The Bear Essentials Podcast

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NGBN.TV is a holistic personal & professional development network that serves men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. It’s home to top experts, authors, speakers, influencers, and presenters in the areas of mental health, physical wellness, personal growth, and professional excellence.

NGBN.TV is available on RokuTV, AppleTV, AndroidTV and Amazon FireTV, as well mobile and all major audio podcast and live-streaming platforms, and of course on the world wide web. It is powered by the National Grassroots Media Corporation.

If you’re an author, speaker, presenter, or influencer with a passion to grow your audience in one of the fields within NGBN.tv, reach out to us today about developing your very own show or channel with us.

This is one of the most inspirational comeback stories in professional sports. 

Today's guest on The Bear Essentials, Aaron Volpatti, was never supposed to play in the NHL. As an average, undersized youth hockey player, Aaron had to fight his way, literally, into competitive hockey. But in the early hours of April 20, 2005, he found himself in a very different fight–a fight for his life after a devastating burn injury.  

His book, FIGHTER: Defying The NHL Odds is a riveting account of Aaron’s journey from the Vancouver General Hospital Burn Unit to the NHL, and his life after a career ending neck injury. It is a story filled with extreme adversity, personal triumph, grief, terror, and happiness.  

Discover the true power of the human mind and what is possible through Aaron's unique Visualization practice. A revelatory practice that can help us reframe adversity, instill a deep sense of trust in our journeys, and demystify the impossible.

Please be sure to check out Aaron's website:

https://www.aaronvolpatti.com/

Aaron's book is available on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/26AHOpL

NGBN.TV is a holistic personal & professional development network that serves men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. It’s home to top experts, authors, speakers, influencers, and presenters in the areas of mental health, physical wellness, personal growth, and professional excellence.

NGBN.TV is available on RokuTV, AppleTV, AndroidTV and Amazon FireTV, as well mobile and all major audio podcast and live-streaming platforms, and of course on the world wide web. It is powered by the National Grassroots Media Corporation.

If you’re an author, speaker, presenter, or influencer with a passion to grow your audience in one of the fields within NGBN.tv, reach out to us today about developing your very own show or channel with us.

Today guest on The Bear Essentials is writer, speaker, facilitator and mentor, Benjamin Smith.

As a black child born in 1971, Ben was adopted in Seattle and raised by white parents in a 

tough neighborhood in East Vancouver. He experienced relentless violence, bullying and 

racial discrimination. As a way to overcome fear and self-loathing, Ben became a 

competitive boxer, wrestler, and bodybuilder. 

These positive outlets allowed Ben to channel his hurt, anger, and frustration, eventually 

owning a gym, helping others as a successful personal trainer and mentoring youth as a 

community care worker. 

Ben’s many years working as a night club bouncer gave him unique insight into the 

universal quest for self-acceptance, love and happiness. 

Acting in various national and international commercials as well as several plays and 

independent movies provided Ben the creative means to express many of his life 

experiences. 

Since the early 2000’s, Ben’s creative passion has been focused on honing the craft of 

writing. 

A double-decade process of reflection, healing and growth has given him a unique and 

refreshing voice. 

Killing Goliath is a creative expression that includes a book, a series under development, 

and speaking engagements aimed to guide people to the joy and self-acceptance that Ben 

now experiences every day. 

“Expressing the lessons, I have learned through the culmination of the many struggles I 

have overcome is my life’s purpose.”

Be sure to check out Benjamin Smith at:

https://thegoliathfoundation.com/

NGBN.TV is a holistic personal & professional development network that serves men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. It’s home to top experts, authors, speakers, influencers, and presenters in the areas of mental health, physical wellness, personal growth, and professional excellence.

NGBN.TV is available on RokuTV, AppleTV, AndroidTV and Amazon FireTV, as well mobile and all major audio podcast and live-streaming platforms, and of course on the world wide web. It is powered by the National Grassroots Media Corporation.

If you’re an author, speaker, presenter, or influencer with a passion to grow your audience in one of the fields within NGBN.tv, reach out to us today about developing your very own show or channel with us.

Mike Simpson was born the oldest of two children in Redondo Beach California. At the age of 11, his father's employment with Rockwell International caused his family to relocated to Tehachapi California, where Mike would go on to attend high school and play football for the Tehachapi Warriors.

Growing up in a working class family in a rural cAfter training as an infantryman and completing airborne training, Mike was assigned to the 1st Battalion 75th Infantry (Ranger) in Savannah Georgia. He served four years in the Rangers, ultimately being promoted to Sergeant and serving as an anti-tank section leader. In 1988, Mike finished his initial enlistment and was honorably discharged. For the next three years, Mike worked as a corrections officer in Bulloch County Georgia, and served in the Florida Army National Guard as part of the 3rd Battalion 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne). In 1991, during Desert Storm, his unit was called to active duty but did not deploy overseas. During that time, Mike attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS), and the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) graduating as a Special Forces Engineer. It was during that time period that he made the decision to return to full time active duty.

Mike was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg North Carolina, and served there until 2002, first as a Special Forces Engineer Sergeant, and later as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, after completing medical training at Fort Sam Houston Texas. He deployed to multiple countries in Central and South America, and is a fluent Spanish speaker. In 2002, Mike left Special Forces to attend medical school.

After graduating with his Medical Doctorate, Mike trained in Emergency Medicine, and still maintains a medical practice as a board certified EM physician in the state of Texas. As an Army physician, Mike was assigned to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and deployed multiple times in direct support of the Global War on Terror (GWOT). During that time period, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with V device for valor in combat, as well as the Combat Medical Badge, for performing his duties as an Emergency Medicine Physician under enemy fire.

Mike is a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, currently holding the rank of purple belt, and works as a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight physician. As one of the foremost experts in both tactical trauma medicine and combat sports medicine, Mike is highly sought after as a lecturer and instructor, working extensively with MMA fighters, law enforcement, and military organizations providing medical care and training. Mike is a frequent guest on both medical and MMA podcasts, and also hosts his own podcast titled "Mind of The Warrior". 

Mike is possibly best known as a member of the investigative team on two seasons of the documentary-reality series “Hunting Hitler” on The History Channel.

Be sure to follow Dr. Mike Simpson at:

https://drmikesimpson.com/

For optimal performance, shop:

https://greybeardperformance.com/

Purchase Mike's bestselling book now on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/2iP25PW

Ciaran Gribbin is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and performer who, in addition to working with world class artists such as Madonna, U2, Paul McCartney, Snow Patrol and Al Pacino, has toured the world as the singer of INXS.

Ciaran was born during the Northern Ireland conflict and grew up in The Troubles. As a young musician he cut his teeth doing gig after gig in the tough bars of Belfast and Derry. During this turbulent time, Ciaran witnessed the bombs and bullets of sectarian violence and the paramilitary attacks that enflamed a divided society.

Ciaran was a founding member of the popular Irish band ‘Leya’ which toured for seven years with major acts including Snow Patrol and Embrace. The band also released the critically acclaimed album ‘Watch you don’t take off’. The band was nominated for Best New Act at the Irish ‘Meteor’ Music Awards.

Ciaran’s first big break came in 2010 when he received a Grammy nomination for Madonna’s worldwide hit single ‘Celebration’, which he co-wrote with the American megastar and English producer Paul Oakenfold. Ciaran soon became a regular drawcard at music festivals around the world including Brazil’s Rock in Rio. He has opened concerts for acts such as Paul McCartney, Crowded House, The Script and Gotye.

Just as his reputation as a performer kept growing, his career as a gifted composer continued to flourish. He has worked on multiple movie soundtracks, including writing all the songs for the U2-supported feature film Killing Bono. 

In 2011, Ciaran became the singer of the legendary Australian band INXS. He has toured extensively with INXS throughout South America, Europe and Australasia.

Ciaran’s song ‘Hey Baby Doll’ which was sung by Al Pacino in the critically-acclaimed movie Danny Collins received an Oscar shortlist nomination.

Ciaran is the founder of Rock and Roll Team Building, a business delivering interactive music programs for corporate companies globally.

Be sure to look for Ciaran at:

Vibrate Your Mind: https://www.vibrateyourmind.com/

Rock and Roll Team Building: https://www.rockandrollteambuilding.com/

When No One Is Watching: https://www.wnow.com.au/

NGBN.TV is a holistic personal & professional development network that serves men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. It’s home to top experts, authors, speakers, influencers, and presenters in the areas of mental health, physical wellness, personal growth, and professional excellence.

NGBN.TV is available on RokuTV, AppleTV, AndroidTV and Amazon FireTV, as well mobile and all major audio podcast and live-streaming platforms, and of course on the world wide web. It is powered by the National Grassroots Media Corporation.

If you’re an author, speaker, presenter, or influencer with a passion to grow your audience in one of the fields within NGBN.tv, reach out to us today about developing your very own show or channel with us.

Today's guest on The Bear Essentials is former NFL lineman, actor and fitness trainer, Pete Koch.  

Born on Long Island, NY Pete began playing contact football at the age of seven and didn’t stop for twenty years. Along the way he captained his winning New Hyde Park High School team, then his University of Maryland team to the  ACC Championship and appearance in the prestigious Citrus Bowl. Pete received All ACC and All-American Honorable Mention honors. Pete was a First Round selection (sixteenth overall) in the 1984 NFL Draft; selected by the Cincinnati Bengals.  

Pete spent four years with the Kansas City Chiefs, notably starting at right defensive end in their playoff run of 1986.  

Pete wrapped up his six-year NFL run with the Los Angeles Raiders teaming with future Hall of Famers Howie Long, Marcus Allen and Mike Haynes.  Upon retirement from the NFL, Pete transitioned into a successful fitness modeling and acting career starring along side Clint Eastwood in Heartbreak Ridge, Burt Reynolds in Heat and Evening Shade, Patrick Dempsey in Loverboy and others totaling more than 120 Hollywood productions.  

Throughout the years, Pete has remained deeply committed to maintaining his strength, flexibility, conditioning and overall health through regular workouts. A natural curiosity and commitment to ongoing education, drives Pete’s continuous research in  the field of Athlete Performance. Self preservation factors into the zeal Pete brings to his studies and training, initiated by five orthopedic surgeries (due to 20 years of contact football).  

Pete’s early exposure and relationships with internationally renown strength and conditioning experts Dr. Fred Hatfield and Frank Costello motivated him to continue his exploration of cutting edge training methods and techniques. He successfully rehabilitated from two spine surgeries, which helped him to solidify his ideas on the importance of spinal stability/core conditioning.  

In 2004 Pete Developed a system of training that he calls Functional Advanced Sports Training or FAST, a melding of numerous scientifically proven training methodologies to optimize neuromuscular control and maximize athletic performance.  Pete was then called on to direct the training of a number of Hollywood luminaries including Tobey Maguire, Joseph Fiennes and Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro.  

Currently certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Sports Fitness Specialist and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.  

He trains people of all ages and levels of physical condition to help them achieve their fitness and conditioning goals. A University of Maryland graduate, Pete remains committed to ongoing education and research in a life long commitment to maximizing human performance and health in people of all ages.  

Be sure to check out Pete's website:  

http://www.petekoch.com/ 

NGBN.TV is a holistic personal & professional development network that serves men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. It’s home to top experts, authors, speakers, influencers, and presenters in the areas of mental health, physical wellness, personal growth, and professional excellence.  

NGBN.TV is available on RokuTV, AppleTV, AndroidTV and Amazon FireTV, as well mobile and all major audio podcast and live-streaming platforms, and of course on the world wide web. It is powered by the National Grassroots Media Corporation.  

If you’re an author, speaker, presenter, or influencer with a passion to grow your audience in one of the fields within NGBN.tv, reach out to us today about developing your very own show or channel with us.

I've been vapor for years; a ghost trapped in my fears. When they see through me; only you can see me.  

These lyrics are from the powerful new single, Vapor, by today's guest, Toby Rand.  

Toby Rand is an Australian singer best known for being lead singer of rock band RAND, previous band Juke Kartel, and his appearance on Rock Star: Supernova.   

He is a modern-day front man whose gritty voice combined with his emotive lyrics stirs up many emotions within his audiences.   

Check out Toby Rand’s powerful new single, Vapor, spread the word and support this amazing artist.  

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/tobyrand/vapor 

Be sure to follow Toby Rand at the following: 

Social Links  

Instagram: @tobyrand 

Twitter: @tobyrand 

TikTok: @tobyrandmusic 

Facebook: @tobyrandmusic  

Band Websites

AshenMoon: https://www.ashenmoonmusic.com/ 

RadioXx: https://radioxxofficial.com/ 

NGBN.TV is a holistic personal & professional development network that serves men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. It’s home to top experts, authors, speakers, influencers, and presenters in the areas of mental health, physical wellness, personal growth, and professional excellence.  

NGBN.TV is available on RokuTV, AppleTV, AndroidTV and Amazon FireTV, as well mobile and all major audio podcast and live-streaming platforms, and of course on the world wide web. It is powered by the National Grassroots Media Corporation.  

If you’re an author, speaker, presenter, or influencer with a passion to grow your audience in one of the fields within NGBN.tv, reach out to us today about developing your very own show or channel with us.

What started as a mission of thirteen friends to save one Afghan interpreter quickly turned into one of the largest civilian rescue operations in history.   

Today's guest on The Bear Essentials is director, Nick Palmisciano. His gripping documentary, Send Me, is the account of twelve Veterans and one spouse of a catastrophically wounded Afghanistan Veteran who used all of their resources and connections to find their way from a hotel in Washington DC to Kabul.   

Ten days after the first member of their team, now operating under the moniker of Save Our Allies, stepped foot in Afghanistan, they had rescued over 12,000 people. This is their story.  

Be sure to check out Nick Palmisciano at the following:  Website: https://nickpalmisciano.com/ Send Me: https://sendmemovie.com/ NGBN.TV is a holistic personal & professional development network that serves men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. It’s home to top experts, authors, speakers, influencers, and presenters in the areas of mental health, physical wellness, personal growth, and professional excellence.  

NGBN.TV is available on RokuTV, AppleTV, AndroidTV and Amazon FireTV, as well mobile and all major audio podcast and live-streaming platforms, and of course on the world wide web. It is powered by the National Grassroots Media Corporation.  

If you’re an author, speaker, presenter, or influencer with a passion to grow your audience in one of the fields within NGBN.tv, reach out to us today about developing your very own show or channel with us.

Imagine you just summited to the highest peak in the world, alone. One minute you are standing atop Mount Everest taking it all in, the next minute, you are experiencing snow blindness.   

What would you do?  

Today's guest on The Bear Essentials, former Navy rescue swimmer Brian Dickinson, was roughly 1,000 feet from the summit of Mount Everest—also known as “the death zone”—when his Sherpa became ill and had to turn back, leaving Brian with a difficult decision: should he continue to push for the summit, or head back down the mountain? After carefully weighing the options, Brian decided to continue toward the summit—alone.   

Four hours later, Brian solo summited the highest peak in the world. But the celebration was short-lived. After taking a few pictures, Brian radioed his team to let them know he had summited safely and got ready to begin his descent. Suddenly, his vision became blurry, his eyes started to burn, and within seconds, he was rendered almost completely blind.   

All alone at 29,035 feet, low on oxygen, and stricken with snow blindness, Brian was forced to inch his way back down the mountain relying only on his Navy survival training, his gut instinct, and his faith.   

Brian recounts—in fantastic detail—his extraordinary experience on Everest, demonstrating that no matter how dire our circumstances, there is no challenge too big for God.  

Brian's book, Blind descent can be purchased where fine books are sold, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  

Be sure to follow Brian Dickinson at:  

Website: https://www.briandickinson.net/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/briancdickinson 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briancdickinson 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BrianDickinsonBlindDescent 

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

Be sure to check out NGBN.TV, a holistic personal & professional development network that serves men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. It’s home to top experts, authors, speakers, influencers, and presenters in the areas of mental health, physical wellness, personal growth, and professional excellence.  

NGBN.TV is available on RokuTV, AppleTV, AndroidTV and Amazon FireTV, as well mobile and all major audio podcast and live-streaming platforms, and of course on the world wide web. It is powered by the National Grassroots Media Corporation.  

If you’re an author, speaker, presenter, or influencer with a passion to grow your audience in one of the fields within NGBN.tv, reach out to us today about developing your very own show or channel with us.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of evil in this world and we need brave individuals who are willing to risk their lives to protect those who can't protect themselves.  

Today's guest on The Bear Essentials, Eric McCants, is one of those special individuals.  

Eric is currently an investigative sergeant at the Burke County Sheriff Office and a member of their SWAT Team, currently assigned to the narcotics division. Eric has just recently received his Masters in Justice Administration from the University of Phoenix.   

Eric is also a husband and father of five with a very active social media presence where he talks about SWAT, workouts, PTSD awareness, law enforcement and police officers.  

Eric McCants can be followed on:  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-mccants-3a3920192/ 

Be sure to check out NGBN.TV, a holistic personal & professional development network that serves men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. It’s home to top experts, authors, speakers, influencers, and presenters in the areas of mental health, physical wellness, personal growth, and professional excellence.  

NGBN.TV is available on RokuTV, AppleTV, AndroidTV and Amazon FireTV, as well mobile and all major audio podcast and live-streaming platforms, and of course on the world wide web. It is powered by the National Grassroots Media Corporation.  

If you’re an author, speaker, presenter, or influencer with a passion to grow your audience in one of the fields within NGBN.tv, reach out to us today about developing your very own show or channel with us.