Straighttalkmindandmuscle's Podcast

I want to extend a sincere thank you to Lieutenant Commander Kegan “SMURF” Gill, U.S. Navy (Ret.), former F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot, for making this connection possible with Justin SheehanKegan’s commitment to helping high-performance professionals is phenomenal, and he continues to bring important voices and real-world experience to a wider audience. Kegan — I appreciate the trust and the bridge you built here.Justin Sheehan is a former SEAL Team Six operator, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor, and coach whose experience spans elite special operations, traumatic brain injury recovery, and high-performance training. His career placed him in environments where discipline, adaptability, and resilience were not concepts — they were survival requirements. Today, he applies those lessons to coaching athletes, civilians, and professionals seeking durability in both body and mind.Justin’s perspective is shaped by hard realities. He speaks openly about the hidden toll of traumatic brain injuries — not only from combat,

This week, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Dr. Krista Fazio, a Doctor of Physical Therapy based in Portugal to discuss the evolving role of physical therapy, the importance of strength and mobility for longevity and pain reduction, and the rise of female practitioners.Train like an athlete. Move better. Feel stronger.
Dr. K is a Doctor of Physical Therapy based in Portugal who represents the modern evolution of her profession. Working with clients across performance, rehabilitation, and longevity, her work focuses on restoring strength, mobility, and resilience so people can return not just to baseline—but to capability.Her company, FitPhysio, Krista provides cutting-edge, science-backed rehab and training programs to clients both online and in-person. Her approach blends the best of physical therapy and strength training to help a wide range of clients... from professional athletes to individuals looking to rebuild strength, and optimize their movement for longevity. Krista’s philosoph

Rob Ingram, Inside McDojo Life: Real Self-Defense vs. Rule-Based FantasyFounder of McDojo Life3rd Degree Karate Black BeltCo-founder of academysafe.orgThis week, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Rob Ingram, known globally as McDojo Life. He has spent nearly three decades inside the martial arts world as a practitioner, instructor, and insider. With 28 years of experience across multiple disciplines, and a 3rd Degree Karate Black Belt, he has become one of the most visible voices exposing corruption, abuse, and fraud.We spoke about an amazing range of topics, from Sarah Haspel’s brilliant invention - “The BESTIE” co-designed by a Rocket Scientist, safety from sexual predators for kids and females in martial arts, founding a USA wide database of convicted and fake “senseis”, Tim Kennedy the green beret turned UFC fighter to Pressure Testing martial arts for real world self defence!Rob’s work shines a light on a hard truth: martial arts in the United States operates largely without regulation,

This week, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Danny Green. The last interview to publish for 2025!4 x World Champion Professional Boxer.Founder of the Coward’s Punch Campaign.Co-Founder of UBXDanny rose from a working-class upbringing in Perth to become one of Australia’s most respected world boxing champions, representing his country at the Commonwealth Games and the Sydney Olympics before conquering the professional ranks on the global stage.Along the way, Danny forged a reputation not just for power in the ring, but for relentless mental toughness, discipline, and resilience under pressure. From the brutal realities of dropping 3 weight classes and fighting through broken hands and cracked ribs, to navigating the difficult transition from amateur to professional boxing, his career became a long study in perseverance, self-belief, and adapting without losing your core identity.Beyond competition, Danny reflects on the people who kept him grounded — His wife Nina- his family, lifelong friends,

This week, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Rachel Godfrey- Blonde. Wild. Spiritual. Disruptive. Delusionally Optimistic.

Rachel is a former physiotherapist, professional trainer, and high-performance mentor with over 19 years of experience operating at the intersection of health, strength, and leadership. She has built multiple performance consulting and digital businesses, advised senior executives and entrepreneurs, and had her work published globally in outlets including Oxygen Magazine, Shape, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Fitness, Entrepreneur.com, the Sydney Morning Herald, and The National UAE. Known as the “A-Players Mentor” and co-director of Chase Life Consulting, Rachel has earned a reputation for working with people who operate at the top — and who refuse to be managed with soft answers.At the core of Rachel’s work is a simple but confronting question: do you want kindness, or do you want nice? Raised as a tomboy in Wales, forged through rugby, and shaped early in her career by treating s

Firstly I would like to thank my friend and all around amazing human Judd Lienhard for introducing me to LMNT while we were in Texas at his gym and podcast studio formaking this amazing episode happen. You can reach him at https://www.juddlienhard.com/This week, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Luis Villaseñor- the co-founder of KetoGains and a driving force behind the formulation of LMNT and a Co- Founder.In his words “After years of coaching people who were doing everything ‘right’ and still failing, I started asking a simple question: what’s the one variable we’re all missing? The answer wasn't exotic or complicated. It was basic physiology. Humans don’t run on willpower—they run on electrolytes. And when you fix the foundation, performance, clarity, and resilience follow. Good science isn’t proprietary knowledge; it’s practical common sense. That principle became the backbone of everything I create.””Luis is a co-founder of LMNT, a hydration company built on evidence, not marketing mythol

Firstly I would like to thank my friend and podcast sponsors Samantha and Shaun Sargent of STAIT FOR MEN for making this amazing episode happen.This week, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Mark Direen,, a former soldier and special forces operator with the Australian SAS.- turned Author, Adventurer and Public speaker.Mark’s journey from military service to adventuring, public speaking, and writing is nothing short of inspiring. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation that I think you’ll find both intriguing and motivating:We discuss the evolution of purpose, identity, and connection. He reflects on the challenges of transition, the value of adventure and resilience, and the importance of controlling what you can in life. Mark offers practical advice on embracing new experiences, maintaining authenticity, and applying lessons from high-stress environments to everyday challenges, inspiring listeners to live more fully and intentionally.He shares his journey of evolving purpose from mil

Firstly I would like to thank my friend and podcast sponsor Shaun Sargent of STAIT FOR MEN for making this amazing episode happen.This week, I had the honor of speaking with Mike Bates- Former MOD Covert Operations Leader, Commando & Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt turned solo ocean rower, community builder and entrepreneur.There's no-one in the world with Mike's experience.Mike brings exceptional credibility: he served two decades in the UK’s Royal Marines and the Ministry of Defence, rising to become a human-intelligence specialist and covert counter-terrorism operations leader ( AKA James Bond, and leading other Bond teams) and was the first officer in the MOD to pass all the required front-line counter-terror courses.Following that elite career, he turned ultra-endurance athlete, completing the 3,000-mile solo row across the Atlantic in just 46 days 6 hours 10 minutes — the fastest Briton and first solo finisher of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. He now co-founds and leads the mission-driven co

Firstly I would like to thank my friend and expert Alan Brosnan for making this amazing episode happen.This week, I had the honor of speaking with René Ashford- a VICTOR of years of abuse, René’s mission and mandate is clear - to save lives! Repeated sexual assaults, multiple violent relationships and addictions to drugs and alcohol led René down a dark and lonely path which included multiple suicide attempts, the earliest when she was only 9 years old.René is now the Australian Ambassador for the National Association of Adult Child Abuse Survivors (NAASCA) and a most amazing human who has gone on to become an inspiring Australian author and Public Speaker who has turned her harrowing experiences of child abuse into a powerful mission to educate and protect others.René’s story is a powerful reminder that we can all play a part in protecting children and breaking the cycle of abuse. Her book, Battlescars are Beautiful: From Victim To Victory, is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand and combat child abu

In this episode  - I  interview Ali Gilbert, a decorated fitness professional specialising in men’s health and testosterone optimisation for men over 40. 

Closely aligned with the world famous Marek Health -she is the creator of Silverback Coaching - An Elite Concierge Health & Performance System for Men in the top 1% Who Win in Business—and Want the Body to Match. We talked all things Testosterone optimisation, nutrition and fitness. We discuss the stigmas around testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), debunk myths about prostate cancer and heart risks, and highlight the importance of holistic health—addressing lifestyle, nutrition, and hormone balance. We also spoke about the upcoming Silverback Summit, a men’s health event fostering education and community. Here a sneak preview what we talked about -Dr Kirk Parsley's WorkMark Bell PodcastDave LeeHormone Replacement Therapy for WomenBoronZincPregnenoloneTestosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)AnastrozoleFree TestosteroneSHBG (Sex Hormone-Bind

In this episode  - I  interview Scott Bryson- who spent three decades in law enforcement, from the streets of Charlotte to the White House, in the Secret Service.He has protected President George Bush on his security detail, been a Member of the CAT ( Counter Assault Team) and worked all aspects of the Secret Service and international assignments.His core philosophy: service over ego. The “switched-on” mindset—calm under stress, decisive in chaos—matters more than size, rank, or background. Protection is about preparation, vigilance, and routine discipline, not Hollywood heroics.Today, Scott applies the same lessons in schools, executive protection, and public education. He emphasizes authenticity, integrity, and the power of words to lead and protect. His advice is simple but actionable: build situational awareness, carry tools that work, train realistically, plan for transitions, and never forget that survival—not engagement—is the goal.Through his podcast Beyond the Service and direct outreach, S

In this episode  - I  interview British Strength coach Alex Miller, who shares insights from his journey working with Kabuki Strength and Chris Duffin and developing the first ever AI App for strength coaching mechanics.

Alex is a coach, strength scientist, and systems architect whose work combines biomechanics, physiology, and adaptive programming. Drawing on models of fatigue from Noakes, Marcora, and Enoka, he develops falsifiable, stress-indexed frameworks for training that have been applied to multiple world-record level athletes.He is the mind behind LiftLab, a platform that unifies neuromechanical profiling, force-vector taxonomy, and autoregulation with real-time data from velocity tracking and pose estimation. He also develops CueUp, an open-source Python engine for automated exercise analysis and program generation. Grounded in critical rationalism, his work treats every prescription as a testable hypothesis,  bridging sports science, philosophy, and engineering to advance evide

Will overcame severe physical injuries and mental health struggles after his service. Will shares his journey from being told he'd be wheelchair-bound by 35 to running across Australia to raise awareness for veteran mental health. 

Will is a veteran, ultra-endurance athlete, father of five, and founder of The Vital Way® — a framework built to recalibrate the nervous system, reclaim health, and awaken true leadership.

He’s run 81 consecutive ultramarathons across Australia setting multiple world records, mentors executives and entrepreneurs on becoming conscious creators, and he is building Forged® — the world’s first clinical reintegration program for Veterans transitioning from military life to the civilian world.
We Speak About What Will Chooses to Perform Best as a Father, Husband, Business Owner, Athlete and Guinness World Record Holder- Spoiler Alert- it’s Stait! Read THAT story here- https://staitformen.com/blogs/stait-team/what-will-burnett-chooses-to-shows-up-best-as-a-father-h

In this episode, I interview Zach Naylor, owner of TenetCo Knives and an active law enforcement intelligence officer. Zach discusses how his law enforcement background inspires his mission to create practical, affordable everyday carry tools for ordinary people. Zach’s unique blend of tactical expertise and creative craftsmanship make for a fascinating conversation you won’t want to miss.The conversation covers the design and function of his knives and specialist tools, the influence of Japanese and Native American aesthetics, and the importance of situational awareness and mindset in self-defense. Zach emphasizes empowering citizens with discreet, effective tools and shares insights on balancing creativity with real-world safety needs.
Zach’s unique perspective—shaped by years in corrections, intelligence, and hands-on toolmaking—offers a refreshing, practical approach to everyday carry (EDC) and self-defense.

In this episode I sit down with Simon Carkeek from PracMed, a New Zealand-based company focused on practical first aid training. Simon shares how PracMed’s hands-on, evidence-based approach has saved 127 lives by emphasizing essential skills like bleeding control and airway management. The discussion covers the importance of confidence, real-world scenarios, and mental health support for responders. Simon also talks about his military background, the company’s high training standards, and their mission to empower people to act decisively in emergencies, both in New Zealand and globally.In Simon’s words- “"It all began with a vision of a better way.After spending nearly 7 years working in hostile environments around the globe, I returned home and started working in industry training.  Simon saw firsthand how poor the quality training was in NZ, and how many organisations treat courses as ‘tick-the-box’ exercises only for compliance. He knew that in order to save more New Zealanders from preventa

In this amazing episode, I sit down with Kegan "SMURF" Gill, a former U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter pilot who survived the fastest ejection in naval aviation history — launched from his jet at 695 mph- at 50 G’s.The injuries he sustained in that moment were severe enough to kill most people — limbs torn apart and a traumatic brain injury among them. But Kegan’s ordeal didn’t end there.After ejecting, Kegan plunged into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean, battling hypothermia, sharks and drowning for two hours as rescue teams rushed to find him. Miraculously, his hypothermic state helped prevent fatal blood loss. This was just the beginning of his fight for survival.We discuss Kegan’s journey through:-The severe psychotic episodes and dehumanizing treatments he faced after his brain injury.-His struggle to find proper mental health care, pushing him to eventually seek alternative treatments, including psychedelic therapy and nutraceutical interventions through the Warrior Angels Foundation.-The criti

ASHLEIGH GASS- A CANADIAN IN FLORIDA-MERGING GYMNASTICS STRENGTH TRAINING (Calisthenics)  WITH TRADITIONAL STRENGTH TRAINING NUTRITION/MOBILITY/STRETCHING/MOVEMENT/STRENGTH/ www.movegst.com Firstly let me apologise for the very inconsiderate Australian wildlife you will hear in the show- bloody crows and kookaburras!! But I digress- on with the show! Ashleigh Gass- owner of movegst.com, based in Florida, successfully grew her business during the dark ages of 2020-2022 and I was intrigued to find out exactly how she did it. The answer lay in three words- EVOLVE, GROW & DISOBEY. The lockdown saw the team launch online in 2020, at a time much like Body Synergy gym in NZ Dunedin did, and stayed ahead of the curve. We spoke about former Olympic Coach Christopher Sommer’s programming and how it saved her body post neural surgery and  by simply following the process from baby beginner steps to where she is now- it works.Ash has adapted the exercise programming  at movegst.com to combine GYMNASTICS

From high school dropout to licensed attorney to military magistrate to emergency physician, Dr. Jenn’s path defies convention and embodies grit. 
Allow me to introduce Dr. Jenn properly -Jennifer L'Hommedieu Stankus, MD, JD, FACEPBoard Certified Emergency PhysicianProducer, Military & Law Enforcement content, American Stories Entertainment Past Chair, Emergency Medicine FoundationLicensed attorney and Former military magistrateCourtroom Expert Witness - Comprehensive Medical Legal Consultants, LLCThis means Dr. Jenn is an ER doc, lawyer, military vet x 2, former LEO and reality tv star.Her background fuses combat-tested discipline, medical precision, and legal expertise into a life of service, leadership, and high-stakes decision-making.But it wasn’t always clear she'd end up here. Dr. Jenn opens up about her early years—dropping out of high school at 16 and enlisting in the military at 17. That decision changed everything. From there, she cultivated a mindset forg

Ania Drozd never set out to become a clinical movement specialist. She began, instead, with a single question: Why? Why do people move the way they do? Why does pain persist even after treatment? Why do standard protocols so often fall short?The answers weren’t in the textbooks. They were in the body. And they were inside her own.Raised in a family where sports were as natural as breathing, Ania’s first passion was equestrian show jumping. Her early years were marked by discipline, competition, and performance under pressure—qualities that would later define her professional philosophy. But when the mental and physical toll of that life became unsustainable, she did something rare: she listened to her instincts and walked away.What followed was not retreat, but reinvention. Ania dove into weightlifting, calisthenics, and eventually clinical movement practice—not as a hobby, but as a form of personal problem-solving. Injuries, chronic pain, and a lack of clear answers from specialists forced her to build her o

Tim Stout 
“How A Pro MMA Career Paved the Way for Real Estate Success”


This time, I had the pleasure of chatting with Tim Stout, former professional fighter turned real estate mogul. Tim’s journey is nothing short of inspiring, and I can’t wait for you to dive into our conversation. Tim, also known by his fight nickname "MOAB" (Massive Ordnance Air Blast), earned the title for his explosive, powerful presence in the ring. The nickname reflects his intense fighting style and the impact he had on opponents.

Tim began his journey in martial arts at age seven and went on to become a professional MMA and kickboxing fighter, eventually competing in Strikeforce. With a pro MMA record of 16 wins and 10 losses, including 8 knockouts, 3 submissions, Tim’s career was forged in real competition. Today, he’s known not just for his fight record but for building a thriving real estate business grounded in the same discipline and drive that fuelled his years in the cage.As Tim grew up, his passion for combat sports expa