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
53 episodes
Ep 53: Wells Jones: Navy Veteran and World Adventurer
In this episode, we sit down with Wells Jones—a Navy veteran, former Antarctic pararescueman, actor, author, and world traveler. Wells shares his incredible journey from military service in some of the harshest environments on Earth to h...
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Season 5
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Episode 53
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1:20:21
Ep 52: Maj Jason Attinger: USAF PJ & A-10 Pilot
My guest today is a U.S. Air Force Major, whose remarkable career spans both special operations and combat aviation. He spent over a decade as a Pararescue specialist (PJ), leading high-profile rescue missions in Iraq and Afghanistan before bec...
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Season 5
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Episode 52
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1:16:10
Ep 33: Mark Aguilar-Police Detective Veteran
In this episode Matt talks with Mark Aguilar, a current Police detective working in a an elite tactical surveillance unit. Listen in as Mark recounts his 28-year law enforcement journey and the lessons learned along the way. From patrol in sout...
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Season 3
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Episode 33
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1:11:30
Ep 51: Matt Klein- NYPD Detective (Ret) and Battle Tribe Founder
In this episode I welcome Army combat veteran Matt Klein to the show! Matt is a retired NYPD Forensic sketch artist who used his artistic gifts and abilities to help solve multiple high-profile homicide and assault investigations. After his tim...
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Season 5
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Episode 51
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38:53
Ep 50: Rex Ingram- Police Chief
In this episode I welcome our first Police Chief to the show, Chief Rex R. Ingram from the Caldwell Idaho police department. He has an extensive background from his 17 years at LAPD, where he worked on gang enforcement teams, a human traffickin...
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Season 4
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Episode 50
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1:44:24
Ep 49: Mark Lang of Brinc Drones
In this episode Matt talks with a law enforcement SWAT veteran, Mark Lang. He served for 23 years on a full-time SWAT team, specializing in the sniper billet. Mark is the director of sniper training for Tac Flow Academy and teaches for TTPOA an...
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1:23:40
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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Season 4
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Episode 48
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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