In this week’s episode, Marcus and Melanie Luttrell meet with one of the most highly decorated combat veterans of our time—Robert J. O’Neill. With an incredible 400+ combat missions under his belt, Rob’s experiences span across Liberia, The Balkans, The Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. As a Navy SEAL, Rob served in SEAL Team Two, SEAL Team Four, and spent eight years with the legendary SEAL Team Six.

Rob’s heroic career is underscored by 53 decorations, including two Silver Stars for gallantry, four Bronze Stars with Valor for heroism, and a host of other prestigious commendations. His resume of skills includes elite qualifications like Military Free-Fall Jumpmaster, Naval Special Warfare Scout/Sniper, and Master Naval Parachutist, among many others.

In this episode, we dive deep into Rob’s role in some of the most significant military operations in recent history:

Operation Red Wings, which saw the rescue of the Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell

The lead jumper in the daring rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates

Operation Neptune’s Spear, the mission that brought down Osama bin Laden

Beyond the battlefield, Rob is the co-founder of the Special Operators Transition Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping special operations veterans transition to successful careers in corporate America. He is also the author of the best-selling memoir, THE OPERATOR: Firing the Shots that Killed Osama bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior.

Throughout his post-military career, Rob has become a prominent public speaker, security consultant, and media contributor, sharing expert insights on military strategy and terrorism. Whether speaking to survivors of 9/11 or delivering keynote speeches to business leaders, Rob translates his elite training into actionable lessons on leadership, resilience, and success.

Join us as we explore Rob O’Neill’s incredible journey from the frontlines to the boardroom and hear his thoughts on leadership, transition, and how to thrive under pressure.

Tune in to hear the untold stories and actionable advice from one of America's most decorated heroes!

• I don’t think I could beat Marcus at arm wrestling if I can’t pick up a bowling ball. (1:58)

• You do realize there’s a thing called old man strength? (5:53)

• [Rob O’Neil] I have a podcast as well, called “The Operator.” We’re called The Operator because if you’re doing anything, you’re an operator. (6:18)

• Having a big man to kick your ass and teach you wind a bobbin; you realize there is skill here. (9:59)

• When people quit BUDS, it’s not because “this is hard”. [It’s because] I’m tired of the broken foot.; I’m tired of the shin splints; I’m tired of my dislocated shoulder; I’m tired. (21:20)

• In BUDS, one of the biggest problems is eating too much. Like I want 5 cheeseburgers, but we have a 4-mile run afterwards. (26:35)

• [Rob] and for everyone that doesn’t know, can you explain what a SDV is? (39:20)

[Marcus] Imagine a mini submarine and shrink it down. The difference is that a submarine is dry inside, and the SDV is completely full of water. (39:23)

• Listen to Marcus discuss the details of being in an SDV for 8 hours. Talk about ultimate torture - If you have a deep freeze in your garage, fill that sucker full of water, crawl in there and sit down for 8 hours. (40:32)

• The first time I got in there, I was terrified. (45:29)

• [Marcus] There’s stuff that happens to us out there. Sometimes safety gets in the way of it. (58:49)

• [After falling down the mountain during Operation Red Wings] I could hear that stream running. I’ve got to get me water, but I kept thinking I can’t drink out of it, because my buddies are in it. (81:07)

• If you want to make God laugh, tell Him what your plan is. (92:04)

• [Marcus] Bro, when you saw that son of a bitch’s face [Osama Bin Laden], what was the first thing you saw? [Rob O’Neal] I saw his nose. He was skinny, wearing white – tall. (95:22 )

• My nickname was “Nisro” (Navy SEAL Rob O’Neal). When they asked “Who got him?” They go “Nisro,” and they said “Fuck! We’re never gonna hear the end of it.” (97:30)

  - IG: mchooyah

- Host of The Operator Podcast

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   - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th

Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw

First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s

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This week, Marcus and Melanie are joined by Chris Wyllie, Executive Director of the Lt. Michael Murphy Navy SEAL Museum. A former Navy SEAL and SWCC graduate, Chris shares his powerful journey from serving on the Teams to leading one of the most iconic institutions dedicated to preserving the legacy of Naval Special Warfare.

Born in Port Jefferson, NY, Chris served with SBU12 and SEAL Team 2 before being medically discharged in 2000. After his military service, he channeled his technical expertise into a successful business providing high-end audio-visual systems—skills that now shape many of the museum’s cutting-edge interactive exhibits.

Chris opens up about the unbreakable bond of the SEAL brotherhood, his continued involvement in veteran support events like the annual SEAL Swim in the Hudson, and how he’s helping steer the museum’s vision to educate, inspire, and honor America’s elite warriors.

Chris shares his path from SWCC Class 16 and BUD/S Class 217 to SEAL Team 2, how his AV background enhances the museum experience, what it means to preserve the legacy of the SEAL Teams, stories of camaraderie, sacrifice, and ongoing service beyond the uniform, and his vision for the future of the National Navy SEAL Museum

Join us as we dive into leadership, legacy, and living with purpose—with a man whose mission never ended, it simply evolved.

• It’s not as hard as you think it is. Just put in more effort. (2:00)

• I was always like a people pleaser. I still am. That’s what I’m working on right now. I’m trying not to be. (4:50)

• If you fail, it’s attempt. Instead of being demoralized, instead of being embarrassed or frustrated or depressed, turn that energy into something better. Fire in the gut. (14:06)

• We had guys tried to fake hypothermia during BUDS, till they broke the thermometer out, and check the dudes right in front of all of us. (25:37)

• We went out for surf torture. The waves were so big, and there was such a shore break, it picked us all up, slammed the whole class. One guy was like a lawn dart – broke his neck. (26:29)

• They put the [hypothermia] guy up on the wall, pulled his pants down, took the core temperature thermometer – right in front of God and everybody. [It was rectal] They need to know what your core is – to see if you’re actually hyporthermal.  (27:32)

• [Marcus] I’ve seen guys quit over trying to put a dive sock on. (32:38)

• When you first get out of the military, you’re too close to it to think you’re a veteran. (37:47)

• I’ve always tried to help veterans. (39:38)

• The impression is that it’s a Naval Special Warfare Museum with Michael {Murphy’s] name on it. (47:33)

• I’m so tired of people pushing down awesomeness. Everybody doesn’t have to be the same. (49:52)

• The [wheelchair bound] kid said he wanted to do the Michael Murphy run around the lake. So, I said I’ll push you. I didn’t realize how heavy he was. I thought Long Island was kinda flat. It’s not. I’m sweating. It’s 100 degrees. I’m terrified that I’m gonna lose him down a hill. (54:19)

• [Marcus] I’ve never run across a Team guy who was depressed the minute you get him back in the fold. (72:47)

  - https://murphsealmuseum.org/

Link to Gala at Oheka Castle —https://murphsealmuseum.org/events/gala/

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   - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th

Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw

First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s

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This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Justin Roethlingshoefer—human performance expert, data-driven health strategist, and founder of OWN IT Coaching—to explore how rock-bottom moments can fuel world-class breakthroughs.

With over two decades of experience optimizing performance for NCAA and NHL athletes, Justin shares how a life-threatening health scare forced him to apply his elite strategies to himself—uncovering a deeper, more universal truth: everyone deserves access to the systems that help the best perform at their best.

Now a bestselling author, speaker, and host of The OWN IT Show, Justin helps leaders, executives, and athletes take ownership of their health so they can fully live out their God-given mission. His journey is a powerful reminder that faith, discipline, and purpose-driven living are essential for real transformation.

Whether you’re a high achiever, a health seeker, or someone navigating personal adversity, Justin’s story will challenge you to stop surviving—and start owning your life, mind, body, and mission.

• I still remember at 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12 years old, playing outside on the outdoor rinks for 3, 4, 5 hours a night in -10, -15, -20 degree weather. (6:27)

• At 8 years old, I knew what my mission was – what my God-given calling was which was to be part of the redemption story of the health of America. (7:07)

• I was raised with a deep conviction and relationship with the Lord, and just a love for people. (7:45)

• As men we think that we can grab little issues and dump them in a bucket, and we handle them like it’s nothing, but little do we know they’re stacking up. (11:35)

• There are 4 types of heats: An addictive heart, a hardened heart, a performance heart, and a bruised heart. (13:43).

• What are our habits? What are our behaviors? How do we live? How does that show the stewardship and honor for what we’ve been given to carry out His calling? (15:36)

• If you know who’s you are, and who’s call you’re executing, at the end of the day, the results don’t matter, it’s the journey you’re waiting on. (18:13)

• Isaiah 40 – Those who are willing to wait on the Lord will rise up on wings like eagles, will run and not grow weary, will walk and not grow faint. (18:51)

• The younger generation is learning in a new way. They want to have evidence. (19:41)

• We could be pulled off-purpose. And the moment you get distracted is the moment you get disconnected. (21:58)

• I always ask 3 questions: What’s your name? How’s your heart? How can I help? (30:35)

• Try to be a reflection of love every single place you go. Try to speak life into people. (32:49)

• You have a choice: Do you want your compromise to be compounding in your life? Or do you want your commitment to be compounding in your life? (33:37)

• I grew up a fat kid: Was teased, made fun of, ADHD, OCD. (35:41)

• Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure. (42:48)

• How we live is our true and proper worship. (44:17)

•  I’m learning that I’m perfectly imperfectly wired. (54:23)

  - https://ownitcoaching.com/ 

  - https://justinroethlingshoefer.com/

IG: justinroeth 

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   - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th

Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw

First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s

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In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie are joined by none other than Phil Heath, a seven-time Mr. Olympia champion and one of the most iconic names in modern bodybuilding. Known as “The Gift,” Phil shares his journey from a basketball scholarship at the University of Denver to becoming one of the most genetically gifted and mentally driven athletes in bodybuilding history.

In this conversation, Phil opens up about his early days as a collegiate athlete, how he transitioned into bodybuilding, and what it truly takes to stay at the top of your game—physically and mentally. He also discusses and what discipline looks like when the lights are off and the crowd is gone.

Listen in as Phil also shares his endeavors in life after the stage—and what lies ahead.

Whether you're into fitness, personal development, or stories of rising to the top against all odds, this is a powerful episode packed with wisdom from a true champion.

• I was an athlete my whole life. (3:36)

•  I was born in ’79. What a time to be alive. You saw greatness right in front of you through the athletes. (3:41)

• Violence is everywhere. You just have to play life with your eyes open. (6:19)

• I chose to be different. I was willing to be ridiculed by other people. I didn’t care. I just wanted to be focused, and always be competitive with myself. (7:04)

• I always wanted to be stronger, faster, and show more grit. So, I always wanted to be leading at the front. (7:41)

• Seeing other people’s life choices, and realizing that you have choices, and you have consequences. (8:13)

• [I thought] maybe, just maybe, God’s got something for me. (18:04)

• In my fifth year of college, I was looking for identity. (23:09)

• Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron.” (24:19)

• Do your best. If you’re going to use social media, look at experts first. (29:00)

• I wanted to understand the champions. (30:07)

• I didn’t hire a coach or anything like that. I just trained with my friends and kinda - trial and error. (32:43)

• Be honest with yourself, and never say quit. (32:54)

• When I won the Mister USA competition in Las Vegas, 20 years ago – right before I go on stage, they come to my hotel room and they go “Here you go. You got the cover.” (36:13)

• It’s so amazing how God works. We meet (Jay Cutler), we take this photo, and we become best of friends. (41:23)

• Body building really is about validation in a way. (46:12)

• On my worst day, I have to make that day the best day in the gym. (48:30)

• [My dad used to say] “If I could put 2 feet on the ground, lace ‘em up, I can go to work.” (50:52)

• I put in the work. I had no training partner. I don’t even know how I did it. (53:16)

• I just knew that no matter what happens, I’m gonna be immortalized in history. (58:13)

• Your nickname is “The Gift”. What a better way to do that by honoring God. (74:23)

• I don’t want to latch on to something that ain’t for me, or for my wife, because I’ve gotta be the protector of her, too. (85:00)

  - https://phillipheath.com/ 

YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAappHS4hPvOe7ko1g_VRIw IG: philheath

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   - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th

Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw

First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s

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This week’s Team Never Quit episode features the incredible Aaron Hale—a man who has stared down adversity, twice over, and answered with resilience, grit, and chocolate. A 14-year military veteran of both the Navy and Army, Aaron was serving his second deployment in Afghanistan as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team Leader when an IED explosion took his sight and altered the course of his life. But Aaron didn’t stop moving forward—he started climbing.

Aaron shares how he turned tragedy into testimony, going from the battlefield to building a life filled with purpose. From teaching at the EOD school post-injury to completing the Boston Marathon and climbing mountains, Aaron’s journey is one of extreme perseverance. In 2015, another blow—bacterial meningitis—left him completely deaf, but with cochlear implants, the support of his incredible wife McKayla, and a “Challenge Accepted” mindset, Aaron continues to thrive.

We also dive into Aaron and McKayla’s passion project turned thriving business—Extra Ordinary Delights, an artisan chocolate and fudge company born out of love, grit, and a relentless pursuit of joy.

 Aaron Hale doesn’t just inspire—he challenges all of us to rise, to reinvent, and to find joy even in the most unexpected places. From bombs to bonbons, his life is a powerful reminder that adversity is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of a better one.

•  I became one of the personal chefs for the 3-star Admiral, commander to the 6th fleet (1:10)

•  I wanted to be in a tight knit brotherhood. I wanted a technically challenging career field.  (14:40)

•  Being that evidence collector guy that I wanted to be, I made my approach with a metal detector. 20 yards or so from the primary device was a secondary device that hadn’t been found yet. It vaulted me into the air. I reached up to fix my helmet and it was gone. And I thought “Oh, no - this is bad”. At Walter Reed, I was told I’d be blind for the rest of my life. (28:05)

 •  Total blindness comes with a bonus gift of sleep disorder. You can’t rest you circadian rhythm. (30:50)

•  I had those demons in my head asking the What if’s; the Why me’s. (31:37)

•  I don’t have a monopoly on pain. (33:36)

•  I don’t have any good answers, any good reasons to quit (33:43)

•   Instead of “Why me? or “I can’t” I just try to figure out how I can. (34:00)

•  For about 6 months, I learned how to be blind. (36:03)

•  I’m having an awesome time. (38:59)

•  I contracted Bacterial Meningitis. That came closer to killing me than the bomb had. (39:20)

•  That’s when I felt bad - when I was just thinking about myself (42:37)

•  I might as well keep working hard to do hard things. (46:08)

•  For ten years I’ve been running marathons and ultra marathons (46:30)

•  Everything in my life is a team sport (49:49)

•  You can look at it as “I have to” or “I get to” (50:16)

•  Maybe one day, the story of your struggle might be the blueprint for someone else’s survival (52:35)

  - https://pointofimpactpod.com/

- Link tree: https://linktr.ee/aaronhalepointofimpact 

Fb:  https://www.facebook.com/aclayhale

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

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   - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th

Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw

First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s

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This week’s Team Never Quit guest, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Gade, brings us a story of courage, sacrifice, and resilience that will leave you deeply inspired. A two-time Purple Heart recipient, LTC Gade served with distinction in Iraq, where he led soldiers in some of the most hostile environments and endured life-altering injuries in the line of duty. But as you’ll hear, his story didn’t end in combat—it began a new chapter of leadership, healing, and purpose.

Born on a North Dakota farm and raised with a strong sense of patriotism, Daniel always knew he was destined to serve. After graduating from West Point, he rose through the ranks as an armored officer, company commander, and eventually a wounded warrior whose leg injury nearly claimed his life. Through a long and painful recovery, his faith, family, and unrelenting grit propelled him to become a policy expert, White House veteran, Ph.D. holder, and educator at the very academy that shaped him.

This conversation goes beyond the battlefield to explore themes of honor, duty, and the character that defines true greatness. Whether you're in the military or not, Daniel’s story will challenge you to reflect on your own purpose and what you’re willing to sacrifice for it.

• I worry about whether the wars that we fought in – were they the right thing to do? I wonder if our national leadership is courageous enough to understand that these young men and women - their blood should not be sacrificed in vain. (9:53)

• I hope our generation will do a better job of deciding when and where to go to war. (10:59)

• I graduated West Point in ’97 (13:47)

• [Marcus – On 9/11] They sat us down. They hey had all the TVs on the wall. As we were watching it, the second one [plane] hit. (18:46)

• My tank was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade on November 10th, and it killed the soldier next to me and wounded me mildly. (23:35)

• I remember looking at him and the next day was veteran’s day. And I remember thinking: “I know he’s dead, but his parents don’t know he’s dead yet. And they’re gonna find out on Veteran’s Day.” (25:53)

• At 26:25 Daniel recalls the experience of being hit by an IED.

• It’s a miracle that I’m alive, honestly. (28:41)

• I end up spending a year in the hospital. (28:57)

• People ask me if I have PTSD and I don’t, but when I was unconscious, I had horrible, horrible dreams. (30:55)

• I went from user-level wounded warrior, just a guy in a hospital bed, to being the guy whose office is overlooking the west wing from across the street. (38:05)

• The book is called “Wounding Warriors”. It’s on Amazon. (43:4)

• The generosity that we do have for veterans is actually too much and in the wrong direction because it incentivizes all the wrong behaviors. (44:18)

• The system itself disincentivizes wellness and positivity. It causes people to quit and to disengage from society. (48:08)

• The whole system is basically welfare. (50:24)

• What we need to do is re-orient the system towards employment and thriving, and towards changing goals from seeing how much money people can get to seeing how good an outcome they can get. (55:06)

• We ought not label someone disabled until they’ve gone through the full rehabilitation process. (55:28)

• If you want more of something, incentivize it. If you want less of something, tax it. (56:15)

There’s 6million people getting disability compensation, and 3.2 million of them are getting it for Tinnitus – ringing of the ears. (58:40)

• We should take care of veterans the right way. Not turn them into welfare queens. (64:41)

  - Buy his book here ---> https://a.co/d/5XJ9UAM

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   - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th

Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw

First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s

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This week on the Team Never Quit podcast, we welcome American Ninja Warrior legend Vance Walker, the first athlete in the show’s history to win back-to-back million-dollar championships. At just 19 years old, Vance has become a beacon of perseverance, grit, and unstoppable belief.

Born with spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy that affected his ability to walk, Vance was told he may never walk without braces. But through years of determination and relentless training, he not only walked — he ran, jumped, climbed, and conquered Mount Midoriyama... twice.

In this episode, Vance shares His journey from leg braces to Ninja Warrior champion, the mental and physical challenges of competing in two seasons back-to-back, and what it means to represent those born with disabilities on a national stage, 

Whether you're chasing a personal dream or overcoming an obstacle of your own, this is an episode that will inspire you to keep climbing.

• [My mom] She gave me the mindset I’ve had ever since then, which is “Whatever it takes.” (5:19)

• At 17 months old I was diagnosed with cerebral Palsey and was told I might never be able to walk without braces on my legs. (5:37)

• If you don’t have hard things, you can’t get stronger. (13:26)

• I always wanted to be good at something, and there was always something that would keep me from being the best. And when I found Ninja, I was able to make my own scheduled, because Ninja Warrior is not a team sport. (15:39)

• I can make my own path in this. I can train any way I want to. If there’s an obstacle, there’s not [just] one way to do it. (18:59)

• Just like in life, you need a mentor. You need somebody who’s done things before to be able to see how to do things. (29:39)

• When was 12, I won my first national championship. (26:59)

• I want to get into speaking and sharing my story because that’s such as important part of this. (44:22)

• When I was a kid in school, I was always different from the other kids. I never fit in with anybody. The only thing that kept me going was the mindset that my mom gave me. (44:57)

• To become the best at something is already such an insane challenge, but I started from below everybody else. (45:30)

• Any challenge, any obstacle – Never give up. (47:14)

• The show is always the one thing I’m the best at. That’s where I’m at home. (53:57)

• I get that dismount, I hit the buzzer about a thousand times, and I just start bawling my eyes out, because I knew at that point no one was beating me on the rope. I did it. And I ended up winning a million dollars. (62:41)

  - https://youtube.com/@vancewalkerninjawarrior?si=WcAQTH4fhJbm7-cM

  - https://www.instagram.com/vance_walker_anw?igsh=MWpseTcxeDR0NnRmbA==

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   - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th

Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw

First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s

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This week, Marcus and Melanie meet with the remarkable Chase Rowan—a former Army Ranger turned creative visionary, financial strategist, and vocal advocate for alternative healing. With a career spanning combat zones to creative studios and boardrooms, Chase embodies the spirit of resilience, innovation, and transformation.

Listen in on Chase’s powerful story of serving as an Army Ranger and the ridiculous challenges he faced returning to civilian life, healing the Invisible wounds, and his personal experiences with ibogaine and 5meo-DMT, and how these treatments helped him overcome addiction and trauma.

Chase discusses his work with the Texas Ibogaine Initiative and reveals why he’s passionate about sharing these solutions with fellow veterans.

Chase Rowan worked as a Land Development Project Manager for 17 years, helping build residential neighborhoods all over North Texas. He spent his career working for two of the largest land developers in Texas, managing everything from early planning and design to construction and final delivery of large-scale communities.

•  I had a lot of experiences walking in on things no boy wants to walk in on. (12:45)

•  I’ve struggled with alcohol for a long time. But I did it kind of quietly, especially when I got in the military. (19:57)

• [While parachuting] I hit the runway going 40-50 mph. I had an 8” gash in the back of my head. I was out-unconscious. (30:44)

• There’s nothing worse than opioid withdrawal to me. (30:44)

• My sole focus when I got up, when I was deep in my addiction – my first thought was “How am I gonna get something?” (38:15)

• In 2016, my life was in shambles. I decided I needed help. (39:10)

• [Marcus] No matter how strong you are. It’s like being a prisoner of war. (41:47)

• I felt like such a failure, and so many times I thought about how much better my kids and my wife would be if I just ended my life. (53:26)

• When I was at my weakest, and I’d start crying, all of the sudden I’d feel power within me. (58:49)

• Being sober is a super power. (63:15)

• [Post Ibogaine treatment] I’ve never wanted to be alive more than I do now, and people need to know about this. (72:21)

• There’s nothing I like more than seeing people happy. (78:02)

• It’s not what you want. It’s what you need. (84:27)

• There are so many things that trauma is from, and this [Ibogaine] can heal it. (90:28)

 - t4gmh.org

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- Navyfederal.org       

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   - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th

Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw

First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s

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 In this deeply moving episode, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Chet Ingram, the father of Navy SEAL Nathan Gage Ingram, who was lost at sea in January 2024 during a mission off the coast of Somalia. Alongside fellow SEAL Christopher J. Chambers, Gage perished while attempting to board a vessel suspected of smuggling Iranian weapons bound for the Houthi rebels. The mission turned tragic when Chambers was swept overboard, and Gage, in a heroic act of brotherhood, dove in after him — both were lost to the ocean’s current.

Chet, and Gage’s best friend Ryan, reflect on Gage’s remarkable journey from Roanoke, Virginia, to the elite ranks of SEAL Team Three. He shares how his son’s determination and selfless character defined every part of his life, including his final moments.

Chet also opens up about the heartbreak of losing a son, the holes left behind, and the hope he’s now pursuing through the Nathan Gage Ingram Foundation — a mission to support military families in their own times of need.

We also discuss the Navy’s investigation into the incident, which pointed to preventable failures, and how Chet has chosen to turn pain into purpose, even participating in a memorial paddle just miles from where his son is honored in San Diego.

From personal grief to public service, from private tears to lasting legacy — this conversation is a powerful tribute to a son, a hero, and a father's unwavering love.

• American Airlines pilots, called “100 Vets Who Give a Damn” are retired pilots. They give me opportunity to speak, and make a little money for the foundation. (3:21)

• I’m that dad that when the kids are 4 years old and they’re looking for a soccer coach, I volunteered. (16:47)

• I teach biomechanics and fast pitch softball. (16:55)

• He [Gage] had a lot of heart, played football - still the smallest guy in the world, but as a cornerback, he’d fight you for that ball. (18:05)

• He [Gage] was watching this movie one night. Afterwards, he decided to go for a 4-mile run in the ice. He came back and said “Dad, I’m gonna be a Navy SEAL. (21:50)

• Financially all I ever asked God for was to be comfortable. Never more than I deserved. (28:17)

• Gage and I did the 100k – (6.23 miles) and we did it in just under 4 hours. (42:40)

• Gage loved the kiddos and the puppies. (53:49)

• In an attempt to board the Dhow, going up that unstable ladder, and with the proximity of the boat, it jumped the rail. Chris attempted it and didn’t make good contact and fell 9 feet. (59:14)

• The biggest reward was that between his graduation and boot camp, I asked him to accept Jesus, and he did. (60:20)

• I can’t change the past, but how can I help change the future, based on my experience. (62:27)

• As far as we know those boys are still kickin’ water. He’s still sittin’ in a bar drunk, just waiting for people to come. (62:43)

• [Marcus] We have to have a bar under the sea. (62:47)

•  I tell people, he can walk in that door any minute. You don’t know, man. (66:17)

• That’s what happened that day. They knocked on the door, and we’re till living that nightmare. (70:26)

• There are guys getting out now that are able to talk to me about certain things. The incredible impression that Gage made on them. (81:28)

• I want to represent Gage in the highest way possible. (81:47)

• I want the foundation to represent what he would’ve been, what I knew him to be, how he was raised to be, and being validated by stories that are coming back from other people. I think I’m on the right path to basically be a damn good human. (82:11)

• I feel like I’m walking uphill backwards. But at least I’m moving forward. (83:16)

• There aren’t big problems; it’s how you choose to approach them (87:57)

• Think across the horizon. (88:11)

• I can’t offer medical therapy, but I ain’t seen anybody with an issue having a problem when their having fun. (90:35)

•  Gage’s retreat – Adventure Therapy Program - is what is what it’s titled. (90:51)

• People always remember him laughing. He never thought he was better than anybody else. He always treated people with love and respect. (107:53)

www.nathangageingram.org

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   - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th

Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw

First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s

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This week’s Team Never Quit guest is no stranger to adversity. Brian Dickinson, a former U.S. Navy Special Operations Aviation Rescue Swimmer and elite mountaineer, joins us to share the harrowing true story of his solo summit and descent of Mount Everest after being left without a guide—and without sight. After his Sherpa fell ill near the South Col, Brian pushed onward alone to the top of the world, only to be struck by sudden snow blindness on the way down. What followed was a seven-hour descent with no vision, no oxygen, and no margin for error.

Brian holds the record for the highest solo blind descent and has completed the Seven Summits, conquering the tallest peaks on each continent. Before his mountaineering feats, Brian served six years in the U.S. Navy with the elite NSO (Naval Special Operations) community, deploying on high-risk rescue and combat missions in the Persian Gulf.

Now the host of Calm in the Chaos, a podcast that highlights raw, untold rescue stories from America’s unsung heroes, Brian brings the same courage, insight, and humility to this conversation. Whether you're a fan of extreme adventure, military resilience, or human endurance—you won’t want to miss this one.

• {Marcus] I’m a Charlie Sheen SEAL. (8:19)

• It’s weird when you go from jumping put of helicopters to something less interesting. (14:11)

• You can’t really plan for giving up in the death zone – 26,00 feet. But you can train for the things in your control. (18:07)

• You can’t acclimate to 26 [thousand feet]. You’re slowly dying. Like if you cut your finger, it won’t heal. There’s not enough air. (23:23)

• At Camp 3, this is where you see a straight up ice wall. If you fall, you’re falling for a mile. (24:32)

• When I got about a thousand feet above Camp 3, I had to anchor off to get some water. I had an oxygen mask and goggles, and I took my goggles off to put them around my wrist, and as I was getting my mask off to drink water, my foot slipped, I went to grab the rope, and my goggles slid off and 4they’re just like… down. And you don’t bring extra gear. (25:35)

• There’re over 300 bodies still on the mountain. (30:38)

• You live and die by the decisions you make in life. (31:34)

• When you climb any mountain at night, the sun is your first indication of hope. (37:33)

• According to the Himalayan Database, I’m one of two people to ever have the summit to myself on a given day. (39:07)

• Everything just went completely white. I went Snowblind. And I remember at that moment, dropping down, grabbing the rope, and assessing the situation thinking: I’m at the highest point in the world, I’m completely blind; no one’s coming to get me. (41:07)

• I just witnessed a miracle. It was like someone reached down and picked me up. An unexplained energy. The first thing I did was try the extra oxygen bottle and it started working, and I got 5 full beaths – reeling it in – and it burned. It felt like fire going through my veins. (48:02)

• Everyone loves a survival story. They could care less about the survivor. (53:43)

• That whole time, Jesus was walking alongside me. I felt that presence. (47:05)

Support Brian

PERSONAL SITE: Https://briandickinson.net

CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST: Https://calminthechaospodcast.com

BLIND DESCENT: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1414391722

CALM IN THE CHAOS: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1493078534

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/BrianCDickinson

FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/BrianCDickinson

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCalmintheChaosPodcast

X: https://x.com/BrianCDickinson

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-    - You can find Cremo's new line of antiperspirants and deodorants at Target or Target.com

   - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th

Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw

First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s

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