Behind The Shield

Behind The Shield

by James Geering

Fitness Mental Health

Andy Puddicombe (Buddhism, Meditation and Creating Headspace) - Episode 189

Andy Puddicombe is the creator of the meditation app Headspace. We discuss his childhood trauma, becoming a monk in India, the many benefits of mindfulness and meditation, mental resilience and much more. Andy is a meditation and mindfulness expert. An accomplished presenter and writer, Andy is the voice of all things Headspace. In his early twenties, midway through a university degree in Sports Science, Andy made the unexpected decision to travel to the Himalayas to study meditation instead. It was the beginning of a ten year journey which took him around the world, culminating with ordination as a Tibetan Buddhist monk in Northern India. His transition back to lay life in 2004 was no less extraordinary. Training briefly at Moscow State Circus, he returned to London where he completed a degree in Circus Arts with the Conservatoire of Dance and Drama, whilst drawing up the early plans for what was later to become Headspace.

Danny Long (Officer Involved Shootings, US Marshals and First Responder Wellness) - Episode 988

Danny Long is a US Army Veteran, 22 year veteran of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 8 year member of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the Founder of the Oklahoma First Responder Division. We discuss his journey into the military, entering law enforcement, contracting, weapons training, his multiple officer involved shootings, his powerful mental health journey, creating a wellness solution in his state, the healing power of exercise, Beaverfit equipment and so much more. "After dedicating my life to my career, I found myself divorced and isolated from my kids and family. I was drinking myself to sleep every night, only to wake up hating myself more and more. I had been through multiple gunfights, a Helicopter crash, and multiple injuries, which finally led to hitting rock bottom. After years of telling myself I can “fix this”, I finally broke. I picked up a rifle and walked to the back of my farm with the intention of killing myself. After struggling for hours and putting the rifle in my mouth, I cried out to God asking him for help. I told him I would submit my life to him if he wanted to use me. Oklahoma First Responder Wellness Division was born that day… Just 5 years ago, I would have never admitted my weaknesses to anyone, much less strangers but God told me to do just that."

Ian "Mongoose" Jones (MMA, Bouncing and Catch Wrestling) - Episode 987

Ian "Mongoose" Jones is a BJJ Black Belt, Muay Thai champion and World Catch Wrestling champion. We discuss his turbulent childhood, his journey into the combat sports, striking, head trauma, martial arts for law enforcement grappling, addressing the 'grey area' with catch wrestling and so much more.

Alex Othmer (Special Operations, Plant Medicine and Music) - Episode 986

Alex Othmer is a Merchant Marine, Navy SEAL veteran and the Chief Executive Officer of Guardian Revival, We discuss his unique journey into the SEAL teams, Somali piracy, his transition story, psychedelic therapy, canines, the healing power of music and so much more. Guardian Revival Website: https://www.guardianrevival.org/

Mike Taylor and Alex Roodhouse (Riverines, BeaverFit and the Tactical Athlete) - Episode 457

Mike Taylor and Alex Roodhouse are Navy Riverine Veterans and co-founders of BeaverFit USA. We discuss their journeys into the military, standing up an elite unit from scratch, training for the unknown, equipping the tactical athlete, training under stress and so much more.

Joel Billings (The 48/96 Shift, Sleep Studies and Alerting Systems) - Episode 985

Joel Billings is a former Volunteer Firefighter, EMT and researcher. We discuss volunteerism, his published study on the 48/96 firefighter shift, the health and performance impact of sleep deprivation, shift start times, alerting systems and much more. Joel is an assistant professor at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University. He is the Program Chair for the undergraduate degree program in Emergency Services teaches courses in fire and emergency services. Dr. Billings’ research expertise focuses on firefighters’ sleep and health. Specifically, he studies firefighter sleep process and sleep-wake cycles, fire department shift schedules, and the cardiovascular and sleep impacts of firefighter alerting systems. His research is funded by NIH/NHLBI and DHS/FEMA. His goal is to improve health, safety, and performance of members in the fire and emergency services profession by bringing together research and practice. He has former experience as a volunteer firefighter and EMT-Basic in Michigan. Dr. Billings serves as a member of the Science Alliance, council member for the Healthy Work Design & Well-Being cross-sector program at NIOSH, and serves on the Council of Governors at the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.

Brian McGinnis (The Iraq Invasion, Firefighting and The West Bank) - Episode 984

Brian McGinnis is a US Marine, veteran firefighter and humanitarian. We discuss his early life, his journey into the military, his 9/11 story, being part of the Iraq invasion, some notable fire service calls, stolen land he witnessed whilst in the West Bank, the forcible tactics Israeli settlers are using, what will cause a ceasefire in Gaza and so much more.

Donn Bradley (Policing, Mental Health and First Responder Marriages) - Episode 983

Donn Bradley is a former law enforcement officer and Licenced Marriage and Family Therapist. We discuss his early life, the crushing weight of grief, his journey into policing, his powerful mental health story, becoming a therapist, first responder marriages and so much more. "You'll find that I'm not your typical patches-on-the-sleeves, "tell me about your mother" style therapist. After a career as a first responder, I have come in contact with a great many mental health challenges. My clients will find I am very empathetic while at the same time no-nonsense and to the point. Together, we'll explore what your challenges have been historically and find new ways to approach the life (and ultimately, happiness) for which you're looking. Therapy is helpful to navigate an increasingly challenging world and you don’t have to do it alone. I am passionate about utilizing my varied and valuable experience, in order to help people of all ages, couples and families. I specialize in issues like trauma, depression, anxiety, and grief, amongst other things. If you've been to another therapist in the past and perhaps you didn't experience the success for which you were looking, I may be the person you're looking for. You're the expert in your life and experiences, so that means we "sit" differently in the room. And I think you'll find that just may be the difference." https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/donn-bradley-brentwood-ca/746276

Gavin Meenan (Fitness, Trauma and Porn Addiction) - Episode 982

Gavin Meenan is a personal trainer and the man behind the Modern Warrior Programme. We discuss growing up in Ireland, the car accident that changed his world, overcoming guilt, porn addiction, his powerful mental health story, the importance of fitness, empowering men and so much more. Gavin is a leading voice in the Irish health and fitnesscommunity and a former European Powerlifting Champion. He has personally helped hundreds of people achieve life changing results. Originally from Donegal, Gavin now resides in the town of Sligo in Ireland, where he has built his business from being a personal trainer in the local community, to helping people from all around the world via his new and exclusive online coaching platform. Having impacted over 20,000 people with his unique message, Gavin is now expanding his platform into the men's coaching space. His goal is to help men everywhere build stronger mind, bodies and lives. This has been his main inspiration for writing his first book. In his personal life, Gavin has overcome struggles such as childhood bullying, trauma, convictions, addictions and redundancy. He's now on a mission to help all men out there overcome their challenges. You'll find Gavin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gavinmeenan/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gavinmeenan1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/gavinmeenan Website: www.gavinmeenan.com

Nimsdai (Gurkas, Special Forces and Mountaineering) - Episode 379

Nimsdai is a former Ghurka, member of the British SBS, record breaking mountaineer and author. We discuss his powerful journey into the special forces, Project Possible, mountain rescues, his new book "Beyond Possible",, environmentalism, forging an indomitable spirit and so much more. Born in Nepal, Nims had a distinguished 16-year military career, of which he spent 6 years as a Ghurka and 10 years with the UK Special Forces (SBS). He has since become a truly historic mountaineer, accumulating an ever-growing list of record-breaking summits alongside many high-altitude rescue missions. Humble beginnings Astonishingly, Nims didn’t grow up in the shadow of the Himalayas, in fact he was born in the Dhaulagiri region of Nepal and raised in Chitwan, in the country’s flatlands. He performed well at school, but at that time there was no yearning to climb mountains instead he had another focus, to become a Gurkha in the British military like his father and brothers before him. In 2003 that dream became a reality when he joined the Gurkhas in 2003, at the age of eighteen. Never shy of pushing himself to another level #alwaysalittlehigher, six years later in 2009 he became the first ever Gurkha to join the UK Special Boat Service (SBS). The unit is predominantly made up of Royal Marines Commandos, and specialises in classified undercover raids. Along with the SAS, the SBS is regarded as the most elite unit in the British military. During this time, he developed an interest in mountaineering that quickly turned into a passion. It all began in December 2012, when on leave from his Special Forces duties, he set out on a trek to Everest Base Camp. This experience fired his passion and ambition for the mountains immediately, and not content with simply returning to Kathmandu, he managed to convince his guide to teach him how to climb ‘for real’ and he successfully summited the 6119-metre Lobuche East with his guide shortly after. It was his first peak. His primary focus and loyalty remained with his unit carrying out many tours and operations eventually leading to a role where he was subject matter expert for extreme cold-weather warfare within the mountain cell of the SBS. It was throughout this military chapter of his life where he developed the skills to quickly evaluate situations, then act to ensure the welfare of others balanced with delivering on the ultimate objective. An invaluable skillset that would transfer directly across to his climbing career. As and when his military career allowed, the mountaineering continued. His #alwaysalittlehigher mindset would be a driving force to further climbs around the world, and eventually leading him towards his first ascent of Everest. This achievement was marked even more admirably with a selfless act of solo rescueing a stricken climber during the descent high in the death zone. It was at this moment Nims made the decision to always climb with Oxygen from the higher camps to ensure he would be at his strongest to assist others. The following year he proudly led a team of Gurkhas to their first successful Everest expedition. Immediately after, he made his way back up to the mountain this time with his sights set firmly set on a World Record. Just a few days later he achieved his goal after summiting Everest, quickly followed by Lhotse and Makalu all within a total of just 5 days. It was to be the first of many records he would claim in the mountains.

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