Zeke Crozier, a medically retired Army Staff Sergeant served nine years with the Chinook Helicopter Unit operating out of the New Century Air Center in Gardner, KS. Zeke was deployed for Humanitarian missions to Pakistan & Africa and two combat deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Then June 25, 2011, as a Crew Chief in Afghanistan, Zeke’s Chinook Helicopter crashed while on a mission. No one died, though Zeke and another soldier were severely injured. Zeke experienced a traumatic brain injury. In a coma for two weeks, he was expected to suffer from severe disabilities for the rest of his life. Doctors were unsure if Zeke would ever walk or talk again. (Kansas City Star Video Interview).

However, a miracle happened. Zeke woke up. Because the left side of his body including his face was paralyzed, he had to learn everything over again. With support from his wife, Lacy, he progressed from a wheelchair to relearning how to walk and talk. Zeke gained a second chance at life. While Zeke was in the hospital, members of his unit died in another crash shot down in August 2011. It is the worst loss of American lives in a single incident in the Afghan War, and it made international headlines.

In 2013, Zeke was awarded the Purple Heart and medically retired from the Army. Struggling to find a new purpose, Zeke found a therapeutic outlet in creating unique pieces of art using bottle caps. This hobby became a thriving business. Art gave Zeke a new lease on life and he wanted other veterans and people of many diverse backgrounds to experience the joy of making things with their hands but more importantly, connecting with the community through art.

Handy-Cappin’ is dedicated to helping individuals who suffer from mental health issues, disabilities, and PTSD. Handy-Cappin’s mission is to make a difference as a fundraising partner with other organizations to benefit people with disabilities, veterans, and their families.

Handy-Cappin's vision is to make possible one-of-a-kind and meaningful experiences to honor those who survive, thrive, and overcome adversity– to honor those that have served in the military and those that have fallen, to support and encourage people with diverse abilities.

Larry Doyle is one of the most respected journalists of our time. He was the first person to interview Nelson Mandela after his release from Robin Island and the first to interview Saddam Hussein.

In this second conversation, we discuss Hurricane Ian devestating his home of Sanibel Island, the death of journalism, American healthcare and so much more.

Kevin Housley is a Captain on a career engine company in Ft. Collins, CO. He started his fire service career in 2005 and was the founder of Firefighter Craftsmanship in 2016. We discuss his journey into the fire service, human performance, fitness standards, psychology, mental health, the recruitment crisis, sleep and so much more.

Kevin has served in many roles with his fire department including engine, truck & training division assignments, In 2017 Kevin was the lead instructor of the largest fire academy in the state of CO and was a finalist for the Colorado Firefighter Instructor of the year. Kevin obtained his BSBA from the University of Denver in 2000. Kevin is married to Kristi and has three wonderful children Grady, Graham, and Caroline.

Kevin is the Co-Chair of the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund-Colorado Chapter and enjoys giving back to the fire service through this organization.

https://firefightercraftsmanship.com/

Brandon Holder, BS, CSCS, is the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator of the a NE County Police Department. He has diverse coaching experience in the private sector, along with stops in the collegiate setting, working with everyone from elite, youth, and tactical athletes to everyday individuals. Along with his coaching experience, Brandon has previously competed in powerlifting and Strongman competitions and holds certifications through U.S. Weightlifting and U.S. Track & Field, among others.

We discuss his journey into coaching, performance versus longevity in the youth athlete, training the tactical athlete, recovery protocols, sleep, Beaverfit equipment and much more.

Peter Bitwinski spent a full career working for the New York Port Authority. He was present during the 1993 bombing and carried a disabled coworker from the 69th floor on 9/11. We discuss his journey into accounting, what it was like to work in the North Tower, the safety changes after the first attack, the heroism of New York's first responders and civilians, continuing their legacy through storytelling, 9/11 cancer and so much more.

"After first working in Pharmacy and in Temporary Accounting positions, I began my 42-year accounting career working for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. My first 23 ½ years were spent working at One World Trade Center 69th Floor in New York. I survived both the 2/26/93 terrorist bombing and the 9/11/01 terrorist plane attacks. Thereafter, I worked at Port Authority offices at Journal Square and Montgomery Street in Jersey City, New Jersey. My accounting specialty was Accounts Payable. I reside in Bayonne, New Jersey. My interests are British Rock’n’roll and ice hockey. If I have cared for and given more to others in my lifetime than to myself, I will have fulfilled my life’s mission."

Logan Brogberg is a devoted husband, proud father, 10 year firefighter, smoke diver and the founder of Rogue Firemanship Training. We discuss his journey into the fire service, firefighter fitness, training in gear, the recruitment crisis, the importance of fitness standards, the smoke diver crucible and so much more.

https://roguefiremanship.com/

Jon Dalton is a Chief Warrant Officer Four SEAL (Retired) and the President of the Nevada Coalition for Psychedelic Medicines.

Jon’s twenty-three-year career as a Navy Seal has been fundamentally grounded on the highest level of personal and team performance. His uniquely demanding job requirements necessitated continual learning, adaptation, and execution in one of the most elite military organizations in history. He continues this same level of high performance in the private sector.

In 1995, Jon applied to SEAL training and was one of only eight original candidates out of 220 to complete training. He began his career at SEAL Team Four conducting counterdrug missions in South America. After 9/11 he was selected for a Joint Special Operations Command Special Missions Unit.

With over eleven combat deployments, Jon has led multiple teams of over 250 personnel, synchronizing them with critical assets and conducting nightly combat missions throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. Jon commanded cross-functional teams to conduct highly complex no-fail operations, achieving total success by identifying unconventional solutions to address the most sensitive national security requirements. Throughout his time, he recognized the critical requirement of adapting with foreign culture to work together for common goals.

Jon finished his career as Director for the Joint Terminal Attack Controller School at the Naval Aviation Warfare Development Center in Fallon, Nevada. During his tenure, he successfully executed a major organizational change effort requiring congressional approval while also completing his MBA.

Upon retirement Jon was recruited as Director for TierX Group; a private equity firm investing in products and services crucial to the national security establishment. Jon led business development and end market integration activities for a $50M fund, was responsible for establishing TierX’s relationship with the special operations community and advised the co-founders on portfolio growth and strategic decision making.

Jon was Chief Operating Officer for Red Dot Management, a healthcare arbitrage startup. He was assigned to create an efficient, operationally focused, and scalable structure, as well as developing an investor relations strategy to provide funding for the acquisition of over $20M in AUM.

After traveling to Mexico for a deeply healing experience with psychedelic medicine, Jon experienced their incredible potential to heal veterans and first responders. Recognizing these powerful and unconventional medicines should be accessible within the U.S., he embarked on a mission to change the course of the mental health crisis in Nevada through a legislative and cultural change effort. Jon was recruited to co-found and lead the Nevada Coalition for Psychedelic Medicines, a 501c4 with a mission to enact policy reform and advocate for the regulated legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Nevada.

Jon is a founding board member of the SEAL Legacy Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit. He is a National Ski Patrol volunteer and can also be found climbing, biking, or hiking in the Sierra Nevada mountains with his son, Jack.

His decorations include the Bronze Star with V device (four awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with V device (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal with V device (two awards), Combat Action Ribbons, Presidential Unit Citations (two awards) and other service awards.

Dr Ron Rufo is a 22 year veteran of Chicago PD, mental health advocate and the author of multiple books. We discuss his journey into policing at the age of forty, proactive crime prevention, drug prohibition, the recruitment crisis, first responder mental health, sexual predators and much more.

"I recently retired as a highly decorated Chicago Police Officer with over 22 years of service that include a Life Saving Award, Department Accommodation, and Unit Meritorious Award. I have 23 Honorable Mentions and over 100 letters of appreciation as a Chicago Police officer. I began my career in the 9th District, was assigned to the prestigious Ambassador program, and was eventually assigned to the Preventive Programs Unit where I have served as a crime prevention speaker for over 15 years.

For most of my career, I have been actively involved as a Peer Support Team Leader for the EAP section of the Chicago Police Department. I have specialized training in Suicide Prevention as a member of the Critical Incident Team. Currently a Fellow at the American Institute of Stress Management. A distinguished memember if IACP and ILETTA

My first book, "Sexual Predators Amongst Us" was released in 2011. I co-authored a second book, "Police and Profiling in the United States, Applying Theory to Criminal Investigation" with Dr. Lauren Barrow in 2013. In 2015, I wrote "Police Suicide: Is Police Culture Killing Our Officers?" and my upcoming book "Breaking the Barriers: Changing The Way We Support The Physical and Mental Health of Police Officers" will be available in 2021.My latest book Breaking the Barriers, Changing the Way We Support The Physical and Mental Health of Police Officers was published by AMR Publishers on June 1st, 2021."