The Victory Podcast

064: Darrell Utt | Director of Business Operations for the National Medal of Honor Museum | Veteran, U.S. Army Special ForcesFrom humble beginnings in West Virginia, Darrell Utt overcame great odds by hard work and sacrifice. From earning the coveted Ranger Tab and Green Beret, to leading teams in combat, to becoming the Chief of Business Operations for the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation and has always put country above self. Master Sgt. Darrell Utt retired from the U.S. Army Special Forces in January of 2017 and during his service, hewas awarded the Bronze Star Medal with ‘Valor' for heroic actions and leadership during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq in 2006. He was also awarded four (4) Bronze Star Medals for achievement and service in Iraq. As a Special Forces Team Sergeant, his Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) was recognized and awarded the 2006 Larry Thorne Award for best Operational Detachment in 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Darrell was also the Recipient of the Robert T. Frederick Award for military excellence – the only Special Forces Operations Team Sergeant from the seven (7) Special Forces Groups to be awarded this honor in 2007.Top three tips for a successful life?1. Invest in yourself 2. Have fun along the way 3. Think PositivelyBest piece of advice you ever received?Work hard, be humble and don't quit.Professional achievement you're most proud of:Being awarded the 2006 Larry Thorne Award for Best ODA in 10th Special Forces GroupWhat advice would you give someone now who is just starting their career?Balance Life/Work and have fun!What advice would you give yourself 30 years ago?Find what you love to do and do it!Biggest regret from a professional perspective?Not learning a foreign language.What's the next big project or adventure you're working towards? Topping out ceremony at the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. We're planning for the Grand Opening in early 2025.Causes you care about?National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation: https://mohmuseum.org/Special Forces Association: https://www.specialforcesassociation.org/Special Forces Foundation: https://specialforcesfoundation.org/Connect with Darrell on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrell-uttCheck out Darrell Utt on The Combat Story podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzv6lISLnwAConnect with The Victory Podcast:Instagram: www.instagram.com/victory_podcast/ LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/thevictorypodcastThe Victory Podcast Youtube Playlist: https://bit.ly/3VxXMsgLink to Podcast MP3:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/958345/episodes/14266800-064-darrell-utt-director-of-business-operations-for-the-national-medal-of-honor-museum-veteran-u-s-army-special-forces/editThe Victory Podcast is hosted and produced by Amy Forsythe for Victory Strategies.Check out the VS Leadership Library: www.victory-strate

Meet Sherman Gillums…a native of Buffalo, New York, serves as the Director of the Office of Disability Integration and Coordination for the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington DC.Sherman has testified before Congress as an expert witness and appeared on national networks, such as CNN, Fox News, and C-SPAN, as one of the most influential voices on military and veteran issues. His expert commentary has regularly appeared in the Hill, Military Times, and other national publications. He was recognized by HillVets as among the 100 most influential voices on Capitol Hill in 2016, the same year his alma mater, University of San Diego, inducted him into its hall of honor. He was also personally recognized by The White House for noteworthy “service to our nation” and the Secretary of Veteran Affairs for “exceptional leadership.”He joined the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17 and served for 12 years, medically retiring at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2. He holds a graduate degree from the University of San Diego School of Business and completed his executive education at Harvard Business School. He will complete his doctoral studies at the University of Dayton in 2024.Sherman and his wife Tammie, herself a U.S. Army veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, have two sons, four daughters, including one who is presently a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, and a granddaughter.  Top tip for a successful life?Learn your purpose = What you're good at + What you like to do + What society needs + What you can get paid to do.Best piece of advice you ever received?There are “paper” leaders, and there are “people” leaders. Don't chase paper. Chase purpose.Professional achievement you're most proud of:When I left the Marine Corps after 12 years of service, knowing I had helped create, shape, and influence a new generation of Marines to continue the fight after I was honorably discharged. What advice would you give someone now who is just starting their career?What you think is your curse may be your calling in disguise.Biggest regret from a professional perspective?Waiting too long to see the value of authenticity in leadership.What's next for you? Currently working on doctoral degree and looking forward to a new career in educationCauses you care about?Elizabeth Dole Foundation: https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/Connect with Sherman on social media: Twitter https://twitter.com/SGillumsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sherman-gillums-jr/Instagram: www.instagram.com/victory_podcast/ LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/thevictorypodcastThe Victory Podcast Youtube Playlist: https://bit.ly/3VxXMsgLink to Youtube: https://youtu.be/eIOtS8bLbioLink to Podcast MP3: 

Meet John Novalis...He recently joined Victory Strategies after serving 32 years in leadership and executive level roles in the U.S. Army retiring as a Brigadier General. He's from Indiana, Pennsylvania, and currently resides in Keller, Texas. John works for Bell Helicopter as the Director of Advanced Programs and Weapon Systems Integration, leading sustainment, logistics, and digital enterprise initiatives for Bell's Future Vertical Lift programs.   Top tip for a successful life?Maintain mental, physical, and spiritual strength.Best piece of advice you ever received?Listen - Actively and with Empathy. Allows you to hear insights, new information, it is a display of humility and empathy, and finally it is a component of human intelligence.Advice you would give yourself 30 years ago? Never miss an opportunity to spend quality time with your family. I lost my parents and brother at young ages...I feel regret. My career became more important than life experiences with my family. Life is fleeting.Professional achievement you're most proud of:Leading, training, and deploying a unit of +3,000 personnel and +150 aircraft into Afghanistan. An experience that taught me team building, conflict resolution, logistics and sustainment, operations and crisis management, and the value of discipline and goal setting.What advice would you give someone now who is just starting their career?1. Be competent2. Be humble3. Be a person of character4. Maintain life balance/equilibriumWhat's next for you?I plan to write a number of leadership articles relying on my experiences in the Army which included four years in combat, Command of numerous units both in peace and war, Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Staff, and Director of Logistics and Sustainment for the 101st Airborne Division and for a period of time Iraq and Syria.Instagram: www.instagram.com/victory_podcast/ LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/thevictorypodcastThe Victory Podcast Youtube Playlist: https://bit.ly/3VxXMsgMP3: https://www.buzzsprout.com/958345/12702899Check out the Victory Strategies Leadership Library: www.victory-strategies.com/podcast#victorypodcast #victorystrategies #lifeleadershipjourney #accelerateleadership #WhatsNext

061: Jason Lamb | Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel | Managing Director at Victory Strategies  Meet Jason Lamb who recently joined Victory Strategies after retiring from the U.S. Air Force. He published numerous pieces on the subjects of leadership, culture, and talent management, both under his name, but also under the pseudonym “Col Ned Stark.”Top three tips for a successful life?Pursue quality over quantityStay true to your values and principlesPursue what you feel called to doAdvice you would give yourself 30 years ago? “Take what you do seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously.”What's next for you? Your next big adventure or challenge? Public speaking, coaching, and teaching as a part of Victory Strategies. Sharing the value of Accelerate Leadership Academy.What advice would you give someone now who is just starting their career?“Make sure you follow your dreams and not someone else's notion of who or what you should be.”Instagram: www.instagram.com/victory_podcast/ LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/thevictorypodcastThe Victory Podcast Youtube Playlist: https://bit.ly/3VxXMsgCheck out the Victory Strategies Leadership Library: www.victory-strategies.com/podcast#victorypodcast #victorystrategies #lifeleadershipjourney #WhatsNext?

060: Tom Dorl | Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel | Managing Director at Victory Strategies  Tom is a committed and experienced servant leader with three decades of proven successes across military and business organizations. He served over 25 years in the Air Force as a command pilot, strategic planner, and commander and retired in the rank of Colonel. He's currently a corporate pilot and the Director of Safety and Training for a private aviation company operating both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Tom's top three tips for a successful life:1. Find a balance of work & life 2. Don't take yourself too seriously 3. Develop a habit of life-long learningWhat advice would you give yourself 30 years ago?“Spend more time with people, less on paperwork. Focus on the present and the future will take care of itself.”Causes important to Tom: That Others May Live Foundation (TOML-F): https://www.thatothersmaylive.org/The Milieux Project: https://themilieux.org/Connect with Tom on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-dorl/Download here:Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/958345/12142165-060-tom-dorl-retired-u-s-air-force-colonel-managing-director-at-victory-strategies.mp3?download=trueYoutube link:           Instagram: www.instagram.com/victory_podcast/LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/thevictorypodcastThe Victory Podcast Youtube Playlist: https://bit.ly/3VxXMsgCheck out the Victory Strategies Leadership Library: www.victory-strategies.com/podcast

059: Dave Hicks | Founder and CEO of Operation Sacred Promise | Retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General | Aviation Pilot | Managing Director at Victory Strategies  Dave Hicks is a retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General and serves as the Founder and CEO of Operation Sacred Promise. When he's not on the road, he's sharing his many lessons from the tip of the spear and a lengthy military career.Dave is dedicated to helping the next generation of leaders with sharing leadership techniques and lessons learned through his lengthy career as a pilot, leader and now an advocate for several non-profit organizations.Dave's top three tips for a successful life:1.  Smile and laugh...a lot. 2. Exercise...even if it hurts.  3.  You will make mistakes, it's what you do after making them that will define who you are in life...never stop learning.  Causes important to Dave: Operation Sacred Promise: www.opsacredpromise.orgAbout: To stand shoulder to shoulder with our Afghan Air Force and Special Mission Wing warriors and their families by supporting their safe evacuation from Afghanistan and helping them build new, productive lives in the United States.Team 5: www.team-5.org About: Advanced Medical Care to the most overlooked, austere and remote locations. Vegas Born, Veteran Founded, Volunteer powered SOF 501c3 Non-Profit. Youtube link: Instagram: www.instagram.com/victory_podcast/LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/thevictorypodcastCheck out the Victory Strategies Leadership Library: www.victory-strategies.com/podcast

058: Misty Cook | Founder and CEO of Concierge on Call | Retired U.S. Marine Officer | Citadel Grad  | Protocol ExpertMeet Misty Cook, a retired U.S. Marine Officer, innovative business leader and protocol expert.Misty retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a “Mustang” having served previously as an enlisted Marine. She has leveraged her expertise in matters of protocol and consulting into a business helping senior military officers and enlisted transition to their next chapter in life. Her company is called ‘Concierge on Call' and the mission is to position retiring military leaders as sought after consultants, leveraging the value of their years of service to obtain more lucrative opportunities that showcase that expertise. Misty's top three tips for a successful life:“Be a good human. Make sure your "WHY" is aligned with your actions. Surround yourself with people that will mention your name in a room full of opportunities.”Learn more about ‘Concierge on Call' here:https://www.linkedin.com/company/concierge-on-call-coc/

“Work hard for your goals and dare to dream!”Meet Anthony Cosby, a retired U.S. Naval officer, innovative business leader and community impact mentor.Anthony retired from the U.S. Navy after a very successful career beginning as an enlisted Sailor in 1991 and retiring as a Lt. Cmdr.  in 2012. He's been a veteran advocate and gaining momentum to launch something big. Now, he's blazing a trail and taking his athletic sock business to the next level. Based in San Antonio, Texas, Anthony and his team are positioned to scale and make an impact with up and coming athletes and in their local community.“The next big thing for me is to scale my company, STZY Socks, to be the #1 athletic sock company in America.”He shares his three top tips for a successful life and the inspiration from his mother that still guides him today. “Give thanks every morning, work your body and work your plan. Have Trust, Faith and Obedience in your daily walk with God.”Full interview here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/958345/11171228Learn more about STZY Socks:www.stzysocks.comhttps://www.instagram.com/stzysockshttps://www.facebook.com/stzysocksCheck out the Victory Strategies Leadership Library: www.victory-strategies.com/podcastInstagram: www.instagram.com/victory_podcast/LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/thevictorypodcastYoutube: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuxKuz0KG7_DaWAj2BgmaPnag2EJS3VBz#lifeleadershipjourney #podcast #victorystrategies #leadershiplessons #top3tips #adviceforothers #Navyveteran #STZYsocks #anthonycosby #amyforsythe 

056: David Gurfein | Founder and COO of commercial real estate | CEO of Veteran Service Non-Profit Organization | Retired Marine Infantry Officer | Harvard Business School Graduate | Girl DadMeet David Gurfein, a retired Marine Corps infantry officer, Harvard Business School graduate, innovative business leader and all around great friend to many. He's a leadership mentor and dynamic public speaker with expertise in leadership and improving organizational and team performance.He shares his three top tips for a successful life and the inspiration from his mother that still guides him today. “Be bold. Be audacious and take chances.”Specialties: - Executive Leadership- Strategic & Operational Planning- Business Development- Business Analysis- General ManagementCheck out the Victory Strategies Leadership Library: www.victory-strategies.com/podcastInstagram: www.instagram.com/victory_podcast/LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/thevictorypodcastYoutube: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuxKuz0KG7_DaWAj2BgmaPnag2EJS3VBz#lifeleadershipjourney #podcast #victorystrategies #leadershiplessons #top3tips #adviceforothers #marineveteran #amyforsythe #davidgurfein 

Tom Lacroix and I do a deep dive into leadership and emotional intelligence (EQ) and have fun in the process. Give it a listen and be open for some growth!Tom Lacroix-28 years of experience developing teams to provide excellent customer care. A results-driven, dynamic servant leader who provides support to optimize staff performance.Leadership mentor and /presenter.Dynamic public speaker with expertise in leadership and improving organizational communication.E-marketing/multi-channel consultant with a proven track record of web-site optimization and synergy between brand, digital and interactive efforts.Specialties: °Team Leadership, °Talent Assessment ,°Training/ Skills Development. °Multi-Channel Marketing, °Client Retention, °Process Improvement ° Creating Positive Culture, °Strategic Planning

Check out this episode of the Victory Podcast with lifetime athlete Marilyn Chychota.From Marilyn's website- https://www.marilynchychotacoaching.com/I work with athletes all over the USA and globally. I am an experienced professional coach and an elite performance coach.  Coaching is my passion and full-time job.A program should develop all aspects of an athlete progressively and with consistency, training the full spectrum that goes into a complete athlete. For one athlete, this process will require a specific path. For another athlete, it's completely different, and it changes as an athlete develops.I believe in coaching each athlete specifically to their needs, their personal development, and to their specific goals.My philosophy as a coach is to create an environment that enables athletes to develop confidence in their abilities, learn all skills necessary, and to have opportunities to understand their tendencies, while developing them to be their best.I believe in quality coaching through science and the proven art of success. My athletes' goals always come first. The athlete-coach relationship is a fundamental part of our success.I believe in consistency over time towards reaching your goals. I want to support you to go further than you ever thought possible. My goal is not to sell you short cuts, but to provide quality that will get you results. I want to empower you through sport to be the best you can be in your life. I provide long term planning, dedicated coaching, and a commitment to making you better.“Marilyn has built her coaching record through the tireless dedication she puts into every one of her athletes, bringing her lifetime of athletic achievement to help them achieve their goals. She has a rare combination of elite experience, coaching versatility, and commitment to her people.”MCC's symbol is the fern:In the face of adversity I discovered my ability to endure through sport. I grew despite obstacles, and realized the joy in helping others achieve the same.  Our team symbol, the fern, represents my journey and the journey I share with the other members of our team:   AYA = “FERN” is a symbol of endurance and resourcefulness. The fern is a hardy plant that can grow in difficult places. Individuals who wear this symbol have endured many adversities and outlasted much difficulty.

Rhonda Vetere is a seasoned C-Suite executive and passionate global leader in technologyRecognized as one of Most Powerful Women in Technology and a two-time author, Rhonda is an active leader — whether she's spearheading corporate initiatives around the world, competing in another IRONMAN 70.3 mile triathlon, or mentoring students & athletes globally in STEM through sports.Rhonda has worked across industries as a CIO, CTO, global executive, and digital transformation change agent at Herbalife Nutrition, Santander Bank, nThrive / Pamplona Capital Management, Estée Lauder Companies, AIG, HP Enterprise Services, Barclays / Lehman, Bank One / JPMorgan Chase, CompuServe, UUNET, MCI, and Worldcom.She has lived and worked internationally – in New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Mumbai, and across India – and has managed teams of up to 20,000 people. Vetere is the author of Grit & Grind and co-author of an HP special edition book, Enterprise Service Management for Dummies.With an ability to support mergers, create synergies across lines of business, and leverage her onshore/offshore experience, Rhonda is a results-oriented, client-focused executive and delivers value by driving technology improvements for cost and performance to drive the right business outcomes.From her experience as Chief Technology Officer at Estée Lauder Companies, Rhonda has deep domain expertise in technology and data. Her role included global leadership across 162 countries and running the technology & operations team. She spearheaded the transformation of the IT capabilities foundation into a digital environment at record industry pace, without business disruption, around the world – while saving $28 million a year.Recognition & InvolvementRhonda has been recognized with for her leadership and influence, notably as one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by the National Diversity Council in 2019 and 2020, and Stevie Award for Excellence in Transforming Business (competing with over 1500 CIOs and CTOs) in 2017. In 2021, she was one of The Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, Top 20 Businesswomen Leading the Charge, 2021 Most Influential Businesswoman in Technology by Corporate Vision Magazine, 2021 Top CIO/CTO by the Tech Inclusion Conference, and Top 100 DEI Leaders in 2021by Mogul.She has been featured in renowned publications, including Forbes, Huffington Post, Thrive, Moneyish, CNBC, Women of Influence, Financial Post, Triathlete Magazine, SWAAY Magazine, and more. She contributes her perspective and knowledge through serving on boards for professional, educational, and athletic institutions, including The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, VETtoCEO, African Community & Conservation Foundation (ACCF) Ambassador, Longwood University, George Mason University School of Business, SWAAY Magazine, and Xcelocloud Inc. 

Bob May has been a guide on Kodiak for over thirty years and a commercial fisherman all his life.  He's even been featured on DIY Network show, Building Alaska and his sons are all commercial fisherman here on Kodiak. Denise May is an Afognak Native Alaskan and her family history goes back as far as its been documented on Kodiak. This family knows Kodiak and they have been providing services to hunters and fisherman for over thirty years.Bob May – guide extraordinaire and Kodiak's legendary 'Bear Whisperer'. Bob's a legendary outfitter – leading his guests on life-changing trips for silver salmon and 200-pound halibut, the mystical Sitka blacktail deer and in-your-face confrontations with the uber-deadly Kodiak brown bear.Bob has retired from full time guiding, and today offers his services to a selected list of clientele that he has had a long standing relationship.  He is a fantastic story teller and his bear whispering skills are still adept as ever!Thank you for sharing your time with us, Bob!

Jason Caldwell is a world-class athlete, a leadership and high-performance coach, and keynote speaker.  For the past nine years Jason has used the lessons learned from the sports arena to teach what it takes to be a leader in a competitive business environment.As an endurance and adventure athlete, Jason has accumulated world records from the oceans to the Namib Desert. Upon graduating college he was invited to row for Vesper Boat Club's elite rowing team in Philadelphia where he won two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the National Championships over a three year period. In 2015 Jason went on to captain and represent the United States in a rowing race 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean (taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com). Despite a dramatic and treacherous 51 day row, including the emergency evacuation of two of his team members, Jason led his remaining crew to the finish line in Antigua resulting in the American Record for the fastest US four to ever cross the Atlantic. One year later, unsatisfied with an 11th place finish, Jason recruited a new team to re-enter the race. On January 19th of 2017 Jason and his crew crossed the finish line once again, not only winning the race, but breaking the World Record as the fastest team to ever row across the Atlantic Ocean.Today, Jason is the President and Owner of Latitude 35 Leadership, which uses experiential training to explore the finer art of leading and maintaining high performance teams. He has worked with advanced managers in over 30 Fortune 500 companies, and has taught at some of the top business schools in the country including Wharton, Darden, Emory, Columbia School of Business, and the Thayer Leadership Development Group at West Point Academy. Jason currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and son.Jason's book:Navigating the Impossible: Build Extraordinary Teams and Shatter Expectations

Sean Matson is the CEO and co-founder of MATBOCK. Sean, a former Navy SEAL, and his team of former SEALS & other military members are working to revolutionize and innovate all kinds of products and gear; His company creates products that can be used by people in the military while at war, or simply just for hunting, camping or hiking.How Successful is Sean Matson:Sean describes himself as very successful; however, he views success in a different way than others. He explains his point of view by telling us that success is not a destination and hence, does not have an endpoint. He goes on to say that a homeless man who successfully gets himself a job is successful. He explains that having a goal in your mind and achieving it is a success.He believes his successful transition from a career as a Navy SEAL spanning 13 years to a business owner is one of his most outstanding achievements. He also mentions his beautiful wife and declares their marriage a success as well. (paraphrased - https://bornrealist.com/sean-matson-is-innovating-military-products-other-gear/  by- Maryam Khan September 9, 2020https://www.cardomax.com/https://www.matbock.com/

Donald Vincent “Don” Davey (born April 8, 1968 in Scottsville, New York) is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He attended Manitowoc Lincoln High School where he played football. He played college football at Wisconsin. He currently owns Firehouse Subs restaurants in Wisconsin and Florida.Disciplined Equity Management - https://www.demgt.com/Senior Portfolio Manager Don Davey is the first and only four-time Academic All-American in NCAA history. After graduating with honors with both Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Don went on to play for nine seasons in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars. During his NFL career, he relied upon his extensive background in statistics to develop the firm's unique philosophy of Portfolio Engineering. Don launched DEM in July of 1998 in response to requests from investors seeking to duplicate his disciplined approach.Don and his wife Kristen live in Atlantic Beach, Florida with their five daughters Livy, Carly, Kuki, Chloe, and Kasey. He is an avid triathlete and has completed eleven Ironman distance triathlons.

Kim Campbell is a retired Air Force Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad. As a senior military leader, Kim has led hundreds of Airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations and enabled them to succeed in their missions. She has experience leading complex organizations and driving cultural change. Kim knows what it takes to be a successful leader, to inspire and empower high performing teams to achieve success. Kim is passionate about leadership and feels strongly that leaders earn trust by leading with courage and connecting with their team. Kim is a distinguished graduate from the United States Air Force Academy. As a Marshall Scholar, she earned an MBA from the University of London and a Master of Arts in International Security Studies from the University of Reading in England. Kim's Air Force assignments include leadership roles as a Group Commander, responsible for over 1,000 Air Force personnel in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Kim also served as the Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, advising the number three civilian official in the Department of Defense on national security and defense policy formulation. She has also served as the Air Force Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, a pre-eminent think tank promoting international leadership and engagement. During her time as a fellow, Kim participated in strategy sessions with ministers of defense, military leaders, and CEOs. Most recently, Kim served as the Director, Center for Character and Leadership Development at the Air Force Academy, responsible for the professional development of faculty and staff and reinforcing character and leadership programs within the 4,000-member Cadet Wing.Kim resides in Colorado with her husband and two sons.

Episode 047:  Corinna Coffin, MS, RD, CSSD is a world class professional Obstacle Course Athlete and a physical phenom  in any category.  Corinna will be featured in the upcoming Spartan Games series airing in March 2022! Corinna Coffin is a sports dietitian, coach and hybrid athlete on a mission to help people lead healthier lives through nutrition and fitness. Corinna's interest in nutrition started off as a personal pursuit to improve health and performance as a multi-sport athlete at Virginia Tech, where she received degrees in both Nutrition, Food & Exercise and Spanish. After graduating, Corinna competed professionally in the sport of obstacle course racing for 2 years before pursuing a master's degree in sports nutrition at the University of Utah and becoming a licensed registered dietitian.  Corinna's affinity for sport and competition has remained steadfast over the last 7 years. During this time, she has podiumed at over 15 Spartan Races including the Spartan Race and Obstacle Course Racing World Championships, competed on a team at the CrossFit Games, been the Tough Mudder X and Spartan Stadion Series Champ, won the final season of Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge, and took second at last year's inaugural Spartan Games. Despite her love for competing, Corinna's top priority and passion is helping others through her remote nutrition coaching practice, RD Athlete Nutrition. Corinna currently lives in San Diego, CA with her husband.

Join us for this episode where Lauren shares her story of competitive passion that led her to the path of competing for the U.S. for three Olympics and serving as team captain for the 2012&2016 Women's Field Hockey Team!We are proud to call Lauren a Victory Strategies Teammate. Her competitive drive and standards fro success fit right in with our team, and she also has completed 5, yes 5, SEAL Team "Challenges" (3-5 day workshops) learning to develop the SEAL Team Mindset. Lauren is one of our key partners leading Victory Strategies Team Building workshops.  IIf you would like to set up a discovery call about  our Team Building offerings. Please mail us info@victory-stratgies.com----Bio----Lauren is a 3-time Olympian who has taken her lessons from the athletic field into the business world to earn success in a new industry.  She was a member of the U.S. Women's National Field Hockey Team from 2005-2016 where she competed in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games.  She captained the team from 2011 - 2016 until she retired after the Rio Olympic Games.  In her playing career she competed in 2 Pan American Games, winning gold in both the 2011 and 2015 Games, the 2014 World Cup where her team achieved a historic 4th place finish, was a gold medalist at the 2014 Champions Challenge, and won bronze at the 2016 Champions Trophy.  In 2014 Lauren was named an FIH Player of the Year nominee and twice selected to the All-Pan American Team.  While training for the Olympics, Lauren earned her Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in Non-Profit Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University.Before joining the National Team, Crandall attended Wake Forest University where she was a two-time National Champion, two-time ACC Champion, and 3-time All American.  In 2006 she was a Finalist for the Honda Award, the collegiate sport specific top honor. However, beyond the championships, honors and awards that show up in a biography, Lauren has navigated her learnings through the losses and failures that have defined her athletic career.  As a young captain asked to lead a team into an Olympic Games there were many failed moments that created opportunities for immense growth, many conflicts that developed emotional intelligence to better serve her team, and innumerable losses that forced her to transcend beyond the score board to learn about long-term winning from a leadership perspective.Since retiring from her athletic career, Lauren has found value in sharing her stories of failure by teaching people how to evaluate losing as a normal process and apply the lessons learned into the next “game”.  Growth and development can be a painfully slow process but necessary to master in order to achieve high performance.  Everybody wants to win - but the hard part is putting in the time to understand the processes and mindset behind winning and that is the foundation of Lauren's learnings.Lauren now works in the insurance industry where she applies the parallels between succeeding as a team athlete and succeeding as part of a sales team. 

Rod Fox is the Managing Partner and Executive Chairman of TigerRisk Partners.  TigerRisk is a global reinsurance and capital advisory firm, working with a high-end group of insurers.Prior to founding TigerRisk, Rod served as the Chief Executive Officer of Praetorian Financial Group where he led the re-structuring, re-branding, and successful sale of the $2B specialty property and casualty insurer to QBE the Americas.Prior to PFG, Rod was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Benfield Group's US reinsurance platform where he oversaw the profitable growth of the business while delivering industry leading trading margins.  He was a member of the Board of Benfield and was instrumental in their initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange.  He was also involved in numerous industry transactions, including the growth of Benfield's capital markets advisory business, the first Florida JUA depopulation, a restructuring of Allstate Group's catastrophe exposure, and the formation of Montpelier Re.Rod started his career at E.W. Blanch Co., a privately held reinsurance intermediary.  He was involved in EWB's initial public offering and enjoyed various positions within EWB; ultimately becoming President and Chief Operating Officer.In conjunction with Jim Stanard, the former CEO of RenaissanceRe, Rod formed F&S Ventures in 2008, a privately-held insurance investment firm.Rod holds the CPCU designation and is a graduate of Middlebury College and the Executive Risk Management Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  He serves on numerous industry boards and is active with the Navy SEAL Foundation.  He has also completed the half and full IRONMAN endurance races.

On this episode we dive into "Loco's" journey in the SEAL Teams, his passion for life and the year long out and back journey via RV that Loco and his family took after his retirement from the SEAL Teams.Loco's Three H'sHungry - Humble - HardLoco's Social media:Travel Blog: https://loconani.comInstagram: locofit24.7LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-uyboco-b3032311?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B%2BZs%2FwFDtSGmlsv4rMiSzUA%3D%3DNikki's new business : Teamo Therapy Loco's Bio:Mike completed a 20-year career as a Navy SEAL leading high performing teams in dynamic environments. He began his leadership journey just after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, garnering experience from the battlefields of the Middle East to the jungles of the Pacific. Throughout his military career he was mentored by some of America's finest leaders which helped develop his own unique style of servant leadership.Mike spent the last six years of his Naval career in a COO-equivalent role, helping senior leaders navigate complex decisions, developing actionable processes and procedures to ensure performance in crisis conditions, developing strategic partnerships within DOD, and managing the day-to-day operations of diverse 400-person organizations. The techniques he developed can be utilized to help any individual or organization achieve their full potential.Mike excels in coaching for peak performance. As the top graduate in his SEAL training class, he understands the mindset required to achieve physical and mental mastery. Additionally, he spent over four years at the SEAL training center applying his hard-won knowledge to the assessment, selection and training of the next generation of elite warriors. He is passionate about sharing these best practices with individuals and teams from every fabric of society.Today, he is determined to improve the lives of others by utilizing the tools he developed through his naval career. Since retiring, Mike has kept himself busy with personal training and serving on the board of a local non-profit. He is currently planning a one-year RV trip around the country to learn from the stories of others.Michael is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and received his MBA at the University of San Diego.

In this episode Michael and I talk about his Race Across America  (RAAM) endeavor. (he is the first above-elbow amputee to complete RAAM )We discuss racial issues in America and overcoming adversity through cooperation and unity with the non-profit he founded Run Bike Swim 4 Equality, where their mission is simple and straight forward: At Swim Bike Run 4 Equality Foundation we strive to increase diversity and inclusion in the sport of triathlon. https://www.swimbikerun4equality.com/Michael ask if you wish to contact or follow him on Social media that you do so through his foundation pages on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/569332837056757Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swimbikerun4equality/Michael "Dreamchaser" Smith's bio:Michael first joined the military in September 1998. While working as a station commander stationed in Nashville, Tennessee, he was involved in a hit and run accident that left me with an above elbow amputation. Facing medical retirement, Michael made the 12 decision to fight for what he knew he wanted, which was to remain on active duty with the United States Army. After a lengthy rehabilitation, Michael fought his way to stay an active duty member despite having lost his arm by completing all physical agility and marksmanship assessments, often outperforming able-bodied soldiers. After a board review, Michael was allowed to remain on active duty, making him the first above-elbow amputee to return to active duty in the United States Army. It was during the process of fighting his way back to active duty that Michael discovered endurance sports. He was an athlete before joining the Army, so he was always very physically fit and competitive. Losing his arm, while difficult to process and maneuver, was not going to be something that would keep Michael from continuing to compete. He began with Spartan obstacle races, then moved into cycling and eventually triathlon. As an Elite Athlete Team Captain For USAT Ambassadorship Program, Michael is training to land a spot on the 2024 Paris Paralympic Team. Understanding that minorities (specifically black Americans) are underrepresented athletes in the sport of triathlon, Michael founded Swim Bike Run 4 Equality to bring more diversity to the sport. Michael is currently retired from the United States Armed Forces. Still, he will continue to pursue his dream of landing a spot on the United States Paralympic Triathlon Team with the assistance of PlayTri DFW and Coach Morgan Hoffman. 

On episode 042 of The Victory Podcast, I have the privilege and honor to host Colonel Matt Weinshel, US Army, Retired! Join us for a #real and #raw conversation about #life, #leadership, and #journey. Matt takes us on his journey from loosing his college fund  to joining the military through #ROTC to becoming an elite Pilot for the illustrious 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (AKA - TF-160), Matt walks us through the dynamics of leadership in new and austere environments and his development of "Leadership Through Empowerment".Learn More and Connect with Matt:https://www.victory-strategies.com/weinshellinkedin.com/in/matt-weinshel-000a143#leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoaching #combatavation #pilot #ROTC #USAaviator #empoweredleader #empowerment #victorypodcast #victorystrategies 

Operation Sacred Promise! On episode 041 of The Victory Podcast, we have a conversation with Brigadier General Dave "Trashman" Hicks, US Air Force, Retired! Join us for a #real and #raw conversation about #life, #leadership, and #journey. Trashman and I dive into the veteran-directed effort that rose like a Phoenix out of the ashes of the U.S. hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan. General Hicks led immediately and took action to help get the hundreds of Afghanistan Air-Force Pilots and their families safely out of the country and resettled in the U.S. and other safe-havens. 65-minute episode.#Accelerating-Leadership #afghanistan #veteranshelingveterans #opsacredpromise #operationpineapple https://opsacredpromise.orghttps://www.reactdc.orgWebsite: https://www.victory-podcast.com/episodes

On episode 040 of The Victory Podcast, I have the privilege and honor to host General Robin "Baba" Rand, US Air Force, Retired! Join us for a #real and #raw conversation about #life, #leadership, and #journey. Baba takes us on his journey from entering the Air Force Academy through his Final tour as the Commander of the Global Strike Command where he lead and was responsible for the readiness and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear deterrence and global strike operations to support the President of the United States.   Call sign "Baba" walks us through his leadership principles and provides our audience with lot's of wisdom throughout this ~90 minute episode.#Accelerating Leadership through EmpowermentEp 040 with General @Robin Rand Managing Director for Victory Strategies | Fmr. CEO Gary Sinise Foundation | Fmr. Commander Global Strike Command | Husband 42+ years, Father and GrandfatherWebsite: https://www.victory-podcast.com/episodesBaba's Reading list:1. Leading With Honor | Lee Ellis 2. Gates of Fire | Steven Pressfield3. Killer Angels | Michael Shaara4. Make Your Bed | Admiral William H McRavenLearn More and Connect with Baba:https://www.victory-strategies.com/randlinkedin.com/in/robin-rand-880607162#leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoaching #combatavation #pilot #ROTC #USAaviator #empoweredleader #empowerment #victorypodcast #victorystrategies 

On episode 039 of The Victory Podcast, I have the privilege and honor to host Sean Georges! Join us in our conversation about #life, #leadership, and #journey as we discuss the importance of values, service, and love as they relate to bottom-up leadership. Sean shares his journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a Judge Advocate in the Marine Corps, to facing a horrific car accident involving his daughter, and beyond."The Essence of Authentic Leadership" TEDx Evansville:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oKcN992DWoLearn More about Sean:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-georges-031b486/

On episode 038 of The Victory Podcast, I have the privilege and honor to host Major General Dirk Smith! Join us for a #real and #raw conversation about #life, #leadership, and #journey. Dirk takes us on his journey from being apprehensive about joining the military to becoming an F-22 Fighter Pilot, nearly giving it all up but then pressing forward to become a two-star general in the US Air Force. Learn More and Connect with Dirk:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirk-smith-a31a4177/https://www.victory-strategies.com/smith

On episode 037 of The Victory Podcast, I have the privilege and honor to host Scarlett O'Connor! Join us for a real and raw conversation about life, leadership, and journey. Scarlett plunges us deep into her incredible story from being cast out of her home at age 12, narrowly surviving near-death experiences, to winning Ms. Atlas 2019.For More Scarlett O'Connor:https://scarlett.club

On episode 036 of The Victory Podcast, I have the privilege and honor to host none other than Jacob Werksman, Founder of Victory Strategies, Author of Leadership A Life Sport: A Playbook on what it takes to win as an individual and as a team, Speaker, Executive Coach, and personal friend and mentor! Join us as we discuss the importance of reflection, self-awareness, situational awareness, and gratitude. Join us for an uncommon conversation about #life, #leadership, and #journey!Jacob Werksman | More Info:https://www.victory-strategies.com/aboutjacobhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jwerksman/Victory Strategies | More Infohttps://www.victory-strategies.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/victorystrategies/Leadership A Life Sport:https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Life-Sport-Playbook-individual/dp/B08KH3RVQ7

On episode 035.2 on The Victory Podcast, I have the privilege and honor to host Dr. Thomas Sy for part-2 of our conversation for the first time in The Victory Podcast history! Tom takes us deep on an incredible journey from South-East Asia to Washington state, to achieving his Ph.D. in organizational behavior!! Tom is an award-winning scholar, professor, and consultant. He is the Founder of MINDTAPP, a startup developing evidence-based solutions for #mindset training and conditioning. Join us for an uncommon conversation about #life, #leadership, and #journey!For all ways to listen:https://www.victory-podcast.com/episodesConnect with Tom:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-sy-8a81685/MINDTAPP:https://mindtapp.com/

On episode 035.1 of The Victory Podcast, I have the privilege and honor to host Dr. Thomas Sy! Dr. Thomas Sy is an award-winning scholar, professor, and consultant. He is the Founder of MINDTAPP, a startup developing evidence-based solutions for mindset training and conditioning. Join us for an uncommon conversation about life, leadership, and journey! Dr. Sy takes us deep into his past to tell us his incredible story, from fleeing Vietnam after the fall of Saigon to becoming US Army Special Forces, attaining a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology, and launching his company, MindTAPP.  More information about Dr. Thomas Sy and MINDTAPP:www.linkedin.com/in/tom-sy-8a81685 www.mindtapp.com

On episode 034 of The Victory Podcast, I have the privilege and honor to host fellow Victory Strategies Teammate Donn Yates! Join us as we have a fantastic conversation about life, leadership, and journey! Donn is a retired USAF Colonel / F-15E fighter pilot who shares his incredible journey with us. From an initial attempt at college to enlisting in the Army to ultimately becoming a fighter pilot in the Air Force, Donn Yates knows exactly what it means to never, ever, ever, give up.To learn more about Donn, please visit https://www.victory-strategies.com/yates.

On episode 033 of The Victory Podcast, I have the privilege and honor to host fellow Victory Strategies Teammate, TK Eppley! Join us as we have a fantastic conversation about life, leadership, and journey! TK is a retired Navy SEAL who leverages the life lessons that led him to the beginning of his 20-year Naval career, and the leadership experience gained from his time in the SEAL Teams to inspire executive teams and sales organizations to support a shared vision.Since his retirement from the Navy, TK took a great interest in the tech industry and now specializes in technology products and services. He has successfully built and supported businesses across the startup, Fortune 500, and government spaces. He is a Trusted advisor to large-scale organizations on strategies to accelerate business growth, sales team empowerment, and cultural evolution. 

On this episode of The Victory Podcast, I have the privilege and honor to host Nathan Spearing! Nathan gave back his reenlistment bonus and a promotion to leave the Army after a 14 years career encompassing 12 deployments with 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalion and Army Special Operations Command. When Nathan transitioned out of the military, he promptly began earning his "hard knocks MBA" when he started a construction company and struggled to be a better husband and father to his wife and five children. He recently launched www.Spearing.co to help others achieve work/life alignment by honestly sharing his journey toward purpose and fulfillment in life after service. 

Learn more about Amy Forsythe's journey from being a U.S. Marine combat photographer in Iraq and Afghanistan to being a TV reporter in San Diego. She's traveled to more than 30 countries and shares valuable insights on communications and the three questions we should always be asking ourselves. 

Rich Diviney is a retired Navy SEAL commander. In a career spanning more than twenty years, he completed more than thirteen overseas deployments—eleven of which were to Iraq and Afghanistan. As the officer in charge of training for a specialized command, Rich was intimately involved in an extremely specialized SEAL selection process, which whittles a group of exceptional candidates down to a small cadre of the most elite optimal performers.Since his retirement in early 2017, Diviney has worked as a speaker, facilitator, and consultant with the Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute and Simon Sinek Inc. He's taught about leadership, optimal performance, and high performing teams to more than five thousand business, athletic, and military leaders from organizations such as American Airlines, Meijer Inc., the San Francisco 49ers, Pegasystems, Zoom, and Deloitte.  In January 2021, Rich released his first book.  The Attributes. 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance.Learn more about Rich Diviney here:Website:  https://theattributes.com/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rich_diviney/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/richdiviney/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/theattributes

With the belief that everyone is remarkable within, which is so often hidden beneath the bogus stories in our lives, Wendy has helped many people experience extraordinary breakthroughs. Her unique ability to press into and challenge an individual's belief system enables them to unshackle, reveal and enable their most remarkable selves. She gets great joy from empowering others to open the door to a greater capacity by realizing their full potential and revealing that hidden vein of gold within.Wendy has shared the stage with some of the most influential leaders in the world, inspiring humanity to reach their potential by taking every opportunity to grow others and herself through her commitment to growth and action. She believes in lifelong learning that we are never too young to begin and never too old to start this journey. Learn more about Wendy at:https://www.wendyburnsconsulting.com.au/remarkable-you/Purchase a copy of Remarkable You - A Journey to Discover Hope Within, at: https://books2read.com/RemarkableYouhttps://books2read.com/b/mKDLey

Jennifer shares her story with us from her humble begins in the Bronx to becoming a self-made entrepreneur to an Executive Leadership Coach with Victory Strategies.As a "forever student," media personality, and entrepreneur, Jennifer has created multiple brands both at home in the USA and with overseas companies specifically looking to develop a US market footprint. She shares a compelling life story about the ups and downs of life, persistence through tremendous adversity, and how she survived her journey. Join us in an uncommon conversation as Jennifer shares the leadership lessons she gleaned from her incredible journey.Jennifer is currently on a mission to get more people outdoors, enhance the understanding of the power of walking in nature, and the impact and importance of green spaces in our offices, homes, hospitals, schools, and cities. She is bridging the gap between brain health and nature. Learn more about Jennifer at:https://www.victory-strategies.com/jennifers-biohttps://www.walkwithwalsh.com

Join Jay and Jacob Werksman as they discuss Jay's journey from enlisting in the Navy at 17 to combat deployments to the responsibility of people's lives to being a financial/executive coach. "Recommendations followed by actions equal credibility." Oh, and get to know Jay because he'll be the new Host of The Victory Podcast!

Ryan has nearly two decades of furniture industry experience. Join Jacob and Ryan as they discuss Ryan's journey to include; his youth, marriage, being a father, being an executive in a family-owned furniture company, and his passion for giving. "It's extremely important to to make a positive impact in someone's life"

Every journey someone goes through is incredibly unique. Bob gives us the raw and unfiltered version of his. Bob spent 28 years in the US Navy and retired as a Navy SEAL Command Master Chief. Upon transition, Bob went through the Tuck School of Business's Next Step program. Bob has either been on the board of, started, or actively participates in close to half a dozen non-profits. Avid cyclist and father of 3. 

Join Keith and I as we discuss his journey from working in the Department of Corrections to where he is now as the CEO of the Roth Family JCC and the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation in greater Orlando, FL. A life built on community service, helping others find purpose, and purposefully connecting with your neighbors. These are a few topics we discussed in this episode!

Join Bryan and I for a discussion on the meaning of mentorship, navigating COVID-19, discussing leadership necessities, and gaining some incredible pieces of wisdom from a guy with 30+ years of leadership experience. Bryan is an active mentor and board member with several non-profits, former Marine Captain, husband, and father. 

Confident, Competent, and Integrity Driven. Steve is a financial advisor and expert who selflessly shares his wisdom, knowledge, and expertise on how to set yourself up financially and administratively for a successful life. This year Steve was named one of the United States Top 1200 financial advisors, made Investment News's 40 under 40, was named a "Next Generation" Wealth Advisor by Forbes, and is the President of the CFA Society in Orlando, FL. Join us as we talk about one of the tools and pillars of a freedom filled life. 

Scott has accomplished an incredible amount in his career and is only getting started. He does so following a few simple principles: be humble, approachable, and credible. He recently retired from the US Air Force as a Colonel after 25 years of service. Scott has been a fighter pilot, Air Force "Top Gun" Instructor, and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal with two oak leaf clusters. Scott is married to another bad-a$$, Kim "KC" Campbell, they live with their two kids in Colorado. 

Joe is a cool dude. He served over 33 years in the Air Force as a Pararescueman and deployed 13 separate times. Sky diver, surfer, adventure seeker. Joe has been married for 29 years and has two sons. " Once you're the guy in charge, it becomes less about you."

Join Thomas and I as we discuss his long relentless yet blessed journey through life. Thomas served over 32 years in the Marine Corps, is the former President of the Marine Corps University, has a PhD in Management, and is currently the Executive Director of the Veterans Life Center of North Carolina. Thomas is a husband, father of 4, and grandfather of 3. 

Matt is a retired Navy SEAL Captain with over 26 years of service. He is currently the CEO of The Honor Foundation which is a 3 month course built to help special operations community members have a successful transition. Join us as we talk about Matt's life, lessons, journey, and personal thoughts on what is required to be a great leader. "Take mindset over skillset when assembling a team." 

This is a fantastic conversation leading into the 4th of July weekend. Jessica is a teacher, author (Impossible Odds), humanitarian, public speaker, mother, daughter, wife, hostage survivor, and podcast host. Join us as we discuss her mindset and mental fortitude during her 93 days spent in Somali pirate captivity and her journey through life, self-discovery, and so much more.  

Dave Sanderson spent over 30 years in various sales roles before he boarded an airplane on January 15, 2009 and would land in the Hudson River moments after take off. Join Dave and I as we discuss what that near death experience taught him and how his life has been forever changed since. We talk about building family memories, mentors, mindset, living in the present, and seizing the day. "Always have an optimistic perspective."

There's a lot more preparation, planning, and execution than one might think that goes into big wave surfing. Andrew has surfed waves close to 80 feet tall...record worthy. Join us to hear how Andrew went from being a plumber to one of the world's most respected professional big wave surfers. "Don't let imagination and fear turn into panic"