👉 Apply for a strategy call to start building your own system: https://go.executivehealthedge.com/sa...

Sam Peterson, U.S. Army veteran and co-founder of Mind Spa, joins me to discuss the lasting effects of blast exposure, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and PTSD. After spending more than six years as an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, Sam experienced firsthand the impact these injuries can have on veterans and first responders.

We get into why many veterans and first responders struggle with symptoms they don't fully understand, how traumatic brain injuries can go undiagnosed, and why treating the symptoms isn't always enough. Sam also explains how Mine Spa uses ketamine therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as part of its approach to brain injury and mental health treatment.

We also discuss the challenges veterans face when trying to access care, the limitations of the current medical system, and why Sam believes people deserve better than simply being treated well enough to function.

In this video, I cover:
• Sam's experience as an Army bomb technician and the effects of repeated blast exposure.
• How traumatic brain injuries can affect brain health and everyday life.
• The connection between TBI, PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
• Why some brain injuries go undiagnosed.
• How ketamine therapy is used as part of treatment.
• What hyperbaric oxygen therapy does and how it works.
• How TMS works to support brain function.
• Who may benefit from these treatment approaches.
• Why therapy and ongoing support matter alongside treatment.
• The limitations of traditional approaches to treating mental health conditions.

Chapters:
00:32 Meet Sam Peterson and His Work at Mind Spa
02:24 What Years of Blast Exposure Do to a Bomb Technician
04:11 Losing Your Identity After Leaving the Military
06:51 The Personal Crisis That Changed Sam's Direction
09:18 Sam's First Experience With Psychedelic Medicine
13:13 Building Trust Through Evidence and Brain Data
14:03 Why a "Mild" TBI Isn't Always Mild
15:33 Understanding Brain Inflammation and Hypofrontality
17:14 The Principles Behind Sam's Treatment Approach
18:38 Ketamine Therapy and Its Role in Treatment
27:51 How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Works
30:00 Understanding TMS and Brain Rewiring
35:39 Why Treatment Needs to Include Therapy and Support
42:16 The Limitations of Traditional Antidepressants
47:37 Rapid-Fire Questions and Sam's Final Thoughts


About Zac Armstrong & No Hype, Just Standards: Zac Armstrong is a former Marine, Naval Officer, and F-18 Pilot who coaches executives and high-performing leaders to optimize their biological systems, overcome burnout, and achieve peak physical and mental performance using precision data.

Learn how to rebuild your health like a business:
👉 https://go.executivehealthedge.com/sa...

Follow Zac Armstrong:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacarmstron...
LinkedIn:   / empowerment-fitness  
YouTube: @EmpowermentFitness
TikTok:   / empowerment.fitness  

Executive Health Edge is a physician-supervised health optimization program for high-performing men aged 40 to 65. Founded by Zac Armstrong, a retired Naval Commander with 27 years of service as an enlisted Marine, Naval Officer, and F-18 fighter pilot, the program combines strategic blood analysis at 0, 6, and 12 months, WHOOP or Oura biometric tracking with a smart scale, and 1:1 concierge coaching under physician oversight.

👉 Apply for a strategy call to start building your own system: https://go.executivehealthedge.com/sa...
Sam Peterson, U.S. Army veteran and co-founder of Mind Spa, joins me to discuss the lasting effects of blast exposure, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and PTSD. After spending more than six years as an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, Sam experienced firsthand the impact these injuries can have on veterans and first responders.
We get into why many veterans and first responders struggle with symptoms they don't fully understand, how traumatic brain injuries can go undiagnosed, and why treating the symptoms isn't always enough. Sam also explains how Mine Spa uses ketamine therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as part of its approach to brain injury and mental health treatment.
We also discuss the challenges veterans face when trying to access care, the limitations of the current medical system, and why Sam believes people deserve better than simply being treated well enough to function.
In this video, I cover: &bull; Sam's experience as an Army bomb technician and the effects of repeated blast exposure. &bull; How traumatic brain injuries can affect brain health and everyday life. &bull; The connection between TBI, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. &bull; Why some brain injuries go undiagnosed. &bull; How ketamine therapy is used as part of treatment. &bull; What hyperbaric oxygen therapy does and how it works. &bull; How TMS works to support brain function. &bull; Who may benefit from these treatment approaches. &bull; Why therapy and ongoing support matter alongside treatment. &bull; The limitations of traditional approaches to treating mental health conditions.
Chapters: 00:32 Meet Sam Peterson and His Work at Mind Spa 02:24 What Years of Blast Exposure Do to a Bomb Technician 04:11 Losing Your Identity After Leaving the Military 06:51 The Personal Crisis That Changed Sam's Direction 09:18 Sam's First Experience With Psychedelic Medicine 13:13 Building Trust Through Evidence and Brain Data 14:03 Why a "Mild" TBI Isn't Always Mild 15:33 Understanding Brain Inflammation and Hypofrontality 17:14 The Principles Behind Sam's Treatment Approach 18:38 Ketamine Therapy and Its Role in Treatment 27:51 How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Works 30:00 Understanding TMS and Brain Rewiring 35:39 Why Treatment Needs to Include Therapy and Support 42:16 The Limitations of Traditional Antidepressants 47:37 Rapid-Fire Questions and Sam's Final Thoughts
 About Zac Armstrong &amp; No Hype, Just Standards: Zac Armstrong is a former Marine, Naval Officer, and F-18 Pilot who coaches executives and high-performing leaders to optimize their biological systems, overcome burnout, and achieve peak physical and mental performance using precision data.
Learn how to rebuild your health like a business: 👉 https://go.executivehealthedge.com/sa...
Follow Zac Armstrong:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacarmstron... LinkedIn: &nbsp; / empowerment-fitness &nbsp; YouTube: @EmpowermentFitness TikTok: &nbsp; / empowerment.fitness &nbsp;
Executive Health Edge is a physician-supervised health optimization program for high-performing men aged 40 to 65. Founded by Zac Armstrong, a retired Naval Commander with 27 years of service as an enlisted Marine, Naval Officer, and F-18 fighter pilot, the program combines strategic blood analysis at 0, 6, and 12 months, WHOOP or Oura biometric tracking with a smart scale, and 1:1 concierge coaching under physician oversight.

No Hype, Just Standards is a podcast for high performing men who have built successful careers but feel like something is off.

Fatigue. Brain fog. Stress. Energy crashes. You have the results, but you are running on empty.

Hosted by former Marine, Naval Officer, and fighter pilot Zac Armstrong, this show challenges the sick care model and the idea that feeling average is good enough. Each episode features real conversations with executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who hit a wall and decided to do something about it.

You will hear honest stories of burnout, misalignment, and the moment when what used to work stopped working. Zac breaks down the science behind performance health, from comprehensive blood work and data driven training to nutrition, recovery, and mindset. No gimmicks. No exaggeration. Just what actually works.

This is not about chasing motivation or quick fixes. It is about restoring standards for how you feel, how you perform, and how you show up for your family and your work.

If you know you are capable of more and you are done settling for normal, this show is for you.

No Hype, Just Standards is a podcast for high performing men who have built successful careers but feel like something is off.
Fatigue. Brain fog. Stress. Energy crashes. You have the results, but you are running on empty.
Hosted by former Marine, Naval Officer, and fighter pilot Zac Armstrong, this show challenges the sick care model and the idea that feeling average is good enough. Each episode features real conversations with executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who hit a wall and decided to do something about it.
You will hear honest stories of burnout, misalignment, and the moment when what used to work stopped working. Zac breaks down the science behind performance health, from comprehensive blood work and data driven training to nutrition, recovery, and mindset. No gimmicks. No exaggeration. Just what actually works.
This is not about chasing motivation or quick fixes. It is about restoring standards for how you feel, how you perform, and how you show up for your family and your work.
If you know you are capable of more and you are done settling for normal, this show is for you.

No Hype, Just Standards with Zac Armstrong

No Hype, Just Standards is a podcast for high performing men who have built successful careers but feel like they are running on empty. Hosted by former Marine, Naval Officer, and fighter pilot Zac Armstrong, the show explores what actually restores energy, focus, and performance beyond the sick care model. Through real conversations and science backed insights, Zac breaks down why feeling average is not good enough. This show is about restoring standards for how you show up at work, at home, and in your life.

 

No Hype, Just Standards is a podcast for high performing men who have built successful careers but feel like they are running on empty. Hosted by former Marine, Naval Officer, and fighter pilot Zac Armstrong, the show explores what actually restores energy, focus, and performance beyond the sick care model. Through real conversations and science backed insights, Zac breaks down why feeling average is not good enough. This show is about restoring standards for how you show up at work, at home, and in your life.
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