If your selection will be held in a hot environment, it’s important to acclimate to the heat before heading out. Any SOF selection will push you to your physical limits, and not being acclimated to the heat can significantly increase your risk of failure. 

Heat injuries in SOF selection are fairly common, and they can be sneaky. The workload is so intense that even moderately warm, humid days can produce conditions that encourage heat injuries, particularly for people who are coming from cooler, drier climates who aren’t habituated to the weather. 

Like any adaptation, how you stress your body changes your rate and degree of adaptation. Randomly doing hard things in hot conditions isn’t the best strategy. In this episode, we’ll outline our recommendations based on practical experience and the most current research. 

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Hot Box Sauna: https://www.thehotboxsauna.com/?ref=BTE

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Timestamps:

Matt Stevens transitioned from the U.S. Navy in 2017 after serving for 26 years as a SEAL.

Transitioning from the SEAL teams to civilian life brought him to The Honor Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces as they transition from elite military careers into impactful civilian roles. 

Matt attended The Honor Foundation’s (THF) inaugural East Coast class in the spring of 2016, joined their SOF Advisory Board in the spring of 2017, and then joined their Board of Directors in February 2018. 

A native of Charlotte, NC, Matt graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1991 with a B.S. in Ocean Engineering. He graduated BUD/S in 1992 with class 179 and was assigned to the East Coast, where he served in various SEAL Teams, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams, and Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG).

Matt commanded at every level in the Naval Special Warfare Community, including a Squadron at DEVGRU, SEAL Team Two, Naval Special Warfare Unit Three, and Naval Special Warfare Group Four. 

He served on staff tours at the Joint Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as the Operations Officer at Naval Special Warfare Group TWO in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC) in the Pentagon. 

Matt served on the leadership team of an emerging technology company from 2017 to 2019, before assuming the role of CEO of The Honor Foundation.

Learn more about The Honor Foundation at www.Honor.org

Timestamps:

00:00:22 Introduction to Matt Stevens

00:02:00 26 Years in the Teams

00:03:25 DEVGRU and Seal Teams

00:04:36 The Hardest Part of BUD/S

00:06:16 Sponsor Note: Our Book Building The Elite

00:07:03 Toughest Moments of Matt Stevens' Career 

00:09:32 Giving Bad News About Performance

00:11:12 Becoming a Good Leader

00:15:08 Becoming Better at Public Speaking

00:17:04 Transitioning Out of the Military

00:20:21 How Did Mentorship Affect Matt Stevens’ Career?

00:23:20 How Did the Honor Foundation Come About?

00:26:28 The Honor Foundation's Three-Phase Program

00:31:09 Impacting Veterans Lives

00:34:31 What a Special Operations Background Brings to the Table

00:37:23 Surviving in the Civilian World

00:40:31 Who is the Honor Foundation For?

00:41:45 Honor Foundation's Goals

00:45:19 Supporting the Honor Foundation

00:46:09 Advice for Special Operators Transitioning Out

00:49:00 One Book Everyone Should Read

00:49:43 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received

00:50:25 Outro

Rima is a medic in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a tactical medicine instructor originally from the United States. She came to Ukraine as an NGO volunteer in 2022 and began medical studies in 2023 before enlisting in 2024. Now, she works on medical evacuations of soldiers from the frontlines and works in stabilization points where they receive casualties and stabilize their injuries for transport to the nearest hospital. 

Before enlisting, she taught tactical medicine per TCCC standards at the International Center for Tactical Medicine in Ukraine. In her spare time, she writes about tactical medicine for a wider audience based on evolving needs and lessons learned on the ground in Ukraine. 

More about Rima:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rimamedua

Send Rima and her team medical supplies:  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3QM0WCUA0PBK2?ref_=wl_share

Or, snacks from home: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/390U40XEQSS4P?ref_=wl_share

Blue Yellow USA address for care packages:

C/O Blue Yellow USA NFP 

PO box 641

Naperville, IL

60566

Timestamps:

Chris Brennan served for 15 years in the Australian Army, 11 of which were as an operator within the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR).

He fulfilled multiple team specialist roles, including as a JTAC and Tandem Bundle Master within a Freefall Assault Team, before progressing into leadership roles as a team 2IC and culminating his career as an SASR Team Leader.

Chris deployed on multiple occasions and spent two years as a specialist trainer and assessor in the SASR's selection and training squadron.

He assisted in the design and implementation of high-risk training for new members undergoing the SASR reinforcement cycle, as well as assisting in the delivery of team-leading packages to
those undergoing progression into tactical leadership functions.

Upon transitioning from the Australian Defence Force, Chris completed his Master of Business degree through the University of New South Wales, which provided academic backing to his lived experiences within the SASR.

As a result, Chris founded OMADA Performance Concepts, a high–performance team consultancy. Through OMADA, he now delivers specialised Team Development solutions, Team Leadership packages, and Instructor Development programs for critical response teams operating in high-risk environments.

More about Chris:

Website: www.omadapc.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omada.performance.concepts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-brennan-991215353/

Timestamps:

00:00:21 Introduction to Chris Brennan

00:01:41 Brennan’s Career in the Australian SAS

00:04:05 Unit Supporters' Success in the U.S.

00:05:39 Hardest Part of Selection

00:07:16 Testing Standards

00:09:17 Quick Note: Mental and Emotional Demands of Selection

00:10:14 Freefall Rules

00:11:19 Jumping Bundles

00:12:24 Working as an Instructor

00:13:21 What Makes a Student Stand Out in the Reinforcement Cycle?

00:14:51 Evaluating Attributes

00:21:24 Cultural Fit

00:24:44 Team Gear, My Gear, Me

00:25:25 Training Other Team Leaders

00:26:03 What Makes an Effective Team Leader?

00:31:02 Tom Satterly and the Hot Wash

00:35:55 Staying Focused on Things You Can Change

00:39:17 Founding Omada

00:44:40 Applying Previous Experiences 

00:51:37 Future Plans for Omada

00:53:36 Working for Omada

00:54:06 One Book that Everyone Should Read

00:58:09 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received 

00:59:48 Contact Chris Brennan

01:00:37 Outro

Philip Andrew Armstrong is a decorated combat veteran, elite-level medic, program manager, and resilience-driven father of four. Raised in the woods by hippies and unable to read until the age of 14, his early life was unconventional, marked by hardship, self-reliance, and grit. Those experiences became the bedrock for a path of resilience that carried him through combat, service on some of the world’s most elite special operations teams, and ultimately, earning a master’s degree from Harvard, proving that where you begin doesn’t define how far you can go.

Philip began his military journey as a U.S. Air Force Pararescueman (PJ) with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor and the Purple Heart for his actions under fire in Afghanistan. He earned additional valor recognition while serving as a civilian contractor with various agencies, deploying five more times to Afghanistan and once to Libya in support of counter-terrorism operations.

In 2018, Philip sustained a leg injury from an AK-47 ricochet during an overseas deployment. He officially retired from contracting in 2019 to focus on recovery, his family, and building a purpose-driven life beyond the battlefield.

Today, Philip serves as a medical and operational program manager, co-owner of a real estate brokerage in Florida, and co-founder of Ambassadors of World Wildlife, a nonprofit delivering medical and conservation support in remote, high-risk environments.

He holds a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University Global and a Master of Liberal Arts in Sustainability from Harvard Extension School. He is a board-certified Critical Care Flight Paramedic and has completed some of the most grueling and advanced tactical training in U.S. Special Operations. He’s also a triathlete and a licensed private pilot and paraglider pilot.

Philip lives in Florida with his wife—a former F-15 Strike Eagle backseater with two combat deployments—and their four young children. Together, they are embarking on the journey of homeschooling, with a focus on cultivating resilience, leadership, and adaptability in their family. Through social media, Philip shares raw, honest reflections on post-traumatic growth, high-performance living, mental health, and the challenges and triumphs of modern fatherhood.

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Follow Philip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operator.drama.llama/

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Timestamps:

Ben Strahan is a Hotshot Superintendent and wildland firefighter with over 25 years of operational leadership on the fireline. Ben has spent decades in high-risk environments where clarity, discipline, and trust mean survival. His journey through fire has shaped a deeper calling—one that now centers around helping others cultivate resilience, emotional strength, and self-awareness. Through consulting, mentorship, and public speaking, Ben bridges the gap between tactical readiness and inner leadership, guiding others to face the fires within as courageously as those in the wild.

More about Ben:

Moment Consulting: https://momentconsultingllc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benstrahan/

Timestamps:

What makes a hero? 

It’s easy to point to the dramatic moments in history: the burning tanks and bullet-swept battlefields. This form of heroism is important, but it's not the only form. Heroism also manifests in other ways that impact lives, strengthen our communities, and shape our culture. 

In this episode, we look beyond the headlines to the everyday acts of heroism that rarely make the news. Through stories of soldiers, first responders, teachers, and ordinary people, we explore a different kind of courage: the steady, humble, often invisible bravery that changes lives without seeking recognition. 

Alex Potter is a photojournalist, trauma nurse, former wildland firefighter, and co-founder of Global Response Medicine, a humanitarian non-profit bringing emergency medicine to low-resource and high-risk areas. 

Alex spent her early career photographing conflict in the Middle East, before spending two seasons as a wildland firefighter in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. 

She then moved to Alaska to pursue a career as an Air Force Combat Rescue Officer and was selected in Phase 2 of the CRO pipeline in 2022. 

While a twist of fate (and knee) changed that path, she remains passionate about mountain pursuits, far-forward medicine, and the ability to help others achieve their goals. She is a current board member of the Special Operations Climbers Coalition, and recently moved to Bozeman, Montana.

More about Alex: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexkpotter/

Global Response Medicine: https://global-response.org/

Photography: https://www.alexkaypotter.com/

Support GRM: https://givebutter.com/AcuteCare

Timestamps:

00:00:22 Introduction to Alex Potter

00:01:14 Piecing Together Alex Potter's Career

00:04:48 Combat Rescue Officers VS. Pararescueman

00:06:43 Everybody Loves PJs

00:09:00 Trauma Nurse in Iraq

00:13:16 Notable Things in the Learning Curve

00:14:31 Where Did Your Food Come From

00:16:12 Being a Women in Traditional Muslim Culture

00:21:47 Ending two years in Iraq

00:24:03 Firefighter in Alaska

00:24:57 Month Long Boot Camp

00:26:13 What Makes Effective Leadership

00:27:21 Not Hoarding Knowledge

00:29:56 Becoming a Wildland Firefighter

00:33:15 Specific Boots for the Job

00:34:37 Physical Training Prior to Firefighting

00:37:10 Marriage & Nursing on the East Coast

00:40:07 The CRO Pipeline

00:45:45 Training to Maintain While Working on Weaknesses

00:50:27 Phase Two of Training

00:55:60 Qualifying for Air Force after Training

00:58:28 Pete Gets Director Position in Ukraine

01:02:35 Long Journey to Bring Pete Back Home

01:03:37 The OTS Pipeline

01:10:51 What is Alex Potter Doing Now

01:11:42 Mountain Guiding Professionals

01:13:25 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received

01:15:29 Outro

Mauri DiMeo is an Infantry officer in the US Army currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Military Science (APMS) at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). He attended Ranger, Airborne, SFAS, the SFQC, and the Austrian High Alpine School. Mauri was a platoon leader in the 4th Infantry Division and Rifle Company Commander in the 10th Mountain Division. 

His career took a turn in the final Robin Sage stage of the SF Q course, which we discuss early in our conversation. The lessons he learned there are important for any officer going through the SF qualification process. 

Outside of the military, Mauri founded Tactical Alpinism in 2022 with the mission to expand the capability of individuals to go bigger in the mountains by teaching mountain navigation and planning best practices. Enabling people to go bigger in the mountains expands the military’s capability in this environment by focusing on the expertise of the individual within mountain and arctic units. He professionally guides in the mountains in the ski, rock, and alpine disciplines.

His mountain experience includes two decades of climbing across much of the world and multiple ski-based ascents and descents, including Mount Shasta, Mount Rainier, and Denali, all by multiple routes. His civilian mountain certifications include AIARE Avalanche Professional Level 2, AIARE Avalanche Instructor, AMGA Assistant Ski Guide, and AMGA Assistant Rock Guide.

More about Mauri:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacticalalpinism/

Timestamps:

00:00:23 Introduction to Mauri DiMeo

00:01:49 Mauri DiMeo’s Career 

00:03:20 Final Year at West Point

00:04:26 Preparing for the Course

00:05:32 Junior West Point Cadet

00:08:45 Doing Too Much

00:10:54 10th Mountain Warfare Training

00:15:56 Ready in a Month

00:18:13 Conventional Units in Cold Environments

00:21:48 The Gap Between What Soldiers Are Taught and Tying Knots 

00:26:09 Practicing Skills Where They Matter

00:28:20 Tactical Avalanche Education

00:32:13 Avalanche Bell Curve Management

00:36:20 Speed is Safety

00:42:00 Time Recommended to Build Aerobic Capacity

00:46:50 Balancing Volume Training

00:51:03 Zone 2 Running vs Rucking

00:55:34 Getting the Body to Do What It’s Meant to Do

00:58:48 Effective Mental Frameworks in the Mountains

01:02:27 Filling Gaps in Military Training

01:05:34 Tactical Core Skills for Operating in the Snowy Mountains

01:10:25 What Does Mauri DiMeo Do with Tactical Alpinism?

01:12:20 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received

01:14:44 Outro

Anthony ‘Harry’ Moffitt retired from the Australian Defence Force after almost 30 years, most of which was spent with Australia’s Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment as a Team Commander and Team Specialist. 

He completed 11 active service deployments and was wounded in action in 2008. He completed his time with the SAS as their Human Performance Manager. 

Harry is a registered psychologist and runs a human performance consultancy called Stotan Group, which works with sports teams, the military, and the industry. He is also a Director at the Mission Critical Team Institute and founded the Wanderers Education Program, a multi-million dollar not-for-profit that prepares soldiers for transition. 

He recently published his memoir Eleven Bats, a book about his military service and his love of cricket.

Harry has been married to Danielle for 27 years and has two children. He values integrity, humor, and bricolage.

More about Harry:

Stotan Group: https://stotangroup.com.au/

Eleven Bats: https://www.booktopia.com.au/eleven-bats-anthony-harry-moffitt/book/9781760877842.html

SAS Wanderer's Education Program: https://www.sasresourcesfund.org.au/about-the-fund/wanderers-education-program

LBW Trust / National Backyard Cricket: https://lbwtrust.com.au/

The Externals (Harry's band): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWSYUvRoa8Q

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrymoffitt353/

Timestamps:

00:00:22 Introduction to Harry Moffitt

00:01:22 Career Overview

00:04:28 Human Performance and Nuance in SAS Selection

00:06:16 Success in Selection 

00:09:45 Being In Love With The Process

00:13:49 Building a Nest: The Ways We Quit

00:14:51 The Challenge Beyond Selection

00:17:56 Self Doubt: Questioning Your Sense of Belonging

00:24:55 Moving On From “You Suck. Suck Less.”

00:29:05 Accessing for Integrity

00:31:06 Leadership, Character, & Stress

00:35:04 Sponsor Note: Building The Elite 

00:35:58 Protecting Us From Ourselves

00:40:21 Special Operations in Civilian Life: Which Concepts Work? Which Don’t?

00:45:51 The Hallmarks of Camaraderie

00:50:31 Playing ‘Company’

00:53:17 The Cricket Bats

00:58:30 Harry Moffitt’s Next Book

01:01:59 Philosophy: Wonder, Intuition, & Imagination

01:05:29 Clarifying Values: Your Personal North Star

01:11:16 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received

01:11:50 Outro