This week on Liberty Risk, it's just the crew - no guests, no filters, and nothing off-limits. The guys sit down for a full-send, behind-the-scenes session that feels more like a late-night team room hang than a podcast. From the chaos inside the Patreon chat to the origins of the infamous "bat signal" 🍆🪽🔦 meme, the episode kicks off with pure Liberty Risk energy.

The conversation rolls into what the veteran community looks like today: the good, the bad, the hilarious, and the downright weird. The hosts swap funny military stories, wild nights in Mexico, near disasters, and the kind of screwups that you can only joke about years later. They dive into leadership, legacy, and what's changed - and hasn't - in the brotherhood since their time in uniform.

Listeners also get answers to Patreon questions about some of the best/worst liberty risk moments, work-life balance, and the meanings behind certain questionable tattoos. And because it's Liberty Risk, things inevitably go off the rails into Bigfoot sightings, UFO encounters, and unexplained military weirdness that nobody can explain but everyone remembers.

It's unfiltered, honest, and always entertaining - the kind of episode that reminds you why the community around this show feels like a family. The crew closes out with gratitude for the listeners, a call to reconnect with old friends, and one more toast to the wild ride ahead.

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

Exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more.

Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

Some fun stories you might like from this episode!

00:00 - The Infamous "🍆🪽 Signal" and Patreon Chat Antics 03:13 - The Evolution of the Veteran Community & Podcasting Journey 04:14 - Vet TV, Donny O'Malley, and the Changing Face of Military Humor 10:31 - The Frogman Toast & Team Guy Traditions 13:25 - Fan Encounters & The Power of Community 15:23 - Why an Episode Was Pulled: Military Career Risks 24:06 - The Wild San Felipe, Mexico Adventure 55:46 - The Most Expensive "Liberty Risk" Event & Thailand Drug Scandal 57:30 - The Captain's Mast, Mistaken Identity, and Military Justice 2:32:08 - Bigfoot in Fort Lewis: The Night Watch Encounter 2:55:34 - UFOs, The Tic-Tac Incident, and Alien Theories 3:18:00 - A Shootout with Aliens in Tunnels Under Area 51

In this episode, the Liberty Risk crew sits down with Ernest Emerson, the legendary founder of Emerson Knives, for a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation about his life, career, and the evolution of the knife industry over the years. Ernest shares how his upbringing on a Wisconsin farm and his passion for martial arts led him to create his first knives out of necessity, eventually launching a career that would help define the tactical knife genre.

Ernest discusses his transition from working as a machinist at Hughes Aircraft to becoming a full-time knife maker, and how mentorship from industry icons and feedback from elite military units - especially the Navy SEALs - shaped his approach to design and innovation. He explains the origins of the iconic CQC-7 and the patented "Wave" feature, and reflects on the explosion of tactical knives in the 1990s and beyond.

The episode delves into the close relationship between Emerson Knives and the special operations community, the challenges of maintaining American manufacturing in the face of overseas competition, and the importance of integrity and legacy in a family business. Ernest is joined by his son Lucas, who shares his perspective as a new generation designer and talks about the company's expansion into kitchen knives and new manufacturing ventures.

The conversation is unflinchingly honest about the pressures facing American knife makers, the influx of high-quality but "soulless" imports from China, and the importance of supporting domestic craftsmanship.

Packed with technical insights, industry history, and candid stories - from working with rock stars to testifying as an expert witness - this episode offers a rare look at the philosophy, values, and enduring impact of one of the most influential figures in the knife world.

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands.

Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk

Get to know Ernest & his son Lucas more at the following links:

Ernest Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/realernestemerson

Lucas Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emerson_archetype

Emerson Knife Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emersonknivesinc

Emerson Knife website - https://www.emersonknives.com Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

In this episode of Liberty Risk, we sit down with a man who's lived multiple lives in one - Vietnam Veteran, Navy Seabee, cowboy, and one of Hollywood's original stunt legends: Jim Wilkey. If you've ever watched a truck flip end-over-end in The Dark Knight, seen Stallone crash through cars in Cobra, or watched Clint Eastwood & Charlie Sheen race through The Rookie, there's a good chance Jim Wilke was behind the wheel - or flying through the windshield.

We kick off with the whole Liberty Risk crew finally back together in the studio, and the energy is full send from the start. Jim takes us back to the beginning - growing up as a cowboy kid in Northern California, hauling hay, riding rodeo, and unknowingly training for a future he didn't even know existed. When Vietnam ramped up, he joined the Navy Seabees and found himself operating bulldozers in the jungle, building runways while taking fire, and navigating a war where half the people hated you and the other half pretended not to notice.

Jim shares raw stories from the Vietnam years - what it was like to return home from a war nobody wanted to talk about, go from hauling ammo to hauling stunt pads, and slowly carve out a name in a Hollywood world that didn't hand out second chances. He landed his first stunt jobs simply because he could ride, fall, crash, and get back up without complaining - and from there, his career became a highlight reel of chaos where he became known for daring stunts in movies like "Cobra" with Sylvester Stallone, "The Rookie," and "Transformers", especially one incredible scene where he flipped a semi-truck end over end across a Chicago street for "The Dark Knight".

He explains the stunt world's golden rule: if you did it right, nobody thought it was real - and if you did it wrong, everyone thought you died.

But the best stories aren't just about carnage - they're about the people. Jim talks about the old-school stunt crews who treated each other like family, the quiet pride of knowing your work helped define Hollywood's biggest films, and the moments that made it all worth it.

Between the chaos, we hit real conversations - aging, fatherhood, injuries, legacy, and knowing when to pass the torch. Jim talks about transitioning from full-throttle risk to teaching, mentoring, and preserving the old-school stunt craft before CGI makes it vanish completely. He and Kevin reflect on the weird emotional whiplash that comes from being fearless on set - but tearing up during Pixar movies with your kids.

This episode is pure Liberty Risk - equal parts history, humor, grit, gasoline, and real human insight. Whether you're into filmmaking, military life, story craft, or just good old-fashioned "how the hell did you survive that?" - this one's got it.

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk

Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

This week on Liberty Risk, we sit down with former SEAL BJ Welsh as he shares some WILD stories from 34 years of service - from operating with West Coast Teams to working narcotics cases for the DOJ, these are some adventures you won't want to miss! Chrome handguns, bar fights, meth chases, and the brotherhood that ties it all together… this one has everything.

BJ tells the real story behind the legendary El Centro Incident - SEAL Platoons, a "borrowed" pistol, a pissed off local, a tussle through saloon doors, off-duty officers who forgot they were on duty, and half of Imperial County law enforcement piling in the next day. It's a modern Western with more drama than Blazing Saddles and a legend that's only grown over 20 years.

From there, the stories only get more unhinged:

• The DUI that somehow made the admiral nostalgic
• The Ambien-and-airplane miscalculation that nearly ended in disaster
• Being "secured" to a Thailand hotel for going a little too hard on liberty 🍺
• An ex fiancée who "did" more platoons than BJ and Kevin combined
• The gun incident that ended with a girlfriend arrested in BJ's house 🔫
• BUD/S Instructor life and Team One's well deserved "No Fun One" reputation
• The old "surf & turf" uniforms that looked like you were "Porky Piggin' it" (shirt with no pants) 😂
• The meth chase up the 5 freeway with water-soaked narcotics flying out the window

Between the insanity, we also get to the real heart of BJ's story - a guy who served America for 34 years across multiple units, raised his kids, lost his father, built a second career in DOJ, and is now trying to age gracefully while still challenging himself and being dangerous when needed.

The boys dive into:

• The evolution of masculinity (why being aggressive 24/7 isn't maturity)
• Why warriors suddenly cry at Moana and the unique perspective of being a "girl dad"
• Learning to decompress after decades of hyper-vigilance
• Finding something that sharpens your edge after service ⚔️
• Domestic battles like dishwasher politics and the eternal toilet paper war
• Why how a person handles dog shit tells you everything you need to know about them 💩

BJ's honesty is unmatched. One minute he's sharing wild deployment stories, the next he's talking about breaking generational cycles or watching Golden Bachelor with his wife.

This is a three-hour masterclass in military humor, life after the Teams, total honesty, and the kind of brotherhood that goes beyond uniforms.

If you've ever wanted the actual story behind the El Centro incident, wondered what happens when SEALs discover a plane serves alcohol, or needed reassurance that crying during Disney movies is normal… this is your episode.

Listen now - and if you see a taco'd license plate outside a bar in El Centro, just keep driving. Trust us on this one.

Find out more about BJ and his adventures at the following links:

✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bj_welsh

Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

In this loud, unfiltered, and absolutely hysterical episode, the Liberty Risk crew sits down with "MC" - not his real name - an Australian military veteran, close friend of Nick's, and the first guest in show history who needed his face blurred and his name replaced to protect the guilty. What follows is a chaos-filled, cross-continental ride through military life, cultural whiplash, and stories that should never see daylight… yet somehow found their way here.

MC opens up about his background: born in the Philippines, raised in Australia from age 12, figuring out English the hard way, and eventually following his family's military legacy into the Australian Army. He walks through the injuries, setbacks, and career pivots that eventually landed him in a specialized aviation role working alongside elite units - including the U.S. Army's legendary 160th SOAR Night Stalkers.

The crew trades stories about airborne ops, wild training evolutions, and the kind of water jumps that make you question your life decisions - including one set in shark-infested waters and another involving Zodiacs being shoved out of aircraft in what can only be described as "organized aviation bullying."

The cultural differences between Australia and the U.S. take center stage too:

• Anzac Day traditions — dawn services, gunfire breakfasts, and "two-up"
• The very different flavors of American patriotism
• Drinking culture, cigars, dip, and why Australians seem genetically unable to take anything seriously
• The uniquely Australian term "mad c*nt," and why it's the highest compliment you can give someone

Between the chaos, MC and the guys hit real conversations about heritage, fatherhood, and what it means to break generational cycles. They talk about military coins, custom knives, capturing memories before they're gone, and the friendships that outlive uniforms, units, and miles.

This episode is everything Liberty Risk stands for: raw stories, real vulnerability, international shit-talking, and military humor at its absolute worst (which is to say, its best).

Topics include:

• Military screw-ups & group chat disasters
• Growing the Liberty Risk podcast & Patreon fam
• MC's journey from the Philippines → Australia → aviation support to SOF
• Injuries, pivots, and the realities of military careers
• Working with U.S. special operations & cross-cultural chaos
• Ridiculous stories from deployments, training, & bar crawls
• Anzac Day, tradition, and the meaning of service
• Cigar culture, whiskey nights & "mad c*nt" bonding
• Family, legacy, fatherhood & breaking the cycle
• Plans for future international meetups and mayhem

👉 Thank you for being a part of the Liberty Risk community! If you enjoyed the show please leave us a review on whatever platform you're listening on, and consider supporting the show by buying some Liberty Risk merch at www.Liberty-Risk.com!

Find out more about MC and his adventures at the following links:

✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/saint.angel.gabe

Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

In this gripping and wide-ranging episode, the Liberty Risk crew sits down with two fascinating guests: Ed Calderon and Eddie Dennis, each bringing a unique perspective shaped by extraordinary life experiences on both sides of the US-Mexico border.

Ed Calderon is a well known former Mexican law enforcement officer (3 x guest on the Joe Rogan show) who spent over a decade working in some of the most dangerous and complex environments in Mexico. Growing up in Tijuana, Ed witnessed firsthand the transformation of his hometown from a party city to a battleground for cartels and organized crime. He joined an experimental paramilitary police force at a young age, where his career spanned operational work, investigations, and close protection for high-profile figures, including legendary military officers. After 12 years, political shifts and personal risk led him to immigrate to the US, where he now shares his hard-won knowledge through training, consulting, and public speaking.

Eddie Dennis is an entrepreneur, small business owner, and the founder of Tactical Outfitters. With a background in retail, EMS, and firefighting, Eddie's journey took a turn when he became a single father and began exploring the world of tactical gear and firearms.

Some of the highlights from the episode:

Ed's harrowing experiences in Mexican law enforcement, including undercover work, cartel confrontations, and the challenges of operating in a culture of corruption.

Candid discussions about the realities of life on the border, the complexities of Mexican and American cultures interplaying, and the impact of politics, crime, and social change on both sides of the border.

Practical advice for staying safe in Mexico, understnding and navigating corruption, and the nuances of travel and security south of the border.

Entertaining and outrageous stories, from the infamous and elusive "donkey shows" of TJ to midget bullfighting, the surprising world wide reach of cartel monkey patches, and the wild life behind the scenes of Mexican wrestling, we dive into it all.

Reflections on trauma, mental health, and the value of community, adaptability, but maybe most importantly, the ability to maintain humor in the face of adversity.

Whether you're interested in security, travel, culture, or just love a good story to pass a long journey, this episode offers a rare, unfiltered look at the lives of two men who have seen - and survived - it all.

Tune in for an unforgettable conversation packed with insight, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.

Find out more about Ed & Eddie at the following links:

✖️ Ed Calderon Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/manifestoradiopodcast

✖️ Ed Calderon website - https://www.edsmanifesto.com

✖️ Eddie Dennis Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesalesmansmanifesto

✖️ Eddie Dennis website - https://tacticaloutfitters.net

Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

In this episode, two-time Muay Thai world champion and Glory Kickboxing champ Mike LeMaire joins the Liberty Risk crew for a no holds barred conversation about fighting, family, and the kind of chaos that shapes a man.

The episode kicks off with travel disasters - including Mike attempting to bring a .357 Magnum from France to the U.S. and the meltdown that followed at customs (when they messed up their own protocols, lol). Then we dive into his story of growing up French-American, moving to the States at 19, and learning what it means to fight for everything while bouncing between 2 worlds. From strict parents and cultural clashes to finding his place in the ring, Mike shares how discipline, stubbornness, and a little bit of madness built a world champion mindset.

He opens up about life behind the belts: working day jobs to make ends meet, the business politics of combat sports, and what it actually costs to chase a dream that doesn't pay until you're world-class (and even then, only if you fight for your worth).

Mike takes us behind the scenes of the combat sports world - from his first professional bout in Cancun (plus a wild post-fight "side quest" 🍑😳 - somtimes you can still win when you "lose") to fighting three times in a one night tournament for a high stakes Glory Kickboxing contract. Expect real candid talk of money struggles, bad managers, injuries, and the business hustle that most fighters never see, and how he transcended that and built upon it.

But this episode isn't just about the headline & title fight stuggles, it's about what comes after. Mike and the Liberty Risk crew dig into the parallels between fighters and veterans - a shared bond of brotherhood, discipline, sacrifice, and what happens when the crowd goes quiet and the mission is over. There's humor, heartbreak, and hard-earned wisdom in equal measure. They trade stories about family, relationships, and the fight to stay grounded outside the ring. It's honest, hilarious, and sometimes a little heavy, just like real life.

Packed with grit, humor, and the kind of perspective that only comes from getting hit - and getting back up again - this episode is one of our most personal yet. If you're here for that fighter mindset, mission specific focus, and special-operations-style resilience, or just raw conversations about what it takes to keep going, this is Liberty Risk at its best.

Find out more about Mike and his ventures at the following links:

✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikelemaire

✖️ Mike LeMaire website - https://www.fitnessmikelemaire.com

Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

Kaj Larsen has lived many lives in one - Navy SEAL, war correspondent, Hollywood stuntman, Emmy-winning journalist, and entrepreneur - and he's just getting started.

In this episode, Kaj joins the Liberty Risk crew for a no-filter conversation about brotherhood, chaos, and carving out new paths after the Teams. From growing up in Santa Cruz to the transformation of the SEALs after 9/11, Kaj shares what it was like to serve through a defining era of modern warfare - and how that same mindset helped him break into Hollywood, reporting on the frontlines, and the business world.

You'll hear wild stories from deployments, late partying nights in Budapest and Ukraine, and yacht adventures that went sideways - mixed with sharp insight on leadership, loss, and the grind of building something real after service. Kaj also dives into his mission to close the wealth gap for veterans through financial literacy and entrepreneurship, showing how warriors can win long after the battlefield.

Packed with grit, humor, and perspective, this episode is a masterclass in reinvention. Whether you're chasing your next mission or just need proof that there's life - and laughter - beyond the chaos, this one's for you.

👉 Thank you for being a part of the Liberty Risk community! If you enjoyed the show please leave us a review on whatever platform you're listening on, and consider supporting the show by buying some Liberty Risk merch at www.Liberty-Risk.com!

Find out more about Kaj and his adventures at the following links:

✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kajlarsen

✖️ Tactical Wealth Podcast IG - https://www.instagram.com/tacticalwealthpodcast

Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

Xander's story is one built from struggle, service, and second chances. A former Air Force Pararecue Operator turned entrepreneur, he's the founder of the brand Saints by Day, Sinners by Construct - leading a movement to bring suicide prevention and mental health awareness to the veteran and first responder communities. In this episode we get deep into why and how that came about.

From a rough upbringing in San Francisco and Stockton fighting people and addiction to finding brotherhood as an Air Force Pararescueman, Xander opens up about the highs, lows, and absolute insanity of life before, during, and after special operations.

There's no sugarcoating here: deployments, trauma, substance abuse, and the aftermath of losing teammates, friends, and family. Xander and the crew talk openly about suicide in the veteran community - the chain reaction it causes, the guilt that lingers, and how his brand was born from loss. The episode also explores the power of community, psychedelics, honesty, and especially humor in the fight to stay alive and stay human.

Still, this isn't just heavy. It's filled with laughter, brotherhood, and hope. Xander shares lessons from building a mission-driven brand, the realities of entrepreneurship in the veteran space, and what it means to turn pain into purpose.

If you've ever worn a uniform, loved someone who did, or just believe in real conversations that matter, this one's for you. It's equal parts war story, therapy session, and bar talk - classic Liberty Risk.

👉 Thank you for being a part of the Liberty Risk community! If you enjoyed the show please leave us a review on whatever audio platform you're listening on, and like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube to keep these stories alive.

Find out more about Xander and his adventures at the following links:

✖️ Brand & Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_sdsc_official

✖️ SDSC Brand Website - https://saintsbydaysinnersbyconstruct.com

Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc

Nick Esayian has lived a dozen lives - pro racer, entrepreneur, law enforcement officer, search and rescue - but the thread that runs through all of it is loyalty to a brotherhood. From growing up tough in the Midwest to finding his place alongside legendary racers, athletes, Navy SEALs and special operations veterans, Nick's story is one of grit, reinvention, and always showing up for the people who matter.

He takes us inside the chaos: hustling through the corporate grind, breaking free into racing and entrepreneurship, and the colorful characters, wild parties, and hard lessons along the way. From donating race winnings to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation to working shoulder-to-shoulder with operators in high-stakes REAL WORLD environments, Nick's connection to the special operations community has shaped his life on and off the track.

But this episode doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. Nick opens up about the struggles of transition - from marriages and businesses lost, to chasing financial success that doesn't always deliver whole hearted happiness, and the importance of staying true to your vision through it all.

He talks candidly about identity, purpose, mental health, and the brutal necessity of starting over when life hits back harder than you expect. His perspective is shaped by years spent working and partying with military and special operations communities (including 2 of the hosts), witnessing firsthand the weight they carry, the commaradierie they share, and the resilience it takes to move forward.

It's raw, it's funny, and it's packed with the honesty, grit, and dark-humor perspective that you've come to expect from Liberty Risk. Whether you're here for stories of racing, business, brotherhood, or just surviving your own chaos and want to share a laugh, this conversation delivers.

Find out more about Nick Esayian and his adventures at the following links:

✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/esayian

✖️ Light Helmets Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lighthelmets

✖️ Light Helmets Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/lightimpactpodcast

✖️ Light Helmets Website - https://lighthelmets.com

Liberty Risk Hosts:

✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326

✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent

✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:

✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all

✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com

✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com

✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com

✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc