Aaron Williamson (Marine Body Bearers, Training Hollywood's Elite and Stunt Work) - Episode 1123

Behind The Shield

James Geering

Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Fitness

4.9 • 667 Ratings

🗓️ 15 August 2025

⏱️ 106 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Aaron Williamson’s path is one of relentless drive and reinvention. After proudly serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he emerged with a mindset rooted in discipline and a passion for pushing limits. That same intensity launched a career that now spans elite fitness coaching, on-screen performance, and high-profile transformations for some of the biggest names in entertainment.

In 2000, Aaron was screened and selected for the Marine Corps World Famous Body Bearers where he spent nearly 4 years conducting funerals out of Arlington National Cemetery, and again, he traveled the world assisting in joint service events. In 2003, Aaron was screened and selected to become personal security for the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS), General Peter Pace; here he spent the remainder of his Marine Corps career before he ended his active service in 2005. As Aaron was departing from the Marine Corps, he was offered a contractor position in Iraq assisting in the biometric operations mission; Aaron returned to Iraq as a contractor contributing to the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) for 4 years. In 2009, Aaron’s contract came to an end which is when he finally made the decision to return to the United States in New Orleans.

Aaron’s influence goes far beyond physical training. Known for reshaping the physiques—and mindsets—of actors, athletes, and executives, he brings a unique authenticity to every role he plays, whether in the gym or on screen.Beyond Hollywood, Aaron is deeply committed to giving back. He supports animal welfare through the SPCA, mentors troubled youth, and actively contributes to veteran-focused non-profits. His purpose is clear: to lead with strength, live with intention, and inspire others to rise to their potential—on every stage of life.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is sponsored by Team Builder, yet another company that's doing great things for the first responder community.
0:07.0	As a strength and conditioning coach myself who also trains tactical athletes,
0:11.0	dissemination of wellness information is one of the biggest challenges.
0:16.0	Now, TeamBuilder is the premier strength and conditioning software for tactical athletes. And there are several features that really impressed me.
0:23.6	Firstly, there is a full exercise library, so you, the personal trainer, does not have to create that within your own department.
0:31.6	Secondly, you can send out programming, but also individualize, which I love.
0:36.6	So you blanket program for everyone.
0:39.4	Now you can tweak based on someone's injury, someone's need to maybe drop some body composition,
0:45.0	rather than having to write a program for every single person on their own.
0:49.6	TeamBuilder also allows you to build custom questionnaires to collate health and wellness data. It integrates
0:55.7	with wearables. And I think one of the most important things is obviously it tracks. To me,
1:01.3	it's imperative that we as a profession start tracking our people from day one and then over the full
1:08.6	span of their career, therefore catching potential wellness issues and injuries before they happen.
1:16.0	Now, if you want to try TeamBuilder, they are offering you, the audience of the Behind the Shield podcast, a free 14-day trial to experience all of the features.
1:26.5	And if you want to take a deeper dive into Team Builder,
1:29.1	listen to episode 132 with Melissa Macardo or go to team builder.com. And I'll spell that to you
1:37.3	because it's not as you think. T-E-A-M-B-U-I-L-D-R.com. Welcome to the Pioneer Shield podcast. As always, my name's James Gearing, and this week it is
1:47.8	my absolute honor to welcome on the show, fitness trainer, stuntman, and actor Aaron Williamson.
1:55.5	Now, in this conversation, we discuss a host of topics from his journey into the military,
2:03.1	his transition into the world of coaching, becoming a technical advisor on military films, his transition into the world of stunts
2:09.8	and performance, his powerful mental health story, and so much more. Now before we get to this
2:16.2	incredible conversation, as I say every week,
	...

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