Team Never Quit

It's hard to imagine how life could possibly go on when someone who has everything to live for commits suicide. How do you respond to such a tragedy? In this week's Team Never Quit Podcast, our guest, Sara Wilkinson, Gold Star wife of Navy SEAL Chad Wilkinson, speaks candidly about her military family life, her love for Chad, and raising their children on her own. Sara is determined to reduce the stigma surrounding the silent epidemic of Veteran suicide and bring awareness to its warning signs and triggers. She brings honor to Chad's legacy, and discusses the importance of fitness, and living large, despite what life brings. In this episode you will hear: My whole life I moved around. I attended 15 schools before I graduated. [For the military guys] it’s really hard to hop off the hamster wheel unless someone tells you to hop off. And no one tells you to hop off. I was a Crossfit trainer and I opened a Crossfit gym in Virginia Beach. Men and women can all suffer from Blast Waves, PTS, PTSD, etc. It’s really important to educate spouses and first responders on the ways that little things may be signs of something way bigger happening. In a partnership, it’s our job to care for one another. If someone is exhibiting symptoms of PTS, PTSD, etc. the only thing you can do is manage the symptoms. It comes down to focusing on sleep. Everybody’s mind is affected by the life they’ve lived. Ask yourself - What are the things you need to function optimally? How do we transition veterans from an operative status to living life independently, regardless of their history? I want my kids to know that this is a chapter in their story, and they have their whole life ahead of them. It’s a backpack they carry that they’ll never put down. But they’ll do some amazing things in their life. Your kids are always watching you. The way they watch you and observe you is the biggest responsibility you have. My motto: Live big. Support Sara: CHAD 1000X website: https://chad1000x.com Sara Wilkinson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarawilkinson7/?hl=en The Step Up Foundation: https://www.instagram.com/thestepupfoundation/?hl=en Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/ https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush/ https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/ DraftKings Disclaimers If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA(select parishes)/MI/NH/NJ/ NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. New customer offer void in NH/OR/ONT-CA. $200 in Free bets: New customers only. 

Can you say “One of the first of two female graduates of the US Army Ranger School and Apache attack helicopter pilot?” Meet this week’s Team Never Quit guest, Shaye Haver. From being a cross country runner and soccer player in high school, to Army brat, to following in her dad’s footsteps as an Apache helicopter pilot, Shaye and Marcus share an engaging conversation about her influences and accomplishments. In 2016, Shaye and Kristen Griest, who also graduated from the US Army Ranger School were ranked 34th on Fortune magazine's list of the World's Greatest Leaders. In this episode you will hear: I grew up as an Army brat which put me in an environment of serving and sacrifice. My dad always said, “Go do something better than me.” ROTC was the beginning of my understanding that the military was about opportunity. You can make it what you want it to be. Good, better, best – Never let it rest, until your good is better, and your better best. I absolutely don’t take no for an answer – especially for myself. I did not go to West Point because of my intellectual prowess. I went on my leadership and physical fitness abilities. Ranger School reminded me that the mission is about the people to the left and right of you. Crisis provides opportunity. The tactic for success I use is to visualize success. The first day one, there was 19 of us; the second day 1, there were 8 of us; the third day one, there were 3 of us. I have had my tab ripped off my shoulder two times. Once by another Ranger. I choose to walk in the responsibility of bearing this thing that I have earned for the duration of my life. You can let it weigh you down, or you can let it inspire you. There’s not a quitting bone in my body. The warrior culture is not just for men. Heroes come in the most unlikely boxes. They’re all around us and everybody has a story.

Unapologetically American, and an all-around badass - That’s who and what Tim Kennedy is – a true patriot. In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Tim have a fascinating conversation about Tim’s military service as an active Special Forces master sergeant and sniper and his role in the most elite counter-terrorism and hostage rescue unit within the U.S. Army Green Berets. Tim holds a black belt in Brazilian jujitsu and is a former professional mixed martial arts fighter and two-time title challenger. He authored the book, Scars and Stripes, an inspirational memoir offering lessons on how to embrace failure and weather storms to unlock the strongest version of yourself. These days, he lives a remarkable life as a serial entrepreneur owning multiple companies. However, Tim’s most personal accomplishments are that of a husband, father, and lover of this country. In this episode you will hear: When I grew up, all I did was fix the barbed wire and throw Bahia bales. You have to be an involved parent and mentor to your child. Now, every high school graduate has had every decision made for them. And when they arrive at college, they have been force-fed everything to this point, and now they get fed something much more dangerous – ideas. They’re given the freedom to make their own decisions with those dangerous ideas, and what you have is a petri dish for disaster. I want little kids to make all their decisions and learn the consequence of bad decisions, so when they hear someone say something stupid, they’re like, “that doesn’t work.”In Afghanistan they’d “beach ball” babies to the gate with the hopes that some marine would pick them up. It’s not rocket science that you don’t move tactical elements before you get your people out. You don’t give up strategic and tactical positions until you’re ready for a proper withdrawal. There’s nothing more dangerous than a broken man. Jesus didn’t go into the holiest of places. He went to where the prostitutes and tax collectors were. I stepped away from God for almost two decades. I became a narcissist. It wasn’t until my marriage was on the rocks that I was convinced to talk to God about all the horrific things I saw & experienced. They were throwing money at me to get people out of Afghanistan. That was so wrong in my heart to go back there for the money. In ten days we evacuated 12,000 people with our own planes. Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/ https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush/ https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/

“Life is a gift, that is why they call it the present. Cherish it always.” That’s the mantra of this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Kevin Hines. Kevin attempted to take his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Miraculously, a sea lion kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived. He is one of only thirty-six (less than 1%) to survive that fall. He shares his compelling story of hope, healing, and his will to live with Marcus. His story was featured in the 2006 film The Bridge by film director and producer, Eric Steel. Kevin has inspired millions worldwide in the art of wellness and the ability to survive pain with true resilience. “Be here tomorrow...” In this episode you will hear: My biological parents had me on a diet of Kool-Aid, Coca-Cola, and sour milk. My parents would leave me and my brother unattended to go score and sell drugs. Then Child Protective Services picked us up and put us in foster care. The only time I ever lost faith was when I stood atop the Golden Gate Bridge looking down. I found it on my way down. There’s a high number of suicidal teens who went through foster care. Many were abused and neglected by the ones in place to protect them. [Marcus] “I think the kids that go through it, are the ones who can fix it.” I finally ended up with foster parents who saved my life. They gave me a beautiful childhood. At 17 my brain broke. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and then things got completely out of control. I had auditory hallucinations telling me I had to die. If somebody would have just asked me, I would’ve just told them the truth of my situation. I left a suicide note in my backpack because I wanted my family knows I loved them. When I was still underwater, I thought, “I’m gonna die here and no one's gonna know I don’t want to. No one's gonna know I made a mistake.” On that [Coast Guard] boat, I made a cognitive decision: I would never again attempt to take my life as long as I should live, no matter the pain I’m in. When you encounter a suicidal person, it’s about being with them in the moment. “What do you need from me to say here? How can I help keep you on this planet?” My new motto is: I’m gonna be here tomorrow, and every day after that, no matter the pain I’m in. Every moment of every day is a good moment. It’s a privilege to exist. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Support Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/kevinhinesstory/ https://www.kevinhinesstory.com/ Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/ https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush/ https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/

In one devastating blow, dreams are shattered. Although this week’s Team Never Quit guest, Cesar Perez, went from rising Hollywood star to miraculously surviving a head-on collision with a drunk driver, he shines brightly with the resilience of the human spirit. Cesar starred alongside Daniel Ratcliff (Harry Potter) in the action thriller Beast of Burden for which he also did graphic design work. He was also cast as a major lead character Javier in the action thriller Blind Trust. Despite his severe brain injury, having his face shattered, and learning how to breathe, walk, and talk again, Cesar lives a life of courage and shows us firsthand that even in the darkest of moments, life has meaning. In this episode you will hear: I did a video tape audition that got me a role with Daniel Ratcliff {Harry Potter}. My life was really on the rise. I was driving to see my girlfriend when a drunk driver hit me head-on going over 70mph. He spun me around and then a big rig hit me – also going 70mph, and then I don’t remember anything for the next 2 weeks. If life had a reset button, I must have pressed it. I was making a statement with my life and then it got cut abruptly. I thought if I can get out of this, there’s nothing I can’t do. The first thing I said to the guy that hit me was “the last thing I ever wanted to see is someone from my country behind bars.” I wanted my life back and no one could give me that back. Talking and facing that demon helped me put the period at the end. My family never left me – they showed me what true love actually is. That was the love that got me through it. My family’s sacrifice gave my life meaning when my life felt meaningless. Once I could finally run, I thought “I’m gonna do more”, and that’s what got me back to where I am. The drive I had as a kid is more intense now. It was running hot, but now it’s running with a different fire. Putting my experience down in words helped me heal. As long as there’s breath in me, it’s still possible to live a beautiful life. If, in the end, I helped save a life, it was worth it. 

Using the grief of a husband killed in action to fill a void in estate planning for fellow widows. That’s the mantra of this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast guest, Keri Mills. Her transparent story of being a lackluster student to attending law school is inspiring, as she strives to educate other Gold Star families and service members in planning ahead in the event tragedy should strike. Keri’s husband, Special Operations Chief Stephen “Matt” Mills was killed in action along with 29 other Americans and a working dog when their helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan. With one knock on the door and one sentence, Keri went from being a married woman to a widow. Unprepared as she was for that life-changing event, it sparked her decision to help others be better prepared than she was. In this episode you will hear: Standardized tests are not my forte. What I realized about who I am is that I’m a person that does what I say I’m gonna do. I have worked for 8 ½ years to solve this problem. If I can keep someone from having to figure things out – the way I did – it’s worth it to me. The stigma that comes with estate planning is that people think you have to have a pot full of money in the bank. That’s not what it’s about at all. It’s about setting up your legacy. I don’t have any stories to tell about Matt because they’re not my stories to tell. I’m trying to carry on Matt’s legacy. There are 300,000 veterans in Houston. The part that I see myself playing is education for the special operators and our community. [Marcus] “There needs to be a way to teach you how to get out.” 

“A government-trained predator.” That’s one description of this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast guest, Jay Dobyns. While he participated in hundreds of undercover operations as a federal agent, he is best known for getting past multiple layers of security and becoming a member of the Hells Angels. Jay's book about that investigation - No Angel, My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels - is a New York Times and international bestseller. Dobyns served as a federal agent for twenty-seven years and was driven to succeed at any cost without regard for himself. These days, Jay has gone from a life of daring, undercover operations to becoming a High School football coach in Tucson, Arizona. Listen in as Jay and Marcus share an engaging conversation about Jay’s encounters and adventures. In this episode you will hear: The entertainment industry gets second takes.  If they miss a line, they can try again. In real life, there are no second chances. I feel very blessed to have entered undercover work. Nothing really prepares you until you get out there and get your feet wet. I’ve bought pea shooters, rocket launchers, bombs, homemade PVC pipe bombs, and servo-activated C4. I infiltrated home invasion crews. That’s where I got my training to take on the Hells Angels. I didn’t always succeed at things, but I always tried. My undercover persona eventually became who I was. I made a million mistakes in my life, and my wife and family have given me one million and one second chances. We fabricated the murder of a Hells Angels rival, and that is when I was welcomed into the organization. I ruined everything for the mission. It was heartbreaking to see what I had done to get there. God does not build us to intentionally betray people. My agency failed to react to threats against me. I was told “You’re on your own.” When no one cares who gets credit for success, we’re on to something. Want someone to remember your name? You’re gonna have to do something they will never forget. If you want something you’ve never had before, you’re gonna have to do things you’ve never done before. Life is about making mistakes, but don’t remake mine - I can tell you how they turn out. It’s not good. 

A path to healing from invisible wounds. That’s the mantra for today’s Team Never Quit guests, Retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant John “Spike” Garcia and Marine Clayton "Clay" Cook from The Lone Survivor Foundation. Their sole purpose is to support veterans after their service to this great country. They’re teaching strategies to manage Post-traumatic Stress, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, and chronic pain – taking back your life. The Lone Survivor Foundation offers both Face-to-Face & Virtual Programs, at no cost. All it takes is for you to be ready to take the next step on your journey. Once the Service Member has attended an Individual Program, couples and their families can qualify for the program as well. Service Members (both active duty and Veterans) from all military branches and service eras, experiencing symptoms as a result of service are eligible. In this episode you will hear: How the Lone Survivor Foundation and Team Never Quit go hand-in-hand The Lone Survivor Foundation provides a holistic approach to treatment and addresses the entire family. It’s the only program that does Accelerated Resolution Therapy. "I got more out of it in three hours than I had in 18 years." The spouse is the first one that is affected by what the veteran is going through, followed by family members and friends, and the ripple effect can affect businesses and coworkers as well. Once the vet goes through the treatment, the spouse & family can assist in their recovery.  Q: How do you know if you’re a good fit for the program? A: Go to LoneSurvivorFoundation.org and take a self-assessment. You don’t have to be diagnosed, you only need to be suffering from symptoms.  Support Lone Survivor Foundation: Donate to the LSF Follow LSF on Instagram Take the Self Assessment Follow Us on Social: https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/ https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush/ https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/

Still in the fight of his life – for his life. That’s the real-life story of this week’s Team Never Quit guest, Chris Cathers, a former US Army Green Beret and CIA paramilitary Global Response Staff (GRS) contractor with 12 deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and North Africa. And if Chris’ PTS struggles weren’t enough, Chris speaks openly about the stage 4 bone cancer he has had for over a year. Struggling to find adequate medical care opened his eyes to the difficulty of finding the right team for any aspect of medicine, and he has dedicated himself to encouraging his military brothers and sisters to seek help immediately and not downplay the signs. Chris and his business partner Daniel also aim to raise awareness of the veteran suicide epidemic via a documentary, “Brother’s Keeper”, currently in production. Chris has established a nonprofit organization to help raise funds for a small number of other nonprofit and for-profit businesses, committed to giving our veterans a hand in their fight. In this episode you will hear: At one time, I was feeling really good. I was doing protection for celebrities for 5 years, as well as Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and lifting a lot. My femur was compromised to the point that I was close to snapping it. I always prepare myself for the worst and hope for the best. You have to advocate for yourself, or you won’t have a good success rate. Unfortunately with what I’ve got, radiation & chemo doesn’t work. It’s more of a Hail Mary. My wife calls me a cockroach. “Man, this guy’s stubborn.” Sports is what kept me on the right path. I feel like a sheepdog – I like to keep the wolves at bay. I really enjoy protecting people. If I would redline my body, all the “noise” would settle down. Doing something bigger than you has always been a calling for me. Initially, my outlook wasn’t great - 29% and the 5-year survival rate wasn’t good. I’m a patriot and I love our country, I think we’re the best country on the planet, but we’re doing our damnedest to fuck it up. That’s not acceptable to me. We didn’t think we could have children, 1 - I’m old as dirt and I’m stage 4. So we were not planning on having a child, but… Comparison is the thief of joy.  Support the Mission:  https://www.wearebrotherskeeper.com/ Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris_cathers/ Follow Us on Social: https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/ https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush/ https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus brings in a real “Top Gun” – A badass Navy fighter pilot and an incredible investment powerhouse – both the same guy – Matthew “Whiz” Buckley. You’ll have to hang on to your seat when you hear him share his real, firsthand experiences and record-setting flights in Navy fighter jets. Buckley has harnessed the principles of military strategies and applied them to investments and trading success. “Buckle up, buttercup…” In this episode you will hear: I was raised with the belief that the American Dream was real and I could achieve anything I wanted to be as long as I applied myself, worked hard, and cared for others. I loved my country, the ocean and flying so I set out to become a navy fighter pilot. Every landing aboard the ship is graded. The mission is secondary to coming back because you’ve got 5,000 people watching you. I flew an acceptance flight in a new Hornet, and I did some unbelievable things with it, although I didn’t have too much time to enjoy it because all of a sudden the engines were gasping for air. When you’re moving that fast, all your wrinkles go away. At Mach 1.7 I thought, “I should be pulling out of this dive.” At that speed, I can’t eject. I’d be vaporized. When you make a decision, the computers go “If he does that, we’re gonna disintegrate, and we don’t want to do that.” We put our dog tags in our boots because in aviation accidents, that’s usually all that’s left. The jet’s a tattletale. It’s all electronic. Your superiors know how hard you pushed it. You can teach people a lot of stuff, but you can’t teach ‘em leadership. In a debrief, there ain’t no ”we” or ”us”. There’s only “I”. If you sat in a fighter pilot debrief, you’d think we hated each other. It not who’s right, it’s what’s right. Save the apple polishing for the bar – we’re in a debrief. A big leadership moment is when I was told “I could be friendly with you, but we’re not friends.” The Navy does a great job of teaching us to compartmentalize. If Marcus gets smoked, I’ll mourn him later, and guess what? I don’t get to mourn him later, ‘cause it’s on to the next thing. On the medicine, my dad & my sister, who was killed by a drunk driver, were both there. They looked incredible. In that moment, I healed. Forgiveness doesn’t exist in heaven, because there’s no need for it. Support Whiz:  https://www.instagram.com/official_ematthewbuckley/ https://nofallenheroes.com/ Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/ https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush/ https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/