Inside the Life of a Close-Protection Operator

Beer:30 | A podcast, brought to you by UF PRO

Beer:30 | A podcast, brought to you by UF PRO
Inside the Life of a Close-Protection Operator
Dec 06, 2025 Season 2 Episode 9
UF PRO

In this episode of Beer:30, we sit down with Derek Nugent, former infantry NCO, Ironman athlete, and close-protection specialist. He talks about his time in the Irish Defence Forces, his move into private security, and how endurance training shapes his performance under pressure.

Derek shares insights from managing security at major sporting events, working residential protection roles, and applying military habits to civilian risk-management. He also highlights what new operators often overlook and why consistency, fitness, and communication matter most.

A straightforward conversation about experience, mindset, and the day-to-day realities of professional protective work.