Heroic Nation Podcast

Anthony Shefferly

The ONLY podcast addressing Physical Health and Mental Health for First Responders.  Host:  Anthony Shefferly  -Full time Police/SWAT (16+ years) -Master's in Science: Psychology -Tactical Strength & Conditioning Owner Heroic Fitness/CrossFit Tactical Strength College Football/CrossFit Regionals/BJJ/Kettlebells

  1. Jul 1

    Randy Hill: Peptides Done Right, Identity Over Discipline, and Why Strength Is the Most Functional Skill You Own

    SHOW NOTES / DESCRIPTION Most fitness advice is built for average men. This conversation is not. Anthony sits down with Randy Hill, Marine Corps veteran, former firefighter, and the man behind High Risk Fitness and Operation Human Weapon. Randy has spent close to two decades turning protectors into weapons, coaching everyone from SOF operators and pro athletes to cops, firefighters, and everyday men who refuse to be soft. Full disclosure, Randy has coached Anthony directly, so this one comes with a personal stamp of approval. They get deep in the weeds on peptides and the GLP medications everyone is asking about, including Ozempic, Mounjaro, and retatrutide, and how to use them without wrecking your metabolism. From there the conversation turns to the stuff that actually moves the needle: why identity beats white knuckle discipline, how to change who you are instead of just what you do, cold exposure and nervous system regulation for men who live in a sympathetic state, why rest and deloads are a weapon, and the case for getting brutally strong over chasing every functional fitness gimmick on the internet. If you carry real weight in your life, this episode is for you. Randy just launched his own peptide company. Head to versabio.com and use code LAUNCH10 for 10 percent off anything covered in this episode. CHAPTERS 00:00 Do athletes make the best cops? 02:00 Aggression, violence, and the use of force debate 04:00 Meet Randy Hill (and a word from VersaBio) 05:00 Surgery, light duty, and the recovery grind 08:00 Randy's hamstring tear and healing peptides 09:00 What peptides actually are and the buffet mistake 13:00 GLP breakdown: Ozempic, Mounjaro, retatrutide 16:00 How to use GLPs without wrecking yourself 22:00 Gut health, reflux, and bile acid malabsorption 26:00 Identity over discipline: how change actually sticks 33:00 Fake it till you become it 37:00 Roadblocks, social shame, and forks in the road 41:00 The cold shower drill and training discomfort 43:00 Cold exposure, breathwork, and your nervous system 47:00 Why rest is a weapon: the deload experiment 52:00 Getting strong is the most functional thing you can do 55:00 Genetics, outliers, and how to pick a real coach 1:00:00 The "it depends" philosophy and killing functional fitness 1:04:00 Max strength transfers to everything, even jiu jitsu 1:13:00 Endurance, the assault bike, and the Rich Froning method 1:17:00 Regionals, the Games, and where to find Randy CONNECT WITH RANDY Instagram, YouTube, and everywhere: @highriskfitnesshq Website: highriskfitnesshq.com Peptides: versabio.com (code LAUNCH10 for 10 percent off) WORK WITH ANTHONY Anthony takes a small number of one on one clients for physical health, mental health, and performance on and off the job. Email anthony@heroicindustrieshq.com to apply. Slots are limited. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Randy Hill: Peptides Done Right, Identity Over Discipline, and Why Strength Is the Most Functional Skill You Own
  2. 08/25/2025

    Ryan Soave: Normalizing Trauma, Building Resilience, and Redefining Strength for First Responders

    Trauma is not weakness—it’s part of the human experience. In this episode of the Heroic Nation Podcast, Anthony sits down with licensed mental health counselor Ryan Soave—whose work on trauma, addiction, and nervous system regulation has impacted thousands through his appearances on the Huberman Lab podcast and beyond. Together, they explore the hidden weight of micro-traumas in law enforcement and military life, why unresolved stress keeps our nervous system pegged, and how practices like breathwork, boundaries, and co-regulation can change the way we perform on the job and show up at home. Ryan’s own story—from addiction to recovery, to working with Andrew Huberman’s lab and training others in trauma-informed care—offers hope and perspective for first responders, tactical professionals, and anyone seeking to build a stronger, more resilient life. In this episode, Anthony and Ryan dive into: Ryan’s journey from addiction and recovery to becoming a licensed mental health counselor. His collaboration with Andrew Huberman, Brian Mackenzie, and others studying fear, stress, and trauma. Why trauma isn’t just “big incidents” but the accumulation of micro-stressors and near misses over a career. The difference between sympathetic (fight/flight) and parasympathetic (rest/restore) states—and why most first responders never fully come down. Co-regulation: how your nervous system affects others on the scene, and why it matters for de-escalation. The role of boundaries in work, family, and leadership. Addiction, coping, and why accountability + compassion must go hand in hand. Practical strategies to normalize trauma, regulate the nervous system, and build resilience both on and off duty. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, military, and anyone committed to leading themselves and others through stress with strength and clarity. 🔗 Connect with Ryan Soave [Insert Ryan’s website or socials here] 🔥 Follow Heroic Nation Podcast for more conversations on strength, resilience, and leadership: Join Heroic Industries Skool Community FREE: CLICK HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. 08/11/2025

    From Shootout to Ketogenic Comeback: Eric Reynolds’ Journey from Trauma to Transformation

    Former Boynton Beach Police Officer Eric Reynolds—known online as Keto 5-0—shares his remarkable story of survival, recovery, and reinvention. After a harrowing high-speed chase and shootout in 2012 left him wounded and facing the mental toll of trauma, Eric found himself on a downward spiral. Through the ketogenic diet, he regained control of his physical health, rebuilt his mental resilience, and ultimately retired to a life of travel, family, and purpose. We cover: The 2012 shootout that changed everything Navigating PTSD, hypervigilance, and the return to duty Why nutrition became the foundation for mental health recovery Founding Keto 5-0 and helping other officers reclaim their health Building Cops and Campers and the freedom of full-time RV life Whether you’re law enforcement, military, or just someone looking to take control of your life after hardship, Eric’s journey is an inspiring blueprint for turning pain into purpose. 📝 Show Notes [00:00] Intro and catching up on podcast schedule [00:01] Guest introduction – Eric Reynolds aka Keto 5-0 [00:02] Eric’s background: Boynton Beach PD career, family legacy in law enforcement [00:11] Pre-LEO life: Florida State, security work, breaking into policing [00:21] 2012 bank robbery chase and shootout – step-by-step breakdown [00:33] Wounded in the line of duty: foot injury, adrenaline, and immediate aftermath [00:38] Returning to work: heightened awareness and close calls [00:42] Impact of hypervigilance and cumulative trauma [00:46] Seeking help: EAP, workers comp battles, and finding a good therapist [00:49] Shifting to the ketogenic diet: losing 50+ lbs, regaining control [00:51] Birth of Keto 5-0 and helping other officers [00:53] Retirement decision and transition into RV life [00:55] The Cops and Campers initiative [00:57] Reflections on health, mental resilience, and living life on your terms Links & Resources: Follow Eric Reynolds (Keto 5-0) on Instagram: @ketofiveo Visit: www.ketofiveo.com Follow Cops and Campers on Instagram: @copsandcampers Connect with Anthony Shefferly & Heroic Industries: Heroic Industries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. 07/27/2025

    From Six Bullet Wounds to Unstoppable: The Resilient Journey of Officer T.J. Webb

    In this powerful episode of Heroic Nation, we sit down with retired Officer T.J. Webb, a true embodiment of courage, grit, and resilience. T.J. spent nearly 19 years with the Milford Police Department in Delaware, serving on SWAT, K‑9, Narcotics, and the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force. On December 10, 2020, during a high-risk operation, T.J. was shot six times while attempting to apprehend a violent fugitive. With life-threatening injuries and a long road to recovery ahead, most people would have given up. But T.J. refused to be defined by tragedy. Less than a year later, he was running half marathons, competing in a half-Ironman, and inspiring other first responders through his Fit 4 Duty Foundation and his book Just One More. This episode dives deep into his story — from the moments of the shooting and the mental toll it took, to the mindset shifts, faith, and family support that allowed him to overcome the odds. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The events leading up to and during the December 2020 gunfight that changed T.J.’s life. How survivor’s guilt and mental battles shaped his recovery journey. The critical role of micro-goals, mindset, and physical fitness in overcoming trauma. Why T.J. founded the Fit 4 Duty Foundation to support the mental and physical health of first responders. Insights on mental health stigma in law enforcement and how to create real support systems. T.J.’s message for officers, first responders, and anyone facing seemingly impossible challenges. Contact TJ Webb: IG @TheTjWebb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. 07/20/2025

    🎧From Suicide to Strength: Kevin Donaldson on Trauma, Recovery, and the Fight for First Responders

    In this powerful episode of the Heroic Nation Podcast, host Anthony Shefferly sits down with Kevin Donaldson, retired New Jersey police officer, mental health advocate, and host of The Suffering Podcast. Kevin opens up about his early life in Atlantic City, a chaotic upbringing, and a law enforcement career that took a devastating turn during a domestic violence call that led to a near-death shooting and a battle with severe PTSD. What followed was years of alcoholism, isolation, suicidal ideation, and an eventual breakthrough into recovery and advocacy. Now more than a decade sober, Kevin shares his story with brutal honesty—highlighting the darkness he endured and the strength he built from it. We dive into: 🚨 The shooting that ended Kevin’s police career 🍷 His battle with alcohol and surviving multiple suicide attempts 🧠 Why group therapy and community saved his life 🥋 The role of Jiu-Jitsu and fitness in mental health recovery 🔥 Why he believes every cop should “run into the fire” and face pain head-on 🎙️ How The Suffering Podcast was born during COVID and now helps thousands 🇺🇸 His upcoming appearance at Seminar Stack in Hershey, PA (Aug 2) If you’re a cop, veteran, or anyone who’s wrestled with darkness—you need to hear this conversation. 👤 Guest: Kevin Donaldson 🔗 The Suffering Podcast 📖 Man, You Are Crazy — BUY IT HERE IG @realkevindonaldson 🎤 Host: Anthony Shefferly Join our FREE Skool group 🗓️ Upcoming Event:Seminar Stack – August 2, 2025 | Hershey, PA Train Jiu-Jitsu. Build Brotherhood. Heal in Community.Details and Tickets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About

The ONLY podcast addressing Physical Health and Mental Health for First Responders.  Host:  Anthony Shefferly  -Full time Police/SWAT (16+ years) -Master's in Science: Psychology -Tactical Strength & Conditioning Owner Heroic Fitness/CrossFit Tactical Strength College Football/CrossFit Regionals/BJJ/Kettlebells