Gary Kass For the Air Pulse

Bethel School District says Tristan Baumann was able to perform a heroic act because of training he received at the Pierce County Skills Center.

© Courtesy photo | North Central Correctional Complex Entrepreneur and motivational speaker Alex Sheen, far left, recently spoke to inmates at the North Central Correctional Complex in Marion. Sheen is the founder and CEO of Because I Said I Would, a a "social movement and nonprofit organization dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept."

Entrepreneur and motivational speaker Alex Sheen recently delivered an inspiring message to the men incarcerated at the North Central Correctional Complex (NCCC) in Marion.

Sheen's talk is just one of many training and educational opportunities the men of NCCC have been exposed to over the past several months, according to the prison's Community Service Coordinator Kelly Emptage-Walker. The men have had the chance to earn diplomas for successfully completing a wide range of vocational training programs, general equivalency diplomas (GED), and participate in training designed to help them re-enter their lives once their prison terms have expired.

Sheen, who lives in Lakewood, Ohio, is the founder and CEO of Because I Said I Would, a "social movement and nonprofit organization dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept."

During his talk with the men of NCCC, Sheen "shared his insight and actionable ways to become better at fulfilling commitments with the incarcerated individuals." He said his "hope is to inspire them to be accountable to their promises through compelling and real-life examples from the Because I Said I Would movement."

Sheen told the men that “we live in a society that often does not respect the importance of a promise,” Emptage-Walker said. She noted that the phrases “I’ll get to it” and “tomorrow” that he shared with the men really "resonated with those in attendance."

"He convincingly illustrated how integrity and keeping a promise are forever interwoven. Alex encouraged holding ourselves and each other accountable because it will truly change humanity for the better," Emptage-Walker said. "Those in attendance left the presentation feeling uplifted and eager to put the Because I said I Would fundamentals into action."

140 men complete training programs

Emptage-Walker said on Jan. 23 of this year, the Solutions Re-entry Project honored 140 men at NCCC who successfully graduated from 32 "different peer-facilitated programs" at the prison. According to a press release Emptage-Walker sent to the Star, "the programs offered by Solutions Re-entry Project provide incarcerated individuals with the knowledge for a successful re-entry to the community as a restored citizen. This is accomplished through the occupational training, education, and life skills necessary for them to succeed."

Many of the individuals honored at the graduation ceremony received certificates for participating in programs such as commercial driver’s license, EDWINS Culinary Arts, interpersonal communication, and employability readiness.

"The Solutions Re-entry Project not only facilitates these programs and many other programs, it also assists incarcerated individuals who are preparing to go before the Ohio Parole Board by helping with personalized parole packets and conducting mock Parole Board hearings," Emptage-Walker said in the press release. "The Solutions Re-entry Project offers hope and a new beginning to all incarcerated individuals in the state of Ohio."

Graduates, tutors honored

Last fall, NCCC honored more than 70 men who earned GEDs and completed vocational training as well as the tutors who worked with them.

The GED graduation ceremony was held on Oct. 4, 2022, with 27 men earning diplomas. Family members and friends of the program participants were invited to the ceremony, which included caps and gowns provided to the graduates, Emptage-Walker said.

Warden Thomas Watson "provided a speech of encouragement and praise for all the graduates have accomplished." Deputy Warden James Craig "closed the ceremony with a strong message of believing in one’s self."

Additionally, each graduate was granted an extra visit for the month as a reward.

Forty-five men were honored with a graduation ceremony on Sept. 27, 2022, for completing one of the following vocational programs: culinary arts, automotive mechanics, and horticulture. In attendance were 41 guests consisting of family members and/or friends watching as their loved one walked in cap and gown to receive their certificate.

The NCCC education team held its annual luncheon for tutors and program aides on Oct. 3, 2022. More than 50 individuals who enjoyed a lunch of chicken parmesan, spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and cherry chocolate or butterscotch caramel cake prepared by instructors Joseph Caserta and Pamela Sisson.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Training, education programs making a difference for inmates at Marion prison

MILWAUKEE - If you want to cut hair in the state of Wisconsin, you need more than 1,000 hours of training to get a license. If you want to wear a badge and carry a gun, three hours is enough. That's because of a change in state law that made firearms training for private security guards optional.

As police resources are stretched, more business owners are turning to private security agencies to protect their property. Many of those security guards have guns, but that doesn't necessarily mean they know how or when to use them.

Consider what happened on a summer night in June 2022 at the Qdoba restaurant on Brady Street. It's approaching 3 o'clock on a Saturday morning and surveillance video shows customers are still streaming in.

"'Cause they're drunk and they want their tacos," explained Sonja Wilson, a Qdoba security guard who was on duty that night. 

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Wilson said it was the store's policy to lock one of the two entrances late at night on weekends to control the crowds leaving nearby taverns. About 2:40am, store security video shows customers leaving through the door that's supposed to lock behind them. Instead, they hold the door open for a man and woman who walk in. 

Wilson approaches and tells them they have to back out and enter through a different door. 

38-year-old Randolph Bohannon stares back at Wilson, then ignores her instruction and attempts to walk around her toward the food counter. Wilson quickly places her right hand on the 9mm Ruger pistol holstered on her hip. 

"She instantly touched her gun," Bohannon's girlfriend would later tell police. 

That only seems to anger the man, who begins arguing with Wilson.

Sonja Wilson, a security guard working at Qdoba in June 2022, places her right hand on her Ruger 9mm handgun when a customer refuses to use a different door to enter the restaurant.

"He's like, ‘Why are you grabbing for you gun? What are you reaching for your gun for?'" the girlfriend said.

The guard argues back, but begins to walk backward, away from Bohannon. He continues walking toward her. 

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That's when Wilson upholsters her weapon and points it directly at Bohannon, inches from his chest.

Wilson points the weapon directly at the customer, Randolph Bohannon, moments before lowering the gun and shooting him in the groin.

"You better back up, b****!" Bohannon demands, continuing to walk toward Wilson.

"And then what happened?" a Milwaukee police detective would later ask.

"I shot him," Wilson said.

On the restaurant security video, you can hear Wilson say, "If this is what you want, this is what you want," moments before pulling the trigger and shooting Bohannon in his groin. He winces in pain, places his hand on the wound, limps out of the restaurant, and goes to the hospital.

Police arrested Wilson and, in a video recorded interview, detective Shamara Gonzalez asked her why she fired the gun.

"Because I was in fear for my life," Wilson said.

But when the detective asked what, specifically, made her so afraid, Wilson struggled to put her finger on it.

"He didn’t lunge at you," Gonzalez said. 

"Not in a sweeping motion, no," Wilson responded.

"He didn’t threaten to harm you, right?" Gonzalez asked.

"Uh… no," Wilson replied.

Wilson tells a Milwaukee Police detective she never received "formal training" on how and when to use a firearm on the job.

Wilson said she never heard any threat. Instead, she repeated that Bohannon and his girlfriend refused the leave the restaurant.

"They did not heed the warning," she said.

"The fact that you pulled out your gun is that a warning as well?" the detective asked.

"Yes," Wilson answered.

"Is that how you were trained?" Gonzalez asked.

"No," the security guard said.

"How were you trained?" Gonzalez asked.

"There really isn’t a lot of training with that," Wilson said.

Turns out, Sonja Wilson has never been trained when to shoot and when not to.

"Formal training, no. But I've been to the shooting range before with my brother," she said.

In fact, according to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services – or DSPS – she doesn't even have a private security license.

Still, eight months after the shooting, no one has been criminally charged. And DSPS has yet to take any action.

"It is truly, truly outrageous," said William Sulton, an attorney who is suing Wilson, her employer, Central Private Police, and its owner, Hope Hankes, on behalf of Bohannon.

Sulton is also suing another private security company – Marshal Public Safety and its owner, Enoch Wilson - for another shooting incident last summer at El Rey supermarket.

Attorney William Sulton is suing Wilson and her employer, Central Private Police, on behalf of Randolph Bohannon.

"It says to me we have an industry that’s out of control," Sulton said.

Records obtained by the FOX6 Investigators show more than six-thousand people in Wisconsin have a license to provide private security services. Many others work illegally, without a license.

With police resources stretched thin, the demand for those workers to be armed is increasing. Tom Sipin says that should require professional training.

"How can you put them in a position where you’re expecting them to use force if you don’t train them what the laws are?" Sipin said.

Sipin is a state-certified firearms instructor whose company - Four Winds Martial Arts - trains private security guards under the name "Training Solutions." But Sipin's connection to the industry goes back decades. He was once part of the regulatory board that developed statewide training standards for private security license holders.

"I helped write a lot of the laws in the manual," Sipin said.

State regulations used to require 36 hours of training before a security guard could apply for a permit to be armed on duty. Wisconsin's concealed carry law effectively eliminated that training requirement.

Sipin says the state's biggest security firms, like Allied International, still pay for that kind of training. But two-thirds of all security agencies in Wisconsin have fewer than 10 employees. And many of those smaller agencies, he says, are cutting training out of the budget.

"It's expensive," Sipin said. 

"Any expense you can cut out of a business makes you more competitive," said Curt Bennett, owner of Advanced Private Police. 

Bennett says it's a constant source of frustration for agencies like his that prioritize training and have to incorporate that into what they charge.

"So the corner cutters can basically out-compete," asked FOX6 Investigator Bryan Polcyn.

"Yes," Bennett said. "But they can't out quality."

The state used to require all private security guards who want to carry guns on the job to compete a 36-hour training course in firearms proficiency, but a landmark change in state law more than a decade ago has had a profound impact on the private security industry.

The state's concealed carry law, passed in 2011, allowed private citizens to carry concealed weapons for self-defense, but it also effectively eliminated the 36-hour training requirement before security guards could work while armed.

"Unintended consequences," Sipin said.

Data provided to FOX6 News by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services shows two-thirds of the businesses that employ private security officers have 10 or fewer employees. Some of those smaller companies are electing not to pay fo

Now, DSPS says licensees can either pass the 36-hour state certification or get a concealed-carry license.

"You can get your CCW permit if you go and watch a 2 or 3-hour presentation, never touch a firearm," Sipin said.

State regulations require you to have more than 1,500 hours of training to become a licensed cosmetologist.

More than 1,000 hours of training to be a licensed barber.

And more than 300 hours of training to do manicures.

But, you can qualify for armed security detail in a single afternoon.

Sipin says that may be fine for personal self-defense, but for professional use it's "not nearly enough." 

Wilson told police she got her CCW specifically to work security.

"It can lead to people getting hurt," Bennett said. That's why he went to State Representative Jessie Rodriguez.

The Oak Creek Republican filed a bill in 2022 that would have reinstated the 36-hour training standard for security guards to be armed.

"You want to protect the public," Rodriguez said.

Sipin testified in favor of the bill. 

"You’re putting someone in a position they might have to use force," he told lawmakers.

State Representative Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) introduced a bill in 2022 to reinstate the 36-hour training requirement. The bill stalled in committee. She is not yet certain if she will bring the legislation back in 2023.

"There is also a perception of the public, that when you see someone in uniform that you’re going to be dealing with a professional," Bennett told the Assmebly committee. "And that has standards."

The Wisconsin Police Chiefs Association supported the return to more stringent firearms training.

"Having training is paramount," said Steven Roux, President of WCPA.

The organization also supported another aspect of the bill.

"Having local law enforcement do the investigation," Roux said. 

It would have given local police the authority to investigate private security licensing issues.

"Are they a legitimate security officer? Is it a legitimate security company? Too often the answer is no," Bennett said.

That's something Milwaukee police used to do nearly 30 years ago.

"They had a unit," Sipin recalled. "They would go around and check private security licenses."

Today, that authority rests with DSPS and no one else.

"The agency is understaffed," Rodriguez said.

DSPS tells FOX6 it has nine consumer investigators to monitor thousands of licensees in dozens of professions, so it only responds to complaints. When it comes to private security, the agency says it has only received 61 formal complaints since 2018.

But Bennett says those complaints are the tip of the iceberg.

"There are companies that never bother to file a license," he said. "Companies that have felons working as armed security officers."

Still, Rodriguez's bill failed to get any traction.

"There was not a lot of support for it," she said.

And that leaves what she calls an "understaffed" agency to rely on others to keep it informed.

"DSPS didn’t even know about this incident," Sulton said about the Qdoba shooting.

State law requires private security employers to notify DSPS after any shooting, but the agency says neither Sonja Wilson nor her employer reported anything.

It was attorney Sulton who reported the shooting, which is now part of a pending investigation.

Meanwhile, Sulton says it's not just his client who Wilson put at risk. She fired her weapon  inside a busy restaurant.

"Were you scared that you were going to strike somebody else?" Detective Rodriguez asked.
"That didn’t cross my mind," Wilson said.

Then again, that's the kind of thing they might talk about in training.

FOX6 reached Sonja Wilson by phone, but she said she wanted to confer with her attorney before answering any questions. She did not call back after that. FOX6 also reached out to Hope Hankes at Central Private Police. We received no response.

A DSPS spokesperson says they are still investigating complaints against both Central Private Police and Hankes. Assistant Deputy Secretary Jennifer Garrett declined our request for an interview, but did send the following statement:

The Department of Safety and Professional Services is a complaint-based agency, meaning that a complaint is the first step of the disciplinary process. Requirements for professions and available disciplinary recourse are established in statute and vary widely. Any change in licensure requirements, such as mandatory training or continuing education, or our authority to regulate licenses would come from legislation. There are tools, such as the authority to levy forfeitures, that are used in the regulation of other professions that are not currently available for private security licenses. 

There are 9 Consumer Protection Investigators assigned to the Department to conduct investigations.  DSPS receives approximately 3,000 complaints each year.  Some of those complaints allege unlicensed practice while the majority of complaints are against credential holders. 

From Jan. 1, 2018 through Nov. 4, 2022, DSPS received 61 complaints that involved private security persons.

Pursuant to 2011 Wis. Act 35, the Legislature created an exemption to the training requirements for those who have a CCW license.

The opportunity is the result of a partnership between Aquamoves, The Hunter Boyle Children’s Swim Program and Kidsafe.

Many of the executives in the active-shooter-defense industry who were interviewed for this article said they did not support more gun restrictions.

Mr. Czyz, the owner of the protective glass company in Syracuse, said the gun debate “has blinded” many schools and businesses into overlooking practical steps they could take, while the broader issues remained mired in politics.

“Should we start addressing gun laws and mental health? Yup,” said Mr. Czyz, a former homicide detective. “But we have been having the same stupid argument since Columbine in 1999.”

Mr. Czyz added that he did not support a ban on military-style rifles because he “does not trust the government” to carry that out effectively.

Maria Cloonan, an administrative assistant at a school in western Massachusetts, said some staff members were panic about the psychological impact that active-shooter training could have on students and faculty.

“Some folks think the training is too strenuous on kids and staff,” said Ms. Cloonan, who serves on her school’s “safety team.”

But she said she believed that such training was helpful. Two years ago, when she was director of a nursery school in a church in Springfield, Mass., Ms. Cloonan hired a firm run by two former local law enforcement officers to train her teachers how to deal with a shooter. She had grown nervous because of increased crime in the city.

“We hope and pray this doesn’t happen to us,” she said. “But we also hope a child never has to use an EpiPen, but if they do the training kicks in.”

Mr. Keegan, the associate superintendent in North Syracuse, said that he thought there should be tighter gun restrictions but that the issue felt distant from his daily reality.

“We certainly hope for greater levels of gun control, but that is not something that we are going to hang our hat on,” he said.

Still, each year, his schools are adding more intense security measures. This fall, for example, North Syracuse has started posting armed officers at its elementary schools, in addition to the middle and high schools.

The show proves that people can come together, work together and get on. I also want people who watch the show to see that all of us have all got our own story.

Welcome to paradise and - for eight brits - the toughest 28 days of their lives.

In this new, adrenalin-fuelled challenge reality series, eight people who feel lost in life (the Trainees) pair up with eight fitness pros (the Warriors) to compete in epic challenges designed to push their minds and bodies to the absolute limit. The Warriors have all used sports and fitness to overcome demons in their own lives, and now they're ready to put their reputations on the line to prove they can do the same for their trainee too.

But this is the island of tough love... To transform the trainees' minds and bodies, each Warrior has to push their Trainee through a hardcore 28-day regime, along the way battling it out alongside them in a series of spectacular challenges.

As the days pass, the Trainees get stronger and the challenges get tougher - but not all the pairs will make it to the end of the month, as only the strongest can stay on the island.

Which Warrior can get their Trainee to the bitter end? Which pair will be the strongest? And who will leave the island transformed?

Prepare to be on the edge of your seat to see the brave Trainees pushed physically as they take on brutal challenges, create relationships which are tested to their limits and undergo incredible transformations – are you ready to Go Hard or Go Home?

Hosted by Jordan North and led by Paul Olima AKA Coach, our Warriors are athlete and psychologist, Adele Nicoll, power athlete and shotput and bobsleigh champion, Ashley Cain, former international rugby player, Heather Fisher, MMA fighter, Leah McCourt, Muay Thai fighter and personal trainer, Nesrine Dally, Olympic, World and Commonwealth gymnast, Nile Wilson, celebrity personal trainer, Tyrone Brennand and lead fitness instructor, Waz Ashayer.

Our Trainees are: Adil, 24, Carys, 23, Demitri, 23, Dylan, 23, Faith, 23, Hope, 20, Jack, 22, Melita, 20 and Seb, 22.

JA3

Q&A with Jordan North

What made you want to take on the role of host on Go Hard of Go Home?

It's one of those shows where you read the brief and you see what the show is all about and straight away, I was really excited. There’s not really anything like this  on TV for young people at the moment. I liked that it was going to be a young cast and aimed for a younger audience  and also the whole premise of Go Hard or Go Home is to help out people in the UK who have had a bit of a tough time either due to the pandemic, health problems, bereavement issues, confidence issues or mental health issues. That was really appealing to me.

If you could really explain the show in your own words, what would they be?

We take a group of people in their late teens/early twenties who have had a bit of a tough time in life to a remote  island, and the idea is that they want to turn their life around with the help of some absolute fitness fanatics who are specialists in their field. Some of them are experts in boxing, Yoga, Rugby and various other sports. Basically, Go Hard or Go Home is a show to turn your life around.

We also see on screen a really wonderful rapport between yourself and Coach. What was your experience like filming with him and all of the other Warriors?

We hit it off pretty much straight away! When you see him, he seems like this big, tall and mean looking guy, but then when you actually get to know him, he's got a great sense of humour and he's is actually a big softie. We got to know each other really well from the two days of traveling to the island. We've got a similar sense of humour. He's really silly and he doesn't take himself too seriously. As for the Warriors, they all looked quite mean and scary too but they’re actually really nice and they've all got their own personal stories. That’s why they make such good Warriors because of how they transformed and turned around their own lives.

If you were to compete on Go Hard or Go Home, which warrior would you be best paired with and why?

They were all pretty good and all have their positives. I think Heather or Ashley would be great but I’d probably go with Coach if I could. I can imagine he’d really put you through your paces!

On-screen, we see that you take on the role of confidant for the contestants, as well as obviously being the host. How did your experience on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! help you relate to the trainees?

Let’s not sugar coat it, this was a really tough show to be a part of! The contestants really had to push themselves and really get out of their comfort zone and I could 100% relate to that because two years ago, I was on a show where I was away from my home comforts and I had to really push myself. I could totally relate to what they were going through, and how hard it is to push yourself. Some of them had never been that far away from home before and for some, there were some very intense weeks so I completely understood what they were going through.

There was a lot of times I didn't see it as being a host or a TV presenter. It was just being there to help them, put an arm around them, just check in on them, see how they were getting on, and reflect to the audience at home watching on how they were feeling.

What did you learn about mental health and physical strength whilst you were filming?

The show taught me that both are quite connected. Speaking to the Warriors, I found out that a lot of the reason why they love what they do in fitness is not just because they want bigger muscles, to look good or to win competitions. They pretty much all do it because it helps boost mental health and I really believe that as well. I find if I've not been to the gym for a few days, it can really get me down and affect my mood so just going out for a run for half an hour or going to the gym for 40 minutes just releases those endorphins and really helps me so now I really believe both are definitely connected.

What do you hope viewers will take away from watching the show?

I want people to watch the show and understand that everybody's different. Everybody's got different fitness levels and everyone's got a different background and a different story. The show proves that people can come together, work together and get on. I also want people who watch the show to see that all of us have all got our own story. Sometimes we have things in life that are holding us back, or things happen that others don't see behind the scenes. All of the trainees were just great as they all opened up from the start. Hopefully, viewers can watch and empathise with people’s stories, and most importantly really enjoying watching it too!

Q&A with Paul Olima aka Coach

What made you want to take part in the show?

It was an amazing concept, I wanted to see the trainees push through all they could.

What would you say makes a good leader?

Somebody that can lead by example, somebody who is a leader for the whole group and someone who cares about the group. 

What was it like to see the progress of the trainees throughout the show?

That was the best bit about the show. From start to finish, every single one of the trainees, from who they were at the start of the show to who they were at the end of the show, they all transformed and it was great to see. They all had to go through some dark times but after they got through that first little bit they all got well stronger, it was a joy to see.

We get to see a really lovely on-screen bromance between yourself and Jordan, what was it like working alongside him on this?

Jordan is great, he’s good craic and a lovely lad so it was good fun. 

Health and fitness is an important part of your life, what can you tell us about the part mental endurance also plays in a challenge like this?

Mental endurance is everything to something like this. I consider myself physically able to endure stuff. Mentally you have to go through some darkness to get through the other side because everybody on the show would not be fit enough to get through so everybody had to push through parts where their body was giving up. Some people mentally were ready for that and some people weren’t.  

What piece of advice did you keep feeling like you needed to instil in the contestants as the show went on – if any?

I just told them to stick with it and keep on going and doing what you have to do. They weren’t going to be there forever, they only had 28 days but they had 28 days of graft so they had to just take every day as it comes.

For anyone watching the series that doesn’t know how they can start and turn their lives around – what advice would you give them?

If you can’t get out the house, the advice I’d give you is it’s all baby steps. Get out the house and sit on a bench for 5 minutes. If you want to go to the gym but don’t have the confidence to go, you don’t have to do the full workout, just go to the gym and sit in the hall and watch people go into the gym, that’s a step further than you were and then you just progress yourself. You can do five minutes in the gym and that’s way better than what you did the day before. So it’s all about taking that first step. 

Meet The Warriors

Adele Nicoll

• Adele grew up in Welshpool, a small town in mid-Wales. Her hometown didn't have any good sporting facilities and Adele had to train using tired, old equipment.
• From the age of 9, she joined her local athletics club and competed in heptathlon and pentathlon athletic events. She also competed at county level in various sports including: netball, hockey, football and swimming.
• Aged 15, Adele was scouted by a premier athletics club. She started competing in the Shot Put for Team GB at the age of 16. Her greatest athletic achievement was winning a bronze medal at the 2017 European Throwing Cup.

What makes this show different from other competitor reality shows?
The real-life element. It shows real problems; some of which were extremely raw, and with that comes pure emotion. There’s been no other program like it. It highlights the importance of addressing our problems and having the courage to take accountability to overcome them. But it also has a competitive game show element, which is what people love to see.

If you could describe the show in three words, what would they be?
Intense, emotional and fulfilling.

Out of the other Warriors, who would you want to be your Warrior and why?
I would probably say Nez because she’s Logical, Motivating, Empathetic and a Fighter!

Without any major spoilers, what was a major highlight for you during filming?

Watching my trainee find strength that they didn’t know they had, to overcome self-doubt in challenges. I became totally invested in their development and progress. It was an unbelievable feeling watching them flourish.

There’s a lot of support that you give each other, though there’s still a competitiveness. What was filming with each of the Warriors, Jordan, Coach and the contestants like?

Being surrounded by so many accomplished and skilful people was extremely motivating. I feel like, as well as the trainees, I also did a lot of self-reflection and evaluation whilst out there. It was wholesome being able to talk to each Warrior / Coach and discuss our own experiences and stories. We became like a family, and everyone was valued. We were all so different but because of that, each of us brought different qualities to the show and all became equal assets.

What do you hope viewers can take away from watching?
To remember that you have no idea what someone is going through from observing their exterior. Realising that just because somebody’s world looks perfect on social media, doesn’t mean they aren’t fighting internal battles. I also hope that the show encourages people to talk about their struggles. I hope it gives them courage to address their problems and make their pain their power.

What can viewers expect when they tune in on BBC Three?

Authenticity, bombshells, tears, laughter, battles and so much more! Words cannot justify how awesome this show will be.

Ashley Cain

• Ashley is an ex-professional footballer and endurance athlete.
• Ashley currently has 1.8 million followers on Instagram. Thousands of people across the world have followed his daughter's journey with cancer and since have been supporting Ashley on his journey.

What made you want to take part in the show as a Warrior?

I wanted to take part in the show as a Warrior because my purpose in life now is to try and help as many people in this world that I can. I believe that through my trials, tribulations and triumphs I have virtue through traumatic life experience, unbreakable mental resilience through the pain I have suffered and a consciousness to life through a purpose worth dying for, which gives me the credentials to help someone who is currently in darkness, make it to the light. 

What makes this show different from other competitor reality shows?

It’s real people who want to battle towards real and realistic triumphs. It’s a show that strips it all back and shows people’s pain and vulnerabilities and positive pathways to get them through it to turn them into people they can be proud of.  

If you could describe the show in three words, what would they be?

Raw, inspirational and relatable.

Out of the other Warriors, who would you want to be your Warrior and why?

It would be Tyrone. We became more than friends on that show, we became like brothers. Because we were helping our mentees through their trauma, it bared a lot of weight on us as Warriors too. So even though competing, me and Ty would stand with each other through each day and spend the evenings decompressing, evaluating and talking through how we can be better for our mentees ‘tomorrow’. 

Without any major spoilers, what was a major highlight for you during filming?

A major highlight for me was me and my mentee sharing our stories, sharing our tears and with some tough love sharing the emerged strength. It was getting my mentee to realise that their illness and their family wasn’t holding them back, it was themselves and that if they wanted everyone to stop treating them like a piece of glass, then it was time to act like a piece of steel. That what happened to them doesn’t define them but who they become and what they do now as a result does. When that message sunk in, there was no looking back!

What can viewers expect when they tune in on BBC Three?

A lot of tears, a lot of tests but a lot of triumphs.

Heather Fisher

• Heather Fisher AKA Fish is a former England Rugby 15s player and Team GB and England Rugby Sevens player & former bobsleigh athlete.
• Heather represented Team GB at the 2016 Rio Olympics, competing in the Rugby Sevens.
• She has played for England in multiple Rugby World Cups (15s & Sevens) and was part of the 2014 World Cup winning team. The team were voted the BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year.
• Heather retired from Rugby in 2021, citing injuries as the main reason behind her decision.

What made you want to take part in the show as a Warrior?
I wanted to take part in the show to be able to help others to be honest, wanted to be able to relate and share my story and use everything I have gone through to coach a young person who is struggling. Vulnerability can be our greatest strength if we can understand it and work with it.              

What makes this show different from other competitor reality shows?
It’s different because it’s real. It’s all real and it’s all someone’s story and life and experience. The chance to empower another person is very special.             

There’s a lot of support that you give each other, though there’s still a competitiveness. What was filming with each of the Warriors, Jordan, Coach and the contestants like?

Filming and being part of the cast and production was an amazing experience. Everyone was so supportive of each other, we all just wanted to be the best mentors we could be and see and make the changes with our trainees. We are all so competitive that at times it felt Warrior versus Warrior but early on, we all realised it wasn’t about us; as a Warrior I wanted to step back more and almost guide because when I was ever struggling, I never wanted anyone to do it for me, I wanted to know I did it and this was my aim. Coach was amazing, he is fab at leading his tribe and he kept us in a great place in and away from the training ground.

What characteristics would you have been looking for in the winner of the show?
Characteristics including learning how to fall, which means they may not always be at the front or the winner but they never gave up! They pushed through, kept an open mind and gave their all, they were all on an amazing journey that we were lucky enough to share with them. You can’t take this for granted and some journeys will take longer than others and you can’t rush them. Being a great team mate whilst on your own journey isn’t easy, it’s emotional and you have to show great emotional control and have a strong self-awareness whilst processing a lot of feelings - and this is a great trait to have for life.                                                                                            

What can viewers expect when they tune in on BBC Three?
I hope viewers can look within themselves and their own stories, relate to it and grow as people and I hope it shows the heart and passion that each Warrior had and has to want to help others be better. Being better isn’t about being the best, it’s about continuously growing and giving yourself the opportunity in life, and it starts with ourselves.

Leah McCourt

• Leah is a professional MMA fighter ranking #8 in the Bellator Women's pound-for-pound Rankings and #4 in the Bellator Women's Featherweight Rankings.
• No stranger to overcoming challenges in her life, Leah became a mum at 18 and says she knows what it's like to feel trapped and helpless.
• For the past six years, she's trained women in MMA and self-defence and she loves seeing people grow in confidence.

What made you want to take part in the show as a Warrior?

I loved the concept and felt through my own life experiences I would be able to offer key advice and practical help to young people who are struggling so I had to be a part of the show.

What makes this show different from other competitor reality shows?

The show is a positive concept with great character and role models as Warriors.  I felt a lot of young people could relate to the problems others were facing on the show. 

If you could describe the show in three words, what would they be?

Mentally, physically, and emotionally challenging.

Out of the other Warriors, who would you want to be your Warrior and why?

I feel I would like Nez as we have a lot in common, she has similar values, morals.  She is also a mum and we have remained close friends.

We see the show is both about mental and physical endurance, why is it so important that both go hand in hand when trying to achieve a goal/overcome something?

I feel most goals in life are 90 percent mental. If you can get your mind right you can achieve anything.

What do you hope viewers can take away from watching?

Motivation to change their life.

What can viewers expect when they tune in on BBC Three?

Drama, laughs and inspiration!

Nesrine Dally

• Nesrine has been a personal trainer for over twelve years. She's trained world champions and novices. She has a broad and varied training style and has taught almost every fitness class going.
• Nesrine is also a fitness instructor for FIIT and Nike. She was voted London's best trainer by the Evening Standard.
• She has a positive reinforcement training style. She's her client's biggest cheerleader and loves seeing them grow in confidence.

What made you want to take part in the show as a Warrior?

I have been a coach for sixteen years and my passion is helping people change their lives for the better for sports & fitness. I have vast experience mentoring so I was excited to use my experience and skills to help bring out the best in my trainee. 

What makes this show different from other competitor reality shows?

There is no show out there like it. Working with young people and putting them in contact with the best athletes and coaches in the UK to try to bring out the best in them.

Out of the other Warriors, who would you want to be your Warrior and why?

I would say Leah. She is an inspiration as a mother and top level athlete. I love her!

There’s a lot of support that you give each other, though there’s still a competitiveness. What was filming with each of the Warriors, Jordan, Coach and the contestants like?

It was one of the best experiences of my life. I had so much fun and made lifelong friendships.

What do you hope viewers can take away from watching?

Mental health isn't something to shy away from and be afraid to talk about.  Physical fitness, challenges, sports & fitness can help you overcome mental barriers and bring out the best in yourself in every way.

What can viewers expect when they tune in on BBC Three?

Action, drama & tears!

Nile Wilson

• Nile was born and bred in Leeds and is a former Olympic, World and Commonwealth gymnast with Team GB.
• Nile won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics on the High Bar. He also won silver at the 2015 World Championships and three gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth games.
• He sustained a bad neck injury in 2019 which required surgery, threatening to end his gymnastics career.
• Nile announced his retirement from gymnastics in 2021, citing injuries as the main reason behind the decision.

What made you want to take part in the show as a Warrior?

I loved the concept of the show straight from the start because of my athletic background but also because I have been some tough personal times in my life and I saw it as a great opportunity to help someone else with their journey; as well as find out more about myself.

What makes this show different from other competitor reality shows?

I liked the challenge of being a coach so it not being all about me. It really is looking at the journey of a partnership between the Warrior and the person they are mentoring. That is really unique. 

If you could describe the show in three words, what would they be?

Adventurous, innovative and emotional.

Out of the other Warriors, who would you want to be your Warrior and why?

They are all incredible but I would have chosen Leah. I have a love for combats sports so I would love the training style. I also really connected with Leah as a person and her experiences as a professional athlete.

We see the show is both about mental and physical endurance, why is it so important that both go hand in hand when trying to achieve a goal/overcome something?

The challenges are physical but the most important side of that was people’s mindsets and that was a massive challenge for all the people partnering with Warriors. They have all had mindset challenges in their lives up till then so this was a huge area of growth for them.

What do you hope viewers can take away from watching?
I hope viewers can connect to contestants and Warriors’ stories; and feel entertained and inspired to take a step in their own lives to Improve themselves through whatever challenges they face.

What can viewers expect when they tune in on BBC Three?

Spectacular cinematic production! Challenges they have never seen before! And emotional stories that will truly touch their hearts!

Tyrone Brennand

• Tyrone is a Personal Trainer, a Yoga expert, and owner of the brand Be The Fittest.
• Before becoming a PT, Tyrone used to be involved in crime and felt he had no opportunities.
• To turn his life around he signed up with the Prince’s Trust, inspiring him to invest in a PT training qualification and start his own business.
• Tyrone believes he has the life experience to change anyone's life and that his ability to make things personal is what sets him apart from other Warriors.

What made you want to take part in the show as a Warrior?

I wanted to take part in the show as a Warrior, because in my career as a personal trainer, I help people and I train people physically and mentally to be stronger and fitter, happier and healthier. I also have a Mentorship programme where I help young people who have had struggles in their life to be successful within their careers, so this aligned deeply with the role of the Warrior, and I thought would be perfect for me to take part in. 

What makes this show different from other competitor reality shows?
I think the show is different to other competitive reality shows for a few reasons. Firstly, it’s the unexpected chemistry between the Warriors, the trainees and then the trainees with the Warriors who both have been through things in their lives. Then, seeing them put together to face challenges where they have to work hand in hand and have an understanding and trust in each-other to be able to complete the challenges is definitely different. Also,I don’t think that there’s many reality fitness wellness TV shows out there at the moment. 

If you could describe the show in three words, what would they be?
Fun, intense and inspirational.

Without any major spoilers, what was a major highlight for you during filming?
A major highlight for me during filming was a time when there was a drastic change in the wind of the way things were going. There was no light and it was just looking dark for both of us and seemed like we were drowning in the darkness and couldn’t see the light but then we overcame and saw the light and climbed our way to the top.  

We see the show is both about mental and physical endurance, why is it so important that both go hand in hand when trying to achieve a goal/overcome something?
I think it’s very important that they go hand-in-hand, because just like in life things we go through are both mental and physical. Our minds control our bodies and we are in control of our bodies, so if our mind is strong then our bodies can follow. When they both are tired then we rely on our heart! It’s also a great way for the trainees and ourselves to be able to face physical and mental challenges in the show as a representation of the things that we can overcome and face through life. 

What do you hope viewers can take away from watching?
I hope the viewers will take away motivation and inspiration from the show after seeing how people can transform and overcome their fears through these challenges and to be able to see if they can do it, I can do it, and also I want the show to be entertaining and fun, and go through a whirlwind of emotions.

What can viewers expect when they tune in on BBC Three?
The viewers can expect action packed challenges seeing blood, sweat, smiles and tears along with some reality TV fun, and a group of bad ass Warriors.