Veterans Be Real

Marine Veteran Trace Johannesen was elected to Rockwall City Council in 2018. He and his wife Amy live in Stone Creek Estates with their three children. Trace works in business strategy and technology consulting for a purpose-driven consulting firm called Slalom. Prior to joining Slalom, Trace worked for technology professional services firms in varying leadership roles.

Before City Council, Trace served on Rockwall’s Architectural Review Board. He also proudly serves Rockwall in varying capacities including leading Communications for the local American Legion Post, as a partner in the Chamber of Commerce, a Founding Member of Rockwall Veterans Business Alliance, and a Founding Member of 100 Business Leaders of Rockwall County.

A fourth-generation US Marine, Trace left his job to enlist in September 2001 in the wake of the terrorist attacks. He deployed to Okinawa and the Philippines, completed his service in 2005, and returned to Texas A&M University in College Station only to be recalled to service in 2007. He then deployed to Iraq on a Military Transition Team (MiTT) embedded with the Iraqi Army as a military instructor cadre. Upon his return to Texas, Trace completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration-Management Information Systems at Texas A&M.

In this episode, Trace talks to Sgt. BeReal about his experiences during service and his transition out of the Military. They exchanged words about getting involved and giving back to the community as veterans because they know that when you do this, good things happen not just to yourself but to the whole community.

Let’s listen to them and get golden nuggets that can help you function better as a civilian and find that greater purpose that everyone is trying to figure out.

Key Notes:

Figured out while still in the Marine Corps that he would get back to college and do business

Back in college campus at 29 years old

Recalled and got deployed to Iraq but with his terms

Worked for a software firm for almost 6 years

During his transition, finding a job for Trace wasn't that difficult, it's finding the right job that was hard

He felt his life is missing a bigger purpose

Get involved in the community and good things will happen

The stronger the community, the better the community

Connect with Trace:

Website:

https://www.tracejohannesen.com/

Book Suggested:

Tribe - Sebastian Junger

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

U.S. Army (RET) MAJ. Annette M. Whittenberger understands the challenge of veteran transition and development as she is a Retired Combat Veteran, an Army Spouse, and a mother. Annette has a B.A in Psychology and an MS in Environmental Management. 

Because she understands the difficulty of transitioning out of the military as a female, she can talk through the steps, make a plan, and offer resources to fulfill your passion. She focuses on coaching others through PTSD, anxiety, and depression and overcoming trauma. 

She is also in the process of collaborating with other like-minded and like-hearted people to help end the stigma on mental health.

In this episode, Sgt. BeReal and Annette talk about finding her identity again when she got out of the Military and the invisible wounds that they suffer. They also pointed out that the suicidal rate is very high due to depression and all veterans go to a lot of challenges whatever their rank is because the Military forgot the mental health part.

Let’s listen to them and get lots of information about transitioning from the Military and know how Annette can help you through her business and life experiences.

Key Points:

Finding her identity again when she got out

The Military forgot the mental health part

Veterans have invisible wounds that they suffer

Suicidal rate is very high due to depression

Raising a kid while in the Military is so hard for both men and women

A support system is very important

We all go to a lot of challenges whatever your rank is

When you get out of the Military, you can do more than just get a job

Connect with Annette:

Website:

https://www.awildridecalledlife.com/coach

Blog:

https://www.awildridecalledlife.com/blog

Podcast:

https://www.awildridecalledlife.com/podcast

Email Address:

[email protected]

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Zack Knight is currently an Infantry Lieutenant and platoon leader in the United States Army Georgia National Guard. His time spent in the Army has involved extensive training in risk assessment and mitigation techniques that have been proven in the most intense environments.

From the streets of metro-Atlanta as a police officer and SWAT Operator, to the mountains of Afghanistan as an Infantry leader, Zack has been tested on his crime and risk mitigation expertise as well as his leadership. He has built this experience into Knight Protection Services, where he and his team provides those techniques to a wide array of businesses.

In this episode, Sgt. BeReal and Zack talks about his journey as a policeman to becoming an Army. They also talked about Zack’s wife, a policewoman who can hustle from one work to another to running a business. They also discussed the importance of your network and what should the Military be doing to prepare veterans with their civilian life.

Let’s listen to them and absorb all the information that they willingly share to help veterans and those who are still active in duty deal with their civilian lives.

Key Points:

His Police Officer Wife That Can Hussle From One Thing To Another

The Military Didn't Prepare Us For Transition Like They Trained Us

The Military Should Have An 8-Week Course To Prepare Veterans With Their Civilian Life

Your Network Is So Important, It's Your Networth In Business

Connect With Zack:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaknight/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/tothrivingatl/

Websites:

https://knightprotectionllc.com/

https://beatacticalleader.com/

Non-Profit Website:

https://tothriving.org/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/KnightProLLC

https://twitter.com/tothrivingatl

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/KnightProLLC/

https://www.facebook.com/ToThrivingAtl/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/knightprollc/

https://www.instagram.com/tothrivingatl/

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Navy Diver Veteran Thomas McConnell was raised in Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana and he is the owner of 15 Fathoms Deep Sea Apparel. He used to swim competitively as a freestyle swimmer and it was really the one sport that he gravitated to. He found out about the Navy diver program and knew that’s what he wanted to do. It took him about seven months to get in shape for it, but he put in the work and got into shape.

When he showed up to dive school, they let them know that they would weed half of them out, but he was determined to make it to the end. Just as they predicted half the team washed out and they graduated with 16 after starting with 36.

After graduation, he ended up getting orders to Hawaii to be a part of a salvage unit. When ships come into foreign ports, they hop in deep-sea waters on scuba then checks and clears the piers so the sailors are clear to come in.

He spent 8 years in the Navy and when he got back in San Diego and doing a routine working dive, he lost feeling in his legs and started having a lot of neurological symptoms. This diving incident in December 2017 gave him some vestibular issues, a little bit of brain trauma, and found out that he had an unruptured brain aneurysm. He could not move on so he went on medical retirement. He retired on December 28, 2019, and moved to Canada with his wife.

In this episode, Sgt. BeReal talks to Thomas about his transition out of the Navy, his medical and mental condition, and his business. They also discussed how moving to Canada affected his ongoing treatment and life because a lot of VA benefits don’t extend overseas.

Key Points:

• Medically Retired

Connect With Thomas McConnell:

Website:

https://www.15fathoms.com/

Instagram:

15_fathoms

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/15fathoms1982/

10% Military Discount Code:

• Buzo

Groups, Companies, Foundations, and Organizations:

• Printful

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

US Navy veteran Shadeed Eleazer is a Keynote speaker, 5x Author, and a Certified Business Mentor. He is also Baltimore’s leading Small Business Advisor. He served overseas on the USS Kitty Hawks

He was born into an entrepreneurial family, he joined the Military after working in his uncle’s business who is a Sgt. First Class in the Army because he didn’t want to be the kid who will be stuck in a dead-end job and a minimum wage. His first exposure to the Military life and culture was when he was helping his uncle with his business and he learned that the Military was the stable path in terms of learning skills and creating a career so he took the leap.

Right around his E3 rank, he writes the brag sheets for E6 and up ranks and a couple of people got success on that that’s when the words spread about his writing skills. At a very young age and as an E3, he was invited to attend transition seminars and do public speaking to sailors that are on their 9-month window on their transition to civilian life. He also made free resumes for half of the floating city population during his time with the Navy.

In this episode, Sgt. BeReal and Shadeed will talk about how to transition out of the Military the proper way. They will discuss why it’s important to have a plan of whether to stay or get out and that you should have at least 3 months of living expenses saved up when you get out. They also talked about working the opportunity once you get in and to pay yourself first every payday.

Let’s listen to them as they discuss how to set yourself up properly, not just financially but also mentally, and check out how Shadeed Eleazer can help us with our transition and businesses because when the rules are clear to Shadeed, he excels.

Key Points:

Served Overseas on the USS Kitty Hawks

Didn't Want to be the Kid who would be Stuck in a Dead-End Job and a Minimum Wage

Wrote Brag Sheets for E5s and Up

Made a lot of Free Resumes for Sailors

Pay Yourself First Every Pay Day

Work the Opportunity Once You Get In

Set Yourself Up Properly Not just Financially, but also Mentally

Connect with Shadeed:

Website:

http://mrshadeed.com/

http://mrshadeed.com/email

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/shadeed.eleazer

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/mrshadeed

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mrshadeed/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadeed-eleazer-63715a1a5/

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Disabled Marine Corps Veteran turned Realtor, Kyle Page has the skills, knowledge, and cutting edge tech and takes pride in representing his clients' best interest in what could be the largest transaction of their lives.

After high school, Kyle Page enrolled in Anthropology at the University of Alabama and dropped out to join the Marine Corps.

He started as a mechanic in the Marine. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 and experienced losing a couple of good guys out there because of IEDs. After he got out of Afghanistan, he became a marksmanship instructor and was promoted as a Corporal. Things were really going great for him until the Marine found some complications with him medically.

He applied for mechanic jobs before getting discharged, got an offer, and started working the day after he got out. He got a lot of help from organizations and groups outside the Military during his transition. He also tried welding as a profession but his calling was into Real Estate.

Kyle joined his wife Lisa Page in the summer of 2018 and started their "Power Couple" team The Next Page Team in the world of Real Estate. Their focus is on helping people by giving back to the community through charitable organizations. They strive to make a difference in the community every day. One such charity is Homes For Our Troops, which is a Non Profit who they partner with and donate a portion of their commission too. In just a short time they have hit the ground running and have become one of the top producing teams in their market.

Let's listen to Sgt. BeReal and Kyle as they talk about his transition, the "highs and lows" and how Kyle managed to become what he is today.

Key Points:

• The effects of losing good guys in your unit

Connect with Corporal Kyle Page:

Website:

• https://nextpage.kw.com

Facebook:

• www.facebook.com/nextpagerealestateteam

Organizations:

• Homes For Our Troops

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

• www.veteransbereal.com

Facebook:

• www.facebook.com/veteransbereal

Apple Podcast:

• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Navy Veteran Samantha "Fergie" Fergus is a UX/UI Designer and Artist. Her creative journey began in the supply chain as a chef which later turned into a pastry chef for the United States Navy. For those 7 years, she learned and grew her skill to collaborated and cultivated new ways to explain her design and creative process.

In this episode, Samantha Fergus shares her experiences as a Navy veteran and how she dealt with the military sexual trauma while aboard the Eisenhower as a bakery chef. Fergie shares the steps she took to recover and thrive. 

Key Notes:

Challenges she had to overcome after Navy life:

Who am I besides Petty Officer Fergus?

Dealing with a divorce while recovering

The night with a 9mm

Celebrate baby steps of recovery every day

Thriving through tattoos

An entrepreneurial journey of art through web design

Profiting through creativity

Connect With Fergie:

Website:

https://fergi3ink.com/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthafergus/

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

In this episode, Sgt. BeREal gives his perspective about the George Floyd incident. He urges the veterans to stand up and do something about this thing. Sgt. BeReal thinks that veterans should have a presence in their own communities and should have a sit down with the City Council, City Mayor, The Chief of Police and the Police Union to know/adjust/change the rules of engagement of our Police Officers.

He stated that veterans fought for our country's freedom so our country can be free -- free of racism, free of bigotry, and free of unfair treatment of our citizens. He also said that black lives matter, all lives matter.

Let's listen to Sgt. BeReal's view about the George Floyd incident and know how we as veterans can take part to make our own communities better and make sure that this kind of incident does not and will not happen to the place that our families and friends live in.

Key Points:

Black Lives Matter, All Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter Website:

https://blacklivesmatter.com/

Facebook:

Apple Podcast:

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.