Behind The Shield

Dr. Blaine Lints is an applied physiologist, former Navy SEAL, and former professional triathlete whose research focuses on optimizing cognitive and physical performance in high-stakes operational settings. Blaine's dissertation work examined the physiological and cognitive effects of operational stressors such as thermal strain and physical exertion. His overarching goal is to generate research and communicate those findings to preserve and enhance operator performance and health.Episode Sponsor:https://www.stationwise.com/

Jeff Cool is an Air Force Veteran, FDNY Rescue Firefighter and Black Sunday Survivor. We discuss military firefighting, his journey into the FDNY, his haunting 9/11 story, the 178th Street fire, Joey DiBernardo's selfless heroism, Jeff's physical and emotional healing journey, psychedelics, lifesaving bail out systems and so much more.In January 2005, Joey DiBernardo responded to a tenement fire in the Bronx with Rescue 3. This day would come to be known as “Black Sunday” in FDNY history as three firefighters died that day in the line of duty. Due to illegal partitions and blocked fire escapes, Ladder Co. 27 and Rescue 3 became trapped on the top floor of this Bronx tenement. Surrounded by fire with no way out and running out of air, they were forced to jump out the rear windows to the yard five stories below. Tragically, two members of Ladder 27 died on impact and two others were critically injured. Jeff Cool of Rescue 3 was trapped at one window and Joey was trapped in the adjoining room.With fire blowing out over their heads, Jeff, who had his personal rope, heroically told Joey he had no place to tie off his rope but he would lower Joey. In response Joey yelled back to Jeff, “…I’m single, you have a wife and kids…throw me the rope, and I’ll lower you…” With only seconds left, Jeff threw Joey the rope, and Joey tied it around his arm, and Jeff leaped out the window. As Jeff swung out he lost control of the rope and landed in the alley below, critically injured. Joey then tied off on a child safety guard and went out the window as the room exploded in fire. Joey’s rope broke and he fell four stories to the recessed rear courtyard. He broke practically all the bones from his waist down and shattered both feet. In the hospital he suffered respiratory arrest and developed pneumonia, nearly dying twice while hospitalized.Joey’s long hospitalization was followed by a stay at a rehabilitation facility where he had to learn to walk again. During Joey’s extended recovery he was promoted to Lieutenant.Joey DiBernardo and the other survivors initiated a campaign for the issuance of personal life safety ropes for all members of FDNY and, as result of this fire, FDNY did reissue ropes to all its members. Joey and the other survivors regularly spoke out around the county for firefighters’ safety. Despite his injuries, Joey was a popular fire instructor.Joey DiBernardo continued to live in great pain every day of his life from all his injuries and passed away November 22, 2011 as a result of the injuries suffered on Black Sunday. He was recognized by the International Association of Firefighters for making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The DiBernardo family was presented with their Medal of Honor, and his name was inscribed on the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado.https://joeydfoundation.org/Episode Sponsors:https://transcendcompany.com/https://www.levels.com/

Ty Miller started his working career in the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment of the French Foreign Legion where, among other things, he used to jump out of airplanes and helicopters. Now, as a new Commercial IFR Helicopter Pilot working at Helijet International, his passion is to fly them. Previous to his flying career, Ty was an executive in the software industry with large and small analytics companies like SAP and Visier.Over his 23 year software career Ty led product management teams and advised on and implemented analytics solutions for both customers and partners. Ty holds a BS in Economics from Bentley University and dual MBA in International Business and MA in International Affairs degrees from The George Washington University. Ty lives with his wife Laura in Vancouver, BC, Canada.Episode Sponsor:https://www.stationwise.com/

Dr Stuart McGill is a world renowned authority on back health. We delve into a host of topics from removing the sit up in the Military's PT test to the correlation between sleep deprivation and musculo-skeletal injury.Dr. Stuart M. McGill is a “distinguished professor emeritus”, University of Waterloo, where he was a professor for 30 years. His laboratory and experimental research clinic investigated issues related to the causal mechanisms of back pain, how to rehabilitate back-pained people and enhance both injury resilience and performance. His advice is often sought by governments, corporations, legal experts, medical groups and elite athletes and teams from around the world.His work produced over 245 peer-reviewed scientific journal papers, several textbooks, and many international awards including the “Order of Canada” in 2020 for leadership in the back pain area. He mentored over 37 graduate students during this scientific journey.During this time he taught thousands of clinicians and practitioners in professional development and continuing education courses around the world.He continues as the Chief Scientific Officer for Backfitpro Inc. Difficult back cases, and elite performers, are regularly referred to him for consultation. Any product associated with this website has been tested in Dr. McGill’s laboratory.

Steve Gowin is an Army Veteran, retired SWAT operator and Crossfit coach. We discuss his journey into the military, horsemanship, fitness in law enforcement, leadership, coaching the youth athlete and so much more.Steve Gowin founded his goal-oriented counseling service, Targeted Motivational Engagement (TME), in 2015. Through TME, Steve has been able to address hundreds of children and adults on the topics of goal setting and personal improvement. Steve also works with sports teams and individual athletes to help develop the mental mindset needed to be successful in their sport.Steve spent six years in the U.S. Army in a light infantry unit as a combat engineer (Sapper). He served as a team leader and earned the rank of sergeant after two years. It was in that leadership role that Steve recognized his passion for helping individuals and groups reach their potential through action.Steve spent 24 yrs years in law enforcement, 19 of which were spent as a member of the King County Sheriff’s office SWAT team. He served as a team leader and was involved in planning and conducting numerous high-priority complex missions, as well as developing and writing current standard operating procedures for his team.Steve was an instructor for both the Washington State Sniper School, and for the Washington State’s Basic and Advanced SWAT school. Steve has taught, trained and competed with other teams both nationally and internationally. Currently, Steve is a consultant and instructor for the U.S. Department of State providing anti-terrorism training throughout the world.Steve lives on a cattle ranch in North Texas with his wife and two daughters.Steve is a firm believer in living what he teaches. You can follow Steve on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn under Targeted Motivational Engagement. There you can learn more about Steve and see that he truly believes what he talks about…he doesn’t just say it, he lives it.Episode Sponsor:www.levels.com

Doug Orchard is a professional cinematographer, director, editor, and expert researcher with an MLS from Indiana University, Bloomington, and has excellent communication skills (BA English, BYU). He is a global thought leader on Physical Education, Fasting, Sovereign Debt, and responsible CRE Revenue Reserve strategies. In this second conversation, Doug reveals the underhand practices of private equity firms that are threatening public pensions.The Motivation Factor had its worldwide premiere in Hollywood, CA on May 5th at the Life Fest Film Festival, where it won ‘Best Documentary Feature’ and also won the prestigious ‘Audience Choice Award.’ It also won ‘Audience Choice Award’ and ‘Heart Award’ at the Intendence Film Festiveal in Denver 2017.This breakthrough documentary film, “The Motivation Factor” covers the ‘why’ we must exercise and links many of our major society’s problems to the absence of real physical education. The crowdfunding trailer received over 50 Million Facebook views and has received national attention. More news on this film can be found on this article and also at the film’s Facebook Page.Revenue Reserve: because things go wrong. Doug Orchard directed the breakthrough CRE documentary film, Revenue Reserve: because things go wrong (2014). This is the first CRE documentary that takes a comprehensive approach to the investor’s problem. It was filmed in 29 cities with 19 interview subjects. Mr. Orchard tracked hundreds of investors from 2009 through 2013. Multiple billionaire and multi-millionaire investors have labeled it the best film on investing ever made, and a must see for any investor.The film contains interviews with the most successful private CRE investors in the US, the Presidents of the National Association of Realtors, IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management), NMHC (National Multi-family Housing Council) and CCIM, four asset protection attorneys who handle more asset protection cases than anyone else in the world, and a state insurance commissioner referred by the NAIC.Truth about Pandemic Flu (2009). Doug Orchard directed this 30 minute film, which was made in cooperation with the CDC, FDA, and former US Health Secretary and 4-term Wisconsin Governor Thommy Thompson.Episode Sponsors:https://www.stationwise.com/https://transcendcompany.com/

Anthony Ortiz is a veteran Fire Captain, Instructor and Entrepreneur. We discuss growing up in a firefighter family, his own journey into the fire service, courage in leadership, the 24/72 workweek, fighting for a healthy marriage, firefighter fitness, the power of mentorship and so much more.Anthony Ortiz is a second-generation firefighter whose family has protected the Ocala community for more than 50 years. His father served over three decades with Ocala Fire Department, and growing up in a firefighter’s home gave Anthony an early understanding of both the pride and the price of the job long shifts, missed holidays, and the constant grind of second jobs during an era of historically low wages. That upbringing shaped his commitment to service and grounded his belief that the fire service is more than a career; it’s a calling.Anthony began his own journey in 1998 with Marion County Fire Rescue after being introduced to the fire service through a high school mentorship program designed to recruit and guide young people into public safety careers. He credits that moment of opportunity as the spark that launched a life of service, and it remains the reason he is passionate about mentoring the next generation. Today, he plays a key role in his department’s mentorship program, helping future firefighters become the emotionally intelligent, resilient leaders the profession needs.Throughout his 25+ year career, Anthony has served in a wide range of roles across operations, training, fire prevention, and administration. That diverse experience has given him a unique, full-spectrum perspective on how the modern fire service functions and how it must evolve. He is deeply engaged in community involvement and has served on multiple local boards to provide a firefighter’s voice in decision-making. He believes the future of the fire service depends on departments building trust, investing in their people, adapting to the changing needs of their communities, and nurturing leaders who understand both the operational and human sides of the job.Outside the station, Anthony decompresses through running. On December 1, 2016, he began a daily run streak that continues to this day, with a minimum of 5K every day no excuses, no missed days. To keep both body and mind challenged, he layers in additional personal pursuits, including running every street in his first-due area and traveling to explore unique trails and destinations. His journey has taken him from the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys to remote segments of the Florida Trail, discovering new places and perspectives through both urban and trail running.With most of his career behind him, Anthony is focused on giving back to the profession that shaped him. He is proud of the legacy his family has built in Ocala and grateful for a life of service that has allowed him to provide for his family while serving a community he loves. He credits his wife of 25 years for keeping him grounded and is the proud father of two incredible kids who carry forward the same values of grit, gratitude, and service.Episode Sponsor: Levelshttps://www.levels.com/

Rob Jones lost both legs after an IED explosion whilst serving as an Engineer with the Marines. Refusing to let his injuries define him, Rob became an elite athlete competing as a rower in the Paralympics. Rob's latest adventure saw him completing 31 marathons in 31 days. We talk about adaptive athletics, mental trauma, his charitable ventures and much more.Rob Jones is a retired US Marine, combat leader, and now a leadership instructor and speaker with Echelon Front. He spent five years in the Marine Corps, with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan.As a Combat Engineer, Rob specialized in finding hidden Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the enemy’s most deadly weapons. On a mission in July of 2010, while executing an IED sweep, Rob stepped on an IED, which resulted in double above knee amputations of his legs. He spent the next year and a half in physical therapy before retiring from the Marine Corps in 2011. Upon his retirement, Rob was forced to adapt to a new way of being a leader. To do this, he turned to the world of sports.In 2012, he competed in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, England, bringing home a bronze medal in rowing. In 2013, he became the first double above knee amputee to ride a bicycle across the United States, riding 5,181 miles from Bar Harbor, Maine to Camp Pendleton, California. In 2017, he ran 31 marathons in 31 consecutive days in 31 different cities.Throughout this journey, Rob has relied upon the principles taught at Echelon Front to turn the darkest moment of his life into a life of impact—more meaningful than he ever could have expected. Rob now brings his experience to Echelon Front to help teams of people take Extreme Ownership and overcome the challenges they face in business and in life.

Andrew Douglas is a former firefighter/paramedic and creator of the mental health app Siento. Blake Richardson is the son of a firefighter and co-founder of the alert system EaseAlert. We discuss impriving firefighter rest and recovery, how to avoid waking crews unecessarily, using AI to help improve peer support conversations and so much more.Blake Richardson grew up around the firehouse. His dad, Brad Richardson, is a captain and paramedic for a fire department in northern Florida. Brad became the inspiration behind EaseAlert when Blake noticed the toll that firefighting was taking on his dad each day that he returned from duty. Blake wanted to come up with a way to make his dad’s job less stressful. EaseAlert is that solution. Blake and co-founder/COO, Elezar Tonev began working on EaseAlert in 2019. With its suite of tactile alerting devices, EaseAlert is redefining alerting systems and setting the bar for heart smart alerting in the fire service. Today, they have a fully functional system and their brand new Firefighter Alerting System is beginning to catch the attention of fire departments around the United States.Siento was born from the personal experiences of its CEO, Andrew Douglas, who spent years on the front lines as a firefighter/paramedic and union leader. After confronting his own battles with PTSD and a suicide attempt, Andrew felt compelled to create the solution he wished he had during his darkest times.Understanding the intense pressures and unique challenges faced by those in high-stress professions, he was driven to create a tailored solution that effectively addresses the mental health needs often overlooked in such fields.Siento manifested as a stigma-free mental wellness and peer support management platform, dedicated to providing first responders and high-stress professionals with accessible, confidential, and culturally competent mental health support.Teams that use Siento ensure their members have the resources to thrive, not just survive.Ease Alert - https://www.easealert.com/Siento - https://siento.io/Episode Sponsors:https://www.bubsnaturals.com/Use Code BTS for 20% offStationwise:https://www.stationwise.com/

Darin Kinder is a former Special Agent of the United States Secret Service, where he spent decades protecting world leaders and navigating high-stakes environments. On September 11, 2001, he was on the ground in New York City when the World Trade Center was attacked—an experience that earned him the Secret Service Medal of Valor and forever shaped his perspective on life and leadership.Beyond his federal service, Darin is a devoted husband, father to four sons, and the founder of Fierce Faith, an organization dedicated to helping people live with courage and purpose. He is passionate about inspiring and equipping the next generation to face challenges head-on and live with bold resolve. A sought-after speaker and podcast guest, Darin shares his insights on leadership, resilience, and what it means to live with clear purpose in an unpredictable world.When he’s not challenging audiences to live boldly, you’ll find him at home investing in his wife—his partner since 1998—and their four sons.​Darin is a graduate of James Madison University and spent 25 years as a US Secret Service Special Agent. He loves the mountains, baseball, and any adventure that calls for courage and grit.