The Harden Up Podcast
Hosted by Matt Harden, a former USMC Infantry Squad Leader, Veteran SWAT Team Leader, and owner of OpTempo Training Group, this podcast delves into all things training and adventure. From tactical insights to athletic performance, overlanding, and extreme sports, Matt interviews a diverse range of experts and enthusiasts. Tune in to gain actionable strategies and inspiration to push your limits and become the best version of yourself!
Episodes
47 episodes
Ep 48: CDR Bill Burwell- USCG Rescue Pilot
In this episode Matt talks with an active duty United States Coast Guard search and rescue pilot, Commander Bill Burwell. He has served over 18 years with assignments as duty pilot, instructor pilot and chief of aviation operations. Listen in a...
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1:06:15
EP 47: Standing Offhand on Police Snipers
In this episode Matt talks with two guests, Jeff Chang - a police sniper/instructor and also a former Marine Corps sniper. Tyler Ellsworth is also a police sniper/instructor and owner/operator of Standing Offhand with co-owner Jeff. In this epi...
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Season 4
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Episode 47
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1:43:35
Ep 46: Mike Kelly- USCG Rescue Swimmer Instructor
In this episode Matt talks with an active duty United States Coast Guard rescue swimmer instructor. Mike served as a rescue swimmer for ten years prior to being selected as an instructor at the aviation survival technician (AST) school- o...
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1:08:34
Ep 45: Jason Clark of BeaverFit USA
In this episode Matt has an in-depth conversation with the Beaverfit USA director of training and education, Jason Clark. Jason is a combat Marine Corps veteran and former drill instructor. He later went on to work in the fitness industry and t...
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1:02:15
Ep 44: Dennis Medina of Armored Breach
In this episode Matt speaks with the inventor and founder of the guardian breaching shield, Dennis Medina. The company Armored Breach was formed as Dennis worked as a full-time SWAT Officer and mechanical breaching expert. Listen in as Matt and...
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Episode 44
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1:06:38
Ep 43: Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism at DARC
In this episode Matt reviews his recent visit to the direct action resource center for the level two law enforcement counter terrorism course. Hear about his experience at the course, gear selection, and tips for your training visit. Please enj...
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19:15
Ep 42: Zack Sowers- USCG Rescue Swimmer
In this episode Matt talks with an active duty United States Coast Guard rescue swimmer and learns more about their training and operations. AST Zack Sowers shares his insight into the difficult training pipeline to become an aviation survival ...
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Season 4
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Episode 42
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1:08:01
Ep 41: Mike O'Neil of San Jose PD MERGE
In this episode Matt talks with the team commander of San Jose Police Department's full-time SWAT team , MERGE. Listen in to Mike's story covering his extensive law enforcement career in a multitude of assignments. Mike now commands MERGE and d...
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Season 4
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Episode 41
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1:12:02
Ep 40: Dave Weidner- Veteran Law Enforcement Firearms Trainer
In this episode Matt has an in-depth conversation with Dave Weidner, a veteran Police Officer and trainer. Dave has a progressive ideology when it comes to firearms training and brings some of the nation's best trainers to his facility, where h...
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Season 4
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Episode 40
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1:22:55
Ep 39: Yousef Sansour of Esoteric LLC- Part 2
Yousef Sansour, a law enforcement veteran, counter-terrorism expert, and USPSA grand master, returns to the show. In this episode Yousef and Matt discuss trainging ideologies, SWAT team operations and the hostage rescue course Yousef presents. ...
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1:16:01
EP 38: Pete Koch- Actor and Former NFL Defensive End
In this episode Matt talks with former NFL defensive end Pete Koch about his athletic journey from high school, college, and the NFL. Pete dives deep into the mindset and attributes of the key coaches that fueled his success. Pete also shares h...
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Season 4
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Episode 38
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1:40:21
EP 37: Kenny Stone of Soldiers on Singletrack
In this episode Matt talks with Kenny Stone, an Army combat veteran and founder of the non-profit Soldiers on Singletrack (SOS). After multiple combat tours, Kenny returned home to civilian life and the associated loss of purpose and camarade...
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Season 4
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Episode 37
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1:24:20
Ep 36: Travis Gribble- SWAT Veteran and advocate
In this episode Matt has an in-depth conversation with Travis Gribble, a fellow SWAT Officer, about LE life, training, and the personal toll of the job. The conversation dives deep into the psychological and emotional challenges of working the ...
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Season 4
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Episode 36
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1:24:20
Ep 35: Brad Frederick of Kinetic Concepts Group
In this episode Matt talks with Brad, a Marine Corps veteran, Police Officer and CEO of Kinetic Concepts Group. Brad has worked multiple assignments to include parol, SWAT, and plainclothes street teams. During his time on the job, Brad has ide...
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1:35:49
Ep 34: Mike Ott- Ballistic Shield Innovator
In this episode Matt talks with Mike Ott, a Police veteran with years 18 years of experience. Mike held multiple assignments to include SWAT, firearms instructor and K9 handler. During this time Mike gained valuable knowledge and insight to the...
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Season 4
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Episode 34
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33:19
Ep 32: Heather Brent- Blackhawk Crew Chief
In this episode Matt talks with Heather Brent, a former television new journalist and now Army Blackhawk helicopter crew chief. Listen in as they discuss the struggles of being a young, single mom, professional who later decides to switch caree...
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1:07:25
Ep 31: Sal Hernandez- SWAT Cop and Tactical Games athlete
In this episode Matt talks with Sal Hernandez, a law enforcement SWAT Officer and Tactical Games athlete. Listen in as they discuss the journey of becoming a SWAT Officer and the continual training that keeps teams sharp. Sal also recounts his ...
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Season 3
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Episode 31
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56:47
Ep 30: Yousef Sansour of Esoteric LLC
In this episode Matt talks with Yousef Sansour, a law enforcement veteran, counter-terrorism expert, and USPSA grand master. He spent years working with multiple government agencies on counter-terrorism missions after 9-11 while serving a...
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Season 3
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Episode 30
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1:12:24
Ep 29: Chris on Active Shooter Response
In this episode Matt talks with one of the OpTempo instructors about active shooter events. Listen in as Chris, a law enforcement active shooter subject matter expert, discusses the history of active shooter incidents, the evolution of the law ...
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Season 3
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Episode 29
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53:38
EP 28: Byron Rogers of Protector Nation
In this episode Matt sits down with Byron Rodgers, a Marine Corps combat veteran and 10-year Executive Protection professional. He has travelled the world working with high-level clients, while gaining a wealth of knowledge in the EP space. Byr...
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Season 3
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Episode 28
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1:03:58
EP 27: Tom Rizzo of Street Cop Training
In this episode Matt talks with Tom Rizzo, a Street Cop Training instructor and 20-year law enforcement veteran. Tom gained valuable knowledge serving on patrol, crime suppression units, and as academy and department instructor. Tom has also be...
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Season 3
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Episode 28
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1:01:55
Ep 26: Jeff Chang of Standing Offhand
In this episode Matt talks with Jeff Chang, a Police sniper subject matter expert. Jeff is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran who deployed to two wars as a scout sniper and a private contractor. Jeff also spent the last 12 years on a major metropolita...
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Season 3
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Episode 26
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1:42:09
Ep 25: Nick Thayer of The Tactical Games
On this episode Matt talks with Nick Thayer, the marketing manager of The Tactical Games. Nick is a United States Coast Guard Veteran who spent 10 years in the defense contracting industry after RELAD. He later became a CrossFit coach, photogra...
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Season 3
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Episode 25
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53:24
Ep 24: Maj (Ret.) Will Ostan of Arc of Justice
On this episode Matt talks with the President and CEO of Arc of Justice USA, Maj (Ret.) Will Ostan. He served over 12 years in the U.S. Army as a JAG attorney, completing combat deployments with the 10th Mountain Division, 7th Special For...
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Season 3
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Episode 24
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1:10:54
Ep 23: Kara "The Huntress" of Deliverfund
On this episode Matt talks with one of the nation’s leading human trafficker hunters, Kara Smith. She spent 12 years working in intelligence analysis in support of anti-terrorism. Starting her career in the air force, and then moving on to the ...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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1:13:18