Coaches' AAR

Coaches' AAR

5.0 (2)
Fitness
Updated Daily

Coach Travis and Coach Ray tackle topics in tactical human performance from the practitioners' view. Tune in for thoughts on training, good, bad, and funny. Real stories from the coaches actually doing the job. Episodes drop on Fridays...when we can. Coaches’ AAR is a media and educational platform operated by Praxeon LLC.

Jun 27

From 82nd Airborne to the Weight Room: Chad Deaver on Building a Tactical Program from the Ground Up

In this episode, Coach Ray and Coach Travis sit down with Chad Deaver — former 82nd Airborne Paratrooper, two-time US Strongman Nationals qualifier, and tactical strength and conditioning coach at Fort Stewart — for a candid conversation about what it actually takes to build a tactical fitness program from scratch. Chad's path wasn't a straight line. After the Army, he earned his B.S. in Exercise Science from Appalachian State (where he studied under the editor of the NSCA's Essentials textbook), completed his Master's at UW-La Crosse as a graduate assistant football S&C coach, interned with UCF football, and worked with high school athletes in Denver before returning to serve soldiers at Fort Stewart in 2021. He shares what the early days of building a tactical program really looked like — no playbook, no guidance — and how small wins, like helping a soldier crush her post-pregnancy ACFT, snowballed into full unit buy-in. Chad also breaks down his full plyometrics progression system, from drop squats to upper body plyo push-ups, and why teaching soldiers to land matters more than teaching them to jump. https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-deaver/ https://www.instagram.com/coach.chad.deaver/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

45 min
Jun 24

If You Build It, They Won't Come | Carson Randall

In this episode, Coach Ray and Coach Travis sit down with Carson Randall, H2F Program Director at Fort Benning, for a candid conversation about his 15-year journey in tactical human performance. Carson walks us through his path from active duty Marine to collegiate strength coach at FAU, then into the tactical world with MARSOC, and eventually over to the Army side at Fort Benning — first with the Tactical Athlete Performance Center (TAPC) and now leading the H2F program with the 198th Brigade. The guys get into the real nuts and bolts of what it takes to run a human performance program in a basic training environment — navigating strict POIs, last-minute timeline changes, and the constant need to educate and re-educate rotating drill sergeants. Carson shares hard-won lessons on why buy-in has to come from both the top and the bottom, why "if you build it they will come" doesn't work, and why patience and relationship-building matter more than credentials alone. The conversation also touches on the importance of making PT more enjoyable to drive long-term consistency, the value of small-scale competition within units, and why the H2F community's culture of openness and collaboration is one of its greatest strengths. If you're a strength coach, program director, or human performance practitioner working in or looking to break into the tactical space, this one's for you.

57 min
Feb 8

Beyond Good vs Bad: Our Take on Successful Coaching

In this episode, we respond to the recent “good vs bad coach” conversation and reframe it through real-world experience. We unpack why coaching success can’t be separated from unit culture, leadership engagement, and Soldier ownership—and why human performance is ultimately a shared responsibility. We discuss how friction shows up inside conventional units, how effective teams overcome it through collaboration and system-building, and what good coaching actually looks like when you’re managing large formations, high OPTEMPO, and uneven training backgrounds. We close by opening the door for direct dialogue with coaches navigating these challenges and looking for practical support on the ground. coachesaar@gmail.com

54 min
Feb 4

Coach DeJuan Hathaway

On this episode, Coach DeJuan Hathaway joins us—a seasoned tactical strength and conditioning coach with years of real-world experience working on the ground and chasing the occasional adventure along the way. Coach Hathaway breaks down his journey serving tactical populations, his training philosophy, how he navigates friction in challenging environments, and what it truly takes to succeed in the tactical space. Check out his book: Special Forces Fitness Training: Gym-Free Workouts to Build Muscle and Get in Elite Shape

1 hr
Jan 25

Coach Luke Propst

Joining us today is Coach Luke Propst—a seasoned strength coach who stumbled into the tactical world by chance and has been thriving in it ever since. Luke breaks down the experiences that shaped his coaching and how they drive the way he delivers training to soldiers. We dive deep into reconditioning physical training for injured service members, and even take a fun detour into how pop culture sparked our love for lifting in the first place. There are few coaches as knowledgeable as Luke. Whether you’re new to the tactical space or still finding your footing, this episode is packed with insight you won’t want to miss—tune in and make sure to give him a follow. If you like what we're doing, please review, follow and like! https://www.instagram.com/lukepropst_pst?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

1h 10m
Jan 9

Elza Van Niekerk PT, SFMA, FMS

We're back! This episode has been sitting waiting for me (Ray) to edit. Today we’re joined by Elza van Niekerk, a South African–born physical therapist with a deep passion for movement and tactical populations. We cover some familiar ground—but with a twist. Elza brings an outsider’s perspective, offering candid insight into what she sees working with tactical professionals on the civilian side. Tune in for an honest, refreshing conversation on movement quality, performance, and why precision matters for those in mission-critical roles.

54 min
11/21/2025

Coach Beth Bearden

Today we welcome Coach Beth Bearden—a leader who has truly made her mark in the tactical space. From strength coach to program director, Beth cracked the code early on: earning buy-in, engaging leadership, and helping define what it really means to be a tactical strength coach. If you’re a young coach looking to grow in this field, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 🎧 We hope you enjoy the show—don’t forget to like, follow, and share!

1h 15m
11/16/2025

Coach JD Mata

Today we're joined by a former colleague, Air Force veteran, and original H2F coach. Coach Mata has been on the ground since the rollout of human performance on the conventional side and helped pioneer much of the way coaches do business. Join us for a great conversation about his role in the Air Force Special Warfare pipeline, his thoughts on what makes a successful tactical coach, and his new venture pursuing a master’s degree to become a licensed psychotherapist.

1h 6m

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Coach Travis and Coach Ray tackle topics in tactical human performance from the practitioners' view. Tune in for thoughts on training, good, bad, and funny. Real stories from the coaches actually doing the job. Episodes drop on Fridays...when we can. Coaches’ AAR is a media and educational platform operated by Praxeon LLC.

Creator

Coaches' AAR
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

34
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Coaches' AAR
Show Website

Coaches' AAR