Thad Forester, Author at

Episode 039 – Noah Galloway | Living with No Excuses

October 3, 2017 By Thad Forester

Noah Galloway

“You wanna be a leader? It starts at home.”

When I say Noah Galloway quit college to join the Army after the attacks of 9/11, he literally didn’t go back to class and joined officially in October of 2001.

He was in shape and felt impressed to do his part by taking the fight to the enemy. On his second deployment to Iraq, he was hit with an IED and lost his left arm above the elbow and left leg above the knee.

Fast forward just a little: he went thru two divorces, depression, and got out of shape. Thanks to his children, he finally made the decision to get back in shape, be healthier and inspire others. That’s exactly what he’s done.

I remember in 2014 when he was working to be on the cover of Men’s Health magazine. I voted for him and so did countless others. He was chosen for the cover and as Men’s Health magazine’s 2014 Ultimate Guy.

Life for him exploded after this – Dancing with the Stars finalist, talk show appearances and a cadre on Fox’s American Grit, where his team won Season 1.

Here are a few questions I ask Noah Galloway today:

-Why quit college (mid-semester) to join military?

-Who was your rock during your darkest times?

-Did you talk openly about your struggles?

-What can someone who is suffering with depression or anxiety do right now to ease their pain?

-How did exercise help you recover mentally?

His children are his priority. He turns down opportunities regularly if it takes him away from his kids too long.

Hear him talk about future plans. I recommended he do a show with Bear Grylls’ (my dream). I had a great time with Noah. Watch out, you may see him and one of his sons on the professional bowlers circuit soon.

We talked in person at Sheepdog Firearms. I really appreciate their support of the podcast and The Mark Forester Foundation.

Learn more about Noah, his book, his charity or give him a shout-out below:

No Excuses Charitable Fund

His book – Living with No Excuses

On Instagram

On Twitter @Noah_Galloway

*Patriot to the Core is on Patreon. Please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content and guests like Noah.*

Rock Tune by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Episode 038 – SPECIAL: Bobby Bonello Escorting Mark’s Body to Dover – Angel Flight

September 29, 2017 By Thad Forester

Bonello_Forester Angel Flight

Today Mark’s friend and teammate tells us what it was like to get the news of Mark’s death, how he got a risky flight out of his FOB and met up with Mark so he could escort back to the states as part of the Angel Flight.

September 29, 2017 makes seven years since Mark was killed in Afghanistan. This episode is solely about Bobby Bonello and Mark Forester. Even though much of what is discussed is written in my book, I wanted to have an oral history and capture Bobby’s feelings and some details that were left out of the book.

Seeing Bobby at Dover AFB for the Dignified Transfer was somewhat comforting. He knew Mark and knew us. Up until then, our notifications had been from those who knew Mark, but we didn’t really know.

Bobby was visibly shaken and had a sort of blank look in his face when we first saw him. Probably how we looked too.

The picture above is Bobby at Mark’s casket/transfer case in a C-17 in Kandahar, just before leaving for Dover AFB. Although barely being able to see Bobby’s face, he looks shaken, worn and upset. I still can’t tell you who took these pictures, but they were a friend of a family friend who happened to be there. Amazingly this person found out who it was and made the connection, got the pics to his friend, who then sent to me. It was only a matter a days after this happened.

And hope you enjoy clips of the song used. Credit to Radney Foster, Angel Flight.

*PTC is now on Patreon. If you like what you’re hearing please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content and keep on keeping on!

hughes_forester

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

SPECIAL: Michael Andrew on the ground in US Virgin Islands | Hurricane Irma

September 19, 2017 By Thad Forester

michael_andrew st. thomas

In my second interview with someone on the ground, in the action, helping with hurricane relief, Michael Andrew talks with me from St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands following the destruction of Hurricane Irma. This is the kind of work he was made for. Michael thrives in these environments.

He arrived there Wednesday via charter flight and is on a disaster aid trip, partnering with The Salvation Army and his organization Red Lightning.

He was recently asked if he wanted to evacuate since another hurricane is headed that way (Maria), but he’s staying put so he can help.

Michael tells us what work he’s specifically doing, how he geotags specific locations, what supplies are needed, etc. He’s doing great work – something he feels he was born to do and was blessed with necessary skills to accomplish.

Michael also explains why sending supplies isn’t the best action right now, but donate to an organization who knows the needs in real time- since the needs can change quickly.

We talk sanitation, security, water, clothing and how taking a few days to serve will make your problems seem so small.

To learn more about Michael and if you want to donate to his non-profit, which will directly help people in the areas he’s serving, see links below:

Michael the Maven

Red Lightning

On Instagram @michaelthemaven

On Twitter @michaelthemaven

The Salvation Army

Hear our first interview on Episode 002

You can also follow Michael on his podcast The Maven Nation

Rock Tune by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Episode 037 – Terry Dailey of Project Patriot Bikes, Vietnam vet

September 18, 2017 By Thad Forester

Terry Dailey could possibly have the baddest Harleys around. When he rides “Old Glory” or “The Eagle” he gets lots of attention. Additionally, strangers start talking to him about their service or their bikes. It kind of gave others permission to talk to him about almost anything.

In my first “in person” interview, Terry and I meet at “Sheepdog Firearms” to see and learn about his bikes.

Dailey started Project Patriot Bikes to reach out to groups, communities and individuals in an educational format. Through the visual aspect of the bikes, PPB will raise public awareness of each branch of the military. The PPB exhibits will instill a renewed level of patriotism.

Icon of Freedom

What better way to show our gratitude to those that have served our country than to use an icon of freedom. The motorcycle, since its inception, has always been viewed as representing a free spirit. It doesn’t matter if you have ridden a motorcycle or not. The motorcycle is symbolic with the freedom to travel, to see the country in a different light. The freedom of the open road, with the wind in your face and constant changing fragrances of mother nature.

It is the goal of PPB to add more bikes to the fleet: one each representing the branches of the US military and Coast Guard.

We also discuss Project Patriot Bikes’ flag program where they’ll replace any tattered or weather flag at a business. However, they always thank them for flying it.

This Vietnam veteran was a pleasure to speak with. He just wants to do some good in the world and educate others on our symbols of freedom.

Learn more about Terry and PPB below:

http://www.projectpatriotbikes.org

And our show partner:

www.sheepdog-firearms.com

*Also, we’re now on Patreon. Please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content.

Rock Tune by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Episode 036 – CCT Kurt Buller | I Will Run Thru the Brick Wall First

September 4, 2017 By Thad Forester

Buller CCT

When this 5’3″ tall airman was denied a waiver to be a pilot, along with women and a male gymnast, he had to figure out something else to do.

23 years later, he retired from the Air Force’s elite Special Tactics community as a combat controller.

Kurt Buller said he has “the energy of a really tall guy jammed up in my little body.” He’s a motivator and a leader. You’ll hear his passion for excellence from the moment he opens his mouth. When I asked him how he made it thru the grueling pipeline, he said “the team made me stronger.” We also talked about the most difficult decisions he made as a leader.

He shares some nuggets of wisdom, such as:

Our adversary (enemy) is very clever. The dumb ones got killed in first wave
The enemy can’t duplicate our training and team mindset
Get them the snorkel; a reference to Buddy Breathing in the water training portion of pipeline
I may ask you to do hard things, but I will run thru the brick wall first

This interview was jam-packed with advice for being a leader and teammate. And since he helped prepare AFSOC warriors for battle, he complimented the role of all battlefield airmen–CCT, PJ, TACP, and SOWT.

Since his retirement three years ago, he taught JROTC and now has his own consulting company Intrepid Leadership Group where he’s still able to work with our nation’s elite warriors. It allows him to spend more time with his wife and teenage boys while still doing something he loves.

Buller will fire you up. I had a good time with this one and think you will too.

*Also, PTC is now on Patreon. Please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content.

Rock Tune by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download