PODCAST
The Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast provides a platform to prepare performance leaders to navigate the moral, mental, emotional, intellectual and physical rigors in high-risk and ultra-competitive settings by developing strength of mind, body, character and critical thought. The podcast features guests who are performance leaders in a myriad of industries and explores human performance at the tactical/individual level, the operational/team level as well as the organizational level. The LUF Human Performance podcast endeavors to synthesize ideas, concepts and practices from divergent industries where uncertainty, risk, time-pressure and resource limitations are pervasive, and the consequences of sub-optimal performance are severe.

Embracing Extreme Adversity with LCDR Justin Legg, USN SEAL (Ret)
In this episode of the Leadership Under Fire Optimizing Human Performance Podcast, we’ll unpack Justin Legg’s unprecedented story of resilience. In 2006, Justin experienced a major medical setback, but as discussed, his mental fortitude has carried him through every challenge in life. Justin is a

Deep Survival with Author Laurence Gonzales
Laurence Gonzales is the author of three novels and five books of nonfiction. His bestselling book Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why has been published in six languages and was followed by Surviving Survival: The Art and Science of Resilience. His

Jim McNamara’s Senior Man Feature Episode with Bob Athanas, FDNY
This episode is hosted by Jim McNamara. For those tuning in for the first time, Jim is a senior Firefighter at the FDNY and serves as a Human Performance Advisor for Leadership Under Fire. He’s also the principal author of

Managing Risk and Morality as a Paramedic with Jacob Dutton
Jake Dutton is a firefighter with the FDNY currently assigned to Ladder Company 102 in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. He was previously assigned to Engine Company 235 and has worked as a paramedic in the New York City Emergency

Mental Skills Coaching with Ben Oliva
Ben Oliva is a certified mental performance consultant and mental health counselor. He is a member of the SportStrata team, which utilizes the most recent innovations in sport and performance psychology to coach individuals and teams to reach their maximum potential. He specializes

Leading in a Rapidly Changing World with LtCol Charlie Black, USMC
Charlie Black is a retired Marine Corps Officer with diverse experiences that span over three decades of service on four continents with conventional and special operations forces. His mission-focused leadership consistently enabled success in the most demanding and uncertain environments by building

Leading as a Fire Company Commander with FDNY Captain Michele Fitzsimmons
Captain Michele Fitzsimmons is an 18-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). She currently is the Department’s highest-ranking, senior woman in fire operations as the Company Commander of Ladder 12 in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. From 2002 through

Reflections of a Senior Marine General Officer with Lieutenant General Lawrence Nicholson, USMC (Ret)
In this episode, we’re honored to have U.S. Marine Lieutenant General Lawrence Nicholson as our guest. General Nicholson served as the Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force, leading 30,000 Marines and Sailors in the Asia-Pacific region, from 2015 to 2018. He retired in August

2019 Year in Review with Jason Brezler and James McNamara–Part II
Welcome to the second part of our 2019 Year In Review. This episode picks up with podcast host Patti Murphy, Leadership Under Fire Founder and President Jason Brezler and FDNY Senior Firefighter James McNamara. In the previous episode, we discussed the

2019 Year in Review with Jason Brezler and James McNamara–Part I
In this episode, host Patti Murphy is joined by Leadership Under Fire Founder and President Jason Brezler and FDNY Senior Firefighter James McNamara. Together they discuss the LUF Team’s 2019 accomplishments and focused efforts which included the rigorous examination of

Measuring Rigor: From the Ironman to the Fireground with Tim Clarke
Timothy Clarke is an FDNY Firefighter in Ladder Company 12 in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and an International Association of Firefighters Peer Certified Fitness instructor (which is a personal trainer for firefighters). He spent three years racing professionally in

Developing Mission-Oriented Leaders with Eric Nurnberg
In this episode, listeners will hear from a guest who you may recognize from an episode we published in the spring of 2019 on Risk and Resilience. Please welcome back Deputy Chief Eric Nurnberg who currently serves as our team’s

Tactical Science and Lethal Threats with Charles “Sid” Heal
Charles “Sid” Heal retired as a Commander from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department in 2008 after nearly 33 years of service, more than half of which was spent in units charged with handling law enforcement special and emergency operations. He was

Mental Sweat with Mental Performance Coach Hannah Huesman
Hannah Huesman is a Mental Performance Coach with the Philadelphia Phillies. She earned a Master of Science degree in Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior from The University of Tennessee, focusing on improving performance amongst athletes of all ages. Throughout her

Remembering FDNY Captain John T. Vigiano–Part II
This is the second and final installment in a series dedicated to Remembering FDNY Captain John T. Vigiano. Captain Vigiano passed away on July 8, 2018, after a long battle with cancer—leaving behind an indelible impression on those who knew him

Remembering FDNY Captain John T. Vigiano–Part I
FDNY Captain John T. Vigiano was a resilient leader, dedicated to a life of service. On July 8, 2018, he passed away after a long battle with cancer, but left behind a far-reaching legacy. Captain Vigiano was a former Sergeant

2019 Summer Recap with Patti Murphy
This summer, we took a hiatus from publishing new episodes. But thanks to the brief pause, the Leadership Under Fire team accomplished a lot! In this episode, listeners are brought up to speed and get a glimpse of what’s to come

Capturing the Moment with NFL Defensive End Romeo Okwara
Romeo Okwara currently is a Defensive End for the NFL’s Detroit Lions. Prior to this, he played college football at Notre Dame and signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Born June 17, 1995,

High Performance in Tower Climbing with Troy Ryan
Renewable energy offers many benefits to the environment and its workforce. But while these are often great jobs, they can also be dangerous. Renewable energy workers are exposed to hazards that can result in fatalities and serious injuries. Many incidents

Enhancing Evidence-Based Practice Among Nurses with Stacy Shilling
Stacy Shilling has dedicated the last 21 years to educating patients and families about health and wellness as a Registered Nurse. After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Virginia Wesleyan College, Stacy was awarded a grant from

Leading Your Peers with FDNY Senior Firefighter James McNamara
The Senior Firefighter is one of the most significant roles in the fire service. A member who carries this informal position can be a valuable source of experience, knowledge and leadership. Often their actions dictate the level of success that

Mission-Oriented Reform with Colonel Michael Wyly, USMC (Ret)
Michael Wyly enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1957 at the age of 17 and was commissioned as a US Marine Corps Second Lieutenant upon graduation from the US Naval Academy in 1962. Colonel Wyly served two tours in

Tactical Fitness with FDNY Firefighter James Lopez
The spectrum of fitness genres continues to expand. So, in this saturated—and often overwhelming—fitness market, how should you go about attaining a high-level of physical and tactical fitness while maximizing your enjoyment and quality of life? FDNY Firefighter James Lopez

Perseverance with MLB Hitting Coach Anthony Iapoce
In 2016—after a 108-year wait—the Chicago Cubs finally won the World Series. The Cubs’ journey from being a last place team to one of the most iconic in baseball history is charged with lessons learned on effective leadership, teamwork, culture

Risk and Resilience With a Navy SEAL Commander
In 2014, the Leadership Under Fire team hosted the 3rd Annual Making Yourself Hard to Kill Conference. During this event, a Navy SEAL Commander with extensive operational experience shared his thoughts on navigating risk, mutual trust, decision-making among SEAL teams

Tribe with Journalist, Author and Filmmaker Sebastian Junger
“Thrilling” and “thought-provoking” are just two words to describe the work produced by our guest in this episode. Sebastian Junger is an American journalist, author and filmmaker whose work demands contemplation regarding what history, science and experience tells us about

Ultra-Competitive Settings with Brendan and Danny Fowler
In an era where many elite athletes specialize in one sport, the Fowler brothers stand out. Brendan Fowler was a two-time NCAA Champion during his days of playing lacrosse at Duke, the NCAA Championship most outstanding player in 2013, and

Leadership Under Fire with FDNY FF and USMC Major Jason Brezler
Jason Brezler is the Founder and President of Leadership Under Fire (or LUF). In this episode, we’ll get to share how Leadership Under Fire came to be and how the LUF endeavor has evolved over time. We’ll also learn how

Breathing to Support Peak Performance with Dr. Belisa Vranich
It’s something we all do every day of our lives. Breathing! And yet, most of us are doing it wrong. In this episode, Dr. Belisa Vranich, a renowned clinical psychologist, public speaker and author, will tell us some surprising information

Career Reflection with FDNY Lt. Mickey Conboy
In 2018, the FDNY’s highest honor for the most outstanding act of heroism was awarded to Lieutenant Mickey Conboy. Lt. Conboy has more than 30 years with the FDNY. He is presently assigned to Rescue Co. #3 in the Bronx.

Life As Sport with Dr. Jonathan Fader
“Life As Sport.” It’s an approach to performance and everyday situations that Dr. Jonathan Fader strongly believes in based on his experience working with top athletes. Dr. Jonathan Fader is a licensed performance psychologist who served two seasons as the

Love and War with Photojournalist Lynsey Addario
Our guest in this episode has spent two decades traveling to some of the most dangerous and remote areas of the world—masterfully capturing all facets of the human experience. Lynsey Addario is an American photojournalist whose work appears regularly in