Remo Podcast

Want to LEAD AND WIN https://combatready.eu/ Subscribe and join the conversation on Instagram: @remopodcast In this episode, Remo and Chris dive into the untold story of the Baltic Battalion’s early days and what it really took to build a modern fighting force from the ruins of the Soviet Union. Chris shares raw, firsthand experiences from training Estonian soldiers in Paldiski, facing broken infrastructure, political tension, and daily chaos — yet turning it into a success. From leadership lessons and supervision under pressure to cultural encounters and unexpected diplomacy, this conversation reveals how professionalism, resilience, and belief in standards helped shape the foundation of today’s Baltic defense forces. A powerful story of rebuilding, grit, and transformation.

Want to LEAD AND WIN https://combatready.eu/ Subscribe and join the conversation on Instagram: @remopodcast In this episode, Remo Ojaste and Chris Sheppard examine the Baltic Battalion as a modern special operations case study, focusing on methods, leadership, and long-term impact rather than secrecy or hero narratives.The conversation explores how an indirect, low-visibility approach — centered on training, trust, and local ownership — produced lasting strategic effects and helped shape the foundations of Estonia’s defence capability.This episode reflects on why the operation succeeded, how success became visible only years later, and why this model closely resembles how modern special operations should be trained today.

In this episode, Chris dives deep into the often-overlooked emotional and cultural barriers to effective military training. Set against the backdrop of his early work with Estonian soldiers, he shares how initial efforts were met with resistance, mistrust, and even quiet hostility. The core issue? Feedback was taken as personal criticism, not professional development. Chris explores the concept of “breaking the horse”—earning trust slowly, proving his knowledge through action, and patiently demonstrating that he wasn’t there to control, but to help.The conversation highlights key differences between being an instructor and being a leader, especially in environments where rank is misunderstood as authority to teach. Chris also reflects on what it means to truly care: to take personal ownership of your role, your impact, and the growth of those you lead. He didn’t just train soldiers; he invested in them, even when the reward was ridicule.This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership is not granted—it’s earned. And sometimes, the most effective way to change minds isn’t by demanding respect, but by quietly demonstrating value and letting results speak for themselves. A must-listen for anyone navigating complex group dynamics, leadership, or personal growth.Join the conversation on Instagram: @remopodcast

What happens when you take a group of conscripts, wipe the slate clean, and have just nine months to turn them into effective soldiers—and potential leaders? In this episode, Remo and Chris dive deep into military training, exploring the challenges of teaching leadership, confronting egos, and creating real-world scenarios where rank doesn’t matter, but capability does. From humorous misunderstandings with foreign instructors to hard-earned lessons about self-awareness and team dynamics, this conversation sheds light on what truly works (and what doesn’t) in developing leaders from scratch.Whether you’re in the military, a leadership role, or just curious how chaos gets turned into order, this episode is packed with raw insight, personal stories, and tactical philosophy that extends far beyond the battlefield.Join the conversation on Instagram: @remopodcast

In this episode, former Royal Marine Christopher Sheppard joins Remo Ojaste to unpack what it really takes to train soldiers, lead under pressure, and transform post-Soviet mindsets into modern military excellence.From drunken construction crews in 90s Latvia to high-stakes ambush training and the brutal truth about moral courage, this conversation is raw, real, and packed with hard-earned lessons.Whether you're in the military, leading a team, or building a stronger mindset—this episode will challenge you to reflect, train harder, and lead better.Topics Covered:* Breaking the Soviet “normalis” mindset* Why moral courage matters more than physical strength* Training progression: explain, demonstrate, imitate, progress* Surprise, speed, and violence of action in tactics* How to build a “can-do” culture* Real-life leadership under fire* Why debriefing is where real learning happens“Every day you don’t give 100%, your enemy is happy.” Drop a comment below: What’s your biggest takeaway from this conversation?#Leadership #MilitaryTraining #CombatReady #MoralCourage #RemoPodcast #ExtremeOwnership #EstoniaJoin the conversation on Instagram: @remopodcast