Apogee Strong Dustin Fleming: From Marine Corps to Game Warden – Leadership, Resilience, and Serving the Community
Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you push, something invisible is holding you back from the life you know you’re capable of living? Maybe it’s fear of failure, maybe it’s self-doubt, or maybe it’s the weight of old wounds you’ve never healed. What if the real obstacle isn’t outside of you—but inside?
In this episode, we sit down with Dustin Fleming, a U.S. Army veteran, speaker, and transformation coach who has turned his own battles with trauma, adversity, and self-sabotage into a mission of helping others break free. Dustin’s journey from combat to personal collapse—and ultimately to healing and leadership—is proof that your past does not define your future.
With a unique blend of raw honesty, hard-won wisdom, and practical strategies, Dustin challenges us to confront the stories we tell ourselves, dismantle limiting beliefs, and build a mindset rooted in resilience and purpose. His passion is helping people realize that freedom begins when you stop running from your pain and start using it as fuel.
If you’ve ever asked yourself “Why can’t I get out of my own way?” or wondered what it really takes to rebuild from the ground up, this episode is for you.
Quotes:
- "Your past doesn't dictate your future. We have a standard set in life that we can choose to make changes, and it's ending with me and my family tree."
- "Being able to fulfill a role that's like a servant leader, that's what fires me up about it."
- "If you find something that you love, you'll never work a day in your life."
Key Takeaways:
Face the Stories You Tell Yourself: Write down the negative beliefs or fears that play on repeat in your mind. Then ask, Is this story serving me, or is it keeping me stuck?
Reframe Your Pain: Instead of asking “Why did this happen to me?” start asking “How can this experience fuel my growth?” Make a list of challenges you’ve overcome and the strengths they revealed.
Create a Daily Reset Practice: Dustin emphasizes discipline and self-mastery. Start small—commit to one non-negotiable daily habit (journaling, prayer, exercise, or meditation) that grounds you and keeps you moving forward.
Conclusion:
Dustin Fleming’s story reminds us that the battles we fight within ourselves can be just as fierce as any fought on the outside. But they don’t have to define us. By facing our pain, rewriting the stories we tell ourselves, and choosing discipline over despair, we can create a life rooted in resilience and purpose.
This conversation challenges us to pause and ask: Am I letting my past hold me hostage, or am I using it as fuel to become the person I was meant to be?
The choice is always ours—and the time to choose is now.