Behind The Shield

Valerie Groth is a social worker, school founder and a member of the Stella team. Aaron Terrill is a veteran law enforcement officer who survived a near fatal accident after being struck by a car. We discuss social work, the tragedy that inspired the Ryan Banks Academy, Aaron's near death experience, the impact his accident had on his family, therapy dogs, Stellate Ganglion Block and so much more.

Steve Dunlevy is an actor, stuntman and stunt coordinator known for his roles in Spartacus, Jumanji, John Wick and many more. We discuss his childhood in Australia, his journey into stunts, the importance of strength and conditioning, losing a beloved cast member, mental health, awards and so much more.

Joel Evan is a former California police officer and the founder of Joel Evan Coaching. We discuss his journey into policing, Califronia's homelessness crisis, addiction, the powerful story that drove him into functional medicine, the vaccine mandate that stole his career, entrepreneurship and so much more.

Dr Tommy Wood is an MD, neuroscientist and Pediatrics professor. We discuss his journey into medicine, neonatal TBI, Alzheimer's, ALS, sleep and mental health, Crossfit, nutrition, psychedelics and so much more

Nick Murray is the founder of Wake, a psychedelic treatment facility in Jamaica. He has united with Revitalist founder Kathryn Walker to provide a comprehensive treatment option called Unit Retreat. We discuss Nick's journey into plant medicine, treatment resistant PTSD, a holistic approach to cancer, the healing power of mushrooms and so much more.

Larry Doyle is a Vietnam veteran and one of the most respected journalists of his era. We discuss his journey into journalism, interviewing Nelson Mandela, his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, the devolution of American journalism, veteran mental health and so much more.

Pat Kenny is a retired Illinois Fire Chief, public speaker and the author of "Taking the Cape Off". In this second conversation, we discuss the mental health impact of the pandemic, the suicide crisis, catharsis through writing, the power of faith, grief and so much more.

Laura Kunces is a Registered Dietitian, Exercise Physiologist and a member of the Thorne team. We discuss her journey into nutrition, hospital food, malnutrition, Thorne's new comprehensive blood panels, exogenous testosterone, sleep, supplementation and so much more.

Danny Pritchard is a Green Beret and Tier One operator veteran and a member of the Human Performance Project. We discuss the power of mentorship, his journey into Army Special Forces, Pat Tillman, strength and conditioning, mental health, the desire to serve and so much more.

Erik Stolhanske is an actor, producer and member of the Broken Lizard Comedy Troupe. We discuss his childhood amputation, overcoming adversity, the speeding ticket that spawned Super Troopers, P90X, fostering and so much more.

Shauna Dukes is an author, nutritional coach and the mother of Trucker Dukes. We discuss her early life, wanderlust, her journey to Hawaii, motherhood, pediatric cancer, losing her three year old son, grief, healing, her new book "Even If' and so much more.

Judge Gary Sanders is a judge in the Fifth Circuit Court in Florida. He is also known as one of the fairest and most compassionate justices in Marion County. We discuss his journey into law, addiction and mental health, frivolous lawsuits, physical education, running and so much more.

Lee Phillips is a London firefighter, tactical athlete and model. We discuss his childhood in Wales, his journey into the fire service, protecting the Thames, the impact the Grenfell fire had on his department, firefighter fitness, mental health and much more.

Dan Bornstein is a former volunteer firefighter, Health and Performance professor at the Citadel and Chair of the US National Physical Activity Plan. We discuss the childhood injury that led him into the fire service, obesity and national security, the financial impact of the nation's ill health, physical education, physical readiness in the tactical professions and so much more.

Ted Dreaver is a former construction manager and the co-founder of Iron Legion Athletics. We discuss his journey into construction, mental health, finding Crossfit, the genesis of his gym, creating a healthier population, the Down Syndrome community jiu jitsu and so much more.

Shaun Taylor is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, Pathfinder and one of the founding members of their Tier One unit JTF-2. We discuss his journey into the military, military medicine, the warrior's heart, physical conditioning, mental resilience, coffee, mountain biking and so much more.

Mike Tanzer is a former firefighter/paramedic and a 20 year veteran in emergency medicine. We discuss his journey into EMS, violence in Boston, his burnout in the fire service, addiction, compassion fatigue, suicide, post traumatic growth, refinding purpose and so much more.

Brian Bushway has been described as "probably the world's best completely bind mountain biker". In this incredible conversation we discuss losing his vision at 14 years old, the mental health impact, redefining his identity, how hearing is underutilized by so many, echo location, the power of active listening, how his company Acoustic Athletics can help the tactical communities and so much more.

Billy Cushing is a veteran law enforcement officer, K9 handler and Medal of Valor recipient. We discuss his journey into policing, working with his K9 Kitt, the shooting that left him wounded and Kitt dead, the physical and mental healing journey, Operation Enduring Warrior and so much more.

Ernest Emerson is a lifelong martial artist, teacher, author and the founder of Emerson Knives. In this second conversation we discuss his new book, "Bad Guy with a Gun", school safety, the psychology of violence, mental health and much more.