Andre Bosier is a career United States Marine. Beginning his career as a Force Reconnaissance Marine, “Bo” was hand selected to be a member of the experimental Detachment-1, the Marine Corps’ proof of concept composition to US Special Operations Command, which eventually gave birth to Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC). Now Bo is the Chief Instructor for Standard Elite, developing the and strengthening the mindset, among other attributes, of athletes of all levels ranging from youth to professional. 

In this episode Bo and I “shoot the breeze” a bit exchanging some stories about the Marine Corps, then we move on to discussing a film Bo was featured in for a project called The Lionhearted,  then about half way through the show we get into the meat and potatoes of Standard Elite where Bo lays out some great words of wisdom regarding mindset and how mindset can help anyone overcome what seems to be a dismal situation. Using sports and a reference, Bo’s words will resonate with athlete, veteran, first responder, and average Joe and Jane alike. 

We finish out the show with Bo explaining his C.H.E.C.K list, and me asking Bo if Rugby is gaining popularity in the US.

https://standardelite.com

https://lionheartedfilm.com/portfolio-item/andre-bosier/

https://reconfoundation.org/

Bo’s C.H.E.C.K. list:

Communication

Humility

Enthusiasm

Courage

Knowledge

Fritz is a 22 year Marine Corps Veteran.  He was an infantryman, Scout Sniper, intelligence collector, special operations instructor and special operations intelligence collector.  In this episode we talk about a piece Fritz wrote as a Facebook thought, and go over transitioning from military to civilian life, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, listening to your body when it comes to physical activity/physical training, some funny stories, Fritz's ambassadorship with Operation Healing Forces, and much more.

You can also catch Fritz on the Uncle Sugar's Magic Circus YouTube Channel.

 https://www.operationhealingforces.org/ 

You can read Fritz's musing at www.wellnessforvets.info 

In this episode I reference two news article published in the beginning of 2019 addressing the alarmingly high rates of suicide within the US Special Operations Command and the United States Marine Corps.

I offer up my three takeaways on what I believe to be some key missing pieces to a suicide prevention program:

1. Nutritional interventions

2. Examining and monitoring hormones and neurotransmitters

3. Rethinking the way unit physical training is conducted

Linked below are the two articles which brought the 2018 suicide rates to light via social media, Wendy Suzuki’s Ted Talk presentation, an explanation of an Organic Acids Test from Dr. David Jockers.

In the two news articles are comments about suicide awareness training, resources for service members contemplating suicide, behaviors, stress. What you won’t see are comments or ideas about functional and/or integrative approaches to combating suicide. You won’t see an explanation of what is going on with someone’s physiology that leads to depression, anxiety, and eventually suicidal thoughts.

This episode is a quick overview of my three takeaways and a preview of topics I will cover more in depth in future episodes.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/02/politics/socom-military-suicide-spike-2018/index.html

https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2019/01/30/suicide-rate-across-the-corps-is-at-a-10-year-high-this-is-how-the-marines-plan-to-address-it/

https://www.ted.com/talks/wendy_suzuki_the_brain_changing_benefits_of_exercise?language=en

https://drjockers.com/organic-acids-test-functional-health/

Josh began his career in the Naval Special Warfare community before going on to retire as a chief warrant officer in the Marine Corps. Marti Jo works for Refit Revolution. In this episode of the Wellness for Vets Podcast Josh and Marti Jo talk with me about life with Josh's traumatic brain injury (TBI), Marti Jo's daily fight with diabetes, the ketogenic diet and their pursuit of optimal health, and how their faith has led and guided them on their journey towards optimal living completing the mind, body, and spirit transformation. We shared some laughs as Ionescu activated Siri on my phone during the interview, Marti Jo was giving Josh “bunny ears” during the interview, and I flubbed my own motto, all while they encouraged everyone to take ownership of your own lives and health. 

In the first recorded episode of the Wellness for Vets podcast, high school football and track coach, and health teacher Justin Moreau talks with us about transitioning from military life to civilian life, coaching high school age kids in sports, the weight room, and nutrition, and the overall health of the general population.  Coach Moreau also offers up some tips on his view of how to live a healthy life without going to any extremes, and offers shares his thoughts with parents of young athletes and the athletes themselves.

Coach Moreau is a US Marine Corps veteran with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan under his belt.  He is a graduate of Louisiana State University, and is an avid follower of what's going on in the world of nutrition and diets.