The Any Given Day Podcast

Nate Palin
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Inspiring action by sharing stories from and for military veterans who continue to touch the flame through physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Hosted by former Army Ranger and current Human Performance Coach, Nate Palin.

  1. Episode 17 - You Didn't Die w/ Andy Holmes

    4 HR AGO

    Episode 17 - You Didn't Die w/ Andy Holmes

    OverviewAndy Holmes is a Marine veteran turned collegiate soccer strength and conditioning coach who brings a rare blend of military leadership, athletic performance, and self-aware humor to everything he does. This episode covers coaching philosophy, vulnerability, the role of sport in combating apathy, the value of the near-miss, and why it's okay to not be okay. About Andy HolmesA wellspring of curiosity, Andy has studied international politics, worked as a communications officer in the United States Marine Corps, and has spent the last seven years as a strength and conditioning coach across a wide range of sports, schools and professions. With stops at Georgetown University, The University of Texas at Austin, and 58th Special Operations Wing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as Andy has worked to help develop athletes physically, he's worked just as hard on his own professional, mental, and emotional development. Currently, Andy works as an assistant sports performance coach at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado where he directly leads physical development for the Women's and Men's soccer programs. Outside of a job that he thoroughly enjoys, Andy is incredibly lucky to have a brilliant and beautiful partner in adventure and relaxation, Arielle. Together they live in South Denver with their two dogs River and Bowie. Episode TakeawaysEmbrace the near-miss — almost making the lift, just missing the cutoff is nine times out of ten more valuable than the make. The world didn't end. You get to do it again.Create problems for your athletes to solve — coaching isn't about giving answers, it's about building the conditions for aha momentsFind something you care enough about to be disappointed by — apathy is the real enemy, and sport is one of the best antidotes we haveBe willing to fail if that's what it takes to win — two different things that are actually the same thingMake it undeniable and inevitable — keep attacking, stay relentless, and trust that it's comingGive people permission to not be okay — especially those who are always expected to be strong, capable, and fineIt's okay to not be okay — and saying so out loud is often the first stepThe fear of putting people out keeps veterans silent — communicate anyway, because the people around you want to know and they want to helpEpisode LinksUniversity of Denver Sports Performance Joshua Tree Coffee Veterans Crisis Line — 988, Press 1

    57 min
  2. Episode 16 - Stay Connected w/ Mark Christiani

    4 MAY

    Episode 16 - Stay Connected w/ Mark Christiani

    OverviewMark Christiani has coached at every level — D1 collegiate, Army H2F at Fort Bragg, Army Reserve, and now human performance management with O2X. This episode is a wide-ranging coaching conversation covering training variation, programming philosophy, the tactical human performance landscape, and what it actually takes to build culture inside large organizations. About Mark ChristianiMark Christiani is the East Coast Human Performance Integration Manager for O2X Human Performance. He previously served as an On-Site Human Performance Specialist with the U.S. Army Reserve 81st Readiness Division and as Brigade Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Army's H2F Program at Fort Bragg. Mark's background also includes collegiate strength and conditioning experience and time as a competitive powerlifter. Episode TakeawaysEmbrace training variation across full cycles — the body craves movement diversity and narrow training eventually produces overuse injuries and mental stalenessA training framework with choices beats a rigid program — give yourself a list of things to hit and create variation through order, fatigue state, and exercise selectionGetting better at variations improves the primary lift — the conjugate principle applied broadly across athleticism, not just powerliftingKnow when you've met your goals and be willing to pivot — chasing numbers past the point of diminishing returns turns training into your whole personalityThe best tactical coaches are creative because they had to be — D2 and D3 coaches and early-career tactical coaches often outperform high D1 coaches in adaptive environmentsCulture change in large organizations takes decades — think of yourself as a plank holder and influence what you can, when you canInfluence the junior leaders now — the E4s, E5s, and O2s you reach today are the battalion commanders of tomorrowPolice and fire departments are ahead of the military in some human performance areas — less turnover, smaller scale, longer staff tenureStay connected — to your veteran community, to a run club, to something. Community is a longevity variable. Isolation is the enemy.Don't wait for command to lead — coaches can build culture from the bottom up without permissionEpisode LinksO2X Human Performance — o2x.com Soldiers to Sidelines — soldierstosidelines.org Team RWB — teamrwb.org NSCA TSAC — nsca.com/tsac Westside Barbell / Conjugate Method — westside-barbell.com

    55 min
  3. Episode 15 - Don't Take "No" for an Answer w/ Nick Umble

    27 APR

    Episode 15 - Don't Take "No" for an Answer w/ Nick Umble

    OverviewNick 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. About Nick UmbleNick 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. Episode TakeawaysUnderstand that "I eat pretty clean" is almost never true — if the results aren't there, the diet isn't what you think it isHire professionals for what you don't know — a nutritionist found what Nick couldn't find on his own, and it changed everythingKnow your constraints and variables — influence the variables relentlessly, accept what you can't changeDon't wait for command to be the difference — coaches and leaders at every level can build culture from the bottom upPlay 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 gymWhen 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 youStrongman is more accessible than it looks — if you can squat, deadlift, and carry heavy things, you have a starting pointCommunity matters in training — the culture Nate and the Thor staff built left a mark that Nick still talks about years laterEpisode LinksSentinel 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

    1 hr
  4. Episode 14 - Give Yourself Some Grace w/ Ben Seims

    20 APR

    Episode 14 - Give Yourself Some Grace w/ Ben Seims

    OverviewBen 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. About Ben SeimsBen 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. Episode TakeawaysRecognize that dragging a second boat behind you as an escape plan prevents you from fully fixing the one you're onUnderstand that clarity — while powerful — is painful, because you can finally see everything you did and can't undo itAccept that there is no certificate of arrival — health, recovery, and growth are a relentless pursuit with no finish lineBuild your merry band — the right people around you will literally save your lifeGive yourself grace — veterans carry disproportionate guilt and shame, and grace is not weaknessFeel 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 saveFind your spiritual core — without purpose and vitality at the center, even a physically healthy person is floating alone in spaceEngage to disengage — there's more power in choosing not to win an argument than there ever was in winning itNature is non-negotiable — some of the best moments of your life have happened outside, and no photo does them justiceEpisode LinksMission Resilience San Antonio

    48 min
  5. Episode 13 - Build Something w/ JD Mata

    6 APR

    Episode 13 - Build Something w/ JD Mata

    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.

    47 min
  6. Episode 12 - Do the Thing w/ Mauri DiMeo

    30 MAR

    Episode 12 - Do the Thing w/ Mauri DiMeo

    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 Life07:45 Tactical Alpinism and Mountain Guiding16:13 Risk and Passion in the Mountains23:57 Sharing Mountain Experiences35:02 Professional Mountain Guiding42:44 The Importance of Consistency49:02 Preparation and Mental Toughness54:22 Advice for Veterans

    57 min
  7. Episode 11 - Be Patient with Yourself w/ Colin Meadors

    23 MAR

    Episode 11 - Be Patient with Yourself w/ Colin Meadors

    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.

    59 min
  8. Episode 10 - Feel the Feelings w/ Nate Palin

    16 MAR

    Episode 10 - Feel the Feelings w/ Nate Palin

    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.

    26 min
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About

Inspiring action by sharing stories from and for military veterans who continue to touch the flame through physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Hosted by former Army Ranger and current Human Performance Coach, Nate Palin.

Information

  • Creator
    Nate Palin
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Nate Palin
  • Show Website
    The Any Given Day Podcast

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