How does a young man obsessed with proving himself evolve into a leader willing to give everything for the man on his left?

Today Aaron Hale sits down with former Navy SEAL, author, and weapons/tactics expert Jeff Gonzales, whose career spanned the height of narco‑terrorism in Central and South America.

Jeff traces his journey from a teenager searching for purpose, to meeting the SEALs who would shape his path, to learning the hard way that greatness isn't earned alone–it's forged in brotherhood, failure, and the brutal clarity of combat.

He shares powerful stories of jungle warfare alongside Peruvian counterparts, the humbling experience of teaching men who had just returned from real firefights, and how cultural exchanges sharpened him into a more adaptive, lethal, and wiser operator.

From concealed carry fundamentals to the mindset required to protect life, Jeff embodies a gritty truth: the job isn't to be perfect. It's to be better, for the people who count on you.

0:00 Intro 1:16 Meet Jeff Gonzales 4:08 Jeff's journey to the SEALs 12:54 The combat deployment that changed everything 24:26 Deploying to Panama and the narco‑terror era 35:27 Lessons from working with foreign SOF 37:20 The Peruvian "mirror" SEALs and real jungle warfare ops 47:23 Learning from mistakes 57:21 From GWOT to concealed carry 1:20:19 Countdown to Impact

Resources Mentioned:

Trident Concepts: https://tridentconcepts.com/

📚 Jeff's books: Combative Fundamentals: https://amzn.to/3JU3WCv The Concealed Carry Manual: https://amzn.to/44bAqyR

Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).

What happens when you combine patriotism, loss, grit, and great country vocals?

Ryan Weaver: former U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot turned country music artist.

Today he joins Aaron Hale to talk about brotherhood, loss, honoring heroes, and the pursuit of purpose–along with some inside secrets from the country music industry.

After losing his brother in combat, Ryan made a choice: to live in his honor and turn pain into purpose. From flying missions in Iraq to headlining arenas with the Professional Bull Riders, he forged a path built on resilience, authenticity, and pure American grit.

From the battlefield to the big stage, Ryan's story proves that courage doesn't fade when the uniform comes off…it just finds a new stage.

0:00 Intro 0:43 From Black Hawks to Country Music 2:04 Losing His Brother in Combat and Finding a New Mission 6:57 Karaoke Nights to National Arenas 10:12 Inside the Life of a Touring Independent Artist 15:30 Blending Rock, Country, and Patriotism 16:57 Becoming "The Patriotic Voice of the PBR" 18:23 The Advice That Changed Everything 20:18 Writing Burn and the Benghazi Connection 23:38 From Volunteer Jam to Madison Square Garden 26:26 Meeting Travis Tritt, Charlie Daniels, Kid Rock & More 30:42 Songwriting as Therapy and Storytelling 37:43 Lessons from the Music Business 44:18 Treating Music Like a Business 48:30 TikTok, YouTube, and the Power of Platforms 53:16 Living for Legacy and Writing From Sand to Stage 58:20 Countdown to Impact

Resources Mentioned: 📘 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi https://amzn.to/4qPecg1

📘 Gus and the French Fry series https://amzn.to/3LTdNca

📘 From Sand to Stage - Ryan's upcoming book 🎶 Ryan's song "Let's Talk About Heroes" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebULvWwmIXs

Connect with Ryan: 🌐 https://ryanweaver.net/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RyanWeaverCountry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanweavercountry

Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).

When a backpack set off a hidden IED in Afghanistan, Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills lost both arms and both legs instantly.

Travis shares how he went from lying on the battlefield to becoming one of the most recognized motivational speakers, entrepreneurs, and advocates for wounded veterans. He opens up about his recovery at Walter Reed, the moment he decided to stop asking "why," and how humor, family, and purpose became the tools that rebuilt his life.

From founding the Travis Mills Foundation to redefining what it means to be a warrior, this is the story of a man who proves that you can lose everything and still live without limits.

If you've ever faced something that felt impossible, Travis Mills will remind you: you can't control what happens to you, but you can always control how you respond.

0:00 Intro 0:51 Meet Travis Mills and the humor that helped him heal 4:42 The day everything changed 6:07 Waking up to a new reality 9:28 The start of recovery at Walter Reed 11:48 Finding a new normal and redefining "wounded warrior" 16:28 Starting over after the military 17:51 Founding the Travis Mills Foundation 21:08 Life after tragedy 25:54 The power of humor and brotherhood 32:38 Why helping others heals you too 35:04 The mission today 46:10 Countdown to Impact 52:00 Closing thoughts and where to connect with Travis

Resources Mentioned:

📚 Tough as They Come by Travis Mills 📚 Bounce Back by Travis Mills 📚 Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin Travis Mills Foundation: https://www.travismillsfoundation.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travismillsfoundation/

When Marine combat engineer Rob Jones stepped on an IED in Afghanistan, his life changed forever. But instead of breaking, he rebuilt—stronger.

Rob shares his journey from losing both legs in combat to winning Paralympic bronze, cycling across America, and running 31 marathons in 31 days—all to prove that strength isn't about what happens to you, but how you respond.

From battlefield lessons to fatherhood and leadership at Echelon Front, Rob reveals the mindset that carried him through pain, purpose, and perseverance: you don't quit until the mission's complete.

If you've ever faced something that felt impossible, this episode will remind you—you can't always choose what happens to you, but you can always choose what you do next.

0:00 Intro 0:51 The moment it happened 3:12 Growing up on a farm and finding discipline in the Marines 6:42 From college dropout to combat engineer 10:04 What the Marine Corps really teaches you 13:51 The IED blast that changed everything 21:40 Turning recovery into purpose 25:18 Discovering the Paralympics and winning bronze 30:44 Meeting his future wife at the Games 33:52 From rowing to cycling across America 37:11 31 marathons in 31 days 42:01 From "broken heroes" to unbreakable humans 46:10 Leadership, Jocko Willink, and finding new purpose at Echelon Front 53:00 Countdown to Impact

Resources Mentioned:

📚 Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink & Leif Babin 📚 Olympian (formerly Assault on Lake Casitas) – Brad Alan Lewis 💻 Gym Jones philosophy – Mark Twight writings

Connect with Rob: 🌐 https://www.robjonesjourney.com/ 🌐 https://echelonfront.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RobJonesJourney/

What happens when the institution you've dedicated two decades of your life to turns its back on you?

Today Aaron Hale sits down with retired Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, who opens up about his shocking trial, wrongful imprisonment, and ultimate redemption. From being accused of war crimes and locked in a cell to rediscovering his faith and purpose, Eddie shares how experiencing the unimaginable revealed what truly matters.

He reveals how his wife Andrea's relentless advocacy helped change the course of his case, why he started the Pipe Hitter Foundation to defend others like him, and how he's using his platform now to train, teach, and lead by example.

If you've ever faced betrayal, loss, or injustice—this episode will remind you that even in your darkest moments, pain can serve a higher purpose.

0:00 Intro

0:34 The Case Begins

2:54 Stillness, Injury, and Faith

5:11 Writing "Man in the Arena"

9:20 Guilty Until Proven Innocent

13:34 The NCIS Agenda

17:26 The Raid

21:10 The "Sewing Circle"

25:02 The Hidden Video

27:28 Corrupt Lawyers & A Broken System

34:32 Founding Pipe Hitter Foundation

37:22 Andrea Gallagher Fights Back

40:37 Trump Steps In

44:27 Be-ers vs. Doers

50:41 Faith Behind Bars

55:30 Strength in Family

59:16 Life After the SEALs

1:05:32 Countdown to Impact

Resources Mentioned:

📚 Man in the Arena by Eddie Gallagher 📚 Fearless by Eric Blehm 📚 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 📚 The Bible

Connect with Eddie Gallagher: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddie_gallagher/ Pipe Hitter Foundation: https://pipehitterfoundation.org/ 🎙️ Shoot Me Straight Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@shootmestraight

When you've survived Benghazi, fear hits different.

In this unapologetic episode, Aaron Hale sits down with former Marine, Blackwater operator, and CIA contractor John "Tig" Tiegen–one of the heroes of the 2012 Benghazi attack–to talk about leadership, loyalty, and the high cost of silence.

From recounting the chaos of Benghazi to exposing political failures and government corruption, Tig holds nothing back. He opens up about returning to duty after the attack, turning pain into purpose, and why he's now running for Mayor of Colorado Springs–to protect the freedoms he fought for abroad, here at home.

This episode is a wake-up call about courage, service, and the everyday Americans who refuse to stand down.

0:00 Intro 1:07 Meet John "Tig" Tiegen: Marine, Blackwater Operator & Benghazi Survivor 3:31 From HVAC Work to Blackwater 7:16 Inside Benghazi: What Really Happened That Night 12:37 The Stand-Down Order and What It Cost 17:43 Justice, Corruption, and Cover-Ups 23:41 Classified Chaos: How Politics Endangers Patriots 27:01 The Withdrawal from Afghanistan and America's Decline in Accountability 36:28 Why Tig's Running for Mayor of Colorado Springs 42:01 Broken Systems, Overregulation, and the Fight for Freedom 43:21 Why Ordinary People Need to Step Up 49:06 Serving Veterans, Police, and the Mission After War 52:54 Turning Pain into Music 57:00 Fixing What's Broken 1:00:24 Countdown to Impact 1:03:13 Closing Thoughts and Where to Follow Tig

Resources Mentioned:

📚 Book: The Founders' Bible

https://tigtiegen.com/

Follow on X / Twitter @TigTiegen https://x.com/TigTiegen

---------------------------------------- Point of Impact isn't just a podcast—it's a battle cry. Hear raw, real stories of warriors, risk-takers, and everyday legends who turned adversity into fuel.

Catch more real, raw conversations: 🛡️ Point of Impact Podcast → https://pointofimpactpod.com/ 🛡️ Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-of-impact-with-aaron-hale/id1681213789

🔥 Book Aaron to speak → https://calendly.com/aaronhale/new-meeting

👇 Let's connect: IG → https://www.instagram.com/aclayhale/ FB → https://www.facebook.com/aclayhale LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/aaron-hale-1861477 Check this out for more → linktr.ee/aaronhalepointofimpact

What does it take to go from Navy SEAL operations in Iraq to building a tech company that's transforming how leaders grow?

In this episode of Point of Impact, Aaron Hale sits down with Brent Gleeson—combat veteran, author of Embrace the Suck, and founder of EXCELR8—to explore the brutal truths and timeless principles behind leadership, resilience, and impact.

Brent shares how SEAL training taught him humility, teamwork, and emotional intelligence—and how those same lessons now drive his work helping organizations blend human leadership with AI-powered performance. From personal loss to professional reinvention, he opens up about what it means to truly go "all in" on life, love, and purpose.

If you've ever faced adversity and wondered how to turn it into strength, this conversation is your roadmap.

0:00 Intro 1:22 From Dallas finance guy to Navy SEAL 7:00 9/11 and the mission that changed everything 11:35 Inside SEAL culture: humility, teamwork, and the psychology of leadership 15:50 Nature vs. nurture—are leaders born or built? 18:13 Why the best leaders crave feedback and discomfort 20:11 How SEAL training forges humility and resilience 25:16 The real meaning behind Embrace the Suck 29:29 How to build mental calluses and turn pain into progress 33:10 The lessons behind his new book All In and losing his father 36:32 Breaking bad habits and designing a life that matters 41:22 Learning from Jason Redman, David Goggins, and Shackleton's endurance 45:21 How Brent's company, EXCELR8, uses AI to accelerate human leadership 51:02 Blending tech with the human touch: building teams that thrive 55:52 Leadership, data, and the power of human connection 1:00:11 Countdown to Impact – Brent's books, quotes, and inspiration 1:06:39 Closing thoughts and where to find Brent

📚 Embrace the Suck – Brent Gleeson 📚 All In: The Pathway to Personal Growth and Professional Excellence – Brent Gleeson (coming December 2025) 📚 Atomic Habits – James Clear 📚 The 5AM Club – Robin Sharma 📚 Team of Teams – Gen. Stanley McChrystal 📚 Endurance – Alfred Lansing 📚 Overcome – Jason Redman

🌐 https://www.exlr8.ai/ - Brent's AI-powered leadership platform 🌐 http://www.brentgleesonspeaker.com/

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Point of Impact isn't just a podcast—it's a battle cry. Hear raw, real stories of warriors, risk-takers, and everyday legends who turned adversity into fuel.

Catch more real, raw conversations:

🛡️ Point of Impact Podcast → https://pointofimpactpod.com/

🛡️ Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-of-impact-with-aaron-hale/id1681213789

🔥 Book Aaron to speak → https://calendly.com/aaronhale/new-meeting

👇 Let's connect:

IG → https://www.instagram.com/aclayhale/

FB → https://www.facebook.com/aclayhale

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/aaron-hale-1861477

Check this out for more → linktr.ee/aaronhalepointofimpact

He went to war with his brother. Minutes after learning he had fallen, Scott had to put his grief aside and lead his men in combat.

In this conversation, Aaron Hale and Scott DeLuzio discuss that life-shattering day, the rage that nearly consumed him, and the long road from grief and PTSD to recovery and purpose.

From coping with loss and rebuilding his family life, to launching the Drive On Podcast and writing Surviving Son, Scott shares raw truths about healing, leadership, and why no veteran—or civilian—should ever feel alone in their struggle.

This is more than a story of survival. It's a call to action: to reach out, to connect, and to never quit.

0:00 Intro 0:05 The day Scott lost his brother in Afghanistan 4:43 The ambush and aftermath 10:53 Grief and rage in real time 16:01 Stuffing away grief on the battlefield 22:13 Coming home broken 25:41 The scariest phone call: asking for help 29:59 Struggling to reconnect as a husband and father 33:20 Survivor's guilt and "what if" questions 36:49 Mortuary Affairs and bringing his brother home 41:07 Transitioning back to civilian work—and walking away from it 43:36 Finding purpose through entrepreneurship and therapy 48:48 Writing Surviving Son and starting the Drive On Podcast 56:24 Countdown to Impact

Resources Mentioned: 📚 Surviving Son by Scott DeLuzio: https://survivingsonbook.com/ 🎙️ Drive On Podcast: https://driveonpodcast.com/ 📚 The Hurricane Within by Ashley Leppert

-------------------------------------------------

Point of Impact isn't just a podcast—it's a battle cry. Hear raw, real stories of warriors, risk-takers, and everyday legends who turned adversity into fuel.

Catch more real, raw conversations:

🛡️ Point of Impact Podcast → https://pointofimpactpod.com/

🛡️ Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-of-impact-with-aaron-hale/id1681213789

🔥 Book Aaron to speak → https://calendly.com/aaronhale/new-meeting

👇 Let's connect:

IG → https://www.instagram.com/aclayhale/

FB → https://www.facebook.com/aclayhale

LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/aaron-hale-1861477

Check this out for more → linktr.ee/aaronhalepointofimpact

What happens when survival on the battlefield is only the beginning of the fight?

Today Aaron Hale sits down with Marine Corps EOD Gunnery Sergeant (Ret.) Timothy Colomer, who survived the blast of multiple IEDs and lived to tell the tale. From a hazardous substance mission in Congress to running nonstop EOD missions in Al Anbar, Tim reveals the realities of war that few civilians ever hear.

But the real battle began after he came home...

Struggling with a TBI, PTSD, and survivor's guilt, Tim searched for healing through many kinds of therapy and, ultimately—art. Today, through Little Dog Art Studios, he channels pain, rage, and resilience onto the canvas, creating powerful works that resonate with veterans and trauma survivors alike.

If you've ever faced demons that wouldn't let go, this episode will show you how courage, creativity, and faith can turn darkness into light.

0:00 Intro 1:16 From Marine EOD Tech to "Re-Engineered Carnivore" 3:37 EOD brotherhood stories 7:01 Why Timothy joined the Marines 14:00 Discovering EOD 16:20 In EOD school on 9/11 23:54 Deploying to Iraq 30:41 The blast that changed everything 38:13 Living with TBI, spinal compression, and invisible wounds 42:28 The harder fight at home 47:20 Discovering painting as therapy and building Little Dog Art Studios 56:31 How art helps other veterans 59:28 Balancing dark work with dog portraits 1:06:37 The Warrior PATHH program and releasing survivor's guilt 1:12:28 Countdown to Impact 1:18:49 Where to find Timothy and his art

Resources Mentioned:

Timothy's Art: https://www.littledogartstudios.art/ 📣 Use code PET50 for a limited time for podcast listeners to receive $50 off a custom pet portrait

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littledogartstudioshouston/

📽️ Catch Timothy's art featured in The Beast of Trinity Texas: https://thebeastoftrinitytexas.com/

Warrior PATHH Program: https://bouldercrest.org/program/warrior-pathh/

Books: 📚 The Bible 📚 Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl 📚 Biographies of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln

--------------------------------------------------

Point of Impact isn't just a podcast—it's a battle cry. Hear raw, real stories of warriors, risk-takers, and everyday legends who turned adversity into fuel.

Catch more real, raw conversations:

🛡️ Point of Impact Podcast → https://pointofimpactpod.com/ 🛡️ Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-of-impact-with-aaron-hale/id1681213789 🔥 Book Aaron to speak → https://calendly.com/aaronhale/new-meeting 👇 Let's connect: IG → https://www.instagram.com/aclayhale/ FB → https://www.facebook.com/aclayhale LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/aaron-hale-1861477 Check this out for more → https://linktr.ee/aaronhalepointofimpact

What does it take to go from getting expelled and arrested to building a multi-million-dollar real estate empire?

In this inspiring conversation, Aaron Hale sits down with entrepreneur and investor Matt Aitchison, who reveals how he turned failure into fuel—using hard work, humility, and creative financing to build wealth and never let fear dictate his future.

From his first "cat house" flip at 21 to scaling into commercial real estate and boutique hotels, Matt reveals the mindset shifts and practical strategies that opened doors most people only dream of. Along the way, he breaks down his "likability formula," why failure is the best teacher, and how to build a life you'll look back on with no regrets.

If you've ever felt stuck, doubted yourself, or wondered how to play bigger, this episode is the reminder you need: be dumb enough to believe in yourself, and smart enough to act.

0:00 Intro 0:53 Matt Aitchison's troubled past and turnaround 4:12 Ocean moments and the power of choosing change 6:08 First real estate mentor and the $106K cat house flip 7:34 Shifting from flipping to passive income and commercial real estate 13:49 Who told you you can't change? 19:21 The Likability Formula 23:14 Why Matt chose commercial real estate over single-family homes 27:34 Defining success: "That was a hell of a ride" 32:21 Obey your gut 36:12 Creative financing: building wealth without your own money 47:29 Asset-agnostic investing and stress-testing deals 51:09 Stumbling into boutique hotels and learning the hard way 56:44 Coaching other investors and building legacies 57:39 The future of real estate: tokenization and blockchain 1:00:21 Countdown to Impact 1:05:14 Closing thoughts and where to connect with Matt

Resources Mentioned:

📚 What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence by Stephen Schwarzman| 📚 Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott 📚 Five Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell 📚 The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks 📚 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Connect with Matt:

🎙️ Podcast: Millionaire Mindcast https://www.millionairemindcast.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InvestingInCRE Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/mattaitchisonmedia X: https://x.com/officialmattya LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maitchison/

-------------------------------------------

Point of Impact isn't just a podcast—it's a battle cry. Hear raw, real stories of warriors, risk-takers, and everyday legends who turned adversity into fuel.

Catch more real, raw conversations:

🛡️ Point of Impact Podcast → https://pointofimpactpod.com/

🛡️ Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🔥 Book Aaron to speak → https://calendly.com/aaronhale/new-me...

👇 Let's connect:

IG → / aclayhale

FB → / aclayhale

LinkedIn → / aaron-hale-1861477

Check this out for more → linktr.ee/aaronhalepointofimpact