Urban Valor: the podcast - Urban Valor

Latest Episodes:

Marine Combat Veteran With 24th MEU During Invasion Of Iraq 🇺🇸 Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

This week’s Urban Valor episode features Marine combat veteran, Jose Gasca. Jose grew up in the gang projects of Los Angeles during the early 80’s. He was inspired by his older brother to join the Marines and was a member of the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team for his first assignment.
Jose then got attached to 2/2 Fox Co. and went with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Ops Capable) during the invasion of Iraq. Since getting out of the Marines, Jose founded Fighting Hole Jiu Jitsu, a nonprofit organization allowing veterans to train jiu Jitsu for free to assist the mental health epidemic within the veteran community.
Jose also shares about veteran mental health and the challenges faced by combat veterans as he discusses Fighting Hole Jiu Jitsu.
We're incredibly thankful for the opportunity to sit down with Marine Combat Veteran Jose Gasca as he shares his incredible stories as well as the good he's doing for veterans today!

Marine Helps Teammate Save Face After Being Hit With IED 🇺🇸 Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

This week’s Urban Valor episode features Marine combat veteran, Nick Rodriguez.
Nick was inspired to join the Marines by his older brother. During his second tour to Iraq Nick volunteered for another combat deployment and found himself conducting combat missions in Afghanistan just two weeks after arriving home from Iraq. While in Afghanistan Nick displayed an amazing gesture of brotherhood by helping a fellow teammate save face moments after being hit by a heavy IED.

Widow Shares Unfortunate Loss Of Marine Combat Veteran Fiancé 😭 Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

This week’s Urban Valor episode features Cassandra Fuentes. Cassandra is the widow of Marine combat veteran, Steven Osborne, who unfortunately took his life on March 10, 2022. Cassandra details what it was like living with a veteran who struggled with PTSD. She walks us through what transpired the day Steven took his life. Cassandra also shares fond memories of Steven and how he was a great father to their son.
Her courage and strength during this discussion are incredible and we truly hope you'll show her love, support, and appreciation in the comments. Her willingness to tell her story will help others and potentially save lives- we're so thankful for the opportunity to talk with such a strong and incredible person.
Please contact Josh at josh@urbanvalor.com if you need someone to talk to privately if you or a loved one suffers from PTSD. We're building a platform to help as many veterans as possible.
Veterans taking their life due to PTSD, depression, and mental illness is a serious problem, and we need to spread awareness. Please, talk to someone. There's absolutely NO SHAME in getting help and support. Some of the toughest men and women we've interviewed were huge advocates of support and treatment for mental illness. If you'd like our help to get you the help you need, again, please just reach out to Josh at josh@urbanvalor.com for a private discussion, help, or just if you're looking for a friend.
You're important and as Cassandra said, YOU MATTER! You're a brother or sister to your military family, beyond being a son, daughter, wife, husband, brother, sister, father, mother, please reach out 🙏

Multiple Tragedies During Enlistment for Black Hawk Mechanic 🇺🇸 Aug 22, 2022

Show notes

This week’s Urban Valor episode features Army combat veteran, Humberto Navarez. Humberto spent 20 years in the Army as a Black Hawk Mechanic. He served 4 combat tours in Iraq and has witnessed multiple tragedies during his time in service from gunshot wound victims to unfortunate suicides while deployed overseas.
Navarez opens up during this interview and we're so thankful for his courage and willingness to share his incredible story! We're also appreciative, and think we can speak for the entire Urban Valor Nation when we say THANK YOU for your services across your 4 combat tours 🙏
Please "LIKE" this video to show support to Humberto!
Please "COMMENT" to ask questions or show support! Our VETS appreciate and read them!
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Marines Vehicle Hit By 57mm Chinese Rocket Propelled IED 😱 Aug 15, 2022

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This week’s Urban Valor episode features Marine combat veteran, Jon Shower. Jon began his enlistment in a Marine Sniper platoon but voluntarily transferred to an infantry unit so he can deploy sooner. He served two combat tours in Iraq and was inside the first vehicle to ever get hit by a 57mm Chinese Rocket Propelled IED. Upon transitioning out of the Marine Corps, Jon slept in his car parked in front of LA Fitness for three days and eventually landed a job there.
To show love and support to Marine combat veteran, Jon Shower, please give this podcast a "LIKE"!!
If you want to cheer on or say thanks to Jon, just COMMENT below! We're sure he'll love reading your comments, and we'll answer asap as well!
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Warrior Recovers Marine Killed In Action Out Of Canal In Iraq 🇺🇸 Aug 08, 2022

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This week’s Urban Valor episode features Marine combat veteran, Ryan Paulk. Ryan felt obligated to serve after the 9/11 attack on America. He enlisted in the Marine Corps as an Infantry Assaultman. Ryan conducted multiple combat deployments and shared with us the time he and his unit were hunting down an enemy sniper in Fallujah as a kid who was shot in the head by the Iraqi sniper while he was running up to Ryan. He also talks us through recovering a Marine killed in action from a canal in Iraq. And that is just a couple of stories Ryan shared with us from his time in service.
Please show Ryan your love and support in the comments as he takes a seat with Urban Valor and shares his INCREDIBLE story! We're so appreciative of his time and openness and would really appreciate our community showing their appreciation as well!

Navy Veteran From Gang Neighborhood To TOPGUN Training Center! 🇺🇸 Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

This week’s Urban Valor episode features Aviation Mechanic Navy Veteran, Cesar Gallegos. Cesar grew up in a rough gang neighborhood in Pomona, CA. He’s a first-generation Mexican American and enlisted in the Navy to be able to provide for his family. He shares a story that impacted him on his first deployment about a pilot who saved his crew but was unable to save himself. Cesar had a successful transition out of the Navy landing a job with SpaceX and discusses the importance of being prepared to transition out of the military.
This veteran navy story from Josh Gutierrez is an amazing listen for any military supporter, veteran, active duty, or someone maybe inspiring to join the navy or military.
If you enjoyed this episode of Urban Valor, do us a FAVOR and please like and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Army Combat Veteran Bronze Star Recipient Among First Females To Earn Airborne Wings 🎖️ Jul 25, 2022

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This week’s Urban Valor episode features Army combat veteran & retired Lieutenant Colonel, Joyce Griggs. Joyce has seen it all in the intelligence community. She was among the first females to pass jump school and earn her airborne wings. Joyce also received a Bronze Star for the numerous lives she and her team saved during combat operations overseas. She had a secret clearance that authorized her to see some of what the president saw and has served beside some of America’s top executives. Joyce is a ball of fire and passionate about giving back to the community.
Please show love and support to Joyce Griggs by LIKING and COMMENTING on the video!
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Army Vietnam Veteran Loses Fingers & Goes Blind for 6 Months 😨 Jul 18, 2022

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This week’s Urban Valor episode features Army Vietnam veteran, Travis Mayfield. Travis served in Vietnam from 1967-1968. He was sent to the field to disarm booby traps before an enemy combatant detonated one as he was attempting to disarm it. Travis struggled with military transition back to civilian life, and things got hard, but he kept fighting, and in time, pulled himself out of the hardship! He became an entrepreneur running a gym called Next Level Fitness & Wellness Center in Irvine, CA.
If you struggle with military transition, PTSD, and/or depression, use Travis as inspiration. No matter how hard things get, you're a warrior, and you CAN and WILL beat it. Please reach out if you'd like a friend and/or support at team@urbanvalor.com.
We're so glad to be capturing Vietnam stories from these incredible veterans, and will continue to bring more Vietnam interviews in the future here at Urban Valor.
Thank you for your service Travis, we really appreciate you.
To show your support to Travis Mayfield, please:
👍 Click the "LIKE" BUTTON" on this podcast!
🗣 Comment to show your support!
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Marine Recon, Intel, Plane Jumps, Survival School, & The Human Baton 🇺🇸 Jul 11, 2022

Show notes

Kyle went from Arabic Linguist to Signal Intelligence to becoming a reconnaissance Marine. He’s traveled the world by air, on land, and at sea and has been through some of the toughest schools the Marine Corps has to offer. Kyle had one hell of an adrenaline-packed enlistment.
Upon transitioning out of the military he got involved with “The Human Baton”, an organization that gives people wild, adrenaline-packed experiences. You’re going to want to hear this.
Urban Valor is a platform built to capture, share, and celebrate the incredible stories of our military veterans! Every veteran's story is worth listening to, and Urban Valor is on a mission to collect and share as many stories as possible!
But we don't stop there. As we're building an incredible community that celebrates our veterans, we're also taking the opportunity to educate about veteran transition, veteran homelessness, veteran mental health, and of course, veteran suicide. Our mission, here at Urban Valor, is to raise as much awareness as possible about these areas of need while also raising money to go directly to veterans or approved veteran organizations that help in these areas of focus. More to come on our mission in the future, but for now, the BEST way to support us is:
Please LIKE this Podcast to show support to Kyle and Urban Valor.
Please comment and show your love and support, or ask questions, we'll be sure to answer ASAP!
Lastly, be sure to SUBSCRIBE!!
We appreciate your support more than you'll likely ever know. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.