The Protectors® with Jason Piccolo
The original The Protectors® podcast, established in 2019, is about resilience, reinvention, and the moments that change the direction of our lives.
Hosted by retired federal agent, U.S. Army veteran (OIF 2006), author, and interviewer Dr. Jason Piccolo, the show explores what happens after service, success, failure, burnout, loss, transition, and personal transformation.
Through conversations with veterans, leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs, and everyday people who chose a new path, The Protectors® focuses on growth, identity, purpose, and the courage to move forward.
Jason also interviews both bestselling and independent authors, exploring the creative process, the writing journey, the challenges of publishing, and the stories behind the books. From debut novels to works by New York Times bestselling authors, these conversations offer insights into storytelling, perseverance, and success.
These are conversations about second chapters, hard-earned wisdom, and finding meaning after life changes course.
Whether you’re rebuilding, redefining yourself, chasing something new, launching a new venture, writing your first book, or simply trying to move forward, The Protectors® is about navigating change with resilience and purpose.
The Protectors® with Jason Piccolo
#143 | Dr. Luis Alvarez | U.S. Army Veteran | MIT | Theradaptive
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Dr. Luis Alvarez joined The Protectors to discuss the future of warfighter healing. Interview coming this week. Luis is a U.S. Army Veteran and has a PhD from MIT.
About: Luis is a West Point grad and Iraq Veteran. While serving in the Army in Iraq, Alvarez was frustrated to see the lack of technology available for targeted tissue regeneration. Some of his fellow service members underwent amputations weeks or months after a wound originally occurred because the bone and tissue couldn't be healed properly.
To address that shortcoming, Luis got a PhD in biological engineering from MIT and developed a method of converting the most powerful regenerative proteins currently used in humans into material-binding variants. These new proteins, which can be coated on to medical devices or implants, allow for targeted tissue regeneration with little off-target effects.
In practical terms, this means that major bone breaks could now be healed in a matter of weeks, not months. Cartilage that may have been considered irreparable might now be fully repaired. His company, Theradaptive, has received $6 million in funding from the Department of Defense. While their lead products are for orthopedic trauma, they have also developed similar therapeutics for spinal fusion, cartilage repair, localized oncotherapy, and more.
Make sure to check out Jason on IG @drjasonpiccolo
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