In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Liz Johnson, a former Army Signal Corps soldier and police officer who transitioned into a successful real estate career.

Liz opens up about the identity loss that often follows transition, what it’s like to step into commission-only work, and the mindset shifts that helped her persevere.

Her story is a real look at what it takes to rebuild after military service, and why betting on yourself is always worth it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- The emotional and financial challenges of post-military life

- How Liz navigated fear and self-doubt as a first-time entrepreneur

- The role of discipline, consistency, and coaching in career growth

- Why veterans are well-equipped for high-stakes, people-focused work

- Practical tips for transitioning service members exploring real estate

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Liz: https://www.lizkeepsitreal.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/liz-keeps-it-real-estate/-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

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If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Liz's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Colonel (Ret.) David Rozelle, a combat-wounded Army officer who didn’t just recover - he came back stronger than ever. After losing his right leg from the knee down in Iraq, Dave became the first amputee since the Civil War to return to combat in the same theater.

His story isn’t just one of physical recovery - it’s about identity, leadership, family, and purpose.

Now working in veteran advocacy for the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs, Dave reflects on what real service means, how to find mission after the military, and why veterans are unique positioned to do great things after their time in service ends.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Dave chose to return to combat after his injury and what it taught him

• The moment he realized recovery was a leadership opportunity

• Insights on resilience, reinvention, and the veteran identity

• What amputees and elite athletes have in common

• Thoughts on building meaningful relationships and a fulfilling second career

• • Why “winning” post-military life isn’t about titles - it’s about alignment and impact

  
  

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  Connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-rozelle-8814892/

  Back In Action book: https://amzn.to/4jEQRZH

  SC Department of Veterans Affairs: https://scdva.sc.gov/

  American Corporate Partners: https://www.acp-usa.org/

  -------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

  Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

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  If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Dave's.

  And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Harrison Lewis, a former Army Special Operations soldier turned physical therapist and entrepreneur.

Harrison served in the 10th Mountain Division, 75th Ranger Regiment, and 160th SOAR before transitioning into civilian life and launching GRND, a fitness and wellness brand focused on performance, resilience, and mental clarity.

But his path wasn’t straightforward.

From running production operations overseas to bootstrapping a $70k product launch while finishing his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, Harrison’s story is packed with grit, clarity, and conviction.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Harrison’s time in Special Operations shaped his approach to leadership and discipline

• Why he believes wellness starts with identity, consistency, and challenge

• The lessons learned launching a brand while managing school, service, and startup chaos

• Why living by a personal code (“25 Commandments”) keeps him grounded

Johnny DeMaddalena straddles two worlds: service in the Army Reserves and scaling startups in the civilian sector. In this episode, we unpack his unique journey - from starting a dog treat company in high school to launching a web platform for small businesses.

Johnny shares lessons from trial-and-error ventures, his approach to time-boxing new ideas, and how being a reservist has shaped his entrepreneurial mindset.

We cover:

• What it’s like to “transition” every month as a reservist

• Why Guard/Reserve can be a powerful option after active duty

• His time with privacy-focused voice tech, real estate ops, and Bitcoin hedge fund modeling

• Launching Wirechunk to simplify web presence for small businesses

• How programmatic SEO can drive local service success

• Johnny’s framework for choosing what venture to pursue next

• How the Army taught him to operate on short timelines and why that’s a superpower

• His open offer: weekly office hours to help fellow veterans build and brainstorm

Takeaway Quote:
“If you’re getting out of the military and you’ve got 15 ideas - ask around. Someone’s already been there and can help you take the next step.”

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Connect with Johnny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-demaddalena/

Wirechunk:  https://wirechunk.com/
Calendly Vet Office Hours:  https://calendly.com/johnny-wirechunk/veteran-office-hours

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

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If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Johnny's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

Alex Lisot is a former Air Force F-15 pilot, digital nomad, real estate investor, and founder of Master of the Military, a veteran-focused platform helping service members maximize their benefits and build lives they actually want.

In this episode, Alex shares his journey from flying fighter jets to backpacking across the globe, launching e-commerce businesses, investing in real estate, and designing a life centered on freedom, family, and purpose. Now based between London, Mexico City, and Dubai with his growing family, Alex is helping fellow veterans take control of their lives and leverage the benefits they’ve earned.

We cover:

• Using the VA loan to house hack small multiunit properties

• How Alex built a 25-person e-commerce business while traveling

• The story behind Master of the Military and tremendous value of the community

• The 4-part framework for evaluating new chapters: Credential, Knowledge, Network, and Experience

• His next chapter: MBA at London Business School

• Practical advice for setting financial guardrails and rejecting the traditional career path

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Connect with Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-lisot/

Master the Military: https://www.skool.com/masterthemilitary/about?ref=02d37bf47cb343c99c434c798f5d684e

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

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If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Alex's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we talk with Dan Sepulveda — a Navy corpsman who served alongside the Marine Corps in Afghanistan before transitioning into a thriving career in real estate in Hawaii.

After saving six figures while on active duty, Dan purchased his first condo and never looked back. His focus on competency, discipline, and daily improvement helped him grow from a new agent to the principal broker of a firm with over 200 agents. But his success wasn’t just financial — Dan shares the turning point that changed his mindset, the influence of stoicism, and why curating your environment and thoughts is essential after the military.

We cover:

• How Dan went from enlisted sailor to real estate leader in Hawaii

• The power of saving, financial literacy, and taking calculated risks

• Why mindset and personal development matter more than ever post-service

• How to rebuild your tribe after the military

Brendan Aronson is a Naval Academy grad, former Marine infantry officer, Wharton MBA, and founder of The Military Veteran (TMV). He turned down offers from Google, Goldman Sachs, and other top companies to launch ventures supporting the veteran community.

In this episode, we cover:

• The biggest lessons from hosting over 100 episodes of the MilVet Podcast.

• Why "distribution is the first problem every founder must solve."

• How volunteering at a nonprofit led to co-founding a national career platform for veterans.

• The most undervalued skill in transition: authentic networking.

• What Brendan is building now — a fund of funds investing in defense tech and veteran-led businesses.

Today's guest is Julian Larimer, a former Army Armor Officer whose journey spans from Company Command in Hawaii to building a thriving career in defense technology.

Julian shares how he:

• Made the difficult decision to leave the Army after eight years, despite a promising path ahead.

• Used unstructured time — surfing, reflecting, and coaching — to redefine his identity and career goals.

• Pivoted from aiming for the surf industry to finding a deep sense of purpose in defense tech through his work at Anduril Industries.

• Navigated the emotional challenges of transition, including identity shifts, moving locations, and managing expectations around success.

• Stays grounded today through his work, family, and maintaining "unstructured play" as a cornerstone of fulfillment.

Whether you're considering your own transition or simply want a reminder that it's okay — and even essential — to slow down and think differently about success, Julian’s story offers valuable insights.

Key Themes:

• The importance of agency after the military "conveyor belt" ends.

• How the loss of structure can become an opportunity for growth.

• Why identity shifts are necessary, not scary.

• The power of surrounding yourself with mission-driven people.

Jesse Iwuji is a Naval Academy graduate, former Surface Warfare Officer, and current professional NASCAR driver and entrepreneur. But his path was anything but conventional.

In this episode, Jesse shares how he went from a late start in football to playing Division I at the Naval Academy, then made the improbable leap from active duty to professional racing - without a racing background, connections, or money. What made it all possible? Vision, grit, and an unshakable mindset.

We cover:

• Jesse’s journey from the Navy to NASCAR

• How he taught himself racing while still serving

• The mindset of becoming the person your goals require

• Translating military experience into civilian impact

• Starting businesses to fund your dreams

• Partnering with his childhood idol, Emmitt Smith

• Advice for veterans transitioning to a new mission

Whether your dream is racing or something entirely different, Jesse’s story is a blueprint for chasing bold goals with relentless belief and effort.

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Follow Jesse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesseiwuji/

https://www.instagram.com/jesse_iwuji/

https://www.jesseiwuji.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

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If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Jesse's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

Ben Balsley has spent the last decade as a private equity-backed operator - leading teams, scaling companies, and executing buy-and-build strategies across multiple industries. But before his success in the business world, Ben started his professional career as a Field Artillery officer in the Army.

After earning his MBA from UNC, Ben held leadership roles in logistics, telecom, mortgage services, and tech before becoming CEO of HighGround Restoration Group - a fast-growing PE-backed platform that acquires and builds restoration businesses nationwide.

In this episode, we cover:

- Transitioning from the military while stationed overseas

- Why Ben pursued an MBA and who else should consider it

- The value of adaptability and learning across industries

- What it really means to be a "PE operator"

- How HighGround is building a veteran-friendly workforce

- What to look for in great hires and how veterans can stand out

Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, private equity, or simply building a meaningful post-military career, Ben’s story is packed with practical wisdom and insight.

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-balsley-02b5b6/

HighGround Restoration Group: www.highgroundnow.com

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Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

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If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Ben's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.