In this episode, we respond to the recent “good vs bad coach” conversation and reframe it through real-world experience. We unpack why coaching success can’t be separated from unit culture, leadership engagement, and Soldier ownership—and why human performance is ultimately a shared responsibility. We discuss how friction shows up inside conventional units, how effective teams overcome it through collaboration and system-building, and what good coaching actually looks like when you’re managing large formations, high OPTEMPO, and uneven training backgrounds. We close by opening the door for direct dialogue with coaches navigating these challenges and looking for practical support on the ground.

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On this episode, Coach DeJuan Hathaway joins us—a seasoned tactical strength and conditioning coach with years of real-world experience working on the ground and chasing the occasional adventure along the way. Coach Hathaway breaks down his journey serving tactical populations, his training philosophy, how he navigates friction in challenging environments, and what it truly takes to succeed in the tactical space.

Check out his book: Special Forces Fitness Training: Gym-Free Workouts to Build Muscle and Get in Elite Shape

Joining us today is Coach Luke Propst—a seasoned strength coach who stumbled into the tactical world by chance and has been thriving in it ever since. Luke breaks down the experiences that shaped his coaching and how they drive the way he delivers training to soldiers. We dive deep into reconditioning physical training for injured service members, and even take a fun detour into how pop culture sparked our love for lifting in the first place.

There are few coaches as knowledgeable as Luke. Whether you’re new to the tactical space or still finding your footing, this episode is packed with insight you won’t want to miss—tune in and make sure to give him a follow.

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Today we’re joined by Elza van Niekerk, a South African–born physical therapist with a deep passion for movement and tactical populations. We cover some familiar ground—but with a twist. Elza brings an outsider’s perspective, offering candid insight into what she sees working with tactical professionals on the civilian side. Tune in for an honest, refreshing conversation on movement quality, performance, and why precision matters for those in mission-critical roles.

Today we welcome Coach Beth Bearden—a leader who has truly made her mark in the tactical space. From strength coach to program director, Beth cracked the code early on: earning buy-in, engaging leadership, and helping define what it really means to be a tactical strength coach.

If you’re a young coach looking to grow in this field, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

🎧 We hope you enjoy the show—don’t forget to like, follow, and share!

Today we're joined by a former colleague, Air Force veteran, and original H2F coach. Coach Mata has been on the ground since the rollout of human performance on the conventional side and helped pioneer much of the way coaches do business. Join us for a great conversation about his role in the Air Force Special Warfare pipeline, his thoughts on what makes a successful tactical coach, and his new venture pursuing a master’s degree to become a licensed psychotherapist.

We’re joined by Coach Jon Leitch on today’s episode to talk about the grind and the journey that lead so many coaches into the tactical ranks. We dive into the similarities and differences between collegiate and tactical settings, and the biggest surprises he faced after making the transition from Division I athletics. Coach Leitch gives an honest look at what it’s really like on the other side—because news flash: strength and conditioning is a grind no matter where you coach. If you’re thinking about making the jump into the tactical world, don’t miss what Coach Leitch wishes he’d known before making the move.

In this episode, we sit down with Alex Redshaw of O2X, the Human Performance Program Manager for the Arlington County Fire Department, VA. Alex shares his journey from coaching athletics and firefighting in Australia to leading performance initiatives at Arlington Fire. We dive into topics like training strategies for fire academy candidates, managing fitness around shift work, and supporting individuals through their probationary period. What really stands out is Alex’s genuine passion for helping firefighters perform at their best—both on and off the job.

Check out Alex in action here.

https://youtu.be/_xyHnnem8Lc?si=QK6oJtxXt8Sa4Pqf

In today’s episode, we dive into a core question in the tactical performance space — how far can a coach go in instilling discipline and enforcing standards among service members? We share real-world experiences from the field and discuss why holding the line on professionalism matters just as much as physical training. From there, we transition into programming — why it’s not the magic fix for every problem — and explore how service members and coaches can work together to truly elevate performance.

Today we're lucky to have Dr. Brian Leary from West Virginia University, where he serves as Director of the Master of Science in Health Sciences and leads the Tactical Performance Physiology Area of Emphasis within the Division of Exercise Physiology. His work centers on preparing graduate students to apply principles of physiology, strength and conditioning, and performance assessment to support military, public safety, and other tactical populations.

Join us for a discussion on newly emerging tactical programs within universities, research and its utility for practitioners , and of course we get into physiology.