November 05, 2025

The Mission to Pay Off $25 Million in Veterans’ Medical Bills

57 minutes

Jason and MDV sit down with Bear Handlon, CEO and co-founder of Born Primitive, to talk about purpose, business, and giving back in a big way.
Through Operation Debt of Gratitude, Born Primitive has a goal to pay off $25 million in medical bills for U.S. veterans. Bear shares how the idea came to life, the emotional story behind hand-delivering a check, and what drives him to keep serving the veteran community.
They also unpack lessons in leadership and entrepreneurship — from being business partners with your ex-wife to staying mission-focused when critics question your intent.
Timestamps:
0:00 Jason got in trouble with Born Primitive
1:10 It all started with some compression shorts
4:45 Being business partners with your ex-wife
7:30 “I would never go into apparel if I could do it again”
11:00 Staying mission-focused (even when people don’t believe it will work)
15:05 Staying true to your mission is not being controversial
17:30 What is Born Primitive doing for Veteran’s Day? Operation Debt of Gratitude — paying off $25 million of medical bills for veterans
21:43 The powerful story of hand-delivering the check
23:40 How do people get into this situation in the first place? (The phone call that made Bear go all in)
27:18 This shouldn’t be happening at a policy level
29:25 Bear is a dangerous man (a man on a mission)
33:10 Building a brand to fit your lifestyle
36:45 Designing an all-purpose training shoe
41:03 Why the BJJ gi needs to be reimagined
42:15 What does Bear’s training look like right now? (done with heavy weights)
45:10 Gas station ready
47:40 Acknowledging risk and picking a course of action
50:00 We’re stronger together!!!
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