DTD PODCAST

Nick Jones, President and Founder of Talons Reach Foundation, is a medically retired Marine Staff Sergeant who served honorably for twelve years. Raised in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe, Nick joined the United States Marine Corps in January of 2010; just one month after his 18th birthday. He completed the School of Infantry and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines as a Mortarman. ¬Nick then joined the Scout Sniper Platoon and in 2012 was deployed to Afghanistan.

In 2013, Nick pursued a career as a Marine Raider. He attended the Marine Special Operations Assessment and Selection Program and was successfully selected and trained in 2014. He was assigned to the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, Hotel Company, Team 2. During his time, Nick served as an Element Member, Assistant Element Leader, and an Element Leader.

In Nick’s military career, he conducted a total of five deployments, with three deployments being to combat. He has also been recognized multiple times for his service and possesses a Navy Cross, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for Valor, and a Purple Heart.

Following his injuries on March 8th, 2020, Nick underwent six major surgeries in a matter of a year and a half. He made the difficult decision to medically retire from his career in the Marine Corp. Nick currently undergoes numerous treatments and rehabilitations in his journey to recovery. Residing in Bozeman, Montana, Nick’s journey led him to founding Talons Reach Foundation in 2021. His primary focus and purpose in life is to share his story and assist those like himself in finding their purpose after their Special Operation Forces careers conclude and overcome their struggles in their darkest days. He has a wife, Hanah, a daughter, and 3 dogs.

Barry Gray (Baz) is a modern-day explorer and adventurer specialising in extreme cold climates. Barry is currently planning the Solo Unsupported and Unassisted crossing of the Antarctic continent from Coast to Coast in 2024, a journey still yet to be completed, if successful, this will be a world first.

Barry was always an adventurous spirit growing up, very much the outdoor type. He enjoyed almost every type of sport and excelled in quite a few of them. His true-life adventure started as a 16-year-old when he applied to join the Royal Marine Commandos. Before he reached his eighteenth birthday, he had completed the world’s toughest military basic training course and took his place amongst the UK’s finest soldiers.

The Royal Marines are the UK’s specialists in Mountain and Cold Weather training. All Royal Marines go through this training but it’s a unique and special group of marines that deliver the training, they are known as the Mountain Leader Branch. Barry applied for the gruelling and extremely challenging course in 1998 and was a fully trained Mountain Leader instructor 10 months later. Barry then went on to become the Chief Instructor of this very special group in 2007.

Barry’s career saw him deployed on Operational tours to Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. As a Royal Marine and Mountain Leader, he has travelled the globe including the Himalayas, Norway, European Alps, The Andes, USA, Oman, Brunei, and Antarctica to name but a few.

Barry decided to leave the Royal Marines in December 2016 after 26 years, achieving the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM).

Amongst his passions are polar history, especially the heroic age, and in 2013 he took part in the successful Shackleton Epic expedition in which he was part of the team that authentically re-enacted Shackleton’s 1916 escape from Elephant Island and crossing of South Georgia. One of the most remarkable Survival stories ever told. The journey can be seen as a three-part documentary on Discovery Channel called “Shackleton Death or Glory”

Barry also skied Solo and unsupported to the South Pole in 2018-19 covering 730 miles in only 38 days making him the third quickest person in history to do so. This was part one of a two part plan to be the first man to ski Solo and Unsupported, without any assistance, to cross the entire Antarctic continent from sea to sea via the South Pole. This attempt is planned for October 2023.

Barry now runs a motivational leadership business which is another big passion; to help others through mindset and resilience become the best versions of themselves.

This week is an episode that so many people need to hear, my guest has served the United States Army for 24 years, with a majority of that time as a Green Beret. He has seen his share of war with multiple combat deployments, but this guest’s trauma started way back in childhood where he was the victim of abuse for almost a decade, even driving him to attempt suicide at the age of 12. My guest moved on to college and the Army thinking it would give his life purpose, only finding that he could not completely shake the demons or images from his past. There were more suicide attempts and more silent suffering, until he broke free from the past so that he could concentrate on the present and his future with his wife and children. He has undergone some incredible treatments that have given him a completely new look at life and this week he is sharing his story of Trauma to Triumph. It is my great honor to introduce you to Trevor Beaman....

At the age of 17, my guest embarked on an unconventional journey by enlisting in the Army as an All-Source Intel Analyst. After high school, he completed his education, earned a Bachelor's degree in Strategic Studies & Defense Analysis, and later, a Master's in Strategic Studies. In 2018, he deployed to Djibouti, where he served with the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion. Subsequently, my guests ventured to Afghanistan and later to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. These diverse deployments broadened his horizons and honed his skills. His transition to the Threat Screening Center and later to a role supporting the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency and FBI's National Joint Terrorism Task Force was marked by academic accomplishments, including the completion of his Master's Degree. In 2022, the allure of overseas service beckoned once more, leading him to Qatar to support Special Operations Command. Now, he eagerly awaits his next assignment, where he will continue to serve the Department of Defense in Northern Virginia. Beneath the surface of his professional journey lies a deep-rooted family tradition of military service and an abiding passion for literature, which eventually culminated in the writing and self publishing of numerous books beginning in 2021 and continuing to this day. Please welcome Zach James.

This week in the studio a man who dedicated 20 years of his life to the US Army serving with the 10th Mountain Division and 3rd Batallion 75th Ranger Regiment. He has served as Squad Leader, Weapons Squad Leader, Batallion Air Operations Sergeant, Batallion Liasion Sergeant, and Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant. He has also led the 75th Ranger Regimentss Pre Ranger Course. This guest was involved in the fiercest ground combat since the Vietnam War, when he was a member of the Ranger element that was involved in Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu in October of 1993, better known as Black Hawk Down. It was then and there that my guest learned what it meant to truly lead when being in charge was thrust upon you and everything that could go wrong actually does. He is a public speaker, Author, and mentor to countless soldiers. He has lived his entire life by being a great steward and public figure, when it comes to representing the Ranger Creed and the Warriors ethos. Please welcome to the studio Matt Eversman.

This week in the studio my guest’s story is one of humble beginnings that could not deter him from chasing his dreams. After High School he started as a military police officer in the Navy, my guest held a burning desire to become a Navy SEAL since the tender age of 12. That aspiration would come to fruition in the aftermath of the life-altering events of 9/11.My guest is more than a retired United States Navy SEAL; he is a highly decorated hero with multiple deployments to the volatile landscapes of the Middle East. After two decades of serving with unwavering loyalty and honor, He embarked on a new mission. He founded CommSafe AI, a groundbreaking technology company dedicated to eradicating toxic communication and behavior within large enterprises and the Department of Defense. In his remarkable story, we find not only the embodiment of resilience and dedication but also the profound message that, with unwavering commitment, one can achieve their dreams and continue to make a meaningful impact long after the uniform is hung up. Join us as we delve into the life and wisdom of this exceptional individual who exemplifies the true essence of service, leadership, and innovation. Please welcome into the studio Ty Smith…

This week in the studio I am proud to introduce a man with almost 38 years of service to this country. My guest started his service as a lowly private and ended that service as the highest ranking enlisted personnel in the US Military. Some of his assignments have been with 3rd ACR, 3rd Armor Division, 3rd Infantry Division , and the 82nd Airborne Division. My guest has 5 Combat Tours that started with Operation Just Cause and continuing up into and through the GWOT. He has been deployed to countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama, Syria, Somalia, and Yemen. My guest served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and is the only guest of this show to ever quote House of Pain in his fantastic biography “Surrender or Die”. He has given every fiber of his being to this country in order to see that the Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, and Marines that are charged with this countries protection are taken care of Physically, Mentally, and Emotionally. Please welcome the Founder of the E-Tool Nation and PME Hard John Wayne Troxell…..

This week in the studio my guest had yearned to be a Royal Marine Commando since childhood, and in 1986 he enlisted and did just that. After passing the grueling training course my guest earned his coveted Green Beret in 1987, but that’s where the real story begins. My guest spent the next 30 years of his life on Active Duty serving in every rank from Recruit to Captain in the Royal Marines. He has participated in combat rotations to Kosovo, Afghanistan, and was in the lead element in the invasion of Iraq. After Active Duty this guest transitioned into the reserves but at the same time completed a degree in acting and has been featured on stage and screen in roles that were designed to spotlight mental health and PTS in former and active soldiers. His latest endeavor is an absolutely incredible film called SUNRAY which was created by a collection of former Royal Marine Commandos turned filmmakers and actors. This movie challenges the perception of mental health and the struggles that soldiers face when reintegrating back into civilian life. It is with great excitement that I introduce into the studio Tip Cullen.

This week in the studio, my guest spent his 14 year military career at opposite ends of the spectrum. Starting his career in the Navy he decided after 4 years that he was not getting the fulfillment that he desired. He has requested a change to Navy EOD but was rejected. This guest turned to the Army and was quickly snatched up for EOD completing his training and initial deployments. In 2011 this guests life changed drastically when he was injured by a secondary IED that rendered him sightless and caused massive injuries to his body. His life took another rough turn when he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis which rendered his completely without his hearing. With darkness and complete silence surrounding him, my guest started to take back control of his life with the help of his girlfriend and future wife McKayla. These days he is an entrepreneur, chef, public speaker, and motivation for anyone who thinks that something is not possible, because of the cards that you have been dealt. Please welcome into the studio Aaron Hale.