As we celebrate Veterans Day, it is important to recognize the invaluable expertise and unique perspectives that veterans bring to the civilian workforce. With their outstanding tenacity, problem-solving capabilities, and optimistic viewpoints, veterans are invaluable assets to any team.
At O2X, we are proud to honor and showcase the incredible contributions of three veterans on our sales team. Through their inspiring journeys to O2X, they embody the ethos of service and excellence, enriching our organization with their unparalleled skill sets and leadership.
“When building the O2X Business Development team, we were primarily focused on hiring individuals with a deep understanding of the stressors faced by the tactical populations.” said Paul McCullough, Co-founder of O2X and former Navy SEAL “Hiring veterans has paid immeasurable dividends. Their adaptability and understanding of our mission set not only enriched our team but has also been instrumental in propelling our company’s growth and success.”
Check out their journey to O2X…
Ian Crumley – Account Executive, East Coast
Ian Crumley is a Business Development Manager at O2X Human Performance. Prior to joining O2X, Ian was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy serving on Active Duty for 10 years. While on Active Duty, Ian served as a Surface Warfare Officer, on the USS ASHLAND (LSD 48), USS TORTUGA (LSD 46), and the USS MASON (DDG 87). Following his first two tours, he served as the Assistant Operations Officer for Naval Special Warfare Basic Underwater Demolition/ SEAL (BUD/S) and the Deputy Operations Officer at SEAL Team THREE. Ian is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and University of Virginia, Darden School of Business. During his time at the Naval Academy, Ian was also a member of the Varsity Men’s Lacrosse team.
Why did you join the O2X team?
I was transiting from the navy after 10 years on active duty and recognized I wanted something team oriented that was rooted in a mission that would ultimately allow me to continue making an impact.
How do you think your background helps you in your role as an account executive?
I was a former D-I athlete playing lacrosse at the US Naval Academy and then went on to serve in the Navy working in three different communities where the role of human performance varied widely. I saw the impact a HP or lack of HP program can have on the longevity and performance of individuals and units.
Where do you see the need for human performance education/training in tactical athletes?
The biggest hurdle facing public safety, Federal Law Enforcement, and DOD is time. Time to take care of oneself, one’s team, and one’s department/unit. O2X has the ability to embed within organizations and meet individuals with tools they can use on a daily basis to make themselves 1% better. We see a massive number of injuries, both physical and mental, plaguing public safety groups and individuals who lack the time to fully address many of their issues. This is exasperated by the fact that staffing levels are at historic lows which takes more time away and leads to burnout and attrition. Education around how to manage injury, burnout and mental health allows groups to invest in their people with the ultimate goal of providing their people resources to perform at the highest level possible. The byproduct of this investment is individuals who feel taken care of, both mentally and physically, and are able to perform their respective jobs for a career vice a number of years.
How did human performance impact your career for better or for worse?
Human Performance directly impacted me on a daily basis. Following routines around physical conditioning, mental management, and stress mitigation allowed me to perform and operate at a high level. The biggest thing a HP program gave me was the self-awareness to recognize what my body was telling me and then allowed to directly address underlying issues that were impacting my performance. Without a HP program I would not have been able to overcome many of the injuries I sustained while on active duty.
Pat Durkin – Account Executive, East Coast
Pat Durkin is an Account Executive at O2X Human Performance. Prior to joining O2X, Pat was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps serving on active duty for 5 years. While on active duty, Pat served as an Infantry Officer with 2nd Battalion 4th Marines as part of the 5th Marine Regiment stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA. During his 5 years, Pat completed two overseas deployments in support of several operations/initiatives in the PACOM region. Pat is also a graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he was a member of the Varsity Men’s Lacrosse team.
Why did you join the O2X team?
I really believe in the mission of O2X and I think we are in a very critical moment where our country is experiencing a rapid decline in health, not just in tactical agencies but across the board. We need to revisit what it means to live a healthy life and get back to the foundations of healthy living. I believe O2X does that. In short: I wanted to be a part of a team that is solving a critical issue.
How do you think your background helps you in your role as an account executive?
I have operated both at the peak of college athletics and within one of the Marine Corps’ more high-performing communities. During much of my career, both in athletics and the military, I operated at what felt like 70%. I was constantly dealing with nagging hip, back, and shoulder injuries (mostly from playing Lacrosse), while also operating at a very high Op-tempo, with no real break for months. So in addition to physical injury, I have dealt with periods of burnout and cognitive overload. So, I think my background allows me to speak from a place of knowing. I understand what tactical athletes are going through and I know what type of care they need. I also know how small, incremental changes in lifestyle and behavior can alleviate so much unnecessary suffering. Ultimately, I can put myself in their shoes, which really helps to bridge the gap between what the client needs and what we can provide.
Where do you see the need for human performance education/training in tactical athletes?
I think the point at which tactical communities go wrong is not getting this information to their people on day one. This curriculum should be baked into the training program of all tactical agencies. Tactical athletes tend to acquire bad habits and get hurt before there is ever a chance to address the underlying issue, which is often a lack of education and understanding. I had several Marines get hurt in the gym lifting heavy weight with bad technique (usually deadlifting) and during routine training events. Sometimes it was because they were poorly rested, but usually it was because they hadn’t incorporated the right preventative exercises and movement patterns into their workout routine. It is difficult for tactical agencies to create and maintain a robust strength & conditioning program in-house and I don’t think the culture has quite come around to seeing strength & conditioning programs as being absolutely necessary. I would like to see tactical agencies and units mimic what college and professional sports teams do – staff the unit with full-time health specialists that are available to address issues in real-time. Service members/ First Responders deserve that level of attention. So much time, energy, and resources gets wasted in the period between injury and diagnosis. Ideally, we are preventing injury altogether.
How did human performance impact your career for better or for worse?
I was fortunate to be a part of an awesome strength & conditioning program at the Naval Academy where I really built a foundation for performance. This foundation gave me an edge when preparing for some of the difficult training schools and programs I had to complete in order to become an Infantry Officer. I have also relied on this foundation throughout several difficult periods in my life as a tool to keep me engaged both physically and mentally. It has been one of my greatest assets, and still is today. I have dealt with several injuries throughout my whole performance career, despite having a solid foundation in performance; but having that foundation in place allowed me to extend my career and for sure prevented me from having to undergo a major surgery.
Blake Brinkerhoff – Account Executive, West Coast
Blake Brinkerhoff is a Business Development Manager at O2X Human Performance. Prior to joining O2X, Blake served a rewarding 12-year career as a Navy SEAL. He graduated BUD/S class 292 and was assigned to SEAL Team 4 where he took on three deployments to over 20 countries and served as the Lead Breacher and as an assault team leader. His final three years in the Navy were spent as the lead instructor for Close Quarters Combat (CQC) of SEAL Qualification Training where he led over 300 SEAL candidates per year to conduct high-risk, live-fire evolutions.
Why did you join the O2X team?
After I transitioned from the Navy, it became clear to me that I deeply value being a part of an organization with a mission that I align with and one that gives me a sense of purpose to make a positive impact. Our clients at O2X, whether it’s a Fire Department, Law Enforcement Agency, or military are all individuals who chose a profession in the service of others. I find it very rewarding to help these organizations optimize performance and improve the lives of their members to succeed both professionally and personally.
How do you think your background helps you in your role as an account executive?
My background in the SEAL teams led me to understand the value and importance of Human performance. As an Account Executive, I am fortunate to travel the country and share the offerings of O2X to help organizations implement the best possible program for their unique situation. I focus on learning as much as I can about each organization and help guide them to the program that will be most impactful.
Where do you see the need for human performance education/training in tactical athletes?
Human performance education is critically important to any tactical athlete organization and has a direct impact on readiness, resilience, and retention. Not only is it important at the individual level but it leads to an overall improved culture of health and wellness. It is important to implement education early on to give individuals a strong foundation to set them up for success and is greatly enhanced by reoccurring education throughout a full career to enable constant and sustainable improvement.
How did human performance impact your career for better or for worse?
I experienced first-hand the importance of holistic human performance training
throughout my career. Many of the challenges faced by our tactical athlete populations are universal and relatable to my own career. I know what it feels like to operate without sleep, to overcome injuries, and how important it is to be mentally resilient. Much of what I learned and began implementing during my time on active duty has become habitual and continues to improve my quality of life.
About O2X Human Performance:
O2X Human Performance provides comprehensive, science-backed programs to hundreds of public safety departments, federal agencies, and the military. O2X works with clients to elevate culture, improve mental and physical wellbeing, support healthy lifestyles, and reduce healthcare costs associated with injuries and illnesses. Driven by results and cutting edge research, O2X programs are designed and delivered by a team of Special Operations veterans, high level athletes, and hundreds of leading experts in their respective fields of human performance.
