Unbeatable

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 97 Jodi Izzo- From widow to warrior Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

Jodi Izzo is one of the strongest, most incredible women I’ve ever met. She comes from a military family of some of the toughest warriors, but she had no idea she would also have to become a warrior.

Her husband, Roman, had it all. He was a strong, talented, smart, good looking Army officer with a bright future ahead… until it was all taken away in an instant. He was given a 1% chance of survival, and Jodi instantly became a full-time caregiver to him for over 5 years while raising their 4 young children.

She constantly had to fight for him to get the right medical assistance, and now she passionately fights for other military families like hers who are overwhelmed when suddenly thrown into a life of long-term caregiving to a polytrauma patient.

You’ll hear:

About her beautiful marriage before Roman’s multiple brain injuries
Why her initial experience in the hospital with him was worse than most
The incredible ways she and her children adapted and learned how to take care of someone who needed the most intense level of care
The top 2 things she held onto that kept her going day in and day out
About her upcoming website and the wealth of resources it will provide

*Stay tuned for the August 1, 2023 release of the Operation Chasing Grace website

Connect with Jodi on LinkedIn

Some days you just need a little pep talk, so I created a motivational video where I share the top lessons I learned when I went through Ranger School. I did it to help motivate you when you’re facing your own challenges and facing adversity. The video is free, and you can get it HERE.

Leave a review of this podcast on your favorite platform; it helps us get these stories out to more people who need to hear them! To give specific feedback directly to us on what you like about the podcast and what you don’t, fill out this 5-minute survey.

Don’t let fear win. Get your FREE copy of the Unbeatable Army Survival Guide HERE.

Ep. 96: Honest answers to tough questions about life and leadership Jul 14, 2023

Show notes

I've decided to take a risk with this episode of Unbeatable. As any great warrior knows, sometimes the enemy is so overwhelming that you must lock arms with another battle buddy to survive. I have a passion for seeing people thrive in the face of difficulties. That's one reason why I created this podcast in the first place.

From across America, 1,200 emerging leaders recently gathered in Washington, DC, to join in a live discussion at the Student Leadership University conference. In this episode of Unbeatable, I sit down with former guest Brent Crowe, and we have an honest conversation about life and leadership that we recorded while at SLU.

Brent and I lock arms and answer some penetrating questions during the episode. We then turned our raw conversation into a joint episode of the Unbeatable and Chasing Elephants podcasts.

In this episode, you’ll hear us answer questions like:

“How do you focus your life in the middle of overwhelming distractions?”
“What are your honest thoughts about the current condition of the USA?”
“How do I know what God wants me to do with my life?”
“What is your greatest fear, and how do you overcome that fear?”
“What is the source of your passion for serving God and others?”
“How do I get through difficult seasons in life?”
“What is the greatest obstacle to this generation's faithfulness?”
“What is your top piece of advice every leader needs to follow?”

Find out more about Student Leadership University here

Subscribe to the Chasing Elephants podcast here

I created a motivational video with the top lessons I learned in Ranger School. This video is full of practical advice to help motivate you when facing challenges and adversity. The video is free, and you can get it HERE.

Don’t let fear win. Get your FREE copy of the Unbeatable Army Survival Guide HERE.

Ep. 95: Dexter Pitts: Standing firm when attacked on all sides Jul 07, 2023

Show notes

Dexter Pitts is a proud Army veteran, police officer, and former US Border Patrol agent. He served with the 10th Mountain Division right after 9/11 and was awarded a Purple Heart after suffering injuries from an explosion in Iraq. Through a long, grueling recovery, he could have given up, but he was determined to fight back and serve the Louisville Metro Police Department, where he was right at the epicenter of racial conflict in 2020.

No one describes better than he does what it was like to be a black, conservative police officer in the middle of the riots following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

You’ll hear:

Why he joined the Army and what it was like to be in combat for the first time
How he was sure he was going to die when his left arm was shattered, his head was injured, and back and hips blown out of socket by an explosion
The physical and mental struggles that accompany a major rehabilitation
Why Louisville, KY in 2020 was one of the toughest places to be a black police officer
His core beliefs that keep him focused and dedicated to protecting America and everyone in his community
Why he wrote his book, I Am Pitts: Memoirs of an American Patriot

**Enter to win a FREE e-copy of his book HERE (Drawing will be held July 14)

Follow Dexter on Instagram or Facebook

Learn more about him and his book on his website

Leave a review of this podcast on your favorite platform; it helps us get these stories out to more people who need to hear them!

To give specific feedback directly to us on what you like about the podcast and what you don’t, fill out this 5-minute survey.

Don’t let fear win. Get your FREE copy of the Unbeatable Army Survival Guide HERE.

Ep 94: Matt Bostic- Beating addiction...and Guinness world records Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

Matt had an idyllic childhood. But at age 20, his entire life unraveled when his mother tragically passed away from leukemia and his father quickly re-married. Not knowing how to handle the intense pain and fear he had never experienced before, he turned to alcohol, which slowly stole 20 years of his life.

At his lowest point, he came across a Guinness Book of World Records and became fixated on breaking a basketball record. He broke it, but realized that was not enough to fix his life. Then, he found something better, is now sober and has completely turned his life around. He now works with The Life House in Alabama, helping other men get the second chance at life that he needed.

You’ll hear:

About his childhood in Greensburg, Indiana full of basketball and cows
Why he felt like he was completely abandoned at age 20
Why alcohol developed such a grip on his life that was extremely hard to fight
How he became obsessed with beating basketball world records and what it was like to actually achieve it
The #1 thing he says gives you purpose in life and can truly cure the deep pain that addictions can’t

Learn more about The Life House HERE

Follow on Instagram HERE

Don’t let fear win. Get your FREE copy of the Unbeatable Army Survival Guide HERE.

Ep. 93: Kyle Lamb- You’ve got to have a mission Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

Sergeant Major (retired) Kyle Lamb’s 21-year military career can only be described as legendary. He and I served together in the Army, both in Somalia and Iraq. He started in the 82nd Airborne Division but spent most of his career in Special Operations. After retiring, he founded Viking Tactics, Inc. specializing in tactical training and equipment and is highly respected today in both military and law enforcement communities for being THE go-to guy for marksmanship, tactical training, and any question about guns or shooting.

You’ll hear:

About his childhood in a small town in South Dakota riding in rodeos
Black Hawk Down from his perspective
What he says is the most important legacy you can leave
The thing that helped him most through the rocky transition out of the military
How he and his wife use the custom knives and tomahawks he makes to change lives

Learn more about Kyle HERE

Make a donation to the Stay in the Fight Foundation HERE

Don’t let fear win.Get your FREE copy of the Unbeatable Army Survival Guide HERE.

Ep. 92: Alton Gansky- The thrills and agonies of writing a book Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

I’ve been asked about 1,000 times how to write and publish a book. Today’s guest is a brilliant author who has written 52 books, won multiple awards, holds a literary doctorate, and teaches writing at the highest level. None of my fiction books could have been written without him, and there’s no one better to tell you how to go from an idea in your mind to a published book.

You’ll hear:

What it takes to receive a literary doctorate
How he captures someone else’s voice and experiences so well in his writing
The top 3 tips he teaches writers at conferences
The #1 thing to remember throughout the whole process
A reality check on just how tough it can be to get a book published through a publisher
Why you should write, despite the (sometimes grueling) difficulties

Learn more about Alton Gansky HERE

Don’t let fear win. Get your FREE copy of the Unbeatable Army Survival Guide HERE.

Ep. 91: Vince Hafeli-Bravely speaking the word most only whisper Jun 09, 2023

Show notes

Every day in the construction industry in America, 5 times as many workers die by suicide than by job-related accidents. Vince Hafeli, President of AJAX Paving Industries in Florida, is doing something about it.

To look at his stellar career, you would think he’s always had his life together. But in 2007, struggling under the weight of personal losses and failures and never talking about it for 20 years, he almost took his life. Now, through his passion and communication skill, he helps industry leaders address mental health and prevent suicides in their companies.

You’ll hear:

How he worked his way up to being the President of Ajax
How he tragically lost his entire family in a very short period of time
Why construction workers are at high risk for suicide
What caused Vince to finally seek help and later become a prevention advocate
The #1 courageous thing he did that can also help you if you’re struggling

Learn more about Vince HERE

Watch his TEDx talk about mental health in construction HERE

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 --Available 24/7

Don’t let fear win. Get your FREE copy of the Unbeatable Army Survival Guide HERE.

Ep. 90 Chris VanSant – Failure can fuel success: Lessons from 600 combat operations Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

Chris VanSant has had more combat experience than almost anyone in American history and even took part in the capture of Saddam Hussein. He’s a retired Special Operations veteran with over 20 years of service in divisions like the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the Army's 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta.

But seasoned warriors know that performing at that level comes at a cost. Chris has battled failure, mistakes, addiction, physical injury, and psychological wounds. With each setback, however, he’s been able to come back even stronger.

Since retiring, he’s used his experience as COO of a company that manufactures body armor and tactical equipment, and he constantly helps special operations veterans and their families recover from post-traumatic stress.

You’ll hear

Why he joined the Army and how he and Jeff met
About a few of his 600 combat operations, including the capture of Saddam Hussein
How he came back from multiple devastating career setbacks that would have caused most people to give up
Why he believes failure in life is sometimes more important than success
The 2 key things that were critical to him getting healthy again after his military career
Why he started his new executive consulting business

Follow Chris on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn

Learn more about the All Secure Foundation HERE

Don’t let fear win. Get your FREE copy of the Unbeatable Army Survival Guide HERE.

Ep. 89: Johnny Elsasser - The extremely arduous transition back home from war May 26, 2023

Show notes

As a warrior in the 2nd Ranger Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment, Johnny served among the elite of the elite. Then for 5 years he was a contractor protecting the US Ambassador to Iraq. In a military environment, he was at home. But when it was time to move into civilian life, he describes it as an extremely arduous transition. Through a long struggle and a divorce, he eventually learned how to use his strengths in new ways. Now, he mentors other men on true manhood and how to move past shame, guilt, and regret.

You’ll learn:

How events in his early life shaped him at his core
How he and Jeff ended up serving together in the 2nd Ranger Battalion
About his combat experience and how protecting the US Ambassador was so different
Why transitioning to civilian life was so hard for him and is hard for most special operators
What he did to come back from a divorce and drinking to become a strong leader again
His advice to men who feel like their life is a mess and they don’t like the person in the mirror

Order a copy of Johnny’s book, Design the Man Within HERE

Learn more about him, his community, and his podcast HERE

**Enter to win a FREE copy of Johnny's book HERE (drawing will be held June 1, 2023)

Don’t let fear win. Get your FREE copy of the Unbeatable Army Survival Guide HERE.

Ep. 88: Alex Maddox: Turning Pain into Purpose May 19, 2023

Show notes

Less than five years after losing her husband, Chase Maddox, who was killed on duty as a police officer, Alex Maddox learned that lightning DOES sometimes strike twice, in the same place. In 2018, Alex was left with her 7-year-old son Bradin, and her son Bodie, who was born four days after her husband’s death. In 2022, due to complications stemming from a congenital brain abnormality, Bradin tragically passed away.

Alex’s pain has been intense, but thanks to Band of Blue – an organization helping families of fallen officers, she now encourages other families, helping them work through their grief. She believes you can turn pain into purpose, and she’s proving that every day.

You’ll hear:

The choice that Alex and Chase made, despite the risks Chase faced daily in his work
What Alex means when she says, “Don’t die with the dead”
How she has kept Chase’s memory alive in her family
Her beautiful final words to her son Bradin right before he passed away
Alex’s words of encouragement to survivors of extreme grief
How Band of Blue changed her life and inspired her to turn her pain into purpose

Learn more about Band of Blue HERE.

Follow Band of Blue on Facebook and Instagram.

Connect with Alex on Facebookand Instagram.

Don’t let fear win. Get your FREE copy of the Unbeatable Army Survival Guide HERE.

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