Episode 22 - Live Ready and Win

Episode 22 - Live Ready and Win

OVERVIEW Lt. Col. Joe "Coach" Cruz has spent 32 years in uniform and every year of it trying to make the people around him better. This episode covers building meaningful connection and military peer training pipelines that actually work, running a 50-mile ultramarathon at 50 years old, and the three mantras that have guided everything Joe Cruz does. ABOUT JOE CRUZ Lt. Col. Joe "Coach" Cruz is an Army officer and human performance leader with more than 32 years of military service, and a concurrent career dedicated to optimizing human performance. He currently serves as the Transformation and Innovation Officer to The Adjutant General for the New Mexico Army National Guard, where he leads initiatives focused on readiness, innovation, and organizational transformation. Coach Cruz has commanded at both the company and battalion levels and deployed twice to the CENTCOM area of operations, serving on Embedded Transition and Military Engagement Teams that advised and assisted Afghan National Army and Jordanian Armed Forces personnel in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Spartan Shield. Before transitioning to the Army's Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program in 2020, he spent a decade as a Human Performance Program Manager supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces. He later served as H2F Program Director for the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team at Fort Bliss, Texas, and the 165th Infantry Training Brigade at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Coach Cruz is passionate about building systems that improve readiness through leadership, physical preparation, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. His mission is to help individuals and organizations live ready and win. EPISODE TAKEAWAYS * Live ready and win — not a slogan, a standard. The commitment to being physically, mentally, and spiritually prepared for whatever comes next * Never out of the fight — keep moving forward regardless of pace, conditions, or how far you have left to go * Don't be defined by what you do — be defined by who you are. You don't need a uniform or a title to contribute goodness to the world * Always improve your fighting position — constant forward motion, constant refinement, constant contribution * Hire for character and train for skill — emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills are harder to develop than technical competency * The challenge became the gift — at mile 38 of a 50-mile ultra, Joe wasn't suffering. He was grateful. * Reciprocal energy — the best rooms are the ones where energy flows both ways. Build those rooms intentionally. * Show up for people — when Coach Uch needed someone, Joe canceled his trips and drove to Arizona. That's the standard. * Meaningful connection requires intentionality — the circle gets smaller as life gets busier. Protect it and maximize every overlap. * We are contagious — when you live your best life and stay ready, you don't infect people. You inspire them. EPISODE LINKS The Talent War — by Mike Sarraille and George Randle [https://talentwargroup.com/the-talent-war/] Armed Forces Series Challenge [https://www.marinemarathon.com/armed-forces-series-challenge/] North Fork 50-miler [https://www.aravaiparunning.com/north-fork-ultras/]

Episode 21 - Always Ask w/ John Mackersie

OVERVIEW John Mackersie called in from a hotel room in Crete — which tells you everything you need to know about him. A former collegiate athlete turned strength coach, John spent nearly seven years living in Europe before heading back stateside with his wife, three boys, and a coaching philosophy built on simplicity, creativity, and showing up consistently regardless of what life looks like that day. This one covers training through busy seasons, why exercise is just play, and the two-word piece of advice that might change everything. ABOUT JOHN MACKERSIE Former collegiate athlete turned strength coach, dedicated family man, and outdoor adventurer. Alongside his amazing wife, he manages a chaotic, fun-filled house of three boys and two dogs. He’s a lover of big adventures, hard workouts, and the great outdoors. EPISODE TAKEAWAYS * Always ask — everybody has thoughts, everybody is curious. Ask the question. You never know where it's going to lead you. * Exercise is just play — it doesn't need to be a ninety minute structured session. Find where people are comfortable and play with them. * Make a deal with yourself — if you hit your primary lifts, you've earned the right to walk. Accessories drive primaries, and primaries drive everything. * You can never make up for lack of intensity with volume — hit the intensity, and the volume will follow * You can never make up for lack of frequency with intensity or volume — consistent touchpoints open the door to ten, twenty, thirty minute sessions that actually move the needle * Less is more — quality over quantity, especially as life gets busier * The best lifts often happen with no plan — a buddy's garage, a hotel gym, one kettlebell, twenty minutes. Creativity fills the gap that equipment can't. * Consistency over perfection — especially for parents and people in busy seasons. You don't need five hours a week. You need consistent exposure to something that challenges you

Episode 20 - Let's Fucking Go w/ Vivian Morales Kolb

OVERVIEW Viviana Morales Kolb is a 12-year Army veteran, mom of four boys, and self-described semi-professional manager of chaos who has made a second career out of dragging people back to life. This episode covers community, purpose, endurance challenges nobody asked for, range games, and the one question every veteran needs to answer — not who they used to be, but who they are now. ABOUT VIVIANA MORALES KOLB Viviana Morales Kolb is an old crusty U.S. Army veteran, mom of four boys, community builder with a slightly unhinged relationship with endurance challenges, and believes that every person has value and a reason to keep showing up. After serving 12 years in the military, she found a new mission in helping veterans and others reconnect with purpose, community, and themselves. Through fitness, mentorship, and authentic conversations, she works to remind people that they are stronger than they realize and that their story is far from over. Known for her mix of grit, compassion, humor (her love language is making people laugh); Viviana has a passion for bringing people together and helping them see the value in their existence — especially during seasons when they may struggle to see it themselves. If you have a bad idea that involves miles, minimal sleep, or "just one more rep," she is probably signing up with you. As a semi-professional manager of chaos, who enjoys volunteering in her community, supporting fellow veterans, and raising energetic boys, she believes the greatest measure of success is the impact we have on others while we're still here. When she's not chasing endurance goals or organizing the next community fitness challenge, she's usually running on large doses of caffeine, embracing motherhood, answering approximately 47 questions from her children before 8 a.m., and doing her best to make the most of the time she's been given earthside while helping others do the same. EPISODE TAKEAWAYS * Find the community that speaks to you — there's a VSO, a run club, a range day, or a fly fishing crew for everyone. Find yours and stick to it. * Start small and rev up slow — the veteran who's been on the couch for three months doesn't sign up for a marathon on day one. One walk around the block. That's it. * Stop asking who you used to be — "I used to be a 14-minute two-miler" is not a plan. What are you now? What's going to make you proud now? * Your story is not over — the best chapter doesn't have to be the one in uniform * The greatest measure of success is the impact you have on others while you're still here * Training to say yes — Viv's whole approach to fitness is staying capable enough to say yes to the next stupid idea someone invites her to * Community is the prescription — not a supplement, not a nice-to-have. The antidote to isolation is finding people who get it and showing up consistently * Running the Marine Corps Marathon with Stop Soldier Suicide — because keeping people alive is the mission that doesn't end at ETS EPISODE LINKS Team RWB - teamrwb.org [http://teamrwb.org] Wounded Warrior Project - woundedwarriorproject.org [http://woundedwarriorproject.org] Marine Corps Marathon — marinemarathon.com [http://marinemarathon.com] Atomic Habits - jamesclear.com [http://jamesclear.com]

Episode 19 - Make Yourself Indispensable w/ Brad Hollingsworth

OVERVIEW Brad Hollingsworth spent four and a half years as a Marine Corps infantryman, including time in a sniper platoon he wasn't supposed to be in, before an abrupt exit forced him to rebuild from scratch. What followed was a decade-plus career in human performance built entirely on the same principle that kept him in that sniper platoon: make yourself impossible to cut. This episode covers service, identity, the cost of burning your passion into your profession, and why the best thing a veteran can do after getting out is find something that has nothing to do with work. ABOUT BRAD HOLLINGSWORTH Brad Hollingsworth is a business owner, fitness industry professional, and United States Marine Corps veteran with more than 16 years of experience in human performance, fitness operations, tactical strength and conditioning, and wellness program management. Throughout his career, he has combined technical expertise in performance training with hands-on leadership, business development, and operational management experience. Brad is the co-founder of PEAK Athletics, a successful training facility in North Carolina that specialized in athletic development, tactical performance, and strength and conditioning. As a founder and operator, he played a leading role in the planning, financing, development, and day-to-day management of the business, helping grow the organization before ultimately selling his ownership interest when relocating out of state. His experience also includes serving as a Manager and Personal Trainer at O2 Fitness, Tactical Strength & Conditioning Coach at TOPS Athletics, Assistant Contract Manager for the North Carolina National Guard's Fit 2 Serve Program, and Police Wellness Coordinator for the Tempe Police Department in Arizona, where he developed and managed a comprehensive wellness program supporting the physical and mental health of law enforcement personnel. A former Marine Corps infantryman with multiple overseas deployments, Brad brings a disciplined, mission-focused approach to leadership and problem solving. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a Master of Science in Population Health Science from Duke University. He also maintains several professional certifications, including Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F). Outside of his professional career, Brad is an avid outdoorsman and lifelong athlete. His interests include hunting, cave diving, strength training, and exploring remote environments that require physical preparedness, technical skill, and disciplined execution. These pursuits reflect the same values that have guided his professional career: resilience, continuous improvement, calculated risk management, and a commitment to excellence. EPISODE TAKEAWAYS * Be indispensable * Find work — not a career, not a calling, just the next useful thing you can do better than anyone around you * Don't turn your passion into your profession * Find something that is not your job — a hobby, an adventure, anything that gives you full presence and zero career pressure * Beware the case of the "I used to" — pick up something you dropped and start doing it again. * Keep playing — veterans who go all-in on the next mission often forget to keep something in their life that's just theirs * A lower ASVAB score than Brad is still a perfectly valid life choice — some of us just wanted infantry * Cave diving will give you a lower heart rate a hundred feet underwater than standing on land EPISODE LINKS Two Bravo Training Solutions [https://twobravosolutions.com/]

Episode 18 - Attack Your Weakness in Honor of Rob Wadleigh

OVERVIEW This one is dedicated to Rob Wadleigh — Senior Enlisted Leader within 1st Special Forces Group, AGD Master of None team member, and by all accounts the Green Beret everyone else was trying to be. Nate reflects on Rob's life, his approach to training, and the philosophy that defined both.. EPISODE TAKEAWAYS * Attack your weakness — find something you're genuinely bad at and throw yourself at it with humility and aggression * Discipline over motivation gets you started. Curiosity and trust keep you going. * Rob hated a program, stuck with it, and ended up loving it. * Mastery is a pursuit, not a state of being — the moment you think you've arrived, you've stopped becoming * True masters don't think of themselves as masters — they have enough humility to keep advancing their craft * Genetic weakness is not an excuse — it's a starting point. * Get from shit to sucks — progress doesn't require perfection as a destination, just honest effort as a practice * You can't take anything with you. Play your cards now. * Touching the flame is relative — what makes you feel alive doesn't have to look like anyone else's version of it * Keep the fire going where it's already lit — but don't be afraid to rub two sticks together until your hands turn to hamburger meat EPISODE LINKS Episode 13 - Build Something w/ JD Mata [/podcast/episode13-build-something]