Photo By Master Sgt. Joseph Harwood | Air National Guard (ANG) members, including members of the 179th Cyberspace Wing (CW),...... read more read more
Subscribe
LOS ANGELES – Air National Guard members, including personnel from the ANG’s first cyberspace wing in the nation, the 179th Cyberspace Wing (CW), Mansfield, Ohio, participated in the ANG Cyber High Performance Training (HPT) in Los Angeles, June 21–24.
The experience was designed to enhance the individual and team performance of cyber operators and leaders using creative methods adapted from other high-performance industries. Hosted by a team of world-class instructors from Liminal Collective — in collaboration with partners from various talent-based industries — the training offers military members diverse experiences and growth opportunities.
The ANG Cyber HPT program is an intensive training initiative created for advanced cyber operators and leaders. It targets performance optimization and “next-generation” capabilities for the modern cyber warrior. The goal: give them a competitive edge necessary to succeed in global competition. Technical skills alone are no longer enough.
Liminal Collective goes beyond conventional learning, providing transformative experiences that empower teams to thrive in demanding environments. Using unconventional methods, the program aims to enhance human performance and team optimization.
Instructors for the event included:
-Dr. Andy Walshe, chief performance officer and globally recognized expert in elite human performance.
-Ben Potvin, chief creative officer and former Canadian national gymnastics champion.
-Jurgen Heitmann, chief operating officer and former U.S. Navy SEAL.
Using a proven modeling approach in conjunction with operator insights, physiological and neurological data, and targeted educational workshops, the program promotes a transformative approach to development.
Walshe emphasized the limitless potential of participants who commit to the program's principles.
“Liminal Collective ignites permanent perspective shifts that unlock clarity, accelerate progress and maximize potential. Our approach is rooted in experiential accelerator programs,” Walshe said. “These transformative insights and strategies are designed to be highly scalable, turning the breakthroughs of a few into a profound impact that can inspire and elevate many. We believe in pushing the edges of what's possible and partnering with those ready to push those boundaries.”
Part of what makes Liminal Collective unique is its eclectic team of like-minded experts from various disciplines, all united in the mission to improve human performance.
During the training, Airmen interacted with leaders in human performance, each contributing something unique from their respective fields. The Los Angeles location offered the opportunity to visit industries filled with high-performing creative minds — unique to the Hollywood area.
One standout moment was a beach session led by Terry Notary — a four-time NCAA All-American gymnast at UCLA, Cirque du Soleil acrobat, actor, and world-renowned movement and performance coach. His signature method has been used by A-list actors across more than 40 blockbuster films, from Avatar to Avengers: Endgame, and in theater, opera, and corporate training worldwide.
“True fitness can only be attained by strengthening the mind and body in unison,” Notary said. “By focusing on fitness of the whole self, a foundation is formed upon which we can then build intrinsic strength, coordination, awareness, grace, presence and, ultimately, the ability to perform at our highest potential.”
As cyber warriors develop fluency in advanced training and performance techniques, their feedback actively helps refine and evolve the model. This continuous input is building a resilient, future-ready force capable of responding to evolving cyber threats with agility and precision.
The previous ANG Cyber HPT, held in San Antonio, featured unique location-based experiences, and both groups have contributed valuable data to inform future iterations of the program.
Col. Jack Johnson, commander of the 252nd Cyberspace Operations Group, Washington Air National Guard, attended the course as a senior leader to better understand the return on investment for his Airmen.
“In all the training I’ve received since joining the military, I don’t recall time being spent on how to optimize performance from a sleep, nutrition and mindset perspective,” Johnson said. “There is tremendous value in informing participants about the tools and techniques available for human optimization and high performance — while also building a stronger, more connected team. I’d guess the HPT will heavily influence how the participants approach life and living, as well as how they put their best effort forward within the teams they’re part of.”
Johnson confidently recommended the program for all Airmen.
“My advice to anyone hesitant to participate in HPT events is to lean into that fear and just do it,” he said. “Being challenged and pushed with new ideas, perspectives and experiences is never comfortable, but the work you put in will result in a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life.”
Johnson expressed that he believed this program could help better prepare airmen as both individuals and as high performance team members.
“Life is hard. Bad things happen. But it’s how we respond that matters,” Johnson added. “We as individuals and teams must have the trust and faith in ourselves that we will get through it. We are capable of great things, and it’s on us to do those things. We’re in charge. At the same time, we need to prepare ourselves for the demands of the mission and the unknown by taking care of the important things — like sleep and nutrition. HPT provided definitive and immediate proof to the participants that they are capable of so much more — mentally, physically and emotionally — than they thought possible.”
Walshe said the program has already made a strong positive impact and hopes to expand it across the Air Force.
“This could potentially help them uncover not only their potential as humans, but improve their performance in their Air Force careers,” he said.
Tech. Sgt. Preston Beach, 179th Cyber Operations Group, shared how personally impactful it was to feel seen and invested in as a human — not just a technical asset.
“I would just like to thank everyone involved for making this opportunity possible for myself and everyone else that attended,” Beach said. “This training was the first time I felt an investment put into me as a person to improve overall, instead of training to sharpen my technical capability solely for the mission.”
Beach also expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to voluntarily participate in extensive biomarker testing — using blood and urine samples — to identify hidden performance issues.
Partnering with Christopher Talley, a nutritional biomarker specialist with extensive experience working with elite athletes, the testing aims to reveal correctable issues through targeted diet and lifestyle changes.
Feeling empowered to pursue peak performance, Beach and others left the program determined to apply their results toward optimized performance.
Engaging in leadership and communication training, team-building modules, high-stakes performance simulations and deep self-reflection could be the difference when facing future high-pressure demands — ensuring continued mission success for the 179th Cyberspace Wing, the Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force.
| Date Taken: | 06.24.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.08.2025 12:07 |
| Story ID: | 550064 |
| Location: | LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 363 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Air National Guard members participate in Cyber High Performance Training, by MSgt Joseph Harwood, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
