The Post Game Podcast

Ben is a US Army Veteran and Founder of Bear Hug Cattle Company, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides vocational training to veterans pursuing a career in the ranching industry. He served in the 101st Airborne and 3rd Ranger Battalion. He also spent time in Italy, advising on counter-terrorism. While transitioning out of the military, he started Bear Hug Cattle Company to help veterans figure out what that next thing is for them. He is a United States Military Academy graduate as well as a Harvard MBA. In addition to running Bear Hug full time, he is an associate at Hivers & Strivers, an angel investment group that supports companies founded by US military veterans. It was such a cool conversation that even my dog wanted to get involved. In this episode, you’ll learn about: What it’s really like transitioning out of the military How Bear Hug Cattle Company helps Veterans transitioning out of military get first job in ranching industry The natural inclination for Veterans to continue doing hard work when they get out of the military As a society, getting back to achieving worthwhile goals Ben’s experience at Harvard Business School and working for Private Equity firm Hivers & Strivers Timestamps: (0:20) - Intro to Ben (2:25) - Expectations vs. reality of serving in the Army (5:38) - The reality of transitioning out of the military (9:30) - How you feel when you’re fully devoted to something (10:35) - What is Bear Hug Cattle Company? (13:23) - MOS’ that tend to want to get into ranching industry (14:30) - Process of narrowing down applicants for the program (17:00) - Why Veterans want to do hard work and have entrepreneurial spirit (19:25) - How do we swing the cultural pendulum back to embracing discomfort and struggle? (21:50) - His parents influence on his work ethic (25:00) - Harvard Business School and Hivers & Strivers (27:00) - Balancing ranching with a “white collar” job (29:10) - Advice to kids thinking about joining the military (29:45) - Advice to people transitioning out of the military Where can you learn more about Ben? Bearhugcattlecompany.org On Instagram @bearhugcattlecompany

Travis is a Certified Financial Planner based in Flower Mound, TX. After starting his career with a few large corporations in the Finance Industry, he started his own Financial Planning practice, Kinetix Financial Planning, in 2019. He specializes in working with small business owners and equity compensated professionals to create financial optionality. He’s an avid outdoorsman and takes an annual trip back to his home state of Montana to hike, fish, and hunt. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Learning skills at a corporation that you can use to launching your own “thing” The realities of starting your own business Taking risks and betting on yourself Is the person you’re taking advice from living the life you want? Controlling the things you can control Timestamps: (0:00) - Intro to Travis (1:00) - Growing Up in Small Town Texas (5:50) - Skillsets developed through college athletics (9:00) - College classes that peaked his interest (12:45) - Beginning his career at TD Ameritrade (15:30) - Wanting to be his own boss (19:35) - Looking back on starting his own practice (20:40) - Taking the risk before you’re ready (22:50) - Advice to people looking to take the leap (25:00) - Who are you taking advice from? (26:25) - Value he’s gotten from Twitter (31:12) - Future for Financial Advising (33:15) - Control what you can control (37:05) - His routine (41:45) - What advice would you give your 18 year old self? Where can you learn more about Travis? Kinetixfp.com - Kinetix Financial Planning’s site @T_Gatzemeier on Twitter (X)

Rick is a Documentary DP & producer based in Bozeman, MT. He has worked alongside Bear Grylls on The Island, shot for Steve Rinella and the MeatEater crew, and won the 2019 News & Documentary Cinematography Emmy for his work on Wild Yellowstone. Most recently, he was the Director of Photography for Netflix series Connected and Director of Photography for Human Footprint on PBS. He’s an incredibly talented dude who sheds a ton knowledge on his unique career journey in our conversation. In this episode, you’ll learn about: Childhood influences that led Rick to become an award winning cinematographer The process of building and producing a TV show and his role in it Managing relationships in a craft based job Expanding your world view by seeking out different opinions Can all jobs can be fulfilling and interesting? Pursuing interest and not stopping until you’re good at it Timestamps (0:00) - Intro to Rick (1:30) - Interests as a kid growing up in Washington (4:30) - Experience studying abroad in Costa Rica (6:35) - Trying to find first job (8:00) - Coming to a Cross Roads (9:08) - TV / Film Childhood influences (11:30) - Do I like doing this enough to keep doing it? (13:30) - Process of building a TV show (18:10) - Media made in Yellowstone (21:00) - Sitting and Waiting (24:05) - Being on a survival TV show (28:00) - Building up community (29:30) - Is the sacrifice worth it? (33:50) - Working with Steve Rinella (37:45) - Advice to young people (41:25) - Who are you going to advice for? Where can you learn more about Rick Smith? ricksmithmedia.com Instagram: @ricksmith_media Check out this article if you want to learn more about embarking on a career in cinematography: Going Deep with Alum and Director of Photography Rick Smith ’02

On this episode of Howie Doin’, I was joined by Jon Finkel.Jon is a writer and author of books 1996: A Biography, Hoops Heist, The Life of Dad, Jocks in Chief, The Athlete, Heart Over Height, “Mean” Joe Green, among others.He’s written for Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, GQ, Details, NY Times, AskMen.com, ComedyCentral.com, Bodybuilding.com, ThePostGame.com.Jon has written autobiographies on:* Nate Robinson* Charlie Ward* Mean Joe GreeneHis book Jocks in Chief ranks every United States president by athletic ability (no right or left wing biases included!).He also writes a newsletter “Books and Biceps” that comes out every Friday at 11:11 am.In this episode, you’ll learn about:* Creating things inspired by what you’re interested in* Taking an untraditional path* A quality Father / Son relationship* Starting from 0 and grinding your way to the top* Treating your job as if someone is paying you a lot of money to do it* Putting systems in place to slowly evolve into the person you want to becomeTimestamps:(0:00) - Intro to Jon Finkel(1:40) - How he formulates writing ideas(4:00) - Embarking on an untraditional path(9:20) - Jon’s relationship with his Dad(13:06) - Living up to expectations(15:40) - The greatest piece Jon’s ever written(20:05) - The mental approach to publishing a book (Jocks in Chief)(24:38) - Flipping his mindset to “Jon Finkel Publishing”(27:55) - Putting systems in place to overcome laziness(29:45) - Setting quarterly goalsWhere can you learn more about Jon Finkel?jonfinkel.comWeekly Newsletter: Books & Biceps@Jon_Finkel on X.comCheck out Jon’s favorite piece of writing - The Night the Driveway Basketball Legend Was BornLastly, don’t forget to check out Jon’s upcoming Auto-biography on “Macho Man” Randy Savage! Coming out in Spring 2024. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howiedoin.substack.com

Ep 1. of Howie Doin’ - Pod’s ProfilesIt was an honor to host Former Navy SEAL, Jacob Werksman.Jacob is a Former Navy SEAL, Harvard Business School Graduate, Founder of Victory Strategies, and author of Leadership: A Life Sport.In this episode, you’ll learn about:* The importance of self-awareness* Transitioning from a high performing team to something new* Becoming an entrepreneur and starting a business* Using micro-steps to achieve a goal* Importance of having the right team around you* Being intentional and deliberate with a planThanks for listening in!Timestamps:(0:00) - Intro to Jacob Werksman(2:30) - The process of writing a book during COVID(6:30) - Qualities of successful people (self-awareness)(10:30) - Decision to leave the SEAL Teams and transition out of the military(17:30) - Taking the idea of starting a leadership training and coaching firm and bringing it to life(25:00) - Advice to someone making the leap into pursuing what they loveWhere can you learn more about Jacob Werksman?www.victory-strategies.comFollow Victory Strategies on LinkedInJacob’s LinkedIn ProfileGo check out Jacob’s book Leadership: A Life Sport to read about his experiences in the SEAL teams, being a part of high performing teams, and much more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howiedoin.substack.com