SOFLETE

Chris Fettes- A former Navy SEAL who now slings ice cream and teaches first responders how to deal with active shooter threats.

On this Episode we have arguably one of the most legitimate shooters still in the game. Matt @Xray.Alpha.LLC spent over 20 years in service in SOF and is a USPSA Grand Master. Him and Brent @sofletefish get together to trash talk fitness, run drills, and dissect why CQB is such a hot topic these days. Like and Follow for the next Episode of Do It Live.

Former MARSOC Raiders get together to talk fitness, culture in SOF, and diet- while they live fire clear a shoot house utilizing basic principles of CQB Find Danny on IG @SOFLETE_Hypeman and the SOFLETE CEO and Founder Brent @SOFLETEFish

Matt and George sit down with a cup of joe and drive in a conversation about life balances where they specifically highlight the Cognitive Warrior System. If you haven't listened to the lunch and learn series on the new human behavior program, please head over and take a listen. Now, as always our podcast comes and goes like the wind but when we sit down we bring something unique to the listener as time is finite and we need to make sure we bring in innovative information to those who support SOFLETE. The music you hear at the start and end of the podcast is by a British Artist named Matthew Brewer who brings a wonderful soundscape that will drive your mind wild and help focus during those times of direct focus. Check out Frameworks to get more awesome music like this.

George and Matt, in-person together in Salt Lake City for a change, discuss how you can engineer success for yourself this year. Whether this is the year you finally run that first ultra, or take your shot at getting your tabs, the guys chat "new year, new you" SOFLETE style. George unwraps the psychological theories around goal setting, offering some great insight and tips based on his personal experience as an athlete and also as a writer. If you're struggling to build momentum this year, this is well worth a listen. As always, the guys invite you to join in the conversation- either through SOFLETE's social media or by contacting them directly (George@soflete.com Matt@soflete.com).

Sitting together in George's office, he and Matt enjoy a coffee whilst catching up on what's been going on for them thus far in 2022. Alongside working arguably the best two jobs in strength and conditioning, the guys have been busy. George has been flat out balancing fatherhood, with studying for his Bachelor's degree, developing his writing skills and crushing training in anticipation of completing the Recon Challenge in April... Matt on the other hand has mostly been hard at work shivering in Upstate New York! Talk inevitably turns to the Conscious Warrior System. The guys are in the process of conducting the final debriefs with each participant and are getting increasingly excited about the potential for this system to have huge implications for the tactical professional. Catch up with what the SOFLETE Human Performance Team has been getting up to and see where their sights are set next. As always, the guys invite you to join in the conversation- either through SOFLETE's social media or by contacting them directly (George@soflete.com Matt@soflete.com).

George sits down with Dr. Katie (also known as Kate to many) Pate and explores a holistic approach to life and the actions it takes to build an experience worth living. Dr. Pate and George have an authentic, honest conversation with each other and share some ways they've learned to combat fear, anxiety, addiction, abuse, and countless other difficulties. Kate cracks George open in this one after she shares and fills George in on what she's been doing during the past four years since she was last on the podcast. George then releases the flood gates, and stories come flowing as he shares a few personal experiences that created a shift in perspective regarding his own life. The conversation continues and takes the listener further into each of their minds and hearts. Kate and George explain why they do what they do and discuss their passion for helping the veteran community, especially as it pertains to helping build a different path than the one we've seen for many years. Kate's bio: Dr. Pate is a neurophysiologist (PhD), athlete, entrepreneur, and certified coach dedicated to helping struggling service members, veterans, and first responders. She advocates for and educates on functional and non-traditional approaches to mental and physical health. Kate comes from a military family and has always been passionate about finding ways to help those who serve others. Her primary objectives are to help people find the path to healing that works best for them, to change the narrative around how we discuss mental and physical health in our communities, and ultimately, to remove the stigmas associated with diagnoses and asking for help. Her associated organizations: HunterSeven Foundation (Medical Advisor): https://hunterseven.org/ Psychedelic Medicine Association (Board Member): https://psychedelicmedicineassociation.org/ Heroic Hearts Project (Director of Research and Integration Coach): https://www.heroicheartsproject.org/ https://soflete.com/blogs/knowledge/ayahuasca

Dive into a conversation with George and Diana, as they sit and chat about the importance of nutrition from an omni-directional perspective on nutrition. Both George and Diana carry a wealth of experiences that they each shared on the show, only adding and connecting the dots in moving the needle forward in human performance. Furthermore, Diana believes strongly in science, research, and how science is being used to help build a foundation for the tactical professional. Re-educating each tactical professional, not only to support the physical, but most importantly, how nutrition can impact your cognitive function over time. Nutrition can be the smallest worthwhile change, aiding in lowering the chances of illness and disease, over the duration of a tactical professional career, potentially cutting their life span shorter and shorter. Diana Nguyen is a Performance Dietitian for U.S. Army Special Operations to support combat readiness, health, and career longevity for soldiers. Prior to her time in the Special Operations setting, Diana worked in collegiate athletics for 12 years, first as a Graduate Assistant at Virginia Tech, then serving as the Assistant Director for Performance Nutrition at Texas A&M University, and most recently as the Director of Sports Nutrition at NC State University. Diana is also the owner of Nguyen With Nutrition LLC which focuses on performance nutrition education for first responders and tactical professionals as well as competitive athletes. Nguyen earned her bachelor's degree and master's degree from Virginia Tech. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Virginia Health System in 2008. She is a Registered/Licensed Dietitian (RD/LD), and Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD). She is a member of the practice group Sports and Human Performance Nutrition through SCAN, and she also serves on the Board of Directors for the Collegiate & Professional Sports Dietitians Association (CPSDA) as the Chair of Research and Education. Nguyen's passion for helping athletes and professionals reach peak performance and function through nutrition runs deep. In her free time she enjoys hiking, training and spending time with her family.

Closing out the Lunch and Learn series Join George and Matt as they wrap up the last in the series of the Lunch and Learn podcast. The boys reflect on how the Conscious Warrior System has slowly taken shape over the past few years, as a direct result of first hand experience. Utilizing the metaphor of the Parthenon, George describes how a solid foundation of health is necessary to support the load placed on the modern tactical professional. However, the boys also acknowledge that the CWS project will continue to evolve and be refined, in order to keep delivering what the community needs. With that in mind, if you'd like to offer any suggestions or feedback, or have any questions relating to the CWS (or anything covered in this series), please reach out via social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com.

Episode 3 - Managing Your Occupational Stress As ever, in this final episode of the chapter, George and Matt get down to offering practical advice and suggestions for how you can better manage your occupational stress. From using the Conscious Warrior System framework, to specific breathing drills, the guys unpack simple and accessible solutions that you can put in place tonight, to help prepare you for tomorrow. This is definitely an episode to listen to if you need some help with work related stress. Everything we do here at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com. Please see below for a few resources, linked to today's episode, that you might find useful: The Tony Nash Night Before Journal (https://thetonynash.gumroad.com/#Wiwvc) Some breathing drills from Patrick McKeown (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdPpV32cM0I)

Episode 2 - Occupation Stress in The Tactical Community In these times of increasing uncertainty, the tactical community, especially, faces ever greater levels of unpredictability. Alongside this, resource and funding restrictions place significant limitations on a group of people who pride themselves in always being ready to ‘‘answer the call''. Unsurprisingly, this leads to levels of work related stress being exponentially amplified. In today's episode George and Matt discuss what effects high levels of occupational stress have on teams within the tactical community, as well as the individuals that make up those teams. The guys get into how we might be able to learn from innovations in efficiency in the corporate world, through increased transparency and flexibility, as a way to work smarter rather than harder. Everything we do here at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com. Please see below for a few resources, linked to today's episode, that you might find useful: The Creativity Leap by Natalie Nixon (https://www.figure8thinking.com/books/) The Art of Impossible by Steven Kotler (https://www.theartofimpossible.com)

Episode 1 - What is Occupational Stress? This is the last chapter in this series and represents another one of the supporting pillars in the Conscious Warrior System Framework. George and Matt kick off this chapter with their understanding of occupational stress. The guys discuss how work induced stress, both physical and psychological, can have a very real effect on your physiology; the results of which can negatively impact quality of life and career if left unchecked. However, as is the case with many aspects of human performance, occupational stress appears to follow something of an inverted-U relationship. Too much stress and we become overwhelmed and unable to function effectively, but equally, too little and we lack the spark required for innovation and progression. Everything we do here at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com.

Episode 3 - How To Flex Your Psychological State In this final episode of Chapter 6, George and Matt are back to give you the tools needed to take back control of your psychological state. The guys talk through some simple and accessible options for increasing self-awareness and establishing a baseline for any future strategies you might employ. As is customary with the Lunch and Learn series, the guys also give you a fun challenge to try at home, that will highlight just how real the link between psychological state and performance really is! Everything we do here at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com. Please see below for a few resources, linked to today's episode, that you might find useful: Feeling Good by Dr David Burns (https://feelinggood.com) The Recon Sniper Foundation (https://www.reconsniperfoundation.org) HunterSeven Foundation (https://hunterseven.org) PB Abbate (https://www.pbabbate.org)

Episode 2 - How Understanding Psychological State is Relevant to the Tactical Community Everything we do in the Tactical Community revolves around teamwork. Even when operators deploy on their own, they are always supported by team members- be that professionally, in the form of radio operators or int' specialists, or personally, in the form of spouses or friends. If a team, like a chain, is only as strong as its weakest link then we need to start looking out as well as in. The psychological state of any member in the team can have both direct and indirect impacts on mission success. In this episode, George and Matt discuss how learning to leverage the psychological state of those around you is a great way to upskill your whole team and help safeguard mental health. Everything we do here at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com.

Episode 1 - Introducing Psychological State In Chapter 6, George and Matt look at the Psychological State and get to grips with how understanding your state, as well as those around you, will exponentially enhance performance and longevity. As usual, Episode 1 acts as an introduction to the topic. The guys use their own personal and professional experiences to highlight the importance of recognizing that how you feel affects how you perceive the world around you. Everything we do here at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com. Please see below for a few resources, linked to today's episode, that you might find useful: The Breathing Cure by Patrick McKeown (https://oxygenadvantage.com/the-breathing-cure/) Amy Cuddy's Ted Talks (https://www.ted.com/speakers/amy_cuddy)

Bottom Of The Barrel 23 - The Fine Line by SOFLETE

Performance Podcast - 78 - John M by SOFLETE

Brent and Doug discuss the intricacies of the human specimen.

This week's episode has the boys reflecting on a truly awesome week. George and Matt recently attended the NSCA Tactical Strength and Conditioning (TSAC) Annual Training event in Norfolk, Virginia. Aside from offering a stellar lineup of highly experienced and educated speakers, the event was also a fantastic opportunity to connect with other human performance specialists from across the tactical community. From earning a Navy SEAL Challenge Coin to playing the most competitive game of Jenga ever; if you weren't fortunate enough to have been able to attend the event in person, check out this episode to live vicariously through the eyes of the Soflete Human Performance Team. Please see below for some of the links that the guys mention during the podcast: NSCA TSAC (https://www.nsca.com/professional-development/professional-areas/tsac-professionals/) Vernon Griffith Episode 44 of the Soflete Performance Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/performance-podcast-44-vernon-griffith/id1238939513?i=1000446191699) ‘The Brain's Way of Healing' By Norman Doidge (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/308751/the-brains-way-of-healing-by-norman-doidge-md/

Brent and Doug catch up over drinks.

Performance Podcast - Lunch And Learn - Chapter 5 Episode 3 by SOFLETE

Brent and Doug discuss the Olympics.

Performance Podcast - Lunch And Learn - Chapter 5 Episode 2 by SOFLETE

Performance Podcast - Lunch And Learn - Chapter 5 Episode 1 by SOFLETE

Bottom Of The Barrel 20 - Third Time Is The Charm by SOFLETE

We're back with another episode, listening in on a conversation from the SOFLETE Human Performance Team's virtual office. Talk this time is based around another book on George's reading list, 'The Creativity Leap' by Natalie Nixon. In the book, Natalie illustrates the concept of balancing work and play through the construct of 'wonder versus rigor.' She describes how finding time to be creative and reflective ultimately leads to greater quality work being produced. George and Matt discuss how this concept can be applied across a wide variety of environments, from teaching your child to play softball or preparing for an ultra-endurance event. This episode is a reminder that whatever it is you're doing, take some time to find a way to enjoy it and introduce a little play (or wonder!); you'll undoubtedly reap the reward of increased productivity. As ever, the guys invite you to join in the conversation- either through SOFLETE's social media or by contacting them directly (George@soflete.com Matt@soflete.com). The Creativity Leap by Natalie Nixon (https://www.figure8thinking.com/books/)

“Why not”? These two words have been the genesis for many of this week's guest's achievements. Long time SOFLETE Athlete Tony Nash first started asking himself, “why not?” when he accepted a place at Westpoint. Since then, the momentum has continued to grow exponentially for this Buffalo, NY native. Tony has now served as an Active Duty Field Artillery Officer for 11 years, whilst simultaneously authoring The Night Before Journal, hosting the Got Your Six podcast, graduating with a master's degree at Cornell, and most recently becoming the first person to complete an Ultra Ergathlon! In true SOFLETE Athlete fashion, Tony isn't just content to smash life himself; he's also all about helping others get a leg up. From assisting his junior officers in getting academic work published to celebrate the community's everyday successes through his Stacking The Win section on his podcast, Tony shows that a rising tide really does lift all ships. If you're interested in learning how to achieve more with less time (no, this isn't The Shopping Channel!), you definitely need to check out this episode. Please see below for links to the resources that the gents mention during the podcast. -To find out more about becoming a Field Artillery Officer (https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/career-match/ground-forces/explosives-artillery/13a-field-artillery-officer.html) -Tony's Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thetonynash/?hl=en) -Got Your Six podcast (https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/got-your-six-with-tony-nash-tony-nash-fxG5RXbN6di/) -The Night Before Journal (https://thetonynash.gumroad.com/l/NightBeforeJournal) -Tony's Stacking The Win form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScG6Wb2h8LEPWY-Sqct9pPS2gd4WzMiACChO6Uq78YBl3PSkg/viewform) -Tony's Ultra Ergathlon (https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a36849626/ultra-ergathlon-ski-bike-row-run-workout-marathon-fitness-challenge/) -The Libby App (https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/1307.html) -F*CK Your Feelings by Ryan Munsey (https://www.amazon.com/Your-Feelings-Accomplish-Anything-Significant/dp/1983468878/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=1983468878&psc=1) -The Creativity Leap by Natalie Nixon (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/634022/the-creativity-leap-by-natalie-nixon/) -The Art of Impossible by Steven Kotler (https://www.theartofimpossible.com)

This week the guys were fortunate enough to reconnect with Dr. Theo Ballard, SOFLETE's in-house physical therapist. Theo is a civilian Orthopedic and Sport Certified Performance Physiotherapist specializing in both sport and tactical performance, specifically with conventional and SOF military personnel. In this episode, George and Matt get some great insight into a few of the more common injuries and training pitfalls that Theo sees in his clinic. Theo then provides some awesome advice to help you navigate these and boost your own training at the same time. Finally, the guys geek out on the current best practice tendinopathy management protocols (spoiler alert- eating jello might cure your knee pain!) and compare notes on how best to train the foot- considering the requirements for most tactical professionals to operate in boots. Even if you're not currently broken or in pain, this episode is well worth a listen; it provides a fantastic illustration of why Human Performance needs to be considered from a well-rounded and multidisciplinary perspective. Please see below for links to the resources that the gents mention during the podcast. Theo's Instagram Page (https://www.instagram.com/tb_physio/?hl=en) Theo's Website (www.tbphysio.com) Theo's ‘Always Ready' Performance Manual (https://www.tbphysio.com/store/p/jam0dibr3fj3l3glybnh0uyal1epku) Theo and Doug discussing Tendon Care (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fow2d61A8W4) A link to Dr. Keith Baar's faculty page at UC Davis, where you can access many of his research papers (https://health.ucdavis.edu/physiology/faculty/baar.html) A paper from Dr. Keith Baar describing some of the topics Theo mentioned (https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijsnem/29/4/article-p453.xml)

Doug and Brent revisit some of the tough times in the triumphant return of the Bottom of the Barrel podcast.

George sits down with Derek to discuss his process with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Treatment. Derek provides insight into the minds of special operations solider and the risk that comes with it. Sharing personal stories and how he has is using EMDR to work through his own struggles and improve his mental defenses to create the life he deserves. This podcast has no relation to the Department of Defense.

This week, George and Matt chat with 10 year USMC Officer and 4-year SOFlete athlete, Kris Drake. Kris serves as a USMC Cyberspace Officer, however, he has worked equally hard at finding and maintaining a sense of priority- based around safeguarding time with his family and still finding time to indulge his passions of health and fitness, learning, and being outdoors. Listen as the guys draw from the worlds of performance psychology, business management, and philosophy to try and make some sense of the chaos that is daily life. Kris has also recently completed the Conscious Warrior System pilot study. Over the course of 8 weeks, George and Matt have been working to implement and test the system as a way to enhance Kris' performance- both as a human and a professional. Today's episode gives great insight into exactly how the theories and principles surrounding human performance can be implemented at a real-world level. Please see below for links to the resources that the gents mention during the podcast. -To find out more about becoming a USMC Cyberspace Officer (https://www.usmcofficer.com/cyberspace-officer-1702/) -Why We Sleep by Dr M Walker (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Why-We-Sleep/Matthew-Walker/9781501144325) - What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan (https://www.amazon.com/What-Made-Maddy-Run-All-American/dp/0316356549) - Man's Search For Meaning by Victor Frankl (https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl-ebook/dp/B009U9S6FI) - 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey (https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/0743269519) -Performance Podcast Lunch & Learn Episode 1 https://soundcloud.com/user-631015553/lunch-and-learn-chapter-1-introducing-the-conscious-warrior-system-episode-1

Lunch and Learn Chapter 4 - Nutrition Disclaimer Whilst SOFLETE does work with a Registered Nutritionist, neither George nor Matt hold this qualification, or that of a Dietician. Any discussion or recommendations given in this Chapter should not be construed as medical advice and listeners should always consult a trained clinician before attempting any nutritional intervention. Episode 3 - Improving YOUR Nutrition This is the episode in every chapter that everyone cares about- the one that turns all that theory into practice. Alongside giving you their take-home recommendations, George and Matt highlight the importance of treading lightly if attempting to change someone else's nutritional practices. We know that psychology and emotion are deeply entwined into food choices and consequently people often take their nutrition very personally. With that in mind, it's important to understand the context and intent behind why someone is eating the way they are. As is customary now, episode 3 also features a Conscious Warrior Challenge. This time, the guys challenge you to buddy up and make this the Summer that you crush your nutritional goals. Either using the SOFLETE App (with inbuilt nutritional planner), or just a pen and paper- take 7 days to get a baseline of your nutritional intake, before dialing in a 14 day period where you integrate 2-3 of the recommendations from today's episode. As ever, we want you to share your progress with the rest of the community- tag SOFLETE in all your food porn glory… this could go downhill quickly! We're looking for pictures of your most creative meals, be they created in a mess tin whilst on exercise, or in the back of the fire truck between shouts; just tag us and use #DIELIVING Everything we do here at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com.

Lunch and Learn Chapter 4 - Nutrition Disclaimer Whilst SOFLETE does work with a Registered Nutritionist, neither George nor Matt hold this qualification, or that of a Dietician. Any discussion or recommendations given in this Chapter should not be construed as medical advice and listeners should always consult a trained clinician before attempting any nutritional intervention. Episode 2 - The Relevance of Nutrition Within The Tactical Community In this episode, George and Matt get to grips with the current state of affairs of nutrition within the tactical community. Despite what Hollywood depicts, the tactical community is not made up exclusively of ripped, muscular girls and guys, all at the apex of their physical health. In actual fact, as we've mentioned before, the tactical community acts as a pretty accurate cross-section of wider society. With that in mind, this episode gets into how the most appropriate nutritional strategy required will vary- depending on an individual's role, career stage and personal circumstances. George offers personal insight into the effects of long term MRE consumption, and how to rescue one's gut health post-deployment. He also provides some advice for those personnel who are required to operate primarily at night, or whilst on shifts/watch. Finally, the conversation drifts way above Matt's head, as George unpacks how nutritional interventions can provide hope for those with TBIs and cancer. Everything we do here at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com. During today's episode, the guys discussed a few references that you can check out for yourself, at the links below: -Dr Andy Galpin giving a great exercise physiology based overview of how the food we consume is used for energy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-hO3937Cv8) - Taylor (SOFLETE's Nutritionist) explaining some nutrition basics to Doug (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7aJTZmspRU&t=385s) - A link to the ‘SOFLEATS' series, where Doug is taught to prepare some culinary masterpieces (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPx_Hb4rSZw) - The link to the Oncology paper that George references at the end of the episode (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5746036/)

Lunch and Learn Chapter 4 - Nutrition Disclaimer Whilst SOFLETE does work with a Registered Nutritionist, neither George nor Matt hold this qualification, or that of a Dietician. Any discussion or recommendations given in this Chapter should not be construed as medical advice and listeners should always consult a trained clinician before attempting any nutritional intervention. Episode 1 - Introducing Nutrition To be fair, nutrition is definitely a topic of conversation that doesn't need to be introduced. From your mother to those annoying Youtube commercials, everyone seems to have an opinion on what you should or should not be eating. That's where SOFLETE comes in; in today's episode, George and Matt attempt to navigate the confusing and complex world of nutrition. They highlight the importance of addressing the basic dietary foundations of health and wellness, before worrying about the nuances of performance nutrition. George also discusses the necessity of establishing and maintaining a ‘healthy' relationship with food and provides insight into how he transitioned from a place of emotion based eating, to viewing food as his source of fuel and medicine. Everything we do here at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com.

In today's episode, George and Matt get the opportunity to chat with longtime SOFLETE friend, Noël Brand. Noël is a 14 year veteran of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, where he served as both a Medic SF and Physical Training Instructor. This gave him a fantastic first-hand perspective on the preparation required to build successful tactical professionals, an opportunity he capitalized upon, as he transitioned back into civilian life. He's now co-founder of Breda Strength and Conditioning, with his wife Sanne; where, for a decade, they've put this knowledge and experience into practice through running the region's premier training facility. Whilst they cater to a wide range of clients, from grandmothers to professional athletes, they specialize in preparing aspiring tactical professionals for the rigors of military selection. With a 90% success rate for individuals passing some of the toughest and most grueling selection courses around, Noël and Sanne must be something right! Listen in as George and Matt get the inside scoop on the philosophies and methods that continue to make Breda Strength and Conditioning “Built To Last”. Please see below for links to the resources that the gents mention during the podcast. - Breda S&C (https://bredasc.com/) - Noël's Linktree (https://linktr.ee/brand.sc) & IG (https://www.instagram.com/brand.sc/?hl=en) - Mike Boye's Bilateral Deficit article (https://www.strengthcoach.com/public/Unilateral-Training-and-the-Bilateral-Deficit.cfm) - ‘Mind of a Champion' by Dr. R Campbell (https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Champion-starts-your-Mindset/dp/0692917136) - ‘New Functional Training For Sports' by Mike Boyle (https://us.humankinetics.com/products/new-functional-training-for-sports-2nd-edition) - ‘Functional Training Anatomy' by Kevin Carr (https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/functional-training-anatomy-kevin-carr/1137453334) - ‘Coaching Rules' by Brendon Rearick (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1931046255/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?creative=9325&creativeASIN=1931046255&ie=UTF8&linkCode=as2&linkId=52c451b1209535a610b546bb6bb8d8a4&tag=moveasmedi08-20)

Episode 3 - How to Enhance YOUR Heart Health The ‘Be Your Own Scientist' concept is a big part of what we do here at SOFLETE. We feel that it's much better to teach you the methods, than give a rigid prescription. That way, you can figure out exactly what does and doesn't work, based on the constraints present in your own unique situation. With that being said, the last episode of this chapter is dedicated to giving you the tools needed to square away your own Heart Health. The guys teach you how to get a baseline readin, using free and easy methods like the BOLT score and resting heart rate (see below for links). Once armed with these baselines, you can implement one of the multitude of protocols suggested by George and Matt, and use regular re-tests to establish what works best for you. The key point the boys stress throughout, is that whatever method(s) you choose, they should be fun and enjoyable. So make the most of the weather getting nicer and get involved with the rest of the SOFLETE community, during the now customary end-of-chapter-challenge! Remember bonus points for phots with the coolest backdrops and don't forget to tag us #DIELIVING Everything we do here at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com. As promised, see below for some useful links: -The BOLT Score (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scy-_hWLAr0) -'The Breathing Cure' by Patrck Mckeown (https://oxygenadvantage.com/the-breathing-cure/) -How to take Resting Heart Rate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQwc-DtY5zA)

Episode 2 - The Relevance of Heart Health to the Tactical Community Despite the media portrayal that the tactical community is made up exclusively of personnel resembling Greek demi-gods (we'll admit, there are one or two- looking at you Firefighters!), we're actually a pretty representative cross-section of the civilian population. We have similar proportions of super fit people and similar proportions of those who are… maybe not so much. In this episode, the guys get into how developing heart health is vital if we want to look after the human inside the superhero costume. Using research and first hand experience, George and Matt explore the myriad of reasons why personnel on both ends of the tactical performance spectrum (from the ‘tip of the spear' to the ‘keyboard warriors') can benefit from strengthening the ‘muscle that never tires'. Everything we do here at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com. In this episode, Matt talked about a research paper on the effects of a 13 month military deployment. If you're interested in reading it for yourself, it's available for free at (https://academic.oup.com/milmed/article-pdf/175/6/417/21869085/milmed-d-09-00192.pdf)

Lunch And Learn - Chapter 3 - Heart Health - Episode 1 by SOFLETE

The second part of this episode builds on the foundations laid out in Part A. George and Matt gets into the specifics of how you can weaponize this new knowledge to help better inform your training. Based on this, George shines the spotlight on exactly what his own training looks like, both whilst competing (including in Ultra competitions and the recent Recon Challenge) as well as when he's in more of a General Physical Preparation phase. As ever, we want you to join in the conversation- either through SOFLETE's social media or by contacting the guys directly (George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com).

We're back in the Human Performance Team's virtual office, listening in as the guys break down the tale that's as old as time... Can you really train for a marathon and still bang heavyweights?! To put it simply, it depends... listen as George and Matt take a deep dive into the exercise physiology principles that govern concurrent training (the practice of combining endurance and strength training). Make no mistake, and the boys dig right down into the nuts and bolts that help form the backbone of the SOFLETE training principles, so make yourself a strong brew/wet/coffee (depending on your denomination) and buckle up! As ever, we want you to join in the conversation- either through SOFLETE's social media or by contacting the guys directly (George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com).

Performance Podcast - 68 - Tony Blauer by SOFLETE

Recon Challenge Event Reflection Podcast (Episode 3) In this episode, George breaks down all the action, laughter and tears from inside the 2021 USMC Recon Challenge. You’ll get some insider tips on how to optimize nutrition, hydration and performance psychology that are readily transferable to your endurance training and competitions. Plus hear about the 0315 reveille, the most beautiful sunrise of George’s life and getting such bad hand cramps he resembled Captain Hook… Quite simply, this is one episode you do not want to miss. During the show, George mentioned a few of the fantastic resources that are available to those specifically within the USMC Recon community: George’s interview with Honeybeard (https://youtu.be/vUTb_lNYvrw) Recon & Sniper Foundation (https://www.reconsniperfoundation.org/) Marine Recon Foundation (https://reconfoundation.org/)

Recon Challenge Training Podcast (Episode 2) It’s been 10 days since George and his teammate took an incredible 3rd place at the gruelling, annual Recon Challenge event at Camp Pendleton. In this episode of the SOFLETE Performance Podcast, we catch up with George and find out how he managed to complete the event with such a short amount of preparation. We dive into everything that has happened since the first Recon Challenge podcast four weeks ago, where George was just dusting off his Cammies. Hear how his training, sport psychology and nutrition knowledge and experience were tested to the maximum as he attempted to navigate his way through 5 monstrous weeks of preparation.

Pre-Recon Challenge Podcast (Episode 1) For most people, having a hobby like landscape photography whilst working a full time job, alongside being a husband and a Dad, is probably enough of a challenge. If you were to also add in coaching and competing in ultra-distance competitions, completing a college degree as well as being an active member of various veteran support networks, you start to get an insight into George’s life. As someone who truly embodies the SOFLETE slogan ‘Die Living’, George has never been one to back down from a challenge. So when a Recon’ Marine brother phoned George to invite him to compete in the Recon Challenge, as one of the first prior recon marine entrants, there was only going to be one answer. However, to make things even more interesting, there’s the small fact that the Challenge is only 5 weeks away! Listen along, as Matt tries to wrap his head around exactly how George plans to transform himself back into an operationally capable Recon Marine, hand tattoos and all...

Lunch And Learn Chapter 2 - Sleep - Ep 3 by SOFLETE

Lunch And Learn Chapter 2 - Sleep - Ep 2 by SOFLETE

Lunch And Learn Chapter 2 - Sleep - Ep 1 by SOFLETE

Ever wondered what it might be like to be a fly on the wall in the SOFLETE Human Performance Team's virtual office?! Join George and Matt as they sip their morning coffee and generally put the world to rights. From existentialism to the benefits of performing a heavy ruck on tired legs, the guys use this time as a chance to look at life and training from a different perspective. Drawing on personal experience, conversation with some incredible podcast guests, and professional conferences, this truly is a behind-the-curtains peek into the inner workings of the Human Performance Team. Links to some of the influential people the guys talk about: Dave Collins - (https://twitter.com/dcgreymattersuk?lang=en) Rob Orr link - (https://bond.edu.au/intl/profile/rob-orr)

Episode 3: Practical application of the Conscious Warrior System In the final episode of this first chapter, the guys discuss exactly how the Conscious Warrior System could be implemented by the tactical athlete. They explore the connections between the 6 pillars of the system and George breaks down how seeing these pillars as tools can offer new perspectives to problem solving, both at work and at home. Finally, the guys throw down the gauntlet and offer the listeners a simple challenge, allowing them to experience the Conscious Warrior System for themselves. Everything we do here at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com. As discussed in the show, the book that introduced George to the concept of Spiral Dynamics was 'Integral Psychology' by Ken Wilber (https://www.amazon.com/Integral-Psychology-Consciousness-Spirit-Therapy/dp/1570625549). The 6 Pillars of the Conscious Warrior System are: Sleep, Nutrition, Heart Health, CNS Management, Psychology State and Occupational Stress.

Episode 2: How the Conscious Warrior System is relevant to the tactical community Welcome to episode 2, where George and Matt dig into exactly how they see the Conscious Warrior System being beneficial for the tactical community. The guys acknowlege that whilst the tactical professional is different from the pro-sport athlete, there's still a lot we can learn from them about creating a performance based ecosystem that will support the individual. As part of this, George reflects back on what the original goals for the creation of the Conscious Warrior System were. He also explains how his experiences in the military, as an athlete and as a coach have provided him something of a unique perspective on what it means to be a conscious warrior. Finally, the guys talk about how the Conscious Warrior System is currently being researched and tested in the real world and tell you where to keep an eye out, if you're interested in being part of the next stage of this project. Everything we do at SOFLETE is based on adding value to our community, so if you have any ideas, requests or questions, please feel free to reach out to us- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com.

Episode 1: Introducing the Conscious Warrior System As promised, this is the first episode of chapter 1 in this Lunch and Learn series. In this episode, George and Matt discuss exactly what the Conscious Warrior System is and how the 6 pillars work to support optimal tactical performance. George gives a brief insight into the origins of this system and how it has evolved to where it is today. We're extremely excited about the potential of this project and it's been hard for us not to share more information about it, until now. With that in mind, check out this first episode and as ever, please get involved in the conversation- either through SOFLETE social media or contact George and Matt directly via George@soflete.com or Matt@soflete.com.