Beyond The Trek Fireside Chat: Conversations That Inspire

Beyond The Trek Fireside Chat: Conversations That Inspire

by Beyond The Trek
EntrepreneurshipMental Health
Season 1
The Green Logbook: Navigating the Transition from Service to Purpose
What happens after the uniform comes off? In this episode of Beyond The Trek Fireside Chat, we sit down with Victor De La Flor — retired U.S. Marine CWO3, creator of The Green Logbook, veteran advocate, and storyteller focused on helping veterans navigate life after service. From leadership and mindset to purpose, transition, and identity beyond the military, this conversation dives into the realities many veterans face but few openly talk about. Victor’s mission is clear: help veterans build a meaningful life after the military, not just survive it. This is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and continuing the mission long after the uniform is gone.
S1 · E25
Jun 12, 2026
1:19:14
The Founder of Project Sapient on Iraq 2003 & Real-World Action
Explicit
Summary In this engaging conversation, Ayman Kafel, founder of Project Sapient, shares his journey from a challenging childhood in Liberia to a successful career in the military and law enforcement. He discusses the importance of self-awareness, balance, and proactive training for first responders. Ayman emphasizes the need for mental health support and innovative approaches in policing, while also providing valuable advice for new officers entering the field. Takeaways Ayman Kafel emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in personal and professional growth. Entrepreneurship is a journey that requires patience and resilience. Childhood experiences shape our perspectives and drive our passions. Military service instills discipline and a sense of duty. Deployment experiences can lead to profound personal insights and emotional challenges. Transitioning to law enforcement requires adapting military skills to civilian contexts. Innovative policing strategies can lead to better community outcomes. Balancing work and family life is crucial for long-term success. Training for first responders should include mental and emotional preparedness. Finding one's purpose is essential for fulfillment in any profession.
S1 · E24
Feb 20, 2026
1:21:19
Episode 22: Lesser Known Operators - A Green Beret's Story
Explicit
In this episode of the Beyond the Trek Fireside Chat, we sit down with the voice behind Lesser Known Operators to talk about life as a Green Beret, the stories that rarely make headlines, and what it means to carry service forward beyond the uniform. This conversation goes beyond tactics and titles. We discuss identity, leadership, discipline, and the quiet weight many Special Operations veterans carry long after the mission ends. From lessons learned in service to the responsibility of telling authentic stories, this episode shines a light on the professionals who operate without recognition—and why their experiences matter. We also explore why Lesser Known Operators exists, the importance of preserving untold stories, and how sharing real experiences can help others navigating life after service, leadership roles, or personal adversity. This is a raw, honest discussion about purpose, humility, and life beyond the shadows. In This Episode, We Cover: What it really means to be a Green Beret The mission behind Lesser Known Operators Leadership lessons learned in Special Operations Identity and transition after military service Why telling authentic stories matters Life beyond the team room and the uniform Service, discipline, and purpose after the mission Why This Episode Matters Most people only see the highlight reel. This conversation focuses on the reality—the responsibility, the sacrifice, and the lifelong lessons carried by those who served quietly. Whether you’re a veteran, leader, first responder, or someone searching for purpose, this episode offers perspective that goes deeper than the surface. Listen & Subscribe 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms If this episode resonated with you: Follow the podcast Leave a review Share it with someone who needs to hear it
S1 · E22
Dec 22, 2025
50:03
Episode 21: Coaching Beyond the Weights: Andrew Kerr on Leadership, Purpose, and Building People | D1 Smoky Mountains
Explicit
In Episode 21, we sit down with Andrew Kerr — former Marine, gym owner, and current GM of D1 Smoky Mountains — to break down what real coaching looks like. This conversation goes far beyond lifting weights. Andrew dives into leadership, accountability, mindset, and how great coaches shape people, not just athletes. From the lessons he learned in the Marine Corps to building a culture of discipline and care inside D1 Training, Andrew shares how responsibility, humility, and purpose drive everything he does. If you’re a leader, coach, parent, or anyone who works with people, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you influence others and how you show up every day. Topics Include: Coaching as leadership and service Why caring about your people is the foundation of high performance Culture building inside D1 Smoky Mountains Personal responsibility and the “silent sacrifices” leaders make Mindset, resilience, and developing disciplined teams The journey from Marine to gym owner to D1 GM This episode is packed with lessons on leadership, coaching philosophy, human performance, and becoming someone others can trust and follow.
S1 · E21
Dec 9, 2025
1:00:52
Episode 20: Brad Shepherd — Trauma Recovery, First Responder Wellness & The No One Fights Alone Mission
Explicit
Episode 20 features Retired Captain Brad Shepherd — Director of Public Safety for Chateau Health & Wellness and host of the “No One Fights Alone” podcast. With 25 years of service in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Brad served across Tactical Teams, Bomb Squad, Special Operations, and Oklahoma Homeland Security, eventually becoming the Commander of the Agency Peer Support Unit. He has founded and led two nonprofit organizations supporting the first responder wellness community and is a national instructor in ICISF Critical Incident Stress Management. In this episode, Brad breaks down: Trauma recovery and post-incident processing First responder mental health & wellness frameworks CISM, peer support, and leadership under pressure Why “No One Fights Alone” matters now more than ever PTSD, suicide prevention, and supporting those who serve Lessons from decades in law enforcement and public safety This is a powerful conversation for police, fire, EMS, dispatchers, military, veterans, mental health professionals, and anyone navigating trauma, adversity, or leadership in high-stress environments.
S1 · E20
Nov 21, 2025
1:28:01
Beyond the Trek Podcast Episode 19 - Tracer Burnout
Explicit
Some stories don’t just inspire they recalibrate your mindset. We Sat down with Roger and Dan, retired veterans and hosts of the Tracer Burnout podcast a platform built to serve those who served, and to help veterans find strength, purpose, and community beyond the uniform. We talked sacrifice, identity, leadership, and the journey to rediscovering who you are when the mission changes…but the warrior spirit remains. Grateful for these men, their service, and the conversations that remind us: The mission never ends — it evolves.
S1 · E19
Nov 7, 2025
1:15:57
Beyond The Trek Podcast: Episode 18 - Nick Lavery
In this episode of Beyond The Trek Fireside Chat, we sit down with Nick Lavery — Green Beret, author, speaker, and warrior. Nick’s story is one of resilience, grit, and purpose. After surviving catastrophic injuries in combat, he made the unprecedented decision to return to active duty, continuing to serve at the highest levels of Special Operations. We discuss his journey from setback to strength, the mindset required to overcome adversity, and his mission to lead, mentor, and inspire others. Nick shares powerful insights on discipline, service, fatherhood, and living with intention. Whether you’re a leader, athlete, or anyone striving to push past limitations, Nick’s perspective will challenge you to rethink what’s possible.
S1 · E18
Nov 4, 2025
54:02
Beyond The Trek Podcast: Episode 17 - The Hobby Daddy
The Hobby Daddy: A Story of War, Fatherhood, and Finding Purpose In this powerful episode, The Hobby Daddy opens up about his life before, during, and after the war. From the joys and struggles of fatherhood to his military service, he shares the raw and emotional story of being on the ground during the chaotic withdrawal from HKIA in Afghanistan — a moment that forever changed him.
S1 · E17
Aug 4, 2025
2:19:10
Beyond The Trek Podcast: Episode 16 - JC Glick (CEO Commit Foundation, Special Operations Veteran)
JC Glick is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel who spent over 20 years serving at the highest levels of Special Operations, with multiple combat deployments around the globe. His experience leading elite teams in some of the most challenging environments has shaped his groundbreaking approach to leadership, resilience, and performance. After retiring from the military, JC transitioned to the private sector where he has continued to lead and inspire. He’s the author of 'A Light in the Darkness: Leadership Development for the Unknown,' and has worked with NFL teams, Fortune 500 companies, and educational institutions to help them unlock the full potential of their people. Today, JC serves as the CEO of The COMMIT Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans and their families navigate career transitions with purpose and success. His work continues to bridge the gap between high-performance leadership in the military and thriving in the civilian world. JC brings a rare blend of battlefield-tested wisdom, deep emotional intelligence, and forward-thinking leadership principles — and today, he’s here to share some of that insight with us.
S1 · E16
Jul 18, 2025
1:24:40
Beyond The Trek Podcast: Episode 15 - 18 Good Guy
In this powerful episode, we sit down with 18 Good Guy — a U.S. Army Green Beret, social media influencer, and unapologetically authentic voice in the veteran space. He opens up about the responsibility of representing the Special Forces community online, building a platform rooted in honesty, and using humor and vulnerability to break down barriers. This is more than just a conversation — it’s a glimpse into the life of a modern warrior forging connection and impact far beyond the uniform. Follow 18 Good Guy on social media: 📱 Instagram/TikTok/YouTube: @18goodguy #BeyondTheTrek #FiresideChat #18GoodGuy #GreenBeret #VeteranVoices #ConversationsThatInspire
S1 · E15
Jul 3, 2025
1:08:12
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