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Fighter Pilot Survival: Kegan Gill's Battle Beyond the Battlefield
In this extraordinary episode, Marcus and Melanie meet with retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot Kegan Gill, whose story is nothing short of miraculous. Kegan survived a catastrophic ejection from his aircraft during a training mission over the Atlantic Ocean, where he ejected directly into the sound barrier. The injuries he sustained in that moment were severe enough to kill most people – his limbs torn apart and a traumatic brain injury among them. But Kegan's ordeal was only beginning.
Plunged into the icy waters of the Atlantic with his parachute still attached, his wetsuit torn, and his arms unable to move, Kegan was forced to endure a two-hour battle with hypothermia as rescue teams raced to find him. Miraculously, his hypothermic state prevented fatal blood loss. Following this harrowing experience, Kegan faced months of grueling recovery, eventually achieving a perfect Physical Fitness Test score and returning to flight duty.
However, Kegan’s journey didn’t end with physical recovery. He began experiencing severe psychotic episodes due to his brain injury, leading to a stint in a VA Mental Health Facility. Pharmaceutical treatments only worsened his symptoms, and he endured dehumanizing treatment from caregivers who misunderstood his unique needs.
Now, Kegan is finding renewed hope through alternative treatments for brain health. Through the Warrior Angels Foundation, he has discovered the power of nutraceutical and hormonal interventions, offering a glimmer of healing. Beyond his personal health battles, Kegan is a dedicated father and husband, working tirelessly to support his young family.
Join us as Kegan opens up about his incredible journey of survival, resilience, and healing. His story is as inspiring as it is shocking – a testament to human strength and the will to overcome even the darkest of circumstances.
Tune in to hear a story of grit, determination, and the relentless pursuit of healing against all odds.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• When I was about 10 years old, my family had a friend that had a Cessna, and he took me up on this lawnmower with wings, and we went buzzing around, and it felt like a freakin’ rocket ship. I absolutely loved being above the earth, and I felt so free. (6:26)
• In May of 2012, I graduated as a winged aviator, and I got those wings pinned on my chest. (23:30)
• [Marcus] It’s an absolute transition into a different human being the minute those wings touch your chest. (23:52)
• [In flight school] you showed up there, and you had your wings, and you thought you made it. They made it very clear you have not made anything yet. (26:30)
• It just so happened on this day there was a 16 foot, 3,500 pound Great White Shark named Mary Lee directly under my airspace, and my buddy pointed out, “ Hey man, Today would be a terrible day to eject,” and an hour after having that conversation, I found myself out on what turned into a pretty freaking wild experience. (36:13)
• [Melanie] Q: Is it common to eject?” [Keegan] A: It happens more than you hear about in the news. We lose a few naval fighter jets every year to mishaps. (37:06)
• When you show up at flight school, they say “Look to your left and look to your right. One of you is gonna have a serious mishap or be dead choosing this job. Are you sure you wanna be here?” (37:39)
• You think you’re invincible, and you don’t really think anything of it. (37:54)
• Keegan tells the detailed story of that fateful day. (Starting at 41:16)
• When I punched out, I got the initial blast from the ejection seat, and then immediately impacted the sound barrier with my body. At that speed, the human body is not aerodynamic. (50:53)
• The aircraft impacted the water so fast, it just vaporized. (52:45)
• They ended up wheeling me in, and treated me for severe hyperthermia. They took my core body temperature. I was at 87 degrees. [Marcus] “That should’ve killed you.” (60:09)
• One of the more senior guys takes me into his office and he goes: “Congratulations, Lieutenant Gill. If you can figure out how to get your body working again, we’ll get you back in a Super Hornet. (68:09)
• My brain was just not working the way it was supposed to from TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). (74:59)
• I had a deep sense of betrayal from all that thought I had served. To see the treatment, it seemed like everything I was fighting for was a joke. (89:21)
• I’ve had a number of psychedelic-assisted therapies that have been really helpful. (95:22)
• Ibogaine has been studied pretty thoroughly at this point. It’s showing that it triggers neuro-regeneration. (101:48)
Socials:
- IG: kegansmurfgill
- https://kegangill.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabtNw03Fww-lVt1LHf5b2iWrga-lLxSr_uJYqbNYUMN_NKoEMDqtfBd-Cw_aem_v5m2wI-nx5AKPUoeOA77pA
Order His Book Here --> https://ballastbooks.com/purchase/phoenix-revival/
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
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From Heart of Texas to Heart of a Mission – Resilience, Family, and a Legacy of Giving
Welcome to this week’s Team Never Quit episode! Today, we Marcus and Melanie have an incredibly inspiring guest, Kristi Schiller, joining them. Kristi is a Texas philanthropist, entrepreneur, animal lover, and stroke survivor with an unwavering dedication to making the world a safer, kinder, and more compassionate place.
Kristi shares her story of resilience, community impact, and love. Kristi’s career started in broadcast journalism, with highlights that include being dubbed the “Queen of the Internet” by Forbes in 1997. But it’s her charitable work, particularly as the founder of K9s4COPs that has been a true calling. This nonprofit organization provides highly trained K9 officers to law enforcement agencies across the U.S., supporting public safety in a unique way. Kristi’s love for animals is evident in her life at Schiller Ranch, where her passion for horses also led her to create the Diamonds & Dirt Barrel Horse Classic, an event that celebrates barrel racing and benefits her nonprofit.
In this episode, Kristi opens up about a life-altering experience in 2021. During a routine shopping trip, she suddenly became disoriented, forgetting her name and address—a frightening moment that eventually led to the diagnosis of multiple strokes. She discusses the unexpected struggles and humbling moments of recovery, from speech therapy to relearning simple phrases. Yet, through her journey, Kristi has remained resilient, now using her platform to advocate for stroke awareness, sharing critical insights on recognizing symptoms and prioritizing health.
Kristi’s message is clear: stay vigilant, cherish your support system, and never underestimate the power of resilience.
Don’t miss this moving, inspiring conversation with Kristi Schiller!
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• I saw all these people in front of the banks of TVs and they were crying. I asked “What’s going on?” They said a gunman came into a school in Connecticut and shot children, Kindergarteners. (13:12)
• [In an airport] So how he approaches that person [who looks like a potential threat] – that sets off the tone for the rest of [the encounter]. (15:01)
• [Marcus] The coolest line up would be when those guys [retiring military] are getting out and you have a school where every bus driver is SF (Special Forces). (17:16)
• For the most part, they [retired military] want to keep serving. They want to do something. (17:48)
• I was like “Even if we just satisfied [the needs] in our area.” Within 3 or 4 months we were in Iowa, and now we’re in 40 states, Europe and Africa. We have removed 8 Billion dollars in contraband, made over 200,000 felony arrests, and recovered 150,000 weapons. (26:28)
• Everybody thinks that child abuse/molestation, they’re gonna grab your kid and take ‘em. That would be a worst case scenario. But a lot of times, you’re out and about, shopping, you’re maybe at a fair or event. It’s somebody just coming by touching, just to cop a feel. (42:38)
• [The Amish] have no vaccines, they’re not even wearing shoes. They have no TV and no media, and they’re thriving. (48:13)
• I was really sick during COVID. I didn’t realize I’d had 6 strokes. (53:53)
• A dog, when it comes in - people will think twice about messing with our nurses, or even doctors. (58:57)
• Our government didn’t get our hostages out of Iran. It was Oscar Wyatt and John Connally. How did we repay ‘em? We sent ‘em to prison. (63:28)
• [Marcus] I tell you what, I wish I was half the man my dogs thought I was. (76:28)
• [Marcus - My dog] taught me more about myself than I could’ve ever learned from a lot of grown men. (76:38)
• Have you been to the capitol? They have a separate line. You have a gun on you? Oh, get to go to the front of the line. (83:50)
• When you turn on the news and you see that your dog’s gone in. A guy drove to Galveston and drove into Galveston Bay. They threw the dog in and he got him out of Galveston Bay. (95:42)
Socials:
- IG: KKSCHILLER
- K9s4cops.org
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Fehlende Folgen?
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Mission Accomplished: Rob O'Neill on SEAL Team Six, Leadership, and Life After the Battlefield.
In this week’s episode, Marcus and Melanie Luttrell meet with one of the most highly decorated combat veterans of our time—Robert J. O’Neill. With an incredible 400+ combat missions under his belt, Rob’s experiences span across Liberia, The Balkans, The Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. As a Navy SEAL, Rob served in SEAL Team Two, SEAL Team Four, and spent eight years with the legendary SEAL Team Six.
Rob’s heroic career is underscored by 53 decorations, including two Silver Stars for gallantry, four Bronze Stars with Valor for heroism, and a host of other prestigious commendations. His resume of skills includes elite qualifications like Military Free-Fall Jumpmaster, Naval Special Warfare Scout/Sniper, and Master Naval Parachutist, among many others.
In this episode, we dive deep into Rob’s role in some of the most significant military operations in recent history:
Operation Red Wings, which saw the rescue of the Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell
The lead jumper in the daring rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates
Operation Neptune’s Spear, the mission that brought down Osama bin Laden
Beyond the battlefield, Rob is the co-founder of the Special Operators Transition Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping special operations veterans transition to successful careers in corporate America. He is also the author of the best-selling memoir, THE OPERATOR: Firing the Shots that Killed Osama bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior.
Throughout his post-military career, Rob has become a prominent public speaker, security consultant, and media contributor, sharing expert insights on military strategy and terrorism. Whether speaking to survivors of 9/11 or delivering keynote speeches to business leaders, Rob translates his elite training into actionable lessons on leadership, resilience, and success.
Join us as we explore Rob O’Neill’s incredible journey from the frontlines to the boardroom and hear his thoughts on leadership, transition, and how to thrive under pressure.
Tune in to hear the untold stories and actionable advice from one of America's most decorated heroes!
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• I don’t think I could beat Marcus at arm wrestling if I can’t pick up a bowling ball. (1:58)
• You do realize there’s a thing called old man strength? (5:53)
• [Rob O’Neil] I have a podcast as well, called “The Operator.” We’re called The Operator because if you’re doing anything, you’re an operator. (6:18)
• Having a big man to kick your ass and teach you wind a bobbin; you realize there is skill here. (9:59)
• When people quit BUDS, it’s not because “this is hard”. [It’s because] I’m tired of the broken foot; I’m tire of the shin splints; I’m tire of my dislocated shoulder; I’m tired. 21:20)
• In BUDS, one of the biggest problems is eating too much. Like I want 5 cheeseburgers, but we have a 4-mile run afterwards. (26:35)
• [Rob] and for everyone that doesn’t know, can you explain what a SDV is?
[Marcus] Imagine a mini submarine and shrink it down. The difference is that a submarine is dry inside, and the SDV is completely full of water. (37:40)
• Listen to Marcus discuss the details of being in an SDV for 8 hours. (38:52)
• [Marcus] Talk about ultimate torture - If you have a deep freeze in your garage, fill that sucker full of water, crawl in there and sit down for 8 hours. (38:53)
• The first time I got in there, I was terrified. (43:49)
• [Marcus] There’s stuff that happens to us out there. Sometimes safety gets in the way of it. (58:40)
• [After falling down the mountain during Operation Red Wings] I could hear that stream running. I’ve got to get me water, but I kept thinking I can’t drink out of it, because my buddies are in it. (79:27)
• If you want to make God laugh, tell Him what your plan is. (90:24)
• [Marcus] Bro, when you saw that son of a bitch’s face [Osama Bin Laden], what was the first thing you saw? [Rob O’Neal] I saw his nose. He was skinny, wearing white – tall. (93:41)
• My nickname was “Nisro” (Navy SEAL Rob O’Neal). When they asked “Who got him?” They go “Nisro,” and they said “Fuck! Were never gonna hear the end of it.” (95:38)
Socials:
- IG: mchooyah
- Host of The Operator Podcast
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
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- Navyfederal.org
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From Combat to Community: The Legacy of James Lorraine
In this week’s Team Never Quit episode, Marcus and Melanie welcome James Lorraine, a distinguished veteran with over 22 years of service in the U.S. Air Force as a flight nurse and military operations leader. Jim's extensive career spans multiple combat zones, and upon retirement, he became a trailblazer in veteran advocacy, founding the United States Special Operations Command Care Coalition—a gold standard organization serving over 8,000 special operations forces members and their families. Following his government service, Jim established America’s Warrior Partnership, an organization impacting the lives of over 60,000 veterans by enhancing their quality of life, reducing homelessness, and improving access to critical services.
James Lorraine’s Notable Achievements:
• Bronze Star Medal and Secretary of Defense Outstanding Civilian Medal recipient.
• Founding Director of the U.S. Special Operations Command Care Coalition and America’s Warrior Partnership.
• 2015 Presidential Leadership Scholar and active member of various veteran advisory committees.
Join us for an inspiring conversation that sheds light on the unwavering spirit of our veterans and the vital role of community in their journey to find purpose post-service.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• I’d wake up at 5am, throw my hockey equipment on, and walk in below freezing weather, like about ½ mile to the ice rink for practice at 5:30am. Practice until 7am, then from there, with my hockey bag, I’d go to school, all sweaty and nasty, and when I was finished, I’d go back to the hockey rink. (4:31)
• When I was getting recruited to go into the Air Force reserve, I was in a terrible car accident, and I amputated my left foot. And through a series of miraculous events, the next morning I woke up – best sight I ever had in my life. I woke up, looked down; I had sheets over my legs, and there were two points. (9:52)
• I went to the recruiter to join the Air Force, and realized I was color blind. I couldn’t fly but I had a nursing degree. They had flight nurses, and you can fly in the back of the plane.
• The drive is: “I want to serve.” (12:10)
• On the 4th of July, I make my kids read the constitution. (23:44)
• [Marcus: Medical Training on live animals] That was the best training. Every time I had to work on a human, it was actually easier [because of it]. (27:06)
• [When they attempted to reassign me] my response was “You made the hardest decision of my life the easiest. I’m out.” (30:29)
• [Melanie] “When you have your mind, you can do anything.” (37:08)
• Everything you did Monday thru Friday prepares you for the following Monday. (37:16)
• I went thru a lot of shit, I went through things I should have never done. So how has that made me better? Don’t look at it as “I’m disabled” How does that make you better? (37:29)
• All these experiences led me to found the Care Coalition. (37:49)
• I’m a stalker on Social Media. I don’t post a lot, but I watch. I’m friends with most of the real high risk [people] – because I started to watch their social media. (44:28)
• I have a friend that has a text train with his platoon. No suicides. They all stay in touch. (48:01)
• If you say to somebody: “I have your back. No matter what happens to you. You’re gonna get thru this. I’m here with you. I think this is why we were successful at the Care Coalition. (50:04)
When I talk to and help folks, I’ll ask: “Where do you want to be in 5 years? If they can’t tell me where they want to be in 5 years, and can only tell me where they want to be tomorrow, that is a huge red flag for me. (50:22)
• I think the biggest thing you can do is give a shit. (51:49)
• I’m not gonna sit back and watch something. I’m gonna take action. (52:01)
• Our approach is: Go find the vets; Connect; educate them about opportunities they have to improve their quality of life; and advocate for them when the hit a roadblock. Own the relationship – don’t own the service. (55:00)
• The last bar fight I ever got in was with Chris [Kyle]. (56:40)
• There’s a lot of people who try to do what they can do, but they don’t have the background and expertise to handle it. (58:42)
• What we offer at America’s Warrior partnership is a group of social workers that are freaking experts at this. (58:49)
Socials:
- https://www.americaswarriorpartnership.org/
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
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Courage and Sacrifice: SEAL Team 10 and Operation Red Wings with Ben Souders
In this week’s episode, Marcus and Melanie are honored to sit down with former Navy SEAL Ben Souders, who served on SEAL Team 10 during one of the most challenging and heroic moments in modern military history—Operation Redwing.
Ben takes us through his incredible journey as a Navy SEAL, sharing stories from his time in Afghanistan and reflecting on the courage and sacrifice of his teammates. We dive deep into the challenges faced on the battlefield, and how experiences like Operation Redwing shaped his outlook on life and leadership.
Ben reflects on the bravery of fallen teammates, including Marcus’ account in Lone Survivor. He also shares about his life after service - the transition from active duty to civilian life.
Tune in to hear Ben’s firsthand account of courage, brotherhood, and the lessons he learned during his time as a Navy SEAL. Ben also shares some of his personal journal notes with the listening audience as well. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• [Michael Murphy] was well respected. He and a couple of officers everybody loved. (15:30)
• The physical part [of BUDS] was the hardest for me. I never thought I would quit, but I didn’t know if I would make it. I asked the Lord, “If you want me to do this, show me a sign.” And He did. I saw a Trident up in the sky. (18:12)
• I wanted to go to SEAL team 4 because of watching all the Vietnam documentaries. (27:06)
• They were passing out a paper and everybody had to write down why you joined, and I wrote “Patriotism.” (31:20)
• I’ll tell you somebody else that doesn’t get recognition – divers. (38:49)
• I was wanting to go to Afghanistan more so than Iraq just because I was never really interested in the urban-style of combat. (38:49)
• Team 10 was really cool. (41:06)
• [Danny Dietz] was a good guy from the start. When I first showed up, he always went around without a shirt. He was ripped like Bruce Lee. (43:09)
• [Danny Dietz] was always trying to mentor, no matter who they were.
• [Melanie] Q: How many people in a bee hut? A: 6 maximum. They were like mini chicken coops. (46:06)
• I hated wearing body armor. (48:59)
• Excerpt from Ben’s “Green Book:” I’m tired of all this so-called professionalism crap. I can’t wait to get out – be my own man instead of a peasant in the military. (59:31)
• How were we that close to one another when we were only there a couple of months? Just sitting around the fire talking. (78:42)
Socials:
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
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From Navy SEAL to AI Innovator: Protecting Kids Online with Josh Thurman
In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Navy SEAL veteran and tech entrepreneur Josh Thurman. As the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Angel Kids AI, Josh is at the forefront of using artificial intelligence to create a safer, age-appropriate internet experience for children.
Josh shares insights into his 12+ years of service as a SEAL officer, where he completed 11 overseas deployments in support of the Global War on Terror and was awarded three Bronze Stars, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Two Joint Commendation Medals, Three Navy Commendation Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, and a Joint Meritorious Unit Award as well as multiple combat and valorous distinctions. Following his transition to civilian life in 2018, Josh applied the leadership and problem-solving skills he honed in the military to the tech world. His groundbreaking platform, Angel Kids AI, empowers parents to protect their children online by enforcing parental guidelines across the digital landscape.
In this episode, Josh talks about the challenges of building a tech startup, the future of AI in safeguarding children, and his personal journey from the battlefield to the boardroom. Tune in to hear about his incredible story, the vision behind Angel Kids AI, and how he’s making the internet a safer place for kids.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• Riding my bike home; car doesn’t see me. Pulls out and we crash at 20 mph. I fly over the hood, my right leg hits, immense pain. I had broken my hip. But now I’m starting to think about the military. I crutch my way to the recruiter’s office.
• Every generation, since the beginning of America has fought to preserve our freedom.
• [Marcus] When you’re checking into BUDS, check in on Friday after 4:30pm.
• Always choose the hard things because even if you fail, you’re gonna learn a ton.
• Things are gonna hit you in life that you have almost no control over, and you’re gonna want to have those experiences that you build up doing the things you chose to be hard, so you can survive those moments.
• My wife’s a nurse practitioner, she’s tracking the baby on the Doppler. As she’s laboring, our son passes away. Been through all this stuff: Training, deployments… I’m grateful for those things, because they all sort of prepared me for this thing that happened in life that I had no control over.
•There’s suffering to be dealt with and that loss – you’ve gotta get through it, assigning meaning to that suffering. I’m not suffering for nothing, I’m suffering for something.
• [Marcus] A lot of times, you just go though it with them, and not talk ‘em through it.
• Recognize that God gives us that pain to keep us close to that person so that we don’t forget ‘em.
• I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. In many ways, I wanted to serve as long as I could, as hard as I could, but I knew on the other side this is what I wanted to do.
• You may have thousands of followers on whatever platform it, but do you have someone you can call to move a couch?
• Social media is a democracy killing force. It wields way too much power in our lives.
• Technology should be a tool to help us fulfill the dreams of our lives. It’s totally inverted right now.
• AI has been working for big tech, it serves their purposes. It serves up products to advertisers. This is the big machine. Frankly, we’re getting played by it.
• If you want this incredible thing called America to persist, you’ve gotta be part of the solution.
• We’re all getting played, and the house always wins.
• There’s value in getting information, organizing, shopping, people finding love on line. But it shouldn’t be massively destructive.
• Kids have access to this online virtual world all the time that’s terrible for their mental health. It’s teaching them that the most important things in life is how many likes and followers you get.
• The surgeon general put out a warning: If kids are spending 3 or more hours on social media, they’re 50% more likely to be depressed.
• At Angel Kids, our mission is to use AI to make the internet safe for kids.
Socials:
- IG: jpthurman
- https://www.angelkids.ai/
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
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- TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]
- usejoymode.com [TNQ]
- Shhtape.com [TNQ]
- mackweldon.com/utm_source=streaming&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcastlaunch&utm_content=TNQutm_term=TNQ -
From Navy SEAL to Humanitarian: Ephraim Mattos on Courage, Sacrifice, and Saving Lives in War Zones.
In this powerful episode, Marcus and Melanie meet with Ephraim Mattos, a former US Navy SEAL and founder of Stronghold Rescue & Relief. After leaving the SEAL teams in 2017 at the age of 24, Ephraim made a bold decision: instead of returning home, he volunteered on the front lines of the war against ISIS in Mosul, Iraq. His experiences there would change him forever.
Ephraim shares harrowing details from his time with the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian group that provides aid to civilians in war zones. He recounts the unimaginable horrors he witnessed, from civilians fleeing the brutality of ISIS to the daring rescue missions he and his team conducted under constant enemy fire. One of these missions, during which Ephraim was shot while rescuing a young Iraqi girl, exemplifies the courage and sacrifice required to save lives in the most dangerous places on Earth.
We dive deep into Ephraim's personal journey, chronicled in his book City of Death: Humanitarian Warriors in the Battle of Mosul, coauthored with American Sniper writer Scott McEwen. The conversation explores what it's like to face death on a daily basis and how Ephraim and his fellow volunteers embodied the credo: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
In this episode, Ephraim reflects on the emotional and physical scars of war, his recovery from his gunshot wound, and his unwavering commitment to helping those in need, even in the most perilous conditions. His stories of bravery, resilience, and humanity will leave you speechless.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• Probably the biggest thing I learned in training that applies to everyday life is when things go really, really bad, one of the best ways of dealing with it, and actually pushing through is to laugh at it. (1:29)
• I had my finger on the trigger. I had pressure on the trigger, just waiting for them to come out so I could get a body shot, and 2 heads pop out. It turns out it’s two little girls. One was maybe ten; the other may five or six. They were weeping, crying, and they were running straight at me. And they were both wearing backpacks just like the backpacks that are just like the backpacks we just blew up an hour earlier. And they’re running straight at me. (25:22)
• I was in a firefight in Iraq, technically before my last day in the Navy. (29:19)
• [The Iraqi army] They weren’t super organized , or marksmanship, but as far as their courage and willingness to go toe to toe with ISIS, and I watched multiple time – an Iraqi tank would drive up, get blown up by an ISIS car bomb. And they would keep going. (31:25)
• We assist every way we can, and we build relationships, by showing them we care, we’re here to help, we’re not crazy, we’re not her to get in a gunfight. We just want to help you. (33:43)
• We provide frontline mentorship for active security threats. If a tribe is facing genocide, we’ll advise them on how to best use the resources they already have. (34:09)
• There’s a certain level of evil that people just don’t see or understand. They don’t understand a military unit would go into a village and just slaughter everybody. (36:06)
• For people who actually care, what do you do? How do you help? (42:48)
• If you care about what’s going on in these conflicts, find multiple organizations that you like and give a little bit so several of them. You can make an impact, without having to take all the risk. (43:50)
• 99.9 percent of our job is logistics, medical care, training medical care, suffering in the jungle. Yes, you’re armed, but you’re not there to get your rocks off. (48:11)
• We bring in primarily guys with medic training. We don’t bring in full-fledged doctors because the kind of stuff we’re dealing with is emergency care – people stepping on land mines or getting shot. (50:38)
• A couple of American missionaries were killed in Haiti. Stuff like that happens all the time. Nobody hears about it. It gets instantly buried under celebrity gossip and such. (53:19)
Socials:
- IG: Strongholdrescue.org
- overwatch.co
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
- Tonal.com [TNQ]
- PXG.com/TNQ
- GoodRX.com/TNQ
- greenlight.com/TNQ
- PDSDebt.com/TNQ
- drinkAG1.com/TNQ
- ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Shadyrays.com [TNQ]
- qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Hims.com/TNQ
- Shopify.com/TNQ
- Aura.com/TNQ
- Moink.com/TNQ
- Policygenius.com
- TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]
- usejoymode.com [TNQ]
- Shhtape.com [TNQ]
- mackweldon.com/utm_source=streaming&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcastlaunch&utm_content=TNQutm_term=TNQ -
A Lifeline for Babies in Crisis – Featuring Monica Kelsey
In this powerful episode, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Monica Kelsey, founder and Executive Director of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing infant abandonment by providing mothers in crisis a safe, legal, and anonymous option to surrender their newborns.
Monica’s journey is deeply personal. Born after her teenage mother was raped and hidden away during pregnancy, Monica was abandoned at birth. Her life story has fueled her passion to advocate for infants like herself and to create compassionate solutions for birth mothers who face unthinkable challenges. Through Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Monica is on a mission to ensure that no child is abandoned unsafely, and no mother is left without options.
We also explore Monica's role as a firefighter and paramedic, where she has firsthand experience with the life-saving impact of Safe Haven laws. Her dedication to working with first responders has been crucial in creating awareness and ensuring these boxes are accessible nationwide.
Tune in as Monica shares her inspiring story, the incredible work her organization is doing, and how Safe Haven Baby Boxes are making a difference—one life at a time.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• I grew up adopted, but I never knew the back story. (4:36)
• I joined [the U.S. Navy] and got my love for firefighting there. (5:40)
• I never longed for love. (6:35)
• I just called [my biological mother] and she says “I’ve been waiting for your call.” (9:30)
• I always wanted that connection of “Hey, she does that, and I do that.” (10:31)
• The question comes up: “Who’s my biological father?” And she just got up and walked out. (11:34)
• If abortion was available in 1972, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here today. (12:30)
• I had to come to grips with the fact that I was whisked into this world by violence, and then thrown away like trash. (14:03)
• I had to go back to my faith because I had stumbled away from it.(14:10)
• The more I started reading scripture, the more it started pointing to my life. (14:24)
• Controversy is horrible around the baby boxes. (19:23)
• We launched the very first baby box in April; 30 days later our son was in a deadly accident. (20:26)
• [Melanie] The thought of putting a baby in a box is crazy; but the box of putting a baby in a dumpster is crazier. (25:29)
Socials:
- IG: https://www.instagram.com/safehavenbabyboxes/
- https://www.shbb.org/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5PQX9JG5U3gSwcIAciYCPQ
- https://www.tiktok.com/@safehavenbabyboxes?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
- Tonal.com [TNQ]
- PXG.com/TNQ
- GoodRX.com/TNQ
- greenlight.com/TNQ
- PDSDebt.com/TNQ
- drinkAG1.com/TNQ
- ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Shadyrays.com [TNQ]
- qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Hims.com/TNQ
- Shopify.com/TNQ
- Aura.com/TNQ
- Moink.com/TNQ
- Policygenius.com
- TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]
- usejoymode.com [TNQ]
- Shhtape.com [TNQ]
- mackweldon.com/utm_source=streaming&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcastlaunch&utm_content=TNQutm_term=TNQ -
From Navy SEAL to Private Contractor: The Journey of Daniel Corbett
In this gripping episode, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Daniel Corbett, a former elite Navy SEAL operator turned private military contractor. Daniel takes us through his fascinating journey from joining the Navy in 2002, right out of high school, to serving in some of the most renowned and secretive SEAL Teams, including SEAL Team 5, SEAL Team 6, and SEAL Team 17. Hear about his deployment to Iraq in 2005, his global missions with SEAL Team 6, and his experiences instructing the next generation of SEALs at the Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command.
We also delve into Daniel's transition from active duty to private military contracting—a world where high-stakes missions take on new meaning. Daniel shares the story of his 2017 arrest in Belgrade, Serbia, where he was imprisoned for eighteen months. Now back in the States, Daniel continues to apply his expertise in unconventional problem-solving for clients in need of unique solutions. Whether he’s monitoring international events or getting unexpected phone calls, Daniel’s post-military career is anything but ordinary.
Tune in for an inside look at one of the most high-stakes careers on the planet, and hear firsthand what it takes to thrive as a SEAL, contractor, and global problem-solver.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• [Growing up] We lived in Germany. My dad was stationed there. We’d just drive around and see castles. It was cool. (3:06)
• What got me [to join the SEAL teams] is that they interviewed one operator, and he goes “What makes you guys so good?” The team guy responded with: “It’s not that we’re that good, it’s just that everybody else sucks.” (6:35)
• [Marcus] Q: What do you think the best job in the SEAL teams is? Best rank.
[Daniel} A: E5 Mafia. Cause you have some power, but you’re not responsible for shit. (9:47)
• I was a triathlete and cross-country runner. (13:39)
• [Marcus] There’s a thing that we don’t talk about. It’s not in the books or the documentaries. You sign up knowing you’re gonna fail all the time, so naturally, you wanna be a shit bag. (18:16)
• I’m the man at weddings, because I do bring my sewing kit. Buttons? I got you. (23:55)
• I was a young hot shot guy. I was at the squadron. It’s nice, but nothing has ever compared to when I had a Platoon OIC, LPO or chief come up and say “Hey, these kids you put through CPC, they’re awesome. You did a really good job.” (26:34)
• I coined the terms: “Falsely Intuitive.” (29:18)
• [Melanie – While escorting cargo ships] Q: What would you do if pirates did roll up on you?
[Daniel] A: Get on the Bridgeway and take your iron sight, and try your best. (34:25)
• In Belgrade, Serbia, I was arrested and locked up. I wasn’t charged for 11 months. I looked up, and there was a 21 year old kid with a gun pointed at my head, terrified. I could hear the magazine springs rattling with his finger on the trigger. And I’m like “After all the stuff I’ve done. Not like this.” (35:49)
• When I was being interrogated, they asked: “You’re not CIA, DEA? You’re not here to kill the president?” (37:35)
• I came home to $86,000 in debt to the IRS, and a credit score of 530. (43:28)
• Love is the antagonist to fear. (46:12)
• I know I’m loved. That’s really what got me through. (46:26)
• There’s no responsible journalism anywhere anymore. (48:18)
Socials:
- IG: american_mercenary
- www.danieldavidcorbettiii.com
- https://a.co/d/7XstytC <------ (Get the book here)
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
- Tonal.com [TNQ]
- PXG.com/TNQ
- GoodRX.com/TNQ
- greenlight.com/TNQ
- PDSDebt.com/TNQ
- drinkAG1.com/TNQ
- ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Shadyrays.com [TNQ]
- qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Hims.com/TNQ
- Shopify.com/TNQ
- Aura.com/TNQ
- Moink.com/TNQ
- Policygenius.com
- TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]
- usejoymode.com [TNQ]
- Shhtape.com [TNQ]
- mackweldon.com/utm_source=streaming&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcastlaunch&utm_content=TNQutm_term=TNQ -
From Battlefield to Whitetails: The Journey of Bill Thompson & Spartan Forge
In this Team Never Quit episode, Marcus and Meanie sit down with Bill Thompson, founder of Spartan Forge, to explore his incredible journey from serving on the frontlines to revolutionizing the way hunters pursue whitetails. Bill, who grew up in rural North Dakota, has always been passionate about the outdoors and hunting, especially the pursuit of mature whitetails with a bow. His 22 years of service in the military, particularly his time in Iraq, helped shape the foundation for Spartan Forge—a cutting-edge hunting app that applies military intelligence techniques to deer hunting.
Bill shares how the concept for Spartan Forge came to him in 2010, inspired by the "Find, Fix, Finish" targeting cycle used in military operations. He realized the similarities between tracking enemy targets and pursuing trophy whitetails, and Spartan Forge was born out of this unique combination of experiences. Now, with Spartan Forge, hunters can automate the intelligence-gathering process to increase their chances of success in the field, no matter their goals.
Tune in to hear Bill's story of how his love for hunting, combined with his military background, led to the creation of an invaluable tool for hunters everywhere.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• I try to write poetry once in a while. I’m an engineer, and I was a soldier. I try to write poetry just to be more of a rounded person. (2:34)
• I was in the Southern Philippines. One of the mayors was having a dinner. They were mourning the loss of their dog that this guy had forever. We ate the dog. (7:48)
• I joined the military because I was trying to get out of North Dakota. (11:27)
• Do the work, and then enjoy stuff later. (13:02)
• I did signals intelligence and then transitioned into computers. Think of it as ethical hacking. (22:16)
• I got to contribute to the targeting cycle in a real meaningful way. (26:38)
• In the beginning, you may not be doing what you signed up for. And I didn’t for the first six years. But eventually I got to do everything and more than ever thought. (32:49)
• The whole trajectory of my life and reason why I’m sitting here with you guys today is because I forgot my driver’s license. (38:15)
• [Spartan Forge] it’s built around mapping. But it does journaling. We’ve got a feature in it called Blue Force Tracker where you can share pins and locations with your buddies. There’s a predictive artificial intelligence that does animal movement. (40:44)
• My framework is: Are we embolding the autonomy of the individual? Are we giving them something that is actually useful at a price point that they can afford? Are we elevating the experience of the individual? (46:34)
• That ability for people to be like “I can do this on my own”. I can do this. (59:46)
• What are the elements that are gonna contribute to the success or the failure of this? Let’s identify every one of them. (67:56)
• Strangeness of life can’t be explained. (75:42)
• It’s much better to be a king-maker than it is to be a king. (81:08)
• I’ve never been the smartest guy, I was never the most technically or tactically competent I was never anything. I can always recognize good people. (81:43)
• It was my experience in the military, for me it was always a Puerto Rican platoon sergeant. (83:21)
• I was a platoon sergeant, and then I became a warrant officer, because I wanted to focus on technical stuff. (83:59)
Socials:
- IG: spartan.forge
- spartanforge.ai
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
- Tonal.com [TNQ]
- PXG.com/TNQ
- GoodRX.com/TNQ
- greenlight.com/TNQ
- PDSDebt.com/TNQ
- drinkAG1.com/TNQ
- ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Shadyrays.com [TNQ]
- qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Hims.com/TNQ
- Shopify.com/TNQ
- Aura.com/TNQ
- Moink.com/TNQ
- Policygenius.com
- TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]
- usejoymode.com [TNQ]
- Shhtape.com [TNQ]
- mackweldon.com/utm_source=streaming&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcastlaunch&utm_content=TNQutm_term=TNQ -
In this week’s Team Never Quit episode, Marcus and Melanie are thrilled to welcome Alex Bonamarte, a passionate entrepreneur, lifelong optimist, and father who lives by the principle of the Golden Rule. Alex wears many hats, from being a gentleman farmer to running the unique brand Firecracker Farm, where he is responsible for branding, marketing, web development, and daily operations. Firecracker Farm is home to the famous Hot Salt, a coarse sea salt infused with some of the world’s hottest peppers like Ghost, Carolina Reaper, and Scorpion. Tune in as Alex shares his journey of building this spicy empire, offering tips on entrepreneurship and his love for unique flavor experiences.
Beyond the world of Hot Salt, Alex dives into his background in web and app development, design, and system design—skills that have played a crucial role in shaping his approach to business. As an active member of the Trading Tribe, Alex embraces continuous learning and collaboration, striving for growth and excellence in every area of life.
Join us for an engaging conversation about fatherhood, the art of balancing business and personal life, and what it means to live optimistically while cultivating a brand that brings the heat!
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• My sister and I would travel back and forth to France – alone – which is kinda crazy. They’d put us on a plane doing layovers. I was 5 and she was 3. (7:09)
• The most valuable thing I learned was to be able to just be who you are – take it or leave it. (9:38)
• I don’t quit, and I won’t fight unless I can win. (11:27)
• People can do things of value from pretty much anywhere. (20:51)
If you’re not a good man, you should probably try harder. (29:26)
• [At the 9/11 scene] on the ground it did not look like what had happened. There was all sorts of glass and body parts, not from people on the plane, but from stuff that fell down. (35:01)
• It wasn’t until the second impact people realized what was going on. (35:37)
• The first people weren’t jumping intentionally. They were coming down like burning plastic – drip…1, 2,…1, 2, 3, 4. (36:52)
• [Melanie] in the 9/11 museum, they have an exhibit on the jumpers .It’s one of those things that you don’t want to watch out of respect, and you do want to watch out of respect. The reason to watch is to understand the magnitude of what happened. (37:18)
• [Marcus – After 9/11] No matter what you’re staring at – what kind of human it is looking at you – what they’re dressed in. It’s like “Hey brother, what’s up? You aight? Need something? The solidarity was amazing. (42:27)
• Still there are lot of people who don’t like the American view of how things should be. (43:11)
• [Melanie] it is important to remember, and it is important to teach the young generation. Or history will repeat itself if we forget and brush it under the rug. (44:28)
• I’m a firm believer in our generation. (45:52)
• Life is full of longshots. Everybody pick their longshot and go. (46:45)
• I’ve always been a sucker for a nice, printed thing. (49:50)
• [With regard to packaging my product] I think the whole experience makes it that much more satisfying. (51:05)
• You have your own idea of what somebody else thinks because you never ask them. It’s such a weird thing that we live in our own heads, and if you just take the time to ask how you feel about this, and they will tell you. And you’re like “Holy shit. That was there the whole time?” (63:36)
Socials:
- IG: ultrahotpeppers
- https://firecracker.farm/
- fathergoods
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
- Tonal.com [TNQ]
- GoodRX.com/TNQ
- greenlight.com/TNQ
- PDSDebt.com/TNQ
- drinkAG1.com/TNQ
- ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Shadyrays.com [TNQ]
- qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Hims.com/TNQ
- Shopify.com/TNQ
- PXG.com/TNQ
- Aura.com/TNQ
- Moink.com/TNQ
- Policygenius.com
- TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]
- usejoymode.com [TNQ]
- Shhtape.com [TNQ]
- mackweldon.com/utm_source=streaming&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcastlaunch&utm_content=TNQutm_term=TNQ -
In this week’s Team Never Quit episode, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Bedros Keuilian, a true embodiment of the American Dream. Born in Armenia, Bedros and his family fled communism to seek freedom and opportunity in the United States. From these humble beginnings, Bedros has become a highly successful American entrepreneur, demonstrating the power of determination and resilience.
Bedros is a serial entrepreneur and investor with a hand in over a dozen industry-leading brands and businesses. He is the founder of Fit Body Boot Camp, a fitness franchise that has been recognized by Inc. Magazine and Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the 100 fastest-growing franchise brands in the world.
He is also the author of the Wall Street Journal Best Selling book "Man Up – How to Cut the BS and Dominate In Business and In Life." His work focuses on empowering individuals to eliminate excuses, take control of their lives, and achieve greatness.
Bedros believes in the power of the human spirit and the potential that lies within each of us. Through his life story, Bedros aims to inspire people to break free from their limitations and realize their full potential.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Bedros Keuilian, where he shares his journey, insights, and strategies to help you get unstuck and achieve the success you’ve always dreamed of. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or someone looking to improve their life, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways that can help you reach your fullest potential!
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• In 1980 [my dad] bribed an official in the Soviet government to allow us to go on vacation to Italy, where we then went to the American consult. (11:08)
• If [my dad] didn’t accept the privilege of being in the communist party, he’d be shipped off to Siberia. (11:38)
• One time a rooster gave chase to me, and I’m like 4 or 5 years old, and this rooster is angry and` pecking at me, and I’m running. And the only place I could run into was the outhouse to get away from it. So I ran into the outhouse – a giant hole in the ground. While I’m in here, I’m gonna take a piss. And I squat over it, took my pants off, and I fall in. (18:40)
• What my dad told me [America] was gonna be like – he kinda lied. (19:33)
• I had a tight green sweatshirt with Herman Munster on it, and it said “Herman” underneath. And so they took me took school, and the kids started calling me Herman, and I answered to it. (21:06)
• The life that he (my dad) gave by risking his life was huge. (26:13)
• I’m a kid, and within the first year I learned the language, and I’m good to go. (26:53)
• It was a horrible disease [Dementia] to have your mom not know your name. (28:40)
• The way that disease kills you is it eats away at the part of the brain that controls your breathing. (33:31)
• I remember a kid named Robby. He & I, behind a baseball backstop, we would try to dig a hole to China and we’d cover it up with twigs so no one would fill it in. (37:23)
• I hated school. (38:44)
• No good thing comes from being fat. I’m not body shaming. (45:06)
• I believe that you can only love the people around you to the capacity that you can love yourself. (45:47)
• My physical transformation going from fat to fit is how I got into fitness. (52:04)
• [Marcus] Q: Boils down your success to one thing. What is that? Discipline? What are we talking about? [Bedros] A: Discipline and singularity of focus. (53:17)
• I graduated because they didn’t want a man with a beard in high school. (54:30)
• Confidence is built when you make a promise to yourself and keep it. (57:00)
• Self-development metaphorically take the critic, duct tape him, gag him, and put him in the trunk. Then take the advocate ungag him, unbound him, put him in the front seat so you can hear him more often. (60:01)
Socials:
- IG: bedroskeuilian
- https://bedroskeuilian.com/
- https://www.youtube.com/c/BedrosKeuilian
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
- Tonal.com [TNQ]
- qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- greenlight.com/TNQ
- PDSDebt.com/TNQ
- drinkAG1.com/TNQ
- GoodRX.com/TNQ
- ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Shadyrays.com [TNQ]
- Hims.com/TNQ
- Shopify.com/TNQ
- PXG.com/TNQ
- Aura.com/TNQ
- Moink.com/TNQ
- Policygenius.com
- TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]
- usejoymode.com [TNQ]
- Shhtape.com [TNQ]
- mackweldon.com/utm_source=streaming&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcastlaunch&utm_content=TNQutm_term=TNQ -
Living the Dream, Facing the Nightmare: An Interview with Alan C. Mack
This week's Team Never Quit guest is a decorated war hero and an extraordinary pilot whose military career spanned nearly 36 years, including 17 years in Army Special Operations. Alan C. Mack, a retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5), shares his incredible journey from a young man with a passion for flying to a highly respected leader in some of the most elite units of the U.S. military.
Alan's expertise and leadership saw him involved in numerous high-stakes operations, many still classified. One of the most notable missions he discusses is the Battle of Takur Ghar, also known as the Battle of Roberts Ridge, during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. Alan's bravery and skill under fire, including crash-landing a helicopter and attempting multiple rescue missions under heavy enemy fire, highlight his exceptional courage.
Alan's distinguished service has earned him numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Bronze Stars, ten Air Medals (one with a Valor device), and many more. His impressive flight record includes over 6,700 flight hours, with more than 3,200 hours under Night Vision Goggles.
After retiring from the military, Alan continued to serve his community. He now works as the Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Services for Orange County, New York, a role that he appreciates for its peaceful nature compared to his military experiences.
Alan's story is one of resilience, dedication, and the pursuit of one's dreams. Despite the adversities and challenges faced in combat, his journey is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome and find meaning in serving others. His life is an inspiration, showing that with determination and courage, it's possible to live out your dreams while also facing and conquering the nightmares.
This episode will leave you both inspired and reflective.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• The biggest cause of an air refueling incident is the grohe – it’s a big hose – you are actually only 19’ from rotors to tanker. (26:26)
• [During air refueling] You’re doing 110-120mph over the water. (27:00)
• I’ve done air refueling as low as 100’ off the coast of Iraq. (27:08)
• I get a missile fired at me so now I drop down between buildings. I’m down on the rooftops and you know what’s in front of me? Kites. Hundreds and hundreds of kites. (34:10)
• The older [Chinook helicopter] Delta models just had handheld maps. (43:34)
• [During Operation Red Wings] I sat down with the A10’s and the AC130’s with my map and the imagery and said “I need you to either suppress or creative a diversion that’s so big no one could help but look. (50:15)
• Crew Chiefs sometimes see things that aren’t there (and I hate to say it that way) but sometimes they’ll see lights of a car and think they’re seeing signal light signals. (53:28)
• Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. (55:00)
• My youngest son was a Night Stalker Flight Engineer, and my oldest son is a Navy F18 wizzo (back seater) He’s a Goose. (58:05)
• I did 17 years with the Night Stalkers, plus about 10 years of deployment. (59:03)
• Every aircraft munition has a probable kill ratio. A surface to air missile has a “PK” of 75%, meaning that if they fired at you, you have a 75% chance of killing you. The ground has a 100% PK. (64:23)
• I’ve got about 3,500, maybe 4,000 hours of night vision time, which is a lot. (67:51)
• Anaconda was a conventional operation, such as Red Wings. There’s no soft component to it. (68:57)
• We had 4 or 5 people on the aircraft tail, and we are diving at about 150, [one of our men that fell out but is tethered] while they’re shooting at us and his toes are tickling the trees. The crew chief is returning fire with an M60 machine gun. He looks over and pulls our guy up, and I learned we had lost Neil [another guy] and decided we’ve gotta go back. So I turned inbound and climbed back up and the controls stopped moving. Imagine you pulled the keys out of your car. That’s what it’s like with no hydraulics. So I’m like “Guys… we’re done,” as in “We’re going to die.” (79:03)
• In the spirit of never quit, there’s a saying: ”Never quit flying the aircraft.” (83:22)
• Everything I do in life, I associate with movies I’ve seen. (88:12)
Socials:
- IG: alancmack2015
- https://alancmack.com/
- https://www.facebook.com/
BUY HIS BOOK HERE-> Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Warshttps://www.amazon.com/Razor-03-Night-Stalkers-Wars/dp/1399018698
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
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From the battlefield to the boardroom, with retired Navy SEAL, Lieutenant Commander JJ Parma.
In this week’s episode of The Team Never Quit Podcast, we’re honored to have retired Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander JJ Parma. With a distinguished military career spanning numerous positions, including SEAL Platoon Commander and multiple operations officer roles, JJ Parma’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the future of military operations. He was responsible for the manning, training, and equipping of personnel while managing day-to-day operations and budgeting for units across the globe.
Beyond his military achievements, JJ has transitioned into civilian life as a motivational speaker and operations professional. With expertise in intercultural communication, intelligence analysis, government, and crisis response, JJ has a demonstrated history of leading in both military and civilian sectors.
A Master of Business Administration with a focus on financial management, JJ is now a leader in the financial services industry, driving the strategic intent of investment platforms worldwide. His passion for leadership and culture is further backed by a specialized program in Professional Leadership Development from Harvard Business School, where he honed skills in business leadership, culture, and strategy.
Alongside his Swim Buddy Kristel, JJ delves into how the lessons from his military career continue to influence his approach to business and life, providing practical insights that listeners can apply in their own lives.
This episode is packed with valuable insights from a true leader who has mastered the art of navigating complex environments both in and out of the military. Whether you’re a military professional, business leader, or someone looking to elevate your personal and professional life, JJ Parma’s story will inspire and motivate you to strive for excellence.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• I grew up 2 streets over from Marvelous Marvin Hagler. (4:28)
• Everything about my childhood today is about perspective. (6:48)
• [I grew] up in the inner city, a very diverse multicultural place. You name it, we had it. Portuguese, Greek, Black, Spanish, and Spanish populations – we had it all. (6:52)
• My mother was the true definition of a hero – selfless. (9:20)
• I would spend my time as a child alone, in a pool, teaching myself to swim. I was so comfortable, I would stay there all day, all night, all summer. (17:00)
• I had every book on the Vietnam War that you could possibly imagine. (32:24)
• I was the kid who tied my friends to a tree. (32:28)
• This fascination with the military never really went way. It built and built. Every Halloween, guess what I was? Some kind of Army guy with face paint. Some commando, running around. (33:00)
• [Navy SEALS] They’re like Green Berets - but the water… it was the water – peace. Nobody does that. That’s what I want. Maritime. (39:04)
• Rick Kyser was my mentor. He was phenomenal. He told us the story about Black Hawn down from his perspective. That was it for me. Hook, line, and sinker. This is the job for me. (48:19)
• In Serbia, the Muslims were being eradicated by the Serbs. Genocide Level 1. And we went there defending the Muslim population. The peacekeeping mission was that we were protecting them. When it gets political, people want to hone in on the politics. They don’t know the stories on the ground. The stories on the ground never get told. (61:52)
• We spent 3 months ship-chasing Bin Laden’s family. There was a container ship in the northern Arabian Sea which had one of Bin Laden’s sons on it, transporting arms. You know what we found? 55 containers of rice. (70:27)
• Next thing you know, I hear it. A 2.75 rocket. Hits about 1-15 yards from the back Humvee. The Humvee comes off the ground, lands, I’m in the 3rd Humvee looking back, and I’m like “We just lost a couple of guys right there.” (82:58)
• I got a letter from Bush with Team 10’s original coin which said “Victory through Violence”, which they stopped making. Now it’s “Victory through Valor.” (92:19)
• We have so many skills, and our skill set so vast, it’s all lexicon. That the trick that the civilians play on you. (100:26)
• Find a good swim buddy. (101:15)
• Moments are fleeting. One thing that’s finite is death. They’re told by society that this how it has to go. You have to live this phase, this phase, and this phase, and then you’re gone. And they live that way. We’re gonna try to reset that. (110:46)
• When you find your swim buddy – if they find you at your lowest point – that’s a keeper. (111:52)
• People need to fail, because from failure, launches a whole new life lesson. (113:10)
Socials:
- IG: thefourthphasepodcast
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
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- Policygenius.com
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- Shhtape.com [TNQ]
- mackweldon.com/utm_source=streaming&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcastlaunch&utm_content=TNQutm_term=TNQ -
Leading the Houston Texans: A Conversation with Cal and Hannah McNair
In this week’s Team Never Quit episode, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Cal and Hannah McNair, the dynamic duo behind the Houston Texans. Cal McNair, the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Houston Texans, has been at the helm of the team since 2018, guiding them through remarkable achievements, including a 10-7 record in the 2023 season under a rookie head coach and quarterback. Under his leadership, the Texans secured their seventh division title and unveiled new fan-inspired uniforms in 2024.
McNair attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he was a four-year member of the Longhorns' football team. He earned a master's degree in business administration from the Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management.
Cal shares his journey from his early career at Cogen Technologies to becoming the principal owner of the Texans in 2024. He discusses his vision for the team, the importance of community involvement, and the Texans Foundation's impact on Houston, which has raised over $48 million since its inception.
Hannah McNair, a proud native Houstonian and University of Houston alum, joins the conversation to talk about their shared passion for philanthropy and, of course, the Houston Texans. With a background in business from the University of Houston and Rice University, Hannah has been deeply involved in numerous charities across the city, from the YMCA to the Houston Food Bank. She reflects on the couple’s commitment to giving back, balancing life as parents of seven, and supporting the community that has given them so much.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• [Cal] What I really enjoy is going into someone else’s house, and beating them, and then seeing our fans, surrounded by the other team’s colors, and they’re wearing our colors in the stands , and when we win those games is my favorite [moment]. (2:45)
• [Cal] We have fans that have had seats next to each other that didn’t know each other, but because they came to the game and sat next to each other, they became friends. (3:47)
• [Cal played football at] The University of Texas. (7:27)
• [Cal] The team was [originally] awarded to Los Angeles, but it had a deadline and they didn’t meet it. (8:22)
• [Hannah] The interesting thing about twins is that you have had somebody who’s had your back your entire life. (29:24)
• [Hannah] I think team sports is one of the most important educational things you can teach kids. (37:35)
• [Hannah] [In baseball] You fail most of the time. If you have an error, are you gonna just stop the game? Are you gonna run to your parents? Or are you gonna learn from it, and go to the next play. You can’t just quick. (37:46)
• [Hannah] If you can learn how to be part of a team and put your personal feelings aside for the greater good of the team, I think that’s a valuable lesson, especially with youth today. (38:28)
• [Hannah] With anything in the public eye, you try to use those [harassments in the stands] to create a better person in them, so that they’re ready for whatever comes their way, (42:56)
• [Hannah] You have to have God as your foundation. If you don’t have that to turn to, you’re lost already. (43:21)
• [Hannah] You cannot go wrong by doing what’s right. (50:11)
• [Marcus] Q: What’s the best piece of advice or wisdom you’ve got from somebody?
[Cal] A: Never Quit. (52:16)
• [Hannah] [CJ Stroud] is the CEO on the field. (52:56)
Socials:
- IG: houstontexans
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
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Honoring Valor: A Conversation with Vietnam Veteran and Silver Star Recipient Marc Lawrence
In this week's Team Never Quit Podcast, we have the honor of speaking with Marc Lawrence, a Vietnam veteran and recipient of the prestigious Silver Star for his acts of gallantry in combat. Marc shares his incredible journey, from his early days growing up, to his experiences in the Vietnam War, and how those experiences shaped his life afterward. This episode is a tribute to his bravery, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit. His story is one of courage, dedication, and unwavering patriotism.
Marc recounts some his experiences in Vietnam, the challenges he faced, and the importance of remembering and honoring the sacrifices made by service members.
Marc’s experiences in Vietnam shaped his outlook on life and leadership.
Thank you for listening, and don't forget to honor our veterans.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• As a kid, we grew up reading Sergeant Rock comic books, and we were playing Army in the woods, and a buddy & I played Frogmen. We had boats and we would slip into the canals and go underwater in the middle of the night. (8:03)
• In basic training I learned the joys of KP and guard duty. (9:05)
• The first thing you learn in a firefight – you can’t hear anything. (25:42)
• I’m on the ground in a prone position. A bullet went under my hand, through my sling, between my arm and my chest, and tore out the stock of my gun. Stray bullet. (26:16)
• What am I gonna do when the shit hits the fan? My body was so full of adrenaline. When 3 events happened – [I thought] “I can’t get killed.” (31:15)
• After I realized I can’t get killed, I threw caution to the wind. (31:35)
• I always heard the mortars - never heard this one. And it threw me back. I don’t know what’s going on. One piece of shrapnel peeled my scalp back. (33:20)
• All the crazy things I did was to train me for this one night so I could save my men. (42:17)
• My last minute in the Army typifies my entire Army career. The finance Corps Major sees me. Goes to his pay clerk and gives an order not to pay me until I get a haircut. (44:06)
• One day, I get this box in the mail I open it up and it’s a Silver Star. I didn’t tell anybody. They didn’t know what it was anyway. (46:57)
• The doctors told me: “Son, we don’t know if you’re gonna be able to walk again or not. My exact words Wer “Fuck you, I’m walking out of your Goddamn hospital.” (48:49)
• President [Bush] looked at me and said and said “Son, I know what it takes to get one of those [Silver Star]. I want to shake your hand.” (58:37)
• My life driven by outside forces that I can’t control. (62:25)
Socials:
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
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Carrying the Torch: Honoring Heroes with Colton Kyle
This week, Marcus and Melanie are honored to welcome Colton Kyle, the driving force behind the American Sniper Brand. Colton continues the legacy of his late father, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, by embodying the values of respect, honor, and patriotism through a line of clothing and accessories. Join us as we delve into Colton’s mission to celebrate and support the heroes among us, and how American Sniper Brand aims to be a symbol of love, sacrifice, and strength.
Colton’s dad, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, was the most lethal sniper in American history. Colton created the American Sniper Brand to honor his father's legacy and to support the men and women who serve our country. A portion of the proceeds from the brand goes to the Taya and Chris Kyle Foundation, which strengthens the marriages of service families.
Colton shares stories about his father, Chris Kyle, and the values he stood for.
The inspiration behind American Sniper Brand and how it aims to honor the legacy of fallen heroes. The core values of respect, honor, and patriotism that guide the brand.
Colton’s vision for American Sniper as a symbol of a warrior's love—love for God, others, and self-discipline.
Tune in to hear Colton Kyle's inspiring journey and how he continues to honor his father's legacy while supporting the heroes of today. Don't miss this heartfelt and patriotic episode!
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• What I did experience [with my dad] was a great love from a great father.
• I believe I have a different gifting. (16:02)
• I discovered Muay Thai [martial arts] not very long ago and I absolutely love it. (16:26)
• I’m very confident in myself and my abilities. (17:14)
• Physical training in the martial arts arena means so much more than just being physically capable. (18:12)
• God has given me the tools and the people and the resources that I’m gonna be more than okay. (19:33)
• I think I’m a better man today than I would have been had I not lost my father. (20:02)
• If you’re gonna train a martial artist, you want to put him through the most rigorous and difficult training possible so that they’re prepare to take on anything. (20:18)
• You can’t live tomorrow; you can’t life in the past; all you can do is show up and be present in the day. (21:45)
• In my head I see a tidal wave that overcompensates for the loss that I had. (22:04)
• God gave us life. We’re not even deserving of that, really. (23:09)
• God didn’t take my father. He allowed it to happen and I’ve seen the good that was brought through it. (28:20)
• I’m passionate, as well, about the firearm and tactical industry. (44:04)
• I stand for Godliness. I stand for patriotism, I stand for sacrifice, duty, excellence, professionalism. (44:30)
• I’m a visionary, so I see the future in everything. I’m very excited about that. (49:08)
• I’m Colton Kyle, and I’m just gonna be Colton Kyle. Whatever Colton Kyle can be he will be. (51:36)
• You should strive to be better than your mother; better than you father, in the ways you can control. (55:00)
• To be really successful in something, you have to be gifted in that. (56:29)
• The greatest you could ever give somebody is to introduce them to Christ. (60:10)
Socials:
- IG: coltonkyleofficial
- americansniper.brand
- https://americansniper.com/
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
- Policygenius.com
- GoodRX.com/TNQ
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Rising Above: A Conversation with Taya Kyle
In this powerful episode, Marcus and Melanie visit with Taya Kyle, an author, political commentator, and military veteran's family activist. Taya is widely known as the widow of US Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, whose story was immortalized in the book and movie "American Sniper."
Taya was unexpectedly thrust into the national spotlight when her husband, Chris Kyle, one of America’s greatest heroes, was tragically murdered. Chris Kyle’s legacy as a Navy SEAL and his extraordinary combat tours were shared with the world through his autobiography and its film adaptation. Despite the immense grief and pain, Taya has continued to honor Chris' life and service by dedicating herself to helping others navigate through their own tragedies.
As a New York Times best-selling author, Taya’s first book, "American Wife," offers a deeply personal look at her life with Chris. In 2019, she released her second book, "American Spirit," a collection of inspirational short stories about remarkable individuals she has encountered on her journey. Taya’s commitment to uplifting others extends through her foundation, Taya and Chris Kyle Family - Service Marriage Strong, where she provides support and hope to those facing difficult times.
Join us for an episode filled with hope, strength, and the enduring American spirit.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• [McKnenna] I kind of always looked at everything as negative, and tried to find the negative in things. {21:06)
• Go find people that who are so broken themselves. To come out of that is God’s grace. It is 100% God’s grace. (23:57)
• Colton said, I’ve never seen an example of spiritual warfare, as much as I saw it with McKenna. (24:37)
• [Melanie] We all make mistakes. We’re not born parents (30:51)
• The parents are losing their time with the kids, and they’re expecting the schools to do it. I advise every single person to homeschool. Be done. (37:18)
• [McKenna] If there is an adult role model who is teaching them and showing them how to act, it is very helpful. (45:52)
• There are some [teachers] that enjoy teaching or children, but a lot of them just enjoy power and control. (52:40)
• Taya and Chris Kyle Foundation. And Service Marriage Strong. In marriage, 80% of murder-suicide is relationship related, not because of the people in it doing things wrong, but they don’t have the tools they need for a service marriage. (55:18)
• We’re coming in to coach them on their strengths and how to use their strengths in marriage. (56:13)
• If knowing that you’re not alone in your thoughts that you’ve kept it all to yourself. (57:17)
• The happiness of your marriage impacts your children. (57:59)
• [Marcus’ advice to Taya] You don’t have to be planning so much. Just show up. Do what you do, and God’s got it covered. (67:53)
• Do something that you feel called to do. (69:56)
• You have a responsibility to add goodness to the world. (97:21)
Socials:
- IG: tayakyle
- www.tayakyle.com
- https://www.tackf.org/
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
- Policygenius.com
- GoodRX.com/TNQ
- ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]
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In this week’s Team Never Quit episode, Marcus and Melanie welcome Sean Glass, a former U.S. Navy SEAL officer and seasoned leadership instructor with Echelon Front. With over 13 years of experience in the SEAL Teams and combat deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Eastern Africa, Sean shares his insights on leadership in both military and business settings.
Sean led 5 SEAL platoons in Iraq against Islamic State forces, and was the Officer-in-Charge of training for all West Coast SEAL Teams.
In his transition to the business world, Sean became the Chief Operating Officer at a venture-backed construction tech startup, and is currently the Leadership Instructor at Echelon Front, where he is building a decentralized, team-first culture in a rapidly growing company.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Sean Glass as he shares invaluable lessons on leadership that can be applied in any high-pressure environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from a true leader who has navigated the challenges of both the battlefield and the boardroom.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• [Growing up] we had Emus at one time for some reason. (7:46)
• I read that book, and something inside me was alive, like “This is what I wanna do” Everything I did after that was asking myself that question: Is this next move gonna help me get into the Navy? and if it’s not, then I didn’t do it. (17:25)
• [Marcus] I feel like our saving grace is the fact that we did it for God and country. If you’re a wild child and you wanna have the most fun of your entire life, go into the SEAL teams. (19:36)
• Given a boat crew, If you don’t perform - if you screw up, your boat crew get beats for you. Sorry – remediated – gets remediated for you. (24:51)
• The less you think about yourself, especially when you’re miserable, the better off you are. (25:18)
• [Marcus] If you want to teach your son or yourself to be a great barterer or negotiator, go over there [Afghanistan]. (41:24)
• Gift giving is a big thing to them [Afghans]. (41:54)
• Getting to be on the other side of the BUDS equation was a great experience, because you get to see all the workings that go into it - all the things you don’t see and appreciate as a student obviously because you’re just trying to survive. (44:21)
• I don’t have a good poker face. (45:33)
• No one puts a premium on training like the SEAL teams do. It’s everything for us. (54:26)
• I closed out my career at the training command which was just the best place you could possibly be. (55:21)
• Our goal there [Echelon Front] is to arm their leaders with the tools they need to be better leaders. (65:42)
• Jocko started Primal Beef, and our goal was to bring the same farm-raised all natural, Black Angus American beef that we had the opportunity to eat every night to as many Americans as we possibly could. (70:03)
• Our whole goal was basically to make things the best experience you could possibly have ordering beef from somebody. (74:49)
• Well above 80% of all beef produced in America comes from 4 different massive companies, and at least one of them is a foreign owned company. (77:55)
• The average age of a farmer right now is 63 years old, because families just aren’t taking over the family business. (78:06)
Socials:
- IG: primalbeef_co
- IG: seanglassactual
- www.primalbeef.com
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- Navyfederal.org
- Policygenius.com
- GoodRX.com/TNQ
- ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Shadyrays.com [TNQ]
- Hims.com/TNQ
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In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus & Melanie connect with Josh Smith, Master Bladesmith. His journey into the world of bladesmithing began at the young age of 11, under the mentorship of his baseball coach, Rick Dunkerley. Rick introduced Josh to the art of knife-making, guiding him through the process of removing stock blades.
Josh set up his own shop at home, thanks to his father, who provided him space in his equipment shop. By the age of 12, Josh had joined the American Bladesmith Society, marking the start of his formal journey into bladesmithing.
At 14, Josh attended the Eugene Oregon knife show, where he met other talented knife makers who generously shared their knowledge with him. This experience further fueled his passion and skill in the craft.
At just 15 years old, Josh passed the rigorous Journeyman bladesmith test at the Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia, becoming the youngest bladesmith to achieve this feat. The Journeyman test involves a performance test, where a forged and heat-treated blade must chop a 1” rope and two 2x4s in half and still be able to shave hair. The blade must also withstand a 90-degree bend in a vise without breaking. Following the performance test, the candidate presents five knives to a panel of Mastersmith Judges for evaluation of craftsmanship.
Josh didn't stop there. He continued to hone his craft and, at 19, became the youngest bladesmith to earn the prestigious Master Smith rating from the American Bladesmith Society.
Tune in to hear more about Josh's incredible journey and the dedication it takes to become a master of bladesmithing!
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• I passed the Mastersmith test when I was young, so technically, I’m a master bladesmith.
• That [Mastersmith] test and getting there was a lot of work over a lot of years, but really what is meant is you’re really now ready to start learning. You can actually absorb what you’re being taught.
• If you’re looking back at something you built 20 years ago, and you’re still thinking that’s the best thing you’ve ever done, you’ve really gotta be honest with yourself. You really haven’t come very far.
• There’s a picture of me in Blade Magazine when I’m about 12, standing on a milk crate grinding knives.
• I was pretty motivated. At 15 years old, I became the youngest journeyman knife-maker in the world, and then at 19 I became the youngest Mastersmith.
• I started getting publicity in magazines when I was really young. When I was 16 years old, I probably had 150 knife orders from all over the world.
• It’s amazing today, with what’s at your fingertips, you can learn how to do anything right from home.
• Nothing even today replaces being in the presence of that master and having them teach you.
• Style comes over time.
• One thing I’m proud of – I didn’t fall into making one style of a knife. I can do almost anything across the board. That is what a master is.
• I won the best Damascus knife award in the world at the Atlanta Blade Show when I was 20 years old.
• I’ve sharpened thousands of knives for people. It doesn’t matter who made it. What matters is who carried it.
• I don’t need 300million Americans to be my customer. I want the 20-30-40-50 million that are patriotic as hell and appreciate quality. They want that story behind the blade. We’re proving that American manufacturing is not just not dead, but it’s desired by Americans.
• Ten years ago, my house burned to the ground. I was completely broke as hell, living in a camper. And today, I’m shaking hands with President Trump, Junior’s coming over and I pig hunted with Rogan. I get to be friends with heroes-our veterans.
• People need to keep moving the ball forward and never give up.
Socials:
- montanaknifecompany
- https://www.montanaknifecompany.com/
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