Eagle Freedom Presents

Have you ever stopped to wonder what a surgeon goes through after delivering the worst possible news to a family?

On this episode of Eagle Freedom Presents, we sit down with Dr. Daniel Eiferman, an academic physician and surgeon who understands firsthand the immense pressure of the operating room. Driven toward a medical career at just 11 years old in pursuit of unshakeable job security following his parents' difficult divorce, Daniel built a highly successful life in healthcare. However, a devastating surgical complication in 2016 changed everything. That traumatic experience sparked a deep journey of soul-searching, ultimately inspiring him to write a book on how to bounce back when things go horribly wrong.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Unconventional Path: How a chaotic childhood and a desire for stability shaped Daniel's definition of success.

• The Aftermath of a Mistake: Finding meaning in suffering and recovering from a career-altering complication.

• Connection Over Perfection: Why setting honest expectations and offering genuine support is more valuable to patients than acting like an all-knowing savior.

• Carrying the Weight: The parallels between the operating room and law enforcement, and why it is impossible to simply "leave work at work" when lives are on the line.

Resources:

Dr, Daniel Eiferman's website IntegritySurgery.org

Get a copy of Dr. Eiferman's book "Cut Open A Surgeon's Stories of Loss, Resilience and Growth"

If today's conversation brought a little bit of light into a dark room, please share this episode with someone who might need to hear it. You can help support the show and keep these meaningful conversations going by dropping a contribution into our Ko-fi tip jar. The link is right down in the episode show notes.

Remember that you too can rise, inspire, and overcome. God bless.

Ready to take your freedom journey to the next level?

Connect with us beyond the podcast. Follow us on social media to get the latest updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all at @eaglefreedompresents.

Want to reach out directly? Send us an email at [email protected].

And for exclusive resources, episode show notes, and to join our community, head over to our website.

Remember our mantra: Rise, Inspire & Overcome, and become a part of the #RIOmovement!

We can't wait to hear from you and continue this journey together!

What happens when the very profession you are dedicating your life to dismisses your deepest pain?

Welcome back to Eagle Freedom Presents. Today, we are joined by Anne Alex, a doctor, author, and model dialing in all the way from Germany to share a remarkable story of resilience. While in medical school, Anne began experiencing severe back pain that her own doctors wrote off as standard student stress. She pushed for answers and eventually uncovered a life-threatening spinal bone tumor that required three grueling back surgeries in a single year—including a highly traumatic awake biopsy procedure.

Faced with a prognosis that she would be dependent on antidepressants and muscle relaxers for the rest of her life, Anne refused to accept that as her final chapter. She shattered her own victim mentality, looked outside the traditional medical box to holistic healing, and completely reclaimed her health. By rewiring her mindset, she conquered a lifelong battle with body image issues and stepped into her childhood dream of becoming a model.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Navigating childhood bullying and overcoming an eating disorder.
• The psychological toll of having your severe physical pain dismissed by medical professionals.
• How to break out of a victim mentality and stop wallowing in self-pity.
• The science of neuroplasticity and how to rewire your brain to overcome negative thoughts.
• Practical tools from Anne's book, New Path, to help you shift your reality today.

Anne is the living embodiment of the #RIOmovement, proving that your physical diagnosis does not dictate your limits.

Support the Show: If Anne’s story sparked a light in a dark room for you today, please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. To help us continue sharing stories of incredible resilience, consider dropping a tip in our jar at ko-fi.com/eaglefreedom.

Connect with Anne:

• Website & Book (New Path): anne-m-alex.com

Keep pushing forward, and always remember: Rise, Inspire, and Overcome.

How do you find the unimaginable strength to survive when the odds are entirely against you?

On this episode of Eagle Freedom Presents, we sit down with Merry Korn to discuss her incredible journey from career devastation to massive entrepreneurial success.

Merry’s resilience is deeply rooted in her family history; she is the child of two Holocaust survivors. Her mother displayed extraordinary bravery by jumping from a moving train headed for a death camp at just 13 years old, eventually immigrating to America as a single mother with only $120 to her name. Decades later, Merry tapped into that exact same generational grit.

Fired at 46 years old and facing the terrifying reality of raising two teenage daughters alone, Merry refused to let fear dictate her future. Inspired by her mother's survival and the message of the movie Schindler’s List, she launched a for-profit social enterprise.

In this episode, we explore:

• Merry's harrowing family history and how her mother survived the Holocaust. Her mother miraculously escaped a death march by hiding in a barn and was ultimately spared by a farmer after his wife intervened.

• The profound career disruption Merry faced when she was fired and the divine intuition that led her to passionately pursue medical associations.

• How Merry took a massive leap of faith to build an organization that successfully employed over 1,300 people across 30 states.

• The company's core mission to actively prioritize hiring individuals with the greatest barriers to work. These individuals included disabled veterans, military spouses, and people living in deeply impoverished areas.

• The three core pillars highlighted in Merry's new book, Fired to Inspired. These actionable pillars focus on overcoming fear, finding your specific life purpose, and utilizing the power of informational interviews.

Merry's story is a profound testament to the absolute power of resilience and the lasting impact of providing meaningful work to those who need it most.

Guest Links & Resources:

• Visit Merry's website to pre-order her book and download three free workbooks: firedtoinspire.com.

• Connect directly with Merry on LinkedIn: Merry Korn.

• To fully grasp the deep inspiration behind Merry's 1,300-employee enterprise, we highly encourage listeners to watch the movie Schindler's List.

Support the RIO movement—Rise, Inspire, and Overcome—by buying us a cup of coffee through our Ko-Fi link. Remember, you too can rise, inspire, and overcome. God bless.

Ready to take your freedom journey to the next level?

Connect with us beyond the podcast. Follow us on social media to get the latest updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all at @eaglefreedompresents.

Want to reach out directly? Send us an email at [email protected].

And for exclusive resources, episode show notes, and to join our community, head over to our website.

Remember our mantra: Rise, Inspire & Overcome, and become a part of the #RIOmovement!

We can't wait to hear from you and continue this journey together!

[Content Warning]

Please be advised that this episode contains raw discussions regarding childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and suicide. While our ultimate focus is on resilience and healing, the material is heavy. Please listen with care and prioritize your well-being.

Episode Overview:

Have you ever felt like you are living two completely different lives—one smiling for the outside world, and another silently trying to survive a battle on the inside?

Welcome back to Eagle Freedom Presents. Today, we are joined by Anu Verma, a Trauma Specialist, Embodiment Coach, author, and the founder of Victim 2 Victor. Anu brings over two decades of professional experience to her work, but it is her profound lived experience that anchors this powerful conversation.

Anu’s trauma began at the age of three, and she was manipulated into keeping the abuse a secret out of fear for her parents' safety. This intense early suppression laid a foundation for a life of attracting controllers and manipulators, eventually trapping her in a highly toxic and abusive relationship. However, Anu refused to let the darkness write her final chapter. Following a pivotal courtroom victory against her abuser, she experienced her first true taste of power and control, sparking a decade-long journey into personal development and healing.

Today, she does not glamorize the recovery process. Instead, Anu shares the messy reality of healing to help others break free from people-pleasing, rebuild their self-worth, and find true, authentic fulfillment.

In this episode, we explore:

• The long-term impact of childhood trauma and the heavy weight of forced silence.
• How unhealed emotional pain gets physically stored in the body and contributes to chronic illness.
• The critical turning point that empowered Anu to reclaim her life and start her healing journey.
• Why trauma often turns people into chronic people-pleasers out of a fear of abandonment.
• The importance of shedding societal pressures about status to discover true fulfillment from within.
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Connect with Anu Verma:

• Website: victim2victor.net
• Book: https://victim2victor.net/victim-2-victor-trauma-therapy-book/
• 
  

Mental Health & Crisis Resources:

If this conversation brought up heavy emotions, please know you do not have to navigate them alone.

• US Listeners: Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 800-799-7233 for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
• UK Listeners: Call 116 123 for Samaritans (24/7 Support), or 0808 2000 247 for the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
• 
  

Join the #RIOmovement 🦅

Healing is a messy journey, but you don't have to walk it alone. We are building a community dedicated to turning pain into purpose and helping each other Rise, Inspire, and Overcome. If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe to the podcast on your favorite audio platform and share this episode with someone who might need to hear it.

Support the #RIOmovement:

Did you know you can buy me a cup of coffee and by doing so you're supporting our #RIOmovement? It's easy to do! Just click on this Ko-fi link. You will directly fuel the continued production of Eagle Freedom Presents.

Connect with us beyond the podcast. Follow us on social media to get the latest updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all at @eaglefreedompresents.

Want to reach out directly? Send us an email at [email protected].

And for exclusive resources, episode show notes, and to join our community, head over to our website.

Remember our mantra: Rise, Inspire & Overcome, and become a part of the #RIOmovement!

We can't wait to hear from you and continue this journey together!

Today, we are putting the core mission of Eagle Freedom Presents—Rise, Inspire, and Overcome—into action. We sit down with Bryan Blackmon, a viral TikTok influencer, founder of the Crab Crew, and architect of the C.R.A.B. Framework, who has survived rock bottom and is now over 900 days sober.

Bryan’s story is a raw and honest look at addiction and resilience. Despite growing up in Texas in a loving, musically inclined family, an internal struggle with feeling uncomfortable in his own skin began early. After hearing his father call his dream of playing music a "pipe dream," Bryan set out to prove him wrong, ultimately adopting a "sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll" lifestyle.

Starting with his first beer at age 13, his life spiraled into heavy drug use, overdoses, and prison. But prison was just a timeout. It wasn't until he moved to California at age 42, pursuing an audio and video production degree, that he truly hit rock bottom—sleeping in an 8-man tent in Venice and later living in his car.

Everything changed when he met Elaine, an 85-year-old woman in Huntington Beach who gave him a place to stay. Experiencing a moment of profound clarity while looking in the mirror and hearing the words, "you are worth it," Bryan locked himself in his room for 30 days to endure severe withdrawals and reclaim his life. His journey led to viral TikTok fame, daily beach livestreams, and the birth of the Crab Crew—a global community dedicated to breaking the toxic cycle of pulling each other down.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The Origin of the Spiral: How early feelings of internal discomfort and a father's discouraging words sparked decades of addiction.
• The Venice Streets to Huntington Beach: The reality of homelessness in California and the chance encounter with Elaine that provided a safe haven.
• 30 Days in the Dark: What it took to endure brutal physical withdrawals alone and come clean to a supportive landlord.
• The Birth of the Crab Crew: How a dancing crab gift on TikTok sparked a deep dive into the "Crab Mentality" and inspired a worldwide movement.
• The C.R.A.B. Framework Breakdown:
• C - Clean: Clearing the mind, body, and spirit.
• R - Resilient: Developing the strength to withstand life’s hardest hits.
• A - Adaptable: Learning to adjust to new situations.
• B - Belief: The foundational bedrock of believing you are worth more.
• True Freedom: Why internal peace and daily gratitude are the ultimate tools for overcoming life's darkest storms.

Need Help Right Now? You Are Worth It.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse or a mental health crisis, you do not have to do this alone. Free, confidential help is available 24/7.

• SAMHSA National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988

Connect with Bryan Blackmon:

• Website: CrabCrewLife.com
• Discord: Crabcrew Discord

Join the RIO Movement We are building a movement founded on the mantra of Rise, Inspire and Overcome. We are only able to grow this movement with your support. Please be sure to like, share, subscribe and comment on our podcasts.

If you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can help us grow:

• Support us on Ko-Fi: Drop a one-time tip in our tip jar at ko-fi.com/eaglefreedom

Remember: you too can Rise, Inspire and Overcome. God Bless.

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to go from a good life to a great one? In this episode of Eagle Freedom Presents, we are joined by Amy Lenius, a personal development and success coach, powerful speaker, and the director of group coaching at Next Level University.

Amy shares her incredible journey of battling endometriosis for over a decade. After years of following the traditional medical system's advice, she made the empowering choice to stop her routine interventions and take control of her own health. She explains why true wellness requires a holistic approach, which means detoxifying both your internal body and your external environment by removing endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

Beyond physical health, Amy discusses her professional transition from being a massage therapist to becoming an "intrapreneur." Instead of building a solo business from scratch, she aligned herself with the founders of Next Level University to make a larger impact while honoring her personal core value of freedom. Amy breaks down the vital difference between self-belief and self-worth, reminding us that lasting success is ultimately built on "unsexy fundamentals compounded over time."

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why leaving a "good" situation to pursue a "great" one goes against our biological wiring for the path of least resistance.

• The crucial difference between self-belief (your capability to figure things out) and self-worth (your internal feeling of deserving success).

• How to step out of your comfort zone and into the growth zone without plunging straight into the anxiety zone.

• Why rebuilding your life and identity requires a hard but necessary deconstruction phase.

• The immense value of sustainable action and why "zero to ten" goal-setting often leads to failure.

• What it means to be an "intrapreneur" versus an entrepreneur, and why building your own company from scratch isn't meant for everyone.

• Amy’s personal definition of freedom: having the abundant choice to say yes to what you want and no to what you don't.

Ready to take your freedom journey to the next level?

Connect with us beyond the podcast. Follow us on social media to get the latest updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all at @eaglefreedompresents.

Want to reach out directly? Send us an email at [email protected].

And for exclusive resources, episode show notes, and to join our community, head over to our website.

Remember our mantra: Rise, Inspire & Overcome, and become a part of the #RIOmovement!

We can't wait to hear from you and continue this journey together!

What does it take to rebuild your entire life when the very people meant to protect you tell you that you are worthless? How do you transition from bracing for impact in survival mode to stepping into abundance, purpose, and impact?

In this deeply moving and empowering episode of Eagle Freedom Presents, host Deston Rogers sits down with Michelle Rogers—author, entrepreneur, lead coach, and founder of The Resiliency Blueprint.

Growing up as the family scapegoat, Michelle endured extreme childhood abuse, severe blame, and a harrowing attempt on her life by her own mother. After surviving years in a toxic, abusive marriage, she found herself walking away with just four boxes and a shattered sense of self-worth.

Fast forward to today: Michelle runs seven successful real estate companies, is happily married to a partner who truly sees her worth, and is the author of The Resiliency Blueprint: A Life Guide to Being Seen, Safe, and Loved. Together with her husband, she re-opened her home to foster a non-verbal, autistic boy—the catalyst that inspired her deeper trauma healing and led to her big, hairy, audacious goal: building OK Ranch, a dedicated community offering equine-assisted therapy for children with trauma and disabilities.

If you are wearing a mask, smiling at the world while drowning on the inside, or stuck in analysis paralysis, Michelle’s message will give you the roadmap and hope you need to rise, inspire, and overcome.

• The Night Time Split in Two: Michelle shares the pivotal night domestic violence forced her to walk away with four boxes, marking the clear "Before" and "After" of her life.

• Understanding Scapegoating & Reactive Abuse: How childhood conditioning makes us believe everything is our fault and how to start unlearning those core lies.

• The Question That Changed Everything: Meeting her husband at age 37, hearing the words "I see you," and being asked for the first time: "What are your hopes and dreams?"

• Building a Real Estate Empire: How buying a $10,000 condemned house sparked a passion that grew into seven successful companies.

• The Healing Power of Fostering: How parenting an autistic foster child turned the mirror back on her own trauma, leading to EMDR and deeper somatic healing.

• 3 Rules for Life: Why Michelle lives by No Excuses (drop the 'buts'), Always Be Learning, and Take Action—building your parachute on the way down.

• The OK Ranch Mission: How 20% of proceeds from The Resiliency Blueprint fund equine therapy and a safe community for adults with developmental disabilities.

Michelle Rogers is the Founder and Lead Coach of The Resiliency Blueprint. Through her 6-phase framework—Seeing the Truth, Creating Safety, Healing the Wounds, Reclaiming Your Power, Expanding into Joy, and Connecting with Community—she guides women out of survival mode and into a life where they are seen, safe, and loved.

🔗 Connect & Resources:

• Support the Show: Enjoying the podcast? Buy us a coffee on Ko-fi to fuel the #RIOmovement
• Website: theresiliencyblueprint.com[cite: 2]
• Book: The Resiliency Blueprint: A Life Guide to Being Seen, Safe, and Loved[cite: 2]

Eagle Freedom Presents is dedicated to building a global movement centered on our core mantra: Rise, Inspire, Overcome.

If this episode spoke to you, please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that they are enough.

Connect with Deston Rogers:

• ☕ Fuel the Show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/eaglefreedom
• Website / Contact: [email protected]

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Eagle Freedom Presents with your host, Deston. In this powerful interview, we sit down with Christina Smith, the host of the Witness the Wonder podcast. Christina is also a contributing author to the book collection Resilience: Women Rising to Their Greatest Moments.

Christina opens up about her devastating battle with infertility. She recounts the moment doctors told her that having children would be impossible. Rather than accepting this medical diagnosis, she chose to lean on her personal faith. She drew deep inspiration from her mother-in-law's prayer journal and anchored her hope in the biblical promise found in Matthew 19:26.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Christina details the emotional toll of an eighteen-month journey of trying to conceive, before receiving a medical diagnosis that offered zero hope.

• She describes a pivotal moment of completely surrendering to God's will, which occurred during a church worship dance.

• She shares the miraculous fulfillment of a promise from God that she would hold her child in September, a promise realized when her daughter was born on September 23, 2004.

• Christina explains how this purposeful season of waiting prepared her to launch a 3D/4D ultrasound business, which she started when her daughter was seven months old.

• She discusses the inspiration behind launching her own Witness the Wonder podcast, as well as the purpose of her free online resilience assessment.

Connect with Christina and Witness The Wonder Podcast:

ChristinaSmithOfficial.com

Youtube https://youtube.com/@witnessthewonder?si=18Q59BURxFW_F_kh

Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/witness-the-wonder-god-stories-of-faith/id1817108281

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2QDyvVjg3VCRmdX4bQ75Qe?si=byPrpBBQQeOQlrp45KvMoQ&utm_source=copy-link

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1Eg8dGBLqg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/witnessthewonder?utm_source=qr

Discover what true freedom in Christ looks like and how you can apply the principles of the RIO movement—Rise, Inspire, and Overcome—to your own life. If you have faced similar challenges, we invite you to share your story in the comments. Help us continue to grow the movement by liking, sharing, and subscribing.

Ready to take your freedom journey to the next level?

Connect with us beyond the podcast. Follow us on social media to get the latest updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all at @eaglefreedompresents.

Want to reach out directly? Send us an email at [email protected].

And for exclusive resources, episode show notes, and to join our community, head over to our website.

Remember our mantra: Rise, Inspire & Overcome, and become a part of the #RIOmovement!

We can't wait to hear from you and continue this journey together!

In this episode of Eagle Freedom Presents, we sit down with military veteran and Hollywood stunt professional Aaron Crippen to discuss his powerful journey of survival, resilience, and family. With a career spanning over 160 film and television projects, Aaron has worked as a stunt performer, action specialist, and rigger on massive productions including The Dark Knight, The Batman, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, The Bear, and the Chicago franchise. He also mentors the next generation of performers through his company, Creative Action Arts, and his training platform, S.E.T. (Stunt Education Training).

Despite a resume filled with choreographed explosions and high falls, Aaron reveals that the hardest hits he has ever taken were never on a movie set, but in real life when he least expected them. He opens up about finding himself sleeping in his truck, a challenging period that prompted him to start writing the reflections that would eventually become his memoir, Love at First Fall. Aaron shares how he learned to navigate life's most terrifying moments, including the premature birth of his son, and why he views his book as a "flashlight" for his boys when life gets dark.

In this episode, we cover:

• Aaron's childhood dream of being a stuntman and how his nine years in the military prepared him for a thriving career in the film industry.

• The stark difference between the "planned chaos" of a blockbuster movie stunt and the unexpected falls of everyday life.

• The terrifying and transformative experience of his son being born ten weeks early, weighing only three pounds.

• Why Aaron believes that falling isn't a failure, but rather a new direction.

• The importance of building your own personal "stunt team" to help you navigate life's hardest moments.

While the film work has been an incredible journey, the heart of Aaron’s story perfectly embodies the Rise, Inspire, Overcome movement: what those experiences teach us about resilience, purpose, and what it means to keep getting back up. To our global audience tuning in from nearly 30 countries, be sure to pick up a copy of Love at First Fall through the links in our show notes.

Ready to take your freedom journey to the next level?

Connect with us beyond the podcast. Follow us on social media to get the latest updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all at @eaglefreedompresents.

Want to reach out directly? Send us an email at [email protected].

And for exclusive resources, episode show notes, and to join our community, head over to our website.

Remember our mantra: Rise, Inspire & Overcome, and become a part of the #RIOmovement!

We can't wait to hear from you and continue this journey together!

Welcome to another episode of Eagle Freedom Presents. This episode is the absolute definition of the RIO movement—what it means to rise, inspire, and overcome.

Before 2010, Tim Mahl was living the ultimate cowboy dream as an elite competitor and the 2009 National High School Reserve champion in tie-down roping. But on June 6, 2010, a tragic roping accident left Tim with a severe traumatic brain injury. After spending two weeks in the ICU and almost four months fighting for his life at Craig Hospital in Colorado, Tim began a long and arduous road to rehabilitation.

In this powerful episode, Tim shares how his family and his deep-rooted faith served as his anchor during the darkest moments of his recovery. He discusses the creation of his coffee brand, Stronger 413, which is named after his favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:13. Tim created the business as an avenue to share his story, spread the power of God's love, and provide high-quality coffee to his supporters.

Despite the incredible challenges of retraining his brain and body, Tim has kept his signature sense of humor—even joking about writing a book titled "Laugh your way to healthiness". He also shares the incredible feeling of getting back in the saddle after his accident, proving that hard work and perseverance can help you overcome anything.

Tim's testimony is a powerful reminder that no matter what you are facing on your own road to recovery, you cannot ever give up. Lean in and listen closely to this one, because his words carry immense weight.

In this episode, we cover:

• Tim's background as an elite rodeo competitor and tie-down roper.
• The realities of surviving a severe traumatic brain injury and months of intensive rehabilitation.
• How leaning into faith and memorized Bible verses saved his life.
• The story behind his premium coffee brand, Stronger 413.
• Tim's ultimate message of hope and resilience for anyone who feels broken.
• 
  

Connect with Tim:

• Website: Head over to Tim's website, Stronger413.com to check out his coffee brand.
• Social Media: You can also find him spreading his message on Facebook and Instagram.

Support the Movement: At Eagle Freedom Presents, we are building a global movement built on the mantra of Rise, Inspire, and Overcome. Please be sure to like, subscribe, comment, and share this episode so we can continue to expand our reach. Remember that you, too, can rise, inspire, and overcome. God bless

Ready to take your freedom journey to the next level?

Connect with us beyond the podcast. Follow us on social media to get the latest updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all at @eaglefreedompresents.

Want to reach out directly? Send us an email at [email protected].

And for exclusive resources, episode show notes, and to join our community, head over to our website.

Remember our mantra: Rise, Inspire & Overcome, and become a part of the #RIOmovement!

We can't wait to hear from you and continue this journey together!