Strength in Numbers

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with boxer, Essence Jones.Essence is one of the strongest men out there. When we say "strong", we are not talking about how far he can run or how much weight he can lift. True strength is being able to rise to the top and be successful, even when life throws you curve balls. A true champion knows when to roll with the punches and when to throw them! Many of you may not know this, but Essence was in prison for 9 years for a mistake he made when he was just 18 years old. He said that while he was locked up, boxing is what literally kept him sane. It was a light in his life, and now he is using that light to shine in our community. Just wait- this is only the beginning.The Strength in Numbers podcast is the brainchild of Neal Keohane. At the very beginning of COVID, which seemed terrifying (and still is…), he wanted to provide a resource for folks to use. We went through several iterations and after discussion, we concluded that tactical resource needs were being met but what we need more of was inspiration. Thus, Strength is focused on “together, we can overcome anything” and people who demonstrate “grit, determination, and perseverance.”Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with the director of Support the Troops, Mark Van Trees.Mark Van Trees is the director of Support the Troops, a non profit that ships care packages to the forward operating bases in Afghanistan. Additional care packages are sent to 24 bases in the United States for troops returning from Afghanistan.The Strength in Numbers podcast is the brainchild of Neal Keohane. At the very beginning of COVID, which seemed terrifying (and still is…), he wanted to provide a resource for folks to use. We went through several iterations and after discussion, we concluded that tactical resource needs were being met but what we need more of was inspiration. Thus, Strength is focused on “together, we can overcome anything” and people who demonstrate “grit, determination, and perseverance.”Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Founder and CEO of American Bionics, Steven Galeazzi.Steven founded the ABP after experiencing disability in his own family, including a brother who was wounded while serving in Afghanistan. Mr. Galeazzi holds degrees from Loyola University Maryland, Columbia Business School, and New York University. He is a former Captain in the US Army and his professional experience includes management consulting as well as leading startup and small business ventures. He’s a health and fitness enthusiast, explorer, and outdoor adventurer. He lives in New York, NY.The Strength in Numbers podcast is the brainchild of Neal Keohane. At the very beginning of COVID, which seemed terrifying (and still is…), he wanted to provide a resource for folks to use. We went through several iterations and after discussion, we concluded that tactical resource needs were being met but what we need more of was inspiration. Thus, Strength is focused on “together, we can overcome anything” and people who demonstrate “grit, determination, and perseverance.”Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Updike, a member of 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).The Strength in Numbers podcast is the brainchild of Neal Keohane. At the very beginning of COVID, which seemed terrifying (and still is…), he wanted to provide a resource for folks to use. We went through several iterations and after discussion, we concluded that tactical resource needs were being met but what we need more of was inspiration. Thus, Strength is focused on “together, we can overcome anything” and people who demonstrate “grit, determination, and perseverance.”Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Brad Borders, Borders serves as VP-Chapters with Purple Heart Homes a non- profit that meets housing needs for service connected disabled veterans.Chaplain (MAJ) Brad Borders grew up in Statesville NC and graduated from Appalachian State University in 1990 with BA in Psychology and earned a Masters in Christian Ministry from Southern Evangelical Seminary in 2002.He was commissioned into the US Army Reserve 23 March 2004. He was mobilized to active duty in 2005 and served as BN Chaplain in Initial Entry Training, FT Jackson SC until 2007. In 2007 he was assigned as BN Chaplain to the 422 Civil Affairs BN in Greensboro NC and deployed to Iraq in 2009-2010. In 2010 CH Borders volunteered for duty as the DIMA Chaplain at 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at FT Bragg, NC. He served there until 2011. CH Borders then served as an instructor at USACHAS and in 2013 returned to the SOF community as the DIMA Chaplain for 10th SFG (A) and until 2017 with 3rd SFG(A).His military education includes the Chaplain Officer Basic Course, Chaplain Captain Career Course, Civil Affairs Officer Qualification Course and the TRADOC Instructors course through the Faculty Development Program at the US Army Chaplain Center and School, FT Jackson SC.His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, The Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.In civilian employment CH Borders serves as VP-Chapters with Purple Heart Homes a non- profit that meets housing needs for service connected disabled veterans.He resides in Statesville NC. He has been married to his wife Tammy for 28 years and has two children Tori (25) and Jack (21)To donate, please visit: https://purplehearthomesusa.org/take-that-hill/The main Purple Heart Homes website is www.purplehearthomesusa.orgThe Strength in Numbers podcast is the brainchild of Neal Keohane. At the very beginning of COVID, which seemed terrifying (and still is…), he wanted to provide a resource for folks to use. We went through several iterations and after discussion, we concluded that tactical resource needs were being met but what we need more of was inspiration. Thus, Strength is focused on “together, we can overcome anything” and people who demonstrate “grit, determination, and perseverance.”Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Monty Heath, a twice awarded the Bronze Star with combat Valor designation.At 16, Monty joined the delayed-entry and dive-farer programs, to become a US Navy SEAL.   After multiple combat deployments with Naval Special Warfare Development Group, and twice being awarded the Bronze Star with combat Valor designation, he honorably discharged from the SEAL teams to start a family and enter the civilian marketplace.  From there he led the US Navy’s SEAL Mentorship Program and the BUD/S Preparatory Program - the first two steps in the SEAL candidates' training pipeline. Monty then managed executive protection details for Forbes 400 families, as well as a 614,000 acre eco-resort.  For the past five+ years, Monty has passionately supported the veteran community through non-profit organizations such as VETtoCEO and Higher Ground.  He runs his own business; and, hosts for other podcasts.  When not working, Monty enjoys the outdoors with his family, pets or a dirt bike. The Strength in Numbers podcast is the brainchild of Neal Keohane. At the very beginning of COVID, which seemed terrifying (and still is…), he wanted to provide a resource for folks to use. We went through several iterations and after discussion, we concluded that tactical resource needs were being met but what we need more of was inspiration. Thus, Strength is focused on “together, we can overcome anything” and people who demonstrate “grit, determination, and perseverance.”Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with John McAleavey, who hosts “The QuadCast Podcast”. John, despite suffering a serious spinal cord injury in 1992.John has been coaching basketball and lifting up the community for over 20 years. He recently launched his motivational podcast that focuses on the disabled community; however, it’s really for anyone looking to be inspired, as guests talk about their personal stories of struggle and triumph, doctors, therapists, plus others who share any new developments or breakthroughs.After graduating college. I took a job with Sports News Network (SNN) in Arlington, Virginia. This was sort of ESPN light. It was however my dream job. I was working from 4 PM until 2 AM and then driving 45 minutes home to Greenbelt, Maryland, where I lived with my great friend who had just graduated from the Naval Academy. At SNN I was doing everything from logging live and taped sporting events to editing highlights, to writing scripts, basically learning the ropes in live television. Unfortunately, about a year after I started working there. The company went bankrupt. So, I was out of work. In the interim, to make a couple of bucks, I started working as a sales representative for Nabisco. Never did I take my eye off the ball though, the worldwide leader in sports was the ultimate goal. In June, 1992 I flew to San Diego, California for a convention run by Sports Careers. There were 600 attendees and among those vendors in attendance were folks from Nike, Reebok, Adidas, MLB, minor-league baseball, NBA, etc. Not only were these folks manning booths and telling about their companies, they were granting interviews as well. If you wanted to get one, you simply dropped your resume in the folder on their desk. Well, the one company that received 600 resumes in their folder was ESPN. The following day, they posted the names of three people they chose for interviews, and one of them was John Joseph McAleavey. I must have done pretty well, though, because in early August. I called his secretary, and was told that I had jumped up a bit on the next in line (perhaps for a job). Unfortunately, on August 19, I had my accident.The Strength in Numbers podcast is the brainchild of Neal Keohane. At the very beginning of COVID, which seemed terrifying (and still is…), he wanted to provide a resource for folks to use. We went through several iterations and after discussion, we concluded that tactical resource needs were being met but what we need more of was inspiration. Thus, Strength is focused on “together, we can overcome anything” and people who demonstrate “grit, determination, and perseverance.”Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Chief Warrant Officer Four (R) Jason P. Nazarenko, a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Resolute Support, and Inherent Resolve.While serving in the 160th SOAR (Abn). CW4 (R) Nazarenko deployed on over 14 separate occasions where he operated as a mission pilot and later as a maintenance pilot in which his efforts greatly contributed to the overall success of numerous highly classified missions.CW4 (R) Nazarenko currently works as a Helicopter EMS Pilot for Air Evac Lifeteam in Harrison and volunteers as a helicopter pilot with the Baxter County Sheriff’s office. Jason is currently the President for the Cotter-Gassville Chamber of Commerce (a volunteer position) as well as the Commissioner for the Planning and Zoning boards for Cotter. Jason helped to organize and engage the community in the first ever “Christmas in Cotter” this past year. Jason and his family donated and set up the smores and Hot Cocoa station which was a huge success. Jason looks forward to continued involvement in supporting and showcasing the community that he loves and using his exceptional leadership ability and experiences to promote positive growth everywhere he can.The Strength in Numbers podcast is the brainchild of Neal Keohane. At the very beginning of COVID, which seemed terrifying (and still is…), he wanted to provide a resource for folks to use. We went through several iterations and after discussion, we concluded that tactical resource needs were being met but what we need more of was inspiration. Thus, Strength is focused on “together, we can overcome anything” and people who demonstrate “grit, determination, and perseverance.”Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Amy Bushatz Executive Editor of Military.comAmy is also the host of the Humans Outside podcast and the owner and voice behind Humans Outside, a blog dedicated to travel, adventure and outdoor living.Amy began her career in journalism at the Register Pajaronian in Watsonville, California, the Washington (D.C.) Times and Politico. In 2007 she followed her future husband across the country to his Army duty station, leaving behind a position at the Army Times Publishing Co. The Strength in Numbers podcast is the brainchild of Neal Keohane. At the very beginning of COVID, which seemed terrifying (and still is…), he wanted to provide a resource for folks to use. We went through several iterations and after discussion, we concluded that tactical resource needs were being met but what we need more of was inspiration. Thus, Strength is focused on “together, we can overcome anything” and people who demonstrate “grit, determination, and perseverance.”Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Corie Weathers, author of the book Sacred Spaces.Corie is not only the author of Sacred Spaces, she a licensed professional counselor who focuses on military and first responder marriages, and is the 2015 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year. She has a podcast as well, Lifegiver, that helps military and first responder families deal with the stressors of service life with a special focus on maintaining strong marriages. As I mentioned in our brief call, she also traveled with Ash Carter when he was Secretary of Defense to Iraq, Turkey, etc. and she wrote about this experience and how it changed her perspective in her book. The Strength in Numbers podcast is the brainchild of Neal Keohane. At the very beginning of COVID, which seemed terrifying (and still is…), he wanted to provide a resource for folks to use. We went through several iterations and after discussion, we concluded that tactical resource needs were being met but what we need more of was inspiration. Thus, Strength is focused on “together, we can overcome anything” and people who demonstrate “grit, determination, and perseverance.”Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Christy Chan, founder of Team "WeRunForPatients."

Those are some of the incredible qualities of our very special guest, Frank Grippe. This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Frank Grippe, Retired Army Ranger.Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

A lawyer, an artist, a community leader, and a cancer survivor. Those are some of the incredible qualities of our very special guest, Jenny Do. Join our hosts, Tim Nye and Neal Keohane as they talk with Jenny about all the world has to offer, this week on Strength in Numbers!Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with the founders of Special Ops Excursions. Special Ops Xcursions is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to making a difference in the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community. We provide active duty SOF service members, their teams, and families with outdoor adventures. Our events include hunting (ducks, deer, turkey, dove, etc), fishing (bow fishing, crappie, bass, deep sea, on the fly), shooting trap and skeet, archery range days, family retreats and intro to the outdoors programs, African Safaris, music writing getaways with Nashville recording artists, camping, and more. Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Janet Sims of the Sims Tribe!Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Andy Hrovat. Andy Hrovat is an American wrestler who specializes in freestyle wrestling. He was a 3-time NCAA All-American and wrestled in the 2008 Olympic Games.Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.Find the full transcript at https://www.podcaststrength.com/andy-hrovat-episode

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Scott Zolak. Zolak, a broadcaster and retired American football quarterback played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. Over the course of his career, he played in 55 games for the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins, completed 124 of 248 passes for 1,314 yards, threw eight touchdowns and seven interceptions, and finished his career with a passer rating of 64.8.Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.Find the full transcript at https://www.podcaststrength.com/scott-zolak-episode

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Tyr Symank about how Black Rifle Coffee Company is working to support multiple military non-profits, while employing hundreds of veterans. Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.Who is Tyr Symank? Tyr Symank (pronounced Tier Psy-mack) is a Green Beret, occasional medic, failed entrepreneur, struggling writer, and committed father. He served 25 years and counting in the active Army and National Guard, achieving the rank of Sergeant Major. Tyr has years of deployed time both as a soldier and a civilian to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Asia, Africa, and various countries of interest. Tyr dropped out of University of Oregon’s School of Journalism in 1994 to be a lift operator at Mt. Hood. When the snow melted, he enlisted as a 19K, Abrams Tank Crewman for two years and some college money. Upon arriving at Ft Hood, TX, he tried out for the 1st Cavalry Division’s Horse Cavalry Detachment. Two kids and re-enlistments later, he attended Special Forces Assessment, and was selected to be an 18D, Special Forces Medic. Tyr completed the paramedic portion of his training with FDNY in early September 2001. He deployed to Afghanistan almost immediately after earning his Special Forces tab and Green Beret. His various duties and positions for government entities since have included medic, diplomatic security specialist, intelligence and atmospherics collector, analyst, instructor, operations sergeant, and sergeant major. As an instructor, he has taught at every level from Sub-Saharan tribesmen to university students to federal agents to ambassadors. He is accredited by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.Tyr has several divorces and three wonderful children. He is currently a program manager for Black Rifle Coffee Company and a Special Forces company sergeant major in 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He resides in Seattle, Washington.Read the full episode transcript at https://www.podcaststrength.com/tyr-symank-transcript

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Jesse and Sefra Levin about Tactivate. Tactivate combines expertise and operating principals from the military Special Operations veteran, first response and entrepreneurial communities to solve tricky challenges and to build community capacity in the private sector and disaster zones around the world. Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.Find the full transcript at https://www.podcaststrength.com/jesse-sefra-levin-transcript

This week on Strength in Numbers, your host COL (R) Tim Nye and Neal Keohane talk with Ali & Coach Stroker about what it takes to overcome all of life's obstacles. Produced by B. Viral Production; create your next viral campaign and have your company Be Known, Be Seen and Become Viral. Learn more at http://www.bviralproduction.com.Find the full transcript at https://www.podcaststrength.com/ali-coach-stroker-transcript