TAMF - Tap and Move Forward

This is my first episode in my second year of the podcast!  The first year was so much fun! and so much work.  Thanks for all the support, downloads, and shares after my first year.  I’m really excited to continue to bring in more impressive and interesting interviews, and I would love some support, if you have something to contribute, time or financial,  the podcast is now on patreon, if you go to patreon.com/tamfpodcast or go to tamfpodcast.com for a link.  If you have any extra time and would like to help with marketing, processing episodes, or communicating with possible guests, I would love any extra help, just email me at tamfpodcast@gmail.com.   If you just want to support by listening, I hope you enjoy this fun and informative interview with Arlo Gagestein. I was excited and wanted him on the show after I found a great informative section of his book on preparing for a military PT test.  Arlo is a strength and conditioning specialist, licensed massage therapist and owner of Competitive Edge Fitness in Ogden, UT. He has been training competitive athletes, military, law enforcement, and martial artists for two decades. He specializes in thinking and training outside the box. And after the amount of times people have told me to just do more pushups or sit-ups to prepare for the test I am really excited to present you with someone who can give you a much more dynamic and powerful response to that. In this episode Arlo Gagestien talks about:  Getting bored doing regular things Training the body as a unit Injury Prevention becoming a massage therapist in addition to training thinking about training in a different way “All show ‘no go’” mindset for training Mindset is more important than physical ability  its not over till its over Train the way you’re going to compete Gathering inspiration Navigating through all the information the best exercise is the one you’re going to do the kind of movements to focus on improving performance balancing your work out spend as much time with recovery as with the exercise “you can’t fake optimism” Do hard things and learn from them    The video Arlo mentions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FtSP-tkSug For Arlo’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Battle-Tested-Train-Like-Depends-ebook/dp/B07FNTNM9L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9S2MJO6SF3XD&keywords=arlo+gagestein&qid=1574908794&sprefix=arlo+gages%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-1 “When you’re struggling you learn a lot about yourself” “Enjoy the struggle” 

**SPEC OPS** PARARESCUE** I have wanted to interview a Pararescuman since I started the podcast a year ago. Pararescue is often overlooked when people list the most impressive careers in the military, but this is a mistake.  Their intense training teaches them to save lives in the most extreme situations.  They must know how to deal with any terrain and any difficult situation in order to extract or save a life.   I’m really excited that a friend connected me to Jeffrey Swenson, who is still young in his career.  In this interview he talks about the best things he did to prepare himself for training, and the skills he needed in order to succeed.  Without further delay, here is the interview with Jeffrey Swenson. How he decided on Pararescue (PJ) How he prepared for Pararescue “You need to go live your dream” The effects of an amazing support group “Its not crazy to just go do something that scares you” Learning self trust Being turned down by a recruiter Eagerness to study military people Seeking adventure The character you need to thrive “Make it or die” If you can train harder than they require Having a core belief to hold to “Immerse yourself in a community that will push you to be better” “I didn’t even have to think because they trained us so well” Why love is required Personal beliefs   Tamfpodcast.com/pj

**Leadership Episode** Everyone in the military has to go through basic training, And no one will forget their drill sergeant, or in the Air Force we say MTI meaning Military Training Instructor.  This interview is with my MTI.  He had quite a dynamic career with deployments, 4 years at Lackland molding new recruits, and retired after 20 years with the rank of Master Sergeant.  In this interview we don’t talk extensively about his entire career, but focused on Basic training, what it is like to work with new recruits, his own leadership discoveries, and a bigger picture of all the effort, sacrifice, and structure that goes into development of the new recruits.  If you have been to basic, it might help you see a side of your MTI that you didn’t know, if you haven’t, it will help you understand all the work and effort and the bigger picture so you don’t fall into some of the mental traps that many recruits fall into.  Like believing their MTI hates them. In this interview Wendell Olivier discusses: Becoming an Air Force MTI Discovering the challenge that it required Why he became an MTI The transition becoming an MTI How the civilian world is similar to military Parental love vs. MTI love Types of pressures as an MTI Learning to be a good leader Learning to connect The struggle of being away from family When following someone else doesn’t work for you The discovery process Being an introvert Why he joined the military Having the support he needed to improve Why people succeed at Basic   For more information please visit www.TAMFpodcast.com/MTI   Quotes: “By the time you got to the point of success you were so far above the standard that your minimal effort was already superb.” “You have the potential to be better, and I want you to be that.” “A lot of people shy away from things that are difficult for them. They don’t take it head on. But I find that it’s not as bad as it seems…because regardless of how long it lasts, pain is always temporary.” “a little bit of confidence goes a long way... Find the ones that are not afraid and see what they got afterwards” “It depends on the person, if they are willing to change, if they want to do better, and they don’t have an avenue to get there, when they get to basic training they find that.” “You cannot be your normal self when you are under a lot of pressure for the first time.”

War Stories Episode GREEN BERET   This is an interview that I have wanted for a while.  Jeff is one of the most accomplished people I have met. He has almost 29 years as a green beret, multiple deployments, tons of real world combat experience, he has also written many books, studied 7 different languages, has multiple patents including one for a tourniquet he invented, he also co-founded Black Rifle Coffee and Readyman. And in the interview I got to dive into his mindset and his experience and discover the foundation for his success.    Jeff talks about:   Going to jump school before his senior year Choosing to be a Green Beret What Special Forces is really looking for Importance of teamwork “At the end of the day, that ego just ends up sacrificing their own people” Being a leader that supports your people Working with different cultures How to respond when someone takes advantage of good leadership Developing subordinate leaders Planning out his career Reading like crazy Policing his desire to be rebellious and keeping focused Wrestling as a platform of preparation “There’s no where to hide when you’re out on the mat” Number one reason people made it through BUD/S Make sure you like your job “The military can kill the love of anything” Dealing with stress – including 8 years deployed in active as a Green Beret Inspired by checklists Writing as a release leading to actually releasing a novel Black swan events “Emergency Preparedness starts with the individual.” “Emergency preparedness is long term thinking” “You won’t have creative people, if you don’t have good leadership.” “little bits of stress will shut down the creative brain.”” “…We were constantly trying to find solutions to problems, because a lot of the stuff we were doing was unproven. “ “war is work, it is mind-numbing repetitive work.  You don’t get good at doing something just doing it once, you get good at doing it 10,000 times…that’s a lot of mind numbing repetitive work.” Infantry type jobs are the most complex jobs out there For more information or to comment on what you learned please visit www.tamfpodcast.com/readyman

***Leadership Episode*** I don’t know a better way to honor 9-11 than to release this episode with Ret. Brig. Gen. Christine Burckle.  She started her career as a Navigator, flying over 3000 hours, later moving up through the ranks and becoming the first female General in the Utah Guard.  I have been lucky to serve under her command and I am honored she agreed to this interview sharing her insight and experiences that developed her career and character along the way.  If you google her you can find all sorts of news coverage from her taking command as assistant adjutant General, to her recent retirement. In this episode she talks about: Being a Navigator Being replaced by a computer Getting a hated assignment Transitioning from active duty to guard Being a small business owner Being in the military for 9-11 Valuable relationships Getting Feedback Stepping forward Leadership Transparency Support of family Having a military spouse Personal Pride Developing communication You can also visit www.TAMFpodcast.com/navigator “Don’t ever think there is any thing as a bad assignment.” “They woudn’t ask you to do it if they didn’t think you could” “What you really need to do is just be ready to step forward if asked” “When you believe in yourself it helps you meet challenges and make mistakes too. Failing becomes a lot easier if you believe in yourself, it helps you keep trying.”   https://kutv.com/features/person-2-person/person-2-person-brigadier-general-christine-burckle

**Leadership Episode** I’m happy to introduce you to Bradley Driver, a career Marine, who has served over 20 years and has had diverse career experience, including a crewchief, a Drill Instructor, and now as a Sergean Major.  He has met multiple presidents, deployed all over the world, and in all of this experience I was impressed to discover a humble man who truly wants to serve, support, and give back.  He truly believes he is the luckiest man you will meet today.   For my warrior challenge, Bradley speaks of the constitution and the declaration of Independence, and that it is uncommon that an American’s has actually read both documents.  I challenge you to read them.  Stay tuned until the end of the interview for Bradley’s challenge. In this interview Bradley talks about:   Meeting a recruiter at a gas station Being fit The process of becoming a Marine Delayed Entry Program Most important ways to prepare Focus on the mission Starting small talk Good leadership skills Deployment Having a diversified career Flying with Presidents Having a “Spring Butt” Impacts of peer pressure Value of shared hardship Getting out of your comfort zone Meeting new people Stress navigation Don’t be afraid to ask for help The enemy always has a vote HIs warrior challenge   For more information on Bradley driver please visit www.tamfpodcast.com/worthit   Quotes from Bradley: “There’s no one there to bail you out. You are on your own” “If you had to be led by you, what qualities and traits do you possess that are attractive to you?” “Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do.”

**Leadership Episode** I am honored and proud to introduce you to Command Chief Master Sergeant Ronald Anderson, He is the Command Chief of the Air National Guard, meaning he is the highest ranking enlisted member in the component of the Air National Guard.  he is directly responsible for all matters influencing the health, morale, welfare, job satisfaction, discipline, utilization, family support, quality of life, and professional development of more than 106,600 Air Guard members.In this interview He goes into the details of his unusual and remarkable career path. For this episode’s Warrior Challenge: The command chief talks about how his success came from building relationships based on credibility and that credibility is built everyday.  Your challenge is to start a journal and write everyday on what you did to build credibility, or ways you could have, and would like to build credibility in the future.   Creating a habit and documenting progress is a great way to hold yourself accountable while you build a new character trait.  The Chief talks about: Starting out his career Turning around a bad attitude Being impacted by positive leadership Making transitions- getting article 15s The power of structure Transitioning into the Guard Positioning for promotion Quitting recruiting Getting a job in a different line Being willing to do the job well Taking responsibility for yourself What’s your story? Being accessible as a leader Learning to see through different lenses for the entire bio of the Command Chief, or to comment on what you learned please visit www.tamfpodcast.com/earneveryday   Quotes: If you were going to ask me what one of my keys to success, or how I got where I am, I think it was that idea that I built relationships on credibility and that credibility is earned every day, every time I show up, every morning, every day, every afternoon, I just earned everyday. Don’t tell yourself no…If you opt out of something that is put in front of you, you may find your self in a situation where that could have been the difference of why you were promoted or why you were selected. When you opt out of an opportunity you say no to that experience so I urge folks to continue to find balance in their lives but to explore opportunities and to serve in other ways. Your career will either happen to you, or you will drive it. I see a lot of people who let their career happen to them and then they’re mad at the world for it, and that’s ridiculous. You have the ability to own it, if you only take advantage of the opportunities.

***Friends of the Military Episode*** I am really excited for today’s show, for a number of reasons.  First off,  I have been looking for people who can really talk about navigating the mind.  One of the most difficult challenges we face is learning to think effectively.  It is most often our mind that gets in the way of us reaching our goals and I have struggled to find anyone who can say much that really makes sense to me.  This interview is a very intense and long discussion, but it is all actionable items anyone can do to understand and improve your mind.  I’m also excited because, Ed Earle is one of the most dynamic people I’ve met.  I don’t know if I’ve known anyone to have such diverse skillsets.  He had a company rank on the inc 500 list 3 years in a row, and he built other companies that also ranked. He has designed and built many products like an FDA approved sports drink, different firearms, a pickleball paddle, combative knives to name a few. I love one of his recent projects that you can send in some frabric from an old uniform and they will repurpose it into knife grips or a belt buckle. I’ll include a Link in the show notes. He is walking proof that it is amazing what you can do when you know how to leverage your mind! There is so much value in this interview. Like I said I’ve done a lot of searching and researching on this topic, and I’ve never had anyone give me such powerful tools for success. It took me a few conversations with Ed to really get it and to warn you, this conversation is quite long, please don’t try and force it.  If you aren’t getting it, listen to it in pieces, come back later,  I ask a lot of questions and go into nuances. You don’t necessarily need all of that right from the beginning.  Don’t overwhelm yourself. I sometimes get complaints that the interviews are too long, but I will keep asking questions if I’m still curious, use what applies to you.  For this episode’s Warrior Challenge: Ed says it is all too often people really don’t know what we want to be and do.  So his challenge is to keep a journal and write down all the things that you are focusing on, spending time on, or that capture your attention. Then one by one check them off to see if it is truly where your heart lies.  If it is in your heart it is something you love and something you love to think about. Where does your mind go when you are not required to think? What Ed talks about:  Understanding the way the mind works Why affirmations don’t work Diffusing mental bombs How to create a no quit attitude Building a success map in your mind Actionable items- Internal inteviews Shifting into familiar and connected Finding good questions- like what were your biggest failures? Working until you get a good answer Creating a list of things that motivate you Confronting places of struggle in the mind – Emotional Bombs Including flattery in the self interview The difference between internal interviews and real interviews Future-speaking Interviewing yourself into confidence Finding what gratifies you Pulling off the blinders – your own compass Self interview with relationships It takes time, dedication, research, and practice You could interview yourself into being more delusional Metaphorical ex- part of the brain is ALWAYS going to win The mind does not like inaccuracies Emotional Suicide The internal interview for tactical situations   Links for Ed: https://www.edwardearle.com/ https://www.tacticaltrailerpark.com/product-page/war-grips-knife-grips?fbclid=IwAR1XroqiSK0zFCWkhrmJsv6XVjDcI0B_UATUd4CWUg1lo6BVboJvEfypJN0  For more information please visit www.tamfpodcast.com/mind  

**Family of the Military** **War Stories** Today is a special release, it is off my normal schedule because this episode is very unique and I thought it deserved some special attention.  This interview is with Lindsey Stacy, wife of Kenton Stacy.  On Kenton’s 4thcombat deployment,as Explosive Ordinance Disposal or EOD… he was severely injured. He is a quadriplegic, his throat and voice were severely damaged, and he suffered a traumatic brain injury.  He has 4 children and an amazing wife.  Lindsey was willing to be interviewed to give us all a little perspective on how life changes for injured veterans and for their families. I hope we all can take a minute to appreciate the members of the military who so willing put themselves directly in dangers way and how it can impact them and their families.  As a warrior challenge, I encourage you to reach out to a veteran that inspires you, like Kenton, and do something to show your appreciation. Some of the topics discussed:  Kenton’s early career His character His deployments What the military brought him and his family The events that led to his injury Coming home Family support Work/family balance Social media   Kenton’s Social Media links: Please see www.stacystrongeodproject.comInstagram: stacystrongeodprojectFacebook: EODC Kenton StacyGo fund me: https://www.gofundme.com/stacystrongfamily    “Try to find a balance with your career in the military and your spouse and creating a family, because at the end of the day, they’re the ones that are going to be here for you. “ - Lindsey Stacy   I hope you enjoyed this episode and found some respect and appreciation for those that are so willing to run in harm’s way.  For more information on Kenton, please visit www.tamfpodcast.com/stacy   Kenton’s Bio:  Kenton Stacy is a explosive ordinance disposal chief Petty Officer. Stacy was on his fourth combat deployment during a mission in Syria he was severely injured by an IED explosion. Kenton’s injuries were so extensive that he is the most severely injured surviving wounded warrior. Kenton is a quadriplegic and requires many medical devices most important his wheelchair. Due to his injuries Kenton’s throat and voice were very severely damaged. To the point that his voice is no longer the same. He is able to project his voice to a loud whisper. He suffered a traumatic brain injury during the blast. Thankfully he is completely aware of his surroundings.Kenton underwent major surgery when he was transported to Baghdad after the efforts of his medical team to stabilize him enough to get him out of harms way was accomplished and lifesaving measures were preformed which the president recognized in his 2018 State of the Union address. Kenton was USO sailor of the year and has helped to save countless lives over his career. He has been hospitalized since November of 2017. After 22 months he is finally able to be given outpatient status. He was recently brought back for the first time in 22 months to be with his family in his own home. He has recently been put back in the hospital due to an infection and has a very fragile immune system but wants to be in the lives of his children in any capacity. Kenton has 4 children. His oldest child has an intellectual disability and has cerebral palsy and requires a wheelchair at times. Logan is 11 and Mason is 7 Annabelle is 5 and Sadie is 3. They are all very young children and require an exuberant amount of care. He spent almost 2 years away from home since being deployed in 2017 and inpatient at various hospitals. He recently returned home to his family and they are adjusting to a new normal.

Adam Burns is back! If you haven’t listened to episode 28, It is full of his background stories and military experience as a TACP.  I asked for him to come back because of his extensive understanding of the character of elite performance, as he currently works with candidates for the Air Force special warfare careers. This time he is talking about rules to live by.  These are mandatory for anyone looking to be the best at something.  For this episode’s warrior challenge, Adam dares you to go to the www.afspecwarfar.com site and attempt on of the workouts. I will include the challenge that I will personally attempt with a friend. We will post our results. Choose your own workout or see if you can out perform us!  warrior challenge: As Many Rounds as Possible (AMRAP) in 20 Minutes 10 Burpees15 Sit-ups400 Meter Run In this interview Adam covers: Watching for character and strength with candidates Reacting to various forms of Stress Attitude adjustments to breakdown Making the mission Never Quit- focus on small wins- short term goals – those who are most likely not to quit. Never Complain- find something else to focus on Never fix blame- fix the problem – Remember you chose this One task at a time- prioritize and be purposeful- you can’t loose your head Always give 100%- know when it is applicable to sacrifice your body  Be prepared to prove your worth Integrity Life without standard vs high standard To find a special warfare recruiter in your area, or more information on the AF special warfare careers visit https://www.afspecwar.com, or for more on adam burns visit www.tamfpodcast.com/5rules  

Dave Acosta is back! In Episode 8 I interviewed him about his extensive tactical experience.  He goes into depth on how to unleash the excellence in your DNA!  This episode focuses on his skillset as an Authority on Active shooters and Personal Protection. In this capacity Dave has been recognized nationally and has been featured on various media outlets. Dave and his team also created a program and trained over 6000 teachers to date in effective “Fight Back” techniques, arming teachers with the skillset to respond if an active shooter comes to their school.  This Episode’s Warrior Challenge Is a direct quote from Dave in the episode. He said:  “We will learn to feel better about ourselves when we overtly commit an action everyday that benefits someone else, especially if it’s a perfect stranger. “ Your challenge is to start finding ways and taking actions to benefit someone else, particularly if they are a stranger. To unleash your inner warrior you must take action!  Dave Challenges you to at least 3 times do something that benefits a stranger that you wouldn’t normally have done. Stay accountable by letting me know what you did on the TAMF website or social media sites. In this episode Dave covers: Then tendency to shut down A teacher’s responsibility Its in your DNA to fight back The reason active shooters are successful Cover vs. concealment How to plan an attack/ambush Moments of weakness Empowering action Psychological transitions Active shooter in different settings Mental Preparation to fight back Challenging yourself Valuing others over ourselves Active shooter profile Creating a Family Plan   “When people act without hesitation on behalf of others, we win” “We will learn to feel better about ourselves when we overtly commit an action everyday that benefits someone else, especially if it’s a perfect stranger. “   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fight-back-nation-podcast/id1459578563   Check out his AWESOME SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: YouTactical Nation http://www.youtactical.com/ IG @YouTactical_Nation FB YouTactical Fightbacknation@gmail.com   Fight Back Nation www.Fightbacknation.org IG @fightbacknation FB FightBackNation YouTactical.US@gmail.com

***War Stories Episode*** Today’s guest started training to be a pro wrestler starting at 16. Later putting his dream on hold to join the Army.  He deployed as a machine gunner, and was nominated for the Bronze Star and Combat action badge for actions against the enemy. In this episode he talks about his struggles reintegrating into society, and  his work using Pro Wrestling as an outlet to navigate PTSD and to help other veteran’s.  His documentary Valhalla Club is now on Amazon, It’s awesome.  If you want more of his stories and to learn about his work, Please watch it. I really enjoyed it and I definitely recommend it.   For this episode’s skillset challenge, Jan challenges everyone to 5 seconds of craziness.  Take a big action that only takes 5 seconds. Talk to someone you normally wouldn’t, sign up for an event you have been wanting to, do something you have been holding back on, just let yourself have 5 seconds of craziness that will give you a new experience. Jan talks about: Getting good advice from his recruiter Not liking his job Deploying to Iraq in 2004 Producing a Documentary Finding creative outlets for stress Difficulties of deployment Living with PTSD Pro Wrestling while dealing with PTSD Developing a Pro Wrestler persona Talking with people with PTSD Guarding the tomb of the Unknown Soldier   For more information on Jan or his work, visit www.tamfpodcast.com/wrestle or Valhalla Club FB: https://www.facebook.com/valhallaclubmovie/ Scars & Stripes FB: https://www.facebook.com/scarsandstripesllc/ Scars & Stripes IG: https://www.instagram.com/scarsandstripesllc/ Episode Quotes: “Going through what we went though,…it just permanently changes you” “You just gotta to push yourself to go through this stuff, no matter how hard it gets” “There’s good times and bad, just roll with it, and keep an open mind, and get the most of it” “5 seconds of craziness can change your life”

Today’s guest went to the AF academy because he didn’t want to pay for college, He had no idea what he was getting himself into, but he learned to dig deep and found out what it took to complete the academy, graduating in 2016. His first assignment was to Kadena Japan, where he decided to start his own YouTube channel.  He has loads of information packed videos on officer and military life. Just search his name Alex Tsang or visit https://www.youtube.com/user/MrUnpwnage For today’s skillset challenge,  one of the things Alex talks about is getting comfortable with uncomfortable conversations. If you are not ready to starting an uncomfortable conversation start researching how to navigate difficult conversations, maybe using crucial conversations or non-violent communication. And if you do have some skills that way already, start working on your skillset by seeking out some difficult conversations. Alex talks about: Going to the Air Force Academy Integrity first- Core values Not saying what they want to hear Academy standards Struggles of the academy Different motivations for joining Average day in the Academy Coping with Stress Being on Academic Probation Time management Prioritization Being in charge of punishment Uncomfortable conversations Embracing the suck Finding a new opportunity Starting a YouTube channel Love of Fitness I hope you enjoyed this episode and found a new mindset to help you excel.  If you want more information on Alex or please visit TAMFpodcast.com/alex   “Its pointless to go through the experience and not share it with anybody” “I know that if I work hard on it I’ll get decent at it. “ “I’ve noticed I had to be a grinder in order to be successful. “ “There is always opportunity out there, but you don’t know the opportunity until you reach the opportunity” “There’s a reward worth working for, that’s what made me keep going”

**“Friends of the Military” Episode**  We have Lyn Christian back again!  If you didn’t listen to episode 29 it was a great introduction to Lyn Christian and the work she does as a coach.  I am thrilled to have her back again for a second interview!  As a refresher, She is a Master Certified Coach from the International Coach Federation, Her dad was a Marine, and she has done some work with the military too. For this week’s Skillset challenge, once again, pick any number of the tools and tactics Lyn describes, or as a special gift Lyn is offering her online program to TAMF listeners at a 50% discount!  This is a fantastic way to continue the training with Lyn and to improve your capacity for focus.  Just use TAMF as a coupon code.  Use this link HERE to get to the program! During this interview Lyn talks about: Self Reinvention The difference between should and must Experimentation Authentic self-discussion Learning to adapt I part vision 1 part flexibility 10% closer to a goal when you see someone else accomplish it How do you define success? Building your own system- self efficacy Choosing to repel others The tendency to appease Recipe for Success Need for a team Facing fear Strategies for getting out of panic Gut health Developing Focus Creating your own planning rituals   Lyn’s recipe for success: Be true to yourself Find your core values Leverage your strengths Manage your focus Lyn’s Definition of Success: How soft your heart remains and how open your mind stays Quotes from Lyn: “We find our way by experimenting. Knowing the right answer is so much less interesting, inspiring, and effective than being willing to discover many right answers. “ “Life itself is a proposition of infinite numbers of rules of proper engagement” “Appeasement helps with survival but can’t help with thriving” To learn more about Lyn Christian please visit her website: https://soulsalt.com or www.TAMFpodcast.com/soulsalt

***Friends of the Military Episode*** Today’s episode is a little different.  First, I need to announce I will be moving to an every other week episode schedule.  I love doing the interviews and producing the podcast, when I started I really didn’t understand everything that it took to produce a podcast, and now, after 7 months, this will make it easier for me to maintain and continue giving you valuable content. Look for the next episode in 2 weeks. Also, this is the first “FRIENDS OF THE MILITARY” episode. This episode comes from a supporter of the military, who has developed powerful skillsets that can really empower you in your career. Today’s guest in Lyn Christian.  She is an Master Certified Coach from the International Coach Federation, she is certified in Conversational Intelligence®, former Director of Innovation at Franklin Covey Coaching and former ambassador for the World Association for Business Coaches I had a fantastic time with the interview.  It is full of incredible advice and practical skills you can apply to develop yourself.  For today’s skillset challenge, pick any of the activities that Lyn Recommends.  In the interview Lyn Christian talks about: Focus How to support those around you Neural Networks Journal- tally sheet Fresh beginnings Becoming a teacher Becoming a coach Power of the military structure Having a Marine as a father Leaning into the challenge Reinventing yourself Why you would resist change Conversational intelligence Being Formidable To learn more about Lyn Christian please visit her website: https://soulsalt.com or www.TAMFpodcast.com/soulsalt

**This is a war stories episode** Today’s guest was a TACP in the Air Force for 8 years.  He was medically discharged because of injuries sustained in battle. His actions earned him the bronze star with valor. We have already heard from his wife, Riley Burns in episode 18.  Adam Burns now works with the Air Force’s new recruits going into one of the Special Warfare career fields. He helps them prepare ahead of time to minimize failure and burnout in the intense training of these demanding careers.  Whether or not you are interested in one of these elite military career fields, you can step up your game by following his 6 character traits of elite performance.  For this week’s skillset challenge, take one of the character traits explained by Adam Burns and find a way to purposely develop it in your life.  Possibly using his exact tactics of developing durability using water training, or you might choose a task that is special to your desires. After you pick what you are going to do, tell me on the TAMF social media, or tell a friend.  Accountability increases your likelihood of success. Adam talks about: Becoming TACP Durability Develop self-awareness Trainability Taking it serious Suitability Dealing with loss of a sense Working with your stress response Team before self Having THAT conversation Attention to Detail Self control Using water/swimming for training Deployment Your reputation To find a special warfare recruiter in your area, or more information on the AF special warfare careers visit https://www.afspecwar.com, or for more information and pictures visit TAMFpodcast.com/burns “Combat doesn’t have a limit on hours” “Did you stop because you were done or did you stop because you didn’t want to do it?” “You will have to deal with discomfort, and those that are able to tolerate that more will do well in all walks of life.” “You need to be motivated to do the shit that sucks.” “You have to understand why you want something and it has to be deep seated, it has to hold some serious value for you, because when things get tough and you want to quit because you feel like you are drowning, literally and physically sometimes, What is it that is going to cause you to drive on?”

Today’s guest is Air Force Special Warfare Recruiter, Jeremy May.  He finds the best candidates to fill the most physically and tactically demanding careers in the Air Force.  For today’s skillset challenge, One of the things I noticed during the interview, is that Jeremy May has one of the most naturally optimistic attitudes.  Everything he says has an underlying current of appreciation or optimism.  We all know that positivity when forced, feels fake and inauthentic.  So my challenge to you, is to find things you actually believe that you can be positive about. Not things you think you should be positive about, but things you actually believe.  And then spend some time focusing on it, and appreciating it. If someone in your life that has impacted your for good, then tell them.  If you are loving the spring, go on a hike or to the park and make a mental list of all the things you appreciate about it.  Optimism is a skill that can help pull you through when life is difficult, as long as the optimism is real and true to you.  If you are really honest, What is something you genuinely love about your job, life, or military career? Share with me on the TAMF social media sites or website.  Hating the military Deciding to re-enlist Meeting his wife as a result His deployment experience Supporting his wife while deployed Becoming a recruiter Working in Special Warfare Differences between the careers Leadership skills as a recruiter Learning the skill of optimism I hope you enjoyed this episode and found a new mindset to help you excel.  To find a special warfare recruiter in your area visit https://www.afspecwar.com, or for more information and pictures visit TAMFpodcast.com/May

**This is a leadership Episode** Hello and welcome to TAMF, Today’s guest is the decorated commander of the 419 fighter wing, of the AIR Reserves., and has flown multiple aircraft including the f15, f16 and f35 in both combat and non combat missions. She is a highly accomplished and intelligent leader. For todays skillset challenge, Col Sabric talks about being open to options that may take you in a different direction than planned. Wherever you are, make it the best.  This is a mindset challenge.  We are often our own worst enemies, we may look at a turn in the road as taking us off our intended goal, but our attitude and ability to make the most of a situation, is what will propel you forward to something greater than you could have planned.  Where in your life are you feeling frustrated?  How can you turn that situation into a benefit?  Don’t just try and force yourself into positive thinking when it isn’t authentic.  We all know that doesn’t work.  Take the time to figure out a way to purpose an unintended situation into something that will help you to grow.  Take the challenge, and tell me about it on the TAMF website or social media sites.  Staying top of her class Benefit of a detour Becoming a fighter pilot Preparing for Deployment When things don’t go as planned Thoughts on failure Running missions to support 9/11 Developing leadership skills Growing up with confidence Mentoring new Airman Try new things   Make the job you’re in the best job you’re ever going to have…If something else comes up next, then do that with the next job. I will tell you the things I have been pulled to do that I never planned to do, or was outside my comfort zone, has been some of the most rewarding things I’ve done. I hope you enjoyed this episode and found a new mindset to help you exel.  For more information on Col. Sabric, or to share what you learned, visit www.tamfpodcast.com/sabric

Today’s guest wanted to help veterans long before she had any military experience.  She used music to support her dad when he was healing from his injuries was hit by a suicide bomber, while he was deployed. She became a music therapist to continue to support veterans and later decided to join the army to better understand and connect with the people she served. For today’s skillset challenge, Celsie talks about the impact music has on our mood, and how it is helpful to have different playlists available to help you navigate those moods. I personally have 9 different playlists with different styles of music for different moods.  Make at least one playlists, for something like a playlist that makes you smile, a playlist that inspires you to work, or one that is calming. Take the challenge, share one of your favorite songs and what emotion it inspires you on the TAMF website or social media sites.  www.tamfpodcast.com Celsie talks about: Supporting her Dad Finding her passion in music theory Joining the Army Being in a postal unit Her deployment experience Learning teamwork Finding ways to make it fun Forced social interaction Choosing to be enlisted Creating music education courses Your brain on music Creating a resiliency day Learning resilience from her family I hope you enjoyed this episode and found a new mindset to help you excel.  For more information on Celsie or to share what you learned in this episode please visit WWW.TAMFpodcast.com/music

I met Today’s guest when I was at a coffee shop and asked him about his Semper Fidelis tattoo. He was an active Marine for over 20 years.  He is from Oklahoma where he was raised on a farm learning to embrace the suck as a way of life.  As a Marine, He pursued excellence in every job, and had additional duties like small arms instructor and Black belt instructor trainer. For today’s skillset challenge, Gary Jobe talks about using the basic instruction given as only a jumping off point. And he even shows me how I have no grounds to complain about not getting more training; it is up to me to learn what I am interested in. What do you wish you were trained with better?  Maybe you think you should have gotten better weapons training, or maybe you wish someone would give you a lesson on how to build your credit. There’s no better time to educate your self than now.  Take time to research something you are interested in.  I consider myself a natural self-learner, and to be highly curious, but even so, I still felt upset I didn’t know more about the human body.  I always thought it was something that should have been included in my basic schooling.  So for this challenge I did some research and purchased a book on anatomy and physiology, and I have plans to learn a little bit every day, even if I just open the book and read a little bit.  What do you want to learn more about?  Take the challenge?  Tell me what you are studying on one of the TAMF social media sites.   Gary talks about: Being cared for by a Vet Studying military history Being bred to embrace the suck Being surprised by vulgarity Why he wasn’t able to deploy Being assigned as a recruiter Being a small arms trainer Becoming a martial arts instructor trainer Inspired by Bust Hell Wide Open Difference between a career marine and a single enlistment The importance of every job Confidence of a Marine   “we always strive for the best” “As long as you are applying the principles, and you just keep practicing, you’re only going to get better.” “We are one team all working together to accomplish a mission” “Marines don’t struggle with confidence. …If you are familiar with Marines, confidence is not something that they lack, especially if you put them in a group, you’re going to remember them. “

**Leadership Episode** Today’s episode is personal for me, as it is an interview with the most impactful mentor and leader of my career, John Salazar, more often known as “Sal”.  He was my first supervisor, I deployed with him, and he has followed me throughout my career.  His mentorship and drive to see me succeed had monumental impact. Sal has had a dynamic career, starting out as a Crew chief for the KC-135, Becoming Aircrew as a Boom Operator, then changing careers into Aircrew Flight Equipment, and attained the rank of chief in a superintendent position.  He is well known across the UTANG for his tenacity, service, and like-ability. For today’s skillset challenge: One of the things Sal talks about is: deserving what you put up with.  This can come in many forms, in our relationships we may allow someone to treat us poorly, as a leader we may tolerate inferior work, or it could be with ourselves when we allow ourselves to slip into poor habits.  Sal also talks about how opportunity doesn’t discriminate; if you are not ready it will pass you by all the same.  We must prepare ourselves and our environment with high standards to be ready for new opportunity.  This is today’s challenge. Pick one place you may have been frustrated or complaining and find your own voice.  This doesn’t mean you have to be forceful or angry with your approach, finding ways to hold a standard in a respectful way is more likely to get the results you are looking for.  You can start with something small like making a list of all the places you are tolerating poor behavior in different categories and pick one to strategize to make better.    When I did this, I realized that I am allowing myself to miss workouts, and then expected to still get results.  Knowing this I decided that if my day became too demanding for a full workout, I would find a way to at minimum sneak in a mini home workout before I go to bed.  If you are up to the challenge, Share with me what you are no longer going to tolerate on the TAMF website or social media sites.  In the interview John Salazar explains: Joining in his 30s Leaving for basic as a parent Deploying more than 30 times Learning the importance of education Positioning to become Boom Operator Positioning to be a chief You deserve what you put up with Doing service work Indomitable spirit   For more information and for his full bio visit www.tamfpodcast.com/sal  Great Quotes from Sal: "If you succeed at everything you attempt, you are attempting the wrong things."   "If you can accept change you will survive, if you can create change you will be successful."   "Opportunity will not discriminate if you are not ready it will pass you by."   "The regret of not trying something will wear on you forever."   "You deserve everything you tolerate."   "Whatever you do be the best at it."

***This is a war stories episode**** Some of the content is graphic and displays some of the challenges and realities of combat.  Today’s guest has been an active duty Navy Seal for over 20 years.  He started enlisted and moved into an officer position. He has led other Seals in Thousands of combat operations.  He has a lot of great stories, and powerful skills that can help you in your life and career.  Skillset Challenge: In this episode Omar talks about is being a master of the basics.  Practicing the same thing over and over, becoming so powerful at a simple skill so that you outperform anyone else.  If you want to purposefully develop yourself in the same manner as I Navy Seal, your challenge is to pick one thing that you find boring but wish you were better at, and practice until it becomes second nature.  For example, If you can’t help but push the snooze in the morning, practice laying in bed having your alarm go off every 20 Seconds and jump out of bed every time, entraining your body to respond that way every time it hears the alarm.  Or If you always choose to eat candy when you are on your diet, purposely put candy and an apple in front of you, and say no to the candy and eat an apple slice.  Practice that simple choice over and over until it is so natural you aren’t conflicted in the moment.  If you are one of the few who are dedicated to making valuable changes in your life, and level up to the challenge, share with me what skill you chose and how you trained yourself to make a bad habit into a second nature skill, you can comment anywhere on the TAMF website or social media sites. Where I will be posting what I did.  In this episode Omar covers: Choosing the Seals Prep for BUD/S What he tells everyone that wants to be a Seal His experience and struggles with BUD/S Finding your niche Training to excellence Split second celebrations The experience of being shot at Failure under fire Why he became an officer Leadership through Teamwork For more information on Omar Vieira please visit www.TAMFpodcast.com/OMAR To follow Omar @ytn_bonefrog or @youtactical_nation To hear more of his stories and isights visit YouTube: Own the Higher Ground “Don’t let anybody stifle any dreams that you might have”

***Leadership Episode*** Today we have Michael miller, who served a total of 30 years in the army national guard, throughout his career he worked hard and worked his way to the state senior enlisted leader of both the Utah air and army national guard.  He has a very important message on character and what it takes to find success in life and career.  He talks about: Following in his father’s steps Dealing with deployment Becoming a first shirt Learning to wake up Being Purple- Senior enlisted for Army/Air Being the state senior enlisted leader His views on leadership Implied vs. specified The people he looked up to What does character mean? Cherishing your career His views on leadership  I hope you enjoyed this episode and found a new mindset to help you excel.  I really like how he talked about how your actions today create what your future will be.  If you want to start a better career or life, what action can you start or work on today that will put you on a better trajectory towards what you want to accomplish?  For more information on Michael Miller or to share your thoughts on this episode visit www.TAMFpodcast.com/CSM Some Quotes from this episode: “Do the best you can do, the future will change to how you act today.”   “If you don’t like what’s going on today, just wait until tomorrow, it will change”   “It takes character, as long as you give 100%, good things will happen. “   “It takes a lifetime to build trust and a moment to loose it.”

**Spouse perspective Included*** Today’s guest,was a soldier and NCO in the Utah Army National Guard. He specialized in Human Intelligence Collection and Cryptologic Language Analysis with fluency in Mandarin Chinese. He has worked in a career as a Corporate Security Officer, He has 3 college degrees, and he is one of the owners of a Martial arts studio. With all of these demands he is also a family man, and we were lucky to have his wife, Ana present for the interview, who commented on some of the struggles of military life from a spouses perspective. He talks about:  Challenges of Language School Understanding motivation Being a dad on top of everything Time management Compartmentalizing time Military Wives Chinese philosopy Weiji principle of Danger or Opportunity Going to basic as a 29 year old Communication Starting a Martial arts school For more information on Kyle and his Martial arts school: Tang Wei visit our website at www.tangweimaa.com, or look up Tang Wei Martial Arts Association on Facebook or look for Tang Wei Martial Arts on Instagram.   or visit www.tamfpodcast.com/tangwei "Look at the beginning from the end rather than the other way, when this is over and you look back you will realize this was an opportunity you will never get the chance to do again. You’re not going to be in basic training again."   "Just realize it’s always chasing you, if you relax, Its going to catch you and you’re going to fall behind, and it just gets worse from there. Motivate yourself!  Time management is easy, we all know what it is. It is just all about, ‘Can you motivate yourself?’ "Most people think motivation is something you find, but its more something you create. It’s a skill."  "When the time for war has come, the time for preparation has passed" "Why wait? It doesn’t get any easier."

War stories - Today’s show includes stories from a war environment; some of the content is descriptive of difficult,  real war situations.   This is a Veteran’s Stories episode. Jim Kemp joined the Navy Seabees in 1966, The Seabees is a Naval construction Battalion, that was trained to be able to drop tools and pick up weapons if necessary, after going through training, Jim was sent to Vietnam. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Battle Stars. Afterward He went on to study Asian studies with the GI bill and now is a Professor of Asian Studies at Florida State College. Jim covers: Coming from a family of Veterans People who avoided the draft Shock of Basic Training Why he chose the Navy Getting into the Seabees Preferring punishment duty Serving in Vietnam Being a leader to Vietnamese Emergency Repair Party Gaining confidence in school Going back to Vietnam Working as a Civilian “A ship fights and dies as a unit.” “Internal discipline is the most powerful” Jim talked about the climate of the Vietnam era, We are lucky that because of pioneers in the military like Jim, the military member now receives more support from both the military and the general public. Wherever you find yourself in life, understand that someone has struggled and suffered and that suffering helped pave the way for improvements in the world, which have made your life better.  Likely in ways you take for granted.   For more information on Jim please visit TAMFpodcast.com/Seabee

Riley Marx Burns has had a decorated and impressive career, starting out in security forces, moving into a K9 unit, continuing into leadership roles, making the rank of E7 and then commissioning, and at the same time, competed as a body builder and now is an IFBB Pro bodybuilder.  She has some incredible insights on the powerful art of leveraging suffering for personal growth.  She covers: Delayed enlistment program Hurry up and wait The unknown of basic The attitude to approach basic/military Choosing security forces Working into a K9 unit Commissioning to an officer Failure Madness Leading airman Dealing with sexual harassment Body building Learning to suffer What to do when you’re interested in Body building For more information on Riley Marx Burns please visit www.tamfpodcast.com/IFBB If you would like to share something you learned or make suggestions for future episodes please visit the TAMF website of social media sites. “I came in for a reason, and I was not going to let anybody decide my fate in the military. I’m not going to back down from you, and I’m not going to back down from what I want to do. “ “You have to embrace the suck to get anywhere in life. Its really all about suffering.  Who can suffer the most?  Because the person who suffers the most , you’re going to get the furthest. “

Alan was an Active duty Marine who specialized in a training unit, finding meaning in training marines to have the skillsets to come home safely, He now trains law enforcement with the same purpose, and has created a business that focuses on Firearms and emergency first aid training to reach civilians as well, in this episode he covers:  Being a little older joining the military Becoming a training unit Finding what relieves stress for you Importance of taking care of yourself Trusting the process Learning to enjoy the difficulty Training others to live Learning to be punctuality and discipline Training in the Police Academy If there are spaces where you are lost in question, or you have not reached your goals because you are lost in your head about it, I want to challenge you to find one place where you can refocus your own attention and discipline by just moving forward instead of asking questions before you start. For more information on Alan Carpenter, his social media links are in the show notes, or to see pictures and read his full bio visit www.tamfpodcast.com/lonestar @lonestar_training2018 Lonestar Training www.lonestar-training.com If you would like to share something you learned or make suggestions for future episodes please visit the TAMF website of social media sites.  

Vallaree McArthur intended to be a Marine, but wasn’t accepted for lack of a high school deploma, later she ended up joining the Air National Guard and quickly moving up the ranks, becoming a first sergeant at the grade of E.7 when she commissioned, and is an officer in the Equal Opportunity office.  She has motivating insights about taking your career in your own hands.  She also talks about: Not graduating from High school The path that inspired her to change her life Finding a Sense of Accomplishment Thriving in the Military The Value of Deployment Switching from Enlisted to Officer Taking on New Challenges 4 Lenses Temperament Assessments Setting Big Goals Developing self discipline and prioritization Tying new things Being an Equal Opportunity Officer If you would like to read Vallaree’s full bio please visit www.tamfpodcast.com/eo If you would like to share something you learned or make suggestions for future episodes please visit the TAMF website of social media sites. Some motivational quotes:  “Don’t sit back and expect anybody to take care of you or do anything for you, not because there aren’t people who won’t do that, but if you want to succeed, and you want to make the most of your career, take your career within your hands, empower yourself and make things happen, don’t wait for things to happen for you. “   “I think that everybody faces some kind of challenges being in the military, or just in life in general. No matter who you are you are, you are going to face some kind of adversity.  And I have never really found myself focusing on those challenges being challenges to me because I am a woman.  I’ve always seen myself as a professional and I see myself as somebody who is very competent and capable.  And if somebody believes I can’t do something because I am a woman, That’s their problem, and I’m not going to let it effect me one way or the other.”   “Set big Goals”  

Today’s guest has been in the Army for over 30 years and he has served under all the components of the Army, starting in the reserves, going active duty, and then moving to the National Guard.  He has held 5 job specialties and is in an Airborne unit.  He has many awards including a Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals, and Army Achievement Medals. Here’s what he covers in the interview: Following the legacy Dealing with deployed stress Being in the military for September 11 Deploying to Tooele Culture shock of basic Dealing with other’s different personalities His thoughts on the different Components of the Army Going to Airborne School Training until its second nature Mental preparation for jumping out of an airplane Serving over 30 years Missing the camaraderie Physical and Mental fitness “You realize that your country is under attack and you realize that you wear the uniform, you’re expected to be one of those to go forward and do what the country calls you to do.” “The more training you do, the more natural it becomes.” "I didn’t think this is something I would do as my career,… It just became part of who I was.” “There’s lots of challenges that are going to come, that are going to require a lot of mental strength”   If you would like to read more about Jason, please visit TAMFpodcast.com/jump

I’m really excited about today’s guest. She is the first female interview on the show, AND she is one of the girls that I personally went to basic training with.  Our beds were right next to each other. We started our military career together, and since then she has deployed twice, and has been working in a K-9 unit for the last 3 years. She has earned many achievement medals including “top Dog” at K9 School. In this episode she talked about: Working her way into being in a canine unit Missing promotion being a blessing Mental preparation Using her deployment to focus on self-improvement Relying on her dog Connecting with family to get through hard times Why you shouldn’t cut corners Positioning herself for MWD Having pride in being a leader “I learn something form everybody, if I have a negative person in my leadership, It just motivates me more to stay in to be that change… and be a better leader.” Follow her on Instagram @boepeep01 Or get more info at www.TAMFpodcast.com/boe

**Please excuse my raspy voice, at the time of the interview I was getting over a cold** Matthew Brown has been in the Army National Guard for over 20 years, he has received the bronze star medal, and 4 Army Commendation medals.  I was able to work with him on a team, his work ethic and his drive to get things done was a big reason we had the success that we did.  During this episode he talks about: Continuing the challenge he got from sports Shooting Russian artillery Training in multiple career fields Challenging himself Dealing with loss of friends Echoing his life after a fallen comrade Opening up doors of opportunity for others Being mentored- be the obvious choice The ability to work with anybody For more info on Matthew Brown Visit www.tamfpodcast.com/brown  To contact Matthew Brown: matthew.r.brown11.mil@mail.mil or 801.674.0542

I’m excited to introduce you to another friend of mine, Scott Carnevale, This is the man who took me skydiving. On top of his thrill for adventure He has an interesting military background, he attended the Naval academy and later became an f18 fighter pilot as a Marine.  He is obsessed with personal growth, and has some great insights on what it takes to be phenomenal. In the interview, he discusses:   Getting into the Naval Academy Flying F18s Relying on your training Seeking out being tested Obsession with personal development “Its not win or lose, but win or learn” Dreaming of being an Astronaut Being a Marine- “We take pride in doing more with less” The ability to suffer Being a student of history   To read Scott’s Bio, or links to his suggestions for his further study, please visit TAMF podcast.com/f18

**Taped at one of Jay’s favorite restaurants in SLC, sorry for the background noise** Jay Whittaker started his career in the active duty AF, and later transitioned to the ANG, 15 years total. He is a professional touring comedian and an actor.  You might have seen him on The Disney channel, the food network, or the lifetime channel. He is also a member of the award winning GeekShow podcast and host of the Incredibly Vocal Minority Podcast. In this episode he talks about: Creating a radio show- Kingpin Radio while deployed Not losing yourself in the military Transitioning from active duty to guard Working through his own attitude adjustment Embracing a sense of adventure Using and finding comedy What makes a good joke Performing under pressure Learning self-reliance and supporting the community Seeking mentorship Follow Jay at @itsjaywhittaker 

You may remember In episode 6, Ryan Fleishman talked about raising money to benefit a program to reduce suicidal ideation in veterans, this episode is the interview with the man who leads that program, Dr. Craig Bryan. He is is a board-certified clinical psychologist in cognitive behavioral psychology, he deployed to Iraq, in 2009, where he served as the Director of the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic. Currently he is the Executive Director of the National Center for Veterans Studies at The University of Utah. Dr. Bryan has published over 150 scientific articles and several books. In this interview He has some great analogies and insights for mental strength. In this episode he covers: Joining the military in war time Running the traumatic brain injury clinic while deployed Dealing with Burnout on deployment Being a psychologist for basic trainees Parachuting on a moments notice The coded language of suicide Confronting someone you are concerned about Power in connecting Cognitive Flexibility Getting better support from family and friends “We are weapon systems, and in order to make sure that we are maximizing our functionality in a high threat situation, we have to engage in cleaning and maintenance and self-care, in the same way we do these things for our weapons.” For more information and for links to his books visit www.TAMFpodcast.com/bryan

Have you taken on the burden of the warrior?  Would you like some insight on some ways of navigating and understanding that weight?  Spencer Cooper, began his military career enlisting in the Marine Corps planning to be in the band, but ended up deploying twice to Iraq with security forces. He first commissioned in the navy as a chaplain before going to the Air National Guard. I hope you enjoy his powerful message on what it means to take on the burden of the warrior. This episode includes: His Father’s wise advice Joining to play the French horn, but being infantry instead Contemplating mortality in deployment How he dealt with the stress of deployed environment Having a crisis of faith while deployed Taking the burden of the warrior Learning in painful experiences Appreciation for the cost of freedom Representing and helping people with all beliefs Building relationships in a moment Authoritarian vs. Authoritative Leadership “Those painful moments are what make you what you are” To read his full bio please visit www.tamfpodcast.com/cooper  

Dave started his career in law enforcement in Las Vegas where he spent six years as the point man on the SWAT team. He moved on to become an international tactical instructor as well as team leader for high-risk protection teams in Iraq,Afghanistan, Africa and Latin America. He’s the real deal, and He preaches that greatness is in our DNA, we just have to tap into it. This episode covers: Navigating Route Irish multiple times a day- “world’s most dangerous road” Qualifying with Elite Military Training with Navy Seals Applying the winning mindset in a team environment How to work with a difficult leader Building up a team from nothing Loving fear Making uncomfortable changes What scares people is a huge benefit Real vs. perceived threats Becoming comfortable with discomfort “The path of least resistance is that path you take when fear is in front of you”-Dave Acosta “Fear is a very thin veil, that is blocking your ability to see success and reward”-Dave Acosta For more information on Dave Acosta visit: www.tamfpodcast.com/DNA or  YouTactical Nation http://www.youtactical.com/ IG @YouTactical_Nation FB YouTactical Fightbacknation@gmail.com   Fight Back Nation www.Fightbacknation.org IG @fightbacknation FB FightBackNation YouTactical.US@gmail.com  

Born in 1930, he became an aviation cadet in ‘53, eventually becoming a fighter pilot.  He was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam war, and after around 30 missions he was shot down after a combat mission over north Vietnam, was caught, and spent 5 1/2 years in the Hanoi Hilton and other POW camps. He was released in 1973. He has a long list of awards including the Bonze Star, Silver Star and the Purple Heart.  In this episode he explains: His path to becoming a pilot Skipping the draft to enlist in the Air Force How he ended up sticking around the Air Force The day he was shot down (13:00) Living in the Hanoi Hilton Dealing with attempts at being exploited Communication with other POWs The glory and overwhelm of the trip home “you’re the enemy and You’re captured, its an overwhelming survival situation.” I’d like to know What inspired you from this episode? Share on the TAMF website or social media sites. If you want more information about Jay Hess please visit www.TAMFpodcast.com/pow  

Ryan served his career in the 19thSpecial Forces Group Airborne, he has served two combat deployments to Afghanistan, AND has had the opportunity to attend many specialty schools, like: Airborne, Air Assault, Jumpmaster, and Special Forces Sniper.  His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal and many more.  On top of all of that he is co founder of the Veteran suicide prevention fundraiser called Ride to Zero that started in 2015 and has seen around 1200 participants and raised over $100k. All money raised goes directly to further research in discovering effective methods for combatting suicidal ideology in Veterans.  WHAT HE COVERS: Coercing his mom into letting him join at 17 Dealing with the emotional complexity of deployment How and why to embrace the suck Forming bonds in difficult times Finding a positive in the situation How he dealt with the struggling to see the positive Getting out of the failure trap Necessity of Confidence Getting opportunities- competent and amiable Using motorcycles to help support Veterans “ADVERSITY BREEDS RESILLENCE”   For information on Ride to Zero, or to read more about Ryan please visit www.TAMFpodcast.com/neverquit    

Today’s guest has been in the Army National Guard for 18 years, and has had careers in artillery, military intelligence, and in a training regiment. He has deployed to Afghanistan, and currently is a PhD student, studying organizational development and change. Some of the topics discussed are: Failing VS. Failure Dealing with unforeseen changes in career path Struggling with Physical injuries Failure Leading your path to success Introduction to STOICISM Obstacle is the way Changing the Atmosphere in his Organization Picking up yourself after devastating blows Appreciative Inquiry Taking a vision to creation Learning a better work ethic Why you lead at any rank Asking people “What is the thing I don’t want to hear right now?” Process philosophy Dicipline- The military doesn’t just hand you the skill of discipline, it espouses discipline, you have to make a personal decision to take it as a skill in your life. NEVER STOP THE STRUGGLE Feeling like a kid in adult clothes. For more info visit: www.TAMFpodcast.com/JohnSim

We recorded the interview in Joseph’s office, and the window washers happened to come during the interview, I apologize for the background noise.   Joseph built a business while he was in the active duty Marine Corpse.  And now, has a multifaceted career, as productivity expert, and owning and operating a marketing company, AND a dance and martial arts studio. This episode covers:   What does it mean to be the PRAC recruit How he got acknowledged as a leader and completing as top of his class Building a business while active duty military Being adverse to authority by being ahead of what was required How he responded when he didn’t want to follow directions Being productive with “free” time How to make the most of reading How he handled fast promotions Holding leadership accountable in the military and in business Importance of working out Productivity Hacks and tips   For more on Joseph visit: www.TAMFpodcast.com/organize

Can you hear Tyson’s cat, Shadow?  He wanted to be on the show too.  Tyson’s perspectives is one of the reasons this podcast exsists.  I met Tyson over 3 years ago and from our first conversation, I was glued to his military leadership stories and perspectives.  He has led an eclectic and interesting life with professions that include Sailing Instructor, Short Order Cook, Ecclesiastical Leader, Russian Translator, International Diplomatic Liaison, and Cosmetology & Aesthetics Instructor. In this episode we focus on his military career.  He enlisted in 2004 and became an Infantry Officer where he led over 1,000 combat missions in Iraq, and was awarded the Bronze Star.  This episode includes: Why he left his incredible job to join the Military What it was like going to Basic Training at age 31 Dealing with the struggles of Basic Training Coping with continuous challenge without a break Understanding the purpose of training What it takes to be truly good at something Being a leader without having authority Leadership by example Making mastery a habit Relying on yourself The fastest way through failure www.TAMFpodcast.com/mastery

Do you need to improve your running speed? Who better to help, then an elite athlete? Dr. Tom Miller has run more than 100 road marathons.  He's the 75+ age group winner at Xterra National and World Trail Running Championships in 2017 and 2018. And the Xterra National Champion of 2018.  In 2013 ranked 9thin World and 6thin USA for 70-74 age group in Ironman 70.3 series. And in 2017 he was the national champion for 75+ in long course duathlon (run/bike/run) His other active interests include hiking, snow shoeing, canoeing, sculling/rowing, and standup paddle boarding, and Nordic skiing. This episode details much of his experiences with running.  If you just want tips to improve your run skip forward to 24 minutes This episode includes Dr. Tom's: Advice for physical training prep before basic Being fit is part of your job What helped him max out his fitness test Marine discipline in civilian life What it takes to be a good Civilian vs. a good Marine Like vs. trust with his leaders Dealing with life transitions Getting to know his current wife Catching up to his running idols Cross training and staying active Aging in great health Running efficiently and skillfully Psycho-mechanics of running “Whatever you are thinking at the time is going to influence the biomechanics of what you are doing” Studying and working with Olympic level athletes on psychology How to talk to yourself when you run Mind vs reality Dealing with mental struggle in exercise “It never gets easier, even if you get faster, it doesn’t feel any easier. It just doesn’t last as long” “There is no growth or development without stress. So you have to be willing to embrace it” Tips to improve your run efficiency How long it takes to make a new skill a habit Tips for trail running Tips for being effective in dealing with stress There is more speed in a relaxed muscle than in a tense muscle How he responds to “Thank you for your service Feel free to share these memes with my favorite quotes from this episode! What was your favorite part of the episode?  What tips are you starting to apply in your life?

Dr. Tom Miller This Marine Infantry Platoon Commander in Vietnam had a decorated military career and has many great accomplishments including running over 100 road marathons, and Xterra National Champion of 75+ age group in 2017 and 2018. Find out the best advice he got for his military career!  And:  Why he chose the Marines over other branches. What it takes to get through basic training. What basic training was like in 1963. The best advice he could give to a new recruit Best lesson he had in Leadership Lessons learned in combat (Vietnam) Success in the military and in life Discipline and military culture in life outside the military How to navigate and plan your career Leadership is not specific to rank Transitioning from enlisted to officer What is was like revisiting Vietnam Working under someone he didn’t respect Conflict Resolution Creating trust as a leader Dealing with combat and PTSD “Discipline is taking total responsibility for yourself.”