Beyond The Trek Fireside Chat: Conversations That Inspire

What happens after the uniform comes off? In this episode of Beyond The Trek Fireside Chat, we sit down with Victor De La Flor — retired U.S. Marine CWO3, creator of The Green Logbook, veteran advocate, and storyteller focused on helping veterans navigate life after service. From leadership and mindset to purpose, transition, and identity beyond the military, this conversation dives into the reali...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Ayman Kafel, founder of Project Sapient, shares his journey from a challenging childhood in Liberia to a successful career in the military and law enforcement. He discusses the importance of self-awareness, balance, and proactive training for first responders. Ayman emphasizes the need for mental health support and innovative approaches in policing, while als...

In this episode of Beyond the Trek, host dives deep into the journey of Michael Sugrue, a retired police sergeant and mental health advocate. Michael shares his experiences in law enforcement, the impact of trauma on first responders, and the importance of breaking the silence surrounding mental health issues. He discusses a critical incident that changed his life, the need for open conversations...

In this episode of the Beyond the Trek Fireside Chat , we sit down with the voice behind Lesser Known Operators to talk about life as a Green Beret , the stories that rarely make headlines, and what it means to carry service forward beyond the uniform. This conversation goes beyond tactics and titles. We discuss identity, leadership, discipline, and the quiet weight many Special Operations veteran...

In Episode 21, we sit down with Andrew Kerr — former Marine, gym owner, and current GM of D1 Smoky Mountains — to break down what real coaching looks like. This conversation goes far beyond lifting weights. Andrew dives into leadership, accountability, mindset, and how great coaches shape people, not just athletes. From the lessons he learned in the Marine Corps to building a culture of discipline...

Episode 20 features Retired Captain Brad Shepherd — Director of Public Safety for Chateau Health & Wellness and host of the “No One Fights Alone” podcast. With 25 years of service in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Brad served across Tactical Teams, Bomb Squad, Special Operations, and Oklahoma Homeland Security , eventually becoming the Commander of the Agency Peer Support Unit . He has founded a...

Some stories don’t just inspire they recalibrate your mindset. We Sat down with Roger and Dan, retired veterans and hosts of the Tracer Burnout podcast a platform built to serve those who served, and to help veterans find strength, purpose, and community beyond the uniform. We talked sacrifice, identity, leadership, and the journey to rediscovering who you are when the mission changes…but the warr...

In this episode of Beyond The Trek Fireside Chat , we sit down with Nick Lavery — Green Beret, author, speaker, and warrior. Nick’s story is one of resilience, grit, and purpose. After surviving catastrophic injuries in combat, he made the unprecedented decision to return to active duty, continuing to serve at the highest levels of Special Operations. We discuss his journey from setback to strengt...

The Hobby Daddy: A Story of War, Fatherhood, and Finding Purpose In this powerful episode, The Hobby Daddy opens up about his life before, during, and after the war. From the joys and struggles of fatherhood to his military service, he shares the raw and emotional story of being on the ground during the chaotic withdrawal from HKIA in Afghanistan — a moment that forever changed him.

JC Glick is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel who spent over 20 years serving at the highest levels of Special Operations, with multiple combat deployments around the globe. His experience leading elite teams in some of the most challenging environments has shaped his groundbreaking approach to leadership, resilience, and performance. After retiring from the military, JC transitioned to the p...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with 18 Good Guy — a U.S. Army Green Beret, social media influencer, and unapologetically authentic voice in the veteran space. He opens up about the responsibility of representing the Special Forces community online, building a platform rooted in honesty, and using humor and vulnerability to break down barriers. This is more than just a conversation — it’s a...

Tabitha Farmer is a Gold Star Spouse, mother, and resilient voice of remembrance and strength. Her husband, CW2 Jonathan Farmer, a beloved Green Beret, was killed in action in Syria in 2019. Since his passing, Tabitha has shared her journey through grief, healing, and honoring Jon’s legacy—offering a powerful perspective on love, loss, and what it means to carry forward after unimaginable sacrific...

Taylor Cavanaugh is the only known individual to have served both as a U.S. Navy SEAL and a French Foreign Legionnaire—a journey that didn’t begin with military accolades, but rather in a place of pain, hardship, and personal reckoning. From incarceration to elite military service, Taylor’s path is a raw, powerful testament to transformation and grit. In this conversation, we dive into what it rea...

In this episode, we explore the mindset that separates those who lead from those who follow. From embracing discomfort as a tool for growth to prioritizing habits over fleeting goals, we dig into the principles that shape resilient, adaptive leaders. We confront fear, reframe change, and challenge the listener with a powerful metaphor: are you living in a coffin—safe, still, and stagnant—or a clas...

Nicholas Ruggieri is an Active-Duty Army Officer with 18 years of service in both Conventional and Special Operations Formations. Nick joined the Army Reserves while attending Union College in 2005, after graduation in 2008 he enlisted into active service as an X-ray technician at Fort Sam Houston TX. Realizing he was made for more; Nick attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection and was cho...

John Wayne Troxell is a retired United States Army senior noncommissioned officer who served as the third Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this capacity he served as the principal advisor to the Chairman and the Secretary of Defense on all matters related to the troops of the United States Armed Forces to include the lethality, readiness, fitness, welfare an...

Zac Cannon is a husband, father, and a seasoned Army veteran with 18 years of service, including 13 years in Special Operations. With seven combat deployments spanning Iraq, Afghanistan, and East Africa—along with 38 months operating across nine countries in Africa—Zac has lived a life forged in adversity. Beyond his military career, Zac is a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus and an advoca...

Colonel (Retired) William "Bill" Ostlund , a distinguished leader whose career exemplifies dedication, resilience, and exemplary service. Colonel Ostlund's journey began in 1983 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army, joining the elite 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence, he advanced rapidly, achieving the rank of Jumpmaster as a Specialist. In 1987...

From the battlefield to the streets, Dario Giomi has dedicated his life to service, facing danger head-on as an Army Cavalry Scout, SWAT officer, and two-time Medal of Valor recipient. In this episode, Dario shares his journey—from combat deployments to law enforcement, the challenges of PTSD and exhaustion syndrome, and his mission to support first responders in their healing. His story is one of...

🎙 New Podcast Episode – Beyond the Trek Teammate Series Meet Mike Diaz a father, coach, and special operations veteran. His journey has been one of resilience, from the hardships of combat deployments to the personal battles of divorce and rediscovering his faith. Join us as Mike shares his story of struggle, redemption, and his powerful comeback to Christ. This is an episode you don’t want to mis...

Kevin Flack is an Iraq and Afghanistan Combat veteran currently residing in Bettendorf Iowa. Kevin was born in Lancaster California, and grew up on Whidbey Island Washington. Kevin served with the US Army 10th Mountain Light Infantry Division in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2006 - 2012 as an Infantry fire team leader and squad leader. After his son Wyatt was born in Bettendorf Iowa he left the milita...

Join Ken Reed, an Active-Duty Master Sergeant with over 19 years of dedicated service, as he shares his powerful journey of resilience, hope, and transformation. From enlisting at just 17 and serving as a Medic with the Infantry to becoming a Special Operations Civil Affairs leader, Ken’s career has taken him across six deployments, countless training programs, and vital disaster response missions...

De'Andre McDonald, raised by a single mother in a home without windows, rose from adversity to thrive in a remarkable career in Special Operations. After retiring from the military at the rank of Major, DeAndre is aggressively working toward his second career as an educator within the public sector. His goals are focused on developing and empowering the next generation of students to impact the wo...

Gavin Berkley is the Media Director and an instructor for Team BTT. A West Point graduate, former D1 wrestler, and Army Infantry Officer. Gavin has been given a unique perspective from navigating adversity in both his professional and personal life. In this episode, he provides an inside look of his experience undergoing trauma, depression, dependency, and darkness on his road to a second chance h...

Chad Ballestrazze, a special operations veteran and founder of Beyond the Trek, brings a unique perspective shaped by his extraordinary life journey. Growing up with deaf parents, Chad developed a deep sense of resilience and responsibility at a young age, learning to navigate and overcome adversity. His experiences in special operations and his commitment to building disciplined, resilient leader...