Nick Umble spent 20 years in Special Forces before walking off a military base and onto a college football field. Now he's competing at the national level in strongman — including top-ten finishes at Masters Nationals and the Arnold Masters Strongman World Championships — and building Sentinel Strength. This episode covers nutrition, identity, competition, coaching culture, and what happens when someone tells a Special Forces veteran he can't do something.

Nick Umble is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces veteran with a 20-year military career, including 14 years in 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). Throughout his service, he led teams and supported high-risk operations in complex and demanding environments.

After leaving the military, Nick pursued college football before transitioning into government contracting. Over the past five years, he has focused on competitive strongman, qualifying for national-level competitions multiple times and earning top-ten finishes at Masters Nationals and the Arnold Masters Strongman World Championships.

He is the founder of Sentinel Strength, where he applies lessons from Special Operations, athletics, and competition to performance, discipline, and resilience.

• Understand that "I eat pretty clean" is almost never true — if the results aren't there, the diet isn't what you think it is
• Hire professionals for what you don't know — a nutritionist found what Nick couldn't find on his own, and it changed everything
• Know your constraints and variables — influence the variables relentlessly, accept what you can't change
• Don't wait for command to be the difference — coaches and leaders at every level can build culture from the bottom up
• Play the long game — cultural change in large organizations takes decades, not months. Think of yourself as a plank holder.
• Compete at something — structured competition gives purpose, identity, and a reason to train that transcends the gym
• When someone tells you that you can't, let "watch me" be the answer — the human body and psyche are capable of far more than others project onto you
• Strongman is more accessible than it looks — if you can squat, deadlift, and carry heavy things, you have a starting point
• Community matters in training — the culture Nate and the Thor staff built left a mark that Nick still talks about years later

Sentinel Strength - https://www.youtube.com/@SentinelStrength

Spiceology Derek Wolf Maple Bourbon seasoning — spiceology.com

Arnold Masters Strongman World Championships - https://strength.events/2026-arnold-masters/

UHP (University of Human Performance) - https://uhp.com

Ben Seims brings two decades of health and human performance experience, 24 years of Army National Guard service, and a nursing career to a conversation that goes far deeper than his credentials. In the most honest episodes yet, Ben shares a story of homelessness, multiple suicide attempts, and the long road to finding peace.

Ben Seims currently works with the Consortium for Health and Military Performance. He has over 20 years of Health and Human Performance coaching, education, and executive experience with a focus on Tactical Performance and Resiliency.

He was career Army National Guard with over 24 years of service. He spent 10 years in the Infantry with a final position of Squad Leader, 14 years in the Nurse Corps, then served as Holistic Health and Fitness Director of Education at the National Guard Professional Education Center.

Ben completed one combat deployment during OIF II, and several training missions to Thailand for Cobra Gold and Hanuman Guardian medical exercise serving as an AMEDD representative for the Washington National Guard's State Partnership Program with the Kingdom of Thailand.

He was also a civilian nurse for over 17 years, with over 23 years of experience in long term care, acute care hospital, and home health settings.

• Recognize that dragging a second boat behind you as an escape plan prevents you from fully fixing the one you're on
• Understand that clarity — while powerful — is painful, because you can finally see everything you did and can't undo it
• Accept that there is no certificate of arrival — health, recovery, and growth are a relentless pursuit with no finish line
• Build your merry band — the right people around you will literally save your life
• Give yourself grace — veterans carry disproportionate guilt and shame, and grace is not weakness
• Feel what happens when you stop doing the work — Ben can feel it when he misses counseling, bike rides, meditation, breath work. The work is the thing.
• Share your story — you never know who you're going to impact or whose life you might save
• Find your spiritual core — without purpose and vitality at the center, even a physically healthy person is floating alone in space
• Engage to disengage — there's more power in choosing not to win an argument than there ever was in winning it
• Nature is non-negotiable — some of the best moments of your life have happened outside, and no photo does them justice

Mission Resilience San Antonio

JD Mata shares how he applies his diverse professional and educational backgrounds to affect positive change in the humans he coaches and counsels. He reveals how discomfort experienced by physical training is actually a source of comfort for him compared to stepping back and letting others take the lead on occasion.

About JD Mata

JD Mata is a 10-year United States Air Force veteran with multiple deployments supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, as well as Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa. During his time in the military, he trained airmen and soldiers in small unit tactics, firearms proficiency, integrated defense, active shooter response, nuclear security operations, close-air support, detainee handling, and convoy operations. Following his honorable discharge in 2014, he has been involved in Strength & Conditioning as a coach and human performance researcher in the military, law-enforcement, college, pro, and Olympic sport communities, resulting in multiple peer-reviewed scientific journal articles. Over that time, JD has amassed 20 years of experience in the general and specific development of tactical and athletic skills that contribute to success and survivability in competition and in life. Now pursuing a second master’s degree to become a licensed psychotherapist, JD is exploring the interconnection between childhood adversity, lifestyle, and resilience in special operations personnel.

The conversation with Mauri DiMeo of Tactical Alpinism covers the challenges of transitioning from military service to civilian life, the process of certification for international mountain guides, the relationship with risk and passion in the mountains, and the experience of sharing mountain adventures with others. The conversation delves into the themes of pushing beyond limits, professional mountain guiding, the importance of consistency, preparation and mental toughness, and advice for veterans.

About Mauri DiMeo

Major Mauri DiMeo was an Infantry officer in the US Army who served also as an Assistant Professor of Military Science (APMS) and Operations Officer for the United States Army Cadet Command (USACC) at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).

Major DiMeo commissioned as an Infantry officer in 2013 through the United States Military Academy at West Point. He attended Ranger, Airborne and the Austrian High Alpine school before reporting to his first duty assignment with the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) at Ft. Carson, CO. While at 4ID he served as an Infantry Platoon Leader and Rifle Company executive officer. His next duty assignment was with the 10th Mountain Division, Light Infantry (10MTN). While assigned to 10MTN he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operations Freedom’s Sentinel and Resolute Support.

On return from Afghanistan he took Command of Bravo Company, 2-87th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team at Ft. Drum New York. In 2021, Bravo Company was recognized as the top performing maneuver Company in the 2nd Brigade by being selected to represent 10MTN in the first international Winter Mountain Warfare Exercise that 10MTN participated in since the beginning of the War on Terror, Operation Southern Vanguard in 2021 (SV21) in Chile. In preparation for this exercise Major DiMeo was responsible for the resourcing, planning and execution of the training that the Company conducted prior to its deployment to Chile.

Outside of the military Major DiMeo founded Tactical Alpinism in 2022 with the mission to expand the capability of individuals to go bigger in the mountains by teaching mountain navigation and planning best practices. The purpose of enabling individuals to go bigger in the mountains is to expand the military’s capability in the mountain environment by focusing on expertise of the individual within mountain and arctic units.

He guides in the ski, alpine and rock disciplines on a part time basis for a company based in Northern California. His mountain experience includes two decades of climbing across much of the world and multiple ski based ascents/descents including Mount Shasta, Mount Rainier, and Denali all by multiple routes. His favorite places to climb are Vingsand, Norway, the Gunks, NY and the Alaska Range, AK. His civilian mountain certifications include AIARE Avalanche Professional Level 2, AIARE Avalanche Instructor, AMGA Assistant Ski Guide and AMGA Assistant Rock Guide.

Chapters

• 00:00 Transitioning to Civilian Life
• 07:45 Tactical Alpinism and Mountain Guiding
• 16:13 Risk and Passion in the Mountains
• 23:57 Sharing Mountain Experiences
• 35:02 Professional Mountain Guiding
• 42:44 The Importance of Consistency
• 49:02 Preparation and Mental Toughness
• 54:22 Advice for Veterans

Colin Meadors shares his experiences preparing for Ranger School and RASP, his deployments to Syria and Afghanistan, the weight of deployment experiences, the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life, and the importance of finding balance during the transition period. He emphasizes the need for patience, support, and companionship, as well as the value of seeking help from other veterans and civilian friends.

Host Nate Palin explores the theme of growth after service and the process of resilience. He delves into the layers of resilience, experiences in combat, dealing with trauma, and the concept of rock bottom. Nate also touches on testing of the rebuild, emphasizing the importance of feeling and acknowledging emotions as part of the rebuilding process.

Noel shares his military journey from the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps to his successful transition into strength and conditioning. He discusses the importance of discipline, continuous learning, and adapting military principles to civilian life, offering valuable insights for veterans navigating post-service challenges.

Noël Brand is a performance coach and (co-)owner of Breda Strength & Conditioning and Defensie Trainingsschema. He served 14 years in the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps as a medic and Physical Training Instructor. He coaches a wide variety of GPP clients and professional / competitive athletes. He has helped dozens of clients successfully pass selection and join elite military units.

Episode Topics

• Military transition and adaptation
• Continuous learning and certification in coaching
• Discipline and mindset for success
• Applying military principles to civilian life

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

01:47 Military Journey and Experiences

07:12 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

12:47 Memorable Moments in Service

18:15 Lessons Learned and Unlearning Military Habits

23:33 The Importance of Punctuality

26:24 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

30:20 Building a Strength and Conditioning Business

32:42 Navigating Certifications and Education

41:52 Reflections on Transition Challenges

46:02 Parting Wisdom for Veterans

Matt Luke shares his remarkable journey from incarceration to becoming a dedicated firefighter, husband, and father - personifying the value of mental toughness, doing hard things, and maintaining perspective. Discover how overcoming adversity and embracing discomfort can lead to growth, resilience, and a truly fulfilling life.

“In every challenge or even tragedy lies opportunity. If you train yourself to look for opportunities, you can control the situation and even turn it into something positive.”

Perseverance, passion, mental and physical fortitude: these words embody Matt.

Matt Luke is a full time father of 2 and husband residing in Oakdale, Ca. He is an engineer(firefighter) for CAL FIRE working on a Helitack crew in the Santa Cruz mountains of California. His story is one of both cautionary tale and unwavering endurance. With over a decade of various construction experience, but lacking purpose, he found himself unsuccessfully filling a void with material things and an ego driven attitude.

Matt found himself Incarcerated for 7 years after a temporary setback that would destroy most. Matt proves there is nothing you can’t accomplish if you have the right drive and desire.

An endurance athlete who enjoys suffering to succeed, Matt often participates in several marathons or ultra marathon type races annually. He is also a professional divemaster who enjoys showing people the aquatic realm and exploring new depths all over the world. He enjoys teaching and influencing the upcoming generation in his respective fields, or anything he can be a strong contributing team member in.

After overcoming a tremendous set back in life, he adapted a new mindset and laser like, goal oriented, focus. With many irons in the fire Matt successfully balances an intense career in aviation fire fighting/air rescue, with being a high performing athlete all while being an attentive and devoted husband and father. Partially driven by his desire to be that example for his sons he takes no days off; holds nothing back; takes 100% of the chances laid out before him.

Episode Takeaways

• Matt Luke's background and journey from incarceration to fire service
• The role of mental toughness and doing hard things
• The importance of perspective and gratitude in growth
• Lessons learned from challenges and failures
• The concept of 'any given day' and continuous self-improvement

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Matt Luke and His Journey

02:57 The Importance of Mental Toughness in Physical Challenges

05:30 Transitioning from Physical Fitness to Fire Service

08:19 Finding Purpose in the Fire Service

11:00 Incarceration and Its Impact on Life Choices

16:40 The Incident That Changed Everything

22:25 Reflections on Life After Incarceration

22:44 Navigating Life's Challenges

25:15 The Journey of Self-Discovery

27:41 Finding Joy in Adversity

30:38 The Importance of Perspective

33:24 Embracing Discomfort for Growth

37:05 Building Identity Through Challenges

41:02 Resilience and Rebuilding

44:44 Parting Wisdom and Continuous Growth