Forging Mettle Podcast

Part of the mission of Forging Mettle is to provide an equal spotlight on strong female leaders; their seat at the table in the forge is vital to our revolution. In this podcast, we present our "Denver Startup Week" panel discussion with four of our former guests: Kim "KC" Campbell, Shannon Huffman Polson, Jannell MacAulay and Amy McGrath. This is a powerhouse panel of successful women, all with a military aviation background. We discuss important topics of leadership, and how to be successful in your chosen field. This is part 1 of 2.

YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLbYvXrE6Ho 

In this solocast, Ron discusses the 4 C's model of mental toughness. The 4 C's being: Control, Commitment, Challenge, Confidence. This episode focuses on control, and its sub-categories of life control and emotional control. Hear his thoughts on what we control and what we don't. And why understanding this in your own life can remove stress and increase wellbeing. 

This week we talk with the first adventure psychologist. A term she coined and is now writing the book on the topic. We discuss ideas that fit well in the forge. Have we become too soft? How does adventure, fun, challenge and awe improve our wellbeing? What mode are you currently in? Surviving, coping or thriving? What is adventure psychology? Enjoy this very unique discussion with a lovely guest. 

Show notes:

If anyone knows about mental toughness - Paula Reid does. She has learned resilience first hand and understands how to perform enduringly in the toughest of conditions. From Skiing to the South Pole to Yacht Racing around the world, she has learned how to thrive in hugely challenging circumstances.

​She has a unique combination of business intelligence, personal extreme expedition experience and a MSc in applied Positive Psychology. Her expertise is unique in being able to equip people with the tools to thrive in challenging and uncertain conditions.

Learn more about Paula: https://www.paulareid.com/

Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Life-Full-Paula-Reid/dp/1784563897

We've been trying for decades to level the playing field for men and women in the workplace, and we haven't quite made it there. There might be a simple reason for this...what if there is no "level" playing field - regardless of who you are. So, what if we changed the narrative and said, "that's ok." Instead of "leveling" we could work together to build a "new normal."

Show notes:

Work with us! www.forgingmettleacademy.com 

Denver Startup Week www.denverstartupweek.org

Women in Leadership: Do we need a level playing field? https://www.denverstartupweek.org/schedule/7343-women-in-leadership-do-we-need-a-level-playing-field

Imposter Syndrome: Forging your unique value prop https://www.denverstartupweek.org/schedule/7338-imposter-syndrome-forging-your-personal-unique-value-prop

Surviving is over...it's time to thrive! Overcoming burnout https://www.denverstartupweek.org/schedule/7023-surviving-is-over-it-s-time-to-thrive-overcoming-burnout

Although Tony's background is in the combative industry, much of what he teaches can be applied to all areas of our life where we feel fear. Let's be honest, we face fear on an almost daily basis in myriad ways. If we can know our fear, and befriend it, we are more able to control it. We discuss some catchy acronyms to help demystify fear and understand why it's happening. There is also a fascinating connection between fear management and time management. 

Show notes:

Coach Tony Blauer has been in the martial art, self-defense, defensive tactics, and combatives industry for over  four decades.

His research on physiology and mindset as it relates to confrontation management has influenced over three  decades of reality-based martial artists and enhanced the survivability of law enforcement, military, and  emergency services personnel around the world.

He founded Blauer Tactical Systems (BTS) in 1985 and it has grown into one of the world's leading consulting  companies specializing in the research and development of performance psychology, personal safety, and close  quarter tactics & scenario-based training for law enforcement, military, and professional self-defense  instructors.

• Free guide MAKING FRIENDS WITH FEAR
• Our main website
• The GARAGE GYM SELF-DEFENSE - Online training with Coach Blauer
• ESSENTIALS OF PERSONAL SAFETY - 2-hour LIVE online course
• KNOW FEAR podcast

1. Album on our website
2. Facebook albums
3. Instagram personal
4. Instagram training page

• Website
• Training Calendar

What do you do when your aircraft is hit by enemy fire over Baghdad and your control inputs no longer function? You have 20 seconds to figure it out or you'll be forced to eject over enemy territory. This week we hear Colonel Kim "KC" Campbell tell the tale of her harrowing mission in 2003. She learned a lot about herself that day. She faced her fear with courage. Listen in as we talk about confidence, perseverance, preparation, assertiveness and authenticity. 

Show notes:

Colonel Kim “KC” Campbell served in the Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. Kim is a keynote speaker sharing her story about a life changing combat experience while weaving in ideas and lessons about leadership, teamwork, perseverance, and decision making in stressful environments. Kim has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. She is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Academy and has a Master of Arts in International Security Studies and a Master of Business Administration from the University of London. She has served as a Squadron Commander, Operations Group Commander, Air Force Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, and Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Most recently, Kim served as the Director for the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the United States Air Force Academy. In 2003, Colonel Campbell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kc-campbell/

https://twitter.com/kchawg987

https://www.athenasvoiceusa.com/kim-kc-campbell

This week we talk with an athletic trainer who has worked with and interviewed many top Hollywood stars. He has learned plenty from some of the biggest names in fitness. He believes that it is important to build not only physical strength, but also mental strength. We talk about mental toughness, intrinsic motivation, motivation, willpower, the power of small steps, conversations about 'cheap heat' with Hulk Hogan and sticking to the plan. 

Show Notes:

I’m the Group Training Director for Muscle&Fitness and Men’s Fitness magazines. I write about and edit workouts, diets, exercise trends, and the regimens of celebrities and athletes. I’m the author of The Men’s Fitness Exercise Bible (aka 101 Best Workouts Of All Time), an Amazon.com best-seller, and the e-book The Truth About Strength Training. I’ve also been the fitness editor at Muscle & Fitness Hers and Sly magazine, and I’ve done fitness and nutrition segments for several television and radio stations, including WNYW Fox 5 in New York City and ESPN AM1000.

http://www.seanhyson.com/

http://www.seanhyson.com/published-work/

Tune in this week as blacksmith Ron Duren Jr recaps his summer of traveling through 9 western states. He spent almost three months being a digital nomad. Traveling 4000 miles all the while working and staying at airBnB's along the way. The lessons were profound. He talks about adversity, uncertainty, fear, anxiety and non-attachment in this fascinating talk.

Show notes:

The Comfort Crisis (book) by Michael Easter

In a world that seems to be addicted to taking shortcuts, hacks and taking the easy path, this week's guest pushes back on that narrative. He believes that we should strategically seek out times to do "necessary evils." He explains why getting out of our comfort zone is fundamental to our growth. Why is it beneficial and when should we do it?

Show notes:

Andy Molinsky is a Professor at Brandeis University’s International Business School, with a joint appointment in the Department of Psychology. Andy received his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and M.A. in Psychology from Harvard University. He also holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and a B.A. in International Affairs from Brown University.  

Andy’s work helps people develop the insights and courage necessary to act outside their personal and cultural comfort zones when doing important, but challenging, tasks in work and life. His research and writing has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Inc. Magazine, Psychology Today, the Financial Times, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe, NPR and Voice of America. Andy was awarded as a Top Voice for LinkedIn for his work in education. 

His first book, Global Dexterity (Harvard Business Review Press, 2013), received the Axiom Award (Silver Medal) for Best Business Book in International Business & Globalization and has been used widely in organizations around the world, including Boeing, AIG, the US Air Force Academy, and the Clinton Foundation, among others. His new book Reach was published with Penguin Random House in January 2017.  He teaches, consults, and lectures widely to university and corporate audiences.

https://www.andymolinsky.com/

Book: "Reach: A New Strategy to Help You Step Outside Your Comfort Zone, Rise to the Challenge and Build Confidence"

Book: "Global Dexterity: How to Adapt Your Behavior Across Cultures Without Losing Yourself in the Process"

Reach Andy at: [email protected]

Learn more about Forging Mettle: www.forgingmettleacademy.com

As one of the first female fighter pilots, Amy was a trailblazer in an environment that saw very few women. Her message about what it means to be a patriot, how to forge strength in the face of adversity, how to deal with failure, and how to have the courage to keep going when doors are closed, are not to be missed. This is a powerful message for us all.  

Show notes:

Amy graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned as a Marine Corps officer in 1997. She earned her Wings of Gold as an F/A-18 weapons systems officer and completed two combat deployments, flying 89 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2002, as a weapons systems officer, Amy became the first woman in the Marine Corps to fly a combat mission in an F/A-18.

After her operational flying tours, Amy served as a Congressional Fellow advising a senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee on defense and foreign policy.

Subsequently, she served in the Pentagon as Marine Corps’ liaison to the State Department and other federal agencies. After earning a postgraduate degree in global security from Johns Hopkins University, her final active duty assignment was as a senior instructor in the Political Science Department at the US Naval Academy before retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and moving back home to Kentucky to raise her family.

In 2018 and 2020, she ran U.S. House and Senate races in Kentucky.

https://amymcgrath.com/

https://honorboundamericans.com/

Book: "Honor Bound: An American Story of Dreams and Service" by Amy McGrath