Mike Drop

Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop

Zack Ferguson is a former Navy SEAL Team 7 veteran with multiple deployments to Iraq, Yemen, Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, where he served as his platoons Lead Sniper/Point man, JTAC, Combatives Instructor, and Weapons Ordnance Specialist. He's also an instructor and co-owner at Defense Strategies Group, a collective of Special Operations Combat Veterans dedicated to continued service and empowering communities through defense training and security solutions. And when he's not training with the best, he's even a competitive 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and amateur MMA fighter, where he met fellow Defense Strategies Group instructor (and previous Mike Drop Episode #62 Guest) Angel Cortes.

But for every hardened warrior there's a complicated backstory, and Zack's story doesn't end overseas. So where did the trouble at home come from? How does a SEAL recover when they've lost everything? And most importantly, why is Zack Ferguson still fighting?  

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Support Zack Ferguson - 

Find Out More about Defense Strategies Group at https://www.defensestrategies.us

Find Out More about Zack at https://zackkferg.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Zackkferg

IG - https://www.instagram.com/zackkferg

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Sponsors: 

Beam

Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout!

----------

BUBS Naturals 

The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived. 

BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life.

Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life. 

Go to https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order. 

----------

Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet

ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:

SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing Five Superfoods to Boost Your Mental Health from Health Hacks with Mark Hyman, M.D..

Follow the show: Health Hacks with Mark Hyman, M.D.

Unlock the power of food to boost your brain health. In this episode, wellness expert Dr. Mark Hyman dives into the science behind five superfoods that can enhance mental acuity, reverse brain aging, and protect against neurodegenerative diseases. Discover practical tips to incorporate these brain-boosting foods into your daily diet for improved cognitive function and overall well-being. Join the Health Hacks community and follow @healthhackspod on social for exclusive insights, expert advice and the latest in health science.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Jay Dorleus has seen more than his fair share of explosive engagements. With 2 Iraq and 4 Afghanistan Deployments under his belt, he's served 14 years in country as a Green Beret, with his first 4 years served as a Combat Engineer specializing in demolitions - tracking IED's and disarming charges that would otherwise devastate forces on the ground. And devastate they did - to hear it from Jay, he's picked up parts of his squad mates (literally) on more than one occasion. 

But violent beginnings often lead to violent ends, and for Jay, becoming a Green Beret wasn't just a matter of duty - it was a means to exact revenge on the very fighters that caused such devastation in the first place. So what's it like serving as a Green Beret in Afghanistan? How does a Combat Engineer make the leap to Special Forces? And how is Jay Dorleus still creating dynamic warriors through his company, The Green Beret Chronicles? Let's meet Jay. 

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Support Jay Dorleus - 

Find Jay's Training, Resources, and More at https://www.greenberetchronicles.com/

Podcast - Beyond the Beret with Jay Dorleus - https://open.spotify.com/show/45o446jPR1BePrqELwrU0W?si=d0b2c38979924565&nd=1&dlsi=3aa40fcc50854c52

IG - https://www.instagram.com/green_beret_chronicles/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenBeretChronicles

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=73014975&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

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Sponsors: 

American Hartford Gold

Visit https://www.americanhartfordgold.com or call 855-967-1413, that’s 855-967-1413, or text “DROP” to 6-5-5-3-2 for UP TO $15,000 of FREE SILVER!

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Beam

Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout!

----------

True Classic Tees

Upgrade your wardrobe and get up to 25% OFF @trueclassic at https://www.trueclassic.com/MIKEDROP! #trueclassicpod #sponsored

----------

Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet

ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:

SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop

The United States Special Forces are a force to be reckoned with, but like any great nation, they weren't built in a day. Just ask Colonel Rich Wall, a Vietnam Green Beret with three tours under his belt - two with Special Forces before pivoting into the MACV-SOG Program, a highly classified Special Operations unit that conducted covert and unconventional warfare operations. He'd go on to receive the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars for his time in country, along with having taught history at West Point and working with NATO at the Pentagon.

Of course, Vietnam is a totally different theater to the more arid climates (and more modern trappings) of the Middle East, and to hear Rich tell it, you were just as likely to catch disease as you were to catch fire from your adversaries waiting for you in the jungle. So what's it like to ship out in a draft army? How did Special Forces operate back then, and how did those operations influence future works? And if Vietnam was really as bad as the history books say, then what could possible possess a man to go back again and again? Let's meet Rich.  

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Support Rich and the Special Forces Association at https://www.specialforcesassociation.org

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Sponsors: 

American Hartford Gold

Visit https://www.americanhartfordgold.com or call 855-967-1413, that’s 855-967-1413, or text “DROP” to 6-5-5-3-2 for UP TO $15,000 of FREE SILVER!

----------

Beam

Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout!

----------

BUBS Naturals 

The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived. 

BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life.

Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life. 

Go to https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order. 

------------

Black Buffalo

If You're 21 and Older, consume Nicotine or Tobacco, and Want to Join the Black Buffalo Herd, Head over to https://www.blackbuffalo.com to learn more!

Black Buffalo products are intended for adults aged 21 and older who are consumers of nicotine or tobacco.

----------

Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet

ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:

SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing Social Skills as the Road to Character from The Art of Manliness.

Follow the show: The Art of Manliness

If you've wanted to develop your character, you've probably thought about strengthening virtues like courage, humility, and resolution. But my guest would say that practicing social skills is another way of increasing your moral strength, and the moral strength of society as a whole.

David Brooks is the author of numerous books, including his latest, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen. Today on the show, David discusses why our culture lost an emphasis on moral formation, and why this loss has led to alienation and anomie. We then talk about the role each of us can play in repairing this fabric by developing concrete social skills, avenues to improve character that, unlike some virtues that are only called upon in a crisis, you can practice every day. David shares insights on how we can get better at giving people attention, asking good questions, and helping those who are going through a hard time. We also discuss how understanding different personality types and life stages can allow us to better understand other people.

• David's previous appearances on the AoM Podcast:
  • Episode #292: The Road to Character
  • Episode #518: The Quest for a Moral Life
• "How America Got Mean" — Atlantic article by David Brooks
• AoM series on becoming a better listener
• AoM excerpt: 10 Ways to Help a Grieving Friend
• AoM Article: The 3 Elements of Charisma — Presence
• AoM Article: The Stages of a Man’s Life 

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Mike Jones is the owner and head trainer at Primal Canine, a dog training service for all breeds, sizes, and age that specializes in severe behavior modification cases, high-level obedience training, and working dog training. He's also a founder at K9 Street League, a professional sports league for professional protection dog sport. When he's not training or organizing events, he's working in marketing and advertising, working in research and development, running his apparel company Carpe Omnia, or volunteering at a charity event like Valor Canines working against human trafficking. 

With a resume rich in experience it's hard to believe Mike started from the bottom, but he wasn't always working with dogs. How'd he end up working in 'collections' when he was only 16 years old? Where'd his work ethic come from? And when you're locked up in solitary confinement for over 500 days, what can all that time alone in a cell do to a man? Let's meet Mike.

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Support Mike Jones - 

Primal Canines - https://www.primalcanine.com

K9 Street League - https://www.k9streetleague.com

Valor Canines - https://www.valorcanines.org

Carpe Omnia - https://www.carpeomnia.work

Linktree - https://linktr.ee/mikejonespc

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikejones_pc

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Sponsors: 

American Hartford Gold

Visit https://www.americanhartfordgold.com or call 855-967-1413, that’s 855-967-1413, or text “DROP” to 6-5-5-3-2 for UP TO $15,000 of FREE SILVER!

----------

Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet

ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:

SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop

Mitch "Smashin' Frog" Aguiar is one tough dude. He's a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Navy SEALs, he's a professional MMA Fighter, and he's even an entrepreneur, having built two businesses out of his 'Smashin' Greens' superfood and Violent Hippie Apparel. He's also a returning guest to the podcast - longtime fans may recall his appearance way back on Episode #008 of the show when he appeared alongside Kyle Maynard. 

Since then, Mitch has been hard at work building his businesses while knocking lights out both in and out of the octagon and traveling the world, constantly chasing new challenges like hiking from Sparta to Thermopylae on a fast and building Adopt a Cop Jiu Jitsu training for officers all over the country. What keeps this Smashin' Frog smashing? Let's ask Mitch.

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Support Mitch Aguiar - 

Check out Mitch's Smashin' Greens and other Superfoods at https://masfsupplements.com/

Get Your Violent Hippie Tees, Silkies, Apparel, and More at https://violenthippie.com/

Donate to Adopt A Cop BJJ at https://adoptacopbjj.org/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mitch_aguiar

----------

Sponsors: 

Beam

Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout!

----------

American Hartford Gold

Visit https://www.americanhartfordgold.com or call 855-967-1413, that’s 855-967-1413, or text “DROP” to 6-5-5-3-2 for UP TO $15,000 of FREE SILVER!

----------

True Classic Tees

Upgrade your wardrobe and get up to 25% OFF @trueclassic at https://www.trueclassic.com/MIKEDROP! #trueclassicpod #sponsored

----------

BUBS Naturals 

The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived. 

BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life.

Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life. 

Go to https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order. 

----------

Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet

ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:

SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop

CW5 Alan C. Mack is an elite aviator, war hero, public speaker, and the author of 'Razor 03: A Night Stalker's Wars.' Over the course of his near 36 year military career, he flew over 6700 hours of flight time, of which over 3200 hours were flown with Night Vision Goggles. He's trained and flown with the best, and he's been a part of a number of operations that were later adapted into Hollywood film productions like '12 Strong' and 'Lone Survivor'. He even had a hand in the rescue of Bowe Bergdahl, the U.S. Army soldier that was held captive by the Taliban from 2009-2014. 

So how do you become one of the most skilled aviators in our Armed Forces? How do you manage to clock that many flight hours, at night, in the desert, with night vision goggles on? And most importantly - what's the secret to making those incredibly difficult flight maneuvers look so simple to pull off? Let's ask Alan. 

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Support Alan Mack - 

Website - https://alancmack.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alancmack2015

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AlanCMackAuthor

Support the Night Stalker Foundation - 

Website - https://www.nightstalkerfoundation.com/

Support the Special Operators Transition Foundation - 

Website - https://sotf.org/

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Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet

ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:

SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing How to Avoid Death by Comfort from The Art of Manliness.

Follow the show: The Art of Manliness

Nietzsche's maxim, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," isn't just a sound philosophical principle. It's also a certifiable physiological phenomenon; toxins and stressors that could be deadly in large doses, actually improve health and resilience in smaller, intermittent ones. The ironic thing, my guest points out, is that it's the fact that we're not getting enough of this sublethal stress these days that's really doing us in.

Paul Taylor is a former British Royal Navy Aircrew Officer, an exercise physiologist, nutritionist, and neuroscientist, and the author of Death by Comfort: How Modern Life is Killing Us and What We Can Do About It. Today on the show, Paul discusses the science of hormesis, how small doses of intermittent stress can make us more resistant to chronic stress, and why you need to embrace what Paul calls "discomfort harvesting." We talk about some now-familiar topics like fasting and cold and heat exposure with fresh inspiration as to how important they are to practice and how to do them effectively. We discuss how hot a sauna needs to be to get the benefits of heat exposure, Paul's suggestion for how to make an ice bath on the cheap, what may be the single best type of food to eat to improve your gut's microbiome, a form of fasting that's got anti-cancer benefits but is so accessible it won't even feel like fasting, what supplement to take to mitigate the effects of a bad night's sleep, and much more. We end our conversation with how to use what Paul calls a "ritual board" to stick with your healthy habits and resist the "soft underbelly" of modern life.

• AoMPodcast #708: Overcome the Comfort Crisis
• AoM article/video on the benefits of cold showers
• AoM Podcast #801: The Cold Water Swim Cure
• AoM Podcast #603: The Physical Keys to Human Resilience
• AoM Article: How Saunas Can Help Save Your Body, Mind, and Spirit
• AoM Article: How to Sauna — All the FAQs
• AoM Podcast #585: Inflammation, Saunas, and the New Science of Depression
• AoM Podcast #862: Heal the Body With Extended Fasting
• Podcast #328: The Pros and Cons of Intermittent Fasting
• AoM Podcast #581: The Tiny Habits That Change Everything
• AoM Podcast #425: Action Over Feelings
• The NOVA Food Classification System
• Stanford study on the effect of fiber and fermented food on the microbiome
• Research on creatine as a neurotransmitter and creatine's effect on brain health (including impact when sleep deprived)

• Paul's website
• Paul on IG
• Paul on LinkedIn
• Paul's podcast
• Paul's mental fitness course for coaches and health professionals

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop

The world of private military contracting is wildly complicated. Take it from Morgan Lerette - he's a retired Blackwater Operator, Army Intelligence Officer, and the author of 'Guns, Girls, & Greed: I Was A Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq', an irreverently honest memoir that shows both the good and the bad of injecting private armies into active combat zones in the name of diplomacy, spread out over the early days of the Iraq War. 

With gut-wrenching tragedy, dark humor, and absolutely insane party stories that make 'Animal House' seem like a Disney film, Morgan's memoir offers a firsthand perspective of how men act and react in war, for better or worse. It's a story of national incompetence, international collapse, and the search for blood and treasure that either helped - or hindered - the American war effort in Iraq. Was all the carnage worth it? Let's ask Morgan. 

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Support Morgan Lerette - 

Get Your Copy of Morgan's Book, 'Guns, Girls, & Greed: I Was A Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq' at http://amazon.com/dp/B0C7P83DL6

IG - https://www.instagram.com/blackwaterdude1/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@blackwaterdude1?lang=en

X - https://twitter.com/BlackwaterDude1

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Sponsors: 

Beam

Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout!

----------

Black Buffalo

If You're 21 and Older, consume Nicotine or Tobacco, and Want to Join the Black Buffalo Herd, Head over to https://www.blackbuffalo.com to learn more!

Black Buffalo products are intended for adults aged 21 and older who are consumers of nicotine or tobacco.

----------

BUBS Naturals 

The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived. 

BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life.

Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life. 

Go to https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order. 

----------

Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet

ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:

SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices