Join us talking to Michael Merzke is a retired U.S. Army veteran with over 24 years of service, including deployments with Military Police and elite Special Operations units in Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama, Kosovo, and beyond. Today, he serves as Program Manager at Extivita, a leading hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic, and volunteers with HBOT4Heroes, helping veterans heal from TBI and PTSD through cutting-edge, oxygen-based treatment. Michael’s mission is deeply personal, shaped by his own recovery journey and his son’s battle with cerebral palsy. From combat zones to healing chambers, Michael embodies relentless service, fierce advocacy, and the true meaning of American grit.https://itsallaboutthemiles.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmerzke/https://www.instagram.com/itsallaboutthemiles/https://x.com/Mike_Merzke

On this episode of The American Grit Podcast, USMC Veteran Tim Jensen sits down with country music powerhouse John Rich, half of the multi-platinum duo Big & Rich. From humble beginnings at Opryland to penning and producing over 40 Top 40 singles (including 14 #1 hits), John’s story is one of grit, hustle, and undeniable talent. But John Rich isn’t just a chart-topping artist, he’s a patriot, a builder of legends, and a relentless supporter of America’s heroes. He’s helped launch careers like Gretchen Wilson’s, written for icons like Faith Hill and Jason Aldean, and raised millions for St. Jude’s as the Celebrity Apprentice winner. Now, through his lifestyle brand Redneck Riviera, he continues to give back, supporting Folds of Honor and the VFW. This is a deep dive into music, patriotism, and the power of staying true to who you are.‪@johnrichmusic‬

Socials:   / johnrichofficial     / @johnrichmusic   https://www.johnrich.com/Visit

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to watch more episodes!American Grit Websitehttps://americangrit.com

Step inside the garage of a WWE Icon and legend Bill Goldberg. In this raw episode of American Grit, WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg joins host Tim Jensen for a one-on-one like you’ve never seen before. Filmed straight from Goldberg’s own garage, this conversation hits harder than a spear from the man himself.They break down what’s next for Goldberg as he eyes his retirement match in 2025, reflect on the wild ride of his wrestling and football career, and dig deep into life after the ring. Goldberg opens up about being a present, proud father and watching his son Gage forge his own path in college football.#wwe #goldberg #wweraw #wwesmackdown

On this episode, we welcome Dr. Larry Miller, a father, physician, and now a passionate advocate for systemic reform in veteran mental health care. His son, Mark Miller, a 53-year-old Navy veteran and former sniper, tragically died by suicide on April 7, 2025, in the parking lot of the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio.

Mark's final act was a profound statement against what he perceived as inadequate mental health care provided by the VA. In his own words, he felt that the system was "just like robots handing out pills, poisoning our people."

Dr. Miller joins us to share his son's story w/ host Tim Jensen, together they discuss the systemic issues within the VA's mental health services, and advocate for meaningful change to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Today on the American Grit podcast hosted by Tim Jensen, we welcome a former infantry officer with the Canadian Armed Forces. Our guest served as a civil affairs officer in Afghanistan and learned the crucial lessons of resilience, teamwork, and leadership under pressure. After returning home with injuries and confronting PTSD, he transformed his struggles into a force for positive change. He authored "The Nimble Warrior," a guide to physical and mental resilience, and founded his own training programs and the "Hard To Kill Podcast," aimed at empowering the military and first-responder communities to become leaner, fitter, and tougher. His dedication to improving the well-being of his fellow veterans and first responders is both inspiring and impactful.

Join us on “Come and Dose It” as we explore the impact of psychedelic advocacy on mental health care and the opioid crisis in Texas. Our guests, W. Bryan Hubbard, Executive Director of the REID Foundation’s American Ibogaine Initiative, and Logan Davidson, Executive Director of Texans for Greater Mental Health, share their experiences with pioneering treatments like the Texas Ibogaine Initiative and impactful legislation such as HB 1802. This episode delves into the use of psychedelics in veteran care, their potential to combat opioid addiction, and the future of these transformative public health strategies. American Grit Websitehttps://americangrit.comGrunt Stylehttps://gruntstyle.comSpotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1XIW8qHpEazZKb5BMXbsXaSpotify Podcasthttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/grunt-styleiTuneshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-american-grit-podcast/id1646273756#podcastclips #veteranpodcast #podcast

Join us on American Grit as Tim Jensen sits down with Kagan Dunlap, a distinguished U.S. Marine Corps officer and acclaimed content creator. In this episode, Kagan shares his journey from the military to the media, detailing his experiences in service and how they've shaped his approach to producing engaging, educational content.

Join us on the American Grit Podcast as we welcome Dan West, Adjutant General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Host Tim Jensen sits down with Dan to delve into his impactful journey from the battlefields of Operation Desert Storm to his influential role at the VFW.  Discover how Dan's dedication to service has shaped his life and continues to benefit communities nationwide with current initiatives that affect veterans today.

Join host Tim Jensen on the American Grit Podcast as he sits down with Amy Forsythe, an award-winning military journalist and U.S. Navy Public Affairs Officer. Amy shares her extraordinary career journey, from her early days as a Marine Combat Correspondent documenting pivotal military operations to her current role as a Navy Reserve Public Affairs Officer.

Discover how Amy's storytelling has preserved significant moments in military history through deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and features in global media outlets. Learn about her critically acclaimed book "Heroes Live Here"—a heartfelt tribute to Camp Pendleton Marines—and her induction into the Women's Museum of California Hall of Fame.

About Featured Veteran

Veterans are leaders, mentors, and entrepreneurs and often represent the best in our communities. Grunt Style's featured Veteran campaign is an initiative to celebrate these veterans' hard work and spirit, from showcasing their talents to highlighting their accomplishments and aspirations. We hope these Men and Women will serve as an inspiration and a positive example of what the American warfighter can do when they hang up their uniform and take on the role of community leaders. Join us on this mission, and meet the movers and shakers in your community today.

In this episode of the American Grit podcast, we’re joined by Army veteran JD & U.S. Marine Corps veteran Daniel Johnson from Battle Scarred Motorsports, a nonprofit organization harnessing the power of motorsports to support veterans and first responders. Listen in as they share stories from the track, discuss the therapeutic impact of racing, and talk about how Battle Scarred Motorsports is building a community that fosters healing, camaraderie, and purpose for those who’ve served.

Check them out: https://battlescarred.org/