Team Never Quit

Need a clear decision-maker in high-stress military operations critical to the defense of the United States? Then this week's Team Never Quit guest, Todd Deghetto, is your man. After 30 years as a Navy SEAL officer in Naval Special Warfare, Todd's current mission is to develop future leaders in mental toughness, discipline, & building collaborative teams. Todd, Marcus, and Morgan share an engaging conversation including actual mission details, its personal & mental ramifications, and the steps to recovery. Everyone on Todd’s team has a purpose. In this episode you will hear: It doesn’t matter what people think about you. Do what’s right, regardless of the consequences. If you lose friends over it, they weren’t true friends. Having a dad as a New Jersey State Trooper, I learned about the evil in this world, and I learned about honor – doing what’s right. That’s the nice thing about diving without O2. If you gotta die, that’s the way to go, because you just fall asleep. [In combat] You get real good at completely cutting your head off from the rest of your body - No feelings, no emotion, and no pain. I truly didn’t start processing stuff until after I was done. When things are going sideways is when people show their true colors. When I returned, God put it on my heart to mentor the next generation. I’m a leadership coach & mentor for the University of Tennessee’s MBA program. I may not have the business expertise, but I’ve got a lot of leadership experience. The only way you’re gonna get better is to be able to say “this is mine.” This I made that decision, and this is why I made that decision. We learn more from our mistakes than we ever do when things go right. I took me several weeks after I returned - and all of a sudden I woke up one day feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. All the explosives, the blasts, the mortars, the rockets, the charges, the AC4’s – the damage done to the brain is devastating. The healing journey has been the hardest thing for me. Part of that journey is not quitting om my family. [In military leadership] We’re very good at controlling everything we can control. There’s psychedelics treatment out there to really help us guys. My initial thought was “no way”, but it truly helped me.

The human will to survive can't be underestimated. That's the mantra of this week's Team Never Quit guest, Kara Chamberlain. While watering plants in the front yard of a friend's house, Kara was kidnapped at gunpoint by a serial killer. She was only 15. Making mental notes of every detail along the way in her abductor's car - from memorizing the serial number of the large storage bin he forced her into to counting the turns he made, the music he played, his Marlboro Red cigarettes, details from within his apartment while handcuffed and gagged, Kara used every bit of it to her benefit. She not only escaped after 18 hours, but the details she recalled helped catch him. Kara's case also helped police link the killer to three unsolved murders in other states. These days, Kara's life is dedicated to spreading hope and strength to other survivors. In this episode you will hear: We all have the ability to turn negatives into positives Volunteering to go outside and water the plants made me a victim of opportunity. When that red flag hit me, I felt a gun pressed to the side of my neck. He was fact-gathering about me, and I was doing the same about him. We can decide if we pick up the offense to something or pick up strength. You’re either going to be defined by something that happens to you, or you’re going to be refined by it. I was praying non-stop: “Help me to find an opportunity to escape.” When it was over, I just wanted to go back to normal life – The life of a 15-year old girl. The biggest threat to kids these days is online predators. Have an open communication & dialog with your children. Teach them how to set boundaries and how to respect other people’s boundaries. The best thing we can do for our children is to give them tools to deal with anything bad that happens. “I will never get mad at you.” “Stranger Danger” is not the biggest threat to kids right now. [Melanie] “The inspirational thing is not that you just survived and moved on – it’s that you helped others. That’s the difference between being a survivor and being a hero.” I’ve always felt that what happened to me was so I could help other people. 

From mild-mannered High School math teacher to UFC Hall of Famer. That’s this week’s Team Never Quit special guest, Rich Franklin. Rich and Marcus kick it around in an entertaining discussion about the transition from teaching high school math to UFC fighting on a world-class level. His childhood days of taking Karate lessons brought about an interest in Thai Boxing and Jiu-Jitsu, which further developed into a full-time MMA fighting career. Rich has also coached in The Ultimate Fighter, launched a clothing brand, a juice café, and is a prime example of one classy dude. Nice guys can finish first. In this episode you will hear: I didn’t grow up being an amazing athlete. I’m not super explosive, but I can grind. Mathematics, like being a sniper, is a skill. You have to work at it. If you take the grind away from me, then what am I? This grind, this work ethic I have, is not just the way I work out; it’s the way I approach everything in life. When you start worrying about things outside of your circle of control, it’ll take you away from your goals. When you’re fighting somebody on the street that’s not trained, I feel like Neo in the Matrix. When they throw a punch, it’s so slow to me. Q: What’s your favorite cheat meal?  A: What’s a cheat meal? I don’t deal well with disrespect, inefficiency, or stupidity. I like being challenged. I’ve never used drugs in my life. I’ve never even had a sip of alcohol. Had my college professor not actually cared, I could’ve folded. He saved me. You never know when a small gesture helps somebody. I don’t think I would be in this place in my life without God. He’s really directed my path. Connect with Rich: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richacefranklin/ Listen to his podcast: https://richfranklin.com/listen-to-the-quite-franklin-podcast/  Visit his website: https://richfranklin.com/ Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/ https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush/ https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/

She never made it to the party. Every parent’s nightmare happened to this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast guest, Angela Rose. At 17, she was walking to her car after leaving work at a mall and was headed to a graduation party. Angela was abducted at knifepoint by a man with a long criminal history, including murder. In this week’s episode, she recounts the details of her horrific experience, fearing death, hands bound, and eyes covered. Angela survived her kidnapping, sexual assault and currently uses her t to usher in legislation, education, and action to shatter the silence of sexual violence. Triumph over tragedy. In this episode you will hear: I’m letting people know that there is joy after trauma, and a happy joyful life is absolutely possible. It was broad daylight when I was kidnapped at knifepoint. He stalked me and was watching me at the mall. Follow your gut instinct. The detectives didn’t believe me, and so the trauma was replaced by anger. This is not a women’s issue. This impacts all genders. I keep hearing “I never told anybody.” We train parents and teachers on what to do or say if someone discloses. Be careful not to use language that blames the victim. Many people don’t know how to deal with traumatic situations. I would never wish what happened to me on anybody, but I would never change it. Because of what happened to me, I learned an inner strength I didn’t know existed. We need to support each other to rise above adversity.

This week’s incredible guest – Mike Ettore – knows the way, and shows the way. Being the exceptional leader that he is, Mike became the youngest Drill Instructor in the Marine Corps at the age of 20. There’s not a personal or professional challenge he can’t overcome. Mike’s effective combat leadership style resulted in numerous awards and decorations during his career, including the Bronze Star Medal for Valor (with Gold Star denoting 2nd award) and the Combat Action Ribbon (with two Gold Stars denoting 2nd and 3rd awards). These days, his purpose is to teach, coach, and help leaders develop - while he’s alive and after he’s gone. In this episode you will hear: I graduated from my first recruit platoon when I was 20. The Marine Corps trusted me and I tried very hard to live up to that trust. I spent my whole career trying to live up to the legacy of the Marines in World War I. If there’s something the Marine Corps does well is it teaches and honors its history and traditions. We were considered by the battalion commander, to be the strongest lieutenant/staff sergeant team in the battalion. It’s all about trust I was more excited about being an equally good leader in business as I was in the Marine Corps. Pre 9-11, I was dragging an AR-15 in a case through the airport. I was a C-level officer in charge of most of the back office of the non-sales function for a billion-dollar company, with no expertise in any of it. I wasn’t really sure how to save a file. I teach and coach senior executives in the art & science of leadership. I’m 65 years old and have unlimited energy. I just love it. At 65 years old, with over 45 years of teaching leadership, I still learn something every week. I ask myself: ”How in the hell have I gone this long and never heard that?” I am vain enough that to think that 25, 50, 80 years from now - if somebody picks my book up,  the Iwo Jima lessons, the Grenada lessons, and the business lesson I’ve learned, just might help out my great, great-grandson or daughter, who never met me. [In life] I was mostly right, somewhat wrong, or completely full of shit [Conversation with son] just because it comes out of my mouth doesn’t automatically mean that it’s bullshit. As you get older, you’re gonna find yourself becoming me. Dale Carnegie: “A man who dies rich dies disgraced.” I’m never gonna have Andrew Carnegie money, but I’ve got a laptop and a thumb drive. Everything that’s up here [in my head] is gonna be out.

A true champion. That describes this week’s guest, Robert Paylor, perfectly. Having broken his neck in the 2017 Collegiate Rugby National Championship, Robert has not accepted defeat in his physical or mental capacities. From living the life of a quadriplegic - unable to even move his hands – much less walk - to rising from his wheelchair and walking to receive his diploma, this guy is as inspirational as they come. Listen in as Robert tells his epic comeback story, which has brought hope and a never-quit mentality to thousands. In this episode you will hear: I was put on this earth to move people. My chin was pushed into my chest; a second player grabbed my legs; I fell forward; my nose slammed against my chest, and when I hit the ground with the top of my head – poof - I couldn’t feel anything. My whole life, I’ve tried to make my parent’s proud. The doctors said: “If, one day, you could take a piece of pizza and bring it to your face, then you made it.” Going under the knife in the area of my spinal cord - they said there was a chance I would not wake up, so I started calling my buddies. I’m a man of faith. I needed prayers. I needed God. The one thing you do have control over is your mindset. Great opportunities comes from great challenges. If I didn’t have humor through all of this, I would be crushed, depressed. This is such a gift. Just to be able to struggle to walk around my house. I had to go through something tough to gain perspective, but it a gift I use in my life, and I can help give it to others. It’s my purpose. When I saw my hamstring twitch I said “Okay. Game on.” It was like smelling blood in the water. No person has stood by my side like my mom. I’m gonna be a damn good man, and I’m gonna live a damn good life, because I have angels around me.  I love my life. I’m proud of who I am. We can’t wait to start enjoying our lives until something happens. You don’t have to get out of your wheelchair to live a good life. God gives His toughest challenges to His toughest soldiers.

There are interesting similarities between the streets of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria and the streets of the South Bronx. This week’s Team Never Quit guest is former U.S. Army Master Sergeant., 2-tour veteran, National Guard Paratrooper, and 22 year veteran of the NYPD – Tommy O’Hare. Listen to Tommy’s personal experiences and life lessons from his 2 tours of duty in Iraq (Desert Storm), Mogadishu, Somalia, and his cop career on the streets of the South Bronx of New York. This patriot has a myriad of common sense and positivity he shares with Marcus and you. In this episode you will hear:  I am the American success story. A child of Irish Immigrants who came to this country on a boat. The [social] environment’s always changing, always evolving. You never know what the future holds. You’d better catch up with it, adapt to it, or you’ll be left behind. I can be as nice as a British butler, or I can be your worst nightmare. Those same skills I learned in the streets of Brooklyn & the Bronx paid dividends in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. [After 9-11] Who you were, who you voted for – none of that crap mattered. We knew there were people in that building and we had to get them out because that’s our job.  I was more stressed working the midnight shift in the South Bronx than I was overseas working recognizance 10 miles from the Al Qaeda camp. I know the dangers, but we’ve got a job to do. We signed up for it. I worked with heroes every day - In the streets of New York and in the streets of Afghanistan. You have moral courage, spiritual courage, and physical courage. The interactions I had with the Iraqis is the same interactions I had with people in the South Bronx. If there is a fight, I’m gonna win. I am undefeated. My mother’s advice to me on my first day as a cop was: “Remember to be just.” What right do I have to complain? I have both my legs. I am alive. I’ve been blessed throughout my career. Don’t quit on yourself. I’m not gonna quit on you, Marcus isn’t gonna quit on you, God’s not gonna quit on you.

This week’s TNQP guest needs no introduction. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry joins Marcus and Morgan, bringing to the table surprising stories of events and experiences with “The Luttrell Boys” – some previously known, and some unknown. Character and heroism are on full display in this episode, and Governor Perry makes no bones about how he feels about both of these patriots. In this episode you will hear: A call comes in from the command post. “Governor, there’s a young man down who said that you told him if he was ever through Austin to come by. Just to let you know, he’s here.” And I said, “Okay, what’s his name?” “Marcus Luttrell.” And I was like, “Hmmm…. Send him in.” [Morgan] We’ve always started at the bottom and worked our way up. It was a fluid transition from the enlisted ranks.  If you want to effect change, then it’s time for you to man up and fill the seat. Quit yelling at the TV. I get frustrated with the government from time to time. Dr. Stanley Jones, I will always hold him in a special place because of his agreeing to do that initial work for Marcus. When you [Morgan] crashed and ended up at the same place as Marcus, that was God’s way of tapping Marcus on the shoulder and saying “Hey dude, you gotta take care of your brother.” The thing that amazes me about you guys is your fortitude after catastrophic injuries. You guys have the most amazing discipline and character. You reflect everything as a Texan. Texans and all Americans appreciate what you guys are all about. They need people like you in the United States Congress, to show them what the military should be about. You are fiercely loyal to your family, to your God, and to your state. Team Never Quit is a really interesting concept, and no two people give a better reflection of that than Marcus and Morgan Luttrell. I think America will be better off with another one of the Luttrell boys staying in the fight.

In this week’s incredible Team Never Quit episode, legendary bull rider and Netflix reality superstar Dale Brisby (How to Be a Cowboy) brings a brand of toughness, determination, fun, truth, and faith to the table. From Facebook to Snapchat to TikTok, this guy has attracted thousands with his hilarious cowboy-lifestyle videos. Brisby is the self-proclaimed greatest rodeo cowboy on the planet and shares an engaging conversation with Marcus Luttrell in the Team Never Quit Podcast Studios. You’ll see pretty quickly that Dale Brisby is not your typical rancher. And you’ll hear - firsthand – how a future bull-riding rodeo comes to life at Dale’s Radiator Ranch. In this episode you will hear: I’m the Navy SEAL of Bull Riders. My bucket list is – I don’t want to kick the bucket anytime soon. Marcus Luttrell can call me whatever he wants. I was raised around rodeo & started pro rodeo in college. If you’ll just not quit, that’s what you’re supposed to do. The rule of wearing felt hats is: Use them in months that end in “R”. Texas is a bit more lenient. The most peaceful thing that ever crossed my mind was if my old man was in heaven. It was as sure to me as gravity. [As it relates to Marcus Luttrell’s experience in Afghanistan] A lot of Americans think about what we would do in that situation. There’d be an intense amount of prayer I’d have to be doing. Salvation is like – alight you’ve graduated, but you still need to go to the classes. My dad died, both of my granddads died, and I had this real moment of “Snap, I’m the patriarch now. My family’s gonna be looking to me…” [Telling Marcus Luttrell] If anything devastating were to happen, and I’m sitting here older than you, but I’ve been an accountant, I’m letting you be the boss. Always give 100% unless you’re donating blood. There’s never a time when you can just lay down & wait for something to happen. Offense is the best defense. In business, don’t ask yourself “Is this right or wrong?” Instead ask yourself “Is this wise?” When you have faith, live your life in response to that.

Sharpie + Cardboard = Pearls of Wisdom. This week’s Team Never Quit guest, Zachary Bell, is known as the “Veteran With A Sign”. A former Marine Infantryman, Zachary uses common language related to his experiences in the military on his signs in an effort to bring people together via communication. He has a “Let’s talk about it” mentality. He has become known as a meme philosopher – from light to pointed – with many layers in-between. His signs are photographed and disseminated globally via Instagram, the internet and his analog tools consist of a sharpie and cardboard. In this episode you will hear: I always had this fear of living a life of regret, and it’s driven me to do everything I’ve done, right, wrong, or indifferent. Comments on the internet are first draft thoughts – people just throw them out there. I think that true love is finding the one person who always makes you wanna be the best version of yourself. I asked my girl to marry me. She said yes, and five seconds later we found out she was pregnant with our first child. I was invincible until the moment my daughter was born. They told us we going to Iraq for 90 days. “We’re gonna be in the green zone, you’ll have wifi, you’ll have fast food, you’ll live like a Navy SEAL. When my 2nd daughter was born, I knew my military career was over. My daughters changed my capacity for love. They’ve made me a better person. It’s a really bad pitch to say “Hey, we’re gonna get married, I’ll be around sometimes, and then you’ll be pregnant, and then I’ll be gone, hopefully, I’ll be back.” I’ve always found the best version of myself in service to others. Everything I’ve done in my life has been trying to help people. Community is one of the most important things we have. Marcus Luttrell is a cultural icon. Everyone outside of the military thinks the military is like a high school and like we all meet up in the cafeteria. It would be cool if it was like that. Wearing gators doesn’t make you a SEAL, but writing a book does. If you’ve been kissed by violence, you can see it on other people. I want to be the bridge between the military and the civilian world.