Episode 157 - Mandi and Brett Thomas

Mandi and Brett Thomas are both military veterans and active duty firefighters. We discuss the family dynamics in both the military and fire service, PTSD, setting the training bar, jujitsu and much more.

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Mandi Thomas was born in Minot, ND but grew up in New Mexico. An Air Force brat turned Army Airborne Interrogator/Russian linguist veteran, Mandi Brett in language school in Monterey, CA. They were married in 2005. They have two daughters, aged 12 and 9. Mandi has been a personal trainer for 11 years and is a Crossfit Level 2 coach. She is currently a probationary firefighter with St Johns County.

Brett was born and raised in Orange Park, Fl. He served in the Marine Corps as a Russian Cryptologic Linguist from 2002-2007. He immediately went to EMT and fire school after leaving the Marine Corps and began working for Gainesville Fire and Rescue in January 2009. Brett also has been a SWAT medic for four years.

Recommended Books:

Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell

Gates of Fire - Steven Pressfield

Bravo Two Zero - Andy McNab

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win - Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

The Mission, The Men, and Me - Pete Blaber

It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy - D Michael Abrashoff Captain

Recommended Movies:

Icarus