February 5, 2022

My guest on this podcast, Jeff Banman, is a recognized leader in the area of human performance and human behavior in high-stress environments. With over thirty years of experience across multiple domains including the Fire Service, the US Army Special Operations Command, and the Central Intelligence Agency, Jeff now serves as the COO & Chief Human Performance Officer for the global fitness brand Brute Force. 

After conducting Counterterrorism operations in over twenty-three countries, two combat zones, and multiple high-threat/non-permissive environments, Jeff has the privilege of dissecting human behavior at a micro-level in order to enhance individual and team performance in some of the most intense moments imaginable. His study evaluated and developed algorithms for calculating minute shifts in Heart Rate Variability against variable stressors, distinct practices for managing the Central Nervous System while under significant stress, and integrative techniques to help high-level operators remain fully present in order to navigate extreme situations.

Jeff sees the world differently than most people. For three decades he has been relied upon to solve highly complex problems in extreme and often intense situations. In his time as a firefighter, airborne ranger, and CIA Counterterrorism Operator and business leader, he's learned one big lesson: extreme and intense is as uniquely relevant to a person as is a fingerprint.

When we experience something significant, stressful, or uncertain, Jeff teaches us how to respond accordingly. Through his core work developing new human performance protocols for US SOCOM and the Intelligence Community, and working with professional athletes and high-performing business leaders, he has dissected how we navigate intensity, diversity, and complexity at any level and in any situation. That insight guides us to a greater level of awareness, an improved ability to regulate our own central nervous system, and a significant advantage in the behaviors that produce the results we are out to produce.

During our discussion, you'll discover:

-How his childhood dreams manifested into Jeff's calling as a high-performance specialist…07:25

• Jeff became a fireman at sixteen
• Health and fitness in the fire service wasn't a big thing for him at that time
• Joined the Army and was sent to Kosovo in 1999
• Back in the fire service September 2001
• Post 9/11 realization: we were a “head-up force/thinking culture” dealing with a “nose-down culture (intuition/instinct)”
• This started him down the path to discover how to develop and train people to operate in that environment

-How Jeff quantifies and manages the central nervous system in high-stress scenarios…14:40

• Normal patterns of development are more task-based
• There's a big gap between learning the tasks and producing great results that really matter in the field
• Needed tools and resources in the field to discover what behaviors were exhibited in various conditions
• Looked at HRV and used Polar, Heartmath, Zephyr Bioharness
• Incorporated “peripheral stressors” in training and measured/watched how trainees were recovering via things like breathwork
• BGF podcasts and articles on breathwork:
  • The Renegade Breathing Mastermind Behind The Crazy Holotropic Breathing Protocol I Do In My Sauna (& Biohacking Breathwork, Best Foods For Breathhold Time & Much More!).
  • How To Tap Into The Secret Psychedelic Tactics Of The Ancients Using A Free & Fast Anti-Aging, Stress-Busting, Energy-Boosting Hack.)
  • How To Blast You (And Your Child’s!) Physical, Mental, & Spiritual Resilience Through The Roof With Breathwork.
• “Anchoring in the present moment” helps you “get in the zone” to perform at your optimal level
  • Measured the impact and severity of the stressor on the individual
  • Measured time under the threshold
  • Rate of recovery/how fast it takes to get back to base
• In the untrained person, when there is a “load on the system”…
  • The system starts to work in conflict
  • Thought patterns are running off into a future-based outcome
  • There is a perception that something is going to happen, which drives fear
• Perception or discernment
  • Perception is more interpretative
  • Discernment is seeing what is actually happening
• “Am I safe?” is the one question that matters to everyone
• Safety is a matter of perception, a sensation in the body
• Aligning the breath with cognitive tools and “anchoring in the present moment” tells your body it is safe
• As this is alignment is developed, it becomes easier to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations

-How Jeff disseminates what he's learned to others across the globe…27:34

• Came up with a math equation on how to develop certain behavioral traits identified from interviews
  • C1: extreme level of comfort in very uncomfortable situations, can go anywhere at anytime
  • C2: confidence, has true faith in their abilities
  • C3: creativity, the ability to figure things out
• Key aspect of developing these skills is “openness,” a composite of:
  • Curiosity
  • Imagination
  • Humility
  • Finding out what works for the individual
• Brute Force Training (use code GREENFIELD to get a free training plan of your choice ($49 value) with the purchase of a weighted vest or sandbag)
• Zach Even-Esh
• BGF podcast with Zach Even-Esh:
  • Underground Strength Training Secrets: How To Get Strong And Stay Strong Using Training Secrets Of The Athletic Elite.
• The Encyclopedia of Underground Strength and Conditioning by Zach Even-Esh

-Why unstable loads are the key to Jeff's training program…36:46

• ULOO – Unstable Load/Odd Object training
• No matter the movement, the body is always regulating
• Adding a level of complexity to basic movements because you are internally managing an unstable load that is constantly moving
• What's next for functional fitness is moving towards “instinctual fitness”: full-body, brain, mind, breathwork alignment

-A rabbit trail on how to recover from Covid-induced brain fog…40:49

• Semax
• HBOT
• Biocharger
• Vielight (use code GREENFIELD to save 10%)
• Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential

-A gold-standard workout using Jeff's practices…48:11

• Brute Force Training (code GREENFIELD)
• Brute Force Training on Youtube
• Sandbags
• Brute Balls
• Kettlebells
• Weighted vests
• Brute Force is in the process of refining gear
• Brian Johnson, The Liver King
• Relaxator
• Adding breathwork like box breathing and nasal breathing to help consciously focus on what you're doing

-Nutrition protocols recommended by Jeff for his workouts…57:15

• Kion supplements
• Jeff follows a plant-based diet
• Kion coffee
• In the morning, Ben has
  • Heat stress
  • Cold stress
  • Breath stress
• In the afternoon, Ben has
  • Breathwork
  • Warm-up
  • ULOO training
  • Ice tub
• 3 distinct qualities that separate the top 1% from the top 10%:
  1. Core set of abilities that work for them in what they want to accomplish
  2. Willingness to go out there and take it on
  3. The discipline to stay the course

-And much more…

Upcoming Events:

• Six Senses Retreat Portugal (March 7 – 11, 2022)
• Keep up on Ben's LIVE appearances by following bengreenfieldlife.com/calendar

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.

Resources from this episode:

– Jeff Banman:

• Instagram
• Brute Force Training
  • Sandbags
  • Brute Balls
  • Kettlebells
  • Weighted vests
• ULOO – Unstable Load/Odd Object Training
• Brute Force Training on Youtube
• Mindset Radio

– BGF Podcasts and Articles:

• The Renegade Breathing Mastermind Behind The Crazy Holotropic Breathing Protocol I Do In My Sauna (& Biohacking Breathwork, Best Foods For Breathhold Time & Much More!) with Niraj Naik.
• Underground Strength Training Secrets: How To Get Strong And Stay Strong Using Training Secrets Of The Athletic Elite with Zack Even-Esh.
• How To Tap Into The Secret Psychedelic Tactics Of The Ancients Using A Free & Fast Anti-Aging, Stress-Busting, Energy-Boosting Hack.)
• How To Blast You (And Your Child’s!) Physical, Mental, & Spiritual Resilience Through The Roof With
• How I Track My Heart Rate Variability, Recovery Status, And Training Readiness (And Why These Metrics Are So Important). Breathwork.
• The Ultimate Breathwork Ninja Guide: How To Banish Stress & Kiss High Cortisol Goodbye

– Books:

• The Encyclopedia of Underground Strength and Conditioning by Zach Even-Esh

– Other Resources:

• Polar 
• Heartmath
• Zephyr Bioharness
• Semax
• HBOT
• Clearlight Sauna (use code BEN for a discount and free shipping)
• Morozko Forge
• Biocharger
• Vielight (use code GREENFIELD to save 10%)
• Relaxator
• Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential
• Zach Even-Esh
• Brian Johnson, The Liver King

Episode sponsors:

–Organifi Gold: A new take on an ancient secret: Pain-soothing herbs, incredible antioxidants, and phytonutrients all in one delicious, soothing “Golden Milk” nighttime tea! Receive a 20% discount on your entire order when you use discount code BENG20.

–Kion Flex: The ultimate recovery formula, Kion Flex is a bioavailable blend to support joint comfort, mobility and flexibility, and bone health.

–Lucy Nicotine Gum: If you're looking for a cleaner and tastier alternative to other nicotine products, then Lucy Gum is for you. The gum comes in three flavors (Wintergreen, Cinnamon, and Pomegranate), and the lozenges come in Cherry Ice. To save 20% on any order, just use discount code BEN20.

–Vuori: Activewear and athletic clothing for ultimate performance. Vuori is built to move and sweat in, yet designed with a West Coast aesthetic that transitions effortlessly into everyday life. Receive 25% off your first order when you use discount code BEN2020.

–Tru Kava: Kava is a powerful plant-based stress relieving, Nootropic drink from islands in the South Pacific that has been highly regarded for 3000 years as a safe, natural, non-addictive alternative to drugs and alcohol. Use code BEN for 10% off.

Do you have questions, thoughts, or feedback for Jeff Banman or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!