Behind The Shield

John Hudson is the UK Military's Chief Survival Instructor and author of "How to Survive". We discuss flying helicopters, surviving a plane crash, SERE school, extreme temperatures, resiliency and much more. John is the UK military’s chief survival instructor, designing and implementing the training of instructors in Land, Sea, and Extreme Environment Survival. Prior to joining the RAF as a helicopter pilot, John studied Product Design at Leeds College of Art. He has penned the joint services survival training manual, revised the RAF’s aide memoir found in all military aircraft survival packs and advised on the UK’s SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Extraction) training film, watched by all service personnel before deployment overseas. John has also been a resident expert on two series of Discovery’s Dude, You’re Screwed (Survive That in the UK), putting his skills to the test in some of the planet’s most demanding environments. Amongst others, John has survived the elements in Asian and Central American jungles, the Arctic Circle and the high altitudes of the Atacama Desert. He is an elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and his book How to Survive: Lessons for Everyday Life from the Extreme World is released by Pan Macmillan on 27th June 2019.

Blake Richardson is a veteran, brain injury advocate, and founder of Help Our Heroes, a nonprofit focused on expanding access to treatments for traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and post-concussive syndrome.After living with an undiagnosed traumatic brain injury for more than a decade, Blake experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to find treatments that address the underlying brain injury rather than simply manage symptoms. His own experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy changed the direction of his life and ultimately became a driving force behind his advocacy. Today, Blake works alongside researchers, medical professionals, veterans, first responders, and legislators to increase awareness, improve access to care, and advance legislation aimed at helping those living with brain wounds. https://www.helpourheroes.org/

Jim Burneka is a firefighter, podcaster co-founder of the 'Brothers Helping Brothers' conference and the author of 'Overcoming Tuesday'. In this third conversation, Jim discusses his powerful healing journey through psychedelics, The Brave Program, Project Sanctuary and so much more. Overcoming Tuesday: As a first responder, firefighter paramedic Jim Burneka encounters traumatic events the average person will likely never experience, but to him, it’s just another day—it’s Tuesday. In spite of being the wellness coordinator for the local fire department, Jim falls victim to Tuesday, the trauma he encounters daily, and finds himself spiraling down a dark and hopeless path including post-tramatic stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Finally, Jim must make the choice between succumbing to Tuesday or asking for the help he so desperately needs.Hawkins and Burneka recount a story of healing and resilience to empower others to seek help, and to encourage them to replace despair with hope. This book shares a variety of valuable resources that are available to help those struggling with mental or physical struggles. The fight for wellness among first responders shouldn’t be a silent battle fought alone, but together; we can overcome Tuesday.

Brooke Bartlett is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the founder of The Center for Trauma, Anxiety and Stress. We discuss her journey into psychology, youth athletes, her work in the VA, working with the tacical professions, the unique challenges facing wildland firefighters, post traumatic growth and so much more. Dr. Bartlett is highly specialized in working with first responders and military members and has over 10 years of experience providing them with evidence-based clinical services in the therapy room and out in the field. She also has an extensive research history examining mental health correlates among first responders and military veterans, with over 20 publications in scientific journals, a published book chapter, and numerous presentations at national and international conferences. Alongside her scientific research, she frequently publishes articles in first responder editorials. At CTAS, Dr. Bartlett provides a range of services exclusively for first responders, military members, and their loved ones including therapy and assessment. Another major focus of her professional work is promoting first responder wellness by assisting public safety agencies in the creation and implementation of effective mental wellness programs. She does so by providing a variety of services such as mental health presentations, peer support training and supervision, consultation, content development, and on-call critical incident response. She is immensely passionate about serving those who serve others and has the utmost respect and admiration for the men and women who courageously serve our communities, our citizens, and our nation. https://www.centertas.com/

Scott Caulfield is the Director of Strength and Conditioning for Colorado College and NSCA committee member. We discuss his journey into coaching, training the tactical athlete, the importance of recovery, annual testing, nutrition, sleep and much more. Scott was named director of strength and conditioning at Colorado College on Sept. 18, 2019. He comes to CC from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), where he served as coaching education manager and head strength and conditioning coach. Caulfield has been involved in fitness and athletics for more than two decades, including his position at the NSCA since 2011. He utilized those 20+ years of "under the bar"? lifting and coaching experience in a variety of different roles in support of the NSCA's mission as the worldwide authority on strength and conditioning. Prior to joining the NSCA, he served as an assistant strength & conditioning coach at Dartmouth College from 2008-11, working primarily with the football, men's & women's swimming, and rugby teams. During that time, he also served as the director of sports performance at the River Valley Club, one of the most successful training facilities in New England, and served as the NSCA's Vermont State Director. From 2006-08, he was the head strength and conditioning coach and director of camps for the back-to-back American Basketball Association champions, Vermont Frost Heaves. In addition, he has coached basketball at the middle school, junior varsity, varsity and collegiate levels as both head and assistant coach over the past 20 years. Caulfield is no stranger to the CC athletic department, serving as the strength and conditioning coach for the school’s hockey team from 2011-15 and the women’s soccer team from 2011-13 through Colorado College’s partnership with the NSCA. Caulfield holds the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction (CSCS*D) certification and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach with Distinction (RSCC*D) designation from the NSCA as well as USA Weightlifting's Level 2 Advanced Sports Performance Coach certification. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Castleton University in 2000 and a master’s in sports coaching from the University of Denver in 2017.