The Collective

Who we say we are matters, but repetition may matter more. Every habit, relationship, discipline, and environment rehearses a way of responding to the world. Eventually, practice does more than sharpen a skill, it shapes the person performing it.Today, Chance and Shaun are joined by Wade Winfrey, a Marine veteran, father, fitness coach, and sobriety advocate, and Dr. Gino Collura, a behavioural scientist whose research examines Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, trauma, social connection, and veteran reintegration. Together, we continue Wednesday's conversation by turning the question around: do our actions reveal an identity that already exists, or help create one?What are you practising without realizing it? Can disciplined action change us before belief catches up? What happens when injury, retirement, or circumstance removes the practice holding us together? And what kind of person is your current life rehearsing you to become?Join us live today at noon Mountain Time.

What does integrity cost when something you value is on the line?Isaac Miller and Matt Barnett join Chance and Shaun to explore what happens when our principles meet pressure, from relationships and work, to the decisions we have to live with.We discuss the difference between integrity and stubbornness, who else carries the consequences of our choices, and whether changing our minds can be an act of integrity.It's easy to say what we believe. The harder question is what we do when acting on it costs us approval, opportunity, money, or belonging.Where do you draw the line between compromise and giving up something you believe in? Join the conversation in the comments.Explore The Collective: https://the-collective.ca#TheCollective #Integrity #Principles

Some people are at their best when everything goes wrong.Danger provides a clear objective. Training takes over, priorities narrow, and being useful becomes simple. But when the immediate threat passes, ordinary life demands a different kind of competence, patience, ambiguity, restraint, and the ability to act without urgency.Today, we explore what happens when someone built to perform under pressure no longer has a crisis to solve. Why can peace feel uncomfortable? Why do ordinary responsibilities sometimes seem harder than extraordinary circumstances? And how do we carry forward the strengths forged in dangerous places without needing to recreate the danger?Who are you when nobody needs saving and what does being useful look like now?

Today on The Collective, Chance and Shaun sit down with Jeff Nichols and Fran Racioppi to explore a deceptively difficult question: What does excellence actually mean?Excellence is not a fixed destination. It changes with experience, responsibility, environment and purpose. What makes someone an excellent operator may not make them an excellent father, entrepreneur or leader—and the standards that build one kind of success can create tradeoffs somewhere else.The conversation examines discipline versus motivation, generational attitudes toward achievement, the importance of learning fundamentals, the growing influence of AI, and what happens when accountability and expectations lose their clarity.How do we preserve meaningful standards without allowing them to become destructive? How do we distinguish a directive from a recommendation? And how do we pursue excellence when the definition keeps changing?Because excellence is not a finish line. It is a moving target—and staying on it requires purpose, context, humility and the willingness to keep adjusting.What does excellence mean to you, and who gets to define the standard?Continue the reflection with The Reinforcement Loop, our weekly newsletter with ideas to consider and updates from The Collective. Read it and sign up here:https://the-collective.ca/the-reinforcement-loop-2/

Grace isn't giving up. It's what we learn to offer ourselves after effort, not before.Today, Shaun and I talk about responsibility, low energy, relationships, and what it means to keep showing up when we don't necessarily have much in the tank. Where is the line between recovery and avoidance? Between holding ourselves accountable and expecting more from ourselves than we currently have to give?A conversation about effort, responsibility, and learning when to give ourselves some grace without giving ourselves slack.

Some people become the ones everyone depends on. They care for others, carry responsibility, solve problems, and help hold their families, teams, and communities together.Steve Wilson joins Chance Burles and Shaun Taylor to explore a question that came from his own reflection:Have we spent so much of our lives caring for others—or teaching others to care for the collective—that we forgot to teach anyone how to care for us?This conversation examines what happens when reliability becomes an identity. Do the people closest to us know when we need support? Have we ever shown them what care looks like for us? And after years of being the strong and capable one, do we still know how to receive it?Subscribe, share the episode, and let us know: Do the people in your life know how to care for you?

Today's conversation explores a simple but unsettling question: What have you become comfortable ignoring?We spend so much time preparing for the challenges we expect that we often overlook the small signs of neglect quietly growing in our own lives. The habits we let slide. The conversations we avoid. The standards we slowly lower without realizing it.Those small compromises rarely feel significant in the moment, but over time they redefine what becomes acceptable.Joining us once again is Travis Bader as we unpack the relationship between preparedness, personal responsibility, and the invisible ways neglect shapes who we become. This isn't just a conversation about discipline, it's about awareness. Because the first step toward change is noticing what we've stopped seeing.

What would you do if time and money were no longer constraints?Travel. Have fun. Chase experiences. Do all the things you've always wanted to do.But once you've done them all... then what?Today on The Collective, we're joined by former DEVGRU Navy SEAL and strength & conditioning coach Jeff Nichols to explore what happens when we remove necessity from the equation.If nothing is required of us, what do we choose?We look at the difference between consumption and creation, the role constraint plays in giving our choices weight, and what happens when we've experienced enough, achieved enough, and accumulated enough.Do we eventually feel the need to build something? To master something? To contribute something?And if we do—Who is it for?Today, we're asking a simple question that gets harder the longer you sit with it:And then what?

Today's conversation brings together three professionals whose careers have been built around serving others under extraordinary pressure.Dr. Lucius Pomerantz approaches the same challenge through medicine, combat sports, and human performance. Jonathan Vargas has lived it firsthand as a Los Angeles firefighter and host of the GrabLives Podcast, exploring what it truly takes to sustain a life of service.Together with Shaun Taylor and Chance Burles, we'll explore a question that extends far beyond first responders:What allows someone to keep carrying responsibility without becoming consumed by it?We'll discuss resilience, identity, trauma, recovery, leadership, purpose, and the habits that either expand or diminish our capacity to serve, not just in emergency services, but as parents, partners, coaches, leaders, and human beings.Because the goal isn't simply to survive a lifetime of service.It's to remain fully human while living one.

Men are often told to “be strong.”But what happens when strength becomes an identity a man feels compelled to protect?The Strong Man Trap begins when proving our strength becomes more important than using it well.Strength can mean physical power, endurance, composure, independence, authority, influence, or control. Each can help us protect, provide, lead, and carry responsibility. Each can also become a way to conceal distress, resist correction, control others, or refuse necessary help.Joining Chance and Shaun are three men whose lives have required strength to take very different forms.Brian Churchill is an LAPD Captain and Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve whose career has moved from patrol, gang enforcement, and counterterrorism into leadership development, institutional accountability, governance, and international policy.Dean Goble is a retired Green Beret who spent 20 years in Army Special Forces and now serves the veteran and first-responder community as Director of Philanthropy at Black Rifle Coffee Company.Together, they examine what separates composure from concealment, when endurance outlasts its purpose, and how self-reliance can prevent a man from accepting the help or correction he needs.They also explore how strength should operate when it comes with authority, expertise, or status—and what happens to a man's identity when age, injury, transition, or circumstance changes what he can carry.Perhaps strength becomes a matter of character when a man asks not only what he can do, but what his capacities make him responsible for.The question is not simply whether you are strong.What does your strength serve?

Where does real change actually begin?Is it created by institutions, policies, and leadership from above? Or does it begin with ordinary people who are close enough to a problem that they decide they can no longer wait for someone else to solve it?In this episode of The Collective, Chance Burles and Shaun Taylor are joined by Mark Grdovic, Jay Cheney, and James Geering for a conversation about grassroots leadership, responsibility, and why meaningful change is almost always built from the ground up.Together, they explore why lived experience often produces the best solutions, how communities create momentum long before organizations recognize it, and what it means to stop waiting for permission and start taking ownership.Whether you're leading a team, serving your community, or simply trying to leave things better than you found them, this conversation is a reminder that lasting change rarely starts with authority—it starts with someone willing to take responsibility.Join the conversation live and let us know:Where do you believe real change begins?#TheCollectivePodcast #Leadership #Community #Veterans #FirstResponders #PersonalGrowth #Responsibility

The best coaches never stop being students.Experience is valuable. Expertise is earned. But neither guarantees continued growth.Andrew Siepka joins us for a conversation about the hidden danger of becoming too certain. Whether it's training, leadership, business, or life, the moment we believe we've figured everything out may be the moment we stop improving.We'll explore why great performers remain curious, how identity can become attached to our knowledge, and what it really means to stay coachable throughout life.Because the goal isn't to know everything.It's to never stop learning.Join us live and be part of the conversation.Live. Lead. Relate Better.

Awareness matters.But awareness alone doesn't change anything.This week on The Collective, Chance and Shaun are joined by Zak, founder of MenTell, and Sachin Latti, CBSA veteran, mental health advocate, and ultra-endurance athlete, for an honest conversation about Men's Mental Health Month, community leadership, and what meaningful change actually looks like.Together, they examine the difference between raising awareness and creating action, why constructive criticism is essential for progress, and how collaboration often accomplishes more than competition.If we're serious about improving men's mental health, the conversation can't end with recognition.It has to lead somewhere.In this episode:Is awareness enough?Action vs. intentionBuilding stronger men's communitiesCollaboration over competitionConstructive criticism and leadershipTurning conversations into measurable changeReal change isn't measured by how many people care.It's measured by what people do because they cared.Listen now and join the conversation.

Growth is celebrated.Maintenance is often ignored.We're taught to push harder, move faster, and keep climbing. But what happens when the next step forward isn't another advance?What happens when the right move is to consolidate, recover, refine, and protect what you've already built?This week, Chance and Shaun sit down with Greg Lapin and Sam Laird for a conversation about ambition, sustainability, and the discipline required to recognize the difference.Whether you're building a career, raising a family, pursuing mastery, or simply trying to make your next move count, this conversation challenges the assumption that progress always means moving forward.Sometimes the strongest move is holding the ground you've already earned.Because winning today means very little if it costs you tomorrow.#TheCollective #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Performance #Mindset #SelfDevelopment #Growth #Discipline #Longevity

Nearly 600 episodes ago, The Collective started with a simple idea:Bring together interesting people, have meaningful conversations, and see what we could learn.Since then, we've had the privilege of speaking with operators, athletes, coaches, psychologists, authors, entrepreneurs, and countless others who have challenged the way we think about life, performance, and growth.Today's episode is a chance to reflect.Shaun and I discuss the state of The Collective, the community we're building, the future of the podcast, merchandise, and what's next.Most importantly, we're asking for your feedback.What conversations have impacted you most?What would you like to see more of?How can we make this community more valuable?The Collective has always been a shared project. This conversation is about making sure we're headed in the right direction.We're listening.

Psychedelics are often seen as a gateway to insight, healing, and transformation—but the reality is more complicated.In this episode, we break down what these experiences actually offer, where people get misled, and why the real work begins after the experience ends.We explore:The difference between genuine insight and convincing illusionWhy powerful experiences don't always lead to real changeThe trap of chasing deeper and more intense “breakthroughs”What it means to actually integrate what you've seenThis isn't about promoting or condemning psychedelics. It's about looking at them clearly—and understanding the responsibility that comes with them.

Travel is more than movement. It's exposure to uncertainty, culture, risk, discomfort, growth, and perspective.In this episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun sit down with Christian Lane, former CBSA officer turned advocate and podcaster, and Boris Milinkovich, former Canadian military and security, safety, and preparedness expert, to discuss what it truly means to move through the world.From borders and human behavior to situational awareness, preparedness, adaptability, and the psychology of travel, this conversation explores how movement changes us — and what experienced operators notice that most people miss.Topics include:Situational awareness while traveling Reading environments and human behavior Preparedness and contingency planning Borders, security, and risk assessment Why discomfort creates growth Travel as a tool for perspective and self-development The balance between awareness and fear What movement teaches us about ourselves The Collective is a weekly podcast centered around becoming better every day through conversation, curiosity, and shared experience.#podcast #travel #preparedness #situationalawareness #mindset #personaldevelopment #security #selfimprovement

Most of what we think we know comes from controlled environments—practice, planning, conversation. But there's a difference between understanding something and stepping into it.Field time closes that gap.This week, Dallas Alexander and Seb Lavoie join us to talk about the lessons that only come from being out there—where things get tested, mistakes carry weight, and you start to see what actually holds up when conditions aren't ideal.Different paths, same reality: learning through doing. Adjusting in real time. Building something that works when it matters.We get into what the field reveals, how to create those conditions in your own life, and how to know if what you're building will hold up when things don't go to plan.

Every decision we make begins with a line.Sometimes it's tentative, sketched lightly in pencil.Other times it's decisive, carved with a sword.On this episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun sit down with Randy Turner and Seb Lavoie to explore the act of drawing the line — when to be flexible, when to commit, and how those choices shape our path forward.We dive into:Recognizing when a line should be tentative and adjustableHow decisiveness creates momentum in lifeThe tension between staying open and standing firmThe psychological and practical impact of the lines we drawLife is full of choices. Every line you draw, and every decision you make, shapes the life you build.Which side of the line are you on — pencil or sword?

Color makes things easy.Black & white forces you to actually see.When color is stripped away, what remains is contrast, light, shadow, texture, and story. The fundamentals of photography become impossible to ignore.In Vet Photo Contest 6, the theme is Black & White. Veterans from across the community submitted their work, each interpreting the theme through their own lens and experience.Today on The Collective, Shaun and I are joined by Pat Miller and Seb Lavoie as we break down the submissions, discuss what makes an image stand out, and explore how removing color changes the way we interpret a photograph.Different perspectives. Different interpretations. Same challenge: seeing what others overlook.Vet Photo Contest Theme: Black & WhiteSubscribe to The Collective for weekly conversations on photography, mindset, performance, and continual improvement.

Simplicity is not basic. It's disciplined.In this episode of The Collective, we examine the KISS principle — why simple systems outperform complex ones in high-performance environments.Joined by Greg Everett and Steve Gowin, we explore how complexity often masks insecurity, why elite performers return to fundamentals, and how tangible, repeatable habits solve problems that overthinking never will.From Olympic lifting to leadership, from training to communication, this conversation breaks down how reducing variables creates clarity — and how clarity creates execution.What we cover:Why complicated systems collapse under stressHow ego drives unnecessary complexityThe fundamentals that solve 80% of problemsWhy simple habits outperform elaborate plansHow to build systems that scale under pressureIf you feel overwhelmed, the answer may not be more strategy.It may be subtraction.

Color makes things easy.Black & white forces you to actually see.When color is stripped away, what remains is contrast, light, shadow, texture, and story. The fundamentals of photography become impossible to ignore.In Vet Photo Contest 6, the theme is Black & White. Veterans from across the community submitted their work, each interpreting the theme through their own lens and experience.Today on The Collective, Shaun and I are joined by Pat Miller and Seb Lavoie as we break down the submissions, discuss what makes an image stand out, and explore how removing color changes the way we interpret a photograph.Different perspectives. Different interpretations. Same challenge: seeing what others overlook.Vet Photo Contest Theme: Black & WhiteSubscribe to The Collective for weekly conversations on photography, mindset, performance, and continual improvement.

What makes a veteran?Is it combat?Deployment?Time served?Or is it something deeper — something internal?In this episode of The Collective, we sit down with Rudy Reyes, to unpack one of the most loaded questions inside the military community:What actually defines a veteran?Many who served hesitate to claim the title unless they've seen war. Others believe expanding the definition weakens it.We go beyond the legal definition and into the internal one:Does combat define veterancy?Why do veterans measure themselves against each other?Where does the anger inside the community come from?What happens to your moral framework after the uniform comes off?Do you ever truly become a civilian again?The word veteranus means “experienced.”Not broken.Not shot at.Experienced.This is not a surface-level discussion.This is about identity, responsibility, and the standard you choose to live by after service.Because the hardest question isn't public.It's private.Was it enough?

Context changes everything.In this episode of The Collective, we examine how external situations shape behavior—and how internal narratives shape interpretation. The same action can be praised in one environment and punished in another. Without context, judgment fails. Without introspection, growth stalls.Shaun and Chance are joined by Kia Tualla to explore the relationship between environment, identity, ego, and awareness. Together, they unpack how to recognize when the rules have shifted, how to recalibrate without losing yourself, and why disciplined self-reflection is essential for leadership, relationships, and high performance.This conversation bridges military, cultural, and civilian perspectives to ask a critical question: are you misreading your environment—or misreading yourself?What you'll explore:How context reshapes meaningWhen strength becomes a liabilityThe difference between introspection and ruminationEgo, identity, and adaptive judgmentHow to align external reality with internal awarenessDeeper conversations. Lived experience. Practical insight you can apply immediately.

What happens to brotherhood when the uniform comes off and the structure disappears?In this episode of The Collective, we explore how real trust and loyalty are rebuilt when there's no rank, no mandate, and no mission forcing people together. When the systems that once created proximity vanish, most people drift. This conversation asks what actually holds when everything else is stripped away.Shaun and Chance are joined by Ben Strahan, and Jarred Taylor—each bringing perspective from vastly different worlds: wildfire hotshot crews, and veteran-led media and post-service networks. Together, they break down how brotherhood is engineered from zero using skills, contribution, and earned trust rather than shared history alone.This isn't about nostalgia or elite teams—it's about rebuilding connection deliberately. We discuss the first calls made when life collapses, the silent rules that separate a crew from a crowd, the fractures that quietly kill loyalty, and how to draw hard boundaries without burning bridges. One story, layered perspectives, and practical insights you can apply immediately.What you'll explore:Who earns the first call when everything falls apartThe difference between shared history and real trustSilent rules that define true brotherhoodWhen loyalty becomes liabilityHow to rebuild strong networks after structure is goneNew conversations every week focused on turning lived experience into practical lessons to live, lead, and relate better.

What if the story you tell yourself about being “broken” is the safest way to stay exactly where you are?In this live episode of The Collective, we're unpacking safe narratives — the comfortable stories we use to avoid accountability, justify stagnation, and stay loyal to an identity that no longer serves us. From “I'm too messed up from service” to “I'll start tomorrow,” we're calling out how these narratives quietly run the show for veterans, first responders, and high performers.We'll explore:How “I'm broken” becomes an identity instead of a starting point for growthWhy pain and trauma feel safer than uncertainty and changeThe difference between real healing and hiding behind your storyPractical ways to challenge your own narrative and lead yourself forwardThis episode sets the stage for tomorrow's conversation with:Tyler Grey – former Delta Force operator, actor, author, and advocate helping veterans find purpose beyond the uniformSebastien Lavoie – former Canadian Infantry and RCMP Emergency Response Team Sergeant Major, now a security professional and outspoken voice on leadership and human performanceQuestions to sit with as you watch:Where am I defending my damage instead of building from it?What story about my past do I keep repeating to avoid taking the next hard step?If I dropped the “broken” label, what responsibility would that put back on me today?If you're a veteran, first responder, or driven civilian who's done with excuses and ready for unfiltered truth, this one's for you.

You objectify people every day.So do we.Tall. Short. Strong. Fragile.Well-dressed. Exhausted. Confident. Dangerous.In less than a second, your brain can turn a stranger into an object. That doesn't make you cruel—it makes you human. The real question is whether we stay there.On this episode of The Collective, we're joined by Chris Lee, former Green Beret turned coach, and John Vargas, firefighter and paramedic. Together, we dive into the unavoidable tension between objectification, perception, and personhood.We explore how humans start as objects in our cognition—but with familiarity, exposure, and conversation, they become subjects deserving of dignity and respect. Leadership, ethics, and character are revealed in whether we move past first impressions and see a human being.This is not abstract philosophy. It's grounded in military and emergency response experiences, where split-second assessments can save lives—or strip dignity. From strangers on the street to teammates in high-risk environments, this conversation challenges how we perceive, interact, and lead.

Wearables are tracking more than ever—heart rate, sleep, stress, recovery—but what do all those numbers actually mean for how you live, train, and make decisions? In this episode of The Collective, Shaun and Chance sit down with experts in biometric technology to unpack how data from your body can become real-world wisdom.​Our guests:Latha Nachiyamai – Program Manager, Biosensor Platform Technology at Garmin Canada. Latha manages the research, development, and integration of biosensors—including optical heart rate, SpO2, and ECG—into Garmin's wearable products. Scott Burgett - Senior Director of Garmin Health Engineering since 2015. He has responsibility for managing biosensor innovation and development globally at Garmin.We dig into:What biometrics like heart rate, HRV, SpO2, and ECG can truly tell you—and what they can't.How Garmin and other wearables turn biosensor data into usable insights for athletes and everyday users.The risks of over-focusing on metrics vs actually listening to your body.Practical ways to use biometric data to live, train, and recover better.​

The Collective is back. In this episode, Shaun and Chance sit down after the break to talk about what they've been doing off‑camera, what's changing in 2026, and where the podcast and channel are headed next.​We dig into:How the time off shifted our own priorities and habits.The vision for The Collective: deeper conversations, sharper storytelling, and more practical takeaways.​Most importantly, we want to hear from you:What topics do you want us to explore?Who do you want to see on the show?What formats do you want more of—live chats, deep dives, story breakdowns?Drop your ideas in the comments so we can overlay your experience into future episodes.

In this episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun turn real-life experience into practical lessons on fatherhood, responsibility, and intentional living.This conversation overlays lived experience—from parenting and leadership to navigating complex environments—to extract action-oriented insights you can apply immediately. Rather than theory or performance talk, this episode focuses on awareness, decision-making, and how small choices compound over time.Topics explored include:Intentional parenting and building capable, resilient childrenResponsibility as a foundation for leadership and self-regulationManaging attention and emotional bandwidth in a distracted worldFamily dynamics, social environments, and modern pressureGrowth mindset through lived experience, not motivationThis is a deeper conversation designed to help you live, lead, and relate better—at home, at work, and in everyday life.The Collective turns experience into understanding, and understanding into change.Weekly episodes every Friday.

Why do we sabotage the things we say we want?Why do we shrink ourselves, hesitate, or pull back right when progress is within reach?In this episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun sit down with Alana Stott — author, advocate, and speaker — to unpack the mechanics of self-sabotage: where it comes from, why it continues, and how we break the cycle.Together we explore:• Childhood patterns and internalized stories that shape adult behavior• The fear of success — and why it's more common than fear of failure• Why we mistrust good things when we've learned to expect the opposite• How self-sabotage hides inside “being realistic,” “staying humble,” or “not wanting to be a burden”• The disconnect between what we want and what we believe we deserve• What accountability actually looks like — and why awareness alone isn't enough• How to stop shrinking yourself to make others comfortableThis conversation is raw, honest, and deeply human.If you've ever felt stuck, hesitant, or trapped by your own patterns, this episode will help you see the loop clearly — and step out of it.New episodes of The Collective every week.Join us as we learn, build, and grow — together.#TheCollective #SelfSabotage #AlanaStott #Mindset #Growth #TraumaPatterns #PersonalDevelopment #FearOfSuccess

Imitation to Innovation — A Conversation with Isaac Miller & Pat Miller | The CollectiveIn this episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun sit down with returning guest Isaac Miller (Marine Corps veteran, tech founder) and Pat Miller (Canadian SOF veteran, armourer, and photographer) to explore one of the most fundamental forces behind human progress:Where does imitation end… and true innovation begin?Across two hours of deep conversation, the crew dives into:

What does real friendship look like — especially for men who've spent their lives in service, leadership, and high-stress environments?In this episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun sit down with Seb Lavoie and Rob Farrer, two long-serving RCMP members, to explore the deeper layers of friendship: how it forms, how it changes, and why it matters more than most of us admit.This conversation goes far beyond “having buddies.”We dig into:The difference between proximity friendships and chosen friendshipsWhy trust is built in small, consistent repsEmotional bandwidth — and why we're selective about who gets accessHow vulnerability affects connection (and why it's not the same as oversharing)Male friendship patterns: loyalty, silence, and the pressure to “be fine”Attachment styles, safety, and the hidden rules we bring into relationshipsWhy intimacy isn't exclusively romantic — it's humanSeb and Rob share candid stories from policing, team environments, and personal life, revealing how friendship anchors identity, provides accountability, and shapes our emotional landscape.If you've ever struggled to connect, outgrown old friendships, or wondered why some relationships feel effortless while others drain you — this episode offers the clarity, honesty, and depth you've been looking for.Welcome to The Collective — where conversations build better humans.#TheCollective #Friendship #SebLavoie #RobFarrer #RCMP #Brotherhood #Connection #Mindset #EmotionalIntelligence #MenTalking

Why do the most skilled people make the hardest things look effortless?In this episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun sit down with Seb Lavoie, retired RCMP ERT Sgt. Major, jiu-jitsu black belt, performance coach, and long-time student of skill acquisition, to break down The Skill Paradox: the strange reality that mastery hides the work it requires.Together we explore the mechanics behind true skill: coordination, sequencing, timing, and the ability to simplify complexity through deliberate practice. From martial arts to leadership to everyday learning, Seb unpacks how skill is built, why beginners struggle, and what separates performers from masters.We dig into:-Why elite performers look relaxed even under pressure-The hidden layers of coordination behind “simple” movements-How slowing down reveals what's really happening in technique-Why ego is the enemy of mastery-The difference between competence and understanding-What makes teaching harder than doing-How to build skill through calibration, principles, and repsThis episode is about growth, learning, and the mindset required to pursue mastery, one rep, one adjustment, one sequence at a time.#TheCollective #SkillParadox #Mastery #JiuJitsu #Performance #TrainingMindset #Coaching #GrowthMindset

In a time when everything can be learned or simulated online, the body remains the ultimate teacher.In this episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun sit down with Mark Ormrod, Josh Tyler, and Andrea Ross to explore Physical Wisdom in a Digital Age — the intersection of movement, mindset, and meaning. Together, they discuss the lessons we only learn through action, pain, and presence — and what it takes to stay grounded in a world that's always online.Guests:

What does it mean to represent Canada?In this episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun sit down with Zak, founder of The Canadian Podcast and founder of Mentell.ca and Seb Lavoie, former RCMP ERT and performance coach, to explore Canadiana: The identity, pride, and responsibility that come with being part of this country.From quiet professionalism and humility to accountability, service, and modern division, the discussion examines what makes a good Canadian and how our national identity is shifting in a world driven by comfort, technology, and constant noise. Through real stories, reflection, and perspective, this conversation asks us to consider: Are we living up to the ideals we say we stand for?

Before Shaun heads off to Asia, we take a moment to slow down and reflect. In this episode of The Collective, it's just the two of us, talking about the transitions ahead, the lessons learned from the past few months, and what's next for The Collective as we begin releasing our recorded conversations.From travel and change to rhythm and routine, this is a grounded conversation on staying intentional while life shifts around us. Sometimes, stepping away gives us the space to see the bigger picture and this episode captures that pause.

Who are you when no one's watching, and who do you become when the world's looking back?In this episode of The Collective, We sit down to explore The Persona: the masks we wear, the authenticity we chase, and the growth that comes when we bridge the two.Matt Barnett – Founder of Bonetti Explosives in Texas, Matt blends creativity with precision as a craftsman and entrepreneur. His insights on leadership, personal responsibility, and authenticity come from years of balancing risk, craftsmanship, and self-awareness.Gordon Hurley – A Canadian Armed Forces veteran turned creative director and filmmaker, Gordon channels his experiences into design, apparel, and documentary storytelling that explore identity, service, and the pursuit of purpose.Eric Tung – A police commander and wellness advocate from Washington State, Eric leads with empathy and discipline. As the host of Blue Grit Radio and creator of Blue Grit Wellness, he focuses on leadership, mental health, and helping others align their mission with their mindset.This discussion unpacks how identity is built through challenge, reflection, and purpose. Revealing how each persona we adopt can either protect us or hold us back.#TheCollective #ThePersona #Leadership #Authenticity #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #VeteranVoices #Podcast #SelfReflection #BeBetterEveryDay

Everything great starts with a foundation. Values, lessons, and purpose forged through challenge and vision. In this episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun sit down with US Army Major General (Ret.) John Gronski, USMC Master Sergeant (Ret.) John Dailey, and US Army Ranger SGM (Ret.) Mike Burke to explore the origins and ethos that shaped elite organizations like the US Army, The Marine Raiders and the 75th Rangers.Together, they reflect on the principles that stand the test of time, how those lessons transfer to leadership and life today, and what it truly means to build something that lasts.

What does it take to truly bring people together?On this episode of The Collective, we dive into the art of facilitation — guiding without dominating, bridging worlds without breaking them apart, and turning friction into growth.Joining us are Alan Shebaro, former US Army Green Beret, Martial Artist with both Judo and BJJ black belts, now retired world traveler, and Clay Surratt, former U.S. Army infantryman, social worker, now martial arts gym owner and coach. Together, we explore how to hold space for voices that clash, create connection across communities, and grow through understanding.Tune in to learn:How facilitation builds trust across diverse communitiesStrategies for guiding without controllingLessons from military, martial arts, and social work on connection and leadershipDon't miss this conversation about connection, growth, and the power of facilitation.

No plan, just purpose. Chance & Shaun explore leadership, pride, and the patterns that shape us — in life, work, and the field.In this unscripted episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun dive deep into what happens when leadership falters — and how pride, purpose, and accountability can keep us on track. From painting fences in the summer heat to handling explosives in Afghanistan, the conversation explores lessons learned through experience, mistakes, and mentorship.They discuss the danger of losing your “why,” the importance of calling out patterns before they become problems, and how true leadership exists at every level — from the field to the boardroom to the family. Featuring audience insights, laughter, and honest moments of reflection, this episode reminds us that we're all responsible for the standards we live by.

What do you do when the plan collapses? When the future looks uncertain and success has to be redefined?In this episode of The Collective, we dive into the raw reality of adaptability—what it means to thrive when everything changes.Featuring:Steve Gowin – US Army Veteran, seasoned Law Enforcement Professional, Tactical Leader, now Coach & EntrepreneurDean Stott – Former UK Special Forces Operator, World Record-Breaking Adventurer, Security ConsultantJames Geering – Former Firefighter & Host of the acclaimed Behind the Shield Podcast with over 1,000 episodes on resilience and serviceTogether, we explore:Is adaptability a skill you can train—or a mindset earned through trial and error?How do you stay grounded in your principles when everything shifts?What anchors you when the mission changes mid-stride?And what does success look like when the original plan no longer works?

How do you pass on wisdom so it actually takes root? In this episode of The Collective, host Chance sits down with three men who have not only lived hard lessons but have mastered the art of communicating them so others can truly absorb their impact.Mike Burke — Former U.S. Army Ranger and seasoned entrepreneur, bringing insight from both the battlefield and the boardroom.Dave Grossman — Retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, law enforcement officer, and bestselling author of On Combat and On Killing, known worldwide for his powerful keynotes on human performance and leadership.Chris Burns — Former comic book artist turned Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and instructor, recognized on social media for his blunt, no-bones approach to sharing hard truths.In this conversation, we explore:How to transfer hard-earned lessons so they resonate with people who haven't lived themWhat makes a message memorable—and what causes it to be forgottenTechniques for teaching, mentoring, and communicating wisdom across generationsThe responsibility of those who've learned through struggle to pass that wisdom onIf you're interested in mentorship, leadership, or simply making sure the lessons you've fought to learn don't fade away, this episode will show you how to make your voice last.

Curiosity is more than a passing thought—it's the engine of discovery and the driver of real growth.In this episode of The Collective, Shaun and Chance sit down with two guests who know how to turn questions into action:Arjun Grewal — a first-generation Canadian who forged his own path from university to deployment in Kabul, then into Canada's Special Operations Forces (JTF2). Fluent in multiple languages, Arjun's unique perspective carried him from Special Operations to leadership roles in technology and venture capital.Randy Turner — JTF2 veteran, former professional MMA fighter, and founder of Direct Action Combat, where he trains military, law enforcement, and civilians in full-spectrum combatives and mental resilience.Together we explore:How curiosity shapes personal and professional evolutionWhy asking better questions leads to stronger leadershipWhat it really takes to stay open to growth in high-pressure environments

To Be or Not To Be: Would You Die for an Idea?What would you give everything for? A flag, a medal, a person, or a cause greater than yourself? Today on The Collective, we step into the timeless question of sacrifice and meaning: to be, or not to be.Joining us is Clay Surratt — former U.S. Army soldier, martial arts instructor, and social worker — who brings a unique perspective from both battlefield experience and his work helping others off it. Together, we explore the weight of choosing what (or who) is worth dying for, and what it really means to live with purpose.