Iron Sights

Latest Episodes:

#197 - Weight Vests: Pros, Cons & Real Talk For Tactical Athletes Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of the Iron Sights Podcast!

Today, we’re diving into the growing trend of using weight vests for fitness and weight loss, especially among women.

With claims about increased calorie burn and improved bone density, we break down what’s real, what’s hype, and what you need to know before strapping one on.

We also get into smart ways to integrate weight vests into your training routine, including key considerations, risks, and benefits to keep in mind—whether you’re new to training or looking to take your workouts to the next level.

But we don’t stop there... We expand the conversation into the tactical athlete space, covering how weight vests are used in CrossFit, Tactical Games, law enforcement, military, and first responder training.

From performance to practicality, we highlight how different communities are using vests—and how it translates to the average gym-goer.

If you’re thinking about training with a weight vest, this episode is packed with useful insights, pros and cons, and real-world application tips to help you get the most out of your gear while staying safe and effective.

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Timestamps:

02:24 Intro

02:52 Tactical And Practical Applications

05:31 Bone Density & Weight Loss Benefits

06:17 Pros And Cons

15:07 Caloric Burn: What To Know

19:46 Athletic Performance With Vests

26:38 Posture & Mechanics Impact

28:30 Weight Vests For Women

30:16 Picking The Right Vest

32:34 Best Training Practices

41:51 Breathing & Mobility Challenges

44:38 Practical Advice & Tips

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#169 After Dark - Tamara DuMont’s Journey Into Firearms: Tragedy, Training & Women Leading The 2A Fight Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

We’re back with another After Dark episode here on the Iron Sights Podcast, and this one’s powerful.

I sat down with Tamara DuMont—a competitive shooter, firearms instructor, and the kind of voice this community needs more of.

Tamara’s story is real, raw, and deeply personal. Her introduction to firearms came after a horrific tragedy: the murder of her mother by her stepfather, using a firearm.

And yet, Tamara’s journey didn’t end in fear—it turned into purpose.

Now, she leads a local chapter of A Girl & A Gun, the largest and most impactful women’s firearms organization in the country. She spends her days behind the gun counter, training others on the range, and building community around responsible firearms ownership—especially for women.

We talk about overcoming trauma, advocating for the Second Amendment, and how to have honest conversations with people who are afraid, uninformed, or simply curious.

Tamara brings healthy confidence, clarity, and grace to every conversation she’s in—and I know you’ll take something powerful from this one.

Timestamps:

04:17 Intro

05:55 Childhood & Family Dynamics

09:34 Journey Into Firearms

21:34 CCW Experience & Threat Encounter

27:23 Joining ‘A Girl & A Gun’

31:44 Empowering Women In Gun Stores

39:26 Women & Self-Defense

43:33 Women In Gun Culture

50:32 Leadership & Community Building

55:21 Competitions & Qualifications

01:13:20 Barriers For Women

01:44:42 Firearms Training & Events

02:02:11 Women & The Second Amendment

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#196 - How To Dial In Your Macros For Summer: Protein, Carbs & Fats Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Back in the studio today with another episode of the Iron Sights Podcast. This time, I’m joined by Steven and CeCe—Ryan’s out, but we’re diving into a topic that comes up constantly in our world: macro prescriptions.

With warmer months here and people dialing in their nutrition and training, it made sense to revisit the macros conversation. How much protein should you really be eating? What about carbs and fats? What’s too much, what’s not enough, and how do you even come up with those numbers in the first place?

We’re breaking down common questions we get as coaches and giving you a framework to think through your own nutrition, especially if you’re trying to lean out, bulk up, or just stay consistent. Whether you’re new to macros or just need a refresher, we’ve got practical tips and a few free resources that’ll help you make sense of it all.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

03:27 Macros & Individual Needs

07:32 Calculating Your TDEE

14:47 Why Protein Matters

23:17 Carbs Vs. Fats

29:40 Keto & Carnivore Insights

33:00 Managing Fat & Protein Intake

37:09 Diet Adjustments For Overweight Clients

46:07 Realistic Goals & Trusting The Process

50:48 Practical Diet Tips & Resources

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#168 After Dark - The Fight to Save Our First Responders: Systemic Failures & Moral Injury w/ Anna Heil May 30, 2025

Show notes

Anna Heil is dedicated to bettering and preserving the quality of life for first responders and members of the American military veteran community. She the Executive Director with the American Warrior Foundation who provide resources to help individuals and agencies face the internal and external challenges both the people and institutions face.

This conversation we had at the annual Texas Tactical Police Officers Conference doesn’t follow the typical discussions around the topic of “trauma”. Anna and the AWA Team lean in heavy to the morale injuries faced by those that serve our communities yet find themselves battling systemic institutional failures in leadership, broken agency models, and the massive short-comings in cultural competency when it comes to providing services.

Anna and The AWA have found a way to begin chipping away at the foundational components, bringing awareness to, and scaling their non-profit to make meaningful and lasting change. It’s a different approach and you’ll get that through this conversation.

Sit back and enjoy this Iron Sights After Dark episode with Anna Heil.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

04:40 Anna Hile’s Background

06:50 First Responder Challenges

12:09 Moral Injury Explained

21:33 R3 Program Overview

24:09 Building Support Systems

37:40 Expanding Across Texas

41:41 Public-Private Partnerships

44:41 Peer Support Networks

51:05 Education & Awareness

01:03:57 Confidential Support Access

01:07:23 A Firefighter’s Story

01:09:34 The New Normal

01:15:11 Spousal Support Matters

01:22:26 Launching Support Programs

01:32:20 Advocacy & Future Plans

#195 - Managing Knee Pain: Lessons from the Trail May 26, 2025

Show notes

We’re back from a weekend out at Pinnacles National Park—and this one’s all about knees. After spending hours hiking up and down rocky terrain, the conversation naturally turned to joint health, knee pain, and how to keep your body running strong.

In this episode, we break down the real causes of knee pain—what it is, what it isn’t, and why so many people get it wrong. We talk about the role of glutes, hamstrings, and biomechanics in keeping your knees healthy and pain-free. From hiking trails to the gym floor, your knees take a beating if you’re not moving right.

We also share our go-to movements and strategies for both prehab and rehab, including exercises like terminal knee extensions, Spanish squats, and Copenhagen side planks. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain or just looking to stay ahead of it, there’s something in here for you.

This isn’t theory—it’s what we actually do when our joints start talking back. Tune in. Take notes. And keep training smart.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:39 Hiking At Pinnacles National Park

06:10 Knee Pain & Common Mistakes

14:57 Causes Of Knee Pain

23:50 Rehab & Strengthening

25:48 Leg Extensions & TKEs

29:51 Spanish Squats Explained

32:57 Glute & Hip Strength

39:03 Medial Stability & Adductors

42:36 Hamstrings For Knee Health

50:59 Exercise Integration For Pain Relief

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#167 After Dark - From Veteran To COO: Joey Pena On Leading In The World Of Executive Protection May 23, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to another Iron Sights After Dark episode. In this conversation, I sit down with Joey Pena, COO of Charlie Mike Protection Services, a veteran-owned executive protection company based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Joey is a military veteran, seasoned entrepreneur, and respected voice in the world of private security and executive protection (EP).

In this episode, we break down the truths, challenges, and culture shifts happening in the executive protection industry. From the old-school bodyguard mindset to the emergence of modern tech-savvy protectors, this discussion is packed with insight that goes far beyond just the gear or tactics. We talk about client expectations, the evolution of threats, and the importance of mindset, education, and leadership in protection work.

Timestamps:

0000:0 Intro

04:13 Joey Pena’s Background

13:47 Evolution & Levels Of Executive Protection

18:57 Role & Value Of EP Agents

34:22 Skills & Challenges In The Field

42:53 Social Media’s Influence On EP

49:21 Hospitality As A Core EP Skill

59:18 Vetting & Onboarding At Charlie Mike

01:09:03 Educating Clients & Agents

01:17:41 Complacency & Professional Standards

01:40:13 Firearms & Protection Philosophy

01:48:32 Closing Thoughts

#166 After Dark - The Unicorn Chief, Bryan Williams, Goes Full Send: Why Law Enforcement Leadership Continues to Fail May 16, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to a powerful first-time collaboration between the Iron Sights Podcast and the TTPOA Podcast.

Recorded during the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association (TTPOA) Annual Conference, this episode brings together TTPOA hosts Brandon and Matt, Chief Bryan Williams, and myself, Scott Howell, for an unfiltered and brutally honest conversation.

We dive into the real challenges facing law enforcement today—from broken leadership and cultural barriers to the lack of proper training—and most importantly, we discuss the why behind those problems.

Chief Bryan Williams is known as a cops’ cop—a leader who trains with his people, speaks the hard truth, and refuses to sugarcoat the realities of modern policing. As a USPSA grandmaster shooter and someone who is actively creating change in his department, Bryan brings raw passion and hard-earned insight to the table. This conversation is everything people inside and outside the profession wish they could say out loud. It’s real, raw, and unfiltered, just the way Bryan wants it.

So buckle up, drop the ego, and get ready for an eye-opening episode that doesn’t hold back.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

11:14 Bryan Williams’ Background

14:31 Training Standards Matter

17:38 Leadership & Decision-Making

23:47 Systemic Issues In Leadership

37:15 Understanding Community Concerns

40:13 Officer Vs. Leadership Disconnect

44:54 Strong Leadership Examples

49:21 Community Policing & Perception

01:02:32 Real-World Training Gaps

01:11:10 Officer-Involved Shootings

01:18:09 Remembering The ‘Why’

01:29:33 Internal Vs. External Promotions

01:34:23 Mid-Level Management Issues

01:42:37 Community Accountability

01:51:13 SWAT Tactics & Evolution

#194 - Breaking Through Training Plateaus: Strategies For Strength And Endurance Gains May 12, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of the Iron Sights Podcast! Today, we are diving into a topic we’ve all run into—plateaus. Whether it’s in the gym, your nutrition, or just your overall progress, getting stuck is part of the process… but staying stuck doesn’t have to be.

We break down what a plateau really is, why it happens, and how to recognize it before it turns into long-term frustration. More importantly, we talk strategy—how to evaluate your training, track the right metrics, and make the kind of changes that actually move the needle.

Enjoy today's show!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

04:28 Understanding Plateaus

06:44 Importance Of Structured Programming

08:09 Breaking Through Plateaus

16:55 Volume Vs. Intensity

28:09 Adjusting Exercises & Rep Ranges

34:06 Endurance Training Mistakes

39:18 Tracking & Technique

40:33 Rest Times & Strength Gains

45:45 Program Evaluation & Adjustments

56:42 Smarter Recovery Strategies

59:15 RDF Strong

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#165 After Dark - Rebuilding Police Firearms Training w/ Chancey Pogue & Brian Stahl May 09, 2025

Show notes

Here’s another episode coming off the annual Texas Tactical Police Officers Association Conference in Round Rock, Texas.

Today’s guests are Chancey Pogue and Brian Stahl — veteran police officers, owners of Reticence Group Training Company, and the guys leading the firearms program at a large metro law enforcement agency in Texas.

We dig into the philosophy behind their training methods, how they’re helping shift culture inside their agency, and what it really means to prepare officers for the job — not just check a box and call it “qualified.”

Chancey and Brian are the real deal — humble, capable, and leading from the front.

Enjoy this conversation and share it with your team, your agency, or anyone who needs to hear what these guys are about.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

03:43 SWAT School Takeaways

06:25 Brian’s Career Path

13:18 Chancey’s Journey In Law Enforcement

20:23 Training Challenges In Law Enforcement

39:38 Trainee Expectations & Instructor Engagement

42:12 Practical Skills Vs. Qualification

48:17 Self-Diagnosis & Growth Mindset

59:53 Real-World Accountability

01:07:29 Isolation In The Profession

01:09:24 Failure As A Training Tool

01:21:54 Competition & Performance

01:29:46 Culture Change: The Sandpaper Approach

01:36:20 Positive Training Culture

01:39:52 Recognizing & Rewarding Excellence

01:45:54 Knowledge Sharing & Networking

#193: Q&A - Brutal Endurance Race Lessons, Fitness Fails & Nutrition Truths May 05, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Iron Sights!

Our producer fielded your questions from Instagram and YouTube so that we could answer them all live on the show.

Today we are joined by the entire crew: CeCe, Ryan & Stephen.

Enjoy the show!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:06 Steven’s Race Recap

10:55 Controlling Food Cravings

17:45 HIIT: Pros & Cons

31:17 Going Plant-Based

38:49 Vegan Vs. Carnivore

42:37 Intermittent Fasting

52:61 Common Fitness Mistakes

59:02 Strength Training & Protein

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Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/
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