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In this episode of the Hot Ashes Podcast, we’re back at Georgia Cigar Shop in Swansboro, NC talking cigars, fitness, sobriety, veterans, mental health, and what it really means to have a tribe.

We kick things off with what we’re smoking and drinking (or not drinking), then dive deep into:

• Health, Fitness & Self-Improvement
  • Cutting back on booze, quitting soda, intermittent fasting
  • Building new routines, early bedtimes, and chasing big goals
  • Hotworx, 1000 workouts in 100 days, half-Ironman training, and TK’s pull-up / running journey
• Veterans, Irreverent Warriors & Finding Your Tribe
  • What Irreverent Warriors is really about: humor, camaraderie, and preventing veteran suicide
  • The power of a honest, no‑BS community at the cigar shop table
  • Life after the military, finding purpose, and why civilians absolutely belong at the table too
• Masculinity, Emotions, Journaling & Relationships
  • “Am I doing good enough?” – mid‑life doubt, pressure, and self-worth
  • How journaling becomes a pressure release valve (and why it often holds our darkest thoughts)
  • Communication with spouses and kids, emotional intelligence, MCCS classes, and dropping the stigma around counseling

We also get into:

• Beards and the “best beard” competition
• Leadership, vulnerability, and not just being a “yes man”
• Books from Marines and veteran supporters on leadership, business, and purpose

If you’re into cigars, veteran culture, personal growth, and real talk about mental health, this one’s for you.

Timestamps (rough):
00:00 – Intro, cigars & drinks at Georgia Cigar Shop
05:00 – Health kicks, quitting booze & soda, working out again
13:30 – Hotworx, 900+ days of workouts & 1000-in-100 challenge
16:30 – Irreverent Warriors, veteran tribe & sobriety
20:30 – The cigar shop table as community & support
32:30 – Military vs civilian paths, leadership & purpose
47:30 – Journaling, “am I enough?” and emotional pain on the page
1:03:30 – Communication with spouses & kids, MCCS classes, counseling
1:11:30 – TK’s fitness journey, running, lifting & consistency
1:20:30 – Aging, injuries, recovery, and still pushing the limits
1:22:20 – Heartstop / band updates & upcoming shows

Follow / Support:

• Hot Ashes Podcast – subscribe for more cigars, stories, and real talk
• Irreverent Warriors – find a hike and your tribe
• Local spots mentioned: Georgia Cigar Shop, Augment (Jacksonville, NC), Hotworx

#HotAshesPodcast #Veterans #MentalHealth #Cigars #Sobriety #Fitness #IrreverentWarriors #Podcast

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