The O2X Podcast

-Adam Popp is a 12-year combat veteran of the Air Force with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team leader. In 2007, while working to disarm a roadside bomb (IED) in Afghanistan, he was injured by a secondary IED resulting in the amputation of his right leg above the knee.

-In the years following his injury, Adam endeavored to find meaning and purpose. Ultimately, he found that running, sports, and advocacy work was his path to fulfillment and self-actualization.

-He is a seven-time Guinness World Record holder, became the first above-knee amputee to complete a 100-mile ultramarathon within 30 hours in 2016, has five 100-mile finishes, and set an amputee record time of 16:13:43 for 100 miles in 2024. He won the 2024 Boston Marathon’s Para Elite division and set a world best of 3:08:52 at the London Marathon six days later. He has six finishes at the JFK 50-miler and set an able-bodied course record at the 2019 Colorado Kickers for Kids Endurance Run while winning the race outright. He has twelve podium finishes in Paratriathlon, including wins at the 2021 and 2022 Americas Triathlon Championships and the 2018 ITU Paratriathlon World Cup, and in 2023, completed a full Ironman in 11:03:06.

-During the 18 months in which he was recovering from his injuries, he was able to meet and learn from others recovering from a wide range of traumatic injuries and individual challenges. He saw the myriad ways that people handled the process of recovery, many using sport to not only overcome their new adversity, but to rise to a higher level of functioning in the aftermath of trauma. By the end of his stay at Walter Reed Medical Center, he made a pledge to himself that he would utilize his experience, understanding, and compassion to help others overcome their individual physical and emotional challenges to reach their maximum potential.

-He completed a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation and Clinical Counseling from George Washington University and a second master’s degree in Sport & Performance Psychology from the University of Denver. He has served on the Board of Directors of the EOD Warrior Foundation for 13-years, and on the VA Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation for three years. He is a certified peer-mentor and peer-mentor trainer through the Amputee Coalition of America and assists amputees and other individuals with disabilities to successfully pursue athletic and other personal endeavors. Additionally, he was featured in Alive, a documentary featuring veterans who have turned to athletics to heal both physically and emotionally from their battle wounds.

Support EOD Warrior Foundation:
https://eodwarriorfoundation.org/

Check out Adam's website:
https://www.couchto100.com/bio

FirstNet Built with AT&T:
http://www.firstnet.com/healthandwellness

Building Homes for Heroes:
https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/

Download the O2X Tactical Performance App:
app.o2x.com

Let us know what you think:
Website - http://o2x.com
IG - https://instagram.com/o2xhumanperformance?igshid=1kicimx55xt4f 

-Episode 101 features Frank Wintrich, O2X’s Program Manager within the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Frank is 2x guest on the O2X podcast - with his background covered on episode #41 as well as his strength and conditioning tips for beginners covered in our ‘10 Basic Strats’ limited series.

-From birds eye, Frank spent 19 years at the NCAA Division I level working with a variety of athletes to develop holistic training that allows for peak physical and psychological performance in their respective sports discipline.

-A few of his notable roles include: Director of Football Performance at UCLA, Program Director for University of North Texas, BYU, and University of Virginia, Associate Director of S&C at University of South Florida, Director of Athletic Performance at Citadel, and assistant S&C coach at Utah State and Arizona State.

-He also has additional experience US Army’s 3rd Brigade Combat team, 1st Armored Division.

-Recently Frank was featured at the NSCA Tactical Conference where he presented on Developing a Culture of Excellence. We cover the main principles detailed in his presentation, his reasoning for presenting on this topic, and key takeaways for anyone looking to develop or enhance the culture within their organization.

FirstNet Built with AT&T:
http://www.firstnet.com/healthandwellness

Building Homes for Heroes:
https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/

Download the O2X Tactical Performance App:
app.o2x.com

Let us know what you think:
Website - http://o2x.com
IG - https://instagram.com/o2xhumanperformance?igshid=1kicimx55xt4f 

-Today's episode is joined by Loy Donaldson and Alex Othmer.

-Alex Othmer is an O2X Lead Instructor, graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and former U.S. Navy SEAL. Currently, he is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Guardian Revival, a 501(c)(3) Not-for-profit Organization chartered to support first responders and veterans.

-Loy Donaldson is a firefighter with Anchorage (AK) Fire Department, a CrossFit athlete, and former Teaching Assistant for children with special needs. 

-In May of 2020, as of way to encourage fitness during the COVID pandemic, O2X's 1% Run Challenge was developed. Loy was one of 220+ runners to sign up for the 1% Run Challenge - committing to run 1 mile a day until the challenge's completion. Now, after 1500 consecutive days, Loy is one of 24 remaining runners still actively participating in the run challenge - completing all of his runs in the state of Alaska.

-In September, Guardian Revival is kicking off their 3rd annual '1 Mile Challenge'. Similar to O2X's Run Challenge, Guardian Revival is encouraging participants to walk or run one mile a day throughout the month of September in an effort to raise funds & awareness to reduce veteran & first responder suicide.

-Tune into this conversation to hear Loy's story, find out his keys to success, and learn more about Guardian Revival's impact on the tactical population.

Sign up for Guardian Revivals '1 Mile Challenge':
https://give.guardianrevival.org/event/guardian-one-mile-challenge-2024/e597603

FirstNet Built with AT&T:
http://www.firstnet.com/healthandwellness

Building Homes for Heroes:
https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/

Download the O2X Tactical Performance App:
app.o2x.com

Let us know what you think:
Website - http://o2x.com
IG - https://instagram.com/o2xhumanperformance?igshid=1kicimx55xt4f 

-Joe Cavallaro is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and On-Site Human Performance Specialist with the Massachusetts National Guard where he provides support in injury management and prevention.

-He is a 2013 graduate of Northeastern University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and USA Triathlon coach and leans on his experience in working with athletes at each timepoint across the injury to performance spectrum.

-Prior to O2X, Joe had the opportunity to work with and support both the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association, Premier League Lacrosse and professional triathletes based out of New England.

-After his experience in the NBA, he  moved to the private practice world where he continued to work with high school, collegiate and professional athletes. During this time he worked to establish relationships across the medical and performance worlds to help athletes succeed with return to sport.

-He has since started his role with O2X and MANG - where he aims to mitigate the risk of injury and develop back to work programs for soldiers and airmen in the Army National Guard and Air National Guard.

Check out our program w/ Massachusetts National Guard:
https://youtu.be/jyMVRl-81hc?si=XUgM7dT4kzuugYQo

FirstNet Built with AT&T:
http://www.firstnet.com/healthandwellness

Building Homes for Heroes:
https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/

Download the O2X Tactical Performance App:
app.o2x.com

Let us know what you think:
Website - http://o2x.com
IG - https://instagram.com/o2xhumanperformance?igshid=1kicimx55xt4f 

-Dr. Gabe Farias & Jordan Hicks represent the O2X Integrated Specialist Program with Phoenix Police Department.

-Jordan Hicks specializes in injury prevention and management as a certified Athletic Trainer - with six years of expertise in evaluating and rehabilitating musculoskeletal injuries.

-Prior to joining the O2X team, Jordan was a Sports Medicine Injury Prevention Athletic Trainer at Camp Pendleton. With a demonstrated commitment to the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of patients, she successfully developed regiment level athletic training programs, implemented concussion protocols, and contributed significantly to the overall fitness and mobility of individuals.

-She also logged time as a Tactical Athletic Trainer as part of the Optimizing Human Weapons System Athletic Trainer team at Aviano Air Base in Italy and Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington State.

-She holds a Master of Sciences in Sports Medicine: Strength and Conditioning from the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from San Diego State University. 

-The second guest, Dr. Gabe Farias, is an O2X Mental Performance Specialist.

-Prior to joining O2X, Gabe worked with U.S. Army, engaging with thousands of soldiers, enhancing mental resilience and imparting invaluable mental skills for personal and professional applications. Driven by the belief that mental skills are indispensable for high performance, Gabe applies his expertise in Sport and Performance Psychology to empower tactical athletes and teams. His focus is on cultivating critical mental skills that provide a decisive advantage over the competitors.

-Gabe earned his Master’s in Performance Psychology from National University in La Jolla, CA back in 2020 and continued his education by earning his PhD in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Western States in Portland, OR in September of 2023. He is currently working on his second doctorate in Organizational Leadership.

-Together, Jordan & Gabe lead our integrated specialist with Phoenix Police Department where the provide human performance resources to all Phoenix Police officers.

O2X | Integrated: Phoenix Police Department
https://youtu.be/ktMfkm-tzIU

FirstNet Built with AT&T:
http://www.firstnet.com/healthandwellness

Building Homes for Heroes:
https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/

Download the O2X Tactical Performance App:
app.o2x.com

Let us know what you think:
Website - http://o2x.com
IG - https://instagram.com/o2xhumanperformance?igshid=1kicimx55xt4f 

-Trey Lachicotte is an O2X Lead Instructor and retired US Army Special Forces Operator (Green Beret) who worked as the Long-Range Surveillance Detachment (LRSD) commander.

-Prior to entering the Army, he attended the University of Tennessee, where he assisted in strength training for the National Championship University of Tennessee Women’s Basketball team.

-He also competed on the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps’ (AROTC) national championship Ranger Challenge team (collegiate level). These experiences translated to his successful completion of the US Army’s Ranger and Special Forces Qualification courses and service as an US Army Green Beret.

-After 21 years of active duty and ten worldwide (four combat) deployments, he recently retired in February 2022.

-He is actively involved in the Human Performance industry, currently working with multiple special operations non-profits and delivering O2X’s training & education directly to the tactical population’s as an O2X Lead Instructor.

FirstNet Built with AT&T:
http://www.firstnet.com/healthandwellness

Building Homes for Heroes:
https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/

Download the O2X Tactical Performance App:
app.o2x.com

Let us know what you think:
Website - http://o2x.com
IG - https://instagram.com/o2xhumanperformance?igshid=1kicimx55xt4f 

 -Rob Kelly is an O2X Account Executive, Stage 3 Cancer Survivor, an IRONMAN Triathlon finisher, and former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer

-He is an Eagle Scout, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and also earned a Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) from the University of Southern California, Marshall school of Business.

-Before joining the O2X team, he served for 11 years as a U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer. During his time in the Navy, he served on 6 warships across 3 overseas deployments. Throughout his service, he embraced various roles, from serving as a Visit Board Search & Seizure Boarding Officer, to assuming responsibilities as Damage Control Lead, to leading  departments as Weapons Officer, and Combat Systems Officer.
 
-Since leaving the Navy, he joined the O2X Team as an Account Executive, specializing in client support within the federal sector. Rob plays a vital role in implementing performance programs tailored to the unique needs of military and federal agencies.

FirstNet Built with AT&T:
http://www.firstnet.com/healthandwellness

Building Homes for Heroes:
https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/

Download the O2X Tactical Performance App:
app.o2x.com

Let us know what you think:
Website - http://o2x.com
IG - https://instagram.com/o2xhumanperformance?igshid=1kicimx55xt4f 

-Lindsey Deppen is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) serving at the O2X Integrated Specialist Program with the U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Atlantic

-Originally from Long Island, New York, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mount Saint Mary College before obtaining her Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Springfield College

-Prior to O2X, she served as the Lead Performance Expert at Fort Eustis in the U.S. Army’s Ready and Resilient (R2) Program - which is geared towards enhancing resilience and optimizing performance of U.S. Army Soldiers. During this time she worked with populations to include: 511th Engineer Dive Detachment, United States Sergeants Major Academy, United States Army War College, and United States Military Academy at West Point

-She was responsible for teaching evidence-based resilience skills to Soldiers with an emphasis on application to their personal and professional lives. Since then, she’s joined the O2X team where works with U.S. Navy sailors at Naval Station Norfolk as an O2X On Site Mental Performance Specialist

Only You Can Prevent Helmet Fires:
https://www.o2x.com/only-you-can-prevent-helmet-fires/

FirstNet Built with AT&T:
http://www.firstnet.com/healthandwellness

Building Homes for Heroes:
https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/

Download the O2X Tactical Performance App:
app.o2x.com

Let us know what you think:
Website - http://o2x.com
IG- https://instagram.com/o2xhumanperformance?igshid=1kicimx55xt4f 

-Joe Gamaldi is the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) National Vice President - the oldest and largest Police Union in the United States which represents over 370,000 LEOs

-He’s a graduate of University of Hartford, where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice and earned Master’s Degree from Long Island University in Homeland Security Management. He was hired by the NYPD in 2005 where he worked as an officer for approximately three years. He then transferred to the Houston Police Department in 2008, where he is currently an active Lieutenant

-He went on to serve as a Board Member of the Houston Police Officers’ Union (HPOU) FOP Lodge 110 before being elected the Second Vice President, serving in that capacity for five years before being elected President of the Houston Police Officers’ Union, where he served for three years. Joe was elected National Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police in August of 2019 in New Orleans.

-Within the National FOP, he led the committee which developed the first National FOP mobile app, free to all members. He also assists running the social media platforms for the National FOP and with media relations/responses.

FirstNet Built with AT&T:
http://www.firstnet.com/healthandwellness

Building Homes for Heroes:
https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/

Download the O2X Tactical Performance App:
app.o2x.com

Let us know what you think:
Website - http://o2x.com
IG- https://instagram.com/o2xhumanperformance?igshid=1kicimx55xt4f 

-Today we’re joined two separate guests: Dr. Laurie Craigen, who specializes in Mental Health, and Dr. Allison Brager, who specializes in Sleep Performance.

-Laurie Craigen is an O2X Clinical Resilience Specialist and an Associate Professor in the Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine Program at Boston University.

-She is an active Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Boston, received her PhD from the College of William and Mary, and has worked with clients experiencing trauma, grief, anxiety, and depression. Throughout the years, she has developed expertise in working with high performance athletes, clients working in high stress environments, and military connected individuals.

-Our second guest has made two separate appearances on the podcast prior to today. Dr. Allison Brager is an O2X Sleep Specialist and a Major in the U.S. Army. She is also an elite CrossFit athlete competing for the Army. Allison sits on fatigue management working groups for the federal government, Special Forces, and NATO. 

-Previously, at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research; she and her teammates leveraged groundbreaking sleep discoveries to deliver knowledge products and material solutions to the Army. Her discoveries have most recently been delivered during Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Gotham. She has over 40 publications in flagship biomedical journals.

-Together, these two are going to discuss the overlap between sleep and mental health disorders. The following questions will be explored by both Laurie and Allison:

1. How does poor sleep quality affect mental health?

2. What are the common mental health disorders linked to sleep problems?

3. Can addressing sleep issues improve mental health conditions like anxiety and depression?

4. Exploring the impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive functions and emotional well-being.

5. How does a consistent sleep schedule contribute to better mental health?

6. Discussing the role of sleep disorders in exacerbating conditions like PTSD and bipolar disorder.

7. What strategies can individuals implement to enhance both their sleep and mental health?

8. Is there a connection between insomnia and the onset of mental health issues?

9. Examining the benefits of mindful practices for improving sleep and mental well-being.

10. How can therapists and sleep specialists collaborate to provide comprehensive care for patients?

FirstNet Built with AT&T:
http://www.firstnet.com/healthandwellness

Building Homes for Heroes:
https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/

Download the O2X Tactical Performance App:
app.o2x.com

Let us know what you think:
Website - http://o2x.com
IG - https://instagram.com/o2xhumanperformance?igshid=1kicimx55xt4f