Mark Burnett’s father was stationed at camp Lejeune back in 1957. As Mark put it, he was conceived in-utero and born in Camp Lejeune. His family stayed there for two more years. Before moving the cherry point, but that did not get him away from the contamination.

I was recently a guest on Talia Rhea's podcast (who was on episode 16 of my show). Please enjoy the discussion we had on military transition, career pivots, leadership and much more.

Blake Dailey is an Air Force Veteran turned entrepreneur and real estate investor. Blake attended the USAFA from 2015-2018 where he played football as a middle linebacker. Early in his Air Force career as a Contracting Officer, Blake started investing in real estate with a single Airbnb unit and has, over the last five years, scaled his business to operate in four states with a team of 30 employees, both virtual and domestic. He now manages over 150 short-term rental (STR) listings, generating an annual income of $3 million. Blake shares his expertise on growing and scaling STR businesses to earn passive income and offers investment opportunities for passive investors seeking similar success.

In this episode, we sit down with Lisa Benson, an Army veteran who transformed personal and professional adversity into a story of triumph. After enlisting in 2000 to overcome financial hardship and pay for college, Lisa navigated the challenges of deployment, returning home to pursue a career as a massage therapist dedicated to helping fellow veterans. With a Bachelor's in Management and a Master's in Public Administration, Lisa then sought to impact the VA, but found a more fulfilling path as an entrepreneur, founding DeBella DeBall Designs to support veteran-owned businesses. Join me as we explore Lisa’s journey through PTSD, the therapeutic world of roller derby, and the invaluable veteran programs like Team RWB, The Pink Berets, and the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program. This episode is a testament to resilience, the power of community, and the enduring Veteran spirit.

Connect with Lisa:

Website: www.debelladeball.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-benson-12dbdb 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/debelladeballdesigns/ 

Other Resources:

Team RWB: https://teamrwb.org/ 

The Pink Berets: https://thepinkberets.org/ 

Video on VR&E: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_786kQm2s 

Two months ago, I took the leap and bought a business. Here are the first four things I’ve learned that no one tells you about being your own boss:

I used VR&E to get a master's degree, but that's not how I started...At first I thought I was going to use it for an accelerated BSN. But right before starting, I switched over to completing my MS in Project Management. We don't all go in straight lines...I was surprised at the work required to apply for and be approved for VR&E. Here is what I learned.

In this episode of, we delve into the gripping journey of David Hopkins, a former Marine Corps Infantryman who enlisted on a five-year contract to escape his turbulent past. On a kinetic Afghanistan deployment with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, David faced the horrors of combat just three weeks into his deployment when he stepped on an IED.

Bill spent 8 years in the Army Infantry. After a disabling injury Bill opened his own security company and retail store selling military and survival products in Alaska. It was during this time that he began working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies initially in undercover operations and later as an analyst specializing in counter domestic terrorism. Bill was also involved in the getting the Veteran Small Business Enhancement Act passed to allow certified veteran owned businesses to benefit from government surplus equipment. Bill currently spends his time on a small holistic, sustainable farm in New England with his wife and two children. 

Connect with Bill: https://www.instagram.com/dzbillfulton/?hl=en

Bill's book "The Blood of Patriots"

Trying to recreate the momentum I had. No editing, just action. Hope you all are well.