Team Never Quit

Finding Her Voice: Surviving the Troubled Teen Industry and Breaking the Silence
What happens when the very people and institutions meant to protect you become the source of your deepest trauma?

This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie welcome Jessy Greer, an actress, comedian, writer, and courageous survivor of the troubled teen industry, whose journey from trauma to healing is a powerful testament to resilience and the determination to reclaim one's voice.
Growing up in Houston, Texas, Jessy had a natural gift for comedy and performance. But behind her creative spirit...

From the cockpit of an Apache attack helicopter to the front lines of Veteran mental health advocacy and entrepreneurship, Adam Marr has dedicated his life to answering the call to serve.
A U.S. Army combat Veteran and former AH-64D/E Apache pilot, Adam knows firsthand the demands of combat, the invisible wounds of war, and the challenges of finding purpose beyond military service. His personal journey through trauma, healing, and renewed faith ultimately transformed his understanding of leadership and what it truly means to serve others.
After experiencing the shortcomings of traditional mental health care...

Captain Dan Moran: Still in the Fight — Courage, Recovery, Service & New Hope for Veterans

This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie Luttrell welcome retired U.S. Marine Corps Captain Dan Moran — a combat-wounded Marine whose life reflects courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to continue serving others.
During his second deployment to Ramadi, Iraq, Dan’s platoon was hit in a devastating enemy ambush. He suffered third-degree burns over roughly 50 percent of his body, a T-8 vertebra compression fracture, herniated discs, a traumatic brain injury, and an inhalation injury.
His recovery requir...

In this week’s Team Never Quit podcast, Marcus and Melanie host Sister Madeleine Marie and other representatives from The Daughters of Mary Mother of Our Savior, a congregation of traditional Catholic Sisters devoted to a life of prayer, service, and religious formation. Founded in the summer of 1984, the Congregation’s motherhouse, St. Joseph’s Novitiate, is located in upstate New York, where young women discerning religious life are formed spiritually and practically as they prepare to become Daughters of Mary.

Life at St. Joseph’s Novitiate follows a semi-contemplative rhythm centered on both prayer and work. Candidat...

Sujo John: Surviving 9/11, Finding Purpose, and Living the Gospel Out Loud

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie meet with Sujo John, who, on the morning of September 11, 2001, went to work on the 81st floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center carrying a question that had been weighing heavily on his heart: What is my purpose?

Just months earlier, Sujo and his wife, Mary, had moved from India to begin a new life in America. They were expecting their first child, building successful careers, and seemingly living the American dream. Su...

Surviving 9/11: A Story of Providence, Courage & Remembrance

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie meet with Daniel Geraghty, who shares his deeply personal and harrowing account of surviving the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Daniel was a newlywed, transitioning from military life into the corporate world, and working near the World Trade Center. On that September morning, he was preparing to make his way to Tower 2 for business. A seemingly insignificant series of delays—including an unexpected breakfast with his mother-in-law and spilled coffee on his shirt and tie—changed the course of his...

Jeremy Holck: Building a Legacy with Bobcat Company

This week, Marcus and Melanie welcome Jeremy Holck, Vice President of Sales for Bobcat Company, for a conversation about leadership, American manufacturing, supporting hardworking communities, and building equipment designed to make a lasting impact.

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, Bobcat Company is marking the historic occasion with the release of its limited-edition Founders Edition ZT3500 zero-turn mower. Only 250 individually numbered machines will be produced, each featuring a commemorative Founders Edition badge, American flag accents, blacked-out rims and tailgate, and an upgraded seat platform designed...

A Lifeline for Babies in Crisis – Featuring Monica Kelsey

This episode is a rebroadcast of an earlier release. Be sure to listen to Melanie Luttrell’s powerful new update at the beginning.
In this powerful episode, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Monica Kelsey, founder and Executive Director of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing infant abandonment by providing mothers in crisis a safe, legal, and anonymous option to surrender their newborns.
Monica’s journey is deeply personal. Born after her teenage mother was raped and hidden away during pregnancy, Monica was ab...

The Luttrell Family Takes on “El Camino de Santiago”
This week’s episode of Team Never Quit takes listeners on a journey unlike any other, as Marcus, Melanie, and the Luttrell family share the story of their trek along the legendary El Camino de Santiago.

Known for its history, beauty, challenge, and spiritual significance, El Camino is more than a trail—it is a journey of endurance, reflection, connection, and discovery. In this special family episode, everyone contributes to the story, walking listeners through the experience day by day.

From the excitement of beginning the trek...

Intro: Medal of Honor
• Edward Isaac, Naval Officer was captured by the Germans in 1918 (2:46)
• From the moment he was captured, he was trying to escape. (2:52)
• He jumped out of a moving train. The man just refused to give up. (3:02)
• He wanted to stop the whole damn war (3:35)
•  He would risk everything to bring his intelligence to the allies and help finally destroy the enemy fleet. (9:20)

THIS WEEK'S TEAM NEVER QUIT EPISODE
 
Defying the Odds — Vance Walker’s Back-to-Back Ninja Warrior Victories
This week on the Team Never Quit podcast, we welcome Ameri...

NEVER QUIT THROUGH GRIEF
This week’s episode of the Team Never Quit Podcast features an extraordinary woman whose life has been marked by unimaginable hardship, relentless perseverance, and a mission to bring hope to others. Angela Skudin shares her deeply personal journey through chronic illness, devastating loss, and ultimately, purpose.

After battling Lyme Disease and debilitating co-infections that left her bedridden for more than a year, Angela found herself searching for answers beyond traditional medicine. When conventional treatments failed to restore her health, she courageously pursued alternative healing modalities and psychedelic-assisted therapies. By 2022, Angela had re...

Carry the Legacy: Turning Loss into a Lifelong Mission
This week, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Ryan Manion, a remarkable leader, advocate, and Gold Star sister whose life mission is rooted in service, resilience, and legacy.
Ryan’s story begins with the life and sacrifice of her brother, Travis Manion, a U.S. Marine who gave his life on April 29, 2007, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, while drawing enemy fire away from his wounded teammates. But as Ryan shares in this episode, her life has not been defined by that tragedy—it has been inspired by it.
A...

The Gift: Phil Heath on Greatness, Grit, and the Mr. Olympia Mindset

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie are joined by none other than Phil Heath, a seven-time Mr. Olympia champion and one of the most iconic names in modern bodybuilding. Known as “The Gift,” Phil shares his journey from a basketball scholarship at the University of Denver to becoming one of the most genetically gifted and mentally driven athletes in bodybuilding history.
In this conversation, Phil opens up about his early days as a collegiate athlete, how he transitioned into bodybuilding, and wh...

DOOM 34: The 35-Hour Mission That Helped Launch Desert Storm
Colonel Trey Morriss, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) is a former B-52 aviator, commander, and decorated combat veteran who served more than 31 years in support of the legendary Eighth Air Force. He joins Marcus and Melanie in the Team Never Quit podcast studio today. Colonel Morriss, a key figure in one of the most daring missions in modern military aviation, Trey was part of the record-setting opening strike of Desert Storm—the longest combat sortie in history at the time. After 9/11, he went on to fly 32 combat missions over Af...

From Victim to Victor: Wendi Rees on Faith, Trauma, and Unexpected Paths to Healing

What if the tools for healing were already placed within God’s creation? And what if the journey toward restoration could be both deeply spiritual and profoundly transformative?
This week’s Team Never Quit Podcast guest, Wendi Rees, is an author, speaker, and podcast host who brings a powerful testimony of faith, resilience, and healing. In her new book, The Christian’s Guide to Psychedelics: Finding Hope and Healing Through God’s Creation, Wendi explores a thoughtful and faith-centered perspective on the role cer...

From Navy SEAL to Venture Builder:
Nuri Golan on Turning Elite Operators into Elite Entrepreneurs

In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie are joined by Nuri Golan, a man who proves that elite performance doesn’t end when the uniform comes off — it evolves.
A Veteran and Officer in the Israeli Navy SEALs, Nuri transitioned from high-stakes maritime operations to high-impact venture creation. Today, he is a serial entrepreneur, startup advisor, investor, and Managing Partner of Vetted — a powerful platform helping combat veterans build world-class companies.
In this episode, Nuri shares h...

Protecting the Voiceless: Bill Waybourn on Human Trafficking and Hidden Abuse

This week, Marcus and Melanie sit down with one of Texas’ most respected law enforcement leaders and advocates for the vulnerable — Sheriff Bill Waybourn.
With more than three decades of service, Bill’s career has been defined by courage, conviction, and a relentless commitment to protecting both communities and the voiceless.
From pioneering groundbreaking DWI reform programs to shaping Texas firearm legislation, Bill has stood at the intersection of public safety, constitutional rights, and moral responsibility.
But beyond the badge, Bill’s story is also...

Forged by Fire: Jesse James on Craftsmanship, Controversy, and Reinvention

This week, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Jesse James, one of the most influential custom motorcycle builders of the modern era. A fabricator at heart and an old-school craftsman by trade, Jesse is best known as the founder of West Coast Choppers, a brand that redefined the custom chopper world with raw metal, rigid frames, and uncompromising attention to detail.
Jesse’s journey began in his mother’s garage, where he learned the art of fabrication under the mentorship of legendary hot rod builder Boyd Codd...

Making the Invisible Visible: A SEAL’s Mission to Redefine Mental Health

This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Jonathan Wilson, founder and CEO of INVI MindHealth, a groundbreaking mental-health technology company built on one powerful mission: to save and improve lives by making the invisible visible.
Jonathan’s journey is anything but ordinary. He began his professional career serving over a decade as a United States Navy SEAL, deploying to multiple combat theaters across several SEAL Teams. After leaving active duty, he carried the mindset of service into the...

Mind Over Body & Boots on the Ground:
A Candid Conversation with Marcus Luttrell and Dale Brisby
In this powerful and unexpectedly entertaining episode, Marcus Luttrell sits down with rodeo icon and Western humorist Dale Brisby for a wide-ranging conversation that blends discipline, faith, grit, and good-natured cowboy wisdom.
Marcus opens up in remarkable detail about his recent 40-day fast, sharing the physical, mental, and spiritual journey that led to a staggering 70-pound weight loss. He speaks candidly about the motivation behind the fast, the challenges he faced, the mental toughness required to stay the course, and the...

Eight Deployments, One Mission: Chad Robichaux and the Call to Never Quit
What an incredible guest we have on this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast.
Marcus engages in a compelling discussion with former Force Recon Marine, Chad Robichaux. With eight deployments to Afghanistan as part of a Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) Task Force, Chad overcame his personal battles with PTSD after nearly becoming a veteran suicide statistic.
Chad is the founder of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, serving the active duty, military veteran and first responder communities around the world with highly successful faith-based combat trauma an...

Fighter Pilot Survival: Kegan Gill's Battle Beyond the Battlefield

In this extraordinary episode, Marcus and Melanie meet with retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot Kegan Gill, whose story is nothing short of miraculous. Kegan survived a catastrophic ejection from his aircraft during a training mission over the Atlantic Ocean, where he ejected directly into the sound barrier. The injuries he sustained in that moment were severe enough to kill most people – his limbs torn apart and a traumatic brain injury among them. But Kegan's ordeal was only beginning.

Plunged into the icy waters of the Atlantic wi...

This episode includes sensitive content and may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
On July 4th, a devastating flood swept through Kerrville, Texas, forever altering countless lives. Among those impacted was John Dustin Ledford, whose world was turned upside down as he began a desperate search for his sister, brother-in-law, and young nephew in the chaotic aftermath of the storm.
In this heartbreaking and deeply human episode of the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie meet with Dustin, who courageously shares the raw details of those terrifying hours and days — the uncertainty, the fear, an...

Rising Above: From Runaway Kid to Green Beret, Cop, and Creator
This week’s Team Never Quit episode brings you a raw, unfiltered, and deeply inspiring conversation with Sean Rogers - a man who has lived several lifetimes’ worth of adversity, discipline, transformation, and impact.
From a desert town to the global stage, Rogers’ story is one of resilience forged under pressure. Born in California and raised in Phelan, his early years were marked by chaos and instability. After running away from home as a teenager, he refused to let hardship dictate his future. He finished high school on his...

From Battlefield to Boardroom:
A Global Legacy of Courage, Compassion & Leadership
This week, the Team Never Quit Podcast welcomes a truly extraordinary guest: Dr. Sudip Bose — emergency physician, Iraq War veteran, entrepreneur, medical innovator, and one of the world’s most dynamic voices at the intersection of medicine, military leadership, and business.
Few leaders embody resilience and global perspective the way Dr. Bose does. His story spans continents, combat zones, emergency rooms, and corporate boardrooms—all shaped by deep heritage and a lifelong commitment to service.

A Legacy Rooted in Courage and Heritage
Born in the...

The Trident: Leadership Lessons from the Battlefield to the Boardroom
This week, Marcus, Melanie welcome an extraordinary warrior, leader, and encourager—Jason Redman, retired Navy SEAL, bestselling author, and one of the most respected voices on resilience and overcoming adversity.
Jason served 21 years in the U.S. Navy, including 11 years as an enlisted SEAL and 10 years as a SEAL officer, leading combat operations across the globe. His career is a study in grit, redemption, and relentless dedication—from early deployments in Central and South America to commanding SEAL teams in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But Jason’s life shifte...

From a U. S. Army Combat Veteran Mindset to Tractor Supply Leadership: Building Teams, Safety, and Continuous Improvement

This week, Marcus and Melanie welcome Rodney Bailey, a devoted husband, father, and decorated U.S. Army combat veteran whose leadership has been shaped by four combat tours and distinguished honors, including the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal.
He now applies that mission-driven discipline at Tractor Supply Company, where he leads operations and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen safety, streamline performance, and unlock millions in new production capacity.
A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Human Performance...

From the Skies Over Vietnam to the Power of Healing — The Story of Mike Penn
 This week’s Team Never Quit guest, Mike Penn, embodies courage, resilience, and grace under pressure. A Navy fighter pilot who served in Vietnam over 50 years ago, Penn’s life took a dramatic turn on August 6, 1972, during his 85th combat mission off the USS Midway. Shot down and captured by enemy forces, he endured eight harrowing months as a POW in Hanoi, facing starvation, torture, and isolation. Losing 60 pounds and battling injuries from the crash, he survived where many did not.
Upon returning home, P...

From the Battlefield to Breakthrough: The Kalob Creighton Story
This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast, we sit down with Special Forces Green Beret Kalob Creighton, whose story embodies the essence of courage, faith, and the power of healing.
Kalob’s journey began on the battlefield—serving his nation with honor and sacrifice. But his most life-changing battle didn’t happen overseas; it happened at home. During a late-night burglary attempt, Kalob was shot while shielding his toddler from danger. The bullet remains lodged near his spine—a constant reminder of that night and the uncertainty that followed...

More Than the Uniform: Greg Froelick’s Pursuit of Purpose
This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie sit down with former Navy SEAL and private aviation businessman*, Greg Froelick—a man who has dedicated his life to excellence, discipline, and service both on and off the battlefield.
Greg’s journey began after college, when he chose to serve his country and earned his place among the elite ranks of the U.S. Navy SEAL Teams. His time in special operations sharpened his perspective on resilience, teamwork, and intentional living—lessons he now carries into every co...

From Marine… to Green Beret… to Peacemaker
This week, Marcus and Melanie sit down with an unconventional warrior with an unconventional calling—Christian Hickey, Founder and CEO of the Triple A Authority Foundation, husband, father of three, Marine, Police Officer, Green Beret, and now… missionary on the front lines of Ukraine.
Christian’s journey reads like a novel you’d assume was fiction—yet every chapter is true.
For over 15 years of military service and 15 years in law enforcement, Christian has lived a life of duty—to God, to his country, and to his community. His time as a United Stat...

From SEAL to Studio: The Art of Grit with Justin Hughes
In this week’s episode of the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus, Melanie, and Hunter sit down with Justin Hughes — former Navy SEAL turned professional oil painter — whose journey from the battlefield to the art studio embodies the essence of transformation, discipline, and creative courage.
Based out of Charleston, South Carolina, Justin has redefined what it means to serve and to create. As a self-taught representational artist, he channels the lessons, emotions, and intensity of his time in the SEAL Teams into his paintings, merging the warrior spirit...

A Real American – Born in Poland.
In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus & Melanie meet with Drago Dzieran, a former political prisoner for his activism against Communism. After arriving in the United States unable to speak English, Drago eventually became a US citizen, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and trained to serve as a Navy SEAL. In Iraq, he fought in over 100 combat missions as the Naval Special Warfare Lead Breacher. Drago was awarded Bronze Star with “V” for valor, Navy Commendation Medal with “V” for valor, in addition to other various awards and decorations.
Following hi...

The Crawl: How Jake Schmitt Survived a Mountain Crash — Thanks to His Dog
In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus & Melanie sit down with Utah hunting guide Jake Schmitt to hear his incredible story of survival in the Uintah Mountains. What began as a summer scouting trip for mule deer turned into an 11-hour crawl for his life — with only his dog, Buddy, by his side.
Jake shares how he went from releasing an elk calf from a trap to being crushed in a UTV rollover, and how his knowledge of self-rescue, grit, and an extraordinary bond w...

Kaj Larsen: From Navy SEAL to Groundbreaking Journalist

This week on the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie welcome an extraordinary guest whose life reads like an action thriller—Kaj Larsen. Born in Santa Cruz, California, Kaj earned his Political Science degree from UC Santa Cruz and went on to Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government for a master’s in Public Policy, where he was a Shorenstein Center fellow and a joint fellow at Tufts Jebsen Center for Counter-Terrorism Studies.
Kaj’s journey is anything but ordinary. Before breaking stories on global conflict zones, he served f...

Exposing Big Food, Big Pharma, and the Path to True Health

In this week’s episode, Marcus, Melanie meet with Calley Means — entrepreneur, healthcare reform advocate, and co-founder of TrueMed. Calley has been making waves in the national conversation about health, nutrition, and the systems driving chronic disease.
As a former consultant to some of the largest food and pharmaceutical companies in the world, Calley offers a rare insider’s perspective on how financial incentives can prioritize profits over people. Now, through TrueMed, he’s working to flip the script — helping Americans use tax-free health savings accounts to pay for...

Mindset Matters.
In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, we are honored to host a remarkable individual who has not only mastered the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but has also conquered the world's highest peak – Mount Everest. Join us as Marcus and Melanie delve into the incredible journey of Cesalina Gracie. Hailing from a family that pioneered and revolutionized this martial art, Cesalina has carried the torch forward, dedicating her life to mastering the intricacies of Jiu-Jitsu. Cesalina shares insights into the mental and physical preparation required for both the Jiu-Jitsu arena and the formidable slopes of Everest. How...

Unstoppable: Anthony Robles on Defying the Odds and Dominating the Mat
In this week’s episode of the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus, Melanie, and Hunter welcome NCAA wrestling champion and three-time All-American Anthony Robles. Born with one leg, Anthony refused to let his circumstances define him, instead rewriting the rules of perseverance and grit to capture the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championship for Arizona State University—earning the nickname “The Beast.”
Anthony’s story of resilience has inspired millions, chronicled in his autobiography Unstoppable and the upcoming feature film of the same name. Beyond the mat, he has built a powerful...

TNQP Internal Episode – Summer of 2025 Recap
 
In this week’s special edition of the Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus, Melanie, and Hunter look back on the summer of 2025—a season filled with unforgettable adventures, joyful moments, and one devastating event. Marcus and Hunter recount their personal involvement in the recovery efforts during the tragic 4th of July flood in Kerrville, Texas, offering a raw glimpse into the resilience and service that define the TNQ spirit.
But this episode is more than a recap. It’s a reminder of what life can be when rooted in family, fun, patriotis...

In the Trenches: The Journey of Robert Gallery from College Star to NFL Standout
Join Marcus and Melanie as they welcome Robert Gallery, former NFL offensive lineman, College Football Hall of Famer, and one of the most celebrated athletes to come out of the University of Iowa.
Robert’s football journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Starting as a tight end at Iowa, he transitioned to offensive tackle, paving the way for a stellar collegiate career. A two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection, Robert was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2003 and capped off his senior ye...