This week we welcome Patrick Donohue, Attorney at Law. Patrick specializes in veteran's law, specifically VA claims. We discuss the ins and outs of filing an initial VA claim, and also the process of upgrading a previous decision. Patrick describes the three factors that go into a VA decision; in-service incident, current diagnosis, and the all important Nexus. The nexus is the connection between the current condition and the in-service incident, or event. Patrick specializes in proving the nexu...
May 07, 2022•1 hr 14 min
This week we welcome Steve Jimenez, founder of Hives for Heroes. Hives for Heroes is a national military veteran non-profit organization focusing on honey bee conservation, and a healthy transition from service. Through the national network of beekeepers, and veterans, they provide connection, purpose, and healthy relationships fostering a lifelong hobby in beekeeping. Steve, and his team, are connecting heroes, military veterans, and first responders interested in beekeeping with experienced be...
Apr 15, 2022•1 hr 3 min
This week we welcome Randall Gillespie, founder of Grunt Proof and creator of The Grunt Proof Survival Games. Through years of Army Infantry training and experience, Randall honed his "Grunt" skills. He started Grunt Proof as a way to share his knowledge and love for the outdoors. Grunt Proof is more than just a gear channel. Randall strives to bring viewers on amazing adventures, teaching them skills and techniques that they may have never seen, and having a lot of fun in the process. He also s...
Mar 25, 2022•1 hr 12 min
This week we welcome Ted DeWitt, Vietnam Veteran and owner of Signarama in Covina, CA. Ted remembers the horrors and tribulations of the Vietnam War as though they were yesterday. But rather than relive his days fighting overseas as though they were playing over like a never-ending time loop, he made the decision decades ago to channel what he saw, what he learned, and what scared him the most during his time in Vietnam to establish one of the most successful signage and graphics companies in Ca...
Mar 15, 2022•1 hr 9 min
This week we welcome Maria McKinney, Air Force and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran. Maria is an OG Bulletproof Badass, who in 2004 was part of a group of Air Force mechanics and vehicle operators that would set a trend for years to come. Not since the Vietnam War had Airmen augmented Army personnel in a war zone. That all changed when the 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron was tasked with providing 10 vehicle mechanics to support Army convoy operations in Iraq. Maria blazed the trail for Airmen, ...
Mar 04, 2022•1 hr 34 min
This week we welcome Nick Lavery, author of Objective Secure. Nick is an active duty member of The United States Army Special Forces. In 2013, he and his Detachment fell victim to an insider attack ultimately resulting in the loss of his leg. Following a year of surgeries and initial recovery including the use of a prosthetic at Walter Reed National Medical Military Center, he returned to Fort Bragg. Nick talks about the drive and focus on returning not only to his unit, but ultimately his comba...
Feb 19, 2022•1 hr 25 min
This week we welcome Ryan Harrell, owner of American Tattoo Society. American Tattoo Society started when Nicole Harrell risked it all to buy her first piercing and tattoo shop in Fayetteville, NC. Soon after, Ryan left his job to join her in growing this local business with roots in the military community. Fast forward and now American Tattoo Society is a premier tattoo brand, with the distinguished honor of being the only shops allowed to tattoo on military installations. Currently, operating ...
Feb 11, 2022•1 hr 3 min
This week we welcome the President/CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Michael "Rod" Rodriguez. The GWOT Memorial Foundation was formed in 2015 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation by a small group of like-minded veterans, military spouses, and patriots to honor the service and sacrifice of all who served in the Global War on Terrorism. In its first two years, the Foundation was the driving force behind the Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Act to authorize the establishme...
Jan 21, 2022•54 min
This is a must listen episode for every military member and veteran! This week we welcome Frank Molinar CFP, author of Financial Dominance: Your Battle Plan for a Richer Life. Frank is a leading authority in Financial Readiness training to those with a military mindset. Through his work with the Dept of Defense, Arizona’s Attorney General, the AZ Dept of Veteran Services, and multiple VSOs he has personally logged over 4,000 hours counseling service members and veterans from all ranks, stages, a...
Jan 14, 2022•1 hr 28 min
This week we welcome Benjamin Burt, Fibrenew franchise owner. Ben is a veteran of the United States Army's 3rd Special Forces Group. He is a former Advanced Tactical Medical Provider and Operations NCOIC for the Special Warfare Medical Group (Airborne) at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. After seperating from the military, Ben was faced with the challenge of managing his civilian career choices with an ever changing family life. Ben had a desire to work for himself in an in...
Jan 07, 2022•1 hr 4 min
This week we welcome Aurea Franklin, author of Silent Freedom. Aurea retired from the 101st Airborne Division, Air Assault (AASLT), and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for four years: two tours with the 101st and two years as a civilian contractor. Silent Freedom is a captivating memoir about Aurea’s time spent with the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault in Iraq. It is a story about courage, love, loss, and war. Silent Freedom will take you to the darkest corners of the w...
Dec 30, 2021•1 hr
This week we celebrate Christmas, and what better way than to talk about being the best veteran that you can be! We welcome Dr. Mike Simpson, author of Honed: Finding Your Edge As A Man Over 40. As one of the foremost experts in both tactical trauma medicine and combat sports medicine, Mike is highly sought after as a lecturer and instructor, working extensively with MMA fighters, law enforcement, and military organizations providing medical care and training. Mike draws upon his over 30 years o...
Dec 20, 2021•1 hr 34 min
This week we welcome Sean and Kilian Duclay, founders of SailAhead. Early in their lives, Sean and Kilian recognized the importance of supporting the veteran community. Shocked by the staggering statistics surrounding veteran suicide, they chose not to be bystanders in the war at home. They turned to their passion for sailing, and SailAhead was born. SailAhead's mission is three-fold; use sailing and the ocean as a therapeutic platform to foster healing in our military community, spread post-tra...
Dec 10, 2021•1 hr 12 min
It's Thanksgiving and we all know what that means...TURKEY! We sit down and discuss everything that goes into putting on the perfect holiday gathering. Whether it's what beer to serve or how lumpy the mashed potatoes should be, we've got you covered with this episode of tips, tricks, and recipes. Starting at bulletproofveteran.com, we walk through all the great information located on the Thanksgiving Special Page, and point you in the right direction if you crave more juicy knowledge. Finally, I...
Nov 23, 2021•47 min
This week we welcome Jessica Quezada, founder of LiboRisk. LiboRisk is the first travel community for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, past and present. Jessica outlines her mission to foster an adventurous community of troops through trusted travel services, while encouraging members to leave a better footprint throughout their journeys. She also talks about travel as a form of therapy, helping to elevate each LiboRisk's perspective of humanity while developing their self-identity beyond the m...
Nov 12, 2021•1 hr 7 min
This week we welcome Thais Harris, Clinical Director at Connected Warriors. Thais is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has joined Connected Warriors in their goal of providing individualized care for all veterans. We discuss the Grand-Opening of their new behavioral health treatment center, in Boca Raton, FL on November 11th. This facility will become a one-stop shop for Southern Florida veterans; offering trauma conscious yoga, therapeutic services, group therapy sessions, case management ...
Nov 05, 2021•1 hr
This week we welcome Patrick Donohue and Ronnie Oldenburg from Project 9 Line and VETS MMA. Patrick and Ronnie have a great opportunity for Long Island veterans, free Jiu Jitsu classes for the entire month of November. They have partnered with local academies and gyms to provide free classes for first timers and experienced grapplers. This coupled with their free yoga classes is sure to make the month of November an amazing time for veterans to get off the couch and get on the mat. Pat and Ronni...
Oct 29, 2021•1 hr 9 min
Save Our Allies needs our help. They are in grave need of donations and support. I am calling on every listener to go to SaveOurAllies.org and click on the link to their Amazon Wishlist. As a group, we can change the lives of so many children caught in the crossfire of this humanitarian crisis. Save Our Allies successfully transported over 12,000 people out of Afghanistan, but the mission doesn't stop there. Phase 2 of their mission, Operation New Hope, is to work with US and foreign governments...
Oct 23, 2021•29 min
This week we welcome Charles Smith, author of the Life Long Experience Series. Someone once told Charles "nothing hits harder than life" and that is so true! Charles is an Army infantry veteran, author, and certified peer support specialist. He has a vast knowledge of Compounded Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), addiction recovery, and practical awareness through his own life experiences coupled with experience in these fields through a working and professional capacity. His books are desi...
Oct 18, 2021•1 hr 26 min
This week we welcome Alexa Modero, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Backpacks For Life. Backpacks For Life’s mission is to provide a unique and personalized support system for homeless and at-risk veterans who are struggling to reintegrate into civilian life. Through their two main programs, backpack distribution and coaching/mentoring, they are able to effectively support and empower veterans, reigniting the flame to live and succeed inside of them. For veterans who have nothing, a back...
Oct 04, 2021•1 hr 13 min
This week we welcome Joseph Zoleta, founder of the Black 6 Project and Black 6 Coffee Trading Company. Joseph takes us on an amazing adventure that started in the early 80's in the Philippines. At just five years old Joseph immigrated to the United States, and settled in Queens, NY. Under the shadow of the City That Never Sleeps, he assimilated into his new culture, and, along with his family, began to build a life through the American dream. Like so many New Yorkers, Joseph was changed forever ...
Sep 25, 2021•1 hr 38 min
This week we welcome Theresa Petruna and Steve Kelnhofer, the Co-Founders of Elev8 Veterans. Elev8 Veterans officially started in 2019 to bring awareness, education, rehabilitation and re-acclimation of veterans and their families to society using alternative methods. Theresa, an Army veteran and former member of the 82nd Airborne, teamed up with Steve, a glassblower with over 15 years of experience, to form an organization that promotes a holistic approach to self-care. They open their doors, w...
Sep 17, 2021•1 hr 10 min
This week we welcome Major Tom Schueman, founder of Patrol Base Abbate. Maj. Schueman shares a story of brotherhood and commitment, personified by the acts of heroic veterans during the drawdown and exit from Afghanistan. Like so many veterans, Maj. Schueman's mission to rescue his interpreter, Zak, was an example of an American servicemember's promise to his allies. Zak, and his family, braved the a trek from Kunar, through Taliban controlled territory, to Kabul. Once there, Maj. Schueman finan...
Sep 10, 2021•1 hr 22 min
This week we welcome back to the show SEAC (R) John Wayne Troxell. We sit down and discuss his perspective on Afghanistan, through the lense of 38 years of service and leadership. Having served a year-long combat tour in Afghanistan and returning 10 times as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, John Troxell has intimate knowledge of the mission being carried out by the men and women serving this country over the past 20 years. John gives his opinion on what h...
Aug 27, 2021•1 hr
This week we welcome Mike Legregni, founder and owner of Veteran Wood Co. Mike walks us through transitioning from the Marines, to law enforcement, to creating a full sized woodworking shop specializing in custom 3D signs and wooden décor. Veteran Wood Co. has taken on projects big and small, with the aim of providing their customers unique items that blend art and military, and law enforcement, traditions. Mike also talks about partnering with other makers to help people throughout the communit...
Aug 20, 2021•1 hr 39 min
This week we welcome Justin Matejcek, founder and President of Veteran’s Adventure Group. Justin has set out to build teams of veterans, equip, and train them to tackle team based extreme sports goals, and help them execute their new missions. Veteran’s Adventure Group identified a need for energetic, nonprofit work in this area. Justin formed the organization to provide sensible solutions to help veterans through peer to peer networking, extreme sports, and veterans adventure therapy. They have...
Aug 13, 2021•1 hr 36 min
This week we hit 50 episodes! Thanks to information provided by the Foxhole Podcast, and our stellar Bulletproof Veteran Podcast research team, we revisit the topic of foreign interpreters...this time focusing on those interpreters who served alongside the US military in Afghanistan. We talk about the true cost of the Afghan War, and how the interpreters that were embedded with forward units continue to fight to escape the tyranny of the Taliban. The goal of this week's show is to provide valuab...
Aug 07, 2021•1 hr
This week we welcome Caleb Masoner, Executive Director of Balanced Veterans. Caleb was also the first Executive Director of Operation 1620, an organization providing support for veteran cannabis users. In 2020, Operation 1620 merged with Balanced Veterans, and became the cannabis initiative of the Balanced Veterans Network. Caleb, the Balanced Veterans Network, and Operation 1620 work with veterans to provide a peer support network that they can lean on in their journey to natural healing and le...
Jul 30, 2021•1 hr 34 min
This week we welcome Adam Poe, founder of ProVet Leadership Academy. ProVet is the first and only leadership training program that empowers veterans with the skills they need to succeed in the corporate workplace. Developed by veterans and organizational psychologists, this unique leadership program uses advanced psychometric analysis and assessments to help veterans not only find employment, but find jobs with tremendous upward mobility potential. Adam discusses the importance of translating mi...
Jul 23, 2021•1 hr 2 min
This week we welcome Stephen Machuga, the founder and CEO of Stack Up. Stack Up helps US and Allied military service members get through combat deployments and recover from traumatic physical and emotional injuries with the power of video gaming. Stack Up utilizes the strength of community to help veterans at home and abroad. Seventy percent of video games are played with others, either in the same room or over the internet. This interaction enhances communication, and leads to greater closeness...
Jul 02, 2021•1 hr 4 min
