Today we’ll meet world-renowned yoga master Daniel Hickman … but what I initially found interesting is that he’s not a Buddhist monk, or a ninja Sensei from Japan. He's a dude I grew up with in suburban Maryland, and we actually went to high school together in the 80s.

Dan’s journey began with studying martial arts and then working in professional theater. He later became an expert rock climber, but eventually pursued even deeper enlightenment by studying with monks to become an accomplished expert in yoga and meditation.

However his karma was ultimately an invitation to work with traumatically injured troops at Walter Reed NMMC, where he served for over a decade.

The relationships he forged with our wounded warfighters are truly inspiring and demonstrate how effective yoga and meditation can be. They also demonstrate the incredible power of human connection between a gifted yoga master and the soldiers who miraculously survived IED explosions and enemy attacks. His vivid stories reveal the fluid, and often untapped bond between our mind and body.

Hickman also shares some basic yoga poses and meditation techniques that can help alleviate the anxiety, stress and depression that we all experience from time to time.

For more on multi-disciplinary yoga and meditation with Daniel Hickman, check out:

https://danielofthesun.com/

Go Walter Johnson Wildcats and WJHS Class of 89! (and proud legacy of the Spartans!)

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/wjhs/

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Today we dive into an incredible new book “Damn The Valley" by Army veteran and former paratrooper William Yeske. Like many books about the war in Afghanistan this one is a gritty, vivid look at what a deployment to the deadly Arghandab River Valley was really like for the enlisted troops on the ground.

We begin with stories from Yeske’s initial days in Basic Training and Airborne School, which include the humorous moments every vet can appreciate.

Yeske skillfully combines personal memories of 82nd Airborne’s 1st Platoon Bravo Company, known as "Two Fury" with the perspectives of his fellow soldiers. We hear detailed accounts of the fierce fighting in the Arghandab River Valley, the the heavy price paid by the men he served alongside and the questionable cultural practices among those they were sent to defend.

He also shares a moment of validation he received after the book was published and the importance of staying connected with fellow veterans. 

Check out "Damn The Valley: 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2/508 PIR Airborne in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan" here:

https://damnthevalleybook.com/

Find out more about William Yeske's marketing consulting services and No Limits Marketing Group here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamyeske/

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Today we’re talking with combat veteran, Army Ranger, Master Sergeant Cedric King. Wounded in Afghanistan he survived a traumatic IED blast, that resulted in losing both his legs. 

But the experience and his faith in God, made him even stronger.

Today he empowers thousands of people through speaking engagements for clients that include NFL, NBA and Major League baseball teams, and other organizations who need help overcoming their challenges to become champions.

We start with his early days in the Army and his search for a greater calling.

King later describes the IED blast and how his faith in God played a pivotal role in his survival. And explains the spirit heard in the timeless military mantra "there are no atheist's in a foxhole".

King also shares the story behind his first motivational speech, and some of inspiring exchanges he's had with NFL and MLB legends like Raven's Ray Lewis and LA Dodger Mookie Betts.

We also hear how the Semper Fi and America's Fund, has been with him every step of the way, ensuring his story continues and his inspiration is shared.

Get involved and support Semper Fi & America's Fund here:

https://thefund.org/

Find more from Cedric King here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedrickingmsg/

Reach Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

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Today we’re talking with (Ret.) Army Lt. Colonel Jim Whaley, CEO of the veteran organization, Mission Roll Call. Every year they continually survey the veteran community with thought provoking polls about a wide variety of issues. Then apply pressure to law makers to ensure their needs are met. We begin with stories from Whaley’s Army aviation days, as a combat helicopter in Germany during the height of the Cold War.

From the ominous threat of Russia in the 80’s to the complex terrorism threats we face today; Whaley describes how underserving generations of war fighters has profoundly negative affects our national security.

Whaley also describes the top veteran issues today- suicide prevention, access to health care and post military transition … and he says there are obvious ways to solve these complex problems.

Whaley discusses where the VA needs to improve, and why the suicide crisis demands our government start researching and using more alternative medical treatments, including psychedelics. And why our government needs to look beyond its past reputation.

Join Mission Roll Call's movement and make your voice heard on Capitol Hill

Sign up here:

https://www.missionrollcall.org/

To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host and Navy vet, Phil Briggs

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Today we’re honoring Memorial Day with a tribute to 1st Lt Nainoa Hoe, a Hawaiian soldier who became an inspiring Army Officer bravely leading his men in Mosul, Iraq.

But his story begins with an American family who, like many Hawaiians, bravely serve in the military for generations.

His father Allen Hoe, a former Army combat medic in Vietnam, begins this incredible tribute with memories of his service in Vietnam during the late 1960s.

Hoe eventually returned to his native Hawaii and settled into family life raising two wonderful sons. He shares how they were inspired by visits from Dad's Vietnam buddies and stories from their deployments.

In a touching comparison to his own combat experiences, Hoe shares how his brave son, 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe was killed during combat Operation Iraqi Freedom, the deep impact he had on his men and how his legacy lives on today.

Watch Allen Hoe and the story of 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe during the National Memorial Day Concert

Sunday May 26, 2024 8p on PBS

https://www.pbs.org/show/national-memorial-day-concert/

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Today we’re talking with Tim Jensen, Marine Corps combat vet and outspoken leader of “Grunt Style” apparel. Grunt Style T-shirts are loved by military vets and easy to spot with the infantry battle flag and crossed rifles on the sleeves. Jensen shared how this multi-million-dollar apparel company started with the founder selling shirts out of his car.

More than just apparel with massive veteran appeal, Grunt Style often steps up and becomes a loud voice supporting important veteran causes. (Like investing several years fighting Congress to pass Toxic Exposure legislation.) Jensen shared more on their latest cause- calling out the city of Chicago (and Marine Corps) for closing a Marine Corps monument in front of a building that has become housing for immigrants. 

Jensen also shared strong feelings about VA managed veteran health care and a lack of transparency on the heavy amounts of prescription meds they still doll out to vets. We also hear how the Grunt Style Foundation is giving vets access to alternative treatments like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), which the VA still refuses to utilize for treatment of TBI, PTSD, etc.

We also discussed some of the hilarious shirt designs just released for Summer. Jensen, the "1st Sgt of Fashion" explains how GS shirts are more than just patriotic, but they actually help build a community among vets, patriots and anyone who loves whiskey, bacon and freedom!

Check out Grunt Style apparel and the Grunt Style Foundation here:

https://www.gruntstyle.com

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Today we’re talking with the founder of Go Daddy dot com, PXG Golf clubs and Marine Corps combat veteran Bob Parsons about his new book, “Fire in The Hole! The Untold Story of my Traumatic Life and Explosive Success”.

While he is best known for being an icon of the Internet age, in the late 1960’s he was a tough kid from Baltimore, who fought for his life in Vietnam. Parsons shares vivid (and at times hilarious) stories from his days on "Hill 190" in Vietnam.

Later, Parsons tracks his career through the early 1980’s when he was an accountant and self-taught computer programmer, who eventually earned a small fortune by selling a computer software program he wrote from his small home-based business.

He also describes the early days of his Internet domain name company, and the events that would change his life, and the Internet, forever. Parsons offers details about the tumultuous journey building GoDaddy dot com, the dot Com bust of the early 2000’s and the path that would eventually make him a billionaire.

Through it all, Parsons maintains "everything I've ever accomplished, I owe to the Marine Corps."

Check out his exciting new memoir, "Fire in Hole: The Untold Story of my Traumatic Life and Explosive Success"

https://bobparsons.com/fire-in-the-hole/

Launches May 7, 2024

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On Monday Apr 22 we remembered the anniversary of the death of Army Ranger Pat Tillman who was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan. A unique Ranger in that he left a pro football career with The NFL’s Phoenix Cardinals to join the Army shortly after 9/11, along with his brother.

On the evening of April 22, 2004, Pat’s unit was ambushed as it traveled through the rugged, canyon terrain of eastern Afghanistan. His heroic efforts to provide cover for fellow soldiers led to his tragic death.

Today we’re not only honoring his memory, but also hearing how his incredible legacy lives on through the Pat Tillman Foundation. We’re joined by Tillman Foundation CEO Dr. Katherine Steele, and scholar recipient, Army veteran Maj. Bernard Toney Jr.

Steele shares unique memories of Pat and how the Tillman Foundation grew from donations to his alma mater Arizona State University to helping elite veteran students complete college and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Army veteran Bernard Toney Jr. shares how he went from the Special Forces community (serving in the same area as Tillman, just 4 months after his death) to serving in The White House. And, how he hopes his impact in Public Health can improve the lives of Americans from all socio-economic backgrounds.

See more about The Pat Tillman Foundation here:

https://pattillmanfoundation.org/

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Army veteran and Senior Tech recruiter Norm Workman describes the urgent need for cyber warriors at Intelligent Waves, secure IT solutions company. He shares the qualifications they’re looking for and the certifications veterans need right now.

Check out careers at Intelligent Waves here:

https://intelligentwaves.com

Reach Army veteran Norm Workman here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/normworkman/

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This week we’re talking with Molly Brooks and retired Coast Guard Officer Sean Hagerty from the veteran support organization Hero’s Bridge. They work to help aging veterans find affordable housing, healthcare, and even coordinate rides to and from appointments. Their recent attempt to build a village of small homes for veterans on the grounds of a church in Warrenton, VA sounded like a simple request.

But when they announced their project, they were met with fierce opposition and zoning red tape.  

Brooks and Hagerty describe the negative reactions many residents had to building homes for low-income elderly veterans in their neighborhood. They were especially surprised to see that some of the residents in opposition were also veterans themselves.

They also shared more about the work of Hero’s Bridge and how they will continue fighting to build the village.

See more about Hero's Bridge and their plans for the village here:

https://herosbridge.org/

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