Carl “Lee” Throckmorton: In 2023, Lee retired from a 30-year career in public safety. He started his professional career with an Ocean Rescue Service in Southeast Virginia where he supervised up to 250 lifeguards per season.    In 1997, Lee joined the fire department in Norfolk, Virginia. His fire service career spanned 26 years and included duties as a Paramedic, HazMat technician, and a founding member of the NFR Fitness Committee. He also spent 3 years as an arson investigator which allowed Lee to attend a Police Academy and participate in 6 months of Field Training with the Norfolk Police Department.  His last assignment was as a Lieutenant on a busy ladder company in Midtown.   In concert with his professional duties, Lee built a robust resume in strength and conditioning to include CSCS, TSAC-F, and CFFT alongside many other specialty courses.  He also holds a Bachelors of Science from Old Dominion University. While working for both agencies, Lee had many opportunities to speak to members and recruits about the fitness/wellness needs of the tactical athlete. He continues to leverage his professional, educational, and practical experience to help tactical athletes exceed the physical and mental demands of public safety.

Michelle Sharp is an O2X Lead Instructor. After graduating from both undergraduate and law school at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, Michelle Sharp joined the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. She served in this role for 16 years, representing Soldiers and advising Commanders at multiple installations throughout the US and during her two deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Michelle is now retired and lives in Leesburg, VA, with her husband, who is still serving on active duty in the Army, and her son. She is a certified yoga instructor, teaching in the D.C. Metro area. When she isn't teaching or driving her son to various activities, you can find her walking her dog, cooking for her family, or reading.

Andrew Jenkins is an O2X Instructor from Virginia and has been a career firefighter/paramedic with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue for the last seven years. Drew is fortunate to be able to find a career that combines his passion for fitness and wellness along with having an impact on his community. When Drew isn’t on shift or assisting at the department’s health and wellness facility you can catch him outdoors or on the mats training Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Mike Fitzpatrick is an O2X Instructor and proud United States Army Veteran, grateful for the opportunity to serve the last two decades. He completed combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. His most recent role, before completion of service, was as Platoon Sergeant within a light infantry company of the Rhode Island Army National Guard. He currently serves as a Firefighter/EMT-B for a major city fire department in the Northeast, working on an Engine company and serving as an adjunct Fire Academy instructor. Mike holds a B.A from the University of Massachusetts, Boston and considers himself a lifelong learner. He is always eager to engage in discussion and the learning process. He is also a lifelong resident of the City of Boston, where he currently resides with his wife, their four children, and beloved German Shepherd.

Dave Carter is an O2X Assistant Instructor. Dave is going into his 21st year as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Portland Fire Department (ME). In addition to his regular duties he is an active member of the department’s Health and Wellness Division and is continually seeking new ways to improve the health and well-being of the department. Prior to joining the fire service, Dave was a Division 1 collegiate runner at the College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C.. It was during that time he was exposed to the importance of having structured training programs and the value of taking proper care of oneself. He developed a strong interest and appreciation for all aspects of improving performance for which he continues to learn and build upon. After graduating he received his level 1 USA Track and Field certification and went on to become a volunteer assistant coach with the Bowdoin College Cross Country and Track teams. Similarly, he became an assistant coach for a local high school track team. Having completed a handful of marathons, a dozen triathlons and a number of trail races, he continues to implement the training principles he has learned over the years.

Kevin Dautel is an Instructor with O2X Human Performance. Kevin has been with O2X for the past 2.5 years, working closely with tactical athletes in fire, law enforcement, government / federal agencies, and the military. Kevin is a passionate, high-energy coach with nearly a decade of experience working across all aspects of strength, conditioning, and human performance. Since 2012 he has been involved in multiple CrossFit gyms, coaching classes, conducting new membership introductions, movement assessments and screenings, and programming. Kevin has had the opportunity to coach and program elite gymnasts, hockey players, Olympic lifters, and many novice lifters.Kevin is a Castleton University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. Throughout his coaching career he has attended many workshops, such as Powermonkey Fitness Camp under David Durante and Chad Vaughn, both who are Olympians in their sports. Powermonkey features top level coaches in weightlifting, gymnastics, programming, pre and post workout mobility, and a Business of Excellence Seminar.Kevin has also worked with ActiveLifeRx, an organization of Chiropractors and Physical Therapists to help better assess and create programs for athletes that have struggled with shoulder, hip, knee, and lower back injuries. Workshops include hands-on training to help athletes make better decisions and form a more accurate understanding of flexibility and mobility, as well as how movement impacts injury and performance. His passion is helping people get better every day and pushing them towards their goals.

Christina Morris is an O2X Instructor. Christina is also a wellness entrepreneur and the creator of Gypsy Fit- an online wellness platform. Her Bachelors in Education has empowered her to coach thousands of athletes and clients over the course of the past 10 years.Her coaching journey began in 2011 at a Crossfit gym in Boston and has evolved into the creation of her own brand which promotes a more holistic approach to health. She equips clients with a roadmap towards sustainable wellness for their life’s journey through a variety of her nutrition and training programs.Christina is passionate about learning and evolving her coaching style as she continues to grow. Her certifications and continuing education include: Box Fit Certified, Crossfit Level 1 & 2, Crossfit Strongman, Juggernaut Powerlifting Seminar, Crossfit Mobility, Certified Physical Preparation Specialist, Precision Nutrition and currently working on becoming a Certified Transformational Nutrition Coach.As a competitive athlete, Christina has competed in the Reebok Crossfit Regional Individual and Team competitions for 4 consecutive years (2013-2016) in addition to competing in an amateur boxing match for charity hosted by Haymakers for Hope at the House of Blues in Boston in 2016.Christina wears many hats as student, trainer, coach and athlete but has also had the opportunity to work as a fitness model for some major brands like Reebok, UnderArmor and Nike to name a few.Her passion is using movement and nutrition as the catalyst for change empowering individuals to step into the best version of themselves. She is most proud about her volunteer work with The Phoenix-a nationwide nonprofit sober active community. She helped in the beginning phases of the Boston Chapter and continues to support their organization.

Mark Lane is an O2X Instructor. Mark brings a wealth of enthusiasm and knowledge to any team, but above all he brings an air of positivity. He uses his talents for good, and never evil, for the benefit of those around him. He has a passion for working with others to help them realize their full potential. Mark is an USAF veteran and former Firefighter. After an active childhood of team sports, he has spent over 20 years playing competitive rugby and almost 15 years as a CrossFit member and CrossFit Level2 Trainer(CF-L2). In 2005, Mark was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes which has given him a unique perspective on health regarding the tactical athlete with special considerations. Mark recently returned to school to complete a bachelor’s degree in Strength & Conditioning at The Citadel – The Military College of South Carolina. In his spare time, Mark coaches at a Charleston area gym and enjoys life with his family, traveling, playing/watching rugby, and just about any outdoor activity.

CJ Gibbs is an O2X Assistant Instructor. CJ first entered the fire service in 2014, when she joined her high school’s Fire Explorer program. After graduating, she continued to volunteer as she went through EMT, Paramedic School, and Fire Academy. CJ was hired by her first career department in 2009, then began working for her dream department, Denton FD, in 2012. Currently, CJ works at Denton’s rescue station and serves as an instructor for the department’s training program. CJ has a B.A.A.S with concentrations in Health Promotion, Public Administration, and Emergency Management from the University of North Texas. She has been a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer since 2016 and has used that training to help men and women prepare for careers in the fire service. CJ also serves as the Grant Coordinator for 555 Fitness, a non-profit whose goal is to help first responders create a resiliency to illness, injury, and disease. In her spare time, CJ works as an Adjunct Instructor for Tarrant County College’s Fire Program and travels the world.CJ’s passion to help others with their fitness journey stems from her past. Though always active, CJ struggled with being overweight until the age of 20, when she adopted a life of healthy eating and fitness. The accumulation of small changes over time allowed her to have a career she is passionate about, adventures she will never forget, and experiences she will forever cherish. It is her goal to help others reach their health and fitness potential, so they too, can enjoy all that life has to offer.

Scott Ziegler is an O2X Assistant Instructor. Scott has been a Firefighter – EMTB for over 15 years. Before becoming a firefighter he was a volunteer FF, worked on an ambulance, and in an emergency room as a tech. After this experience, he was hired into the City of Highland Park’s Fire Department in 2009. Highland Park, geographically, is a small city completely surrounded by Detroit and has an extremely high operational tempo. Scott worked there until he was hired by the City of Detroit in 2014, and is currently stationed on the west-side of the city on Truck 25, which resides with Engine 53. Scott is a certified Crossfit coach and has coached at a local gym for 6 years as well. He spends much of his free time hunting, fishing, and camping in northern Michigan, and also works for the fire-fighter non-profit, 555 Fitness, as one of their social media managers.

Samantha Hamilton is an O2X Instructor, Firefighter/EMT, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach dedicated to providing top-tier injury prevention, strength, and conditioning for tactical, college, high school, and youth athletes. As the founder and owner of a fitness studio specializing in tactical and elite athletes, Samantha’s impact goes beyond individual training. She has worked to transform her department in Concord, Massachusetts, fostering a healthier workplace by introducing pre and post-shift workouts, monthly challenges, and health facts posted to a whiteboard. While also being married to a firefighter, Samantha can understand the challenges of a work/life balance within the tactical population.Her commitment extends globally, having trained athletes and first responders in various countries, stemming from her study abroad experience in Ireland. With a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Science, and currently pursuing a Doctorate in Trauma Informed Care, Samantha exemplifies a passion for continuous learning.Beyond her professional achievements, she actively supports organizations like Military Friends Foundation, Tough Ruck, and 22Mohawks, raising over $100,000 for veterans and first responders. Samantha’s relentless pursuit of self-improvement is evident in her participation in 12 marathons and annual competitions such as the Arnold’s in Strongman. O2X is not just a job for her; it’s her happy place, and her dedication to personal and collective well-being is unwavering. Outside of work, you’ll find Samantha at the gym, exploring the world, playing with her dog, or discovering new ice cream places.

Jessica Silva is an O2X Assistant Instructor. Jessica has been in the first responder world for most of her career. She started out as an EMT in San Jose and San Diego. After a military relocation to Virginia, she moved to the other side of the radio as a 911 dispatcher for the City of Virginia Beach. After receiving her BS in Criminal Justice, she participated in an internship with Virginia State Probation and Parole, and subsequently worked for the City as a Community Corrections Officer for domestic violence offenders. In 2011, she started volunteering with a Wilderness Search and Rescue team and shortly thereafter started training as a K9 handler. She and Nash, the dog, worked numerous searches for missing persons, downed aircraft, and cold case human remains searches throughout the state under the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, in conjunction with both state and local police, fire departments, and rescue personnel. In addition to raising two children and riding out 14 post 9/11 deployments, she served as Ombudsman for a SEAL command for several years, was part of the shaping of resiliency programs for special forces spouses and families, and is the author of a children’s book about deployment. She currently lives in Colorado, with her husband, who has recently retired after 27 years in the SEAL teams, enjoying the empty nest life.

Zach O’Neil is an O2X Instructor who has been involved in the fire service since 2019. He started his career as a call firefighter and was later hired as a full time firefighter/EMT in 2020 for a town in the metro Boston area. Prior to going full time in the fire service, Zach worked for the City of Worcester’s Division of Emergency Management. Most recently, he assisted in the City’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Zach has a B.S. in Emergency Management and is a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He played soccer while at the academy and served as team captain his senior year. It was during his time at Mass Maritime when he found his passion for human performance. Zach also trained for and ran the 2018 Boston Marathon which further motivated his interest in fitness and wellness. Zach hopes to share his passion and motivate others within the tactical athlete community. Zach currently lives in the Boston area where he enjoys grilling, hiking and snowboarding in his free time.

Brooke DeForte Rich is an O2X Instructor. Brooke completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters of Education in Counseling degree at the University of Maine. While at college, Brooke competed as a Division 1 runner for the track and field team. She served as a captain for the women’s indoor and outdoor NCAA collegiate track teams. Early on Brooke developed a passion for the connection of mental and physical health and how they both contribute to overall performance. After several years working in the mental health field, Brooke went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Post graduation, she worked at The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital caring for children and their families. Currently, Brooke is a National Board Certified Counselor, a trained health coach and works as a Registered Nurse in a school setting. She is a lifelong athlete and has competed in many adventure races, triathlons, and endurance events. Brooke lives in Southern Maine with her family and enjoys lifting weights, hiking, being on the water, running, and traveling.

Matt Stoneback is an O2X Instructor. Born and raised in Quakertown, PA, Matt attended East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. There he obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Athletic Training. While obtaining his master’s degree, he became a volunteer Firefighter. After graduating he practiced as an athletic trainer and later was hired as a professional firefighter in Frederick County Maryland where he currently works.Matt truly loves his job as a career firefighter. Having an educational background in injury prevention and rehabilitation has given him the opportunity to train with and educate others in his department on how every aspect of health and human performance impacts career longevity. After discovering O2X and their focus on tactical athletes, Matt felt he could offer a unique perspective being a firefighter with a master’s degree in athletic training. Matt emphasizes proper technique and training with a purpose, all the while pushing yourself to be the best you can be. He wants to use his background and skills to educate others on how to develop healthy habits for long and fulfilling careers. Matt believes the history of the fire department is strong but there is a need for positive change in the health and wellness part of this profession and he wants to be a part of that change.Matt enjoys fishing, hunting, traveling and taking new classes both in fire and rescue as well as health and safety. He hopes he can bring a positive impact to O2X and bring change to the fire service all across the country.

Nate Larkin is an O2X Instructor. Nate brings 16 years of career experience from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Currently at the rank of Lieutenant, Nate is assigned to T425 in Reston, VA. His passion for training is focused on the psychological and physiological stressors which the mind and body are subject to during training and on the fire ground. Previously, Nate was the Operational Training Unit Lead in the Field Training Branch where he managed, developed, and instructed numerous training classes during conferences both nationally and internationally. Nate is also a current H.O.T. Instructor at FDIC.

Christine LaVopa is an O2X Instructor. Christine earned her B.S. in Physical Education with an emphasis in nutrition at Queens College in New York. She went on to attain her personal training, strength and conditioning and nutrition certifications leading to over 17 years of experience in the health, wellness and fitness industry. She enjoyed playing competitive level softball in high school and also competed in fitness competitions at the national level. As a wellness coach, she creates adaptable strategies and solutions for her clients. Her clientele ranges from professional single women to busy mothers, specifically military mothers. As a military spouse and mom, she has an appreciation and a great deal of gratitude for how challenging the military life can be so when she gets to help military members and their families, it brings an extra degree of accomplishment. Living healthy and being fit is her daily routine and when she isn’t helping clients she is learning more about fitness, nutrition and wellness to further serve her clients at a higher level.Although health and wellness is her passion, the second biggest joy in her life is her family. Spending time with her husband and kids. She’s also a true beach bum and enjoys the sun and sand at every opportunity.

Joseph “JT” Tardiff is an O2X Instructor who has been involved in the fire service since 2021. Before his career as a firefighter, JT worked as a State Special Police Officer for 10 years. JT has also been involved in coaching athletes since 2014 after he competed in the New England CrossFit Regionals where his team placed 8th overall. There he found a passion for fitness and living an active lifestyle and wanted to further his knowledge by obtaining his CrossFit level 1 & 2 trainer certifications. JT has worked with athletes in the class and individual settings to pass on his knowledge of fitness and overall health. He also played baseball and rugby growing up which helped shape his team mentality which he incorporates in his classes.

Patrick Farr is an O2X instructor who became an entrepreneur over ten years ago by taking the leap from the corporate world and opening a juice & smoothie bar called Quench Juicery. Since opening location #1, the business has expanded to 4 separate locations throughout New England, two of which have subsequently been sold off, and the remaining locations have now been franchised. Patrick is also active in the CrossFit community, being a former co-owner of CrossFit Overthrow, and holds his CrossFit L2 Trainer designation. Patrick holds a B.S. in Economics/Finance from Bentley University. Being a lifelong sports and fitness enthusiast, Patrick is a 6-time marathon finisher and enjoys sharing his knowledge of nutrition (Quench Juicery) and strength and conditioning (CrossFit) with like-minded individuals. In his spare time, Patrick enjoys spending time with his wife, Emily, and doing anything physically active in an attempt to burn off the endless energy of their three young rowdy boys. He looks forward to a lifetime of physical activity and is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to teach his young boys how to one day grow up to become great men.

Chief Mims started in the Fire Service in 2001 as a volunteer. Quickly, he realized his passion for this work and decided to make it his career. Following his volunteer service, he was hired at Augusta Fire Department in 2007. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Mr. Mims also obtained training as an Emergency Medical Technician/Intermediate, during this time. Chief Mims became an adjunct instructor with the Georgia State Fire Academy and taught a plethora of classes across the state. Mr. Mims obtained his associate degree in Fire Science and his Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration and is working on finishing his Master’s degree in Homeland Security. Prior to becoming a Fire Chief, Mr. Mims was responsible for the State’s USAR and Hazardous Material Teams while working for Homeland Security. Chief Mims is also a National Incident Management System Instructor. Chief Mims is a Smoke Diver in 3 states. He enjoys mentoring young men to become productive members within society, and coaching Basketball for the youth.

Hans Olson is a O2X workshop instructor. He currently works with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). In this capacity, he works with the Department of Defense, Special Operations Command, and the intelligence community transitioning next generation technologies to keep the U.S. at the forefront in the global competitive environment.Hans previously worked as a Senior Vice President with Teneo Risk. In this role, he led strategic engagements and advised CEOs, management teams, and executive boards on issues relating to cyber and physical security risks and mitigation strategies, crisis preparedness, planning, management and response.He was the Cyber Engagement Manager supporting the U.S. State Department’s Global Engagement Center. Their mission is to lead, synchronize, and coordinate the U.S. Government’s interagency technology efforts to counter foreign propaganda and disinformation.Hans was also the Assistant Undersecretary for Homeland Security, and the Senior Advisor for Antiterrorism and Cybersecurity, Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In this role, he oversaw multiple agencies and the Homeland Security Grant Process for the state, as well as developed comprehensive antiterrorism and cybersecurity policies.Prior to his role with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Hans was the CEO of SubSea Energy North America, an innovative energy company that developed micro-hydropower systems for the Department of Defense. Earlier in his career, Hans was a civilian intelligence officer with the Department of Defense and a Navy Reserve intelligence officer working primarily with the special operations community. He has multiple overseas tours, including two deployments to Afghanistan.Hans holds an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School, an MBA from Babson College, and a MA and BA from the University of New Hampshire.

Kortney Leazer is an O2X instructor and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Kortney was a collegiate athlete while studying Criminal Justice and Spanish at the University of Lynchburg and joined the Virginia State Police after graduation. While working full-time, Kortney completed her Master’s of Science in Human Performance in 2024. She is currently working with local law enforcement and fire departments to enhance their physical performance and wellness.

Courtney Carreon is a strength and conditioning coach, group fitness instructor, and graduate student in Kinesiology, specializing in human performance for tactical and adaptive populations. With over a decade of personal connection to the special operations community, she brings a deep understanding of the mindset and demands faced by military, law enforcement, and first responder professionals.  Her academic focus centers on tactical performance, neuroplasticity, and injury prevention—blending evidence-based research with practical application. Passionate about turning data into actionable strategies, Courtney develops wellness solutions that help individuals perform better, recover smarter, and sustain long-term readiness. As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), she coaches both general population clients and tactical athletes, emphasizing functional fitness and long-term development.  Courtney also serves as Operations Manager for Warpaint Creations, a family-run knife and tool company founded by her husband, a former Navy SEAL. Balancing her roles as a coach, entrepreneur, and parent, she understands firsthand the demands of service life and the importance of sustainable, real-world wellness strategies. With a degree in mass communication, Courtney brings strong communication skills to her coaching—helping clients and teams understand the “why” behind the work.  Outside of work, Courtney serves on the board of a local nonprofit that provides equine therapy to children with special needs. She enjoys experimenting with new training methods, traveling with her family, and staying connected to the communities she serves. For Courtney, human optimization is more than a career—it’s a personal mission rooted in service, performance, and impact.

Matthew Lysy is an instructor at O2X Human Performance.  A nine year veteran of the fire service and second generation firefighter, Matthew has recognized the need to incorporate the human element into operations.  It is Matthew’s belief that training and education can prepare fire service leaders for the rigorous responsibilities of critical decision making on the scenes of fires and emergencies.   Matthew grew up in New Jersey spending most of his days outside with neighborhood friends.  He spent seven summers as an ocean lifeguard and was a competitive swimmer throughout High School and College.  Matthew is a proud Eagle Scout.  Matthew holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology from King’s College in Wilkes Barre, PA.   Matthew is a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Prince George’s County, MD Fire/EMS Department, an adjunct instructor with the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, and has recently completed his tenure as a Shop Steward for the Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association of Prince George’s County.  Matthew is an advocate for the camaraderie and bond that physical activity can instill among a group of individuals.  When not working Matthew enjoys staying active and traveling to new places.

Jackson Sinnott is an O2X instructor who grew up in Duxbury, MA. He enlisted in the Army in 2014 and served seven years in the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Following his active-duty service, he transitioned to the Massachusetts National Guard, where he now serves as a State Marksmanship Instructor. Currently a senior at Harvard University, Jackson is concentrating in Government with secondary fields in Russian Language and Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia Studies. He is also an active member of the university’s Club Hockey and Baseball teams.

Jackson’s passion for human performance began during his time at the Home Base Intensive Clinical Program and Comprehensive Brain Health and Trauma Program in Boston, MA. This experience introduced him to holistic health and wellness, shaping his belief that raw physical performance is only a fraction of what it takes to achieve lasting health and longevity.

Outside of academics and his military career, Jackson enjoys reading, golfing, and competing in USPSA shooting events. With a commitment to pushing his limits, he hopes to complete an ultra-marathon endurance event in 2025.

Alli Houseworth is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), E-RYT 500 yoga instructor, iRest Level Two teacher, Warriors at Ease certified teacher, and an educator and facilitator with over 15 years of teaching and public speaking experience. She is passionate about bringing the transformative practices of yoga, mindfulness, and meditation to the military and first responder communities as a way to mitigate the effects of chronic stress and trauma.

Alli is a former military spouse, the sister of a medically retired firefighter, the daughter of an Army veteran, the granddaughter of career Air Force and Army veterans, and the great-granddaughter of a World War I veteran. After several rapid PCS moves made it difficult to continue her career—and triggered depression and anxiety—Alli turned to yoga for support. She quickly recognized how its benefits could greatly serve the military and first responder communities.

She began her yoga teaching journey leading power yoga classes in studios, at an Air Force fitness center, and for Army PT. Now, over nearly a decade of teaching, Alli has brought iRest meditation and adaptive yoga to soldiers in the Army Recovery Care Units (an extensive reconditioning program for soldiers suffering from visible and invisible injuries) at Schofield Barracks, Walter Reed, and Ft. Belvoir; yoga, iRest, and psycho-ed workshops on resilience and post-traumatic growth at an in-patient treatment center for substance use disorder; trauma-informed mindfulness programs to incarcerated veterans in the state of Maryland; and more.

Alli holds a certificate in Business Administration from Georgetown University, and a masters degree from Columbia University, where she served on the faculty for four years immediately following graduation and before her first PCS.

While the work she does can be quite heavy, Alli prides herself in her highly educational yet light and fun-loving approach.

Anna Huddleston lives in Virginia Beach, VA, where she has proudly served the community through her private practice and as a Military Family Life Counselor in the Hampton Roads area. In her career, she has had the privilege of sharing her passion for mental health and wellness in both large and small settings, developing and delivering presentations on mental health wellness checks, self-advocacy in seeking support, and normalizing counseling as an essential tool for well-being. As a military family counselor, Anna facilitated workshops on resilience, work-life balance, stress management, effective communication, and solution-focused strategies tailored to military life. One of her most rewarding experiences was leading a wellness and self-advocacy workshop for high school athletes, witnessing young adults embrace the importance of mental health and the value of seeking help.  An active-duty Navy spouse and mother of three passionate young women, Anna has cultivated a versatile résumé across diverse roles in seven states over the past 24 years. Balancing her passion and priority for family with a strong professional presence, she earned a master’s degree in professional counseling. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, she has found her calling in empowering clients to find their strengths and supporting fellow counselors to excel in their roles. She is committed to contributing to organizations that value proactive health, mental well-being, and practical skill development, while also advancing her passion for collaborating with professionals, broadening her expertise, and driving meaningful impact within communities.

Jen is an O2X Instructor who's Health & Wellness journey was catapulted when her son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She has been working with Veterans & First Responders for the past 8 years in multiple roles. She currently holds a position at her local Township as the Health & Wellness Coordinator and also coordinates and helps lead Equine First Responder Training at a local barn she works at. When she is not at work, she enjoys being home on her farm or doing anything outdoors with her family. Jen is a lifetime student who thrives on learning something new every day. Her mission is to educate and empower First Responders & Families on becoming the best versions of themselves through movement, nourishment, & positivity.

Mark is an O2X Leadership Specialist. As a former Blue Angel pilot, “Blue Angel No. 4”, for the US Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron. He was also a Legislative Affairs Portfolio Manager for the US Navy, which entailed briefing high level leadership. Mark is currently an airline pilot for United Airlines. Mark graduated with a Master of Business Administration from Washington State University.

Brian Kitching is a former Army Ranger and Lieutenant Colonel with over 20 years of experience commanding high-risk missions in Special Operations and other combat units.In 10+ overseas deployments and 50+ months of combat, Kitching led hundreds of high-risk operations and was recognized on three separate occasions for bravery in battle. Kitching is a recipient of the nation’s third highest military decorations for gallantry, the Silver Star, as well as six Bronze Stars, two awarded for valor.Kitching served as a Downin Scholar at the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point and as a military fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King’s College in London. His recent assignments include serving as a White House Fellow and Advisor in the Domestic Policy Council and Office of Management and Budget, and as an advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Army’s senior-most General, at the Pentagon. His final assignment was at the 101st Airborne Division, where he was the first African American to command the storied 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment (“No Slack”), and he also served as the Director of Operations for the Division.Kitching earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Alabama A&M University, a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and a Masters of Arts in International Affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Kitching is a lifetime member of the Council of Foreign Relations.

Warren is a retired Coast Guard aviator and mission support specialist with over 20 years of experience planning and executing high-risk missions in the aviation, afloat and special missions communities. On three diverse continents and in four different aircraft, Warren flew over 1800 flight hours, conducting hundreds of operations in support of all 11-statutory Coast Guard missions. He has been recognized with various service and community awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. He served as a Congressional Fellow, assigned to the office of Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK); the Chief of External Affairs for the 14th CG District and the principal liaison for Indo-PACOM Theater Security Cooperation; and the Deputy Chief of Incident Management and the Aviation Program Manager for most of the Coast Guard's west coast operations.  Warren’s last operational assignment was as the Logistics Department Head and Commanding Officer of Military Personnel, at Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach, where he provided mission support for all operations in southern California and parts of Central America. Warren is a native of the Bronx, NY. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, a Command and Staff Diploma from the Naval War College, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Hawaii, Richardson School of Law. He is a contributor to the Indo-Pacific Defense Forum, and a Life Member of the National Naval Officers Association. Warren also serves as the Head Lacrosse Coach at Wilson High School, in Long Beach, CA.

Sara Hendershot is an O2X Thrive Specialist. Sara is a lifelong athlete and competitor. She grew up in Boston, MA where she developed a love of sports from an early age. During her high school years, she moved to Simsbury, CT where she was introduced to the sport of rowing. Immediately drawn to the nature of the sport, she realized that this highly technical craft rewarded relentless hard work, and she committed herself to the goal of competing in college.This lead Sara to be recruited to row at Princeton University where she became her team’s Captain, a two-time All American, and graduated with a B.A. in Psychology. Upon graduation, she earned her way onto the United States Women’s National team and became a two-time World Champion and 2012 Olympian in the Women’s Pair where she finished in fourth place. Through this journey, she faced several bouts of injury, which lead her to study human movement and physiology and develop a passion for coaching and high performance.After retiring from the sport of rowing, Sara has taken the lessons she learned from professional sport and applied them to performing in business and life. She has developed a career in brand marketing for health and fitness companies, where most recently she helped build a sports nutrition brand from before its launch to its fourth consecutive year of growth. She is also a performance consultant to the Harvard Women’s Rowing Team, an avid mental health advocate, and she continues to compete in athletic events like the NYC and Chicago marathon. Sara now lives in Cambridge, MA with her husband Mike, son Maverick, and French Bulldog Bron.

Myron J. Burns, PhD is an O2X Resilience Specialist. Dr. Burns completed his undergraduate studies from Howard University in Washington, DC and graduate training in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN. In addition, he has completed post-doctoral training in health psychology from the University of Miami. Dr. Burns is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Novasoutheastern University College of Psychology.He has instructed a variety of courses in psychology, counseling, and substance abuse. Dr. Bruns has worked with individuals, families, first responders, and military personnel on processing trauma and stress, depression, drug use, and stress management. His research interests are in health, personality, resiliency, and stress process variables. Dr. Bruns is a native Floridian, and when not working, this self described “military brat” can be found in the gym or traveling abroad.

Lauren Simmonds is an O2X Resilience Specialist. Lauren Simmonds has been a licensed clinical psychologist since 2015. Lauren went to the University of Central Florida for her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and continued her education at Nova Southeastern University where she obtained both her Master’s and Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology.Lauren completed an internship at the Southern Arizona VA in Tucson, AZ and residency at the James A. Haley VA in Tampa, FL. Lauren continued her work with the military/Veteran population at Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg, NC, working primarily with the 82nd Airborne Division.In 2019, Lauren went through support assessment and selection for AFSOC-GSU and began her career with Special Operations. Presently, Lauren is working at the Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, NC. Lauren has extensive experience with trauma focused interventions for the treatment of PTSD (combat and MST), as well as the treatment of TBI, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance.

Dr. Elizabeth Werly is an O2X Mental Performance and Resilience Specialist. She has a foundation in clinical psychology and works as an operational aviation psychologist for the United States Army. Dr. Werly has provided individual and organizational consultation for military personnel in both training and deployed environments.Her training focuses on performance enhancement in high stress, fast-paced environments with extreme performance expectations. Her work focuses on education, self-awareness, and advanced resilience training for individuals and teams in order to build and foster a culture of well-being for continued advancement and peak performance. Dr. Werly has been working with the military since 2015 and has deployed twice in support of combat operations.Her areas of expertise include: performance enhancement, advanced behavioral consultation, resilience and mental performance, personnel selection, executive coaching, leader coaching and development, training and program support, performance psychology, generational trends, and program evaluation.Dr. Werly currently lives in Nashville with her Husband Dan and their son, Jack.

Dr. Shumi Rawlins is an O2X Resilience Specialist and a licensed clinical psychologist. In 2005, after completing her training and licensure as a Psychologist, she earned her commission in the United States Navy. She later went on to serve in the Reserves. Dr. Rawlins has spent over 15 years combining her clinical work with her experiences as a military spouse in order to support active duty service members and their families as a clinician and teammate. In her role as an embedded psychologist at a Special Operations command, she became highly experienced at recognizing and addressing the outcomes of working in a high-risk environment and teaching strategies for strength and resilience. By having a specialization in assessment and selection, Dr. Rawlins has developed an understanding of the personalities and characteristics of those drawn to working in high-risk environments and necessary techniques for success and effectiveness.

Kally Swibes is an O2X Resilience & Mental Performance Specialist. She currently works for Versado Training – a company out of Raleigh Durham, specializing in adult learning within the life science industry. Prior to Versado, Kally worked in the advertising industry in Chicago and helped start a program called Athletes Connected, a collaboration between the University of Michigan and the NCAA. Her work with Athletes Connected allowed Kally to speak to Student Athletes at the University of Michigan and around the Big Ten about her struggles around mental health. The goal of these workshops was to normalize the topic of mental health and to promote help seeking in student athletes – a group who generally does not reach out for help when struggling with mental health issues.Kally now speaks with student athletes and organizations around the country using her story to demonstrate the power of human performance and how it contributes to the success of every individual.

Andy Haffele is an O2X Resilience Specialist and former Navy SEAL. After graduating from high school in a small-town in southern Wisconsin, he was appointed to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. While attending the Naval Academy, Andy studied Computer Science and participated in intercollegiate boxing. He graduated from Annapolis in the spring of 2001.Upon his U.S. Naval Academy commissioning, Andy received orders to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL(BUD/S) training in Coronado, CA. He started the SEAL training pipeline in the fall of 2001 and earned his SEAL Trident approximately 2 years later. Andy’s first duty assignment was to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE (SDVT-1) in Pearl Harbor, HI where he reported in November 2003.After only four months of training in his first SEAL platoon, he was critically injured during a training exercise in Hawaii on March 18, 2004. He was accidentally shot in the upper right chest from approximately 15 feet away with a military assault rifle. Despite the near fatal wound, he survived the initial injury but sustained severe nerve damage to his entire right arm/shoulder. Andy continued therapy and received numerous surgeries to improve the function in his arm for nearly four years while remaining on active duty. The injury resulted in permanent nerve damage and he was subsequently medically discharged from the Navy.After leaving the service, he has worked in the Information Technology sector. Andy currently works for a law enforcement agency in the Rocky Mountain region, where he assists the agency with technological needs and is involved with their special tactics unit.Since his time in the military, Andy has felt very fortunate to get a second chance at life through his unique experiences. He looks back on everything that took place in a positive aspect and shares his story with military personnel, first-responders, and Christian organizations around the country. Andy and his wife have been blessed with three wonderful sons and currently reside in the mountains of Colorado.

Jennifer Pugh is an O2X Resilience Specialist with expertise in mental health skills training. Her areas of focus include acute and chronic stress management, emotion regulation, anger management, effective communication, crisis intervention, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring. Jennifer served for many years as a staff clinician at her local VA hospital, engaging servicemembers, veterans, first responders and government employees in a variety of mental health treatment modalities. She now owns her own practice and teaches graduate clinical courses at Boston College. Jennifer received her B.A. in Psychology from Boston University and her MSW with a focus in veterans and military families from Boston College. After graduation, she went on to complete an academic fellowship at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. She is currently licensed to practice clinical social work in Massachusetts and New York, and is certified in Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy. Her professional experience includes the provision of individual psychotherapy, group therapy, clinical case management, and psychoeducation training in both inpatient and outpatient mental health settings. With personal ties to law enforcement and the military, Jennifer appreciates that the optimization of mental wellness is an integral part of maximizing human performance. Following the same advice she gives her clients, her free time consists of eating fun foods, getting outdoors, catching quality zzz’s, and working up a good sweat.

Arno Ilgner is an O2X Resilience Specialist with expertise in stress management, resiliency, and all things mental training for tactical athletes & first responders nationwide.Arno distinguished himself as a pioneering rock climber in the 1970s and ‘80s, when the top climbs were bold and dangerous first ascents. These personal exploits are the foundation for his unique physical and mental training program–The Warrior’s Way ®. In 1995, after a thorough search of the literature and practice of mental training and the great warrior traditions, Arno formalized his methods, founded the Desiderata Institute, and began teaching his program full time. Since then, he has helped thousands of students sharpen their awareness, focus attention, and understand their athletic (and life) challenges within a coherent, learning-based philosophy of intelligent risk-taking. Arno considers the joy and satisfaction in the effort – the “journey” – intimately linked to successful attainment of goals, the “destination.”Arno has taught clinics across the U.S.A. and abroad. He holds a BA in geology, spent several years operating his own geological consulting firm in the Wyoming oil fields, acted as Chief Financial Officer for an industrial tool distribution company, attended the Army Ranger School, and served a non-combat tour of duty in Korea. He currently resides with his family near Nashville, Tennessee.

Dan Cnossen is an O2X Resilience Specialist. Dan was raised on a 5th-generation family farm in Topeka, Kansas. After successfully completing SEAL qualification training in 2003, he deployed numerous times in support of global special operations. As a SEAL platoon commander, he was severely injured in 2009 in Afghanistan, resulting in the amputation of both legs above the knees. Turning to sport for recovery, Dan eventually began training full-time for the US Paralympic Nordic ski team. He has since competed for Team USA in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Paralympic Winter Games and is the first male athlete to win a gold medal for the United States in biathlon, a sport that combines cross-country skiing with precision target shooting. Dan holds a BS in English from the U.S. Naval Academy, MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, and MTS from Harvard Divinity School. He has been working with O2X since 2018 as a resilience specialist.

Coleman Ruiz is an O2X Leadership and Resilience specialist. Coleman is also the Co-Founder and Director of Performance at the Mission Critical Team Institute. The MCTI develops research and practice for the Selection, Training, and Professional Development of Mission Critical Teams, defined as small (4-12 agents) integrated groups of organically trained and educated experts dealing with complex adaptive problems. Mission Critical Teams operate in immersive, but constrained (300 seconds or less), temporally constrained environments where the consequence of failure can be catastrophic. Mission Critical Teams, as examples, include Wildland and Urban Firefighters, Trauma Surgeons, Hostage Rescue teams, elite sports teams, Special Operations soldiers, etc.Coleman is also an Advisor and Partner at the Liminal Collective, reimagining the future of what is possible as a Human 2.0, Humans 2.0, and Humanity 2.0. The Collective helps create, plan, organize, and execute against some of humanity’s boldest endeavors ranging from space flight and deep-sea exploration to reimagining the future of national security and elite sport. The Liminal Collective serves as the operational planning arm for “never been done” events, and serves the individuals training for performance under pressure in high consequence environments.Coleman is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Naval Special Warfare (SEAL) Officer. All-together, he served six operational combat deployments in both Afghanistan and Iraq. He’s served as troop commander, joint task force commander, and executive officer at various levels of Naval Special Warfare and served in U.S. Embassies in both Yemen and Kenya working directly with the Ambassador’s country team. Coleman also served as a Training Officer at both the basic and advanced Naval Special Warfare (SEAL) training schools.Coleman has served as a trainer, educator, and advisor for over a dozen collegiate teams, and professional athletic organizations. He serves as a US Naval Academy Trustee for Athletic and Scholarship Programs and serves as a Senior Fellow at the US Naval Academy’s VADM James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership.Since completing active duty service in 2011, Coleman has also served as the Executive Director of Carry the Load in Dallas, TX, a 501(c)3, as a board member at Tip of the Spear, a veteran-focused non-profit, and member of the Station Foundation’s veteran transition programs. Lastly, he often serves as a Mentor at COMMIT Foundation transition workshops, where senior retirees or high-potential veterans are creating their path into the private sector.Coleman graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in Mathematics and earned an MBA in Finance at the Government School of Business & Public Policy from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.He lives in Annapolis, MD with his wife Bridget Ruiz and their three children, Coleman (age 16), Ben (age 14), and Oliver (age 10).

Geoff Krill is an O2X Resilience Specialist. Geoff is also an adventure athlete, professional skier and public speaker, who first found skiing when he was 12 years old when his family moved from Georgia to Connecticut. He continued to ski recreationally through college until suffering a spinal cord injury in a snowmobile accident in New Hampshire in 1995. As soon as he received the “ok” from his doctor, he learned to ski sitting down. Geoff went from student to instructor that first season with New England Disabled Sports at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire. He now serves as the Executive Director of Eastern Adaptive Sports. Geoff is a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) National Demonstration team, which allows him to travel across the country to share his work at other mountains. He is also a PSIA examiner in the Eastern Division and spends much of his time leading clinicians and training others in the sport he loves. Some of Geoff’s important wheelchair “firsts” include being the first mono skier to tackle Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mt. Washington and the first hand-cyclist to travel the three notches (Franconia, Crawford and Bear notches) and 100 miles in one day. He currently lives in North Woodstock, NH with his wife, Heather and two children, Carver and Greta. As his wife puts it, you can always find him out trying to save the world one wheelchair at a time.

Dr. Durant is a Dorchester, MA native and rugby player. He is a clinical psychologist and the co-director of the PACES institute at Mass General Hospital, specializing in Sports Psychology (Performance and Character Excellence in Sports). Dr. Durant shares his own story of resilience, and how to tap into your own resilience in times of challenge and adversity.

Dr. Jess (Harmon) Moffitt, Psy.D., is an O2X Mental Performance and Resilience Specialist. She has a foundation in clinical psychology and works as an operational psychologist in the United States Army. She specializes in personnel selection, advanced behavioral consultation, and resilience and mental performance training for special operation forces. She has provided individual and organizational consultation for military personnel in both training and deployed environments. Her training focuses on a resilience based model of performance enhancement in high stress, fast-paced environments to prevent and mitigate the impacts of work and familial related stressors in these settings. Her work focuses on education, self-awareness, and advanced resilience training, for individuals and teams, in order to build and foster a culture of well-being for continued peak performance over time in high stress environments. Dr. Moffitt has been working with the military for the past twelve years. She has multiple combat deployments and has spent over 24 months in combat environments, providing psychological support, including traumatic event management to individuals and teams in both Afghanistan and Iraq. She works with service members and their families to provide preventative stress management training, as well as teaching individuals how to develop and maintain resiliency and growth in the aftermath of trauma and loss. Her interests expand to working with those in demanding environments to develop and maintain peak psychological performance over the course of their career and beyond retirement or job transition. She was born and raised in Colorado, but currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and two children.

Hunter Barnhill is an O2X Resilience Specialist and a former U.S. Air Force pilot with over 700 hours logged in the B-52H Stratofortress, and over 600 hours in the T-6A Texan II. As a B-52H pilot, Hunter led his crew in accomplishing a variety of missions. Missions including nuclear deterrence, close air support, air-to-ground, direct attack, and counter-drug. In 2015, Hunter volunteered to be an Instructor Pilot and was thus tasked with the crucial and vital role of instructing and producing the Air Force’s next generation of highly skilled and capable pilots. On Easter Sunday 2017, Hunter suffered a seizure caused by a previously undetected brain tumor which required immediate surgery to remove. Hunter was subsequently diagnosed with malignant brain cancer, thus cutting short his military aviation career. The diagnosis led Hunter to develop a deeper respect for resiliency and a new-found passion for teaching others how to implement the life-saving and life-enriching skills into their own lives: “I had received hundreds of hours of resiliency training from the Air Force for the purpose of instructing other Airmen. Even in passing along those resiliency skills to others, I had failed to internalize and apply those skills myself, but that all changed when I received my cancer diagnosis.” The skills and techniques he once used to teach undergraduate pilots now enables him to teach and instruct thousands in developing and building their own resilience. Hunter resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife Crystal, son Nolan, and dog Riley. Despite being found medically unqualified to fly, his passion for aviation continues. He enjoys studying leadership, is a proud Ohioan, and a die-hard Ohio State Buckeye athletics fan, especially football and hockey. Most of all, he loves seizing opportunities to strengthen his faith and spending quality time with his family.

Dr. David Meyer is an O2X Resilience Specialist who is also a licensed psychologist with a focus on PTSD/trauma. While attending college for environmental science and psychology, he worked as an EMT/firefighter with the US Forest Service. In his 14 years of fire/EMS experience, he served as a wildland firefighter, EMT, engine foreman, and helicopter rappeler with the Jackson Helitack before deciding to shift his career toward psychology, with an emphasis on trauma and work with first responders and survivors of trauma. Dr. Meyer earned his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Dakota with a specialization in Disaster Psychology through the Disaster Mental Health Institute. He responded with the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Team and worked with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center in Thailand. Dr. Meyer completed his internship with the Salem, Virginia VA and postdoctoral training through the Boston VA Healthcare System and Boston University. For his postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Meyer served as the project director of an NIMH funded longitudinal study focused on risk and resilience in firefighters, working with recruits throughout the US and Canada to identify potential factors that increase resilience. Dr. Meyer went on to work with the Maine VA Healthcare System as a member of the PTSD Clinical Treatment Team for five years, where he offered trauma focused treatment to military, veterans, and first responders. Today Dr. Meyer is part of Health Psych Maine, a group practice in Waterville, Maine, where he works with clients on managing stress, treating symptoms of PTSD, and mood disorders. He specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and empirically supported treatments. He has worked with multiple law enforcement agencies and corrections facilities as well as being included in a Maine Public Broadcasting documentary, A Matter of Duty. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the outdoors with his wife and two daughters, running, carpentry, and making maple syrup.

Michael DeVries is an O2X Resilience Specialist. He is an Army Psychologist with over 18 years of experience working with high performance teams in the military and civilian sectors. Michael has his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University. Prior to the military, he worked as a facilitator for corporate team building events. For the past 11 years, he has worked with Special Operations units across the Department of Defense. Michael is board certified in Organizational and Business Consulting and is a certified business coach. His areas of expertise include executive coaching, leader coaching and development, assessment and selection, training support, performance psychology, and program evaluation through data analysis.

Dr. Art Miller is an O2X Resilience Specialist. He earned his doctoral degree in Psychology from Pacific University in Oregon and then joined the US Air Force where he completed his Internship at Wright Patterson AFB Medical Center. He worked as a clinical psychologist at AF hospitals in NC and NM before moving into Operational and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) Psychology. He has served as the Chief of USAF SERE Psychology, SERE Medical Flight Commander, Command Psychologist for an AFSOC unit, and he is currently the JSOC Deputy Command Psychologist. His primary duties involve providing subject matter expertise on all psychological matters relating to Assessment and Selection (A&S), training, organizational health and resiliency, current operations, and behavioral health services. During his career he has supported the majority of Special Operations Command (SOCOM) units as well as the Intelligence Community (IC) with A&S, SERE support, consultation, and special projects He served as the USAF Operational Psychology Fellowship director during his time at JSOC and has multiple deployments to Afghanistan, Qatar, Jordan and other locations in both clinical and operational roles. He is married to a Social Worker who is retired from the USAF and currently works at JSOC leading the Behavioral Health Program. In his off time he loves training for triathlons which gives him an excuse to travel the globe to race.

Dr. Joe Hassell, Ph.D. is an O2X Mental Performance and Resilience Specialist. Dr. Hassell is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been working for over 8 years as an embedded clinical and performance psychologist for the military Special Operations community. Dr. Hassell has over 20 years of experience working with adults, teens, and children and has worked with many special populations including veterans, department of corrections staff, sheriffs’ departments, corporations, all branches of the military, active duty and retired special operators, and combat support staff.Dr. Hassell’s passion lies in assisting individuals and teams to perform at their highest level. Elite performers are aware of the importance of physical training; however, mental training is oftentimes less understood and/or overlooked, and it’s essential to unlocking one’s full potential. Dr. Hassell practices mental performance training in the following areas: goal attainment, values living, character optimization, stress regulation, mindfulness, sleep, resilience training, cognitive enhancement, breathing training, public speaking/briefing, team dynamics, leadership training, and injury recovery. Dr. Hassell has also found that sometimes the lines of clinical and sport psychology are blurred and therefore he has focused his career on mental health problems that impede optimal performance, brain health, post-traumatic growth, and works on a multidisciplinary treatment team supporting traumatic brain injury rehabilitation and recovery. Dr. Hassell has a B.A. in psychology from Rowan University, an M.A. in psychology from Pepperdine University, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Alliant International University. He received specialized training in sport psychology and exercise physiology from National University and biofeedback training from Harvard University. Dr. Hassell completed the Advanced Trainer Certification Course (ATCC) on the VirTra combat simulation training program. He is trained to conduct the gold standard sport psychology assessment, The Attention and Interpersonal Styles (TAIS) assessment, and has reviewed assessment results with over 150 special operators.