Welcome to Patriot to the Core Podcast

Patriot to the Core 2018

This podcast exists b/c of my little brother Mark Forester. While he was serving as a full-time missionary in California, our nation was attacked on 9/11. He felt the calling then to complete his service to God with his next mission being to serve his country. He knew God wanted him to help control the world's terrorists population.

On September 29, 2010, he was killed in action on his first deployment. From his death notification to my family, to the Dignified Transfer ceremony at Dover, to his viewing, funeral, and subsequent memorials, I was amazed at the new world of heroes and warriors we met. These men and women have become close to our family and been huge supports. But they also stood out because of their willingness to voluntarily fight evil. They believed in freedom and liberty. Because of their actions, I started this podcast to interview great Americans who serve their country and communities.

By supporting this podcast, you help support The Mark Forester Foundation and its cause.

I interview those from all branches of the military, serving multiple roles (combat controllers, PJs, Green Berets, SEALs, Rangers, Infantrymen, Marines, Pilots, etc) and the US government. In addition, I speak with your everyday mom who goes about doing good--from starting a non-profit to fighting for freedom in our communities and schools. I also get to talk with Gold Star Parents, Siblings and Spouses, and Medal of Honor recipients.

This provides an opportunity to learn about everyday Americans who go above and beyond to protect us and to help others. As a Gold Star brother, many of my guests have a military connection, but I still have a wide variety of people who answer the call to serve in various ways.

We talk fighting terrorism, self-protection, exercise, mental toughness, charity, parenting, fugitives and occasionally pop culture and politics (like government overreach).

Please follow and subscribe so we can have many episodes to come. Send suggestions and questions to me at thad@patriottothecore.com. Hope you enjoy!

You can also become a patron. Your support is not considered a donation--it's a way to get something in return for helping support my cause. See link below:

Become a Patron!

Episode 043 – MAJ GEN Vinny Boles | Is your Best Getting Better?

November 27, 2017 By Thad Forester

Vinny Boles_Thad Forester After 33 years as an Army officer, Vinny Boles is getting paid to travel the globe to speak on topics he loves- leadership and supply chain.

This 2-star General shed some light on how to lead in a crisis (which applies to any profession) and how do you take bad news. The later is the most critical leadership skill.

I asked him how to keep morale up when your company is downsizing. He has interesting advice. A portion of that was that it’s critical to show empathy.

Episode 042 – TACP “George” on Healing, Forgiving, and Resiliency

November 13, 2017 By Thad Forester

military depressed

On George’s 9^th deployment in 2010, his Humvee rolled over on him a few times, which shattered his hip, broke bones in his back and screwed up his shoulder. He woke up on his way to Walter Reed where he’d spend the next seven months.

We talk in person about his recovery – not physical, but his mental and emotional recovery. Of course, George wasn’t immune to self-medicating because he didn’t want to dream. After talking with a professional, she convinced him that he suffered from Survivor’s Guilt, not Post Traumatic Stress (PTS).

George tells us of his darkest time, lashing out at his nurses and sister, drinking way too much, and then being told by a Priest that he was “being an ass.” That was a wake up call.

This is just a good interview with an American Hero who has seen hell and suffered tremendous injuries and come out even stronger physically, and especially emotionally.

Whether you’re dealing with your own trials or know someone who is, George shares some great insight on overcoming.

If you want to hear more from George, he was my guest on Episode 031.

*PTC is now on Patreon. Please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content and keep on keeping on!

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

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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Episode 041 – Hershel “Woody” Williams, Medal of Honor Recipient from Iwo Jima

October 30, 2017 By Thad Forester

Woody Williams will never forget the odor of burning human remains.

“There are some things about that 4 hours that have bothered me my whole life… I can’t remember going back and getting the other 5 flamethrowers. It was so horrific, I didn’t want to remember.”

Today’s guest is our first Medal of Honor recipient on Patriot to the Core. I was introduced to death by flamethrower after learning of Mr. Williams. He went thru 5 – 70 lb flamethrowers in a 4-hour battle on Iwo Jima. Two of the Marines assigned to him were killed that day protecting his life. He is the last surviving recipient of the Medal of Honor from that battle, and the last surviving Marine to receive the MOH for heroism in World War II.

You could say Mr. Williams lived a sheltered life up until his time in the military. Prior, he’d never heard of Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Ocean, or Japan. He joined the Marines to protect his country and protect his freedom. He thought he’d be staying in the U.S., but after boot camp he learned they’d be fighting the Japanese in the Pacific.

I asked, “What did you know about Iwo Jima before you got there?” His response, “Not a thing!” Later he saw the flag raised on Mount Suribachi, but didn’t consider the significance at that time. He had a job to do and wasn’t reveling in the moment.

His story is remarkable. He was awarded the MOH by Pres. Truman, but admits being more nervous to meet the Commandant of the Marine Corp than the President. He shares with us what both these men told him regarding the medal. He didn’t know anything about the MOH. Even the day he received it he didn’t know what it was about.

I even get his opinion on the NFL controversies over kneeling during the National Anthem. Awesome interview. You should read his medal citation below and learn more about him at these links:

Read his Medal of Honor Citation

Learn about his foundation:

Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation

*PTC is now on Patreon. Please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content and keep on keeping on!

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

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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Episode 040 – CCT Mark Lauren | You Are Your Own Gym

October 16, 2017 By Thad Forester

mark lauren

Mark Lauren is a bodyweight expert. His fitness method is for “real men and women with real lives … giving the ability to train alone anywhere, any time, without the crutch of personal trainers and gyms.”

Mark honed the programs and myriad exercises in his book, “You Are Your Own Gym“, while preparing hundreds of trainees for the extreme demands of the most elite levels of the US Special Operations community. The military’s most advanced forces – from Navy SEALs to Army Green Berets to Air Force Special Tactics Operators – use these exercises as the backbone to their strength training.

Lauren says, “What if I told you that you already have the most advanced fitness machine ever created? Your own body.”
We have a great discussion about his time in the Air Force combat control pipeline, failing by one push up and having to start over. Then becoming an instructor in that same pipeline and developing a specific physical training program for AFSOC warriors.

A few topics we cover:

What movements do you need in order to survive?
Developing skills not muscles
Mobility and stability
Spending more time on the ground
His thoughts on CrossFit
One dumb decision in Thailand got his mouth wired shut

This guy is unique. This guy is cyborg. I really like what he teaches. Maybe you will too. And I can’t wait for his app to come out in Jan 2018.

Sign up for Mark’s fitness community and programs and get 20% by using coupon code PATRIOT, by going here: https://bodyweight.marklauren.com

Learn more about Mark, his programs, books and videos below:

MarkLauren.com

YouTube

Give Mark a shoutout on Instagram and Twitter

*PTC is now on Patreon. Please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content and keep on keeping on!

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

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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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