Unbeatable

Today, on the 23rd anniversary of the day following the 9/11 attacks, we remember one of the most heinous terrorist attacks in our history. In our final episode of the Unbeatable podcast, I'm honored to share Mark Clookie’s powerful story of resilience and bravery. As a former NCIS special agent, Mark was in the Pentagon when the building was attacked, and he lived through the chaos and uncertainty that followed. Mark will also take us through his time with NCIS, including his deployments in Bahrain and Okinawa, and his roles in Washington, D.C.

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Imagine losing your dad to cancer, and watching your family's multi-billion dollar real estate business crumble during the Great Recession. It's a devastating combination that would shake anyone's foundation. But for Damon Lembi, this was just the beginning of his journey. From the diamond to the boardroom, Damon Lembi's journey is one of unlikely twists and turns. A former pro baseball player turned CEO of Learn It, he's learned that success is not just about achieving your dreams, but about persevering through failures and setbacks.

In this conversation, Damon shares his unorthodox path, from battling imposter syndrome...

With a lack of self-confidence and a fear of being alone, Jenny settled into her first marriage, only to discover that her husband was a serial adulterer. For years, she struggled to come to terms with the pain and betrayal she felt, and it wasn't until she found the courage to leave that she began to rebuild her life. Today, Jenny shares her incredible story of transformation, from feeling trapped in an unhappy marriage to finding happiness and self-worth again.

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Samantha was living her best life, thriving as a successful author, single mom, and business owner. She was in her prime, with a bright future ahead of her. But everything changed in 2017 when she was involved in a devastating car accident after a truck collided with her vehicle. The injuries she sustained from the accident left her with chronic pain, and further diagnosis revealed that she had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and cranial cervical instability (CCI). In this episode, Samantha shares how she fought for her life and used crowdfunding to raise almost £750,000 for life-saving surgery.

In one of the most critical and intense missions of her career, Alani Bankhead was part of a team that neutralized three females wearing suicide vests and plotting an attack. This daring operation required precision, skill, and bravery, and high-stakes espionage. But Alani's work didn't stop there. She has also dedicated herself to fighting human trafficking and exploitation, using her expertise to identify and disrupt trafficking networks around the world. Her work has taken her to the darkest corners of the internet, where she has tracked down and dismantled criminal organizations that prey on the vulnerable.

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What would you do if you woke up one day unable to move? That’s the reality Matthew Lemke faced on January 5th, 2016, when a life-changing surgery left him a quadriplegic at just 23 years old. Diagnosed with Arnold Chiari malformation, syringomyelia, and an arachnoid cyst in 2015, Matthew made the difficult decision to undergo brain decompression surgery. The procedure, intended to alleviate his condition, instead brought an unimaginable challenge—he had to relearn everything from scratch.

But Matthew is no stranger to perseverance — he refused to give up, turning his greatest challenge into a story of resilience and faith...

When Diane Sorensen's 17-year-old daughter began self-harming, Diane confronted their generational trauma. Growing up constantly scrutinized, Diane sought approval through performance, a pattern she carried into adulthood. Now a certified transformational life coach, she emphasizes self-love and acceptance. Founder of the Beautiful Behavior Coaching Programs and host of the Beautiful Behavior Podcast, Diane helps others break free from destructive patterns and embrace authenticity. Tune in to hear her inspiring story of transformation.

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A DUI accident led Adam Hill to Alcoholics Anonymous, where he began his transformation from addiction to Ironman triathlete. Struggling with anxiety and alcoholism, Adam found strength in community and therapy. He shares insights on overcoming fear, the pressures of leading a multi-generational family business, and the importance of clear communication and structure. Discover how Adam turned his life around, embracing fear to achieve personal and professional success.

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Colonel Richard “Bucky” Mendelow opens up about the profound impact of losing his best friend and roommate, George, and how this tragedy taught him about resilience and the importance of relationships. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Colonel Mendelow recalls his family's move to the United States in 1976 and the pivotal moments that led him to join the military. He shares captivating stories from his time as a pilot, especially the intense challenges of landing on an aircraft carrier.

Richard also talks about his personal faith and how it transformed his life. Tune in as we dive into the...

Daniel Corbett III, a former elite Navy SEAL from SEAL Teams 5, 6, and 17, has transitioned into authorship and entrepreneurship. Enlisting in 2002, Corbett served in Iraq and globally with SEAL Team 6, experiencing the intense demands and rigorous standards of the unit. Post-Navy, he faced an 18-month wrongful imprisonment in Serbia, accused of plotting to assassinate the president. His book, 'American Mercenary,' explores his journey from military service to private contracting, offering a unique insider's perspective.

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Jeremy Harrell, an esteemed U.S. Army Combat Veteran of Iraqi Freedom, dedicated nine years of his life to honorable service, rising to the rank of Non-Commissioned Officer. Following his military career, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a steadfast commitment to his fellow veterans, Jeremy established Veteran’s Club Inc. in Kentucky upon retirement. This nonprofit has made a profound impact on countless veterans through pioneering programs designed to enhance their lives. Jeremy's leadership and advocacy remain instrumental in enriching and empowering the veteran community across the nation.

Heavy Victory LLC CEO and Denver Police Sgt. Justin Dodge faced a life-changing moment when he was critically injured, pinned beneath an 80-000 pound firetruck during the Nuggets Championship Parade. Despite losing his leg in this harrowing incident, Justin refused to be defeated. In this episode of Unbeatable, he shares his remarkable journey—from his family’s legacy of public service to the demanding path of becoming a SWAT officer. Justin opens up about the immense challenges of recovery, the crucial role of positivity, and his unwavering determination to return to duty. His story is a testament to the indo...

Meet Sgt. Michael Sugrue, a retired police sergeant with over 14 years of service. His life took a profound turn after a tragic incident pushed him to the edge. Through sheer courage and determination, Michael embarked on a journey of survival, recovery, and healing. Now, he shares his story to offer strength to others facing similar challenges.

In this episode, we dived into the unseen challenges officers encounter in the aftermath of incidents—highlighting the often-overlooked secondary trauma that magnifies their struggles. Beyond the initial shock, they endure unyielding scrutiny, media exposure, and institutional betrayal, leading to severe me...

Steven's entrepreneurial spirit was shaped by his immigrant upbringing. "I'm the son of immigrants from the former Soviet Union," he explains. Inspired by his parents' work ethic, he launched his first business to provide services directly to large companies. In this episode, he discusses his experiences with ultra races, mountaineering, and Ironman triathlons, highlighting the challenges and triumphs. Steven also shares insights from building and selling a successful software company, emphasizing perseverance, teamwork, and giving back.

Growing up, Quintina Sonnie endured a childhood marked by abandonment, sexual assault, abusive relationships, and domestic sexual exploitation. During these times, she often faced “choiceless choices.” Quintina eventually broke free from her life as a victim and is now thriving. She draws on her traumatic experiences to empower women to heal themselves, helping them discover joy and love. Through her work, Quintina provides tools and support to help women avoid similar traumas and assists those who are trapped in abusive situations to break free. In this episode, Quintina shares her powerful story of escaping a life of trafficking and how...

Meet Paul Pape, an entertainment dynamo. From his early acting days in high school to his current role behind the scenes, Paul's journey is defined by his fearless approach to challenges. Known for his lightning-fast, high-quality work and his belief in learning and innovation, Paul thrives on tight deadlines and problem-solving. With experiences ranging from The Tonight Show to Harry Potter World, he's the go-to guy for mastering the entertainment industry's secrets.

Join Ann C.K. Nickell as she shares her remarkable transformation. Hear how she overcame a toxic marriage, a near-death experience, and the threat of amputation, fueled by the power of prayer and gratitude. Ann didn't just survive—she thrived. She defied the odds, learned to walk again, and became a published author despite industry challenges. Now, as a coach, speaker, and author, Ann empowers others to find their own strength.

Angela Fuller is a motivational speaker, athlete, and warrior of Christ who has overcome significant challenges, including chronic back pain, a severe car accident, and postpartum depression. Angela’s journey of faith and resilience culminated in her participation in season 15 of American Ninja Warrior, where she inspired many with her infectious positivity and determination.

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Listen to Chris Dreisbach as he shares his inspiring journey from addiction to redemption. He opens up about the challenges he faced and the lessons he learned along the way. From his idyllic upbringing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to the depths of addiction and incarceration, Chris shares his story with raw honesty. Discover how he broke free from heroin’s grip and rebuilt lives through community projects and entrepreneurship.

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Last week, I interviewed legendary champion bare-knuckle fighter Bobby Gunn. My guest today is the journalist who wrote the book Bare Knuckle about Bobby's life. Stayton Bonner was at the top of the journalism world, working for GQ and later as a senior editor for Rolling Stone. But he gave it all up when he became fascinated by Bobby’s life and the brutal underground world of bare-knuckle fighting. He spent 12 years researching to tell this story of survival, honor, grit, and the beginning of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

Bobby Gunn is a champion bare-knuckle fighter who has never been defeated in 73 fights. His life is like a Rocky story, and he has fought to survive against gang members, bodyguards, and even a Russian mobster. He talks about the corruption and politics in professional boxing compared to the fairness and honor he found in the underground bare-knuckle fighting world. You’ll hear the driving force behind what kept him going through challenges in his career and what he says are the 2 things that can help you overcome any obstacle in life.

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Anthony Lee is a marathon runner and founder of Zapp Mortgage. Today we discuss his vast experience running marathons, his military career as an Air Force PJ, and his journey as an entrepreneur. Anthony shares his mindset of perseverance and determination that give him the ability to overcome obstacles and achieve goals. He also emphasizes the importance of always giving back. We talk about our recent experiences running the Boston Marathon and the challenges we faced due to the heat, as well as the significance of the Boston Marathon and the impact of the Boston bombing.

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Command Sergeant Major Walt Zajkowski and I are two of the world’s biggest fans of the Best Ranger Competition. And since the 2024 competition is this weekend, we sat down to talk about what makes this endurance race so great and so unique. We are both past winners, but Walt is one of the very few who has won it more than once, and he has competed an incredible 8 times!

Aside from the competition, Walt has had a highly distinguished military career, where he has served the US Army since 1994 and has won numerous awards.

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With more than 55 years in the courtroom, Norman Shabel has heard heartbreaking stories and seen the worst evil people can do to one another. Growing up on the streets of Brooklyn and Brownsville, NY, prepared him for the hard life he would have to live as a criminal prosecutor.

From his decades of legal career as a personal injury plaintiff and class action attorney, Norman gives the one question you must ask before hiring an attorney to represent you in court. Now retired from practicing law, Norman continues to impact people by turning prominent court cases into...

Dennis was a United States Air Force fighter pilot, doing exactly what he had always dreamed of doing…until a heart condition stopped him in his tracks, forcing him to completely change his career path. He has been the CEO of 6 businesses and is an organizational coach and speaker, helping leaders turn their teams around and vastly improve performance. He has also released a book called The Disciple Dilemma to challenge how leaders view discipleship.

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Living with disabilities, a serious health condition, abuse, living on the streets, and being a single mom to children with disabilities would break almost anyone. But Allison is tougher than most people, and she has used these experiences to her advantage. She recently published her first book, with more on the way, and she is a certified NLP Life Coach specializing in supporting and giving hope to parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities.

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Growing up in a mining town in the UK in the 80s was not easy. Jack Gregory always felt different from everyone else, which led to trouble in school and drug addiction at an early age. By age 12, he was being abused and trafficked by adults. His teen years and 20s were full of loss, homelessness, and attempts to take his life. In his 30s, two events happened that completely turned his life around. Today he has consulted on 2 Hollywood films, written books, and hosts a podcast called Live and Undrugged as ‘The Accidental Journalist’ where he interviews other surv...

Lindy is the daughter of the legendary entertainer Pat Boone and grew up singing constantly with her family. But growing up in a famous household couldn’t shield her from tragedy. In 2001, her son Ryan fell 3 stories onto concrete, suffering some of the most severe brain injuries possible. In a moment, Lindy’s life changed, and she has been a caregiver ever since. Her family has used the strength and experience they’ve gained over the years to start a non-profit called Ryan’s Reach that supports other survivors of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and their families. And today she is r...

Mike started off with every disadvantage: born to a 16-year old single mother, living in section 8 housing in San Diego, failing in school, struggling with ADD and ADHD, getting in trouble… But he always dreamed that he was going to ‘make it’. Now he is an award-winning entrepreneur running several multi-million dollar companies and coaching others to do the same. He’s been featured in Forbes and Neur Magazine, and made Inc 5000 1332 fastest growing CEOs in America.

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Will had dreamed of joining the Royal Marines his entire life; it’s all he wanted to do. However, a major leg injury completely shattered that dream, leaving him with no plan, very little money, and in a deep depression. He decided to empty his bank account and spend 2 years backpacking in India. That transformative decision ignited a passion for travel and digital entrepreneurship that has made him millions. He is the founder of The Broke Backpacker, which teaches people ‘how to travel the world on $10/day’.

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Mike spent 34 years as a firefighter, mostly in Southern California, where fires can quickly get out of control with the dry climate. In June of 1984, when winds suddenly shifted, he and his team almost lost their lives in a major firestorm that devastated the entire area. That event strengthened both him and his faith, which he would need later when a financial storm came that relocated his entire family.

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Beau Maier struggled after serving in the Army. He didn’t realize how much other veterans also struggled until attending the funeral of a buddy who committed suicide. Right then, he and and a friend decided they were going to do something about the veteran suicide epidemic, and to raise awareness, they signed up for the toughest rowing race in the world with almost no rowing experience. That decision gave his life purpose, and his team became the first ever all-American, all-veteran team to row a rowboat 3,000 miles across the Atlantic ocean.  

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Ken Bevel is a US Marine Corps veteran who, with no acting experience, suddenly found himself with major roles in movies that have reached millions of people. He has starred in both Fireproof and Courageous by Sherwood Pictures, and the impact of those films has transformed marriages and parents everywhere. 

Ken joined the US Marine Corps at age 17 to escape life on the streets. He got into trouble early on, and then something happened that dramatically changed his life and military career. Today, after retiring as a Captain in 2011, he uses his skills at Sherwood Baptist Church, g...

Dre Baldwin played professional basketball for 9 years, even though he was cut from his high school team 3 times. To get to the pro level, it took incredible resourcefulness, discipline, and a never-give-up focus. Knowing basketball couldn’t last forever, those same characteristics led him to be a pioneer as an online entrepreneur. He has created over 400 products, has over 100,000 YouTube subscribers, and 4.5 Million downloads of his Work On Your Game podcast.

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Jose Pereira was months away from retiring as the CEO of Citgo after a 35-year career when he and 5 company vice presidents (The Citgo 6) were suddenly arrested and imprisoned in Venezuela, falsely accused of espionage, corruption, and treason. He spent the next 4 years and 8 months as a pawn in a political dispute, not knowing if he would ever see his family again. After finally being released, he has been completely dedicated to using his experience to spread a message of resilience, hope, faith, and survival.

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U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ron Breland (Ret.) served in the United States Army from 1990 to 2005 as a DoD Certified Firefighter and a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Specialist. He and I were in Somalia at the same time, and he also served in Kosovo and Iraq. During his military career, he suffered a traumatic brain injury and consistently struggled with PTS at a time when no one talked about it. When he reached the point of suicide, his life took a dramatic turn, and now he spends every day serving veterans who feel lost and hopeless.

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Today we kick off 2024 with a Marine Corps veteran whose life completely turned upside down when he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan in 2010. His massive injuries resulted in him becoming a triple amputee, which led to drug addiction and multiple arrests. But, something happened at a gas station one day, and now he is sober, an endurance athlete, inspiring others, and has even co-founded a company called For Freedom Fundraising.

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-How growing up on a farm in Montana prepared him for the Marine Corps

-Exactly what happened in Afghanistan an...

Wow, what an amazing year! We’ve heard some incredible stories from amazing people. I end almost every episode honored to be able to share these stories with the Unbeatable Army. In this special year-end episode, we go back over the greatest moments of 2023, as voted on by you.

You heard from musicians, the military, and everyday people. And the #1 most downloaded episode from 2023 will surprise you! I even get a chance to bring you one of my favorite moments from this year. Stay tuned for some equally amazing guests this coming year.

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Imagine having to unexpectedly take over a failing company in your early 20s and at the same time, learning your father has a completely different life that you knew nothing about. This happened to Matthew Lesser, and the stress of it all sent his whole life into a downward spiral for years. But with divine intervention, he rebuilt and became stronger than ever before. Today, he’s written 2 books, and he’s the founder of Uniquely Normal, which trains leaders on creating teams that are fully engaged and excited in their work.

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Bobby Harrington says he is not a “born leader” or “natural leader”. However, he has successfully led large teams in sports, the Marine Corps, and in the business sector. He learned leadership skills as a Desert Shield/Desert Storm Gulf War veteran and through leading at Chevron for almost 2 decades. Now he has a passion for using his 34 years of experience to build up the next generation of leaders as CEO of Rubicon COA, and he’s recently published a book called Lead You: The Winning Combination to Achieve Personal and Professional Success.

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