Building the Elite Podcast

Hosted by Building the Elite

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126

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The Building the Elite (BTE) podcast discusses all facets of human performance - from physical training to the mental and emotional factors of resilience. Each episode looks at principles drawn from the world of special operations. These concepts help people succeed in the toughest military training courses in the world and can help anyone thrive in chaotic and challenging environments.

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60 recent

June 3, 2026Episode 1261 hr 9 min

Aaron Love - Ones Ready, Ep. 126

Aaron is an active duty Pararescueman currently stationed at a Special Tactics Squadron as a Troop Chief. He is a Team Leader, Evaluator, Special Operations Combatives Program (SOCP) Lvl 2 instructor, and an Onnit Certified Trainer, with a focus on Tactical Durability.Pararescuemen, or PJs, are the only DoD asset specifically trained, equipped, and employed to perform Personnel Recovery. They are Technical Rescue Specialists who provide gold-standard combat trauma medical care and evacuation in every environment and situation on the planet. They are trained in all methods of advanced employment and can employ from any vehicle, standard or non-standard, in the DoD and multinational partner inventory.Aaron enlisted in the Air Force in September 2001 and entered the Pararescue training pipeline as a cross trainee, previously an Aerospace Physiology Technician. He has served in Special Tactics and Rescue Squadrons, both overseas and stateside. He has also served in Air Education and Training Command, where he was integral in the complete rewrite of the Pararescue/Combat Rescue Apprentice Courses and has intimate knowledge of the Assessment and Selection process and pipeline management. He has seen multiple combat deployments to Iraq, Africa, and Afghanistan in positions from team member to Senior Enlisted Leader. He takes great pride in the training and mentorship aspect of being a Troop Chief. Aaron is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu player in his off time.You can learn more about Ones Ready and their Operator Training Summit at onesready.comSend us a message

March 18, 2026Episode 1251 hr 6 min

Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon - Mental Skills: Defining "Good Enough," Ep. 125

Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon is a trained counselor specializing in the psychology of behavior change, with certifications including motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, DBT, CBT, and trauma counseling.She’s the author of numerous books and accredited nutrition, sleep, stress, and recovery courses. She’s our go-to performance psych for special operations candidates and active operators, and works one-on-one with many of our clients to help them excel in selection and stay mentally and emotionally resilient throughout their careers. This is part of an ongoing series with KSD, where we’ll be talking with her about the specific tools and concepts that come up regularly in her work with special operators, and how you can apply them in your own life. Work with KSD: https://www.buildingtheelite.com/performance-psych-coaching/Timestamps:00:23 Introduction to Krista Scott Dixon01:07 Helping Candidates Assess the "Am I Good Enough" Question08:03 The Mistake of Only Looking at PT Test Scores13:34 The Struggle of Getting Stuck in Your Head21:28 The Way People Quit29:36 Being Good at Working Through Any Conditions34:27 Preparing for Anything and Everything in Skills Assessment42:02 "I'll Figure it Out" and Fuzzy Trace Theory47:23 Tolerating Suffering in Crappy Jobs52:03 Military Barracks Full of Broken Washing Machines58:17 How to Access the Variables that Matter1:05:35 OutroSend us a message

February 25, 2026Episode 1241 hr 25 min

Steve House - Training Mountain Athletes and Special Operators, Ep. 124

Steve House serves as the managing director, coach, and official mascot of Uphill Athlete, which he co-founded in 2016. He lives in a remote and mountainous corner of Austria with his wife and two sons.Steve’s biggest coaching challenge was coaching himself. Which was successful enough for him to be called “The greatest climber of his generation” by none other than Reinhold Messner. He was inspired to write down what he learned and originally recruited two other coaches to help him write Training for the New Alpinism while recovering from a near-life-ending fall in 2010. He then co-authored Training for the Uphill Athlete (2018) to fulfill his personal mission to “Teach conventional endurance training theory and practice to mountain athletes.” He retired from professional climbing at the end of 2020 to dedicate himself to family and work full-time on Uphill Athlete.Steve’s most famous ascent is the 4,500-meter-high Rupal Face, the world's biggest mountain wall, which culminates at the summit of the world's deadliest and 9th-highest mountain: Nanga Parbat. In this episode, we talk with Steve about his career, Uphill Athlete’s approach to coaching, and the overlap between mountain athletes and special operators. More about Steve and Uphill Athlete:You can learn more about Uphill Athlete at their website, uphillathlete.com. And you can follow them on social media here:Uphill Athlete Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uphill_athlete/Steve’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevehouse10/Timestamps:00:00:22 Introduction to Steve House 00:01:47 What is Significant about Nanga Parbat, "The Naked Mountain"00:06:51 Grading the Technical Difficulty of Climbing00:11:18 The "American Certified International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations" Guide 00:15:23 Overlap Between Climbing and Special Operations Communities00:18:00 Similarities and Differences Between the Communities00:30:32 Uphill Athlete Training Mistake 00:40:37 Base Building Meaning and Development00:42:44 Aerobic Threshold to Regulate Training00:51:00 Building Aerobic Volume00:58:59 What to Prioritize During Training01:02:09 Misunderstanding V02 Max in Training01:09:13 Ventilatory Threshold Breakpoint01:15:10 Ten Athletes, Ten Results01:18:03 What's Next for Uphill Athlete?01:21:23 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received01:23:44 Book Recommendations01:24:59 OutroSend us a message

February 11, 2026Episode 1231 hr 27 min

Dr. David Walton: SFAS Guidance for 2026 - Ep. 123

Dr. David “Wally” Walton is a retired Army Special Forces officer with 25 years of experience in the SF community. His career spans service with the 7th Special Forces Group, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and the Special Warfare Center and School.Dr. Walton’s extensive operational experience includes deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and across Latin America. Since retiring in 2013, he has transitioned into academia, teaching National Security Studies and Executive Leadership. His research portfolio covers Security Strategy, Organizational Culture and Dynamics, and Human Performance. He has a deep understanding of security studies, encompassing everything from tactical operations to strategic policy discussions.Currently an instructor at JSOC, Dr. Walton is a Subject Matter Expert in Special Forces Assessment and Selection. He specializes in Land Navigation, runs a prep program designed for SFAS candidates, and is the author of multiple books about preparing for SFAS. More about Dr. Walton:Website: https://tfvoodoo.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tf_voo_doo/Timestamps:00:00:23 Introduction to Dr. David Walton00:01:42 Changes within SFSS and Coaching00:20:22 Being Trained in Land Navigation00:30:43 Better Prepared Candidates00:53:34 The Sandman Event00:59:29 Selection Rates and Working Through the Stages01:05:23 No Dependencies in the SFSS Course01:09:47 The "Awaiting Training" Phase 01:11:33 What has Dr. David Walton Changed in Coaching?01:17:08 How Many Books has Dr. Walton Written?01:21:52 Books Everyone Should Read01:26:32 OutroSend us a message

January 26, 2026Episode 12243 min

Brad Stulberg: The Way of Excellence - Ep. 122

Brad Stulberg is a bestselling author of the new book The Way of Excellence, a performance coach, faculty member at the University of Michigan, and a husband and father.The Way of Excellence comes out tomorrow, and you can pick up a copy at any major bookseller like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Audible.com, or Bookshop.org. You can learn more about Brad and follow his work at his website, (https://www.bradstulberg.com/) and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradstulberg/Send us a message

November 27, 2025Episode 1211 hr 19 min

Nick Caldwell: The Mill Gym - Preparing the Next Generation of Special Operators

Nick has over 12 years of military experience, including 4 years as an Australian Commando and 6 years as an SAS operator. His operational service included deployments throughout the Middle East and Southeast Asia, including Iraq and East Timor.Since leaving the Army, Nick has established two companies as a founding Director, The Mill Gym and Omni GeoX; as well as a new fitness competition, the Tier 1 Games.Nick has provided risk management, leadership, and elite-level performance consulting in austere environments worldwide, including with professional sports teams, multinational corporations, government, and non-governmental organisations.Nick's charter is to build real-world resilience within individuals and foster a no-compromise culture of excellence. He’s driven by a deep passion for building elite-level soldiers and athletes through an uncompromising culture, mindset, and mental toughness. His philosophy is simple: hard work beats talent, and resilience is the decisive advantage in high-pressure environments. By drawing from years of operational experience and an 18-year coaching career, Nick develops training systems that forge discipline, sharpen decision-making under stress, and cultivate the mental edge required to excel when it matters most.Learn more about Nick and The Mill Gym:Email: nick@themillgym.comInstagram: @themillgymLinkedIn: @nickcaldwellWebsite: themillgym.comTimestamps:0:00:22 Introduction to Nick Caldwell0:01:45 Career in the Aussie Special Air Service 0:05:32 Training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu0:07:10 Gaining the Confidence to Enlist0:14:49 Nick's Goals that Pushed His Career Forward0:17:50 Recovering from Burnout0:21:23 Helping Someone Understand Their Recovery and Readiness0:26:48 Training with HRP and Other Monitoring Devices0:38:28 What Camps Does Nick Caldwell Run?0:44:43 Not a 36 Hour Exercise Competition0:49:55 Standard Pre-Screening0:57:50 Woman in Courses of Self-Defense1:02:11 "Keeping Yourself Safe in a Parking Garage" Scenario 1:10:04 Books that Nick Believes Everyone Should Read1:18:37 OutroSend us a message

October 22, 2025Episode 1201 hr 26 min

Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon: Mental and Emotional Prep for SOF Selection - Ep. 120

Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon is a trained counselor specializing in the psychology of behavior change, with certifications in motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, DBT, CBT, and trauma counseling.She’s the author of numerous books and accredited nutrition, sleep, stress, and recovery courses. She is our go-to performance psych, working one-on-one with many of our clients to sharpen the mental and emotional skills needed to handle some of the toughest training courses in the world.In this episode, we’re talking to KSD about the coaching work she does with active and aspiring operators, focusing on the central themes and patterns she often uses to help people excel in their careers and become more capable and resilient. Learn more about working with KSD: https://www.buildingtheelite.com/performance-psych-coaching/Follow KSD on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stumptuousTimestamps:00:23 Introduction to Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon01:12 Common Themes in Special Operations Selection03:42 Getting Distracted by Misconceptions08:11 Paradox of High Standards While Facing Setbacks13:36 The Vulnerability of Overthinking18:53 The Concept of Self-Compassion25:11 The Value of Coaching Yourself Positively30:25 The Concept of Fun - Do it Seriously, Don't Take it Seriously38:09 Weaving Fun into Intense Training43:07 Appreciation of Nature and Disasters 47:03 Training That's Too Strict Can Steal Joy from Life 49:58 The Concept of Competition54:43 What Does Neurodivergence Mean?1:00:46 Distinguishing Between Self-Deficits or Neurological Differences1:06:22 Behavioral Red Flags within Military Tactical Populations1:12:36 Strategies for Those that Fall into a Neurodivergent Category1:16:16 What is Stimming and What Does It Do?1:18:53 The Impact of Time Spent Alone Doing Something Meaningless1:24:44 Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon's Book Recommendations1:26:23 Outro Send us a message

September 24, 2025Episode 11922 min

Feeding the Rat - Ep. 119

SOF selection is a proving ground, where your physical, mental, and emotional raw material will be laid bare, with nothing to hide behind. It's a place where you voluntarily walk into a brutal challenge to find out if who you think you are matches who you are. It's a way of answering a question that few people are willing to ask. Mo Anthoine, a British mountaineer, referred to this as "feeding the rat." Think of the "rat" as that gnawing part of you that needs challenge, risk, and uncertainty. You feel better when it's been fed. As Anthoine put it, "I think it's because there is always a question mark about how you would perform. You have an idea of yourself and it can be quite a shock when you don't come up to your own expectations. If you just tootle along you can think you're a pretty slick bloke until things go wrong and you find you're nothing like you imagined yourself to be. But if you deliberately put yourself in difficult situations, then you get a pretty good idea of how you're going. That's why I like feeding the rat."Everyone has a rat to feed. You only choose how you feed it. Send us a message

September 3, 2025Episode 1181 hr 16 min

Dr. Daniel Cooper: The Psychology of High Performance - Ep. 118

Dr. Daniel Cooper is a human performance and behaviour specialist who focuses on improving individual and team performance in high-pressure, high-consequence environments. He provides a unique perspective that sits at the intersection of real-world experience, academic research, and high-performance development. His experience encompasses over 18 years of service within the Australian Special Operations community, as well as academic studies in physiology, PhD research on performing under pressure, and current studies in neuroscience. In addition to high-performance coaching in professional sports and personal pursuits in extreme ultra-endurance events, Daniel has also worked within law enforcement as a frontline skills trainer, assisting in the development and delivery of strategic command programs.Follow Dr. Cooper:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-cooper-phd-3725194a/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancooper_phd/Timestamps:00:21 Introduction to Dr. Daniel Cooper01:35 Where in Antarctica is Dr. Daniel Cooper Going?02:54 What Distance Record is Dr. Cooper Going for?03:42 What are the Logistics for a Trip to Antarctica?04:58 What Does the Food Look Like?07:09 Starting Weight for a Sled08:22 Getting Out of the Special Air Service08:49 Dr. Cooper's Area of Research09:39 Under Pressure You Fall to the Level of Your Instructor12:24 What Operators Do Wrong When They Become Instructors14:32 What's Dr. Cooper's Take on the Post-Engagement Scan?18:47 The "Rule of Pretending" in Training Exercises 23:17 "Procedure Monkey" Meaning24:06 Letting Situations Go Wrong in Training27:35 Balancing Adaptability, Productivity and Challenges31:44 The Impact of Shame in Training Practices34:58 Mental Toughness is Misunderstood40:58 How a Unit Should View Their Team and the World Around Them46:05 Difference Between Character and Capability49:38 More Effective Evaluating in the Special Air Service53:40 Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence, PCDE's01:03:03 Linear vs Non-Linear Motor Skill Development01:12:54 Desirable Difficulties to Train Recall Skills01:13:53 Dr. Coopers Book Recommendation01:14:53 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received 01:16:26 OutroSend us a message

August 20, 2025Episode 1171 hr 22 min

Elias Kfoury: From Hunter to Protector, Ep. 117

Elias Kfoury was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and immigrated to the United States at an early age in search of a brighter, safer future. After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving 21½ years before his medical retirement. Beginning as a Hospital Corpsman supporting the U.S. Marine Corps, he soon entered the Special Operations community as a Deep Sea Diving Medical Technician and completed advanced medical training to support Naval Special Warfare units. Following his service in Little Creek, Virginia, he successfully screened for Naval Special Warfare Development Group, where he spent the majority of his career as a Squadron Medic in multiple roles. After retiring, Elias transitioned into the business world, but soon recognized the deeper need to heal himself and his family. Today, he dedicates his life to supporting others on their own journeys while cherishing time with his family.Eli's Book Recommendations for special operations candidates (aside from Building the Elite):Breath – James NestorThe Way of the SEAL – Mark DivinePeak Performance – Brad Stulberg & Steve MagnessThe Talent Code – Daniel CoyleThe Obstacle Is the Way – Ryan HolidayWith Winning in Mind – Lanny BasshamDeep Survival – Laurence GonzalesCall Sign Chaos – Jim Mattis & Bing WestLegacy – James KerrTimestamps:00:00:21 Introduction to Eli Khoury00:00:52 Where Did Eli Khoury Grow Up?00:01:36 Experience of Growing Up in a War Zone00:05:54 How "Real Mortal Danger" Shapes Your Mental Health00:08:59 How Many Children Currently Don't Have Physical "Third Spaces"00:12:05 Formative Moments That Clarified "Who Eli Is"00:18:20 Eli's Educational Background00:24:43 The Goal of Coaching00:27:48 Common Things People Struggle to Let Go of00:29:43 Improving the Coaching Process for the Future00:32:04 Coaching Families00:34:04 Utilizing Tools like Psychedelics00:36:18 Teaching How to Give Up Control While Using Psychedelics00:40:40 Teaching How to Let Go Without Psychedelics00:48:20 The Skill of "Sitting With Stillness"00:52:48 What Military Skills Transfer to the Rest of the World?00:58:04 Teaching Resilience to People Early in Their Career01:13:45 Advice for Someone Trying to Enter BUDS01:14:49 Advice for Someone in a Special Operations Medical Path01:16:33 Advice for Someone Who Wants to Screen for a Tier 1 Unit01:18:20 One Book that Everyone Should Read01:18:37 Sponsor Note - Our Book, "Building the Elite"01:19:05 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received 01:21:48 OutroSend us a message

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