In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie are honored to have Cole Lyle, a passionate advocate for veterans' well-being and the driving force behind Mission Roll Call and the PAWS Act. Cole speaks of the experiences that led him to become a tireless advocate for veterans, including the inception of Mission Roll Call, shedding light on its mission to connect veterans with resources, support, and a community that understands their unique challenges. He also has been actively championing the significance of the PAWS (Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers) Act, which aims to provide service dogs to veterans struggling with physical and mental health challenges. Marcus and Melanie extend their heartfelt gratitude to Cole for his unwavering dedication to supporting veterans through Mission Roll Call and the PAWS Act. If you'd like to learn more or get involved, visit: https://www.missionrollcall.org/ www.kk9s.org Sponsors:   - GoodRX.com/TNQ   - NavyFederal.org   - Uncommongoods.com/TNQ  In this episode you will hear: • I’m a 7th generation Texan (3:46) • I actually joined the military straight out of High School. (7:03) • I was an Eagle Scout.  (8:11) • When you enlist, they give you a rank for it [Being an Eagle Scout]. (8:27) • I didn’t have a positive male influence except for my scout masters and football coaches. (9:11) • There’s a tangible benefit of having a group of people that come from all walks of life. You come from such diverse backgrounds, you forget all your differences and your bullshit to accomplish a mission. (10:35) • 67% of Gen-Z does not know a veteran or someone on active duty. (11:56) • That [Marine] uniform has gotten so many guys and girls. (15:05) • The majority of casualties in GWOT came from fuel convoys. (17:15) • Men and women get out, and they have to learn how to be an adult again. (25:53) • One night I spiraled down about that far away from being a suicide statistic. Another marine came and banged on my door. I was actually surprised that him banging on the door didn’t jerk my finger. (28:42) • My mindset went from ”I have nothing” to “I have the opportunity to do anything.” (29:05) • 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (29:16) • She [Kaya) was specifically trained to recognize when I was having a nightmare and she’d jump on the bed and lick my face, wake me up, and stay with me until my heartrate went down. Or she would recognize when I was having an anxiety attack and would do animal assisted intervention, where she’d get up in my face and distract me to keep the snowball effect from getting worse. (31:38) • You may have kids, you may have a wife that love you very much, but there’s something not wired right and you’re going down this path, so having a dog there you look down at the dog and think “this dog loves me.” (34:42) • Our connection with dogs is a lot like our relationship with God. (36:14)

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Dr. Kirk Parsley joins Marcus in the podcast studio to share his journey from living a seemingly hopeless childhood, to becoming a Navy SEAL, to becoming a leading authority on the importance of quality sleep for overall well-being. Learn about the pivotal moments that led him to focus on sleep as a critical factor in human performance. Dr. Parsley breaks down the alarming statistics and dives deep into the sleep crisis and discusses the societal and medication-related factors contributing to the widespread lack of quality sleep, and the profound impact it has on physical and mental health. As a former Navy SEAL, Dr. Parsley understands the significance of peak performance. Discover his insights into how optimizing sleep can enhance cognitive function, physical endurance, and overall resilience. Dr. Parsley has dedicated himself to developing effective sleep remedies to address the challenges many face in achieving restorative sleep. He brings to light the science behind his remedies and how they can be integrated into daily routines for improved sleep quality. Whether you're a high-performing individual seeking optimization or someone struggling with sleep issues, this episode offers valuable insights to help you unlock the full potential of a good night's sleep. Sleep Remedy Link: - https://docparsley.com/tnq/ Socials: - kirkparsley - team_neverquit Sponsors: - policygenius.com - Navyfederal.org  In this episode you will hear: • I was terrible student my whole life. (5:10) • I got told I was stupid all the time; felt I was stupid but I was fast, strong and athletic. I used to get in lots of fights. (5:33) • Our families values were if you can serve in the military, you should. (6:10) • I didn’t have any good male role models. (6:21) • [My mom and stepdad] were married 8 years. I was grounded for 7 years and 6 months of that. (8:19) • I literally had my 3rd grade teacher yell to the whole class that I was the dumbest kid she ever taught in her life. (8:57) • My stepdad told me I was dumb every day. (9:03) • {After excelling academically in military training] I thought “Well shit, maybe I’m not so dumb after all.” (11:46) • They walked us around to the different SEAL teams, and they said, “Here’s your dream list; put down what SEAL team you want to go to. It was at that moment I realized, “I don’t know what a SEAL does.” (12:35) • I didn’t know I was getting paid. I figured they’re gonna give me a place to live, a uniform, a place to eat. What do I need money for? That’s how naive I was. (15:01) • [When I learned that the] military had its own medical school, I figured I‘d give back to the SEAL teams - I’ll give back to the community that made me who I am. (21:12) • Because I had been a team guy, and guys trusted me, 1 guy comes in [with a problem], then 2, 4, 6. Within a month I gad 100 guys come in telling me the exact same issues. I thought they were rehearsed. (24:01) • I got to learn a lot pretty quick, and learned a lot of non-traditional stuff. [Because] I can’t put people on prescription medication either. (25:19) • It turns out that Ambien destroys 80% of REM sleep. (20:04) • [Melanie] Q: So you have a branded sleep supplement? [Dr. Parsley] A: Yes. Doc Parsley Sleep Remedy.  www.docparsley.com(37:03) • This is the most vindicating story of my life. SOCOM hired me, and they had all of the healthcare providers in one room and I did a six hour lecture, and they still use it to this day. (40:18) • We need a pipeline [for veterans dealing with mental issues]. Right now the only pipeline is once people have the barrel in their mouth. (59:11)

This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie delve into the dynamic world of education and entrepreneurship with special guests, Jeff and Laura Sandefer of Acton Academy. Jeff, a seasoned entrepreneur and esteemed Socratic Guide, has a remarkable dual life, having founded multiple successful businesses and earned accolades as an outstanding teacher at the University of Texas. Laura, co-founder of Acton Academy and an author, takes us on her Hero's Journey in education, chronicled in her book "Courage to Grow." Acton Academy's learner-driven model has spread across the globe with over 130 locations, emphasizing real-world projects, apprenticeships, and Socratic discussions. The school's foundation lies in the Hero's Journey, a narrative pattern guiding children through adventures, victories, and transformations. Laura passionately discusses Acton Academy's commitment to inspiring children to find their callings, employing adaptive game-based programs and online tools like Khan Academy to teach core skills. Laura and Jeff share their passion for giving children hands-on entrepreneurial experience through Acton Academy's Children's Business Fairs. These fairs provide children with opportunities to be entrepreneurs, fostering confidence, imparting valuable lessons, and preparing them for success in a rapidly changing world.  Join us on this insightful journey with Jeff and Laura Sandefer as they discuss Acton Academy's innovative approach to education, combining entrepreneurship, the Hero's Journey, and hands-on experiences to inspire and equip the next generation of independent thinkers and lifelong learners. Website – https://www.actonacademy.org/ Sponsors: - aeropress.com/TNQ - Uncommongoods.com/TNQ In this episode you will hear: • The best teacher in the best school in Austin TX just told us not to send our children to traditional school because they’d be chained to a desk and lectured to all day. (7:17) • I’m not homeschooling. That wasn’t in my blood at all. (7:33) • One of the narratives of the experience is The Heroes Journey. (9:25) • An ordinary person hears a call, sets out on an adventure, wrestles monsters, has mentors and guides, seeking a treasure all the way. And they may or may not get the treasure, but they return home a changed person, ready to share their new ideas and character with the world around them. Then, they set out on a new adventure again. (9:38) • Every time they get knocked down – they may not win, but they’ll get back up. (10:13) • What a hero’s journey does is distinguish hero vs victim. Any child at an Acton Academy starts claiming the identity of the hero. That’s not someone who wins all the time; its someone who gets back up after they fall down. (10:23) • The hero takes responsibility and starts problem-solving, whereas a victim outs the blame on somebody else. (10:59) • They learn ways to work through problems with gritty decision-making (11:28) • The 3 big monsters starting at age 6: We start wresting with Victim-hood, Resistance, and Distraction. (12:18) • Sometimes your big brother needs to pick you up and say “get back in the fight.” (16:11) • IQ is so overrated - because its perseverance, grit, and getting along with people. That’s what really matters. (19:30) • People who are there because they want to be there, they choose to be there, and they’re on a mission for their life (21:08) • No adult on campus is ever allowed to answer a question. (25:43) • Things get chaotic – Part of the model is letting things fall into chaos, and let order arise as the young people figure out how to solve the problem. (26:41) • What’s the best thing about Acton Academy? They’ll say freedom. (27:11) • We believe every single child is a genius, who deserves to find a calling and change the world. (42:15) • The cave you fear to enter is where your treasure lies. (44:37)

In this episode, Marcus has the privilege of hosting a remarkable individual who has traversed diverse worlds - from the military to Hollywood, and beyond. Remi Adeleke, born in Nigeria, is not only an accomplished writer and actor but also a fierce advocate against organ trafficking. Join us as we delve into his incredible journey, from the streets of the Bronx to the high-stakes world of Navy SEALs and the glimmering lights of the entertainment industry. Remi's life story is one of resilience and determination. His world took a drastic turn following the death of his father. At just five years old, Remi, alongside his mother and brother, embarked on a new chapter in the Bronx, New York. Little did he know, this move would set the stage for a life of extraordinary experiences. Driven by a profound sense of duty and an unyielding spirit, Remi enlisted in the Navy, but his journey didn't stop there - he went on to join the elite Navy SEALs, specializing in combat medicine and HUMINT (Human Intelligence/tradecraft). From the battlefield to the big screen, Remi's transition into the world of Hollywood is a tale of its own. His notable roles in films such as "Ambulance" (2022), "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" (2023), and "Plane" (2023) highlight not only his acting prowess but also the breadth of his experiences. Beyond the glamour of Hollywood, Remi is actively engaged in a cause close to his heart - combating organ trafficking. Drawing from personal experiences and a commitment to justice, Remi works tirelessly to raise awareness and combat this illicit trade. We explore the motivations behind his involvement in this critical issue and discuss the impact he hopes to make in the fight against organ trafficking. Join us as we unravel the layers of this multifaceted individual, gaining insights into the extraordinary life of a man who continues to inspire others through his actions and advocacy. Socials: - https://www.instagram.com/remiadeleke/ - https://www.youtube.com/@remiadeleke1278 - https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/ In this episode you will hear: • [Marcus] I wanted to be a Navy SEAL so bad, but I just thought it was impossible. (6:41) • Every single day of my life I try to maintain a standard of excellence. (7:51) • I feel like I owe it to guys who gave their lives. (8:01) • I want to be excellent because I want to honor their legacy. (8:18) • I love America. I’m not ashamed to say it. (8:31) • It’s so interesting how so many people outside America see it, and love it, and want it. (9:03) • [Marcus] When you really appreciate being an American is when you freakin’ leave. (9:19) • A lot of people don’t know this, but Nigeria is a very rich country, because there’s so much oils, natural gas, gold, and minerals. (9:59) • 9-11 played a role in me getting into the military. It’s bittersweet. (18:08) • [Organ trafficking] is a multi-billion dollar industry. (23:27) • There are some corrupt doctors that on the American border playing a role – “providing intelligence” to organ harvesters. (24:25) • A woman in India traveled to New Delhi for a job. When she went to get a physical, she heard the nurse say to the doctor “this is the girl who’s giving these organs”. She ran out, alerted the police and uncovered a multimillion dollar organ harvesting ring, any of whom were doctors. (25:21) • We’re not dealing with idiots. We’re dealing with intelligent people. (26:41) • My feature film is called: “Unexpected Redemption.” (31:02) • I love storytelling. I love taking and idea from the beginning, writing a screenplay, rolling a camera and shooting it. (32:03) • It’s a very tough business to be in, but just that “no quit” attitude had stayed with me. (32:58) It’s all about the story to me. What message can impact people the most? (33:56) • Fear breeds fear; Calm breeds calm. (43:35)

Welcome friends, to this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast with your host, retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell. In today's episode, Marcus has the honor of hosting Michael G Halterman, the Vice President of Operations at The Honor Foundation. With a career spanning over two decades, Michael has a wealth of experience, particularly in operations, leadership, and the military and veterans education sectors. His mission consists of a commitment to help fellow veterans navigate the transition process, ensuring they find their unique path and thrive in the process. Michael served as a Marine Infantryman for 10 years and is a Plank Owner of 1st Marine Raider Battalion. His profound respect for Special Operators is deeply rooted in his experiences and dedication to the military community. His story is a testament to the power of a clear personal why and the impact of laser focus in achieving remarkable goals. Join us as we explore the lessons learned and the wisdom gained through Michael's diverse and impactful career. Socials: www.honor.org Sponsors: - GoodRX.com/TNQ - NavyFederal.com - UncommonGoods.com/TNQ  In this episode you will hear: • I grew up waving the red, white, and blue. (4:58) • Growing up in the 80s, guns weren’t like pink and purple. (6:59) • I was a kid running around with tri-color camo on and realistic-looking guns. (7:05) • [In the military] I got to learn about life. People from other cultures, because you really don’t know nothing growing up in a small town. (8:28) • The first thing I remember pulling into Southern Nasiriya, [Iraq]. It was the first time I had seen American vehicles with bullet holes in them - on fire - American military uniforms with blood on them - Helmets tipped over. (12:48) • How do you go from spending as much time in the military as [the time] I’ve had on the planet? (45:35) • [The Honor Foundation] is fully designed for you to explore all opportunities in a safe space.  (48:22) • [The Honor Foundation] is an executive-style education, and it’s three months long. (50:15) • The big differentiator of who we are at the Honor Foundation is that the entire first phase has nothing to do with LinkedIn, resume’s or any of that. We make these dudes figure out who they are again. (51:44) • Who are you when no one cares about rank anymore; no one cares about sniper school; no one cares that you can free fall. They wanna know who you are, and before you can tell them that, you have to know who you are. And you have to articulate that well. (52:04) • The reality is… you’re gonna have to struggle with who you are, who your community is, how to make sense of the world, and the purpose and meaning of life for a while. (61:31) • We advocate the best time to get a job is when you have a job. (62:40) • At no time do we tell them what to do. We empower them to go do what they want to do. (70:29)

In this week's Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus engages in a gripping conversation with Nick Allard, whose life took an unexpected turn at the onset of the Ukrainian war. Nick's seemingly ordinary life in Austin, Texas, was disrupted by two extraordinary events that ignited a profound shift in his perspective. Motivated by a newfound sense of purpose, Nick made a spontaneous decision to travel to Ukraine just weeks later, driven by a desire to amplify the untold stories of those affected by the conflict. The podcast delves into the transformative experiences that shook Nick to his core and convinced him of a greater calling. While in Ukraine, Nick encountered a man whose life had been shattered by the ravages of war. This encounter inspired Nick to create a powerful film titled "Dima." The film vividly captures the horrors endured by its protagonist along the perilous journey, providing a poignant glimpse into the human cost of the conflict. Kickstarter:  - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nickallard/dima-0 Socials: - IG: iamnickallard In this episode you will hear: • Athletics was always king for me when I was growing up. (7:00) • I was a kid obsessing on war movies, and as I got older, I transformed into an athlete type, and once that ended, I transitioned back to what I’m doing now. It’s come full circle. (7:16) • That communal feeling was more important than anything growing up as a kid. (8:11) • [One night] I was knocking out emails on my computer, and all of a sudden I hear a knock on my door. There’s a voice mumbling “Please open the door” and there’s a woman with zip ties firm behind her back and she said that three guys had tried to rape her. (14:34)  • When things like that happen, I have to find ways to put meaning to it. Otherwise it’s just a thing that happens. (20:22) • [Marcus] If one thing goes wrong, that’s a day. Days are hard. They’re supposed to be. But when you have two or three constantly pushing you in a certain direction, a lot of people can’t pick that up. That’s why their life get so difficult. That’s your purpose. (22:07) • [When my friend was drowning] to save my friend was my second thought. The first thought was “God what the hell do you wanna do? What is this?” Then I went into the mode of we gotta pick this guy up and move him. And that was a defining moment. (27:57) • Once the train’s on the tracks, there’s always the prospect of something happening. (28:46) • The next place that I went to was Auschwitz. To see and feel the energy that place has was something - unlike anything I’d ever felt. (31:12) • The have photos of where specific things happened, and then looking at the photo of a woman with her son walking down the path to the gas chamber, and you’re looking at the photo taken in that exact spot. (32:21) • When you’re backpacking Europe, you get all the kids on vacation. When you’re backpacking in Ukraine, you get like every person from every walk of life that’s involved in war. (36:50) • [I asked a man] “Were you there when the invasion all started? All of a sudden in his face he was trying to get it out, but there was this pause, his eyes kind of like wearing off into the distance. It was this gut instinct at that moment. It felt like “Oh my something happened.” Something in that pause… (49:14) • Every dime I had went into that film. (50:53) • I grew up Catholic but I was always a dude that tried to skip church, then after those 2 life events, I gave up thinking I was in control of all this. (54:26) • The Ukrainian people feel like they’re ten years behind everybody. (58:22) • The history that Ukraine and Russia has is brutal. (58:36) • Don’t forget about it. You don’t have to be posting Ukrainian flags – everybody’s got things to do. Just don’t lose sight of it. (71:31)

Mindset Matters. In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, we are honored to host a remarkable individual who has not only mastered the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but has also conquered the world's highest peak – Mount Everest. Join us as Marcus and Melanie delve into the incredible journey of Cesalina Gracie. Hailing from a family that pioneered and revolutionized this martial art, Cesalina has carried the torch forward, dedicating her life to mastering the intricacies of Jiu-Jitsu. Cesalina shares insights into the mental and physical preparation required for both the Jiu-Jitsu arena and the formidable slopes of Everest. How do the principles of discipline, resilience, and focus intertwine between the mats and the mountains? Listen in and be inspired by this incredible woman of purpose and power. Whether you're a Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast, an aspiring mountaineer, or someone navigating life's challenges, Cesalina's journey offers invaluable insights that transcend boundaries. Socials: - IG: cesagracie - www.cesalina.com   - IG: team_neverquit   In this episode you will hear: • Back in the day, there were eighteen martial arts, different clans that had different practices in Japan, and they all ended with “Jitsu.” (7:08) • There are no bad kids. There’s bad environments for kids. (10:41) • [Jiu Jitsu] is an equalizer of emotions for kids. Jiu Jitsu is gonna honor your personality. (11:04) • Nobody needs to tell us where you’re gonna find the environment, because when you walk in, the systems that are in place teach you before you hear a word from your coach. (12:54) • [My grandfather] saw immediately what the power of that art was and the incredible responsibility that came with it. (13:45) • This [Jiu Jitsu] is a tool for self-development. I’m not here to learn how to fight. I’m here to feel powerful and feel capable without having to look powerful and look capable. (14:00) • That’s the beautiful thing about Jiu Jitsu, is that it lives on the inside. (14:21) • [My family] proved the efficiency of Jiu Jitsu to the rest of the world. (20:43) • If the whole world learns these tools, we’re gonna live in a society that is more peaceful, that is more respectful, because when you have human beings that are self-confident and compassionate, you start changing the way we interact with each other, and we start changing the way we live our lives. (21:19) • As a grown up, I understand the difference between winners and champions. (30:06) • The most important thing about Jiu Jitsu that it builds and internal constitution that is so strong that you can deal with anything in life. (36:32) • The greatest value of Jiu Jitsu is applied outside of the mat. (40:36) • Ultimately, the greatest skill you can have is awareness. (44:01) • We have to be brutally honest with ourselves as to where we’re standing in life. (55:32) • What’s actually gonna take you to the top are the mindsets that you’ve created in your journey in Jiu Jitsu. (1:01:58) • [While climbing Mount Everest] the one question that I did not ask myself was “should I go back to Everest Base Camp?” (1:03:16) • Another part that was really hard [while climbing Mount Everest] was when I saw dead bodies in the mountain for the first time. (1:03:28) • I hope everyone gets to experience something in their lives that they have a hard time describing. (1:10:30) • When I got back to base camp, I immediately called my family, because I didn’t tell anybody I was climbing Mount Everest. (1:20:29) • Champions are still champions even when they lose. (1:25:35) • When you have confidence in yourself, you solve so many problems. (1:54:35)

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus welcomes Martha Petrie Sue, a prominent figure in the world of outdoor media and an inspiring leader as the Chair of the Women's Outdoor Media Association (WOMA) – a 501c3 raising money for Foundation for Women Warriors and other groups. As the Chair of WOMA, Martha plays a pivotal role in fostering a community where women in outdoor media can connect, collaborate, and thrive. She champions the voices of women, breaking barriers in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Martha was also appointed Arizona Game & Fish Commissioner. Martha is not just an advocate for outdoor activities; she's a trailblazer, carving a path for women in the outdoor media landscape. With a passion for adventure and a deep appreciation for the outdoors, Martha has seamlessly merged her love for nature with her career, creating a powerful impact along the way. She shares insights into her personal journey and the milestones that led her to become a prominent figure in the outdoor media landscape. Martha Petrie Sue's journey is a testament to the transformative power of passion and perseverance. As the Chair of WOMA, she continues to inspire and empower women to embrace their love for the outdoors and make their mark in the world of media. Join us for a riveting conversation that explores the intersection of adventure, advocacy, and media with the remarkable Martha Petrie Sue. Tune in and be inspired!  In this episode you will hear: • I had a practice husband for 11 years. (4:50) • 31 years later [in my marriage] here I am Commissioner for Arizona Game & Fish; sitting on the executive committee of NRA Women’s Leadership Forum; I sit on the Arizona Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Board, I’m involved with the Women’s Outdoor Media Association, supporting foundation for women warriors. I do a lot of hunting with wounded warriors and females from that group and do a lot of outdoor experiences for all associations here in Arizona. (7:44). • 50% of gun sales have been new gun sales to women. I think it’s fantastic, but you gotta get training, and once you get training, you can’t get stale, you have to keep training. (9:28) • When you [Melanie] and Deb and I started the She Never Quit down at your beautiful ranch in Texas, we had women who had never seen a gun. To teach them not only how to shoot, but the safety behind it is critically important. (9:43) • A woman came up and she says “We just have to get rid of all these guns in the world.” I said so what you’re saying is I don’t have the right to keep myself safe, is that what I’m hearing you say? “Well no, that’s not what I mean.” Well that’s what you’re saying when you say that. (12:03) • Some people will never have an open mind. (16:12) • There’s some people that just will not, and won’t know, and don’t know how to listen. (16:23) • {Marcus] “You know how bad I wanna fly the space Shuttle?” (17:01) • You teach the woman, you teach the family (18:40) • Kids don’t understand the consequence of doing something anymore. And there’s no core of morality it seems to me. (22:08) • [Melanie] Our leaders act like divorced husband and wife; they argue in front of us, whether that’s our President or Congress. (23:14) • How do you teach the parents and the teachers how they’re basically ruining these kids’ lives? Where do we start? (24:34) • We make contracts through Arizona Game & Fish with the ranchers, and we will go out and take out the barbed wire on the fence and put in smooth wire 18” high because the Pronghorn actually go under a fence. They rarely will go over a fence. (27:35) • [Marcus] Humans, by nature, like to see things get destroyed & beat up. (37:44)

Father, Veteran, Mentor, and U.S Border Patrol Advocate. In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus is honored to host Vince "Rocco" Vargas, a multi-talented individual with a rich background in military service that spans three combat deployments with the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, a decade of service with the U.S. Border Patrol, and his current roles as an entrepreneur, author, actor, writer, and producer. His unique perspective as a military veteran and federal agent sets the stage for a deeper understanding of the issues at the U.S./Mexico border. Vince is also an author, and his book, "Borderline: Defending the Home Front," serves as both a memoir and a critical examination of the U.S. Border Patrol. The narrative combines personal experiences with the extensive history of the organization, shedding light on a frequently misunderstood government agency. Vince paints a comprehensive picture of the challenges faced by those tasked with securing the U.S. borders. Sponsors:   - GoodRX.com/TNQ   - vincentroccovargas.com "BORDERLINE" By Vince Vargas out Nov. 14th Photo Cred:   - IMDb In this episode you will hear: • To apply for the Border Patrol is a 2-year process. Once you get in, it still takes two years to become a journeyman. After testing and field training, you’re eligible for the programs that the Border Patrol has. (9:52) • Bortac is the tactical unit of the border Patrol. They are the swat team of the Border Patrol. (10:47) Borstar are the para rescue jumpers of the Border Patrol - search trauma rescue medics. (10:58) • It’s incredible to see how overwhelmed they [Border Patrol] are at the moment. The morale of the Border Patrol is pretty low. (16:04) • Too many people want to blame the Border Patrol for everything. In our immigration system, the Border Patrol’s only job is to apprehend any individuals crossing the border illegally. (16:50) • In this book, "Borderline: Defending the Home Front,” I tell my story as a Border Patrol agent in detail to humanize the badge. These are Americans who have chosen to defend our nation on our own soil. (18:04) • So you have 20,000 people coming across saying “Political Asylum.” Then we take them in and investigate that. There’s no system in place that can house that many individuals. There’s no system to hold them for the time being till they determine who’s actually a political asylum case and who’s not. (21:19) • So we have to host all these individuals, find a way to feed the, give them medical attention, and hold them as if they’re seeking asylum until we can determine if it’s real or not. (22:56) • I’m not against immigration, but the part of what’s in place now is immigration policy and we have to protect our nation, but we also have to be a nation that is gracious towards immigration. (22:24) • To see the number of murderers, rapists, and pedophiles that we actually catch – it’s pretty intimidating to think to think of how many we actually miss. Seeking asylum means that they have critical fear for their life. It’s a blanket statement to help people come across illegally, and right now it’s working. It shouldn’t be.  (30:17) • [Melanie] Kids under the age of 13, by our policy, are not allowed to be fingerprinted or DNA, which to me is legalizing human trafficking. (31:37) • There’s been a massive influx in the Del Rio Sector. Close to 11, 000 have come across in the past ten days (37:01) • If I can be here to do the righteous thing for our country, for my God and for my family, I hope to teach them [my children] in the same sense. (41:45)

A Passion for Animal Wellness. Welcome to this week’s episode of the Team Never Quit Podcast, where we explore the fascinating world of veterinary medicine and animal wellness. In today's episode, we are honored to have a distinguished guest, Dr. Terry Fossum, a world-renowned and board-certified veterinary surgeon. Dr. Fossum is a leading figure in the field of veterinary surgery, having earned international acclaim for her expertise. She is the author of a best-selling textbook on small animal surgery, a testament to her deep knowledge and commitment to advancing veterinary practices. With over 18,000 surgeries under her belt, Dr. Fossum has dedicated her career to the well-being of animals, striving to ensure that pets lead healthy and happy lives. As a respected authority in the veterinary world, Dr. Fossum has been invited to deliver over 1,000 lectures to veterinarians worldwide. Her insights have shaped the knowledge and skills of professionals across the globe. Her contributions extend beyond the operating room. Dr. Fossum's commitment to education and sharing her expertise has left an indelible mark on the veterinary community. - Purchase Dr. Fossums Pet Care products at drfossums.com & use code TEAMNEVERQUIT for 30% off! Products include:  CBD (Great for Anxiety & Mobility) Topical product for scratching (w/ Oleander) Product for cognitive dysfunction in dogs COMING SOON: Really amazing, oral anti-itch product & a cardiac support product! In this episode you will hear: • In my world, I do soft tissue surgery. I don’t even do orthopedic anymore. (9:54) • When I was at A&M, with the help of then governor Perry, we built a large laboratory practice facility. (11:06) • [Oleander] could be one of the most amazing natural compounds we have ever identified. (12:30) • Senescent cells are the reason that we age.  I think we can slow it down. (13:50) • We do want to live longer and healthier. (13:47) • As the number of divisions that a cell has continues, eventually they start making mistakes.  (14:07) • Some cells become senescent, which means they no longer divide. They sit in our body and secrete really inflammatory substances. (14:53) • If you give a chemotherapeutic to a person, you drive some cells into senescence. And those cells are no longer going to respond to the chemotherapeutic. (16:06) • Q: How much do you think it costs to get a drug approved through the FDA? A: 2 Billion Dollars [$2,000,000,000)  (17:30) • When I hear that saying: “Dogs are man’s best friend”, what I think of is that dogs really are man’s best friend. (36:16) • [Marcus] A dog’s love – Dog and God – that love that they show – unconditional – I wish I could love like that. (37:02) • Oleander and a couple of synolytics and I think we have a great product that we will all take. (60:07) • You can tell what kind of people people are by the way they treat their animals. (61:34) •  [Marcus: My dog, Mr. Rigby, a service canine] Boy, he was my best friend, I loved him and he never said one word to me. (63:32) • Marcus: When I was a young man going to the SEAL teams, people weren’t SEALS would make up all these grand stories about what it took to get through the program: They give you a puppy, and you have to raise him, and then you gotta kill him. I had to go through [my service dog] Mr. Rigby. And I was the one who had to put him down. I’ve never felt any kind of pain like that. (64:54)

Welcome to the Team Never Quit Podcast with your host, Marcus Luttrell, the show where we dive deep into the lives and experiences of remarkable individuals from various walks of life. In today's episode, Marcus has the pleasure of speaking with Korie Robertson, best known for her role on the hit reality TV show "Duck Dynasty." Korie is not only a beloved television personality but also an author, philanthropist, and advocate for family values. Join us as we explore her journey from the duck blind to the spotlight and beyond. Korie tells her 4th grade story of unknowingly meeting her husband-to be, Willie. She shares early memories of hunting and the importance of faith and family in her upbringing. Korie reflects on the unexpected success of "Duck Dynasty" and the impact of the show on their family dynamics and values. She has a deep-rooted faith which guided her through the highs and lows of fame. Korie's journey goes beyond Duck Dynasty into the world of writing and her books that focus on family and faith. She is also a producer of a new film, "The Blind," executive produced by Willie Robertson, shedding light on the journey of the family’s patriarch, Phil Robertson, and his early struggles with alcohol before he turned his life around with the help of his faith and his family. Socials: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE2wUVknVj8 - bosshogswife Sponsors: - Hatch.co/TNQ In this episode you will hear: • Willie is one of those people that can make you laugh. I think he’s gonna keep me young. (6:33) • I actually met Willie in fourth grade at summer camp. (15:15) • [Growing up] Willie’s family had one double bed for the four boys. You just slept wherever you could find a spot. (16:25) • I’ll never forget meeting Phil. He had this big, black beard and it was intimidating. [He said of his boys] they’re gonna be good husbands someday. They’re good hunters, good fishermen. They’re gonna be great providers. He was right. (16:50) • When Willie was about 30, he decided to go back to work for Duck Commander. (17:59) • [While on a train in Europe] we were asleep in the [train] car and robbers grabbed one of our friends backpack. Willie chased them down. They dropped the backpack and got it back. (20:16) • I feel like Willie and I brought in some fresh life and excitement for the family company and started running the website out of our house, and taking orders at 2am. (23:03) • Be who you are. Don’t try to fit into the mold that someone else says you should be. (26:59) • There’s a loneliness that comes that comes [with stardom] which you wouldn’t expect cause everybody loves you, but actually you’re in isolation. (28:28) • The blessings were way bigger than whatever the negatives were. (29:51) • You grow from hardships. (29:57) • God doesn’t use people that are perfect. He rarely uses someone that’s perfect. He chooses someone who’s weak. Then His glory is made known. (38:40) • If you’ve been rescued from the pit, the more you understand grace. (39:27) • [The movie brings] a message of redemption, and the message that nobody is too far gone. (48:22) • Things can change and there’s always hope. (48:48) 

Making a difference. Welcome back to another episode of the Team Never Quit Podcast with your host, Marcus Luttrell. Today, Marcus speaks with a truly inspiring guest, Aaron Murphy, who has taken the social media world by storm with his videos, and, as a result, is using his platform to fight poverty in South America. Aaron once struggled with severe anxiety that led him to reliance on drinking and smoking, but he eventually decided he wanted to save himself, so on his self-discovery journey, he set off to backpack in South America. During his time there, he befriended several people and through them not only began learning Spanish, but also learned more about the political and economic state of several South American countries. When the COVID pandemic surfaced, Aaron found himself in lockdown in South America with the financial resources he had budgeted for his journey running low. Despite his personal financial insecurity, he was so deeply struck by the impoverished conditions of those around him that he gave the last of his resources to a family that was desperately in need of food and recorded the act on TikTok. Many people were so touched by Murphy’s act of kindness that they began donating money, not only so he could provide for himself, but also so he could continue helping families in need. As a result, Murphy lived in South America throughout the pandemic, documenting the process of aiding their poor. His ultimate goal is to enable families to become self-sufficient, not just to relieve them of extreme poverty for a short period of time. Aaron Murphy’s foundation: ”Murph’s Life,” to donate money for Murphy’s cases. - www.murphslifefoundation.com Socials: - Tiktok/ IG/ Patreon/Youtube: Murphslife Sponsors - Navyfederal.org - Policygenius.com - factormeals.com/TNQ50 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulZZHjvU8To  In this episode you will hear: • Everything I do, I just go hard core. (4:52) • It got to the point that my health, and my soul and my mental health were at rock bottom. (5:06) • I’m learning now that whenever you go into the unknown, you’re literally going into the darkness, and you don’t try to say this is how it’s going to be. New experiences could come out of that. (9:29) • We build a home a week. We’re building a big school for the entire coffee community, and it’s gonna be the quality of a private school. (19:03) • We’ve paid for a lot of surgeries that have saved kids’ lives. (19:20) • I’ve seen the tingles and the boobies of charity every single day. (20:02) • [Marcus] The minute you started focusing on what’s really important, you can feel it on the inside. It’s like a natural drug. (21:19) • When I truly went through my life and developed a strong relationship with God – it was joy because no matter what, I have God. (29:35) • I slept on a mattress from the trash in some shit hole where I had to share one toilet with four families and no toilet seat, and I was still able to feel joy. (30:13) • I don’t think life is about getting quick highs. (31:00) • I think it’s really good to have a personal – like a personal relationship [with God]. (36:06) • My passion is finding one family and building them a forever home and a business. (37:12) • Let’s say we have one farm that can bring in $50-$60,000 a month; now I can take a community of people who are tending to these food crops. Were gonna donate all this food to the orphanage and with 100% of their profit, it can pay for their education and their books. (42:05) • What if I could pay people a U.S. wage in a poor country? That shit’s never been done before. (47:18) • I want to feel a great joy and knowledge that I built this society, I created a portal for God like a beacon of light to know that we can create things in this life where people can be paid honestly and decently. (56:04) • If we go through some catastrophic event, how cool would it be to have places that have food? (58:22) 

Understanding the Border Crisis: The Challenges and Hypocrisy Welcome back to another episode of the Team Never Quit Podcast, where Marcus, Melanie, and Hunter discuss a weighty subject birthed from their first-hand experience at the US/Mexico border. We're diving deep into the border crisis, exploring the challenges faced by Border Patrol agents, the exploitation of a legal loophole, and the hypocrisy surrounding the issue. Sponsors: - Babbel.com/TNQ - Fitbod.me/TNQ - GoodRX.com/TNQ - Joindeleteme.com/TNQ In this episode you will hear: • There is a loophole that congress put in place that says if you have a child under the age of 13 accompanying you, you have the right to be released into the American population. (9:06) • Cartels are basically selling off kids to accompany any adult, and the kids are not identified. Border Patrol is not allowed to do any biometrics on them. (9:28) • The Border Patrol Mission Statement: Protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and enhance our nation’s economic prosperity. (13:59) • As much as you all are complaining about the border in the last two administrations and y’all ain’t down here doing anything about it - you all are hypocrites, I’m calling you out on it right now, plain and simple. (14:40) • I don’t want hear anybody talking down to the border guard cause there down there busting their ass. If you got anything bad to say, you don’t even know what the hell is going on. (14:56) • If an American citizen had what they [Illegals] have - if you were sick, if you had to go to a hospital, 2 agents will drive you in a van to the hospital, all your medication and things like that are paid for. I know soldiers that don’t have that. (15:54) • In one concentrated area, they had about 46,000 people come in less than a week. (19:34) • The suicide rate [amongst border patrol] is affecting them. I feel like that’s all stemming from the orders that they’re given. (22:17) • The fact that we have people that would identify themselves with a uniform and a badge, learn protocol and procedures, and then there might be a slim chance they could get in trouble for enforcing laws that we put on ourselves. (24:52) • Military veterans have a lot of resource, like foundations, to help them take care of things. Law enforcement has resources as well, but there’s no resources for the Border Patrol. (28:42) • Their war [Border Patrol] is a shift every day. (30:57) • Every single place we’ve gone to [around the world],  we have had to stand in line, show our passports, fill out something that states where we’re staying, how long we’re staying, who we’re staying with, and who’s traveling with us. Our 3 week old son had to have a passport. Why can’t we have the same treatment in our country? (42:43)

Adapting Military Wisdom to Everyday Life. Welcome back to the Team Never Quit Podcast with your host, Marcus Luttrell. This week, Marcus takes a deep dive into the mind of an exceptional individual - Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann, a Green Beret, warrior storyteller, and playwright who has a remarkable journey to share. Scott shares his background as a Green Beret, highlighting the rigorous training and the mindset it instills, as well as the importance of adaptability and resilience in high-stakes environments, drawing parallels to civilian life. He explains how military units connect with local communities and the lessons it offers for corporate and personal relationships. In his distinguished 23-year military career, Mann operated at the highest levels of the Special Operations Community and has been widely recognized for his successful leadership of teams in complex situations. He led “Operation Pineapple Express” — a grassroots leadership campaign using Rooftop Human Connection Skills to honor a promise and save more than 1,000 Afghans from a life-threatening situation amid the chaos of America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. Scott Mann's journey went from the battlefield to the stage, becoming a playwright and actor in "Last Out," a powerful play that explores the impact of war on veterans and their families. He has learned that storytelling can heal emotional wounds and bridge the gap between veterans and civilians. Scott also shares key takeaways from his experiences creating and performing in "Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret" including the power of vulnerability and the importance of understanding the human cost of war. His vision for the future, both for himself and the broader community, includes his work with veterans and storytelling. Resources: Connect with Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann on: - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lastoutplay/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9kltnwaIEU - Learn more about "Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret" and how to support its mission at: https://lastoutplay.com/film/ - Rooftop Leadership:  https://rooftopleadership.com/ Sponsors: - Navyfederal.org - Hatch.co/TNQ   In this episode you will hear: • [Military branches] Who’s the best? You can’t even have that conversation because every single operations unit has a charter that they do better than anybody else. (12:01) • Green Beret – their specialty – has been to work by, with, and through indigenous people and help them stand up on their own. (12:13) • What you lead with are old school interpersonal skills to build relationships and social capital. And go in with 12 and come out with 12,000. (12:53) • I loved the regiment, I loved the missions, and I loved the men. (19:05) • I teach the interpersonal skills that Green Berets specialize in. I teach it in corporate America and I teach it as a leadership trait. (20:39) • You build trust when risk is low, and you leverage it when risk is high. (24:43) • [Melanie] The government will spend all the money, but the veterans are the ones who are actually serving the people. (32:19) • Our families of the fallen – not just gold star, but white star families that have lost members to suicide – they are so active in taking care of everybody else. (32:39) • I can’t say enough about the Vietnam generation. Those guys are amazing. (44:14) • [Scott to Marcus] Your story and the story of your teammates has changed lives, it’s saved lives, it has created a macro-level understanding of service, sacrifice, and brotherhood. (48:24) • The country, more than ever, needs the stories of our veterans and military families, because that shows what right looks like. (48:47) • [Scott to Marcus] You opened the door, and you showed the rest of the veteran community what right looked like in terms of leadership at home, the courage to tell your story, even when it’s hard – to repurpose your struggle in the service of others. (55:43)

Join us in this week’s fascinating episode of the Team Never Quit Podcast, with your host, retired Navy SEAL, Marcus Luttrell. Today we have a truly exceptional guest joining us – Cooper Collins. Cooper is a visionary leader in the field of biopharmaceuticals, making groundbreaking strides in medical treatments that are changing lives. He explains the science behind truly remarkable products, and witnessing patients regain their quality of life – their team’s ultimate reward. Cooper’s work is a testament to the incredible impact that dedication and innovation can have on people's lives. Sponsors: - Navyfederal.org - 4Patriots.com/TNQ - JoinDeleteme.com/TNQ  In this episode you will hear: • I want to leave this world having created a company or a product or that really helps people, long after I’m gone, that my kids can see and my grandkids can see. (2:43) • I’m always trying to find something that nobody else can figure out, then we try to figure it out. (11:55) • I don’t care who you are, what kind of grades you made, how smart you think you are – if you focus 100% of your effort on one thing, you’re gonna do great things in that area. (20:33) • I was one of the few guys that never quit. (33:37) • I was a 29 year old public company CEO, the youngest one on the street by probably 30 years at that time. (38:17) • The fun was born to focus on early stage bio-tech, early stage drug development, and medical devices. (38:58) • It’s the small companies that invent these great things that the big companies buy. They need the money so bad that they’re not all willing to sign a development agreement. (44:02) • 90% of the most promising projects don’t make it to market. (47:52) • Great things [we try to develop], if they fail, we move on and try to do another great thing. (59:31) • Product in development:  EON Laser, a robotic body contouring device – AI guided. (60:53) • The dermatology space may be the first specialty to be replaced by AI. (62:59) • They do have mini X-Rays now that are really safe for small body parts, you could actually have it at home. (65:01) • Other products discussed include incredible improvements for stroke recovery & mobility. (65:48) • Product in development: A laser that, in 20 minutes, can remove 6mmof fat. It eliminates liposuction. (70:36) • Anti-aging Treatment: Your brain is wired to think that it should repair everything to your peak reproductive year. For men, it’s 22 years of age and for women, it’s 32 years of age. In the last hundred years, we’ve gone from an average life expectancy of 35 or 40 to 80, because health care has advanced. The magic is to trick your brain into thinking that you have not hit your peak reproductive mode. (74:03)

Join us in this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, as Marcus takes a deep dive into the extraordinary career of Johnny Strong – actor, director, martial artist, and filmmaker. His journey is a testament to the power of dedication, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of one's passions. Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation a behind-the-scenes look into the multifaceted world of entertainment and creativity. Johnny discusses the inspirations behind his projects and how his diverse skill set shapes his storytelling. Johnny's Film credits include; Get Carter, The Fast and Furious, Black Hawk Down, to Sinners and Saints, Daylight's End, and now in his directorial debut in Warhorse One. He also shares some very interesting on-location adventures you’ll find very interesting. Johnny is joined by Marine Samantha Bonilla, and Mikey Sauers, U.S. Navy SEAL, co-founder of Forged, as well as the Mike Murphy challenge.    Watch 'Warhorse One' Here: - https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/warhorse-one/umc.cmc.2vhqxk1ta9v0vzsw9liztev8x Socials: - operator_films_warhorse_one - samantha_r_bonilla - forgedmike Sponsors: - Navyfederal.org - policygenius.com  - factormeals.com/TNQ50 - 4Patriots.com/TNQ In this episode you will hear: • For anybody that wants to be good at anything, you always want to maintain a humble state of “I’m a learner.” (16:40) • The goal is to find the truth. The goal is to remove all the affectation and barriers we create to protect the self. (20:05) • At 40, you almost begin a second life. (36:49) • A man has 2 lives – the one he lives, and then the one he lives when he realizes he only has one. (37:03) • As an actor, you are waiting for other people to give you an opportunity to do what you want to do. (37:22) • [When my daughter was] two and a half years old, I had this moment and we made a conscious connection. It’s eternal. My thought was: How do I share that with the world? (44:33) • The story of Warhorse One is kind of a metaphor for becoming a father. (45:45) • The man you are before that, and the life you live, and the things that are important to you, after that moment when you have that profound connection [with your child] – your child is all that matters. (45:52) • Everybody can be good at something. (68:39) • In as much as we think we’re in control, there’s only a small amount that we can actually control. (73:15) • If you could be that beacon for somebody out there, even if somebody watches a movie and says, “That’s awesome I’m moved to be a Navy SEAL.” How many people have said to me, “I watched Blackhawk Down, and I joined the Army.” (97:14) • My Type A personality is that I’m not gonna quit. (105:17) •  I’m not doing it for money –this is just my offering to God, the Creator. (111:17)

Mathew Lehnig is the VP of Programs at TakingPoint Leadership, a former Navy SEAL Officer, Combat Proven Veteran, and an expert in leadership development. He draws from 30 years of experience in Naval Special Warfare, and he understands the value of building strong, resilient leaders and teams to help drive organizational success and achieve extraordinary results. -- Have you ever wondered about the mysterious and challenging world of the Navy SEALs? This week, prepare to embark on a captivating journey as we discuss the demanding realities of military life. In our conversations Mathew Lehnig, former US Navy SEAL, we navigate through the intricacies of life decisions, military training, and the unique challenges faced during deployments. Hear first-hand accounts of the importance of camaraderie, mentorship, and maintaining a positive attitude in overcoming obstacles. Mathew shares his inspiring journey of resilience and tenacity, from defying bizarre medical emergencies to remain in service, to successfully transitioning to the civilian world. Listen in as he generously shares insightful advice for veterans and provides a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our military heroes. Prepare to be inspired, enlightened, and deeply moved by these stories of human courage, unwavering determination, and profound resilience. Socials: - Mathew_lehnig - Team_Neverquit Sponsors: - Navyfederal.org - 4Patriots.com/TNQ - Mysheetsrock.com/TNQ - Babbel.com/TNQ - GoodRX.com/TNQ Timestamps: (0:11:39) - Influences and Decisions (0:19:50) - Experiences and Challenges in Training (0:22:06) - Discussion on Training and Deployments (0:34:41) - SEAL Team Experiences and Personal Growth (0:39:11) - Challenges and Changes in Military Service (0:50:35) - Medical emergencies and Perseverance (1:00:50) - Transitioning From Military to Civilian Life (1:13:25) - Advice for Transitioning From the Military

Perseverance, passion, and purpose. That’s the inspiring life journey we have the privilege of listening to from three-time Superbowl champion, Matt Light. In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Matt and Marcus delve into the remarkable story of a man who not only dominated the gridiron but is currently leaving an indelible mark off the field. His experience of growing up in a rural farming community taught him the values of hard work, responsibility, and accountability. Matt says had never seen a football game in his life until he played in his first college game, and eventually won a scholarship to Purdue University, where he served as left tackle behind his friend and future Super Bowl MVP, quarterback Drew Brees. He took up the same position in 2001 for Tom Brady, after being drafted by the New England Patriots, launching what would be a storied NFL career. Matt Light's impact still extends far beyond the football field. He founded the Light Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on empowering young people through outdoor activities, leadership programs, and character development. Matt Light is a true pro football legend. From his humble beginnings to his enduring influence, Matt’s story is a testament to the power of dedication and the potential for greatness both on and off the field. Socials: - IG: The Light Foundation - www.mattlight72.com - www.celebrateTB12.com (Online Sweepstakes) Sponsors: - Navyfederal.org - Fitbod.me/TNQ - Nextevo.com/TNQ  In this episode you will hear: • I was blessed at an early age to be surrounded by doers – people that were creative, innovative, and crafty. They thought outside the box. (6:15) • I truly had never seen a [football] game in my life until I played in my first college game. (7:58) • Ending up in football? That was the farthest thing from my imagination, but it became a reality. (11:21) • I never went to jail when I hit somebody with pads on. (19:33) • [Football] should be violent sport, but the caveat is – It’s controlled violence. (19:48) • My mom was adamant: whatever you start, you will finish – whether you like it or not. (21:24) • The thing that makes a great coach is their ability to switch gears, depending on who it is they’re coaching. (26:56) • [After a Superbowl win] it was overwhelming, surreal, and wild. You can’t write something like that, but you’re blessed to be a part of it. (55:34) • I like the fight, and I take things personal, and I want to get better every day. (57:09) • [Bill Belichick would ask a question] and if you didn’t have the answer, he was going to destroy you in front of the entire team. So everybody’s on pins and needles. (61:53) • I practiced the little things every single day in practice. (72:25) • I loved the opportunity to go out and prove that I deserved to be on that team. (75:19) • [Our company goal – the Light Foundation - is to develop] responsible, ethical, accountable leaders. (81:53) • Being around guys that were money every time we needed them in the highest pressure situations, was one of the coolest aspects of playing that game. (98:03) • If you can consistently win with one move as a defensive lineman, you’re an all-pro player. (98:58)

He’s a beast… In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus dives into the world of football strength and conditioning with none other than Bennie Wylie, a renowned coach, known for his impressive work with athletes. Bennie has helped the likes of Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman and a multitude of elite athletes achieve their peak performance and reach their fitness goals. Bennie got his start in strength and conditioning as a graduate assistant at Sam Houston State, then went to the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Tennessee, The University of Texas, became Oklahoma’s director of sports performance for football, and currently is the director of football sports performance at USC. Socials: - Bwyliestrong Sponsors: - Navyfederal.org - Hillsdale.edu/TNQ In this episode you will hear: • You think you know what the NFL is, and then you get there and realize its not that at all. (9:55) • [The NFL] is a profession. It’s not a glamour deal. It’s a job. (10:39) • Most people could not handle it. Even if they have the talent, they couldn’t handle all the other stuff. (11:02) • I started [working out] when I was 14, and I haven’t stopped, and I’m 47. (12:54) • The older guys, you have to earn their trust, and earn their respect. (17:13) • I can’t give my team the best and give my family the rest. (20:40) • I’m supposed to love my wife the best of anything first. She’s my first. (21:02) • [Your kids] are gonna be what you put in ‘em. (22:03) • Learn from every life experience that you have in life. (30:14) • People think I’m so extroverted and outgoing, and I am so not – I like being by myself. (33:13) • Anything below the line – below the standard – is unacceptable. (38:00) • Communication runs the world. (40:34)

Today, we bring an unconventional podcast to the Team Never Quit table. We are in San Diego and joining Marcus, Melanie, and Hunter is our favorite Texan, former Governor Rick Perry. Governor Perry brings an incredible knowledge of Texas history, which ties right in to Marcus’ idea of adding a few minutes in each week’s podcast to Texas Tidbits, where we talk about historical info, fun facts, Texas recommendations, food suggestions, Texas etiquette, etc. And who better to kick off Texas Tidbits than the longest serving governor in Texas history. We talk Texas Tidbits, and take a deep dive of the first time Marcus and the Governor met, exactly 17 years ago in San Diego. Sponsors: - NavyFederal.org - Factormeals.com/TNQ50 - Policygenius.com Studio Location: - Loft 100 Studios in Carlsbad, California In this episode you will hear: • [Marcus] Longest serving governor in Texas history, then Secretary of Energy. (4:30) • Agriculture has an inordinate impact on me, as it does on the state of Texas. (12:08) • The greatest governor in Texas history. Nobody even comes in a close second, in my opinion – Sam Houston. (14:02) • [Sam Houston] could probably have been elected President of the United States, had he stayed in the race in 1860. And had he won, I don’t think we would’ve had a civil war. (14:24) • [Sam Houston] brought Texas into the nation. (15:33)  • When he left his house, [Sam Houston’s mother said to him: “And remember, my son, the door of the cottage will be forever open to a courageous man of honor, but it will be closed forever to a coward.” (16:22) • The second greatest governor, in my opinion – Dolph Briscoe. (18:41) • He [Dolph Briscoe] helped put into play the Farm to Market Road system, and helped put into place the Screwworm Eradication Program. (19:19) • Eisenhower put into place the Interstate Highway System. For every 5 miles, you have to have a straight 1mile piece of road. (22:42) • Governing’s not hard: Don’t overtax, don’t over regulate, don’t over litigate, and have a skilled workforce. (24:52) 

What do you do when you witness a Chinook helicopter with 31 guys you know get shot out of the sky by an RPG, enter into spiraling depression, fail your team, as well as yourself, and then experience a horrible accident that causes you to lose your hand and forearm? In Aaron Kendle's case, who refuses to be defined by failures, you pick yourself up, and lean on a never quit mindset to live life to its fullest, and achieve an incredible life. Aaron is a retired Navy SEAL where he served as a specialized medic, sniper, airborne leader, and jump school instructor. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, a father, a husband and a Scottsdale Charro. Mr. Kendle is a decorated member of the United States Navy, served as a member of SEAL Team 7, NSWG-1 Training Detachment, and Naval Special Warfare Development over a 15-year career and has dedicated his post-military professional career to helping his fellow brothers in arms transition back into civilian life. Aaron comments: “My resume may read great — but what they don’t see is all of those fails between the lines. For me, those failures stay between the lines.” Sponsors: - Iherb.com/TNQ - MySheetsRock.com/TNQ - NavyFederal.org Photo Credit: Methodist Hospital Aortic Center In this episode you will hear: • Obstacles and failures aren't your defining moments. It's everything that comes after that you grow from. • Major physical injury doesn't define you. • When major things change your life in the physical, figure out ways to do things the best you can. • Make every day better that the day before. • You can dwell on how great Plan A would've been. But when Plan A fails, you gotta come up with a plan B. • Never leave a human hand in the freezer of your hotel room, where the cleaning staff can find it. • After a devastating accident, the prevailing thought should be “I'm alive”. • Terrible occurrences in your life can actually be used to give others, who are in despair, hope and encouragement. • Perspective, attitude and determination go a long way in life. • There's a lot more to life. You just gotta figure out what it is. • You don't get any better that the SEALS mentorship program. • Everything we accomplish in life is based on failures. • Pain and suffering unites us all. • If there's one thing I think we're good at is stuffing emotions. • Watching a Chinook helicopter with 31 guys you know get shot out of the sky with an RPG, is like watching a horrible movie.

From pretending to be a soldier at a young age to becoming a Special Forces soldier to becoming an entrepreneur. That’s this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast guest, former US Army Special Forces Green Beret, Mike Glover. With deployments to fourteen combat theaters, Mike worked in the US Army for over 18 years, serving as a weapons specialist, assaulter, sniper, recon specialist, team sergeant, joint terminal air controller (JTAC), and operations SGM. Mike is the founder and CEO of Fieldcraft Survival, and host of the Fieldcraft Survival Podcast on iTunes, and Soundcloud. He is an avid outdoorsman, traveler, and hunter. He teaches survival and disaster preparedness and provides equipment solutions based on his experience in special operations. As an expert at counter-terrorism, Mike says that survival isn’t just technical ability; it is the encompassing of everything he has learned throughout his career: mindset, technical skills, and equipment. Links/Socials: - https://mikegloveractual.com/ - Instagram: Mike.a.glover Sponsors: -  NavyFederal.org - 55% off (Babbel.com/TNQ) - 20% off (Fitbod.me/TNQ)   -  Up to 80% off (GoodRX.com/TNQ) In this episode you will hear: • Common sense is not so common anymore. If more people paid attention to having a little more common sense, most of the things you see go wrong is because of the lack of it. (2:03) • I joined the Army at the age of 17 and started my journey. (6:05) • I was never the disciplinary unless it came to standards. If you wanted flexibility, you had to meet the baseline. (28:37) • My military certainly taught me how to have and develop hard skills – technical skills. The overwhelming majority of me surviving had nothing to do with hard skills, but had everything to do with planning, preparation, attention to detail, culture, physical fitness, health and wellness, as a collective. (32:38) • You have to understand how to operate and be resilient every single day. (33:29) • Resilience, by far, is the hardest thing to teach. (34:36) • Resilience is the act of getting up after you’ve been beat down. (37:39) • “You’re going to rise to the occasion” is a misnomer. You’re going to fall to your level of training. (40:58) • My company is called Fieldcraft Survival. (43:00) • VSO – Village Stabilization Operations. You wanna have access to placement? Well, get into the environment where people live, train and educate them, empower them, and that place will be better. (50:03) • One of the reasons me and Marcus were successful in our military careers is because we had an institution – a culture that was willing to listen to subject matter experts, and we took that information and applied it to our lives. (54:20)

This week, Marcus Luttrell and former U.S. Air Force PJ and combat rescue officer, Jonathan Harmon, pick up where they left off in their last episode, bringing to the table a deep dive discussion regarding the details of how Jonathan was able to reasonably calculate Marcus’ direction and future location during the Operation Red Wings series of events in Afghanistan in June, 2005. Many details of that op are included in today’s discussion. It has now been 18 years since Operation Red Wings occurred. NOTE: “PJ” (Air Force Pararescuemen) are the only DOD elite combat forces specifically organized, trained, equipped, and postured to conduct full spectrum Personnel Recovery (PR) to include both conventional and unconventional combat rescue operations. Listen in as Jonathan & Marcus discuss the details of the efforts it took to bring Marcus home as the lone survivor of that operation.  In this episode you will hear: • He [Matt Axelson] had made it close to a village and ended up being shot and killed. And then a villager took his body even further away and buried it. (4:27) • The best record we have [of Operation Red Wings] is from Marcus’ memory. (5:24) • I think the American public would find it completely fascinating to learn what efforts our government will go to, to bring their people home. (10:24) • What if you had the ability - and we knew there was a television close by - and you’re being held in a foreign country. It [a discrete message] could be so much as just a message on the television as simple as a small American flag on the screen. (11:55) • If you can think of the worst day of your entire life, and how despondent you can be - that’s every day in captivity. (13:17) • He [Marcus’ primary target] - disappeared through an air strike. (18:31) • So I hand my map off, [and proceeds to list his specific findings] and predict where they would end up, and I’m told: “We’re going to Afghanistan.” (23:36) • The two [sources of information - the Army’s findings and Jonathan’s findings] validated one another. So we had a location and we had confirmation. (28:07) • For those that don’t know, we stripped that aircraft down. We took nothing that wasn’t necessary. (30:00) • I like to call it a recovery – not of remains – but of a person because rescue would imply that we are rescuing you from our friendly forces. That’s not necessarily the case. (30:58)  • I think the first thing [that should happen to Marcus after his recovery] is that and he needed to get a full blown medical evaluation. (33:27) • Doc Dickens will convince you that you are superman. You’re the fullest expression of yourself. (38:32) • If there was a father figure for all of us – it was him [Doc Dickens]. (40:29)   • One has to consider the gravity of the circumstances [of Operation Red Wings]. The single most loss of life in the history of the United States Navy SEALS just happened. (42:27) • To be given the clothing of the village elder is a personification of being him himself. (51:10) • [Jonathan telling Marcus] Your adherence to your faith in captivity was unique among all stories I’ve ever heard. (51:48) • If you pull the John Wayne act [while in enemy captivity], you’re gonna get tortured and killed. (53:52) • He [Marcus] rewrote singlehandedly a lot of our resistance posture training because we were fighting a different kind of enemy that we didn’t write manuals for. (56:10) • [Marcus] They would laugh at me because I would fall down, and I just kept trying. I would fail all the time. I can’t believe they kept me. (60:19) • [Jonathan to Marcus] I have a question to ask you and I want you to think about this. Do you want to continue to operate? Or do you want to be a hero? And he thinks about it and says, “Fuck, man. I wanna operate.” (71:58) • We learned early on that asking permission wasn’t gonna work. The very first thing I learned from the SEALS – beg for forgiveness. (87:55)

June 28, 2005 is remembered as one of the biggest losses the SF/SO community has endured. We have seen the portrayal of that battle and the rescue missions in the movie Lone Survivor and in documentaries from the Smithsonian Institute. Hundreds of thousands of people have since found inspiration and displayed high levels of patriotism in honor of the bravery and valor these men displayed. Today, we ask you to get to know the men behind the uniform and join us in keeping their memories alive along with those who knew them best. Say their names to a friend or family member and share their stories with those who may not know. It has been said that when a loved one dies, the family experiences two deaths – once when they leave this earth and again when people forget who they were. Please join us and never forget those who gave all during Operation Red Wings.   In this episode, you will hear from: • Laura McGreevy, Surviving Spouse of Lt Michael M. McGreevy, Jr. • Char Westfall, Surviving Spouse of SOC Jacques J. Fontan • Erin Taylor, Surviving Spouse of SO1 Jeffrey S. Taylor • Patsy Dietz, Surviving Spouse of SO2 Danny Dietz • Cindy Axelson, Surviving Spouse of SO2 Matthew Axelson • Rhonda Lucas, Surviving Spouse of SO1 Jeffery A. Lucas • Norminda Healy, Surviving Spouse of SOCS Daniel R. Healy • Chase Patton, Brother to SO2 Shane E. Patton • Judy Goare, Mother of SSG Shamus O. Goare • Maureen Murphy, Mother of Lt Michael P. Murphy • Claudia Suh, Sister to SO2 James E. Suh Note: Not all families were able to participate in the video calls from which this audio was derived. We will always remember them and thank them for their service. Other Soldiers Who Gave All During Operation Red Wings: • CWO3 Corey J. Goodnature • SGT Kip A. Jacoby • LCDR Erik S. Kristensen • SFC Marcus V. Muralles • MSG James W. Ponder, III • MAJ Stephen C. Reich • SFC Michael L. Russell • CWO4 Chris J. Scherkenbach Marcus continues to honor the fallen and asks that you join him never forgetting their bravery and sacrifice. June 28, 2005 – Never Forget.

In this week’s Team Never Quit episode, Marcus has a deep dive conversation with U.S. Air Force PJ, and combat rescue officer, Jonathan Harmon. NOTE: “PJ” (Air Force Pararescuemen) are the only DOD elite combat forces specifically organized, trained, equipped, and postured to conduct full spectrum Personnel Recovery (PR) to include both conventional and unconventional combat rescue operations. Jonathan was instrumental in successfully locating Marcus in Afghanistan with the most miniscule of data which facilitated his subsequent rescue. Listen in to Jonathan’s fascinating details of all that it takes to bring our soldiers home.   In this episode you will hear: • My Aunt was a WASP (Women’s Auxiliary Service Pilot). She flew aircraft across the Atlantic, and trained other pilots. They would test and assure that an aircraft was safe to fly. (10:06) • I had absolutely no intention of joining the military. I was into skating & surfboarding. (16:28) • I loved skydiving. I was with my peeps for the first time in my life. (23:23) • [Red ants] get real pissed off when you do 8 counts on top of them. (29:57) • [In Afghanistan rescue missions] you’re out there rescuing kids and village elders. You want to let them know that you stand shoulder to shoulder with them. You’re not gonna leave ‘em high and dry. (51:09) • It wasn’t that I traded a life for a degree, but that how it felt. I promised myself that I would never allow my education get in the way of my job. (65:33) • One of the best things we learned was that one of the best medicines, sometimes, is lead. (70:12) • Most people don’t know that 1003 Victor became known as Iraqi Freedom. (75:42) • I had the chance to coordinate about 1,000 rescue missions. Recovery missions as well as rescue missions. (76:05) • Reintegration is the process that returns people with homer, helping them transition back from captivity or isolation, back to their units and families so they can become “value added.” (78:18) • We’re seeing Post traumatic stress in epic proportions. (79:26) • As a PJ, we focus on medical – combat medicine. (80:41) • I can’t declare a personnel recovery event, because they’re not my forces. (91:38) • It’s important to know that a report has to come through a channel that is bonafide. (91:47) • [Operation Red Wings - After a series of signals and analysis, I thought] what I feel like is that I’ve got somebody on the run. And I’m really certain it’s an American, because of where they’re running and how they’re running. And it gave me a confidence factor that I had at least one survivor. [97:34) 

From Combat to Creativity. In this week’s Team Never Quit episode, Marcus dives into the inspiring story of his guest, Kelsi Sheren, a combat veteran and artillery gunner in the Canadian military. She was a competitive Tae Kwon Do champion from the ages of four to nineteen and holds a second-degree black belt. Join us as we explore her experiences serving in Afghanistan, her battle with PTSD, and her remarkable transformation through art therapy, at the recommendation of her therapist, which lead to the creation of a successful jewelry and eyewear brand, Brass & Unity. Kelsi's endeavor was to make jewelry from spent shell casings. Twenty percent of net profits go toward helping veterans who are suffering from PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Listen in as the discussion details Kelsi's journey to find healing and purpose. Links - https://brassandunity.com/ Socials - Kelsi_sheren - Brassandunity Sponsors - Navy Federal Credit Union  - Hillsdale.edu/TNQ - Fitbod.me/TNQ In this episode you will hear: • When we start something, we finish it. (7:28) • I became a high level competitive fighter and a national-level fighter by the time I was 12-13. (7:43) • I learned a long time ago that Taekwondo was not super applicable in real life if I was being grabbed from behind. (12:24) • That’s how you know you’re living a fulfilled live – if you’re laughing to the point that you hurt. (15:19) • Comedy is levity. (16:19) • [Marcus] PTSD is Pharmaceutical Training Stand By for Dosage. (36:12) • My mom saw the side of me that she didn’t recognize.  She saw what war looks like. I was 19. (40:10) • Nobody knew how to deal with mental health at the time. Nobody understood that the reactions I was getting were disproportionate for a reason. (40:48) • Yes, I guess I’m technically an author. My friends are all dying by suicide. And they’re dying at a pace I find unacceptable. How do I help? I don’t know, so why don’t I start helping myself and give myself the tools to then go and help others. (43:52) • [Melanie] Your survival turned into a business. (44:20) • In Canada, we offer medical assistance in dying, instead of treatment. (45:09) • I’ve been screaming about suicide prevention since 2016. (47:53) • Why aren’t we trying fitness? Why aren’t we trying nutrition? Why aren’t we looking at religion? That’s when I found psychedelics. (48:32) • When I left the Canadian Army, I was left. No one called, no one knew where I was, no one cared. (51:37) • Then I did brain treatment. I mean like I’m on some new shit. And when I say it got dangerous, it’s a scary level to feel this good. (53:59) • I don’t care what you need – you just need to ask. (54:20)  • I got to go help some people, and close a chapter in my life that I didn’t get to close because of how I left Afghanistan. (59:05) • It takes someone from within the community to heal the community. No one else is gonna do it for us. (69:25) 

What an amazing guest Marcus brings to the table in this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast. Randy Beausoleil served for 34 years as a Navy SEAL, the world’s most elite fighting force. He earned two Bronze Star medals with the Combat "V", and fought in every major conflict since 1984. In this episode, Randy speaks in detail about a mission he participated in an attempt to take down Panama’s dictator and drug lord, Manuel Noriega. The successful underwater strategies of the SEALS was beyond risky, and the specifics of how it was executed is compelling, to say the least. These days, Randy’s relentless pursuit is to teach mental toughness to those who are willing to do what it takes. He has counseled SEAL platoon commanders and members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is a skilled teacher, leader, tactical advisor, and President of Old 18 Information Services. Randy’s Book co-written with Brian “lucky” Riley: Unwavered: The Self-Belief of a Navy SEAL and TOPGUN Pilot In this episode you will hear: • I liked it. Jumping out of a Hilo - all that stuff - I’m kinda like “Okay, this it kinda it.” (9:08) • I tell people that BUD/S was the most adult experience of my life. (12:39) • It just a miserable program being in fleet. (12:47) • I hated every second of the fleet part of the Navy. (13:00) • [Manuel] Noriega was the king of drugs and all the other things bad. If you can remove God from society, he did everything that would happen once you do that. (22:34) • President Bush, Sr. made him [Noriega] a target for – let’s just say “extraction.” (22:51) • This was a completely soft-oriented mission- to go down and get Noriega. Everybody went down there to get one guy. To get him out of the country and turn that country over to the next democratic leader. He was just pumping drugs into the US. (23:50) • I loved the whole BUD/S experience. (59:04) • There is no comparison, in my opinion, for any other training on the planet. (59:47) • Once you make it through Hell Week, I don’t want to say you’re a Team guy, but you have really done something. 80% of the other people are already gone. (61:0) • I am full, 100% against body armor. Period. Dot. (75:35) • I don’t think you take a special warfare SEAL, and put him in body armor to do anything. I’d rather move fast and quick with a group of guys. (75:41) • We took all the basic stuff we were teaching and put it in that book, Unwavered. If you have unwavering self-belief, then you can accomplish anything. (90:30) • You’re talking about an all-consuming mindset. That’s the only thing you’re thinking about. And if you allow all external influences (cancers) to weigh you down, you’re never gonna make it. (91:25) • Your ability to survive is based on your ability to fight on their terms, to be sneaky, to know their tactics. It was super challenging. (98:34)

This week’s Team Never Quit guest, Shilo Harris, has an amazing story to tell.  He speaks with Marcus about the details of his second deployment with the U.S Army’s 10th Mountain Division near Baghdad. Shilo’s armored vehicle was struck by an IED, which killed three of his fellow soldiers, injured the driver, and burned a third of his body, causing the loss of his ears, the tip of his nose and three fingers. The explosion also fractured his left collarbone and C-7 vertebrae. As a result, he spent nearly three years recovering and undergoing intensive physical therapy at the burn unit of Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. While there, he was the first soldier to participate in regenerative stem-cell research to regrow his fingers, and later received prosthetic ears, and he has a hilarious story to share about them. Today, Shilo is a motivational speaker, raising awareness for PTSD and serving as an inspiration to fellow soldiers. “Everything in life is a gift. Sometimes it may not be the gift you want, but you realize that your challenges are a new beginning.” In this episode you will hear: • I’ve been extremely blessed. (17:53) • Me being a burn guy, I have a hard time regulating my body temperature, because the scar tissue acts like wearing a jacket all the time. It just doesn’t breathe. (18:50) • [While shopping for a hat, the girl] like a good salesperson, figured she could just size me up. She set that hat on me and popped it down. When she did, both my ears popped off, and hit the floor, bouncing around. (20:06) • I was in a van one day, and there were several wounded warriors, and everybody was missing something. One of the guys looked around and said “Damn, all of us together make like one whole man, maybe two.” (24:47) • My dad, being a veteran, we spent a lot of time at the American Legion. The American Legion out there was kind of like a bar. (25:52) • I knew what I wanted. I wanted combat arms. (33:01) • [In Bagdad] every day, there was an IED that went off in our area somewhere. (39:30) • I could see that my face was charred black, my hair was gone, my ears were gone, my nose was gone, I had blood running out of everything, and I started panicking. (50:29) • I was thinking: “I better get a day off for this.” (51:02) • I spent 48 days in a medically induced coma. (52:51) • [I had given up] and my dad said, “Are you done, soldier?” And it just washed over me, thinking holy crap, I’m a quitter before I even tried to start the fight. Where did my pride go? (55:24) • When he walked out of the room, he [my dad] literally just looked at me and said “Then get your ass up and start doing the work.” And I did. (59:59) • I was actually one of the first individuals to attempt regenerative growth. (66:00) • Faith, regardless of what it is, can get you through your worst days, your darkest moments. (75:17)

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus gathers up with the legendary Billy "Soupbone" Shelton, of Willis, Texas, an Army Special Forces veteran who, for over 3 decades, has been providing intense physical and mental training for young men, producing Navy SEALS, Army Rangers and other military Special Forces soldiers. Soupbone’s approach is brutal, physically challenging and very successful.  He prepares fighting men for the harsh realities of combat. One of Soupbone’s gems is this podcasts host, Marcus Luttrell, a Navy SEAL awarded the Navy Cross and author of the bestselling book, "Lone Survivor". Billy Shelton does it because He wants to see his “sons” come home alive. (Also joining Marcus and Billy are Morgan Luttrell, Tommy & David Thornberry, who trained with Billy Shelton.)   In this episode you will hear: • Melanie: In the 13 years that we’ve been together we get asked more about you than anybody else. (5:21) • Billy: When I’d pull up and go in the front door [of the gym] they’d run out the back door. (13:07) • Tommy: The new guy’s rite of passage was that they had a harder workout because he [Billy] wanted to put the screws to ‘em to make sure they got it. (25:54) • Tommy: It’s not that we were born that way, it’s that we were made that way. (29:31) • Tommy: Billy looked out his window and this kid [after his workout] was hunched over in his car. Billy asked, “Are you ok?” The kid answered: I feel great. I just can’t lift my arms to drive. (31:02) • Morgan: No matter what shape you were in when you showed up, you’d eventually get us there. • Marcus: You didn’t wanna bring anybody, but if you did, you knew they were gonna get it. (32:55) • Morgan: If one of your buddies came down and they were struggling, it always put you in a position that you had to help them. (33:08) • Morgan: Like in the military, if there’s a weak link, you were forced to get down there and get ‘em. (33:18) • Marcus: To anyone who’s never seen a human being catapult over a wheelbarrow [full of rocks] while running… (40:58] • Billy: I don’t look at em like a Marine or Navy SEAL or a hunter, they’re my kids. I love ‘em. (44:50) • Melanie: No matter what you put Marcus or anyone through, they just wouldn’t quit. (53:09) • Billy: You CANNOT quit. (53:14) • Tommy: If there’s something wrong, you know it. There’s help out there for you. (65:27) • Tommy: I walked in there and there was 8 people. I said “what’s the party for?” They said “sir, we’d like you to have a seat.” I’m like “why? Did you guys find a tumor or something? And they’re like “Oooh” (66:14) • Tommy: Iron therapy is the way I get through stuff. (67:30) • Tommy: One of the docs that was part of the surgical team had Covid, with my skull open. (68:55) • Tommy: We don’t stop – ever. (70:32) • Tommy: Time to get back in the fight. (72:57)

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus brings to the table Special Forces Officer Bryan Ray, who has both a lengthy, positive military career as well as a “dark side” military experience that shook him to his core. Bryan & Marcus take a deep dive into Bryan’s experiences which include serving in the war in Afghanistan and running the Mountain Warfare School in Colorado. It took a friend’s similar mental struggles and professional help to finally get past the emotional impact of his horrific experience. His healing journey includes working with a health and wellness company – Health Via Modern Nutrition (HVMN) – who developed a ketone supplement, Keytone IQ, which is proven to improve cognitive and physical performance to soldiers. Bryan brings hope to veterans who have kept their mental struggles to themselves, and reveals the benefits of getting help without embarrassment or shame.   In this episode you will hear: • One of the most rewarding parts of war is seeing the culture of the people who live there. • People have it a lot harder than we do in this country. • Even in places torn by war, you can still be happy with what minimal things you have. • I’m finding myself driving around in a Toyota Corolla - man jammies on, with a freaking gun and a backpack, hoping I don’t get killed by a U.S. Army guy. • [War] is like taking an Oxford grad, and taking him to the deepest swamp in Louisiana and having a conversation. That was what my formal Arabic training was like. • I’ve now been to two combat zones where our President is on TV saying we have now stopped and all combat troops are going home - right before we go out to do a hit. • Have I seen an MRack Turbo turned into a jet for a hot tub? Yes, I have. • Mountain shit is stressful. • [With Keytone IQ] You can dual fuel now. You can take the most efficient fuel which is ketones and you can also have carbs on board for when you need it. So you get the mental clarity - all the stuff you need from the keytones, and you don’t have to have a restrictive diet. • [It’s a] Super application for the ground guys. • I want people to try it [Keytone IQ]. I want people to say it’s the real deal. • You only buy Oakley’s for so long before they show up in the supply room. • The man behind the weapons systems is always gonna be more important, and the more effective he is, the better. • Stop wasting money on shit that works a little bit and phases out immediately and invest a tenth of that into the man – make a better soldier. • There’s a lot more guys that have [mental] issues than are willing to say they have issues. • I had an event in Afghanistan that challenged me morally. I was directly responsible for the deaths of young children. Of all the things I’ve done overseas – that was really rough. • It wasn’t until somebody I trusted that told me they were feeling what I was feeling that I was willing to go get help. Links: Partner link: https://hvmn.com/TNQ  20% OFF code: TNQ 

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus welcomes his guest, Trevor Millar, who has a unique, proven addiction-treating specialty. Trevor details the anti-additive properties of Ibogaine, a powerful African psychedelic with a high success rate for treating heroin and opiate addiction, Parkinson’s disease, and other psychological processes and neurological disorders. Trevor discusses significant acceptance of Ibogaine in Canada, which could result in the legitimization of this medicine, and other psychedelic medicines globally. In this episode you will hear: • [I had an] un-traumatic childhood. Kudos to my parents. (13:48) • I never have to worry about what I’m going to do in life because I could always fall back to waiting tables and love it. (21:50) • The first time I ever consumed LSD I was 14 years old. (39:26) • This is what adults have forgotten that has made the world so screwed up. (42:26) • The first person I ever gave Ibogaine to was a 72 year old man who wanted to quit smoking. (47:00) • Getting addicted to opiates is not like getting addicted to other substances. A lot of other substances, it’s a psychological addiction. With opiates, it’s actually a physical addiction. (50:26) • The only true cause of death is birth. (53:53) • [Ibogaine] has this amazing quality of “reset”. (63:47) • As we live life, were seeing life through a plane of glass. Like a filter. As our hearts get broken, as we suffer traumas, that glass gets dirty. And it gets so dirty, we don’t even recognize that it’s dirty anymore. And what these psychedelic substances seem to be able to do is clean that glass from the inside out. (65:23) • Ibogaine has the potential to keep working on you and with you. (70:26) • There will be a prescription within 2-4 years within the states. (85:32) • It’s something that it does that enables you to say “Life is awesome. My purpose is everywhere. I can just be happy for no reason again.” (92:58) • It brings out the best in people. (98:32)

From enduring her husband’s life-changing, horrific war injuries to becoming a National Advocate for wounded Veterans and their Caregivers, Sarah Verardo’s relentless never quit attitude has driven her to the forefront of two separate organizations who see the needs of Veterans and Allies, which have given her the opportunity to steward resources and support where and when they are most crucially needed. Sarah’s husband, Sgt. Michael Verardo was catastrophically wounded in Afghanistan in two separate IED attacks that took his left leg, much of his left arm, and left him with polytraumatic conditions that have required over one hundred surgeries and years of speech, visual, physical, and occupational therapies. Nevertheless, Sarah speaks with Marcus about the everyday challenges she and her daughters face in the care of her husband, her involvement as the CEO of The Independence Fund, and being at the forefront of Afghan Ally inclusion within the Veteran community. In August 2021, the collapse of Afghanistan led her and three others to co-found the direct-response rescue and aid organization - Save Our Allies, who evacuated more than 17,000 US citizens, SIV holders, and wartime Allies from the country and assisted in medical and humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine.  In this episode you will hear: • [Michael Verardo] was injured the first time.  He was riding as a gunner and hit a roadside IED. He was ejected out. (12:54) • On his very first foot patrol back in - It was 14 days to the day of the first IED, there was an old Russian land mine that had been hooked up to 2 – 15gallon drums of homemade explosives, and it was game over. His left leg was immediately blown off. Most of his left arm was blown off. They actually ended up sewing it to his back on his medical flight. He burned over 30% of his body. He had damage to his airway, his eardrums were blown out. It was significant poly trauma. (13:29) • Marcus: “He got banged up and then you all got married?” (17:02) • Marcus: You know the odds of that happening? That’s when you know you’re not behind the wheel. (17:46) • That sense of patriotism calling – That’s all he wanted to do. (18:02) • It’s been horrific. More than my worst nightmare. (18:26) • He actually handed me a Bible before he handed me an engagement ring. (20:18) • He said holiness needs to be more important than happiness. (20:37) • His only prosthetic leg broke, and I duct taped it for 57 days while I waited for someone at the VA to sign a piece of paper. (33:18) • The Navy and the Navy hospital took care of him as if he was one of their own while we waited for VA to kick in. (24:23) • I think there needs to be permanent designations for certain conditions. (26:24) • It seems that some people – not all - at VA would rather fail by following the process, than succeed by deviating from it. (27:21) • Independence Fund started out in the halls of Water Reed, wanting to give independence back to those who sacrificed theirs for us. (34:39) • If someone did not care about Afghanistan at that time, it told me everything I needed to know about them. (41:47) • I think the White House wants us to move on from Afghanistan. They’re not only not helping – I think they’re actively in the way of groups that want to do good. (52:36) • Reach out to the wounded veterans in your community and help these families. (59:15)

From Navy SEAL sniper with Special Operations and Intelligence Community experience to Co-Founder of Caim Technology, a counter human trafficking organization. That’s this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast guest, Jeremy Mahugh. Marcus and Jeremy get in the weeds regarding Jeremy’s involvement in the development of cell phone app technology capable of identifying potential human trafficking risks as a preventive measure against being victimized.   Caim Technology www.caim.tech In this episode you will hear: • [While in a float tank] I thought, “I wonder what it’d feel like if I just rolled over?”. I got the salt in my nose, and eyes, and ears, and the rest of the hour was shot. (8:41) • Everybody has the ability to travel now, but some people still don’t. (15:24) • [My grandfather] was in the Army Air Corps and was shot down over Yugoslavia in World War II. He was a POW. (22:44) • I’m still not sure if they know what soccer is in Texas. (24:03) • I just wanted to be part of a team – I wanted to part of something that was gonna push me to be better. (27:26) • [Caim Technology] is focused on collecting any kind of data on human trafficking or exploitation. (57:39) • One of the things that’s been missing is having a tool to put in the hands of the consumer. So we have a mobile app that will tell you if you’re interacting with someone in the [human trafficking] database. (58:02) • You can connect a consumer with a product via smart phone. That’s also happening in the human trafficking world. (59:51) • Q: Is the app available? A: We’re probably a month or two away from being launched. We’re collecting data from a multitude of websites. (66:11) • It will go to the app store soon, and has to go through beta testing. (66:30) • Technology has gotten to the point that it is everything to us. (70:22) • It’s the Wild West. There’s never been good parameters on how [AI] can be used. (75:16) • Everybody has a need to deal with this [Caim App] and has a need for good information. (78:04) • What I love about what we’re doing now is we’re here to support all of you. Our for-profit is there to make money, but provide tools and prevention and have a huge hammer in the fight against human trafficking. (82:15) 

What a privilege it is to have the top graduate of the Air Force Top Gun School and retired U.S. Air Force F-22 and F-15 fighter pilot and squadron commander, Rob “Cujo” Teschner in the studio with Marcus for this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast. Listen in for an inspiring conversation with Cujo, whose life is an amazing success story, and whose life mission is to teach and inspire others, bridging the gap between the principles of high performance combat veterans and high performance business. His fight with Colorectal Cancer is what prompted Cujo to retire from the Air Force early. Yet his ambition led to his path of entrepreneurship, leadership and team development. Cujo is the founder and CEO of VMax Group, an international leadership training company and he has authored several books, two of which went to #1 on the Amazon bestseller list. In this episode you will hear: • I loved being part of the Air Force family. We lived all over the place. (7:57) • 1977 when Luke Skywalker wants to join some academy and then join the rebellion. That resonated with me. (9:49) • As a kid, I felt like the military was my family. It’s what I knew. (10:50) • I thought it was always cool to hop on an airplane to go someplace new. To meet new people along the way. (13:00) • My letter – the one that says “thanks for applying” never said “try again”. (18:26) • The more people told me it wasn’t gonna happen the more committed I was to proving them wrong. (20:47) • I had never flown an airplane before I went to the Air Force Academy. (23:32) • Isn’t that stunning how fast we accelerate leadership – how fast we accelerate somebody to realize their potential?  (27:07) • If there was a time period I could freeze it would be First Lieutenant to Captain, because that’s when I was out there doing the mission. (28:28) • What we need is a constant stream of warriors who are ready to go forth and do. (35:18) • The biggest honor of my military career was being called to be an instructor at our Fighter Weapons School, basically it’s the Air Force Top Gun Program. (36:49) • You can beat people up and tell them how much they suck and they can learn from that, but another alternative might be Hey Cujo, we were 2 decisions from victory today. (43:55) • I try to apply that to my kids. (44:46) • One of the huge blessings of my life was being a part of teams that mattered. (48:09) • Our family team got a whole heck of a lot better as a result of my failure with cancer. That caused us to focus where we needed to. I’m eternally grateful for it. (52:32) • One of the best 4-star bosses I ever worked for would come in every month and ask us “Hey what are you doing for the home team?” (55:33)

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, we bring you Part 2 of this episode featuring Drago Dzieran. A real American – born in Poland. Drago Dzieran is a former political prisoner for his activism against Communism. After arriving in the United States unable to speak English, Drago eventually became a US citizen, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and trained to serve as a Navy SEAL for 20 years. In Iraq, he fought in over 100 combat missions as the Naval Special Warfare Lead Breacher. Drago was awarded Bronze Star with “V” for valor, Navy Commendation Medal with “V” for valor, in addition to other various awards and decorations. Following his honorable retirement after twenty years in the Navy, Dzieran began a successful career as a software engineer. Drago founded the Navy SEALs Fund, a nonprofit with the mission of providing support for all generations of current, retired, and former UDT/SEAL teammates, their immediate dependents as well as Gold Star Families. Listen in as Drago shares his amazing life journey from Poland to living life as a real American in service to others.  In this episode you will hear: • Once they take away your freedom of speech, they censor you, they put out fake news… you have no defenses. (4:08) • The law was created in the socialist state to penalize free thinking. To criminalize opposition. (4:29) • America was built on the idea of personal freedom. (7:10) • [In the Ukraine] freedom is being taken away from them slowly. (8:37) • These people [Ukranians] are fighting for their lives now - freedom. (10:16) • We have former Generals saying that the Russians – “these poor souls don’t know they’re at war. They think they are on exercises.” You have to be an imbecile to repeat something like this. You have to be an idiot. (11:32) • [Ukranians] They want to be free, and our media is lying about it. (12:53) • Ukranians were always very patriotic. (13:10) • [Navy SEALS Fund] The way we operate is different than most charities. We don’t have paid positions. The fund is run by SEALS only. (35:57) • We help the Gold Start families: the spouse, the children, parents and siblings. (43:19) • We need to do something right then. We don’t need to send it through this board of “Lets talk about it when we meet next month. (44:27) There would be no Drago if not for people like Marcus, Morgan, Rob, Tage, Taco, & Jocco. (48:09) • For the Navy SEAL fund we don’t have forms and check the box. (61:08) • [Drago’s Book} The Pledge to America. (64:44) • I’m a better American today than I was yesterday, and I want to be a better American tomorrow than I am today. (64:50) • My biggest accomplishment is becoming a U.S. citizen. (65:05)

A real American – born in Poland. In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus meets with Drago Dzieran, a former political prisoner for his activism against Communism. After arriving in the United States unable to speak English, Drago eventually became a US citizen, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and trained to serve as a Navy SEAL. In Iraq, he fought in over 100 combat missions as the Naval Special Warfare Lead Breacher. Drago was awarded Bronze Star with “V” for valor, Navy Commendation Medal with “V” for valor, in addition to other various awards and decorations. Following his honorable retirement after twenty years in the Navy, Dzieran began a successful career as a software engineer. Drago founded the Navy SEALs Fund, a nonprofit with the mission of providing support for all generations of current, retired, and former UDT/SEAL teammates, their immediate dependents as well as Gold Star Families. Listen in as Drago shares his amazing life journey from Poland to living life as a real American in service to others. In this episode you will hear: • I was born in communist Poland. It was actually a socialist state run by communists. My father was part of the evil system. (7:13) • When the first Persian Gulf war broke out, I thought it was my moral obligation to support my country (8:35) • I’m not Polish-American; I am not “Something”-American. There is no hyphen. I’m just American. (8:50) • I could not build a job for my fellow citizens, but I could defend them. (8:56) • I spent 20 years as a Navy SEAL. (9:22) • For my father, it was first to obey the government. (10:28) • [My grandmother] taught me how to pray, and what to pray for. (11:25) • [My grandmother told me] “[The communists] kill people and imprison people for their beliefs. (11:52) • I still remember her [grandmother’s] words: “Poland is not free. It will not be free until we get rid of these people. (12:01) • [When my father found out] I was not allowed to pray with my grandmother alone. (12:45). • Pre-war Poland had one of the strongest Navy’s in the Baltic Sea. (16:55) • Prison time for me was education. A huge education about Polish history. (27:36) • [My father] believed that we need to convince people to socialism, because it offers such great things, but if we can’t, we have the power to eliminate these people. We call them enemies of the state. (30:47) • Even today, while Poland is free, some of them are being prosecuted. (38:17) • I’ll be the best US citizen America can have. (42:11) • American is built on goodness. (47:32) • You can live in the United States without being a citizen, but I wanted to be American. (56:02) 

NOTE: Today’s TNQP episode is a rebroadcast of our episode featuring Navy SEAL Mike Day. We bring it you in his honor and memory. Navy SEALS Mike Day and Marcus Luttrell engage in the graphic details of an unbelievable event that Mike, against all odds, survived. He took 27 rounds of an AK-47 pounding while on a mission in Fallujah, and lived to tell about it. When Mike shares his unparalleled true story, you won’t stop listening till the end. It’s a totally captivating series of events, told by the man who lived it. In this episode you will hear: • Fear’s either gonna lock you up, or it’s gonna tighten you up. I’m not saying go  out and do ridiculous shit every day, but its good to do stuff that scares you,  because if its good, it’s a tiny bit past what your comfort level is, and that’s how  you build resilience, you just get out of your comfort level. • I humbly submit myself as an example. (17:00)  • The only reason anybody knows me is because I got shot too many times. (17:20) • I would make sure people were asleep before I went out; it was a lot safer. (21:54) • The worst part about being over there is not actually doing the op, it’s getting to  and from. That’s where you get all messed up. (25:50) • A door in a room means something. (26:50) • When you blow stuff up, people wake up and they want to start shooting at  you. (27:09) • It’s really hard to kill a dog with one shot. (27:40) • I’ve walked through suburban areas in Iraq, with forty dogs barking at me, and  nobody wakes up. (27:49) • It’s amazing that twenty people can see the same thing, and see something  totally different. (30:41) • Literally from the time I dropped my right foot in that room, to the time I hit the  ground, to the first guy that I killed, might have been five seconds – it seemed   like minutes to me. (31:41) • A round went through the of the foot of the magazine – blew the hand grips off  the magazine. I could feel the springs in the palms of my hands, and I cleared the malfunction and I killed those two dudes. (37:25) • I was a way better social worker than I was a SEAL. (44:25) 

While there have been veterans who have competed in the reality show: Survivor: Season 43, never has there been a non-veteran winner who gave away the entirety of the $1,000,000 prize to veteran organizations. Until now. In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, meet Mike Gabler who did just that. What an engaging conversation Mike and Marcus have, as Mike shares some of the behind the scenes stories related to the program. Mike, a Texas native, comes from a family of veterans, but he serves his country in a significantly different way. He is a heart valve specialist, working with top surgeons and cardiologists - a multicultural group of people with a common focus - to take care of the patient. At age 43, Mike was the oldest contestant of the season, and the second oldest competitor in the history of Survivor. The lack of food and nourishment was really getting to him, yet he excelled in individual competition. He explained that he gained strength by thinking about the military members who are currently fighting, as well as those who’ve passed, and who’ve sacrificed so much for our nation. “I’m gonna donate the entire prize – the entire million dollars – in my father’s name, Robert Gabler, who’s a Green Beret, to Veterans in need who are struggling from psychiatric problems, PTSD, and to curb the suicide epidemic.” “Lot of heroes served in our military. We do this for fun; they do this for real.” Thumbnail Image: - CBS via Getty Images In this episode you will hear: • Everybody on Survivor likes Type 2 fun, because that’s what it was. (6:33) • We all became really close. We’re friends to this day. (6:38) • I went into the game at 200 pounds, and came out at 176. (8:41) • One day Ryan came back with a 2 foot clam. There were 2 pieces as big as 12oz filet mignons, and tasted just like scallops. (10:29) • [At first] it’s a punch in the face, but after about a week you start assimilating. (19:43) • [Growing up] whatever your dad yells at the TV or cheers for is what you cheer for, so we became Steelers fans. (24:23) • In Arab culture, when you like something, they’re inclined to give it to you. (26:40) • It was really an amazing experience as a child to traverse the world. (30:40) • I stood on the great wall [of China] when I was in middle school. (30:50) • When you travel around the world, you realize what a small place it is, and how similar people are at their core. (32:01) • Crocodiles can strike half the length of their body. (41:23) • The harder you work, the luckier you get. (49:56) • In 2011, this brand new technology called TAVR (Trans Aortic Valve Replacement) came out. (51:01) • I would look to the next bend in the road and I’d tell myself to get there. (54:12) • I was on an endurance challenge where I had to hold on tight. The record for it in 22 seasons was 25 minutes. My spirit exploded, and we broke the all-time record for that at over 45 minutes. (56:15) • Man can survive (and woman) if you can find meaning in your suffering. (58:41) • “Doing something bigger than yourself” drove me to persevere. (65:32) • When you go deep into yourself, big things can happen. (81:33)

What an engaging and compelling guest Marcus brings to the table in this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast. Jordan Harbinger, one of the most successful podcasters in the world, reveals his crafty (and illegal) but brilliant, stealthy methods for tapping into land line telephone conversations, and circumventing credit card machines in his early teenage years. While working out of the country, he details the experience of being kidnapped twice. His inquisitive mind was fascinated by the internet at an early age, and later became a Wall Street lawyer, followed by launching The Jordan Harbinger Show, where he deconstructs the playbooks of the most successful people on earth and shares their strategies. These days, Jordan’s biggest motivation is to help people succeed by teaching them to think better. In this episode you will hear: • When I was a kid, I wasn’t exactly inspirational to anyone. (4:13) • I didn’t have any money and listening to phone conversations and wiretapping got really interesting. I did that with cell phones, line pairs, and the green boxes on the side of the road. (7:13) • Listening to adults talk when they don’t know kids are around is completely different experience. (7:33) • [As a kid] you learn that adults have feelings, and problems just like you do. (10:25) • Are all adults just children that are winging it? Kind of – in a lot of ways. (12:25) • I learned to convince people to do things that I probably shouldn’t have convinced them to do. (15:55) • One of the things that I did that I got caught for was to go into a cell phone store’s dumpster at night and take the duplicate receipts from a carbon printer and use that information to program phones. (21:04) • I figured out how the credit card payment system worked at a pizza chain and you could use a number that would work in their machine and the machine didn’t reconcile the transactions until Friday’s. (22:12) • If there was a girl that I liked I would figure out what she liked by hacking into her computer. (27:46) • The coolest thing that I ever did was to help the FBI catch sexual predators. (36:09) • [In Mexico City] “Am I getting kidnapped right now?” “No, that can’t be it.” “Then I thought why can’t that be it?” I couldn’t open the door. (44:55) • Later when I lived in Panama, the same thing would happen, and dudes would get in the cab and say you’re going to the bank to take out as much money as you can, or we’re gonna stab you, or shoot you. (54:10)  • Two of the most addicting and destructive things in the world are heroin and a steady paycheck. (57:43) • Now I’ve got kids and the nightmares are outsourced. (62:27) • I try to teach people how to think better. (63:17)

A man’s man. A Patriot’s Patriot. A distinguished veteran as a U.S. Navy SEAL. And now a newly elected U.S. congressman. What a resume this week’s Team Never Quit Guest brings to the table as he brings an eye-opening discussion related to the role of a Congressman. Once a co-host of this very podcast, Morgan’s conversation with his twin brother Marcus Luttrell makes for an episode you don’t want to miss. Morgan’s life has perennially been one of service to others. A 5th generation Texan raised on a horse ranch. At an early age Morgan learned the importance of hard work, discipline, and personal responsibility. He turned his strong values, deep love for his country, and his passion for helping others into a career of distinguished service.  Morgan Luttrell brings bold leadership, and a “Put America First” mentality to his role as a U.S. Congressman. In this episode you will hear: • There’s an energy that lives [in a mob situation] and if you become a part of it, you may find yourself in a situation like “I didn’t intend to be here.” (3:59) • The DC Police did an amazing job of showing restraint [at the January 6th situation]. There were situations where they were getting close to death. (4:41) • The criminal justice system [in DC] is, you could say, “broken.” (5:38) • DC is a dumpster fire. They wanted everybody that lives in DC to have the right to vote, even if you’re a Chinese citizen working for the Chinese government; if you’re a Russian citizen working for the Russian embassy. (6:27) • Another role and responsibility of the lower chamber of congress is we control the purse strings. (9:19) • Passing legislation and controlling government money is what congress men and women do. (11:18) • We’re not at the cliff edge; we’re over it. We spend more than we take in. (13:14) • I don’t care about red or blue anymore. We’re here – 31 Trillion dollars in debt. I don’t care which administration did it.  (13:49) • We, in the past decades, have been increasing our debt limit, all the way up to 31 Trillion. (14:32)  • It needs to be said that if we don’t increase the debt ceiling and we default – that’s a problem. (21:52) • There’s a point in time we’ll be paying more on the interest of our debt, than we pay on our defense budget. (23:19) • When the cameras are on, people will turn the switch on and they become actors. (24:59) • Abraham Lincoln coined the word “lobbyist” because people would hang out in the lobby of his hotel and when he’d come down, they would just bum rush him and say we this, this, and this, and this is what we’ll do for you. (30:14) • I would never complain about this job, because I fought so hard to get it. (39:03) • The border’s a dumpster fire. (42:23) • It’s very humbling to walk through the hall of the Capitol. There’s so much history. (43:33) • The best part of my job is I get to meet so many people. (63:51) • The hardest part about campaigning is that it’s 24/7. (64:37)

A life of service. That’s the best description for this week’s guest and friend of the Team Never Quit Podcast. Marcus brings to the table Sidney Blair, who has served on a SWAT Team, Gang Unit, Detective, Air Marshal for Homeland Security, then retired, and has once again returned to police work for the Walker County Texas Sheriff’s Department. If ever there was a man with a relentless heart of service to people, coupled with character and integrity, it’s Sidney Blair. In this episode you will hear: • My first paying job was as the [Piggly Wiggly] Pig in the 4th of July Parade in Huntsville, Texas. (12:53) • Troopers have great uniforms. They’re like a recruiting poster. (14:38) • In Texas, a Peace Officer, is a Peace Officer, is a Peace Officer - whether you’re a Game Warden, a State Trooper, or City Cop or County Cop. (21:42) • Your job is to protect and serve. You go out to the good citizens of your county, or city, or state, or your federal jurisdiction, and you protect from any evils that exist, including themselves. (25:52) • Al lot of police officers will become calorically challenged. (26:58) • Fear is forced. Respect is earned. (29:32) • The government is paying my salary. My job is to get out there and change your tire. (33:27) • I still have some fight left in me. I still want to serve my community. I still want to help the people that need help. (37:34) • I spent 19 of my 20 years at the Air Marshals. (44:06) • I had a retirement party from the Air Marshals that I didn’t know about. (57:18) • You should serve something larger than yourself if you have the ability to do it. (64:11) • If you have never stood before a man with a badge in handcuffs, and he held your freedom and life in his hands, and he gave you a break, and you knew what a break you got – you ain’t qualified to be a cop. (66:49) • You see someone get out of hand - I don’t care if they’re in uniform; you pull them off. You physically remove them from the scene. You save them from themselves. (68:10) • People feed off of bad news. (76:25) • The worst thing in the world that we have is the breakdown of the nucleus of the family that people don’t have upbringing where they learn to respect other people. (80:05) • Soft times build soft people. (81:37) • When you defund the police, I can tell you the very first place it comes from – training. (88:45)

What an incredible guest we have on this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast. Marcus engages in a compelling discussion with former Force Recon Marine, Chad Robichaux. With eight deployments to Afghanistan as part of a Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) Task Force, Chad overcame his personal battles with PTSD after nearly becoming a veteran suicide statistic. Chad is the founder of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, serving the active duty, military veteran and first responder communities around the world with highly successful faith-based combat trauma and resiliency programs. He has spoken to over 450,000 active-duty troops and led life-saving programs for over 4,600 active military and veterans at four Mighty Oaks Ranches around the U.S. He has served as an advisor to former President Trump, Congress, the VA, and the Department of Defense. Another one of Chad’s personal endeavors, Save Our Allies, is focused on the evacuation and recovery of Americans, our allies and vulnerable people still trapped in Afghanistan. His original mission was to rescue his long-time friend and Afghanistan interpreter, but the mission quickly evolved because of Chad’s compassion for people and his servant heart. Since its inception, Save Our Allies has safely evacuated over 17,000 people that were trapped in Afghanistan and he is now helping in Ukraine. As if that weren’t enough, Chad is a lifelong martial artist. He holds a 4th degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and is a former Professional Mixed Martial Arts Champion having competed at the highest levels of the sport. In this episode you will hear: • My family has 84 years of military service. (11:38) • I was raised in a very dysfunctional home because my father never recovered from Vietnam. (13:26) • Our operation was compromised and I ended up being abducted. (28:52) • On the surface, everything seemed fine. Then I crashed, had an affair, filed for divorce, and attempted to take my life. The some amazing people came around me and helped us to restore my family and my faith. (32:39) • I tried to build the courage to take my life and I had my Glock 40 caliber pistol, but I was interrupted, and it was enough to pump the brakes. (33:20) • My wife asked me: “How can you do all you did in the military, but when it comes to your family, you’ll quit?” (34:19) • You’re gonna deal with anxiety, depression, and anger, but you could respond to it in a better way that could lead you to a better place. 37:36) • God’s like a centerpiece solution, because a lot of what we deal with are spiritual wounds. (38:31) • President Bush signed the Opportunity for Faith Mission in 2001, then in 2009, President Obama signed a policy to override that, and take funding away from faith-based programs. (53:14) • In Afghanistan, people couldn’t go in to help, but in Ukraine you could drive a bus across the border to do mass evacs. (55:37) • I’ve been getting a lot of heat like: Why are you going over there to help – the governments is corrupt. None of that matters. These people didn’t ask for any of this. They’re being invaded by a super power. (58:15) • Glenn Beck (Radio Show Host) raised 21 million dollars to support our mission. (77:49) • The White House said there were 100 Americans left [in Afghanistan] but without debate there were thousands of Americans still there. (80:38) • You don’t leave Americans behind. The White even promised that they wouldn’t but they did. (81:43)

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus spends some time speaking with retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel Chris Miller, who served as the Acting Secretary of Defense under President Donald Trump. Chris also served as Director of the National Counter-Terrorism Center as well as numerous command and staff positions within the 5th Special Forces group (Airborne). He also participated in combat operations in Afghanistan & Iraq. In his role as the Secretary of Defense, Chris was overseeing military departments, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the unified commands, as well as planning and coordinating military deployments and operations. With his vast military knowledge and experience of over 3 decades, Mr. Miller brings to the table an interesting and informative perspective to the role of the U.S military, and it’s function at every level. In this episode you will hear: • This is the book launch, officially. (9:01) • They have all this exclusive intelligence. You know how much got to the ground force? Zero.(15:44) • There were lessons learned, and we’re all about passing it on. That’s what we’re all about now. (18:07) • [Speaking to Marcus] This is the path the Lord put you on. You accept that. You are the face of the war. (21:58) • The [the military] has a structure that will take people in and form them differently and change how they view life in a good way. (25 :00) • The army makes a good man better and a bad man worse. (27:26) • It’s all about selfless service and it’s not about you (32:44) • When my heart and my mind became aligned with being a selfless servant, it was like rocket fuel. (33:28) • When you realize this is how it is might as well just embrace it. It’s a game changer. (33:42) • I was the Secretary of Defense under President Trump for the last 73 days. Not a lot went on. (37:19) • I spent like 35-36 years as a government employee or as a military person. (38:03) • If you are asked to interview for a job, always interview because you’re gonna learn something and you might get the job. (42:28) • Al Qaeda had been seriously weakened from all of our attacks. We call it mowing the grass. Just keep killing them off. Eventually there’s not going to be anybody left – and it worked. (44:32) • I know we can’t defeat terrorism - that’s a verb. We can defeat Al Quada (a noun).  (45:26) • [Marcus] If we’re fighting terrorists, we’re trained terrorists, trained to cause terror to them, so much so that there won’t be another group coming up after them. (45:57) • Special Operator: Figure out the network, figure out the incentive system, communicate, execute. (46:50) • The only person who could keep us attacking was President Trump. (47 :04) • We killed off the head of ISIS. This guy was the definition of evil. (47:38) • The President asked me if I wanted to become a political appointee. (48:36) • The purpose of the military is not only to protect and serve, but to defend the constitution and to ultimately protect the people of the United States. (51:43) • I only learn when I screw something up. (64:05) • I was really pissed about the way Afghanistan ended. (65:55) • We will fire a kid who messes up a piece of paperwork, and our generals aren’t held accountable for losing a war. (66:16) • Chris’ Book: Soldier Secretary (85:57) 

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus, Melanie, Hunter & John recap the 2022 episodes. It serves as a capsule-form reminder of episodes you may be interested in listening to that you might have missed. “The Crew” is moving onward to a fabulous line-up of guests for the 2023 season. In this episode you will hear: • A big “Shout Out” and “Thank You!” to all our TNQP guests in 2022. Our 2022 guest profiles included the likes of Gold Star widows, Former Navy Seals, bull riders, a Governor, a paralytic experiencing an unbelievable recovery, Marine Corps veterans, authors, a kidnap survivor, an MMA world champion, abduction survivors, a retired Navy Captain, a Retired Green Beret, a VA claims assistance expert, former CIA agents, a Muscular Dystrophy patient, a bilateral arm amputee w bionic arms, a correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, a war correspondent, a man who trekked across Antarctica on his own power, a retired Army Ranger, a Green Beret, extreme athletes, an athlete with a disabilities, the first Arab woman to summit K2, a collegiate world record holder in wrestling, an Olympian, a man who’s goal in life is to interviewer every surviving WWII veteran, a celebrity chef and mental health advocate, a retired veteran with so many accomplishments, we had to vet him to confirm that his experiences were true – and they were, and proponents of soldiers killed while saving their comrades in battle. What an amazing line up of guests there were in 2022, and we’re working hard to make our 2023 line up even better.  THANKS TO EVERY SINGLE TNQP LISTENER!!! Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY)

America owes a great debt of gratitude to this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast guest, Yousef Sediq. Side by side with elite U.S. Special Forces, and as a commander in Task Force-241, Yousef was involved in countless raids, assisted in the capture of thousands of Taliban terrorists, and helped save the lives of innocent Afghan civilians. When Afghanistan fell once again to the Taliban, Yousef helped secure the Kabul Airport in an effort to evacuate Americans from the country. After a suicide bomber killed hundreds, including thirteen U.S. service members at the airport’s entrance, Yousef and his family were airlifted to the United States, where he was forced to start a new life.  In this episode you will hear: I lost 2 of my younger sisters when they were little to starvation. We didn’t have enough food. Every part of [Afghanistan] has their own leader, because of the different cultures and languages. There were Afghans killing other Afghans. They would shoot at you for fun. It was their mentality to fight like pirates, sometimes shooting random people walking down the street. They don’t want their people to be educated. Schools are locked down.  There is much religious manipulation (i.e. Holy wars; If you fight, you will go to heaven with 42 (or 72) virgins awaiting you. I have studied it and nowhere in Islam does it say that if women have bare feet they should die. But people are uneducated, and nobody’s fighting them, and starvation is rampant.   There are people with no brains running the country. I found work at 16 years old when I got a military job using a fake ID saying I was 18. Intel is always taken seriously, even if it’s information from nowhere. One of the main issues between Coalition forces and local Turks is a lack of trust. I was blown up while working with the Canadians. We hit a roadside IED and I suffered a brain injury, resulting in lifelong brain seizures. When that happened, I see the Angel of Death for a second, then I came back. I wanted to stay in the fight. Assign me wherever you want to assign me, send me to whatever base you want to send me, just give me good food and it doesn’t matter where you want to send me. The media gives you what they want you to hear.  Yousef’s Book: 5,000 Days of War  Support Yousuf Pre-Order 5,000 Days of War https://www.instagram.com/tfblack_  Support TNQ https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/ https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush/ https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/

In this week's episode, we learn the vivid details of the events leading up to the courage, love, and self-sacrifice made by Medal of Honor recipient, Corporal Jason L. Dunham of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines in Karabilah, Iraq. What a leader by example Jason was - to the point of throwing himself onto a grenade in an effort to save his comrades. Marcus' guests, David Kniess (Veteran & Producer) and Lieutenant Colonel Trent Gibson (Dunham’s Company Commander), not only bring Jason's story to life, but discuss the compelling and engaging upcoming documentary - The Gift. The Gift documentary is a personal project for David, who had a chance to meet with Corporal Dunham. That chance meeting led to lifelong friendships with the Dunham family and a core group of Marines from Kilo Company. David is actively involved in the Veteran community and has volunteered his time, producing content for Veteran Organizations such as Beteran, Stop Soldier Suicide, John Preston Music, and The Boot Campaign. David also served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Normandy (CG-60), a guided missile cruiser.   In this episode you will hear: Having the Dunham’s in my life has enriched my life. It’s not just about Jason; it’s about everything that has affected all of you all those years. Our generation and the younger generation is standing up and saying, “I’m not gonna wait for anyone. I’m gonna jump out there and teach guys how to surf, how to sing with dogs, start a podcast, and we’re talking about our shit. [With regard to this film], all I care about is what Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers think. For veterans who are still struggling, I want them to watch it and say “if these kid can do it, maybe I can do it too.” I want civilians to know what it’s like for young men & women to go to war. [Marcus] If somebody threw one of those “Thank you for service” lines at you – even if you haven’t done something – it’s coming…” I believe in 3 things as a Marine. I believe in leadership by example; I believe in self-sacrifice for the greater good; and one man can make a difference. Jason had the leadership qualities to lead a rifle squad of American sons. Dunham was a big boy. He’s not someone I would choose to grapple with. Any leader who inspires his subordinates through personal example, to then return the favor and take care of him – that’s a true leader. Jason took off his Kevlar helmet, placed in on the grenade, and then laid down on it. Knowing what I know of him now, he loved his marines so much. He didn’t just take care of them, he practiced taking care of them. Who f*cking practices covering a live grenade with their helmet? Support The Gift WatchTheGift.com https://www.facebook.com/THEGIFTDOCUMENTARY https://www.instagram.com/thegiftdocumentary/ Support TNQ https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/ https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush/ https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/

If ever there was a man with more military experience than almost anybody, Keith Nightingale is the one. What an incredible military resume he shares with Marcus in this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast. From serving in the U.S. Army for almost 3 decades to serving in 2 tours in Vietnam, to serving as the Director of the Department of Defense (DOD) Counter-drug Task Force in Latin America, which was able to apprehend Pablo Escobar. He developed the present Army Ranger Training Program and initiated the Snowcap Model Training Program for DEA personnel assigned to operational missions in Latin America. His experiences included the liberation of Grenada and Panama and a variety of special operations missions.  All of the above doesn’t even touch the surface of Mr. Nightingale’s military experience, not to mention a myriad of awards and honors. Listen in as he and Marcus engage in a lively discussion about all of his military experiences. In this episode you will hear: My family has had some association with the military since the pilgrims, literally. I’m an only child. My parents were old and had arguments. We would give the enemy the maximum opportunity to give his life for his country. [In Vietnam] in the course of less than 24 hours, we went from 450 people to 32 people. [In battle] you don’t fear, you focus. Life is luck and timing. There’s nothing that I did that was planned for before it occurred. Normandy is kinda the Arkansas of France – there hasn’t been a lot of development going on there. We created a task force specifically focused to bring U.S. assets to support the Columbian government in getting [Pablo] Escobar. You don’t think about what might happen you just do what you have to do. It’s later that you get into reflection. In life, if something is gonna happen, it’s gonna happen. There’s nothing you can do to control it. Do your best when you have a chance to do something. You can put 4 people on the same battle sight fighting the same fight, less than 20 meters apart, and they’ve got 4 different views of what actually happened - and every one of them is true. My legacy is the bridge between what the vet said and what the active duty sees and appreciates. Be good to people. Do the best you can when you get a chance to do it, because you may not have another chance. 

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus brings Chef Brother Luck (his real name) to the table. Working in professional kitchens since the age of 14, and learning the rewards of hard work, passion, and determination, Brother Luck has earned celebrity status. However, his focus isn’t on fame as much as it is on mentoring the next generation. He sees it as his responsibility – his give back. In this episode you will hear: Perseverance is everything. I was a student of the streets. I had no parental supervision to tell me no. I surrounded myself with drug dealers, gang bangers, and pimps because I idolized what they had: Money, Power, and Respect. Great leaders are good with people, they’re good with their product, and they’re good with money The word Chef means “Chief” and I’ve taken that to heart as a leader. I’m still a corner kid, I just have a corner office. Don’t lead through fear. I discovered the world through food. My success is based on the success of other people. No one can validate you but you. I broke mentally which led to a suicide attempt because I didn’t believe in myself. We create a perception wall. Here’s the image I want you to see of me. I’m grateful to be an American.  Your story isn’t meant for you. It’s meant to be heard by somebody else. What are you doing on a daily basis to take care of your mental state? Pressure is either gonna make a diamond or burst your pipe. We're blessed to live in this country and have the rights and freedoms that we have. I’m always gonna be genuine and I’m always gonna be present. Don’t give up. You get one shot at this life. You can persevere beyond your situation. Support Brother Luck https://www.instagram.com/chefbrotherluck Brother Luck’s Book: No Luck Given – Life is Hard but There is Hope. Support TNQ https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/ https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush/ https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/ Disclaimer Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI /NJ/ NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. VOID IN OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Free bets: Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 bet. $200 issued as free bets that expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded.  See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms. No Sweat: Valid 1 offer per customer per day of NFL 2023 Wild Card Round. Opt in req each day. First bet must lose after opting in. NFL bets only. Paid as one (1) free bet based on amount of initial losing bet. Max $10 free bet awarded. Free bets expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/footballterms.