Iron Sights

Recorded at SHOT Show 2026, I sit down with Rachel Otto — veteran law enforcement officer, competitive athlete, and the first and only female member of the United States Secret Service Counter Assault Team. Rachel and I first connected on the range a couple of years ago, and she immediately stood out as a serious professional with grit, presence, and performance to match the role she holds.
In this conversation, we talk about her upbringing, time as a military academy student-athlete, transition into law enforcement, and what it takes to operate at a high level in environments where standards aren’t optional. Rachel is candid, direct, and all business — and I think you’ll appreciate that.
Beyond her operational role, you’ll also find Rachel competing in The Tactical Games and working with Born Primitive Tactical. This is a conversation about pressure, preparation, and performance at the highest level.
Sit back and enjoy this After Dark episode with Rachel Otto.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:26 Rachel’s Path
10:02 Citadel To Policing
17:53 Patrol & Narcotics
29:21 Going Secret Service
35:59 Why Policing Feels Different
51:56 Standards & Fitness Debate
01:04:11 Joining CAT
01:09:48 Counter Assault Mission
01:15:53 Earning Respect
01:20:17 Family & Balance
01:34:47 Fitness & Sleep Focus
01:45:56 Sleep Routine Blueprint
01:51:56 Secret Service Reality
Red Dot Fitness Train Online: http://rdftrainonline.com/
Online Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):
https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membership

Virtual Coaching:
https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coaching

Self-Guided Programs:
https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1

Connect With Us:
Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

In this episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, Ryan and I step outside the usual gym conversation and talk about something most people overlook — getting outside and actually playing.
We break down the physical performance benefits, the psychological and physiological upsides, and even the cognitive and sensory advantages of spending time outdoors. If you’re training hard inside the gym but feeling like something’s missing, this conversation might help you connect a few dots.
This isn’t about abandoning structured training. It’s about enhancing it. If your goal is to look better, feel better, and perform better, you might need more fresh air than you think.
Sit back and enjoy.
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Red Dot Fitness Train Online: http://rdftrainonline.com/
FFA Program:  https://reddotfitness.net/fitforaction
Red Dot Fitness Training Programs:
rdfprograms.com

Online Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):
https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membership
Virtual Coaching:
https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coaching
Self-Guided Programs:
https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1
(NEW) Iron Sights Podcast Website:
ironsightspodcasts.com
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
06:45 Loss Of Play
11:41 Early Specialization
19:28 Ski Trip Reality Check
21:24 Predictable Vs Random Training
25:45 Nature & Mental Health
31:05 Play > Metrics
33:55 When Lifting Gets Stale
41:47 Adding Play To Training
47:39 Gym Supports Sport
51:38 Tools & Dogma
58:58 Social & Family Play
01:02:03 Stop Chasing Perfect Programs
Connect With Us:
Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

Welcome back to another After Dark episode of the Iron Sights Podcast.
Recorded at SHOT Show 2026, I sit down with Paul Costa of Broken Arrow Defense and Achilles Heel Tactical. Paul’s background was built the hard way — patrol cars, high-risk warrants, working alongside a canine, and years in environments where fundamentals weren’t optional. They were survival.
Today, Paul carries that same commitment into the training world, instructing law enforcement and responsible citizens in firearms tactics and performance. A Masterclass competitive shooter, Walther Pro Staff instructor, and Safariland cadre member, Paul is first and foremost a student of the craft — and it shows.
We talk about building skill that holds under pressure, developing people and teams, the realities of the firearms training business, and what pursuing mastery really means in a world chasing shortcuts. This was one I’d been looking forward to for a long time.
Sit back and enjoy this After Dark conversation with Paul Costa on the Iron Sights Podcast.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:17 In-Person Edge
07:07 LE Background
11:57 Burnout
29:10 Civilians > Cops
35:16 Injury Pivot
43:40 Going Solo
58:32 Training Business
01:14:34 Culture Shift
01:43:11 Grip Myth
02:01:49 Partnerships
02:13:08 Pistol Debate
02:21:52 What’s Next
Red Dot Fitness Train Online: http://rdftrainonline.com/
Online Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):
https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membership

Virtual Coaching:
https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coaching

Self-Guided Programs:
https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1

Connect With Us:
Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

In this episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, I’m back in the studio with Ryan and CeCe from Red Dot Fitness breaking down our top three exercise picks for performance and longevity.
If your goal is to look better, feel better, and continue performing at a high level for years to come, this conversation is for you. We walk through why these movements made the list, the reasoning behind them, and how you can plug them into your own training without overcomplicating things.
No gimmicks. No trendy movements. Just exercises that deliver long-term value.
Sit back and enjoy this episode with the Red Dot Fitness crew.
-
Red Dot Fitness Train Online: http://rdftrainonline.com/
FFA Program:  https://reddotfitness.net/fitforaction
Red Dot Fitness Training Programs:
rdfprograms.com

Online Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):
https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membership
Virtual Coaching:
https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coaching
Self-Guided Programs:
https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1
(NEW) Iron Sights Podcast Website:
ironsightspodcasts.com
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:33 One Lift For Life
04:23 Trap Bar Case
09:30 Real-World Strength
11:05 Power Clean Debate
17:07 Longevity Shift
18:53 Split Squat Wins
23:02 Zercher Option
24:49 Unilateral Advantage
29:52 Programming Hack
32:19 Pain & Ego
39:29 Scaling Options
42:15 Final Picks
Connect With Us:
Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

Welcome back to another After Dark episode of the Iron Sights Podcast.
Recorded at SHOT Show 2026, I sit down with Bryan Williams — better known as the Unicorn Chief. From SWAT operator to Chief, a stint in City Hall, and back to policing, Bryan’s career has given him a perspective that most people in the profession never get. He’s seen leadership from the street, the admin side, and the political layer in between.
In this conversation, we dig into police culture, mentorship, accountability, and why standards in training actually matter. As a USPSA Grandmaster, Bryan doesn’t just preach performance — he lives it. If he’s not in the office handling the administrative side of the job, he’s on the range sharpening his edge and pushing others to do the same.
Brian is direct. He doesn’t sugarcoat. He’s not interested in protecting feelings — he’s interested in protecting the mission. Sit back and enjoy this After Dark episode with the Unicorn Chief, Bryan Williams.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
08:38 Bryan’s Career
18:52 Leadership Path
28:42 Public Perception
40:03 Leadership Struggles
48:16 City Management
01:04:53 Leadership Defined
01:14:07 Accountability Crisis
01:22:27 Mentorship
01:27:21 Training Challenges
01:42:57 Competition & Standards
01:55:09 Execution Mode
02:02:09 Self-Care
Red Dot Fitness Train Online: http://rdftrainonline.com/
Online Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):
https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membership

Virtual Coaching:
https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coaching

Self-Guided Programs:
https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1

Connect With Us:
Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/