TARGETED Podcast

Atlas Aultman / Leaders-Kit LLC
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Champion lessons and stories live here. Welcome to the fastest growing podcasts with/by/for men who win. It's more than a cast of characters. Here - weekly studies, released to the public, describe how high-level champions like Hall of Famers, world champions, senior military leaders, successful entrepreneurs, thought leaders, everyday heroes, and celebrities found their way to success. We find them, they tell us how they won, we deliver to you every Sunday so you can start your week off with lessons directly from the mouths of these winners. Hosted by Atlas Aultman - former leader of no-fail, highly adaptive, and winning military teams who's become a successful TEDx Speaker and international/#1 bestselling author - these conversations go into life lessons that will change your perspective on life, from a masculine frame. You will hear it straight from the champions, the stars, the winners, and use the show as a personal advantage to uncover treasures within yourself that may have otherwise been buried for years. It's the show you've been looking for if you're aiming for continued greatness; we'll help you stay on target so you can achieve your objectives as part of our crew. We bring you champions that have figured it out so you can figure it out for yourself. Welcome, to TARGETED.

  1. 3d ago

    EP 95 * JoJo Smoke Griffin * Don't let anyone break your spirit, the warrior mindset of winning

    Jojo “$moke” Griffin is a rising MMA star fighter who always finishes a fight and keeps a relentless training schedule with one goal: UFC. In this episode of Targeted with Atlas Aultman, Jojo SMOKE Griffin opens up about his journey from a small California town to becoming one of the most exciting MMA prospects to watch. He talks about training multiple times a day at Red Hawk Academy, preparing for his professional MMA debut, studying fighters when everyone else is relaxing, and developing the mindset required to step into a cage believing you cannot be broken. But this conversation goes much deeper than fighting. Jojo discusses his faith in God, growing up in a Catholic family, losing his opportunity to play college football during COVID, discovering MMA, and how his first loss inside the cage ultimately became one of the most important moments of his career. He also explains the psychology of fighting, entering a flow state, dealing with fear and negative thoughts, visualization, gratitude, sacrifice, film study, adapting during a fight, and why he believes the mind often quits before the body does. Jojo’s philosophy is simple: “Don’t let anyone break your spirit.” This is a conversation about MMA—but it’s also about what happens when a young man becomes completely committed to mastering his craft. In this episode: • Jojo “Smoke” Griffin’s MMA journey • Training with UFC fighters and shooting with Badger Asher • 100% finish rate • Preparing for his professional MMA debut • Training at Red Hawk Academy • The transition from football to MMA • How losing changed his mindset • Faith, God, risk, and opportunity • Training two to three times per day • Film study and gaining an advantage over opponents • Developing an MMA flow state • Mental preparation before entering the cage • Why gratitude is part of his training • Turning setbacks into fuel • His goal of reaching the UFC • Why “the scars make the man” • The mentality of becoming impossible to break Targeted is hosted by Atlas Aultman and features conversations about leadership, resilience, mindset, performance, adversity, and the people willing to do difficult things in pursuit of excellence. Subscribe for more conversations with fighters, veterans, leaders, athletes, authors, and high performers. Aim for excellence. Stay on target. Topics/estimated timestamps: 00:00 — Jojo “Smoke” Griffin preview 01:00 — 100% Finish Rate & Finding an Opponent 03:00 — Training 2–3 Times a Day 05:00 — Shooting, Fighting & Practicing Precision 07:00 — Training With Elite MMA Fighters 08:00 — Faith in God & Walking Through Open Doors 10:00 — Growing Up in Small-Town California 11:00 — Football Dreams End During COVID 12:00 — Discovering MMA & His First Fight 13:00 — Building a Complete MMA Fighter 15:00 — Why Jojo Studies Every Fighter 17:00 — The Loss That Changed Everything 19:00 — “The Scars Make the Man” 21:00 — Coming Back and Dominating 23:00 — What It Feels Like Inside the Cage 25:00 — Finding the Flow State in a Fight 28:00 — Winning the Fight in Your Mind 31:00 — “You’re Going to Have to Kill Me” 3200 — Don’t Let Anyone Break Your Spirit 34:00 — Gratitude, Discipline & Becoming a Champion 35:00 — Jojo Griffin’s UFC Goal LINKS: https://www.instagram.com/jojomma/ https://redhawkacademyaz.com/ https://www.guntvshows.com/ DISCOUNTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY: https://gravity-force.com - best electrolytes, discount code: ATLAS15 https://www.buckedup.com - creatine+ 20% discount: ATLAS25 https://leaders-kit.com - leadership, management, media consultations https://blackeaglecustoms.us/collections/targeted-podcast - Merch https://www.getfightscrub.com - all natural disinfectant, code: FIGHTSCRUBATLAS GUEST APPLICATIONS: win@leaders-kit.com Share this with someone who you know would like it. Aim for excellence AND stay on target, thank-you for tuning into TARGETED Podcast. This show was filmed the greater PHOENIX Area by Podworks Studios and is entirely made in the U.S.A.

  2. Sep 28

    EP 94 * Stronger Men are Harder to Kill - Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual - raise your standards * Atlas Aultman

    STRONGER MEN ARE HARDER TO KILL, Period. Not just physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually. In this episode of Targeted Podcast, Atlas Aultman breaks down what it takes for men to become stronger, better disciplined, more resilient, purposeful, and harder to break. Drawing from his experience in making warriors stronger for decades through innovation AND his conversations with UFC legends, professional athletes, military veterans, champions, bestselling authors, TEDx speakers, entrepreneurs, and men who have survived extraordinary adversity, Atlas explores the different dimensions of strength every man should be developing. This episode examines: • Physical strength, fitness, muscle, and longevity • Mental toughness and resilience • Discipline when motivation disappears • Forgiving yourself and moving beyond guilt • Overcoming trauma and adversity • Building confidence through difficult experiences • Faith, spirituality, and finding your compass • Purpose and direction for men • Raising your personal standards • Learning from champions and high performers • Becoming the man your younger self needed • Building a legacy your older self will respect   Targeted Podcast was built around one central mission: helping people become stronger through the experiences of those who have already been tested. If you're a man in your 20s or 30s trying to become stronger, more disciplined, more confident, more capable, and more intentional about your life, start here. You don't need a military badge, championship ring, professional sports contract, bestselling book, or million-dollar company to develop strength. You need to put in the work. Your body matters. Your mind matters. Your faith and purpose matter. Your standards matter. And the decisions you make today determine the man you become tomorrow. Get strong. Aim for excellence. Stay on target. Subscribe to Targeted Podcast for long-form conversations that matter to men who are working on something bigger: men's mindset, mental toughness, masculinity, leadership, fitness, discipline, faith, resilience, military experiences, MMA, entrepreneurship, success, and overcoming adversity. Hosted by Atlas Aultman. Recorded in SLAP Studios, Hollywood, Florida - 2026, all rights reserved. #MensMindset #MentalToughness #selfimprovement CHAPTERS: 00:39 – Stronger Men Are Harder to Kill 01:17 – Why Men Need Strength 01:54 – What Champions Taught Me About Mental Toughness 02:24 – Forgiving Yourself After Trauma 04:25 – How Hardships make men stronger 05:38 – What makes a Man Strong? 05:49 – Physical Strength Is the Foundation 06:10 – What builds Mental fortitude 06:46 – Faith, Purpose & Your Spiritual Compass 07:34 – Why We Study Winners 08:10 – Your 8-Year-Old Self vs. Your 80-Year-Old Self 08:25 – Raise Your Standards 08:36 – Get Strong, Man 08:46 – How Targeted Podcast is set up to help men ages 25-39 09:17 - Targeted Podcast Closing 09:51 - Why Podcasting is the best marketing for entrepreneurs and thought leaders DISCOUNTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY: https://gravity-force.com  - best electrolytes, discount code: ATLAS10 https://www.getfightscrub.com  – natural disinfectant, code: FIGHTSCRUBATLAS https://www.buckedup.com  - creatine+ 20% discount: ATLAS25 https://leaders-kit.com  - leadership, management, media consultations https://blackeaglecustoms.us/collections/targeted-podcast  - Merch GUEST APPLICATIONS: win@leaders-kit.com Share this with someone who would love it. Aim for excellence AND stay on target, thank-you for tuning into TARGETED Podcast.

  3. Sep 21

    EP 93 * What war left behind, thinks by Grandfather didn't tell me openly * Atlas Aultman

    This is one of the most personal episodes of Targeted Podcast I have ever recorded. For the first time on this show, I share stories from my grandfather, SFC Gary L. Frye, his service during the Vietnam War, his connection to the early Special Operations community, the 1st Cavalry, combat trauma, and experiences he carried with him for the rest of his life. Some of these stories were never openly discussed while he was alive. My grandfather served during an era when American forces were developing tactics, missions, and capabilities that would help shape generations of U.S. Special Operations. His experiences included helicopter warfare, unconventional missions in Vietnam, the loss of friends in combat, earning the Purple Heart, and living with the psychological consequences of war. His story also intersects with an era of Vietnam history many people recognize through the book We Were Soldiers Once... and Young and the 2002 film We Were Soldiers. This episode isn't about glorifying war. It's about what happens to the people who survive it. Years later, while I was deployed to Iraq, my grandfather reached out to me with a simple message: if I ever needed to talk about what I was experiencing, he might understand. Only after his death did I fully understand how much he had carried himself. This episode is about combat, family, PTSD, the warrior mindset, Special Operations history, and one lesson my grandfather left behind: Get it out of your head. If something is eating at you, talk to someone. Write it down. Put it in your phone. Tell someone you trust. Don't allow the battle inside your mind to become one you fight completely alone. ⚠️ MENTAL HEALTH / SUICIDE PREVENTION If you are in the United States and are contemplating suicide, self-harm, or harming someone else, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. ***FILM & BOOK RECOGNITION / COPYRIGHT NOTICE*** This episode discusses and references historical events portrayed in the motion picture We Were Soldiers (2002) and documented in the book We Were Soldiers Once... and Young: Ia Drang—The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam. Book: We Were Soldiers Once... and Young Authors: Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and Joseph L. Galloway Originally published by Random House. Film: We Were Soldiers (2002) Directed and written for the screen by Randall Wallace Distributed by Paramount Pictures Based on the book by Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway. All film footage, imagery, audio, characters, trademarks, and other copyrighted material from We Were Soldiers remain the property of their respective copyright holders. Targeted Podcast does not claim ownership of third-party copyrighted material. Any referenced or incorporated material is presented in the context of historical discussion, commentary, criticism, education, and personal storytelling. No affiliation with or endorsement by Paramount Pictures, the filmmakers, authors, publishers, or other rights holders is implied. LINKS: Watch "WE WERE SOLDIERS" the movie, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC1SzvhVAM0 Read "We were soldiers once and young" book - buy anywhere books are sold   DISCOUNTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY: https://gravity-force.com  - best electrolytes, discount code: ATLAS10 https://www.getfightscrub.com  – natural disinfectant, code: FIGHTSCRUBATLAS https://www.buckedup.com - creatine+ 20% discount: ATLAS25 https://leaders-kit.com  - leadership, management, media consultations https://blackeaglecustoms.us/collections/targeted-podcast - Merch   GUEST APPLICATIONS: win@leaders-kit.com   Share this with someone who would love it. Aim for excellence AND stay on target, thank-you for tuning into TARGETED Podcast. Share this with someone who needs it and Thank you for supporting TARGETED Podcast. Aim for excellence and stay on target - that's living targeted.

  4. Sep 14

    EP 92 * Haunted by Heroes - Exclusive interview with NYT bestselling author Eric Blehm on new finding in Extorsion 17 events and more

    What really happened around Extortion 17—and what can still be learned from the deadliest loss of American Special Operations forces in U.S. history? In Part 2 of this extraordinary Targeted Podcast interview, Atlas Aultman sits down with New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Eric Blehm to go deep inside his new book, Haunted by Heroes. Blehm is the bestselling author of Fearless, the story of Navy SEAL Adam Brown. While researching that book, he interviewed members of Brown's elite SEAL team. Seven of the men Blehm spoke with would later be killed in the Extortion 17 helicopter shootdown in Afghanistan. Years later, Blehm returned to those interviews, recordings, documents, memories, and sources. What emerged became Haunted by Heroes. In this conversation, Blehm discusses Extortion 17, Adam Brown, DEVGRU, Gold Squadron, the Rangers operating in the Tangi Valley, mission planning, the CH-47 Chinook, the questions that remained after the official investigation, and information he says changed his own understanding of the mission. Atlas brings a unique perspective to the discussion as a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who served in Afghanistan and worked in the White House during this era. This isn't a conspiracy-theory discussion. It's a conversation about history, brotherhood, sacrifice, leadership, mission planning, institutional learning, and remembering the Americans behind the names. Eric also tells the emotional story of learning that the SEALs he had recently interviewed had been killed. After being told something had happened to the men downrange, he asked whether one of them had died. The answer: "No. All of them did." The conversation also explores: • Why the Extortion 17 mission remains so heavily discussed 15 years later • What Eric Blehm learned that he says he had never previously seen reported • Why the Rangers were already operating in a dangerous part of Afghanistan • Questions surrounding the mission planning and landing zone • Why the SEALs were aboard the same aircraft • The difference between documented facts and Extortion 17 conspiracy theories • The personalities behind the operators—not simply the mythology • Adam Brown and the story behind Fearless • Brian Bill, Kevin Houston, John "Fozy" Faas, Heath Robinson, Chris Campbell and other fallen warriors • How elite Special Operations teams operated after years of combat • The enormous loss of experience and mentorship caused by Extortion 17 • Why Blehm waited years to return to this story • Jack Carr and the origins of The Terminal List • Blehm's concerns about AI rewriting history • Why primary sources and serious long-form research still matter • The responsibility authors carry when writing about fallen service members • Why the families of fallen warriors still want their names spoken Haunted by Heroes is scheduled for release December 1. If you read the book and learn the story of one of these men, Eric has a simple challenge: remember his name—and let his family know he hasn't been forgotten. Subscribe to Targeted Podcast for long-form conversations with military leaders, Special Operations veterans, bestselling authors, fighters, champions, and people who have lived the lessons most of us only read about. *SUBSCRIBE:* More of the Eric Blehm interview is on the way. #EricBlehm #HauntedByHeroes #Fearless #AdamBrown #NavySEALs #SEALTeamSix #SpecialOperations #MilitaryBooks #MilitaryHistory #TargetedPodcast LINKS: https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/haunted-by-heroes IG: ericblehmofficial SPECIAL OFFERS: getFIGHTscrub.com– 10% off with code FIGHTSCRUBATLAS BUCKEDup.com Supplements: 20% off with code ATLAS25 GUEST APPLICATIONS: win@leaders-kit.com As host Atlas Aultman says "Aim for excellence. Stay on target."

  5. Sep 7

    EP 91 * Eric Blehm * The Road to Haunted by Heroes, continuing on FEARLESS and his amazing work

    **This is Part 2 of our exclusive Targeted Podcast interview with New York Times bestselling author Eric Blehm—and there is much more from this conversation still to come.** Eric Blehm joins Atlas Aultman for a deeper conversation about *Fearless*, Adam Brown, SEAL Team Six, Special Operations, *Legend*, Roy Benavidez, warrior culture, and his newest work, *Haunted by Heroes*. If you are searching for **new books about Special Operations, Navy SEALs, SEAL Team Six, military history, elite warriors, or what to read after *Fearless***, this series takes you directly inside the stories—and the process of preserving them—with one of the world's best-known American special operations nonfiction authors. In Part 2, Blehm takes us behind the books. He discusses the extraordinary story of Medal of Honor recipient Roy Benavidez and how *Legend* became more than the story of a single American hero. Blehm explains how he tracked down the men who were there, including members of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, to reconstruct the mission from both the air and the ground—and give recognition to men whose contributions had largely been overlooked. The conversation also explores the difficult experience of Vietnam veterans returning home, the evolution of America's warrior culture, and the difference between the politics of a war and honoring the men and women who serve in it. Then the conversation turns toward Adam Brown as a basis for his new book, HAUNTED BY HEROES. Blehm explains what it takes to earn the trust of Special Operations veterans and military families when asking them to revisit some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He discusses extensive interviews with Adam Brown's wife, Kelly Brown, Adam's teammates, and the people who knew the man behind the story that millions encountered through *Fearless*. Blehm also reveals why *Haunted by Heroes* is different from anything he has written before—calling it the closest he has come to writing a memoir. For readers of *Fearless*, this conversation offers another look into the people, relationships, memories, and experiences surrounding Adam Brown's remarkable story. And **this is only Part 2.** More of Atlas Aultman's conversation with Eric Blehm is coming to Targeted Podcast, including more on *Haunted by Heroes*, the stories behind Blehm's writing, Special Operations, sacrifice, brotherhood, and the extraordinary people whose lives continue to influence him. **Subscribe now so you don't miss the next part of the Eric Blehm interview.** ERIC BLEHM BOOKS DISCUSSED: *Fearless* *Haunted by Heroes* *Legend* *The Only Thing Worth Dying For* *The Last Season* *The Darkest White* ABOUT ERIC BLEHM Eric Blehm is a New York Times bestselling nonfiction author whose work explores extraordinary stories of courage, Special Operations, military service, survival, sacrifice, and the outdoors. ABOUT TARGETED PODCAST Targeted Podcast with Atlas Aultman features long-form conversations with bestselling authors, veterans, Special Operations figures, leaders, survivors, champions, and extraordinary people whose experiences offer lessons about leadership, resilience, purpose, and life.  **WATCH PART 1:** https://share.google/Jji9AvrTTLc7v5E3o **SUBSCRIBE:** More of the Eric Blehm interview is on the way. #EricBlehm #HauntedByHeroes #Fearless #AdamBrown #NavySEALs #SEALTeamSix #SpecialOperations #MilitaryBooks #MilitaryHistory #TargetedPodcast LINKS: https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/haunted-by-heroes https://www.ericblehm.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ericblehmofficial https://share.google/Jji9AvrTTLc7v5E3o (PART 1 of this interview) SPECIAL OFFERS: getFIGHTscrub.com– 10% off with code FIGHTSCRUBATLAS BUCKEDup.com Supplements: 20% off with code ATLAS25 LEADERS-KIT.com: 10% leadership/management consultations when you mention the show Targeted MERCH: https://blackeaglecustoms.us/collections/targeted-podcast GUEST APPLICATIONS: win@leaders-kit.com Share this with someone you know will love more details about a world that trusted this man to tell their story - Thank you for supporting TARGETED Podcast. Aim for excellence and STAY ON TARGET.

  6. Aug 31

    EP 90 * Eric Blehm * The Untold Story Behind Fearless, Adam Brown & SEAL Team Six | Targeted Podcast

    New York Times bestselling author **Eric Blehm** joins Atlas Aultman on the Targeted Podcast for a rare conversation about the true stories behind *Fearless*, Adam Brown, SEAL Team Six, Special Operations, *The Only Thing Worth Dying For*, and the trust required to document the lives of America's elite warriors. Eric Blehm has become one of the most respected nonfiction writers covering the U.S. Special Operations community. But he didn't serve in Special Operations himself. So how did an outsider earn enough trust to tell stories from communities where trust has to be earned every single day? In this episode, Blehm reveals how it happened. Eric takes Atlas back to his unlikely beginning as an aspiring professional snowboarder, the life-changing words his mother gave him before her death, and the journey that eventually led him into journalism and bestselling nonfiction. They explore the extraordinary story behind *The Only Thing Worth Dying For* and ODA 574, including how Blehm earned the confidence of Special Forces soldiers and Gold Star families while reconstructing one of the defining early missions of the war in Afghanistan. Then Eric tells the remarkable origin story of *Fearless* and Navy SEAL Adam Brown—a story of addiction, redemption, Christianity, family, perseverance, and ultimately sacrifice. You'll hear how: • Eric Blehm earned the trust of the Special Operations community • ODA 574 helped launch his career writing military nonfiction • Families of fallen warriors entrusted him with their stories • *Fearless* almost never became a book • Adam Brown overcame addiction and devastating injuries to reach SEAL Team Six • Adam's wife Kelly and his family became central to his redemption story • The death of Osama bin Laden unexpectedly changed the publishing opportunity for *Fearless* • Blehm approaches OPSEC, classified information, accuracy, and military history • Stories from *Fearless* continue spreading online—sometimes without attribution • His mother's final advice helped determine the direction of his life Blehm also discusses *The Last Season*, his seven-year investigation into missing backcountry ranger Randy Morgenson, and why preserving someone's story sometimes means spending years obsessively researching details others might overlook. And this is only the beginning. Eric Blehm's newest book, **Haunted by Heroes**, takes readers even deeper into the people and stories behind the Special Operations world. If you've read *Fearless*, followed the story of Adam Brown, served in the military, studied Special Operations history, or simply want to understand how extraordinary true stories are preserved, this conversation is for you. **Subscribe to Targeted Podcast** for conversations about leadership, resilience, military service, mindset, sacrifice, and the people whose experiences can teach us how to live stronger lives. #EricBlehm #Fearless #AdamBrown #SEALTeamSix #SpecialOperations #NavySEAL #TargetedPodcast #MilitaryPodcast #GreenBerets #MilitaryHistory #HauntedByHeroes LINKS: https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/haunted-by-heroes https://www.ericblehm.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ericblehmofficial/?hl=en https://americasunsung.com   CHAPTERS: 00:34 Eric Blehm Joins Targeted 03:09 Why Special Operations Trusts Eric Blehm 06:04 From Snowboarding to Journalism 07:18 The Advice From His Mother That Changed Everything 09:03 The Only Thing Worth Dying For & ODA 574 12:31 Earning the Trust of Gold Star Families 15:33 Meeting Hamid Karzai 17:04 Why Accuracy Matters in Military History 18:37 Eric's connection to DC Shoes 19:07 The Last Season & the Missing Ranger 23:00 When Podcasts and bloggers take an Author's Work 30:37 Special Operations teams that Eric Blehm has interviewed 36:04 Addiction, Faith & Redemption, the Story of Navy SEAL Adam Brown 36:32 How Fearless Began 39:23 Why Eric Almost Didn't Write Fearless 42:16 The Night Osama bin Laden Was Killed and getting Access to the SEAL Team 6 story 43:18 Haunted by Heroes — What's Coming Next   SPECIAL OFFERS: - getFIGHTscrub.com– 10% off with code FIGHTSCRUBATLAS - BUCKEDup.com Supplements: 20% off with code ATLAS25 - LEADERS-KIT.com: 10% leadership/management consultations when you mention the show - Targeted MERCH: https://blackeaglecustoms.us/collections/targeted-podcast - GUEST APPLICATIONS: win@leaders-kit.com Share this with someone you know will love more details about a world that trusted this man to tell their story - Thank you for supporting TARGETED Podcast. No matter what your choices - aim for excellence and STAY ON TARGET.

  7. Aug 25

    EP 89 * David Hoopes * Protecting Yourself, Trust Your Gut & Survive a REAL Attack

    Dave Hoopes is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, self-defense instructor, martial arts gym owner, and founder of Empowering You Self-Defense in Arizona. In this episode of **Targeted Podcast with Atlas Aultman**, Dave Hoopes explains how practical self-defense, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), situational awareness, and mental preparation can help ordinary people protect themselves and their families. ### Who is Dave Hoopes? Dave Hoopes is a first-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with years of martial arts training and teaching experience. He helps adults, children, businesses, churches, youth organizations, and other groups learn practical self-defense techniques designed around awareness, confidence, escape, and personal safety. He also teaches and trains at **Ethos Martial Arts in Queen Creek, Arizona**, where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, martial arts, personal development, and community are central parts of the training environment. ### What does Dave Hoopes teach about self-defense? According to Hoopes, one of the biggest self-defense mistakes people make is **ignoring their intuition when a situation doesn't feel right**. Effective self-defense isn't about looking for a fight. It's about: • Recognizing danger early • Trusting your instincts • Maintaining situational awareness • Avoiding unnecessary confrontations • Escaping dangerous situations when possible • Staying calm under physical pressure • Knowing when you must defend yourself • Developing practical skills through repetition • Protecting yourself and the people you love ### Does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu work for self-defense? Hoopes explains how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teaches people to use **technique, positioning and leverage instead of relying exclusively on size or strength**. He also discusses how years of BJJ training can condition someone to remain calm while experiencing extreme physical pressure. ### Can Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu help children? Dave Hoopes discusses how martial arts and BJJ training can help children develop: • Confidence • Discipline • Humility • Emotional control • Physical fitness • Resilience • Social skills • Healthy ways to manage stress He also explains what he has observed when children dealing with behavioral problems or bullying begin consistently training martial arts. ### What should beginners look for in a BJJ or martial arts gym? Hoopes recommends finding a martial arts gym where the culture matches your goals. A good gym should prioritize: • Safety • Quality instruction • Respect • Community • Personal development • Appropriate training intensity • Helping students improve Dave explains why beginners should consider visiting multiple gyms and finding an environment where they feel safe, supported and comfortable learning. ### Can companies hire Dave Hoopes for self-defense training? Yes. Dave Hoopes provides practical self-defense instruction for businesses, organizations, churches, youth groups and other teams. His self-defense workshops can also function as interactive corporate team-building and employee-safety experiences. During the conversation, Dave discusses training employees who work alone or interact with the public, including professionals in sales, real estate, healthcare and service businesses. His typical self-defense training can be structured for smaller groups, larger organizations, conferences and breakout sessions. ### Topics discussed in this episode: Self-defense training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu BJJ for beginners Situational awareness Personal safety Corporate self-defense training Employee safety training Martial arts for kids Bullying prevention Mental toughness Stress management Choosing a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym Technique vs. strength Protecting your family Queen Creek Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Arizona self-defense training ### Connect with Dave Hoopes Dave Hoopes is the founder of **Empowering You Self-Defense** and can be contacted regarding self-defense classes, corporate training, group instruction, youth programs and speaking or conference opportunities. Website: https://www.empoweringyouselfdefense.com/ Gym website: https://ethosmartialartsaz.com/ Instagram: @dhoopes22 ### About Targeted Podcast **Targeted Podcast with Atlas Aultman** features conversations about leadership, resilience, personal development, mental toughness, martial arts, self-defense and the experiences that help people perform when pressure is highest. SPECIAL OFFERS & SPONSORS: - getFIGHTSCRUB.com - 10% off with code FIGHTSCRUBATLAS - GRAVITY-FORCE.com - use code ATLAS15 - BuckedUP.com - 20% off with code ATLAS25 - LEADERS-KIT.com: Leadership consultations - Targeted MERCH: https://blackeaglecustoms.us/collections/targeted-podcast - Contact show/GUEST APPLICATIONS: win@leaders-kit.com If this conversation helped you, subscribe to Targeted Podcast and share it with someone who wants to become more capable, confident and prepared. No matter what your choices - aim for excellence and STAY ON TARGET.

  8. Aug 17

    EP 88 * Dave Hoopes * How criminals choose victims + what most people get WRONG

    Can you actually defend yourself—or do you just THINK you can? Self-defense expert, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, David Hoopes joins Atlas Aultman on the Targeted Podcast to break down what actually works when a dangerous situation becomes real. David Hoopes is an owner of Ethos Martial Arts and brings roughly 15 years of martial arts and self-defense experience alongside 30 years of corporate leadership and sales experience. His work includes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, practical self-defense, women’s self-defense training, situational awareness, and corporate self-defense/team-building programs. In this episode, Atlas and David dig into a question every man should consider: Could you actually protect yourself and the people you love when something goes wrong? They discuss: • How criminals may identify vulnerable victims • Situational awareness and the “five levels” of awareness • Why transition spaces like parking lots can increase vulnerability • The first warning signs that someone may be approaching with bad intentions • Why your gut feeling or “Spidey sense” matters • Verbal self-defense and de-escalation • Why avoiding a fight is often the smartest form of self-defense • Whether carrying a firearm can create a false sense of security • Why training and repetition matter under pressure • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in real-world self-defense • Martial arts techniques that may not translate to an actual fight • Dangerous self-defense advice being taught online • How quickly someone can lose consciousness in a properly applied choke • Why confidence can make you a less attractive target • Protecting your wife, children and family without living in fear • The difference between being AWARE and being AFRAID One of the biggest lessons from this conversation: You don't need to walk through life afraid. You need to walk through life aware. David’s philosophy is simple: recognize danger early, listen to your instincts, create distance, use verbal de-escalation, get away if possible—and fight only when you have to. If you're a man who takes protecting yourself and your family seriously, this episode is worth watching all the way through. Subscribe to Targeted Podcast for conversations about leadership, resilience, self-defense, mindset, masculinity, personal development and becoming harder to break when life gets real. GUEST: David Hoopes Owner, Ethos Martial Arts Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Self-Defense | Situational Awareness | Corporate Leadership HOST: Atlas Aultman Targeted Podcast #SelfDefense #SituationalAwareness #BrazilianJiuJitsu #BJJ #MensMindset #MartialArts #PersonalSafety #DavidHoopes #AtlasAultman #TargetedPodcast Links: https://www.empoweringyouselfdefense.com  https://ethosmartialartsaz.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dhoopes22/  https://www.instagram.com/ethosmartialarts/ Filmed in World War Studio, Arizona, U.S.A. Topics: - Can You Actually Protect Your Family? - David Hoopes: From Corporate Leader to Self-Defense Expert - Why Corporate America Needs Self-Defense Training - The #1 Skill That Prevents Most Attacks - The Five Levels of Situational Awareness  - Why Parking Lots and Transition Spaces Matter - Trusting Your Gut When Something Feels Wrong - Why People Overestimate Their Fighting Ability - Does Carrying a Gun Make You Safer? - How Criminals Choose Their Victims - Put Down Your Phone: Stop Making Yourself an Easy Target - The First Sign Someone May Be About to Attack You - Verbal Self-Defense: What to Say - Avoid, De-Escalate, Fight - Does Martial Arts Actually Work in a Street Fight? - The Self-Defense Myths That Can Get You Hurt - The 3 Things David Tells His Own Family - Awareness, Not Fear

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Champion lessons and stories live here. Welcome to the fastest growing podcasts with/by/for men who win. It's more than a cast of characters. Here - weekly studies, released to the public, describe how high-level champions like Hall of Famers, world champions, senior military leaders, successful entrepreneurs, thought leaders, everyday heroes, and celebrities found their way to success. We find them, they tell us how they won, we deliver to you every Sunday so you can start your week off with lessons directly from the mouths of these winners. Hosted by Atlas Aultman - former leader of no-fail, highly adaptive, and winning military teams who's become a successful TEDx Speaker and international/#1 bestselling author - these conversations go into life lessons that will change your perspective on life, from a masculine frame. You will hear it straight from the champions, the stars, the winners, and use the show as a personal advantage to uncover treasures within yourself that may have otherwise been buried for years. It's the show you've been looking for if you're aiming for continued greatness; we'll help you stay on target so you can achieve your objectives as part of our crew. We bring you champions that have figured it out so you can figure it out for yourself. Welcome, to TARGETED.

Information

  • Creator
    Atlas Aultman / Leaders-Kit LLC
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    TARGETED Podcast