Today on the Iron Sites Podcast, I’m joined by Josh Burton — former Delta Force operator, entrepreneur, and founder of Elevated Operator. After a long career in the Global War on Terror, Josh has stepped into a new mission that’s just as demanding: fighting the global war on mental health.

We get into his transition out of military service and the challenges operators, veterans, and first responders face when the uniform comes off. Josh speaks openly about the struggles, the blind spots, and the habits that can either support you or sabotage you. His honesty cuts through the stigma around mental health and performance in a way most people rarely hear.

We also dig into the principles behind Elevated Operator, the company Josh built by veterans, for veterans, after realizing most available solutions weren’t enough. Instead of quick fixes, he focuses on real tools: dialing in your physiology, building better systems, surrounding yourself with the right people, and taking small steps in the right direction.

This episode is for anyone who’s served, struggled, or simply wants to live a healthier, more intentional life. Josh brings depth, humility, and a ton of real-world experience to the table. 

Sit back and enjoy this powerful conversation with Josh Burton of Elevated Operator.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:04:18 Sleep & Health

00:06:09 Military Life

00:09:43 Mental Struggles

00:16:08 Transition Out

00:28:35 Rebuilding

00:37:10 Plant Medicine

00:42:39 Accountability

00:46:59 Fitness Return

01:02:08 Support

01:15:48 Lifestyle Fixes

01:20:53 Sleep & Inflammation

01:35:09 Elevated Operator

01:52:55 Daily Routine

02:12:14 Veteran Support

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Intensity gets talked about a lot in the gym… but most people are using the word completely wrong. In strength and conditioning, intensity can mean different things depending on who you learned from, what sport you’re in, and what your training goals actually are.

So in this episode, I’m back in the studio with the Red Dot Fitness crew to clear it all up. We break down what intensity really means, how we define it inside our programming, and how you should apply it so you’re training hard without training stupid.

If you’ve ever looked at an intensity recommendation and weren’t totally sure what it meant—or if you’ve been guessing your way through your sessions—this conversation is going to save you time, effort, and a whole lot of frustration.

Enjoy the show!

-

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Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:42 Intensity Basics

03:42 Effort vs Intensity

05:17 Applying It

07:48 Balancing Effort

10:15 Key Variables

12:18 Testing & Adjusting

13:39 Coaching Notes

35:00 Mental Barriers

42:54 Training Control

53:38 Capacity Zones

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Today on the Iron Sights Podcast I’m joined by Dustin Mowery of Mowery
 Tactical Concepts — a 27–year law enforcement veteran, long-time SWAT operator, team leader, instructor, and one of the most detail-oriented shooters I’ve had the chance to train with.

I first crossed paths with Dustin at the 2025 Combatives Summit in D’Iberville, Mississippi, where he and my good friend Mark Smith were tag-teaming a dry fire block for the students. I’d heard about Dustin for years, but seeing him teach in real time told me everything I needed to know: this guy is a pro.

In this episode we dig into Dustin’s story — from starting his career in a small agency, to moving into larger roles, special assignments, and ultimately spending two decades leading a SWAT team. We get into his time as an FTO, the lessons he learned from being responsible for developing officers, and how that experience shaped his approach to teaching firearms, tactics, and decision-making.

You’ll hear how Dustin got bit by the competitive shooting bug, how he brought that skillset into his agency, and what happened when his training culture started shifting toward performance, accountability, and fundamentals done at a high level.

We also talk about the dry fire work he and Mark put together, what separates good instructors from great ones, and why making every rep count is the hallmark of truly professional training — whether you’re a cop, a competitive shooter, or just somebody trying to become more capable.

Sit back and enjoy this episode with Dustin Mowery of Mowery Tactical Concepts.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

05:19 Dry Fire

10:05 Law Enforcement

14:18 Firearms Training

21:08 Practical Shooting

37:04 Basics Matter

40:51 Training Gaps

48:42 Competitive Shooting

01:14:06 Training Solutions

01:29:51 Community Policing

01:42:13 Accountability

01:53:41 Mowery Tactical

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Welcome back to another After Dark episode here on the Iron Sights Podcast. My guest today is Cliff Byerly — former U.S. Marine, LAPD Gang & Narcotics Officer, and founder of Hill Country Combatives.

Cliff has spent decades immersed in high-risk environments — both in law enforcement and in training — and he’s one of those guys who brings a raw, unfiltered honesty to everything he does. I met Cliff out at the Combatives Summit 2025 in D’Iberville, Mississippi, and after missing the chance to sit down with him the year before, I wasn’t about to miss it again.

In this episode, Cliff and I dig into his background, his time in the Marines and LAPD, and his mission with Hill Country Combatives — teaching realistic, force-on-force tactics to help law enforcement professionals survive high-stress encounters. We talk about training philosophy, mindset, and the hard truths about what it really takes to be effective in violent situations.

Cliff doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He’s straightforward, opinionated, and deeply experienced. You’ll hear stories, lessons, and perspective from someone who’s lived it — both on the street and on the mat.

If you’re into combatives, law enforcement training, or just honest conversations about performance and survival, this episode will hit home.

Sit back and enjoy this After Dark conversation with my guest, Cliff Byerly of Hill Country Combatives.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

04:17 Cliff’s Background

08:04 LAPD Experience

18:02 Law Enforcement Today

28:41 Training Mindset

38:60 Fitness & Growth

46:45 Policing Evolution

57:40 Grappling in Policing

01:17:46 Lessons & Mindset

01:29:29 Training Gaps

01:47:15 Closing Thoughts

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Welcome back to another After Dark episode here on the Iron Sights Podcast. My guest today is Jerry Wetzel, founder of Red Zone Threat Management Systems. Jerry’s a lifelong martial artist, gym owner, and educator whose mission is simple — to provide real training for real people to survive real violence.

We sat down right after the Combatives Summit 2025 in Mississippi and got into everything from his philosophy on violence and self-defense to his experiences as a coach, business owner, and lifelong learner. 

In this conversation, we unpack the mindset and methodology behind Red Zone, the importance of realistic training, and how Jerry’s perspective is helping reshape how people think about personal protection. We also talk about his new journey into social media, why communication matters as much as combat skills, and how to stay grounded in a space that can often get weird or misunderstood.

If you’re passionate about martial arts, combatives, or personal defense — or just want to hear from someone who’s constantly learning and evolving — you’ll get a lot from this one. Sit back and enjoy this After Dark episode with Jerry Wetzel of Red Zone Threat Management Systems.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

03:32 Panel Challenges

05:29 Jerry’s Background

06:31 Evolution of Martial Arts

12:47 Real-World Lessons

16:46 Coaching & Self-Defense

39:04 Coaches vs Instructors

42:40 Gym Culture & Community

51:06 Growth & Social Media

01:05:07 Integrity & Openness

01:24:03 Red Zone Program

01:31:30 Instructor Development

01:43:18 Combatives Community & Closing

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We’re back in the studio for another episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, and today we’re asking a question that every athlete and coach should think about: does form really matter?

In this conversation, the crew digs into how our experiences as coaches shaped the way we look at movement, form, and performance. We talk about where our ideas came from, how they’ve evolved, and why what you think you know about perfect form might not tell the whole story. Some of what we cover might challenge what you believe — and that’s exactly the point.

If you’re serious about training smarter, recovering better, and actually getting stronger, this one’s for you. And if you need guidance or coaching, reach out anytime at reddotfitness.net or rdftrainonline.com — we’re here to help you take the next step in your fitness journey.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

03:48 Certifications & Experience

09:00 Education Challenges

16:44 Experience vs Textbooks

33:22 Adaptive Techniques

46:42 Corrective Exercise Myths

56:20 Role of a Coach

01:14:31 Effort vs Recovery

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• Welcome back to another After Dark episode of the Iron Sights Podcast. My guest today is my good friend John Valentine, who officially holds the record for the most appearances on the After Dark series. John’s been part of the show since the early days — from his philosophy on combatives and coaching to his role in shaping the Combatives Summit into one of the most respected gatherings in the training community.

In this conversation, we debrief the 2025 Combatives Summit, recorded just a day after John returned from the event. We talk about what went down on the mats, the lessons learned, and how collaboration—not competition—drives progress in the combatives world. John also shares updates on his journey as a BJJ black belt, match director, and instructor, diving deep into his process, growth, and approach to teaching. If you care about performance, mindset, and purpose in training, you’ll take a lot from this one.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

04:51 Summit Recap

06:13 Training Mindset

10:49 Facing Fear

18:17 Realistic Scenarios

40:55 Instructor Highlights

50:30 Personal Updates

55:29 Continuous Learning

01:07:50 Future Plans

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Welcome back to another Iron Sights Podcast! I’m joined once again by the crew to dig into one of the most underrated tools in training — medleys. 

In this episode, we break down what medleys are, how to structure them, and the science behind why they’re so effective for building real-world strength and endurance. We’ll share practical examples for both gym and unconventional setups, plus tips to help you train smarter, not just harder. 

Whether you’re already using medleys or you’ve never tried one before, you’ll walk away with new insights to improve your performance, recovery, and overall capacity as an everyday athlete.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

03:24 Intro to Capacity

03:55 Medley Basics

07:25 Safe Training

21:20 Medleys vs Circuits

43:36 Practical Examples

52:42 Building Progress

01:15:30 Key Benefits

01:21:29 Wrap-Up

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Welcome back to another After Dark episode here on the Iron Sights Podcast. My guest today is Chris Urrutia from Vortex Optics and the Vortex Edge training team. Chris and I first met a few years back, and I’ll be honest—our time together on the range left a lasting impression. There was something about the way he approached his craft, his students, and his mindset that told me I had to get him on the show someday.

In this episode, we dig into Chris’s story—his upbringing, his career in the military and law enforcement, and how those experiences shaped the way he trains and lives today. We get into his time as a competitive shooter, his philosophy on training with purpose, and what it takes to find balance between performance, business, and life.

Chris is one of those guys who doesn’t just talk about discipline—he lives it. This one has lessons that go far beyond the range, and I think you’ll walk away with a few things to reflect on. So sit back and enjoy this After Dark conversation with Chris Urrutia from Vortex Optics here on the Iron Sights Podcast.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

05:32 Early Life & Marines

09:48 Law Enforcement Start

22:00 Policing in Charlotte

30:37 Joining SWAT Team

35:30 Competitive Shooting

39:12 Building SPECT Train

47:53 Joining Vortex Edge

01:05:22 Inside Vortex Edge

01:09:26 Masterclass Journey

01:16:20 Competition & Balance

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Welcome back to another episode of the Iron Sights Podcast. Today we’re diving deep into heart rate zone training based on your lactate threshold heart rate (LTHR). 

In this episode, we’re bridging that gap so you can learn how to train smarter, recover better, and get more efficient results from your endurance and conditioning work.

We pulled a lot of what we discuss today straight from our brand new Heart Rate Zone Training Guide, which you can download for free at rdfguides.com. Inside, we break down how to test your own LTHR, calculate your personal zones, and apply that data to your workouts. If you’ve ever wondered how to get more out of your cardio without wasting time or burning out, this episode will help you understand exactly what’s happening in your body — and how to use that knowledge to train like a pro.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:52 Intro to Conditioning

02:59 Capacity Training

08:14 Zone Training Basics

10:39 Lactate Threshold

18:57 Training for Performance

35:19 Zone Two Explained

38:54 Zone Three Insights

42:55 Zone Four Effort

49:41 Zone Five Push

01:00:33 Training Tips

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