Every year, CrossFit's toughest athletes enroll to compete in The CrossFit Games, a three-week global competition designed to find the Fittest Man and Fittest Woman on Earth. It's a grueling endeavor, filled with agonizing events and creative challenges that are guaranteed to weed out the weak and crown the victors in glory. Just take it from Dave Castro - he's a retired Navy SEAL that's been organizing the games since 2007, way back on his parents ranch in Aromas, California. 

Since those early days he's been hired, fired, re-hired, and through it all, has somehow managed to grow the games from a simple weekend workout to a globally-broadcasted event. How did he do it? What's CrossFit's role in all of it? And is a retired Navy SEAL the sole reason the Games are so brutally challenging? Let's meet Dave.

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Support Dave Castro -

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedavecastro
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@davecastro6289

Support The Crossfit Games - 

Website: https://games.crossfit.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRs1pHnES3QDdh43xbjOmzw

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ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:

SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet
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Navy SEAL Crossfit King Dave Castro | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 155

The Mike Drop podcast is hosted by former Navy SEAL, Mike Ritland. It is a not so politically correct discussion of wide ranging topics that span from government, politics and war to health and fitness, from guns and survival skills to food and nutrition with music, BBQ and a touch of everything else in between. This is THE platform that is completely raw, totally unfiltered and in your face, while still intellectually sound with good intuitive dialogue between A-holes that know what they’re talking about.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

News

Politics

Documentary

Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop

CW5 Alan C. Mack is an elite aviator, war hero, public speaker, and the author of 'Razor 03: A Night Stalker's Wars.' Over the course of his near 36 year military career, he flew over 6700 hours of flight time, of which over 3200 hours were flown with Night Vision Goggles. He's trained and flown with the best, and he's been a part of a number of operations that were later adapted into Hollywood film productions like '12 Strong' and 'Lone Survivor'. He even had a hand in the rescue of Bowe Bergdahl, the U.S. Army soldier that was held captive by the Taliban from 2009-2014. 

So how do you become one of the most skilled aviators in our Armed Forces? How do you manage to clock that many flight hours, at night, in the desert, with night vision goggles on? And most importantly - what's the secret to making those incredibly difficult flight maneuvers look so simple to pull off? Let's ask Alan. 

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Support Alan Mack - 

Website - https://alancmack.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alancmack2015
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AlanCMackAuthor

Support the Night Stalker Foundation - 

Website - https://www.nightstalkerfoundation.com/

Support the Special Operators Transition Foundation - 

Website - https://sotf.org/

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ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:

SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet
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Night Stalker Master Aviator Author Alan C. Mack | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 187

Introducing How to Avoid Death by Comfort from The Art of Manliness. Follow the show: The Art of Manliness Nietzsche's maxim, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," isn't just a sound philosophical principle. It's also a certifiable physiological phenomenon; toxins and stressors that could be deadly in large doses, actually improve health and resilience in smaller, intermittent ones. The ironic thing, my guest points out, is that it's the fact that we're not getting enough of this sublethal stress these days that's really doing us in. Paul Taylor is a former British Royal Navy Aircrew Officer, an exercise physiologist, nutritionist, and neuroscientist, and the author of Death by Comfort: How Modern Life is Killing Us and What We Can Do About It. Today on the show, Paul discusses the science of hormesis, how small doses of intermittent stress can make us more resistant to chronic stress, and why you need to embrace what Paul calls "discomfort harvesting." We talk about some now-familiar topics like fasting and cold and heat exposure with fresh inspiration as to how important they are to practice and how to do them effectively. We discuss how hot a sauna needs to be to get the benefits of heat exposure, Paul's suggestion for how to make an ice bath on the cheap, what may be the single best type of food to eat to improve your gut's microbiome, a form of fasting that's got anti-cancer benefits but is so accessible it won't even feel like fasting, what supplement to take to mitigate the effects of a bad night's sleep, and much more. We end our conversation with how to use what Paul calls a "ritual board" to stick with your healthy habits and resist the "soft underbelly" of modern life.Resources Related to the PodcastAoMPodcast #708: Overcome the Comfort CrisisAoM article/video on the benefits of cold showersAoM Podcast #801: The Cold Water Swim CureAoM Podcast #603: The Physical Keys to Human ResilienceAoM Article: How Saunas Can Help Save Your Body, Mind, and SpiritAoM Article: How to Sauna — All the FAQsAoM Podcast #585: Inflammation, Saunas, and the New Science of DepressionAoM Podcast #862: Heal the Body With Extended FastingPodcast #328: The Pros and Cons of Intermittent FastingAoM Podcast #581: The Tiny Habits That Change EverythingAoM Podcast #425: Action Over FeelingsThe NOVA Food Classification SystemStanford study on the effect of fiber and fermented food on the microbiomeResearch on creatine as a neurotransmitter and creatine's effect on brain health (including impact when sleep deprived)Connect With PaulTaylorPaul's websitePaul on IGPaul on LinkedInPaul's podcastPaul's mental fitness course for coaches and health professionals
DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

You Might Also Like: The Art of Manliness

Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop

The world of private military contracting is wildly complicated. Take it from Morgan Lerette - he's a retired Blackwater Operator, Army Intelligence Officer, and the author of 'Guns, Girls, & Greed: I Was A Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq', an irreverently honest memoir that shows both the good and the bad of injecting private armies into active combat zones in the name of diplomacy, spread out over the early days of the Iraq War. 

With gut-wrenching tragedy, dark humor, and absolutely insane party stories that make 'Animal House' seem like a Disney film, Morgan's memoir offers a firsthand perspective of how men act and react in war, for better or worse. It's a story of national incompetence, international collapse, and the search for blood and treasure that either helped - or hindered - the American war effort in Iraq. Was all the carnage worth it? Let's ask Morgan. 

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Support Morgan Lerette - 

Get Your Copy of Morgan's Book, 'Guns, Girls, & Greed: I Was A Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq' at http://amazon.com/dp/B0C7P83DL6

IG - https://www.instagram.com/blackwaterdude1/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@blackwaterdude1?lang=en
X - https://twitter.com/BlackwaterDude1

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Sponsors: 

Beam

Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout!

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Black Buffalo

If You're 21 and Older, consume Nicotine or Tobacco, and Want to Join the Black Buffalo Herd, Head over to https://www.blackbuffalo.com to learn more!

Black Buffalo products are intended for adults aged 21 and older who are consumers of nicotine or tobacco.

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BUBS Naturals 

The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived. 

BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life.

Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life. 

Go to https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order. 

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ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:

SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet
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Ret. Blackwater Operator Author Morgan Lerette | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 186

Introducing A Stroll through the Smithsonian [Buteyko Breathing] from Soothing Sleep. Follow the show: Soothing SleepStep into the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington D.C. on a rainy day. Wander through exhibits that span the breadth of human history, connecting with prehistoric creatures and our ancestors. This reflective journey through time is paired with the Buteyko breathing method, known to enhance calm, reduce symptoms of asthma, and significantly improve sleep quality. Experience a trip to the museum like no other, where history meets relaxation.
For more from OpenMind, follow us on Instagram @openmindstudiosDISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

You Might Also Like: Soothing Sleep

Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop

Working in a military hospital is no easy feat. You're trained in trauma and combat care - taking every measure possible to save lives wherever possible, no matter the cost. But when you come back to the states, suddenly civilian medicine becomes a whole different ballgame. Just take it from Nikki Selby - she's a Registered Nurse with over 28 years of experience in healthcare, and more than 23 of those years were serving in the Navy. 

Since she retired as a Lt. Commander, Nikki's traveled the globe working alongside executive protection, started her own business, and she's even featured on Mike Drop before, way back on Episode 48 of the podcast in 2019. So what's changed since COVID rocked the country? Does Ozempic (and other semaglutide weight loss solutions) really work? And most importantly - what's the secret to living healthy and staying out of the hospital? Let's ask Nikki.

Hear Nikki's Previous Appearance on Mike Drop in Episode 48 at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-48-nikki-selby-airborne-angel/id1346234726?i=1000458911583

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Support Nikki Selby - 

IG - https://www.instagram.com/fly_girl_rn/

Linktree - https://linktr.ee/fly_girl_rn

Begin Your Aesthetics & Wellness Journey Today at www.the-jab-lab.com

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Sponsors: 

Beam

Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout!

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Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet

ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:

SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet
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Navy SEAL Crossfit King Dave Castro | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 155

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