Eagle Nation Podcast

Patrick Murphy has accomplished a ton in the first 42 years of his life.  He was the captain of the hockey team in college, deployed to combat as an Army officer, taught law at West Point, was the first Iraq/Afghanistan veteran to be elected to Congress, became a partner at a law firm, hosted a TV show on MSNBC, and now serves as the Undersecretary of the Army.

In this episode, we cover a ton of material including:

• Why functional fitness is a huge part of his life
• How his youth affects the way he leads the Army
• Using social media as a leadership tool
• The most important lesson that his father ever taught him

Tim O'Donnell (TO as he's affectionately known) is currently America's top male long-course triathlete and has been a leader at Team RWB since our earliest days.  He has served on our advisory board and has coached at our triathlon camp since 2013.  Tim is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and is a six time champion of the Armed Forces Triathlon.  

We have a great conversation that includes:

• What it feels like to be on the podium at IRONMAN world championships
• Why it is important to bet on yourself
• How he got involved in Team RWB
• The importance of learning and growing after disappointments

Tim has been such an amazing ambassador for Team RWB and for veterans in general.  We are incredibly proud to have him on our team and we are excited to bring you this awesome interview!

Matthew "Griff" Griffin is a co-founder of Combat Flip Flops in Kabul, Afghanistan.  Combat Flip Flops is a service minded, dynamic company that creates cool stuff in dangerous places around the world - advancing their belief in "business, not bullets" to end global conflicts.  He served in the 75th Ranger Regiment with three tours to Afghanistan and one to Iraq, and is now spending his time to make the world a better place - his company uses some of their profits to send Afghan girls to school, and to clear land mines.

In this episode, we cover a ton of important topics including:

• How he crashed and burned post-military, and how he pulled out of it
• How giving to others can save your life
• How he and his partners started Combat Flip Flops
• His TED Talk on persistence, creativity, and respect
• Being a Veteran entrepreneur on Shark Tank (go to 33:25 on video)

Annie Okerlin is an amazing woman who has committed herself to supporting Veterans and their families through yoga.  Her organization, Exalted Warrior Foundation provides adaptive yoga in the military setting and trains yoga teachers to best serve military members.  She's a great friend to Team RWB and has coached at multiple Leadership and Athletic Camps.

We have a very enlightening discussion around:

• Why yoga is a great tool for Vets (and all of us)
• How to authentically connect
• Dealing with your "stuff"
• Why the opposite of love is fear

This episode is full of great information and tools to help you and your loved ones live a richer, happier life.

Sebastian Junger is a best-selling author and oscar-nominated film maker.  He's been a war correspondent in places like Bosnia and Afghanistan and is very familiar with both combat and soldiers.  His latest book, Tribe, contrasts modern society with the more communal social environments of our past.  In doing so, Junger illuminates how many of the challenges that Veterans face, including PTSD, may have more to do with life at home than they do with combat.

In this very candid interview, we cover some provocative topics like:

• Why disability claims for PTSD are so high in the US
• The importance of Veterans telling their stories
• How affluence may be leading to emotional strain
• Why we should stop defending harmful narratives
• The benefits of mandatory national service

Sebastian's work, and our discussion, highlight the need for organizations like Team RWB.  The human need for connection, belonging, and purpose are deeply coded into our DNA.  Unfortunately, many in today's society feel more isolated than ever.  By coming together, in our communities, through positive activities, we're building a very important tribe that just may remind America how great it feels to work together.

Captain(Retired) Florent (Flo) Groberg is a French-America military officer and the recipient of the Medal of Honor.  He was born in France to an American father and a French-Algerian mother and moved to the United States as a child. He served in the US Army where, in August 2012, he was severally wounded while attempting to thwart a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, and action for which he was ultimately awarded the our nation's highest medal for valor.

In this episode, we cover a ton of great stuff, including:

• What it was like to move to the US as a child
• His inspiring service in the US Army
• How running has positively affected his life
• His work with LinkedIn to improve the military transition process
• Remembering the fallen
• How to "Shut up and Listen"

This conversation is a rare, inside look at the making of a real-life American Hero.

Leo Jenkins is a man that defies titles.  His credentials include Army Ranger, Author, Traveler, Triathlete, CrossFitter...and having drank a beer in all 50 states!

Leo and I have a really interesting conversation that includes:

• The difficulty of coming home after war
• The benefits of travel and exploration
• Finding a state of "flow"
• Road trips from Alaska to Panama
• Redefining success for ourselves

This podcast will definitely make you think.  Please enjoy the conversation and see what you can learn from Leo's experiences.

Jeff Galloway is a former Olympian turned running coach who has touched over a million lives through his books, training programs, and schools.

He's had an amazing career that includes:

• Running the 10,000 meters in the 1972 Olympics
• Serving in the US Navy
• Training with Steve Prefontaine
• Writing America's best selling running book
• Writing a column in Runner's World
• Founding the Run-Walk-Run training method

Jeff is a legend in the running world, and we have a great discussion that ranges from cross-country drives in the an old Volvo to the mental/physical connection to running.

Jessica Jones Meyers is a combat veteran, professional triathlete, and most impressively, mother of twins.  She has been a Team RWB leader and ambassador from our very earliest days.

In this inspirational and sometimes raw conversation, we discuss:

• Adjusting to life after deployment
• The not-so-glamorous life of a pro triathlete
• Overcoming our own expectations and ego
• Raising great kids as a divorced parent
• Being an original Team RWB member
• Deciding to go for it and chase your dreams

Sadly, at least for our triathletes, we don't get in to swimming technique or how to improve your transition times.  However, I think that everyone will benefit greatly from spending some time with Jessica.  We can't thank her enough for her courage and honesty in this really powerful podcast.

Bill Rausch is a former Army officer, he's spent time on TheHill advocating for Veteran's issue in DC, he was a consultant,he's a husband, a father, and a local volunteer leader for Team RWB-- and in additional to all of that, he is the Executive Directorof Got Your 6.  Overthe past couple of years Bill has become a familiar face as he hastestified before congress, appeared on many news programs, andseems to be everywhere.

Bill and I have great conversation that covers:

• Leadership
• Community
• Growing up in the Midwest
• Veterans in the civic process
• Michigan/Ohio St. Football

Bill is a great American and a true friend.  It was awesometo pick his brain on this episode.