In this episode of The HOTWASH podcast by Born Primitive Tactical, host Bruno Fallon interviews Jamie Cochran, Chief Operating Officer of Echelon Front, the leadership consultancy founded by former Navy SEALs Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. Jamie, who joined as the company's first employee in 2014 and rose through the ranks by applying Extreme Ownership principles, shares her journey from a young Navy SEAL wife navigating the challenges of military life (including rapid induction into BUD/S realities, frequent deployments, unpredictable schedules, home-front independence, and the emotional toll of losses like a friend's fatal helicopter crash) to a key leader at Echelon Front. She discusses how combat-born lessons from the book Extreme Ownership - such as taking full responsibility for everything impacting the mission, subordinating ego, decentralized command, and prioritizing ownership over blame - translate powerfully to business, family, and personal growth. The conversation emphasizes practical leadership application: empowering teams to solve problems, listening with earnest questions, giving credit for wins while owning failures, fostering culture fit over pure expertise when promoting from within, and avoiding ego-driven friction (illustrated by everyday examples like the "dishwasher debate"). Bruno and Jamie highlight mentorship through example, building autonomy and trust in teams, and the broader mission of Echelon Front to deliver impactful, actionable leadership training via books, events like Muster and Assembly (women-focused), online courses, and onsite workshops - ultimately stressing that ownership mindset solves problems in any high-stakes environment, from the battlefield to the boardroom to the home front.

To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitivetactical.com/

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In this deeply reflective episode of HOTWASH, hosted by Bruno Fallon, retired Navy SEAL TK Eppley shares a remarkable career journey that spans his time in the SEAL teams, post-military technology roles, and eventual leadership in aerospace and high-stakes business environments. Beginning with childhood influences and a pivotal decision to leave electrical engineering for the Navy, TK recounts how early SEAL experiences—particularly maritime operations and leadership lessons from mentors—shaped his relentless pursuit of competence, risk mitigation, and doing the unglamorous but essential work others avoid. He candidly discusses navigating toxic leadership, building high-performing teams by empowering people (especially young talent), defining success clearly, absorbing blame while sharing credit, and rejecting ego-driven "legend" narratives in favor of authentic growth. Throughout, TK emphasizes timeless principles: mitigate risk holistically, hire for attitude over skill, lead by listening and giving away accountability, and remain fully alive by resisting suffering through continuous self-improvement—offering powerful, no-nonsense insights for veterans transitioning to civilian leadership and anyone seeking to build effective, human-centered organizations.

To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitivetactical.com/

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In this episode of The HOTWASH podcast by Born Primitive Tactical, hosted by Bruno Fallon, guests Tim Terry (former SWAT/breacher), Kurt Gamache (product lead and former SOF operator), and later Sean Garrison (national law enforcement sales manager and former SWAT sergeant), pulls back the curtain on Born Primitive Tactical's rigorous, operator-driven product development process. Bruno explains the recent decision to abandon their Made-in-USA MultiCam assault uniform after a major quality failure (19 major defects) and a seven-figure loss, emphasizing that they refuse to compromise standards even when U.S. manufacturing proves far slower (10–12 months vs. 4–5) and dramatically more expensive (~$300 vs. $209 retail). Kurt details the no-fail mindset behind testing—starting with lab textile evaluation, progressing through extended real-world trials (4+ weeks minimum, often months) across extreme environments, and incorporating in-house operator feedback plus external mission-essential users—while highlighting products like the Patriot One mid assault boot (23 months, 11 versions, custom non-squeaking Vibram sole proven via extreme fast-rope testing) and the antifreeze-compound knee pad insert refined after cold/heat failures. The discussion covers cross-over items like the wind-blocking Headwind fleece (with removable hood and TPU membrane), the upcoming police patrol uniform (sleek adaptation of the assault line for everyday first-responder use), and the bushcraft hoodie (89% high-micron wool blend for superior warmth, breathability, and fire resistance). Throughout, the team stresses relentless iteration, standing behind products with no-questions-asked replacements, building trade-compliant manufacturing for government interest, and prioritizing human performance and durability over rushed releases—culminating in Tim’s rocket-ship analogy for the brand’s innovative trajectory and a teaser about a major upcoming announcement involving America’s first SWAT team switching to Born Primitive uniforms.

To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitivetactical.com/

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In this episode of The HOTWASH podcast by Born Primitive Tactical, hosted by Bruno Fallon, guest Dr. Shawn Baker—a former Air Force orthopedic trauma surgeon who deployed to Afghanistan, where he managed relentless mass-casualty events and gore-filled days—shares his remarkable journey from professional rugby player and nuclear missile officer to becoming a leading advocate for the carnivore diet. Baker recounts how his athletic background (including Highland Games championships, Concept2 rowing records, and late-blooming feats like sprinting and power events at nearly 60) intersected with disillusionment in conventional medicine's perverse incentives, leading him to experiment with zero-carb/carnivore eating around age 49. He describes dramatic personal benefits—resolution of chronic joint pain, improved performance (e.g., smashing rowing records), reduced inflammation, and better mental clarity—while discussing thousands of anecdotal cases of remission in autoimmune conditions, gut issues, mental health struggles, and more. The conversation critiques the broken healthcare system (including VA inefficiencies and Big Pharma's role), debunks myths around vegetables/fiber (often neutral or irritating for some), champions salt/electrolytes for hydration and performance (especially on low-carb), and stresses that intense training, mindset, sleep, and purpose trump age-related excuses for maintaining functional strength and longevity. Fallon and Baker emphasize performance over appearance, the original human diet's roots in meat, and empowering individuals (especially military/first responders) to own their health rather than outsourcing it to flawed systems or fad drugs like GLP-1s.

Follow Dr. Shawn Baker on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/shawnbaker1967/?hl=en

Check out Dr. Shawn Baker on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5apkKkeZQXRSDbqSalG8CQ 

To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitivetactical.com/

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In this deeply personal and wide-ranging episode of The HOTWASH by Born Primitive Tactical, host Bruno Fallon sits down with retired Sergeant Major Kyle Lamb, a legendary special operations veteran with over 21 years in the National Mission Force. The conversation flows from Kyle's combat experiences and the founding of Viking Tactics (including the iconic VTAC sling that became an industry standard) to his passion for teaching, long-range shooting, and creative pursuits like knife-making and poetry. Kyle opens up about his faith journey—sparked by reading the Bible cover-to-cover—leading to his upcoming book blending biblical warrior stories with modern leadership lessons and battlefield reflections, aimed at "reaching the unreachable" among veterans and first responders. He shares raw insights on resilience, brotherhood, checking on buddies to combat the silent epidemic of veteran suicides, the importance of mission-driven purpose in retirement, humility, and loving your neighbor regardless of differences. The episode is a powerful reminder of the depth behind elite operators—faith, struggle, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to helping others heal and thrive.

Visit Viking Tactics at: https://www.vikingtactics.com/

Follow Kyle on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/vikingtactics/

To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitivetactical.com/

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitivetactical/

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In this special second edition episode of the HOTWASH podcast by Born Primitive Tactical, host Bruno Fallon and an elite lineup—including 16-time world champion Dan Horner, tactical athletes Rachel and Kirt Finnell, firefighter-paramedic Julie Dudley, Chris "Dutch" Moyer, and Sons of Liberty Gun Works CEO Mike Mihalski—debrief an intense multi-day training event at the Sawmill. The discussion focuses on the critical, often-overlooked mental side of high-performance shooting and competition: managing stress, controlling heart rate under pressure, turning anxiety into focused anticipation, trusting your gear, embracing failure in training, and balancing life demands with relentless pursuit of excellence. Blending deep insights on human performance (like Dan’s “balloon analogy” for skill prioritization and sacrifice), breakthroughs on the range (Julie confidently hitting 600-yard steel on a new rifle), praise for the revolutionary Sons of Liberty Gun Works, and excitement for upcoming events like the Patriot Games, the episode captures raw camaraderie, mindset philosophy, and the rare gathering of exceptional operators, athletes, and industry leaders pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitivetactical.com/

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In this special "all-star" episode of The HOTWASH by Born Primitive Tactical, host Bruno Fallon gathers an extraordinary group of legendary figures from U.S. special operations and combatives history — including Royce Gracie, Pat McNamara (T-Mac), Norm Hooten, retired General Scott Miller, and Chris ‘Dutch’ Moyer — for an informal, whiskey-fueled roundtable conversation. The discussion kicks off with nostalgic recollections of how Royce Gracie and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu revolutionized military combatives training in the 1990s, dramatically shifting the mindset from pure stand-up striking to ground fighting after early demonstrations quickly humbled even the biggest, most skeptical operators. The group reflects on the massive cultural and tactical changes they helped pioneer across special operations units (including the integration of outside experts like shooters, climbers, and CrossFit-style conditioning), the relentless post-9/11 operational tempo that became addictive yet ultimately unsustainable, the enduring importance of authentic brotherhood and never forgetting your roots regardless of rank or fame, and the ongoing challenges of veteran mental health, suicide prevention, and keeping the next generation physically and mentally tough in a rapidly changing, technology-driven world. The conversation celebrates hard-earned relationships forged through shared hardship while looking forward to future collaborations and continued efforts to improve human performance and support the community.

To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitivetactical.com/

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitivetactical/

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In this episode of The HOTWASH podcast, host Bruno Fallon sits down with Born Primitive CEO and co-founder Bear Hanlon for a wide-ranging conversation on mission, integrity, and what it actually means to build something worth defending. Kicking off the first podcast of 2026, the two dive deep into Born Primitive’s Veterans Day debt-relief initiative, which has already erased more than $34 million in distressed medical debt for thousands of veterans with a goal to scale that impact even further.

Bear shares the emotional reality behind the numbers, from life-changing phone calls with veterans and Gold Star families to the measurable downstream effects of debt relief on credit, housing stability, and mental health. The episode also pulls back the curtain on Born Primitive’s uncompromising approach to product development and business leadership. From renting a Black Hawk helicopter to fast-rope test boots in real-world conditions, to refusing private equity money that would dilute the brand’s ethos, Baer explains why trust and reputation are the company’s only true currency. 

Follow Bear on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/bearhandlon/?hl=en

To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitivetactical.com/

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitivetactical/

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PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

In this episode of The HOTWASH podcast, host Bruno Fallonl, sits down with his long-time friend, retired Major General Mark O'Neil, for a candid conversation focused not on war stories but on the timeless principles of leadership that shaped both their careers. Over three decades of shared service, they explore how to observe mentors like Gen. Stan McChrystal and Gen. Scott Miller taught them the power of collaboration, empowering subordinates, constant learning, and building genuine relationships across agencies and ranks. O'Neill shares his personal mantra of "lead, learn, share, adapt, and grow," emphasizes the value of team sports in developing discipline and accountability, and reflects on his most rewarding command, where he brought SOF-inspired innovations like advanced marksmanship training to a conventional Army division in Alaska. The discussion seamlessly bridges military lessons to civilian and business success, highlighting how creating trusting, family-like teams, maintaining networks through genuine check-ins, and staying calm under pressure translates directly to building a high-performance brand like Born Primitive.

Learn more about Mark at: https://www.ausa.org/people/major-general-retired-mark-oneil

To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitivetactical.com/

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PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

In this engaging episode of the HOTWASH Podcast by Born Primitive Tactical, host Bruno Fallon sits down with registered dietitian and former professional MMA fighter Tyler Minton to dive deep into nutrition, mindset, and human performance. Minton shares his remarkable journey from an overweight kid battling eating disorders to becoming a sought-after performance nutritionist who worked with UFC champions like Max Holloway, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Daniel Cormier, emphasizing how relentless self-experimentation and “failing forward” shaped his expertise. The conversation explores foundational principles like prioritizing hydration, sleep, and whole-food nutrition over fad diets, the critical balance between health, performance, and aesthetics, and the psychological barriers that sabotage progress. They also discuss Minton’s rewarding role at Virginia High Performance helping elite operators optimize recovery and longevity, while delivering tough love on personal accountability, the dangers of normalizing poor habits, and why consistency in basic habits trumps chasing biohacks or extreme trends for sustainable results.

Follow Tyler on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylermintonnutrition/?hl=en

Learn more about Ethos Nutrition at: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/

To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitivetactical.com/

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitivetactical/

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BornPrimitiveTactical

PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD