circus strongman. We discuss his journey into policing, entering the movie wo...

Steven Nisbet - Episode 592

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Steven Nisbet is a veteran of Air Force Pararescue's Tier One unit and the co-founder of the non-profit Shields and Stripes. We discuss his journey in...

Spencer Thomas - Episode 591

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Spencer Thomas is a former football athlete turned stunt performer and John Cena's stunt double. We discuss growing up around athletics, moving to LA,...

John Saporsky - Episode 590

19 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John Saporsky is a military college graduate, retired law enforcement officer and the man behind Law Enforcement Connect. We discuss his journey into ...

Flora Kasy - Episode 589

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Flora Kasy is a firefighter for Kalifi County Fire and Rescue Department in Kenya. We discuss her journey into the fire service, the impact of the pan...

Jason McCarthy II - Episode 588

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jason McCarthy is a former Green Beret, author and the co-founder of GORUCK. In this second conversation, we discuss the humanist lens of the Ukraine ...

Susan Lopez - Episode 587

12 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Susan Lopez is an Army veteran, military spouse and the woman behind "Tactical Dietitian". We discuss her journey into nutrition, school food, leader...

Panayioti Yannitsos - Episode 586

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Panayioti Yannitsos is a filmmaker and the man behind the documentaries Freedom Besieged and Florian's Knights. We discuss his childhood visits to Gre...

Norman Penny - Episode 585

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Norman Penny spent three decades in the Canadian military, initially in the Army and then as a Search and Rescue Technician for the Air Force. We disc...

Brock Bevell - Episode 584

05 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brock Bevell is a retired law enforcement officer and the man behind the "Chase the Vase" Podcast. We discuss the impact of childhood trauma, his jour...

Rising Warrior - Episode 583

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lance Davis, Sean Lazio and John Perez are military veterans and members of The Rising Warrior team. We discuss their own journeys into the military, ...

Tyler Carroll - Episode 582

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tyler Carroll is an Army Medic veteran, Texan firefighter and co-founder of Dead Reckoning Collective, Tyler Carroll. We discuss growing up in Austin,...

Ben Patrick - Episode 581

26 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Patrick is a basketball athlete and the creator of the "Knees over toes program" ATG. We discuss how we are injuring our youth athletes, his own k...

Will Ayres - Episode 580

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Will Ayres is a firearms instructor, Regional Director for 5.11 and the host of their podcast "Call to Service". We discuss training youth gun safety,...

Julien Pineau V - Episode 579

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Julien Pineau is a movement specialist, philosopher and the founder of Strongfit. In this fifth conversation, we discuss lactate as a stress marker, t...

BC Sanders - Episode 578

19 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

BC Sanders is a veteran Gang Unit officer and author for Skillset Magazine. We discuss the straight edge culture, his journey into law enforcement, th...

Dr EJ Caterson - Episode 577

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr EJ Caterson began his career as a firefighter/EMT and is now a renowned plastic surgeon. We discuss his journey into medicine, the powerful story t...

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...