The Human Practitioner

Danny Mears, Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt.) and Superintendent with the Air National Guard's 139th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, joins John Logsdon and Craig to discuss the importance of attention to detail in aviation maintenance. Danny has maintained the C-130 for nearly 27 years and reached out after watching a clip of John discussing what aircraft maintainers refer to as "the 18 inch rule."After a recent minor incident got Danny thinking of how to instill a higher sense of quality of work in his maintainers, he is implementing additional training in his squadron to achieve this.We appreciate Danny's active approach to maintaining a high standard of work and safety of flight. We look forward to inviting Danny to join us again in the future as his initiative rolls out in his squadron.Thanks to John Logsdon for co-hosting, and come back for more military aviation stories in the future!

Laura Salmon, Air Force veteran and creator of Glantz Medias and Glantz Aviation, joins John Logsdon and Craig to share her story and love for aviation. Laura is a former B-1 Lancer bomber hydraulics mechanic and award-winning graphic designer. Her recent photos of a CH-53E operated by HMH-464 out of MCAS New River, NC got the attention of the CH-53 community, which led us to connecting with her.Laura's story is one of resilience, uniqueness and passion for her craft. This is episode one with her and she will be a guest with us again in the future. We appreciate the beautiful work she's done on the thumbnail for this video and two more of our recent episodes.Below is an excerpt from her website, www.glantzmedias.com. Please visit her site and inquire about how she can help you with your graphic design needs!"Glantz Medias focuses on providing clients with high quality photography, videography and branding services tailored specifically to their business. Our goal is to create customized content that will be successfully utilized across all digital platforms and print marketing for years to come. Working one-on-one, we are able to consistently provide on-time and creative content necessary for your business.Glantz Aviation captures a unique perspective of military and commercial aircraft through the lens. From soaring through vibrant blue skies to the final embrace of the rust colored dirt and dust, the essence of an aircraft’s soul is forever immortalized in these captivating images. Are you wanting to bring life to the walls of your home or office with beautiful landscapes, soaring titans of the sky or memorable moments of your team hard at work? Check out the photo galleries with beautiful and iconic imagery perfect for your home or office. Let us ensure you have updated content, consistent branding materials for your social media and website, or stunning photography to brighten your living spaces."

This opens with several minutes of CH-53 and general aviation talk.

Steve Langen, former Marine CH-53 crew chief and father of Alec Langen, shares his family's history in the Marine CH-53 community, and the tragedy that took Alec's life aboard a CH-53.

Alec was the senior crew chief on board Tiger 43, the HMH-361 CH-53E that crashed in the mountains east of San Diego late the night of February 6th, 2024.

Thanks to Steve exposing him to aviation at a young age, Alec got to live his dream as a Marine CH-53 crew chief.

Alec's memory lives on through Running4Alec.org, a non-profit dedicated to supporting families of fallen Navy and Marine Corps aviators.

Please visit www.running4alec.org for more information about how you can be of support to a great cause.

Thumbnail credit: Laura Salmon at Glantz Medias, www.glantzmedias.com.

Former Marine Sgt. and CH-53 Crew Chief Instructor, John Logsdon, joins Craig for another episode. They discuss how our past traumas can be transformed into excellence, leaving a lasting legacy through our work and family, and improving veteran-to-veteran relationships. John is the sole owner and operator of WeldCo Custom Fabrication and Welding, building custom hot rods for clients all over the country. He shares how becoming more selective with his clientele has brought him more satisfying results in his business.

Special thanks to Laura Glantz of Glantz Medias for the thumbnail. The backdrop is a recent photo Laura took of a CH-53E Super Stallion operated by the HMH-464 Condors at New River, North Carolina. Laura is an Air Force veteran who served as a hydraulics mechanic on the B-1 Lancer bomber. Please visit www.glantzmedias.com for more.

Hey there! My name is John. I’m originally from Minnesota and made the move to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in 2020 with my wife, Michelle, and our two German Shepherds, Athena and Estella.

Before diving into real estate, I spent six years in law enforcement—two of those years here in North Idaho and four as a deputy sheriff back in Wisconsin. Prior to that, I earned a degree in Legal Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. My journey of service started even earlier, when I enlisted in the Army at 17. By the time I was 19, I was deployed to Afghanistan where I took part in combat operations as an infantryman.

After dedicating over a decade of my life to serving the U.S. government, I’m beyond grateful to now be focused on helping people find their place in the world—especially here in beautiful North Idaho.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me outdoors with my dogs. Whether it’s hiking, fly fishing, hunting, camping, playing hockey, skiing, or simply exploring new places with Michelle and our dogs—I’m always chasing the next adventure.

Please visit the North Idaho Experience website at https://northidahoexperience.com.

John’s Linq: https://linqapp.com/fontaine4?r=link

Curtis Jackson is a world-class performance coach and the founder and co-owner of Jackson Strength and Performance, where he has spent the last twenty years helping athletes reach the highest levels of physical and mental performance. Over his career, Jackson Strength and Performance has trained hundreds of athletes in the youth, collegiate, professional, and Olympic arenas across a wide range of sports, including baseball, basketball, skiing, football, sand and indoor volleyball, martial arts, soccer, track and field, and more.

With the support of Jackson Strength and Performance, numerous athletes have gone on to compete at many of the most respected collegiate programs in the country such as Texas, Nebraska, Virginia, Clemson, NC State, Virginia Tech, Harvard, Yale, nearly every school in the former Pac-12, and many more.

Jackson Strength and Performance has also worked with elite athletes such as Olympian ski cross athlete Tyler Wallasch, Beach Volleyball Olympian Nick Lucena, current Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones, 2017 World Freeride Champion Lorraine Huber, three-time Olympic skier Daron Rahlves and numerous other athletes at the collegiate and professional levels.

Curtis’s credibility comes not only from decades of coaching but also from his own accomplishments as an athlete. He is a former professional beach volleyball player, an all-league Division I indoor volleyball athlete, and was instrumental in leading Long Beach State to the 1999 National Championship match. His legacy has been permanently honored through his induction into the Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball Wall of Honor. In addition to his athletic and coaching achievements, Curtis is the author of Strength Training for Volleyball and previously served as a columnist for DiG Beach Volleyball magazine, further contributing to the sport through education and written expertise.

Throughout his career, Curtis has been mentored by some of the most influential minds in performance training such as current New York Yankees coach Eric Cressey, the legendary Charles Poliquin, Paul Chek, Joe DeFranco, and many more. These mentors have helped shape his holistic and continually evolving approach. Grounded and humble, Curtis remains committed to lifelong learning.

With 20+ years of study in nutrition and a strong foundation in sports psychology, Curtis integrates nutrition and sleep education, corrective exercise, strength and mobility development, mindset training, and two decades of hands-on experience to maximize athleticism.

He is especially passionate about mentoring youth athletes, helping them understand the importance of caring for their physical and mental health, and showing them that there is always time to train when priorities are in the right order.

Above all, Curtis believes that consistent effort leads to extraordinary results. Known for his humility, authenticity, and relentless dedication to growth, he has earned his place as one of the most respected performance coaches in the field.

Please visit the Jackson Strength and Performance website at https://jacksonstrengthandperformance.com.

Mycal Anders is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Birkman Certified Consultant, bestselling author, and founder of Next Level Performance Consulting, located in Scottsdale, AZ.

He's coached thousands of high performers to integrate their leadership, wellness and identity through a system rooted in clarity, discipline and aligned execution.

"When leaders align, they don't just perform. They become undeniable."

Please visit Next Level Performance Consulting at https://nextlevelpfc.com.

Matthew enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps following his graduation from Cactus Shadows High School in 2003. He served with HMH-362 throughout the South Pacific as well as the Naval Aviation Headquarters conducting test and evaluation flights on CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters. Matthew completed 14 months in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and later participated in the development of the CH-53K King Stallion. Following his first combat deployment, he was awarded the Marine Corps' prestigious “Enlisted Aircrew Member” of the year. Matthew most recently served as a recruiter and his station led the state of Arizona in enlisting new Marines. Matthew married his high school sweetheart, Ashley, in 2008. They currently reside in Gilbert, AZ with their 12-year-old daughter, Kaylee, 4-year-old daughter, Campbell, and 2-year-old son, Caden. Matthew and Ashley have also provided a safe and loving home for 8 foster children. In his free time, he likes to golf, cook and suffer through being an Arizona sports fan.

It makes me proud to have served with Matthew in the HMH-362 "Ugly Angels" Flightline shop. The exemplary reputation that HMH-362 built over many years resulted in approximately 90,000 mishap-free flight hours during Matthew's service as an Ugly Angel.

If you or someone you know is in the housing market in the Phoenix area, please contact Matthew for assistance. Below is his website and contact information.

https://matthewcrooks.longrealty.com/bio/matthewcrooks

Cris' 20-plus-year aviation career began as a Marine Corps Flight Equipment technician maintaining helmets and flight gear for pilots and aircrew. He then transitioned into a CH-53E mechanic performing in-depth depot level maintenance, where he developed rapidly as an aircraft maintainer. That's also where I met him, around 2007. He later joined Airbus and excelled enough to become a Senior Manager of Technical Training.

Cris is one of the funniest people I've had the pleasure of working with, and he's known for bringing great energy, focus and enthusiasm into all environments.

Olyveya, who suggests we "get uncomfortable," has lived an exciting life ranging from a professional ballet career, living in numerous countries around the world, becoming an advocate of the carnivore diet, and building her company - Pure by Olyveya.

Olyveya has cured herself of multiple health conditions through her animal-product-based diet, and shares that story with the world so others can do the same for themselves.

She designs and manufactures her own clothing and has built her brand Pure by Olyveya for women seeking "small batch beauty products that are not bad for you."

Please visit www.olyveya.com for more.