In this conversation, Josh Lacy interviews Matt Brett, a former paramedic and veteran, about his life experiences. Matt shares about growing up in New York City, his career as an EMT, and his time in the Navy Reserves. He also talks about his work as a civilian contractor in Iraq and his decision to move to Florida for his son's education. Matt Brett discusses his journey from military service to civilian life and his transition into the firearms industry. He shares his experiences with PTSD, finding help, and the importance of resilience. Matt emphasizes the need for mentorship and teaching the next generation of men. He also highlights the importance of safety and education when it comes to firearms. Matt's advice to listeners is to be open to conversation, listen, and share.

In this episode, Paul O'Keefe shares his journey as an Air Force brat and his diverse experiences in different careers. He highlights the influence of his father figure and the importance of pushing through challenges. Paul also discusses the impact of frequent moves as a military child and the lessons he learned from his upbringing. He shares his transition from high school to retail and eventually joining the Air Force. Paul reflects on the importance of moving forward strong and the need to unplug from technology for personal growth. The conversation covers the impact of technology on work-life balance, a career in the military, transitioning to civilian life, becoming a professional fighter, the origin of the nickname 'Anvil', transitioning to jewelry design, the Mother of All Rucks Foundation, and empowering veterans. 

In this conversation, Paul O'Keefe discusses the changing military lifestyle and the importance of a strong military. He emphasizes the need for individuals to be the change they want to see and to hold themselves accountable. Paul shares his journey of starting a jewelry business and the meaning behind his designs. He highlights the power of vulnerability and the importance of surrounding oneself with strong and honest friends. Paul concludes by emphasizing the significance of self-improvement and surrounding oneself with the right circle of people.

Benjamin Bunn shares his journey from a humble childhood to joining the military at 17 and eventually pursuing a career in Special Forces. He discusses his experiences in Iraq, the impact of 9/11, and his decision to transition to the National Guard and pursue Special Forces. Throughout the conversation, Benjamin emphasizes the importance of mentorship and the desire to do hard and meaningful work. Ben Bunn shares his journey of joining the Special Forces, his motivation for joining, the challenges he faced, and his reflections on his service. He discusses the impact of Special Forces and the transition to civilian life, including opening a CrossFit gym. He also talks about his involvement in nonprofit work and shares his future goals. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of exercise in maintaining physical and mental well-being.

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In this episode, Cody Alford shares his background and childhood growing up in Dallas, Texas. He talks about his father's career in law enforcement and the influence it had on him. Cody also discusses his dream of joining the military and specifically becoming a Marine Corps scout sniper. He shares his experience in boot camp, his journey to becoming a sniper, and his first duty station in Camp Pendleton, California. He shares the challenges and realities of combat, including close calls and the intense firefights he faced. Despite the adversity, he highlights the importance of resilience and the mindset required to navigate the chaos of war. Cod’y’s story provides a glimpse into the life of a Marine Raider and the mental and physical challenges they face in the line of duty. In this part of the conversation, Cody Alford discusses his experiences during deployment, the challenges of returning home, and his transition to Recon and eventually MARSOC. He reflects on the fast-paced nature of his military career and his desire to be a leader. He also talks about the realization that life in MARSOC had its own set of challenges and bumps in the road. Cody discusses his journey of seeking help for his mental health issues and the impact it had on his career and the people around him. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the need for help and not being afraid to ask for it. Cody also highlights the challenges and stigma associated with seeking help in the military. He shares his experiences of being a leader and empowering others to seek help and make positive changes in their own lives. Overall, this episode explores the themes of mental health, leadership, and the importance of creating a supportive environment. During this conversation, Cody Alford discusses the importance of overcoming fear and seeking help. He challenges the lies and fear modeling that hold people back and emphasizes the belief in oneself and finding purpose. Cody encourages individuals to embrace change, face challenges, and inspire others through leadership. He highlights the significance of embracing individuality, personal growth, and not comparing oneself to others. Cody emphasizes the journey of progress, facing criticism, and being true to oneself. He advises listeners to take responsibility for their lives, acknowledge their journey, and make changes. Finally, he encourages individuals to listen to their inner voice, take action, and embrace the unknown.

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“Embrace your weird.” - Cody Alford

Dr. Stacey Zaikoski shares her journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a dentist in the Air Force. She discusses the influence of her step-parents and siblings, as well as her love for science and working with children. Dr. Zaikoski explains her decision to join the Air Force and the process of applying for scholarships and residencies. She highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in her career. Dr. Stacey Zaikoski shares her journey of transitioning from active duty to the reserves and buying her own pediatric dental practice. She talks about the challenges and rewards of teaching at Right Path and the process of transitioning to the reserves. Dr. Zaikoski also discusses the process of buying a practice and starting her own business, as well as the challenges and obstacles she faced in expanding the practice. Dr. Stacey Zaikoski discusses her journey of expanding her dental practice and taking risks, including the challenges of a large loan and uncertainty about a partner joining the practice. She also shares her experience balancing her active duty role in the Air Force Reserves with her private practice. Dr. Zaikoski talks about her passion for teaching and mentoring future dentists, and the importance of passing on knowledge and life skills. She reflects on her future plans and ambitions, including the possibility of teaching full-time at a university. Lastly, she emphasizes the importance of dealing with adversity and controlling one's thoughts, as well as finding mentors who align with one's goals.

This episode of the Josh Lacy podcast features an interview with Rob Daniels, a former Marine who shares his experiences and journey. Rob grew up in Texas and enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17. He served multiple deployments in Iraq as an intelligence analyst, supporting ground operations. Despite the challenges and sacrifices, Rob re-enlisted to join Marine Corps Special Operations Command. The conversation highlights Rob's upbringing, family influences, and the impact of his deployments. The conversation covers topics such as reenlistment negotiations, transitioning to a new unit, adapting to a new environment, deployments with MARSOC, challenges in family life, transitioning to civilian life, and finding purpose after the military. In this conversation, Rob shares his journey from rock bottom to finding his passion for breath work. He discusses the struggles he faced after leaving the Marine Corps and the self-defeating cycle he found himself in. Rob explains how he discovered the gym as a potential path and eventually stumbled upon the Wim Hof Method, which became a turning point in his life. He emphasizes the power of breath work and its impact on mental health. Rob also discusses the importance of seeking help and not giving up, offering his advice to listeners to keep pushing forward.

The goal is to show the listeners that it is possible to be a warrior (whether by war itself or just by life) but also have the ability to show empathy and kindness.