Behind The Shield

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 athlete, physical education, gut biome, rehabilitating the tactical professions and so much more.Dan has spent his life with one foot in the world of lifting and throwing, and the other foot in academia. An All-American discus thrower, Dan has also competed at the highest levels of Olympic lifting, Highland Games and the Weight Pentathlon, an event in which he holds the American record.Dan spends his work life blending weekly workshops and lectures with full-time writing, and is also an online religious studies instructor for Columbia College of Missouri. As a Fulbright Scholar, he toured the Middle East exploring the foundations of religious education systems. Dan is also a Senior Lecturer for St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London.His books, on weightlifting, include Intervention, Never Let Go, Mass Made Simple and Easy Strength, written with Pavel Tsatsouline as well as From Dad, To Grad. He and Josh Hillis co-authored “Fat Loss Happens on Monday.”In 2015, Dan wrote Can You Go? on his approach to assessments and basic training. In addition, Before We Go, another compilation akin to Never Let Go became an Amazon Bestseller.In early 2017, Dan’s book, Now What?, his approach to Performance and dealing with “life,” became a Bestseller on Amazon. Hardstyle Kettlebell Challenge, published also in 2017, focused on the keys to the kettlebell.His most recent book, Attempts, is a collection of short essays for both the professional coach and trainer and the “rest of us.” He is currently working on a new edition of “Easy Strength” with Pavel.

JD Madden is a retired Deputy Fire Chief, USAR Task Force Leader and Board Member of the SIREN Project. We discuss his journey into the fire service, Hurricane Katrina rescues, the importance of proactive preparedness, recruitment, his powerful mental health story, saving lives with psychedelics and so much more. https://www.thesirenproject.org/

Rob Sweetman is a former Navy SEAL turned sleep scientist, dedicated to optimizing human performance through the science of sleep. With firsthand experience in high-stakes, sleep-deprived environments, Rob transitioned from special operations to research, earning his MBA and becoming a leading advocate for sleep as a cornerstone of health and readiness.In this second conversation we discuss his perspective on the pandemic, robots in war, sleep as a performance enhancer, suicide in uniform, 62 Romeo, the Ryan Larkin Invitational Adventure Race and so much more. As the founder of Sleep Genius, Rob has pioneered innovative sleep solutions tailored for military personnel, first responders, and high-performance professionals. His work bridges cutting-edge technology with ancient wisdom, integrating biometric monitoring, AI-driven optimization, and behavioral science to enhance sleep quality in extreme conditions.Rob’s expertise extends beyond research—he has advised policymakers, military leaders, and corporate executives on the profound impact of sleep on decision-making, resilience, and longevity. His insights have shaped sleep programs for the military, tactical athletes, and professionals operating in high-risk environments.Rob created the 62romeo sleep program. The initial pilot study was an instant success. Since then Rob and his team have graduated hundreds of students and help thousands of people, primarily Veterans and First-Responders. Rob was named the "Sleep Genius" after helping a cohort of active duty Navy S.E.A.L.s in the 62romeo program. Since then he has taken on private clients for Sleep Coaching and Keynote Speeches.​​Rob spends most of his time Sleep Coaching and empowering others to teach sleep science in their circles. Recently, he acquired Happy Canyon Ranch near Telluride Colorado, where he is hosting retreats to help people get back into balance.https://www.sleepgeni.us/

Brian McGinnis is a combat Marine, veteran firefighter and politician. In this second conversation we discuss the back story of his vocal protest, the atrocities endured by the Iranian people, government overreach, the importance of moral courage, the dangers of blind nationalism, the West Bank and so much more. Brian graduated from Quincy Senior High School in Illinois in 2000 and left for Marine Corps boot camp just days later. He served as a Light Armored Vehicle Crewman, an infantry role in the United States Marine Corps. During his enlistment he deployed during the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003 and served four years before receiving an honorable discharge. During his service Brian also competed on the All-Marine boxing team, demonstrating the discipline and determination that continue to guide his life today.Brian is a husband and father of four, and his family is at the center of his life. Like many parents, he understands the challenges of raising a family while working to provide stability and opportunity for the next generation. His experiences at home have strengthened his belief that government should work for ordinary families, not powerful interests.In 2008 Brian moved to North Carolina and became a firefighter in Raleigh. Since then he has spent years protecting families, responding to emergencies, and working alongside fellow firefighters dedicated to public safety. Firefighting reflects the values that guide Brian’s life: teamwork, physical service, and protecting the community he calls home.Brian believes the American political system has become dominated by wealthy donors and powerful interests while ordinary people are left behind. That is why he is running for the United States Senate. His campaign is about bringing integrity, courage, and independent leadership to Washington and building a government that truly serves working people.https://www.gp.org/brian_mcginnis_4_us_senate

Dr Michael Donato is a podiatrist, athlete and member of O2X. We discuss the evolution of footwear, the affect of improper shoes on the body, barefoot training, tactical footwear and much more.Mike, co-owner of Rappahannock Foot & Ankle Specialists joined the practice in 2002. He obtained his A.B. in Economics from Princeton University in 1986. He graduated as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from California College of Podiatric Medicine in 1999. He went on to complete a 3 year Podiatric Surgery and Primary Podiatric Medicine Residency Program at Yale-New Haven Hospital - VA Healthcare System in WestHaven, CT. He is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons; Diplomate of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and is Board Certified in Foot, and Rearfoot Reconstructive/Ankle Surgery; Fellow, American Professional Wound Care Association; and a member of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the Virginia Podiatric Medical,Association. As an O2X human performance specialist he provides education regarding footwear selection and gait analysis to first responders, military personnel, elite organizations, and other tactical athletes . He is a regular medical volunteer at the Marine Corps Marathon and the other associated Marine Corps Marathon Race Events. He is a USA Hockey level 4 hockey coach and after years of being a head coach he currently serves as an assistant coach for the Piedmont Predator Youth Hockey Club. He is an avid crossfitter and hockey player who participates in masters crossfit competitions and adult hockey tournaments.

Chief John Moon was one of America's first pararmedics with Pittsburgh's Freedom House, ultimately retiring as the Assistant Chief of Pittsburg EMS. We discuss the tragedies that peppered his childhood, the origin story of the Freedom House, the tragedy behind modern CPR, systemic racism, organisational betray, the power of mentorship and so much more. John Moon began his EMS career in 1972 with Freedom House Ambulance, after seeing the impressive crews in action while he was working as an orderly in a local hospital. After completing the necessary training on his own, he was hired by Freedom House and changed the course of his life. Mr. Moon demonstrated his competence and determination at his new-found calling and was selected by Dr. Peter Safar to be the first medic to perform endotracheal intubation on patients in surgery. After succeeding on his first attempt in the operating room, Moon went on to perform what is believed to be the nation’s first intubation in the field by a paramedic. When the City of Pittsburgh ended its contract with Freedom House in 1975 and instituted its own ambulance service, Moon was one of the few Freedom House paramedics who successfully made (and endured) the transition. Despite their experience and demonstrated success, the Freedom House paramedics were required to undergo periodic written testing and ride as the third person on a crew with less experienced EMS clinicians during their transition to the newly formed city ambulance service.During his time at Pittsburgh EMS, Moon became a certified master scuba diver, the first and only African American in Pittsburgh Public Safety to acquire this certification. He progressed through the ranks and developed Pittsburgh EMS’s first diversity recruitment program. One of Moon’s hires was Amera Gilchrist who in 2023 became Pittsburgh’s first African American EMS Chief and first woman in that role. John Moon retired as Assistant Chief of Pittsburgh EMS in 2009 after 34 years of service.John Moon spent his early life in Atlanta, relocating to Pittsburgh during his high school years to live with family members following his parents’ deaths. He continues to reside in Pittsburgh with his wife with whom he shares five adult children. Moon now dedicates much of his time in retirement to ensuring the history of Freedom House Ambulance is not forgotten. He travels the country speaking at Black history events and EMS conferences, as well as book signing tours with author Kevin Hazzard who featured Moon in his 2022 book American Sirens. Most recently, he was an invited guest at President Biden’s State of the Union address in 2024.

Gregory Menvielle is an IT Veteran and co-founder of the mental wellness platform Okaya. We discuss his childhood in France, the evolution of the internet, the global mental health crisis, using AI to proactively assess mental health, forging performance, firefighter health, wearables and so much more.Greg Menvielle is CEO of Okaya (SmartTec Inc.), an AI-powered readiness platform whose AI, Sanora, conducts multimodal check-ins — analyzing voice, facial cues, and language — to generate readiness scores across cognitive, physical, and emotional dimensions. Okaya serves first responders, Department of Defense personnel, and clinical populations, and holds a U.S. Air Force SBIR Phase II contract with active Air Force Reserve deployments. Greg has spoken at Mobile World Congress and multiple Intel Innovators Program conferences, and previously wrote about the European tech scene for RudeBaguette. He holds an MA in ancient languages from the University of Chicago and a BA in economics from UCLA — a path he credits with teaching him to decode complex systems, whether Hieroplyphics or software.https://www.okaya.me/firefighters-readiness?utm_source=james

John P. East Jr. is a Critical Care Flight Paramedic and the Co-Founder and Chief of Staff of The Incomologists, a firm focused on protecting the income and families of clinicians, EMS, and fire service professionals. Raised in Homestead, Florida, by a nurse and a firefighter/boat mechanic, John’s childhood was steeped in adventure - exploring the Florida Everglades, fishing, surfing, and life outdoors. Experiences that shaped his work ethic and perspective.John has served in EMS since 2010, with experience spanning Paramedic in rescue units and ER roles, quality assurance, flight medicine, and clinical leadership. Over time, he’s seen firsthand the cumulative effects of shift work, trauma exposure, poor sleep, and chronic stress on those who serve. These experiences reshaped his understanding of leadership and purpose beyond the bedside.Today, John finds deep fulfillment in leadership and advocacy, firmly believing leadership is not derived from a title, but from daily actions. Through his work with The Incomologists, he is driven by a mission to prevent the financial devastation that too often follows injury, illness, or loss within clinician and first responder families. Every major decision he makes is guided by a single priority: protecting time, presence, and life with his wife and best friend.https://theincomologists.com/

Craig Davidson is a Hawaiian lifeguard, waterman and stuntman. We discuss his journey into lifeguarding, rescues and losses, the importance of humility, fitness, entering the stunt world, set safety, rigging and much more.

This is one of the most powerful conversations I've recorded to date! In 1997, police officer Tom Morgan was shot in the head by eighteen year old gang member Jason Samuel. What followed was an incredible journey of post traumatic growth and forgiveness that will move you to tears.We discuss Toms' journey into law enforcement, SWAT operations, his rehabilitation after the shooting, Jason's parole hearing, Tom's wife's powerful mental health story, healing through forgiveness and so much more.Tom began his 50+ year career in public service in 1975 working for a small rural ambulance company in the Eastern Sierras of California. He had just graduated from High School and gotten his EMT certificate that summer. After working as an EMT for a few years in May 1981, he helped found the first paramedic program in eastern Kern County California after attending Daniel Freeman Paramedic School in Los Angeles. The following year Tom moved to Bakersfield California where he worked as a paramedic and paramedic trainer until January 1984, when he was hired by the Kern County Sheriff's Office. Tom worked as a Deputy and Senior Deputy Sheriff from 1984 to February 2000, when he was medically retired after being shot in the neck while attempting to arrest a 17-year-old gang member. When Tom was shot, he was in his 3rd year of law school, after finishing law school and passing the BAR he left the Sheriff’s Office, and went to work as an attorney for Kern County Counsel where he worked for 17 years before leaving County service in March 2017. As a Deputy Sheriff Tom worked for 3 years in the jail and 14 years in Bakersfield Metro Patrol. He also worked assignments in bicycle patrol, SWAT. Tom was also a Field Training Officer and provided officer safety instruction for the Basic Academy. As an attorney Tom was staff counsel for various county departments, including the Sheriff's Office, the District Attorney, Probation, Coroner, Public Administrator and as trial counsel for child dependency matters.Presently Tom works for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Legal Affairs as a Attorney IV for their Employment Advocacy and Prosecution Team.