Consequence of Habit

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I’ve been hosting the Consequence of Habit Podcast for close to two years now, and one of the reoccurring themes I continually hear from guests is something that Marcus Aurelius described over 2,000 years ago when he wrote “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” 

 This week I sat down with US Army Chief Warrant Officer, Nick Lavery. Nick is an active duty member of the United States Special Forces (Green Beret), an author, and amputee who lost his right leg while serving in Afghanistan in 2013. Now ask yourself, how could a self-proclaimed knuckle dragging Green Beret who enjoys kicking in doors, lifting weights and blowing stuff up, evolve into an improved and well-rounded Special Forces operator BECAUSE of his injuries? Because “what stands in the way becomes the way” -Marcus Aurelius.

 In our conversation, Nick describes his experience of losing his leg (and potentially his identity) and the physical and mental habits he needed to become the first amputee to return to a Special Forces unit. Nick also discusses how his injury forced him to embrace the aspects of his profession that hadn’t come naturally and how that process has helped him become a more well-rounded Green Beret. 

 If you want more from Nick, be sure to order his upcoming book Objective Secure, or check him out on his social media links below.

 Instagram: @nick.machine.lavery

LinkedIn: Nick Lavery

Twitter: @nick_lavery_

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This week I’m joined by mental health advocate, author, veteran, and Retired Police Sergeant, Michael Sugrue. Michael medically retired from the police force due to post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) stemming from an incident described below in Michael’s own words.

 “Several hours into the shift around 3 am I was dispatched to a report of a suspect armed with a knife and a couple barricaded inside their bedroom. I arrived first on scene in a matter of minutes and as I did so the police dispatcher screamed that there was a struggle and the phone line just went dead. As soon as I got out of my patrol car I could immediately in the distance hear blood curdling screams which sounded like a woman was being killed. Another officer arrived at the scene seconds later and we both ran together as fast as we could towards the screams. Upon arriving at the condominium, we could see a huge window the size of a door had been smashed in and it appeared as if someone had broken into the residence. The downstairs of the two story condominium was dark and no one was found. Upon getting to the bottom of the stairs my partner and I encountered a male subject armed with a large butcher sized knife at the top of the stairs. This male was sweating and had a crazed look in eyes (nothing like any of us had ever seen before). After ignoring repeated commands to drop the knife, the male raised the large knife and came at us at the bottom of the stairs. Fearing for my life, my partners lives and the two people upstairs I fired my duty weapon striking the suspect two times. Seconds later the male who was now at the bottom of the stairs again ignored repeated commands to drop the large knife and made a threatening movement towards my partners and I. Again fearing for my life, my partners lives and the two people upstairs I again fired my duty weapon striking the subject. Ultimately the subject was killed and the two people upstairs were saved. We were immediately sued by the family of the suspect and endured 4 years of horrible depositions, legal hearings and ultimately two weeks as a defendant in Federal Court. All the while constantly reliving that horrible night where we all almost died. Ultimately the jury ruled in our favor and Judge Charles Breyer said had it not been for our actions more lives would have been lost that night. I’m damn proud of my fellow Officers who acted with absolute bravery and courage that night. I wish that night never happened, but it did and it has forever changed me...............”

 Michael Sugrue

 This, along with countless other traumatic events, triggered bouts of anxiety and depression that would eventually destroy Michael’s life both personally and professionally. Through a long journey of recovery, Michael has discovered the healing power of treatment and support from others who have experienced PTSI. Since then, he’s devoted his life to helping other first responders and veterans find help and develop tools to cope with their PTSI and live a healthier and happier life. 

 Below are some of the programs mentioned in this podcast.

-       Save a Warrior

-       West Coast Post-Trauma Retreat

 For more on Michael Sugrue please see his links below.

LinkedIn: Michael Sugrue

Instagram: @sergeant_michael_sugrue_ 

       @first_responder_first  

       @usafms

Facebook: Michael Sugrue

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This week’s guest, Jeff Harris, is made different.

 Full transparency…when I first heard about this week’s guest and how he had gone over a year without solid food, I was skeptical. I mean, who can go an entire year only consuming liquids, all while running a successful business, competing in triathlons, running insane distances, and a regular at the local CrossFit gym. That is until I met Jeff Harris and realized quickly that his operating system doesn’t have a “feel sorry for yourself” mode.

 On Christmas Day 2018, Jeff Harris was rushed to the emergency room because, as he describes it, “I felt like I was drowning”. By this point, Jeff had gone years experiencing severe pain while swallowing food and had developed a persistent cough that kept him up most nights. After extensive testing, the doctors diagnosed Jeff with esophageal achalasia, a rare condition that causes a person’s esophagus to becomes paralyzed. Achalasia is a progressive disease and somebody suffering with it will eventually lose the ability to swallow solid food of any kind. Jeff’s diagnosis kicked off a yearlong battle that tested him, both physically and mentally, in a way that few could ever imagine.

 Jeff’s story is one of grit and resilience. He embodies the power of positive habit and how our mindset can carry us through monumental challenges. Checkout the below links to learn more about Jeff and his story.

 LinkedIn: Jeff Harris

Instagram: @montisman 

Facebook: Jeff Harris 

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One of the fundamental teachings in Stoic Philosophy is the understanding what’s in your control and what is not. We don’t control what happens to us, but we do control our response to those things. To better understand that concept, I bring you this week’s guest and fellow Athletic Brewing Ambassador, SaraMae Hollandsworth. SaraMae is an accomplished athlete, fitness expert, writer and all-around bad ass who is the living embodiment of what it means to accept your situation, but not let it define you. SaraMae suffered a life-threatening health condition that nearly took her life, and ultimately resulted in the loss of both of her legs.  Prior to this, SaraMae was a collegiate athlete and personal trainer that had devoted most of her life to her own fitness goals, as well as helping others in their fitness journey. 

SaraMae was extremely open about both the physical and mental challenges she faced as she came to terms with her new normal. She describes accepting her current condition, but not letting it define who she is as an athlete or as a person. I was blown away by SaraMae’s story and hope you guys get as much from this as I did. To learn more about SaraMae and her story, check her out on Instagram at @thesaramae. 

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Imagine if an addict could harness the power and obsession that drives his/her addiction, and after getting clean was able to direct that same energy and obsession into becoming an entrepreneur, athlete, and example for others to follow? 

 This week I’m joined by addict to ultra-runner Brandon Sethre, and he’s here to tell you exactly why the same attributes that drove his addiction are the same ones that have helped accomplish some unbelievable goals and to inspire others along the way. Brandon has used ultra-running and physical fitness as way to show others that anyone can make positive changes on their own lives…no matter far down you are. Brandon went from taking approximately 3000 OxyContin pills a month, to completing the 75 Hard Challenge and running ultra-marathons across the frozen lakes of Minnesota. To find out more about Brandon and his story, check him out @upnorthfit on Instagram.

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This week I sat down with former Marine Corps Officer, Combat Veteran, and the current founder of Movement Rx (MRx), Dr. Theresa Larson. Dr. Larson has set and achieved some hefty goals throughout her life to include becoming a professional softball player, winning the Body-for-Life Championship, and becoming an entrepreneur when she and her husband founded MRx in 2013. Dr. Larson is also an advocate for the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s military and 1st responder division, Operation Rebound, and is on the Advisory Board for The Mission After, a non-profit focused on delivering digital health and wellness solutions to veterans across the globe. 

 Dr. Larson and I discuss the connection between mind and body and how mindfulness has changed her perspective on what true wellness and fitness looks like. Dr. Larson was very forthcoming when discussing some of the challenges she’s faced along her journey, to include her experience with an eating disorder and the loss of her mother at an early age. I really enjoyed my conversation with Dr. Larson and hope you get from it as much as I did. Check out the below links to find out more about Dr. Larson and MRx.

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtheresalarson/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtheresalarson/

Website: https://movement-rx.com/meet-the-squad/

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To understand the kind of person this week’s guest Chris Daukaus is, I want you to first think about this. Picture working full time as a Philadelphia Police Officer, followed by coming home and fulfilling your obligations as a parent and a spouse. Now imagine what kind of person would still have the energy and dedication to do what it takes to become an elite top 10 fighter in the @ufc. This guy is cut from a different cloth.

I had an awesome conversation with Chris and I can honestly say that he is one of the nicest people I’ve had the opportunity to interview. Be sure to check out Chris’s main event debut at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vc Daukaus on December 18th. 

Also check him out on his social media links.

IG: @chris_daukaus

Twitter: @ChrisDaukausMMA

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“Honest conflict is more powerful than dishonest harmony”

The above bit of wisdom was passed down to me from this week’s guest, 1st Lieutenant Dan Ellis, US Army. I initially invited Dan on the show to discuss his military service (Ranger qualified, Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne division in transition to special operations), the Spartan World Championships he’s training for, and our mutual title as Athletic Brewing Ambassadors. What I hadn’t counted on was how much more there is to Dan’s story, or the impact it would have on me. Dan is a young man who has lived through immense trauma, yet somehow continues to be one of the most motivated and inspirational people I’ve met. His wisdom is well beyond his years and his story is one that needs to be heard. 

 
We discuss Dan’s tough upbringing as well as the loss of his parents to suicide. Dan describes how that tragedy has affected he and his siblings’ lives, and what he’s doing to bring awareness to issues related to mental health and suicide prevention. Please support Dan this weekend as he competes in the Spartan World Championships by donating to his cause, Save Through Spartan. All proceeds will be used to benefit Suicide Awareness - Voices of Education

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“When I walked out of the Jeffersonville City jail, I knew one thing for certain, my wife was going to be pissed.” This week I’m joined by the man who spoke those words, Retired Colonel Fred Johnson, US Army. Also joining us is Doctor Laura Johnson, the “wife” Fred was referring too. Fred and Laura were initially brought to my attention when I heard Fred’s appearance on the NPR radio show, The Moth Radio Hour. During Fred’s appearance, he describes how multiple deployments, and specifically the loss of 3 fellow soldiers, had profoundly affected his mental health. Like far too many service members, Fred had ignored the warning signs of PTSD, even when they came from his wife Laura…who just happens to be a Licensed Psychologist and current Director of Psychological Health and the Chief of Behavioral Health at Ireland Army Health Clinic at Fort Knox, KY. 

 
Fred and Laura speak openly about Fred’s mental health struggles and recovery and the impact it had on them personally and professionally. They both bring valuable insight into the struggles many of our service members are dealing with, as a result of 20 years of war fighting. Thank you to Fred and Laura for coming on the show and I hope you all get as much from this conversation as I did. 

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How do I describe this week’s guest, Wes Hurt? Anyone paying attention over the past seven years could use words like innovator, entrepreneur, philanthropist or founder of the highly successful beverage company, CLEAN CAUSE. Now, if you go back prior to the last seven years, words like drug addict or alcoholic could have been used to describe the same Wes Hurt.  See, the reality is that all of these words accurately describe Wes Hurt and WHY he developed CLEAN CAUSE, a company that has created a sustainable source of funding to combat addiction.

 Wes is a self-described prior drug addict and alcoholic who was fortunate enough to obtain sobriety 7 years ago. Shortly into his sobriety the idea of CLEAN CAUSE was born, a decision that would not only alter his own life, but the life of countless others. The concept behind CLEAN CAUSE is a simple one. Sell a high quality, great tasting, caffeinated beverage and donate half of the profits to help individuals recovering from addiction and alcoholism (CLEAN CAUSE has donated over $1,218,000 so far). Now to be clear…this isn’t a nonprofit that raised this money from donations, this is a successful for-profit company providing a high quality product all while providing vital support to the addiction community.

 I had a great conversation with Wes about his journey and how he continues to find his truth and meaning in life. For more information about Wes and CLEAN CAUSE, ago to https://cleancause.com/pages/the-cause, or checkout their below social media links. 

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleancause/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleancause/

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