In this episode I sit down with Simon Carkeek from PracMed, a New Zealand-based company focused on practical first aid training. Simon shares how PracMed’s hands-on, evidence-based approach has saved 127 lives by emphasizing essential skills like bleeding control and airway management. The discussion covers the importance of confidence, real-world scenarios, and mental health support for responders.

Simon also talks about his military background, the company’s high training standards, and their mission to empower people to act decisively in emergencies, both in New Zealand and globally.

In Simon’s words- “"It all began with a vision of a better way.

After spending nearly 7 years working in hostile environments around the globe, I returned home and started working in industry training.

Simon saw firsthand how poor the quality training was in NZ, and how many organisations treat courses as ‘tick-the-box’ exercises only for compliance.

He knew that in order to save more New Zealanders from preventable death, Kiwis needed to be given the knowledge and opportunity for engaging, relevant training.

His goal is to ensure there are more competent and confident responders, and less qualified witnesses.

In 2018, PracMed NZ was born."

🔗 Connect with Simon on

Website: https://pracmednz.com/

L:inkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/pracmednz/?originalSubdomain=nz

YouTube :https://www.youtube.com/@pracmednz

I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com and www.eatwellmovewell.net

And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com

- the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.

100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule. 

And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat



Links for my former shows are here-


WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ

LISTEN on: spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q

Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2




 
Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5bce2d31-a171-4e83-bada-d1384c877e76

Subscribe for more amazing tips, interviews and wisdom from phenomenal guests ------- And get your ** FREE Video Workshop here- https://www.hownottodieguy.com/

In this amazing episode, I sit down with Kegan "SMURF" Gill, a former U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter pilot who survived the fastest ejection in naval aviation history — launched from his jet at 695 mph- at 50 G’s.

The injuries he sustained in that moment were severe enough to kill most people — limbs torn apart and a traumatic brain injury among them. But Kegan’s ordeal didn’t end there.

After ejecting, Kegan plunged into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean, battling hypothermia, sharks and drowning for two hours as rescue teams rushed to find him. Miraculously, his hypothermic state helped prevent fatal blood loss. This was just the beginning of his fight for survival.

We discuss Kegan’s journey through:

-The severe psychotic episodes and dehumanizing treatments he faced after his brain injury.

-His struggle to find proper mental health care, pushing him to eventually seek alternative treatments, including psychedelic therapy and nutraceutical interventions through the Warrior Angels Foundation.

-The critical role of family and support systems in his recovery.

-His advocacy for veterans' mental health and the systemic challenges in the VA system, and how he now dedicates himself to breaking the stigma around mental health care.

Kegan’s story is not just about surviving the unthinkable; it’s about using that survival as fuel to help others. His fight for healing, and his transformation into a public advocate, is an inspiration to anyone overcoming trauma.

🔗 Connect with Kegan on:
🌐 Website: kegangill.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kegansmurfgill/
📘 Book: Phoenix Revival — available now- https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Revival-Aftermath-Aviations-Ejection/dp/1964934516
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kegan-gill-6986a4259/

👉 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode moved you. Because like Kegan says, “ even in your darkest moment, there’s a path forward.”

I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com and www.eatwellmovewell.net

And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com

- the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.

100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule. 

And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat



Links for my former shows are here-


WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ

LISTEN on: spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q

Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2




 
Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5bce2d31-a171-4e83-bada-d1384c877e76

Subscribe for more amazing tips, interviews and wisdom from phenomenal guests ------- And get your ** FREE Video Workshop here- https://www.hownottodieguy.com/

ASHLEIGH GASS- A CANADIAN IN FLORIDA-MERGING GYMNASTICS STRENGTH TRAINING (Calisthenics) WITH TRADITIONAL STRENGTH TRAINING NUTRITION/MOBILITY/STRETCHING/MOVEMENT/STRENGTH/ www.movegst.com

Firstly let me apologise for the very inconsiderate Australian wildlife you will hear in the show- bloody crows and kookaburras!! But I digress- on with the show!

Ashleigh Gass- owner of movegst.com, based in Florida, successfully grew her business during the dark ages of 2020-2022 and I was intrigued to find out exactly how she did it. The answer lay in three words- EVOLVE, GROW & DISOBEY.

The lockdown saw the team launch online in 2020, at a time much like Body Synergy gym in NZ Dunedin did, and stayed ahead of the curve. We spoke about former Olympic Coach Christopher Sommer’s programming and how it saved her body post neural surgery and by simply following the process from baby beginner steps to where she is now- it works.

Ash has adapted the exercise programming at movegst.com to combine GYMNASTICS WITH TRADITIONAL STRENGTH TRAINING like kettlebells, dumbbells etc. And they achieve phenomenally surprising fat loss with teaching NUTRITION/MOBILITY/STRETCHING/MOVEMENT/STRENGTH.

We talked about the similarities of our processes with clients using empowering nutrition, trusting the programming and not being too tied to the process of weight loss, to achieve great success for the people who are ready to learn.

Experts like Professor Andrew Huberman, Dr Peter Attia, Robb Wolff came up in our discussion, and it was great to share the synergies in what we learn, teach and use in our daily lives.

Ashleigh Gass is an underrated understated wealth of knowledge, and I am sure you will love watching her videos on Insta

🔗 Connect with Ashleigh on

Her Linktree - https://linktr.ee/ashleighrgass

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ashleigh.gass/about

Insta- @ashleighrgass https://www.instagram.com/ashleighrgass/

I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com and www.eatwellmovewell.net

And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com

- the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.

100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule. 

And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat



Links for my former shows are here-


WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ

LISTEN on: spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q

Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2




 
Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5bce2d31-a171-4e83-bada-d1384c877e76

Subscribe for more amazing tips, interviews and wisdom from phenomenal guests ------- And get your ** FREE Video Workshop here- https://www.hownottodieguy.com/