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

Shawn Johnson graduated from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, with a degree in Criminal Justice before earning his Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was immediately accepted into the FBI, trained at the FBI Academy, and assigned to the Seattle Division. There, he worked on the Green River Serial Murder investigation before joining the Violent Crimes Squad, where he investigated bank robberies, fugitives, interstate theft, extortions, and kidnappings. His legal background also led to service as Assistant Chief Division Counsel. Johnson later joined the National Security Squad, working counterterrorism and counterintelligence operations, including joint overseas investigations with the United States Army and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Returning to the Violent Crimes Squad, he played a key role in the Hollywood investigation, helped establish the Puget Sound Violent Crime Task Force, served as Bank Robbery Coordinator, and authored the Division's Bank Robbery Response Plan. After transferring to the Milwaukee Division's Madison Resident Agency, he focused on drug conspiracy investigations, employing sophisticated surveillance techniques that contributed to major takedowns of drug organizations in Chicago and Madison. Following 9/11, he managed the newly established Madison Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), overseeing federal and local efforts to investigate international terrorism. Johnson later returned to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where he instructed new agents in criminal investigations, counterterrorism investigations, and Human Intelligence (HUMINT). His final FBI assignment was with the Directorate of Intelligence, training agents in HUMINT policy and procedures. Upon retiring from the FBI, he founded Wolf & Owl LLC, where he continues to train FBI personnel in support of the Bureau's mission to protect the United States. Steven Meyers was the partner and principal accomplice of Scott Scurlock, better known as "Hollywood," the notorious bank robber responsible for a string of high-profile bank heists in the Seattle area during the 1990s. Over the course of four and a half years, Meyers worked closely with Scurlock and their crew in planning and executing 19 bank robberies that resulted in the theft of more than $2.3 million. Beyond participating in the operation, Meyers helped develop the plans, create disguises, and support the methods that allowed the crew to evade law enforcement for years. Meyers and Scurlock were deeply involved in every aspect of the enterprise, including planning operations, laundering money, and acquiring vehicles and equipment. As Scurlock's closest collaborator, Meyers gained a unique understanding of the man behind the "Hollywood" persona and the motivations that drove one of the Pacific Northwest's most infamous crime sprees. In 2023, Meyers was featured in the Netflix documentary *How to Rob a Bank*, providing firsthand insight into the robberies and the inner workings of the crew. Today, he joins retired FBI Special Agent Shawn Johnson—the lead investigator who helped solve the case—to share the untold stories behind the Hollywood robberies and offer perspectives from both sides of one of the most remarkable bank robbery investigations in modern history.

Shawn Johnson graduated from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, with a degree in Criminal Justice before earning his Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was immediately accepted into the FBI, trained at the FBI Academy, and assigned to the Seattle Division. There, he worked on the Green River Serial Murder investigation before joining the Violent Crimes Squad, where he investigated bank robberies, fugitives, interstate theft, extortions, and kidnappings. His legal background also led to service as Assistant Chief Division Counsel. Johnson later joined the National Security Squad, working counterterrorism and counterintelligence operations, including joint overseas investigations with the United States Army and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Returning to the Violent Crimes Squad, he played a key role in the Hollywood investigation, helped establish the Puget Sound Violent Crime Task Force, served as Bank Robbery Coordinator, and authored the Division's Bank Robbery Response Plan. After transferring to the Milwaukee Division's Madison Resident Agency, he focused on drug conspiracy investigations, employing sophisticated surveillance techniques that contributed to major takedowns of drug organizations in Chicago and Madison. Following 9/11, he managed the newly established Madison Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), overseeing federal and local efforts to investigate international terrorism. Johnson later returned to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where he instructed new agents in criminal investigations, counterterrorism investigations, and Human Intelligence (HUMINT). His final FBI assignment was with the Directorate of Intelligence, training agents in HUMINT policy and procedures. Upon retiring from the FBI, he founded Wolf &amp; Owl LLC, where he continues to train FBI personnel in support of the Bureau's mission to protect the United States. Steven Meyers was the partner and principal accomplice of Scott Scurlock, better known as "Hollywood," the notorious bank robber responsible for a string of high-profile bank heists in the Seattle area during the 1990s. Over the course of four and a half years, Meyers worked closely with Scurlock and their crew in planning and executing 19 bank robberies that resulted in the theft of more than $2.3 million. Beyond participating in the operation, Meyers helped develop the plans, create disguises, and support the methods that allowed the crew to evade law enforcement for years. Meyers and Scurlock were deeply involved in every aspect of the enterprise, including planning operations, laundering money, and acquiring vehicles and equipment. As Scurlock's closest collaborator, Meyers gained a unique understanding of the man behind the "Hollywood" persona and the motivations that drove one of the Pacific Northwest's most infamous crime sprees. In 2023, Meyers was featured in the Netflix documentary *How to Rob a Bank*, providing firsthand insight into the robberies and the inner workings of the crew. Today, he joins retired FBI Special Agent Shawn Johnson&mdash;the lead investigator who helped solve the case&mdash;to share the untold stories behind the Hollywood robberies and offer perspectives from both sides of one of the most remarkable bank robbery investigations in modern history.

Hunter and Hunted: An FBI Agent Sits Down with the Bank Robber He Caught

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c3d86da0-dd6a-4089-8b63-b45d00eb6bd1/transcript

Nate Amidon is the founder and CEO of Form100 Consulting, a veteran-owned tech consulting firm that applies military leadership principles to modern software organizations. His team has improved technology practices for Fortune 500 companies across manufacturing, aviation, CPG, and defense sectors. Nate served over 20 years in the Air Force as a C-17 pilot, accumulating 4,000 flight hours, 800 combat hours, and earning 5 Air Medals. His experience leading aircrews and planning large-scale missions’ shapes Form100’s approach to alignment, clarity, and execution in technology programs. He holds a management degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an MBA from the University of Nebraska, and multiple industry certifications. Nate lives in Boise, Idaho with his wife and three children, and spends his free time fly fishing or skiing.

Nate Amidon is the founder and CEO of Form100 Consulting, a veteran-owned tech consulting firm that applies military leadership principles to modern software organizations. His team has improved technology practices for Fortune 500 companies across manufacturing, aviation, CPG, and defense sectors. Nate served over 20 years in the Air Force as a C-17 pilot, accumulating 4,000 flight hours, 800 combat hours, and earning 5 Air Medals. His experience leading aircrews and planning large-scale missions&rsquo; shapes Form100&rsquo;s approach to alignment, clarity, and execution in technology programs. He holds a management degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an MBA from the University of Nebraska, and multiple industry certifications. Nate lives in Boise, Idaho with his wife and three children, and spends his free time fly fishing or skiing.

5 Air Medals & 800 Combat Hours: Nate Amidon Tells All

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/71b8bd86-7c1b-4e4a-a1d8-b44a010a5e97/transcript

Dustin “Dusty” Turner is a former Navy SEAL trainee whose case has become one of the most controversial wrongful-conviction stories connected to the military community. Convicted in 1996 for the murder and abduction of Jennifer Evans, Turner maintained that his fellow SEAL trainee, Billy Joe Brown, acted alone — a claim Brown later confessed to under oath. Despite a Virginia court initially granting Turner a Writ of Actual Innocence in 2009, the decision was later overturned on appeal. After serving more than 30 years in prison, Turner was released on parole while continuing to fight for full exoneration. During his incarceration, he became known as a model prisoner, mentor, veterans’ support leader, and advocate for rehabilitation and second chances

Dustin &ldquo;Dusty&rdquo; Turner is a former Navy SEAL trainee whose case has become one of the most controversial wrongful-conviction stories connected to the military community. Convicted in 1996 for the murder and abduction of Jennifer Evans, Turner maintained that his fellow SEAL trainee, Billy Joe Brown, acted alone &mdash; a claim Brown later confessed to under oath. Despite a Virginia court initially granting Turner a Writ of Actual Innocence in 2009, the decision was later overturned on appeal. After serving more than 30 years in prison, Turner was released on parole while continuing to fight for full exoneration. During his incarceration, he became known as a model prisoner, mentor, veterans&rsquo; support leader, and advocate for rehabilitation and second chances

The SEAL Code That Cost Him 30 Years: Dustin "Dusty" Turner Tells All

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/70d87d13-621b-477f-bdb9-b44300cdfe73/transcript

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

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