We break into our regularly scheduled programming to bring you a special interview...This week we welcome friend of the show James Hodgman, United States Air Force Technical Sergeant and spokesman for Team RWB Solano.  James talks about the upcoming 9/11 Stair Climb in Mill Valley, California, to honor the first responders who responded to the terrorist attacks on 9/11.  The Solano Team RWB chapter will meet at Old Mill Park at 64 Cascade Dr. in Mill Valley at 9 a.m. to begin the stair climb on September 16th.   The stair climb challenges participants to scale 2,200 stairs while carrying a 40-pound pack. This serves to honor first responders who climbed the stairs of the World Trade Center towers on 9/11. The event also serves as a remembrance of the 2,977 people who died in the terrorist attacks.   The event is hosted by Team RWB, a nonprofit organization forging America’s leading health and wellness community for veterans.   The stair climb is part of Team RWB’s “Monthly Missions,” a series of events that bring veterans and supporters together to accomplish one mission that pays tribute to the nation’s rich military history and provides veterans with a community that encourages a healthy lifestyle. 

For more information about the event please contact James Hodgman at james.hodgman@teamrwb.org.

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This week we welcome Jason Herrick, author of the Life Long Learners series.  Jason's first book My Jesus Song is a bedtime lullaby that will remind your child of Jesus's love throughout all the stages of their life.  My Jesus Song started as a private story Jason created for his boys, but soon blossomed in to a fully illustrated launching point for his Life Long Learner Series.  Drawing from his faith, Jason creates a soothing and welcoming addition to the end of day routine.  We discuss the challenges of self publishing a children's book, finding an illustrator, and taking on the task of getting your work out to the world.

We also take a deep dive into education, one of Jason's many passions.  We discuss the Socratic method, and how current schooling procedures may fall short of what children really need.  Jason talks about his desire to start his own school, but also spread his philosophy on education.  This philosophy can be applied at home, whether your son or daughter attends public, private, or home school.  Jason advocates for parents to take an active role in their children's learning, and stop handing this crucial duty over to other people and organizations.

So toss out that old copy of the three little bears and get ready for some fun with this weeks episode!

To purchase My Jesus Song go to https://a.co/d/ab4SHwH

Support the show and get your Bulletproof Veteran apparel at https://amzn.to/3BA3dx9 or see all the available shirts at http://bulletproofveteran.com/apparel.

This week we welcome Dustin Baker, President of BioProtein Technology.  Humans have been searching for the secret to longevity since the beginning of time.  So, it’s no surprise that synthetic HGH treatments made their way onto the market and promised aging adults and athletes alike the fountain of youth.  But, in addition to being costly and injectable, they’ve also long been associated with a laundry list of serious side effects like joint pain, swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even type 2 diabetes.  For over a decade BioProtein Technology has worked with over 1500 of the industry’s leading Physicians and Practitioners looking to provide their patients with non-synthetic pharmaceutical grade anti-aging and regenerative therapies that work faster, easier, and safer.  The result was BioPro+, the first 100% nonsynthetic, alternative to prescription human growth hormone (HGH) treatment.  

With years of experience working intimately with some of the world's most elite professional athletes, trusted physicians, and even international private security / military personnel Dustin's passion remains the same, to help individuals maximize their physiological and cognitive potential safely.  Since his 20's Dustin has been instrumental in the product design and brand development for natural products in the professional athletics, fitness, and medical supply categories.  So if the stories of Ponce de Leon's search for the Fountain of Youth resonate with you, get your pen and paper ready for this info packed episode!

Check out BioProtein Technology and BioPro+ at https://bioproteintech.com.

Support the show and get your Bulletproof Veteran apparel at https://amzn.to/3BA3dx9 or see all the available shirts at http://bulletproofveteran.com/apparel.

This week we welcome Charles Brown, two-term President of Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).  From a very young age, Brown knew he wanted to serve his nation and had a calling to work with military aircraft. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1985 and was trained in aviation ordinance. In 1986, Brown sustained a spinal cord injury as a result of a diving accident while serving in Cherry Point, NC.  During his initial rehabilitation at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Spinal Cord Injury center in Augusta, GA, he was introduced to PVA and became a member of the Southeastern Chapter.  PVA is a congressionally chartered veterans service organization founded in 1946.  They have developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of their members – veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injuries and dysfunction.  “PVA helped me through the process of filing for benefits,” Brown says. “They gave me ideas for accessible bathrooms and entrances to my house. They have offered me sporting opportunities I never would have thought about.”  In 1987, he moved back to his native Missouri. Wanting to give back to the organization who had given so much to him, Brown served on the Gateway Chapter board in a multitude of capacities, including as Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, advocacy director, treasurer, and vice president. While in St. Louis, Brown helped establish the Rolling Rams quad rugby team.  He recalls recruiting players by making phone calls to rehab facilities, and even talking to people in wheelchairs at the mall. The team really took off when a couple of recreational therapists got involved and brought athletes with them.  Brown believes in helping his fellow Veterans improve their quality of life and is passionate about continuing to help PVA improve the accessibility of our nation.  Currently on the USA Boccia team, Brown was selected team captain for the Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Ranked 63rd in the world after one international tournament, he fully believes that an active life has kept him healthy. Get ready to be inspired with this week's interview!

For more information about PVA go to https://pva.org.

Support the show and get your Bulletproof Veteran apparel at https://amzn.to/3BA3dx9 or see all the available shirts at http://bulletproofveteran.com/apparel.

This week we welcome Rebecca Briggs, Gold Star wife and founder of the Dashan J. Briggs Memorial Foundation.  Technical Sergeant Dashan J. Briggs made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the 106th NYS Air National Guard unit as a Special Missions Aviator.  He and his fellow airmen were flying in a HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter when they crashed on the afternoon of March 15 near the city of Al-Qa’im in western Iraq, where they were performing combat search and rescue operations supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the American-led coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.   The Dashan J. Briggs Memorial Foundation, Inc. was founded in 2021 by Rebecca and family to honor his legacy and keep his memory alive.  2023 is the 3rd year for the Run for Briggs 5k and a 1-mile Kid’s Fun Run, sponsored by the Suffolk County Veterans Run Series . Rebecca is honored to announce that they will be taking over the Memorial Day Kickoff Run on May 28th , 2023.  All proceeds from this event will go to the Dashan J. Briggs Memorial Foundation awarding Scholarships to students in Riverhead and Comsewogue High School, and future workshops and seminars to help teach our youth important life skills that are not necessarily taught in schools; such as CPR/AED training, car maintenance, finances, and basic cooking classes, etc.  

Dashan left two children behind; five-year-old, Jayden and four-year-old, Ava. Since the age of four Dashan’s son, Jayden has completed four 5k’s and two 1 Mile runs. Dashan’s daughter, Ava has completed three 1 mile runs and one 5k since the age of 3.  Please come out to see Jayden and Ava set their personal best records on May 28th, as they remember their father and all those lost on Jolly 51.

Signup for the Run for Briggs at https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/PortJeffersonStation/RunforBriggs

For more information about the Dashan J. Briggs Memorial Foundation go to https://djbriggsfoundation.org

This week we welcome C. David Cain to the show.  David is the President and CEO of Heroes Home Advantage, the largest hero rebate program in the country for buying or selling real estate.  Heroes Home Advantage is a network of Realtors, lenders, attorneys, home inspectors, title companies, and more who wanted to do something to give back to those who protect, serve and care for our country and community.  The program offers military, law enforcement, firefighters, health care, emergency personnel, and teachers a discount or rebate when purchasing real estate.  Heroes Home Advantage has given back over $20M to our heroes over the last 12 years.  In addition to his role with Heroes Home Advantage, David is also a mortgage lender with 24 years of experience.  He has a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of the business.  David is customer-focused and works with transparency to provide service that exceeds expectations.  Over the last 24 years, David has a proven track record of being a top producer and has been recognized as a Mortgage Lender in the top 1% in the country.  So if you are in the market to buy, or sell, your home this is the episode for you!

For more information about David and Heroes Home Advantage go to https://www.heroeshomeadvantage.com.

Support the show and get your Bulletproof Veteran apparel at https://amzn.to/3BA3dx9 or see all the available shirts at http://bulletproofveteran.com/apparel.

This week we welcome Don Culp, father and Warrant Officer in the United States Army.  On January 16th, 2009, Don welcomed the newest edition of the Culp family, Braelyn Aubrey.  When she was born, Braelyn never would make eye contact with her mother or Don.  Within the first six months, she was flown by helicopter to a children's hospital.  She had absence and myoclonic seizures and became very lethargic.  This is when Don's family started uncovering some of the causes behind the lack of eye contact.  After several doctor's appointments and a few hospitalizations, it was discovered that Braelyn had a chromosomal deletion.  All of this unfolded while Don was immersed in Flight School, and continued as he prepared for a deployment.  As she got older, the frequency and severity of her seizures increased.  Braelyn was delayed with regard to both speech and motor skills.  Despite her ongoing issues, she displayed a fighting spirit and a joyful personality.  She achieved major milestones, such as learning sign language, feeding herself, talking, and walking.  Braelyn was a loving child and, to Don and his family, she was their Superhero!  She embodied joy, determination, and a no-quit attitude.  Sadly, on October 2, 2012, Braelyn was called home to be with the Lord just three months shy of her 4th birthday.  Don and I discuss the difficulties of balancing family and military life, and how the support of community and his unit helped him through this horrible situation.  We discuss the Braelyn Aubrey Foundation, their early success and accomplishments, and how Don envisions future growth and advocacy.  Most of all, we honor the fighting spirit of his daughter and how we can all strive to harness that same fire in our own lives.

For more information about the Braelyn Aubrey Foundation and to donate please go to https://thebraelynaubreyfoundation.org. 

This week we welcome Navy Seal, Dave Berkenfield.  Dave discusses signing on to be part of the American Legion's Be The One Campaign.  We talk about the American Legion and their history of advocating for veterans.  Their newest program is focused on combating veteran suicide.  Today, the No. 1 issue facing the veteran community is suicide, according to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.  The rate of suicide for veterans is more than 50% higher than that of non-veteran adults.  The American Legion is activating a national platform to reduce the rate of veteran suicide. The goals of the Be The One Campaign are to destigmatize asking for mental health support, creating opportunity for those with mental health issues to speak freely and get the support they need, provide peer-to-peer support and resources in local communities, and to deploy FDA-approved therapeutics for veterans to identify issues and find resources for support.  Dave opens up about how suicide has affected his life, and why he decided to join this important suicide prevention initiative.  If we are going to win the battle against veteran suicide, we all need to believe that we are The Ones that can make the difference.  Please enjoy this important episode of Bulletproof Veteran Podcast!

For more information about Be The One go to https://www.legion.org/betheone.

For more information about Chip Ganassi Racing and Extreme E go to https://chipganassiracing.com.

Support the show and get your Bulletproof Veteran apparel at https://amzn.to/3BA3dx9 or see all the available shirts at http://bulletproofveteran.com/apparel.