On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Connor "The Controller" Matthews, former Air Force combat controller and current MMA featherweight holding a 5-0 professional record. He shares the high-risk job of combat controllers, including performing HALO and HAHO jumps, and the need to be a strong runner and swimmer to survive this role. 

Connor talks about the highly technical role of air traffic controllers and how to secure airfields. Being a lifelong athlete, Connor made a natural transition into MMA after life in the military. He shares his background in martial arts and his confidence in making it big in the UFC.   

 

Reach out to Connor through the following links:

 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-matthews-b3440b152/

Website: https://www.controllermma.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecontrollermma/

On this week&rsquo;s podcast, Rad interviews Connor "The Controller" Matthews, former Air Force combat controller and current MMA featherweight holding a 5-0 professional record. He shares the high-risk job of combat controllers, including performing HALO and HAHO jumps, and the need to be a strong runner and swimmer to survive this role.&nbsp;
Connor talks about the highly technical role of air traffic controllers and how to secure airfields. Being a lifelong athlete, Connor made a natural transition into MMA after life in the military. He shares his background in martial arts and his confidence in making it big in the UFC.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Reach out to Connor through the following links:
&nbsp;
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-matthews-b3440b152/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-matthews-b3440b152/</a>
Website: <a href="https://www.controllermma.com/">https://www.controllermma.com/</a>
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thecontrollermma/">https://www.instagram.com/thecontrollermma/</a>

Special operations military news and straight talk with the guys in the community. Hosted by former military operators. As seen ranked #1 in Apple Podcasts government category.

SOFREP Radio

Connor "The Controller" Matthews, USAF Combat Controller, MMA Featherweight

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ddb7cdd3-fe80-44a1-ae82-aeb000244170/transcript

Rob Kelly is the founder of ALWAYS READY™ and a former New Hampshire police officer, Department of Defense contractor, K9 instructor/handler, and lifelong public servant. Built on a foundation of discipline, mindset, and action, ALWAYS READY™ was born from Rob’s personal transformation and his commitment to helping others take ownership of their lives. In December 2023, Rob hit a breaking point—overweight, burned out, and stuck in self-made excuses. Instead of chasing motivation, he chose discipline. That shift—from “I should” to “I must”—sparked a complete transformation and became the core philosophy behind ALWAYS READY™. Today, Rob’s mission is simple but uncompromising: help people uncover their “why,” eliminate excuses, and show up stronger in body, mind, and purpose. ALWAYS READY™ is more than a brand—it’s a movement for anyone willing to build real readiness for life’s challenges, whether in service, work, family, or personal growth. Being ALWAYS READY™ means cultivating a resilient body, a disciplined mind, and a heart grounded in service—ready to face whatever comes next.

Rob Kelly is the founder of ALWAYS READY&trade; and a former New Hampshire police officer, Department of Defense contractor, K9 instructor/handler, and lifelong public servant. Built on a foundation of discipline, mindset, and action, ALWAYS READY&trade; was born from Rob&rsquo;s personal transformation and his commitment to helping others take ownership of their lives. In December 2023, Rob hit a breaking point&mdash;overweight, burned out, and stuck in self-made excuses. Instead of chasing motivation, he chose discipline. That shift&mdash;from &ldquo;I should&rdquo; to &ldquo;I must&rdquo;&mdash;sparked a complete transformation and became the core philosophy behind ALWAYS READY&trade;. Today, Rob&rsquo;s mission is simple but uncompromising: help people uncover their &ldquo;why,&rdquo; eliminate excuses, and show up stronger in body, mind, and purpose. ALWAYS READY&trade; is more than a brand&mdash;it&rsquo;s a movement for anyone willing to build real readiness for life&rsquo;s challenges, whether in service, work, family, or personal growth. Being ALWAYS READY&trade; means cultivating a resilient body, a disciplined mind, and a heart grounded in service&mdash;ready to face whatever comes next.

No Feel-Good Talk: Real-World Readiness from  DoD Contractor Rob Kelly

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/eead31e0-d0b6-42d2-b835-b3fb01724c51/transcript

Chris Hallberg is a high-energy, straight-shooting coach who thrives on helping teams pursue something special. His philosophy is simple: go big—if not, go medium—but never settle or walk away.

With more than 11 years of full-time experience implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), Chris has seen firsthand what’s possible when teams commit to clarity, discipline, and execution. He credits the grit, resilience, and passion of the organizations he works with for overcoming real obstacles and achieving meaningful wins in the face of adversity.

EOS works when leaders want it to—and the results speak for themselves. A significant number of Chris’s clients have been recognized as a “Best Place to Work” more than 100 times combined, based on rigorous employee engagement surveys that often require 90+ percentile scores. These organizations consistently build world-class cultures alongside exceptionally profitable outcomes for all stakeholders.

Chris primarily works with privately held, entrepreneurial organizations that aspire to be great—leaders willing to make tough people decisions, have honest conversations, and lead with kindness. His clients typically range from $10M to $1B in annual revenue and include parent companies, family offices, and private equity firms seeking stable, consistent growth.

He is also the Founder and President of GoExpand, an officially licensed EOS software platform.

Chris Hallberg is a high-energy, straight-shooting coach who thrives on helping teams pursue something special. His philosophy is simple: go big&mdash;if not, go medium&mdash;but never settle or walk away.
With more than 11 years of full-time experience implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), Chris has seen firsthand what&rsquo;s possible when teams commit to clarity, discipline, and execution. He credits the grit, resilience, and passion of the organizations he works with for overcoming real obstacles and achieving meaningful wins in the face of adversity.
EOS works when leaders want it to&mdash;and the results speak for themselves. A significant number of Chris&rsquo;s clients have been recognized as a &ldquo;Best Place to Work&rdquo; more than 100 times combined, based on rigorous employee engagement surveys that often require 90+ percentile scores. These organizations consistently build world-class cultures alongside exceptionally profitable outcomes for all stakeholders.
Chris primarily works with privately held, entrepreneurial organizations that aspire to be great&mdash;leaders willing to make tough people decisions, have honest conversations, and lead with kindness. His clients typically range from $10M to $1B in annual revenue and include parent companies, family offices, and private equity firms seeking stable, consistent growth.
He is also the Founder and President of GoExpand, an officially licensed EOS software platform.

Why Most Leaders Plateau: Chris Hallberg on Leadership That Lasts

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e919a0a4-7a5d-4353-aa3d-b3f50148939f/transcript

Harmeet K. Dhillon is the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice and a nationally recognized attorney with decades of experience in constitutional, civil rights, and election law. Prior to joining the DOJ, she founded and led Dhillon Law Group, representing clients in high-profile cases involving free speech, religious liberty, and equal protection under the law. A former vice chair of the California Republican Party and longtime Republican National Committeewoman, Dhillon has been a prominent voice on legal accountability and individual liberties. She is known for her sharp legal insight, principled advocacy, and willingness to challenge powerful institutions in defense of constitutional rights.

Harmeet K. Dhillon is the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice and a nationally recognized attorney with decades of experience in constitutional, civil rights, and election law. Prior to joining the DOJ, she founded and led Dhillon Law Group, representing clients in high-profile cases involving free speech, religious liberty, and equal protection under the law. A former vice chair of the California Republican Party and longtime Republican National Committeewoman, Dhillon has been a prominent voice on legal accountability and individual liberties. She is known for her sharp legal insight, principled advocacy, and willingness to challenge powerful institutions in defense of constitutional rights.

Inside the DOJ: Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon Speaks Exclusively to SOFREP Radio

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/032c8c13-f327-4710-96b3-b3ec015e1dcd/transcript

Connor "The Controller" Matthews, USAF Combat Controller, MMA Featherweight

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