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PODCAST

The Harden Up Podcast

"The Harden Up Podcast" brings you into the world of high-performance training and adventure through the expert lens of Matt Harden—a former USMC Infantry Squad Leader, veteran SWAT Team Leader, and founder of OpTempo Training Group. Each episode delivers compelling conversations with leading specialists across tactical operations, athletic development, overlanding expeditions, and extreme sports.Matt"s military and law enforcement background provides the perfect foundation for extracting practical

government wilderness

All Episodes

77:13

Ep 60: Jason- Police Instructor & Plain Clothes Officer

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2025/11/07

Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by Jason, a 13-year law enforcement veteran serving in the greater Atlanta area. With years of experience on one of Georgia’s busiest full-time SWAT teams, Jason has worked as both an assaulter and a sniper—taking part in high-risk search warrants, barricaded subjects, and hostage rescue operations. We dive into the mindset and tactics behind precision urban sniper work, plainclothes interdictions, and the realities of undercover support missions inv...

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56:03

Ep 59: Paul Holle- of Idaho Rescue Training

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2025/09/30

Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by Paul Holle—a wilderness medicine instructor, mountain athlete, and the founder of Idaho Rescue Training. Paul’s work and passion have taken him to 18 countries, climbing some of the world’s most iconic peaks and leading wilderness medicine courses in remote, high-stakes environments. We dive into his journey from the Colorado Rockies to the mountains of Nepal, how he built a wilderness training company from the ground up, and what it takes to teac...

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80:20

Ep 58: Chad Bianco- Riverside Co. Sheriff, Governor...

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2025/08/28

Send us a text In this episode, Matt sits down with Sheriff Chad Bianco, a 30-year law enforcement veteran and the current Sheriff of Riverside County—one of the largest sheriff’s departments in the nation. They explore his personal journey through the ranks, from patrol deputy to leading a department with over 3,600 personnel and a billion-dollar budget. Sheriff Bianco shares his unfiltered perspective on how policing in California has changed over the last two decades, the impact of state l...

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45:36

Ep 57: Matt Harden- Guest appearance on the Like a...

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2025/07/31

Send us a text In this episode of Like a Man, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk about a journey that’s shaped who I am today—starting with my time in the U.S. Marine Corps, through college, and into a career in law enforcement and SWAT operations. We covered a lot of ground, including: My path through military service and into police workWhat SWAT selection and training really looks likeLessons from leading in high-stakes tactical environmentsTools, mindset shifts, and habits that he...

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58:58

Ep 56: Ryan- Success Strategies for the Academy and FTO

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2025/07/01

Send us a text Success Strategies for the Academy and Beyond with Ryan Marion In this episode of the Harden Up Podcast, Matt sits down with longtime friend and former colleague Ryan Marion — a law enforcement veteran with over 17 years of experience. From patrol and school resource officer to SWAT team leader, FTO, and academy recruit training officer, Ryan has worn many hats in the profession. Together, they break down what it really takes to succeed in the police academy and sustain a high-...

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47:00

Ep 55: Jennifer Vollbrecht- USMC Crew Chief and...

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2025/05/28

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Vollbrecht, a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter crew chief and door gunner who has transformed her experience in the military into a thriving career in project leadership and consulting. As the President and CEO of J. Vollbrecht Consulting, she leads teams delivering high-impact projects for the Department of Defense and Department of Energy, with a strong presence at national laboratory facilities. Jennifer shares insights from ...

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56:19

Ep 54: Cory Nykoluk of 5.11 and First Tactical

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2025/04/30

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with industrial design expert Cory Nykoluk, the innovative force behind some of the tactical gear industry's most revolutionary products. Cory shares his journey from being the first employee at First Tactical to his influential tenure as Design Director at 5.11 Tactical, where he created the iconic Rush 24 backpack that redefined tactical gear standards. The conversation explores Cory's design philosophy of "Neat Clean Professional" and how it shap...

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80:21

Ep 53: Wells Jones: Navy Veteran and World Adventurer

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2025/03/31

Send us a text 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 his time in front of the camera and an unforgettable expedition through the Middle East that became the foundation for his latest book. We talk about: His path to becoming a Navy pararescuemanWhat it's like operating in the extreme conditions of ...

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76:10

Ep 52: Maj Jason Attinger: USAF PJ & A-10 Pilot

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2025/02/28

Send us a text 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 becoming the Director of Training for the PJ program. Driven by his passion for flight, he transitioned to the cockpit of the A-10, logging over 760 hours of combat operations. Now an instructor pilot and Wings Plans Officer for the 124th Fi...

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71:30

Ep 33: Mark Aguilar-Police Detective Veteran

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2025/02/28

Send us a text 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 south central L.A. to celebrity personal security details and to the pinnacle of the tactical surveillance game, this episode runs the gamut. Enjoy! Flashbang Earplugs https://www.fbearplugs.com/ The OpTempo Training Group website for an u...

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38:53

Ep 51: Matt Klein- NYPD Detective (Ret) and Battle...

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2025/01/31

Send us a text 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 time in the military and law enforcement, Matt founded his creative project Battle Tribe! His engaging artwork blends elements of military, L.E. and pop culture in multiple media styles. Please enjoy the show! Matt Klein on Instagram: @matt...

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104:24

Ep 50: Rex Ingram- Police Chief

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2024/12/30

Send us a textIn 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 trafficking task force, plainclothes operations, and patrol watch commander in some of LA’s toughest areas. He spoke candidly with me about leadership in policing, elevating LE performance and how administrators can support their officers. Please en...

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83:40

Ep 49: Mark Lang of Brinc Drones

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2024/10/31

Send us a textIn 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 and NTOA. Mark now works for BRINC drones and advocates for the use of drones in SWAT and patrol operations. Listen in as Mark talks about SWAT culture, the use of technology in L.E. and the future integration of DFR. Please enjoy the show!B...

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66:15

Ep 48: CDR Bill Burwell- USCG Rescue Pilot

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2024/09/09

Send us a textIn 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 as Bill dives into the challenges of rotary-wing flying, hair-raising rescue missions, and extreme duty stations Please enjoy the show!Video of perilous rescue recounted by Bill in the episode:https://www.dvidshub.net/video/640450/coast-gua...

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103:35

EP 47: Standing Offhand on Police Snipers

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2024/07/31

Send us a Text Message.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 episode we discuss the Trump shooting incident, the police sniper mission, and selecting good candidates. Please enjoy the show!Standing Offhand:https://www.standingoffhand.com/Social: @standing_offhandThe OpTempo Training Group webs...

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68:34

Ep 46: Mike Kelly- USCG Rescue Swimmer Instructor

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2024/05/31

Send us a Text Message.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- one of the most stressful environments in military training. Listen in as Mike breaks down the selection process, testing and ultimate success criteria to join the elite USCG AST ranks! Please enjoy the show!Rescue swimmer career o...

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62:15

Ep 45: Jason Clark of BeaverFit USA

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2024/04/26

Send us a Text Message.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 then as a strength and conditioning director for the Marie Corps HITT program. He also served on the advisory board for human performance at HQ Marine Corps. Please enjoy the show!BeaverFit USA:IG: @beaverfitusahttps://beaverfitusa...

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66:38

Ep 44: Dennis Medina of Armored Breach

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2024/04/01

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19:15

Ep 43: Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism at DARC

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2024/02/29

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68:01

Ep 42: Zack Sowers- USCG Rescue Swimmer

The Harden Up Podcast ·

2023/12/29

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60 results

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