Intro: Medal of Honor • Edward Isaac, Naval Officer was captured by the Germans in 1918 (2:46) • From the moment he was captured, he was trying to escape. (2:52) • He jumped out of a moving train. The man just refused to give up. (3:02) • He wanted to stop the whole damn war (3:35) • He would risk everything to bring his intelligence to the allies and help finally destroy the enemy fleet. (9:20) THIS WEEK'S TEAM NEVER QUIT EPISODE Defying the Odds — Vance Walker’s Back-to-Back Ninja Warrior Vict...
Jun 03, 2026•1 hr 27 min
NEVER QUIT THROUGH GRIEF This week’s episode of the Team Never Quit Podcast features an extraordinary woman whose life has been marked by unimaginable hardship, relentless perseverance, and a mission to bring hope to others. Angela Skudin shares her deeply personal journey through chronic illness, devastating loss, and ultimately, purpose. After battling Lyme Disease and debilitating co-infections that left her bedridden for more than a year, Angela found herself searching for answers beyond tra...
May 13, 2026•1 hr 16 min
Carry the Legacy: Turning Loss into a Lifelong Mission This week, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Ryan Manion, a remarkable leader, advocate, and Gold Star sister whose life mission is rooted in service, resilience, and legacy. Ryan’s story begins with the life and sacrifice of her brother, Travis Manion, a U.S. Marine who gave his life on April 29, 2007, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, while drawing enemy fire away from his wounded teammates. But as Ryan shares in this episode, her life has not be...
Apr 29, 2026•1 hr 11 min
The Gift: Phil Heath on Greatness, Grit, and the Mr. Olympia Mindset In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie are joined by none other than Phil Heath, a seven-time Mr. Olympia champion and one of the most iconic names in modern bodybuilding. Known as “The Gift,” Phil shares his journey from a basketball scholarship at the University of Denver to becoming one of the most genetically gifted and mentally driven athletes in bodybuilding history. In this conversation, Phil opens up...
Apr 15, 2026•1 hr 32 min
DOOM 34: The 35-Hour Mission That Helped Launch Desert Storm Colonel Trey Morriss, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) is a former B-52 aviator, commander, and decorated combat veteran who served more than 31 years in support of the legendary Eighth Air Force. He joins Marcus and Melanie in the Team Never Quit podcast studio today. Colonel Morriss, a key figure in one of the most daring missions in modern military aviation, Trey was part of the record-setting opening strike of Desert Storm—the longest combat ...
Apr 01, 2026•1 hr 27 min
From Victim to Victor: Wendi Rees on Faith, Trauma, and Unexpected Paths to Healing What if the tools for healing were already placed within God’s creation? And what if the journey toward restoration could be both deeply spiritual and profoundly transformative? This week’s Team Never Quit Podcast guest, Wendi Rees, is an author, speaker, and podcast host who brings a powerful testimony of faith, resilience, and healing. In her new book, The Christian’s Guide to Psychedelics: Finding Hope and Hea...
Mar 18, 2026•1 hr 30 min
From Navy SEAL to Venture Builder: Nuri Golan on Turning Elite Operators into Elite Entrepreneurs In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie are joined by Nuri Golan, a man who proves that elite performance doesn’t end when the uniform comes off — it evolves. A Veteran and Officer in the Israeli Navy SEALs, Nuri transitioned from high-stakes maritime operations to high-impact venture creation. Today, he is a serial entrepreneur, startup advisor, investor, and Managing Partner of ...
Mar 04, 2026•1 hr 17 min
Protecting the Voiceless: Bill Waybourn on Human Trafficking and Hidden Abuse This week, Marcus and Melanie sit down with one of Texas’ most respected law enforcement leaders and advocates for the vulnerable — Sheriff Bill Waybourn. With more than three decades of service, Bill’s career has been defined by courage, conviction, and a relentless commitment to protecting both communities and the voiceless. From pioneering groundbreaking DWI reform programs to shaping Texas firearm legislation, Bill...
Feb 18, 2026•1 hr 5 min
Forged by Fire: Jesse James on Craftsmanship, Controversy, and Reinvention This week, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Jesse James, one of the most influential custom motorcycle builders of the modern era. A fabricator at heart and an old-school craftsman by trade, Jesse is best known as the founder of West Coast Choppers, a brand that redefined the custom chopper world with raw metal, rigid frames, and uncompromising attention to detail. Jesse’s journey began in his mother’s garage, where he le...
Feb 04, 2026•1 hr 36 min
Making the Invisible Visible: A SEAL’s Mission to Redefine Mental Health This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Jonathan Wilson, founder and CEO of INVI MindHealth, a groundbreaking mental-health technology company built on one powerful mission: to save and improve lives by making the invisible visible. Jonathan’s journey is anything but ordinary. He began his professional career serving over a decade as a United States Navy SEAL, deploying to multiple combat ...
Jan 21, 2026•1 hr 22 min
Mind Over Body & Boots on the Ground: A Candid Conversation with Marcus Luttrell and Dale Brisby In this powerful and unexpectedly entertaining episode, Marcus Luttrell sits down with rodeo icon and Western humorist Dale Brisby for a wide-ranging conversation that blends discipline, faith, grit, and good-natured cowboy wisdom. Marcus opens up in remarkable detail about his recent 40-day fast, sharing the physical, mental, and spiritual journey that led to a staggering 70-pound weight loss. H...
Jan 07, 2026•2 hr 33 min
Eight Deployments, One Mission: Chad Robichaux and the Call to Never Quit What an incredible guest we have on this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast. Marcus engages in a compelling discussion with former Force Recon Marine, Chad Robichaux. With eight deployments to Afghanistan as part of a Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) Task Force, Chad overcame his personal battles with PTSD after nearly becoming a veteran suicide statistic. Chad is the founder of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, serving the a...
Dec 31, 2025•1 hr 37 min
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 in...
Dec 24, 2025•2 hr 2 min
This episode includes sensitive content and may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. On July 4th, a devastating flood swept through Kerrville, Texas, forever altering countless lives. Among those impacted was John Dustin Ledford, whose world was turned upside down as he began a desperate search for his sister, brother-in-law, and young nephew in the chaotic aftermath of the storm. In this heartbreaking and deeply human episode of the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus an...
Dec 17, 2025•2 hr 33 min
Rising Above: From Runaway Kid to Green Beret, Cop, and Creator This week’s Team Never Quit episode brings you a raw, unfiltered, and deeply inspiring conversation with Sean Rogers - a man who has lived several lifetimes’ worth of adversity, discipline, transformation, and impact. From a desert town to the global stage, Rogers’ story is one of resilience forged under pressure. Born in California and raised in Phelan, his early years were marked by chaos and instability. After running away from h...
Dec 10, 2025•1 hr 59 min
From Battlefield to Boardroom: A Global Legacy of Courage, Compassion & Leadership This week, the Team Never Quit Podcast welcomes a truly extraordinary guest: Dr. Sudip Bose — emergency physician, Iraq War veteran, entrepreneur, medical innovator, and one of the world’s most dynamic voices at the intersection of medicine, military leadership, and business. Few leaders embody resilience and global perspective the way Dr. Bose does. His story spans continents, combat zones, emergency rooms, a...
Dec 03, 2025•1 hr 16 min
The Trident: Leadership Lessons from the Battlefield to the Boardroom This week, Marcus, Melanie welcome an extraordinary warrior, leader, and encourager—Jason Redman, retired Navy SEAL, bestselling author, and one of the most respected voices on resilience and overcoming adversity. Jason served 21 years in the U.S. Navy, including 11 years as an enlisted SEAL and 10 years as a SEAL officer, leading combat operations across the globe. His career is a study in grit, redemption, and relentless ded...
Nov 26, 2025•1 hr 6 min
From a U. S. Army Combat Veteran Mindset to Tractor Supply Leadership: Building Teams, Safety, and Continuous Improvement This week, Marcus and Melanie welcome Rodney Bailey, a devoted husband, father, and decorated U.S. Army combat veteran whose leadership has been shaped by four combat tours and distinguished honors, including the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. He now applies that mission-driven discipline at Tractor Supply Company, where he leads operations and continuous improve...
Nov 19, 2025•1 hr 30 min
From the Skies Over Vietnam to the Power of Healing — The Story of Mike Penn This week’s Team Never Quit guest, Mike Penn, embodies courage, resilience, and grace under pressure. A Navy fighter pilot who served in Vietnam over 50 years ago, Penn’s life took a dramatic turn on August 6, 1972, during his 85th combat mission off the USS Midway . Shot down and captured by enemy forces, he endured eight harrowing months as a POW in Hanoi, facing starvation, torture, and isolation. Losing 60 pounds an...
Nov 12, 2025•1 hr 25 min
From the Battlefield to Breakthrough: The Kalob Creighton Story This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast, we sit down with Special Forces Green Beret Kalob Creighton, whose story embodies the essence of courage, faith, and the power of healing. Kalob’s journey began on the battlefield—serving his nation with honor and sacrifice. But his most life-changing battle didn’t happen overseas; it happened at home. During a late-night burglary attempt, Kalob was shot while shielding his toddler from dang...
Nov 05, 2025•1 hr 29 min
More Than the Uniform: Greg Froelick’s Pursuit of Purpose This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast , Marcus and Melanie sit down with former Navy SEAL and private aviation businessman*, Greg Froelick—a man who has dedicated his life to excellence, discipline, and service both on and off the battlefield. Greg’s journey began after college, when he chose to serve his country and earned his place among the elite ranks of the U.S. Navy SEAL Teams. His time in special operations sharpened his perspec...
Oct 29, 2025•1 hr 1 min
From Marine… to Green Beret… to Peacemaker This week, Marcus and Melanie sit down with an unconventional warrior with an unconventional calling—Christian Hickey, Founder and CEO of the Triple A Authority Foundation, husband, father of three, Marine, Police Officer, Green Beret, and now… missionary on the front lines of Ukraine. Christian’s journey reads like a novel you’d assume was fiction—yet every chapter is true. For over 15 years of military service and 15 years in law enforcement, Christia...
Oct 22, 2025•1 hr 13 min
From SEAL to Studio: The Art of Grit with Justin Hughes In this week’s episode of the Team Never Quit Podcast , Marcus, Melanie, and Hunter sit down with Justin Hughes — former Navy SEAL turned professional oil painter — whose journey from the battlefield to the art studio embodies the essence of transformation, discipline, and creative courage. Based out of Charleston, South Carolina, Justin has redefined what it means to serve and to create. As a self-taught representational artist, he channel...
Oct 15, 2025•1 hr 29 min
A Real American – Born in Poland. In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus & Melanie meet with Drago Dzieran, a former political prisoner for his activism against Communism. After arriving in the United States unable to speak English, Drago eventually became a US citizen, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and trained to serve as a Navy SEAL. In Iraq, he fought in over 100 combat missions as the Naval Special Warfare Lead Breacher. Drago was awarded Bronze Star with “V” for valor, Navy Commenda...
Oct 08, 2025•2 hr 39 min
The Crawl: How Jake Schmitt Survived a Mountain Crash — Thanks to His Dog In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus & Melanie sit down with Utah hunting guide Jake Schmitt to hear his incredible story of survival in the Uintah Mountains. What began as a summer scouting trip for mule deer turned into an 11-hour crawl for his life — with only his dog, Buddy, by his side. Jake shares how he went from releasing an elk calf from a trap to being crushed in a UTV rollover, and how his knowledg...
Oct 01, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Kaj Larsen: From Navy SEAL to Groundbreaking Journalist This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie welcome an extraordinary guest whose life reads like an action thriller—Kaj Larsen. Born in Santa Cruz, California, Kaj earned his Political Science degree from UC Santa Cruz and went on to Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government for a master’s in Public Policy, where he was a Shorenstein Center fellow and a joint fellow at Tufts Jebsen Center for Counter-Terrorism Studies. Kaj’s j...
Sep 24, 2025•1 hr 31 min
Exposing Big Food, Big Pharma, and the Path to True Health In this week’s episode, Marcus, Melanie meet with Calley Means — entrepreneur, healthcare reform advocate, and co-founder of TrueMed. Calley has been making waves in the national conversation about health, nutrition, and the systems driving chronic disease. As a former consultant to some of the largest food and pharmaceutical companies in the world, Calley offers a rare insider’s perspective on how financial incentives can prioritize pro...
Sep 17, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Mindset Matters. In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, we are honored to host a remarkable individual who has not only mastered the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but has also conquered the world's highest peak – Mount Everest. Join us as Marcus and Melanie delve into the incredible journey of Cesalina Gracie. Hailing from a family that pioneered and revolutionized this martial art, Cesalina has carried the torch forward, dedicating her life to mastering the intricacies of Jiu-Jitsu. Cesalina shar...
Sep 10, 2025•2 hr 12 min
Unstoppable: Anthony Robles on Defying the Odds and Dominating the Mat In this week’s episode of the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus, Melanie, and Hunter welcome NCAA wrestling champion and three-time All-American Anthony Robles. Born with one leg, Anthony refused to let his circumstances define him, instead rewriting the rules of perseverance and grit to capture the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championship for Arizona State University—earning the nickname “The Beast.” Anthony’s story of resilience has ...
Sep 03, 2025•45 min
TNQP Internal Episode – Summer of 2025 Recap In this week’s special edition of the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus, Melanie, and Hunter look back on the summer of 2025—a season filled with unforgettable adventures, joyful moments, and one devastating event. Marcus and Hunter recount their personal involvement in the recovery efforts during the tragic 4th of July flood in Kerrville, Texas, offering a raw glimpse into the resilience and service that define the TNQ spirit. But this episode is more ...
Aug 27, 2025•55 min
