“The quality of questions you ask in life results in the quality of relationships you have.”

6ers, this episode tackles how finding shared adversity can bring people together and create unbreakable bonds. From brain trust to creating to having emotional intimacy with your colleagues and brothers in and out of the military, shared adversity plays a huge role in the quality of your life.

Michael Sarraille is a United States Navy SEAL veteran, founder, and CEO of two executive search and talent consulting firms – Talent War Group and EF Overwatch. He is also the senior leadership instructor at Echelon Front, a veteran-owned leadership training and consulting firm. He is a co-author of the book The Talent War: How Special Operations and Great Organizations Win on Talent. Part of his leadership philosophy is to surround himself with positive-minded, humble, renowned experts in their respective fields. He lives by the mantra ‘iron sharpens iron.’

You will learn how brain trust in an organization can scale and drive its growth, and how creating a culture that puts the bull’s eye to the front nurtures an organization where failure is embraced and learning is promoted and it all results in building stronger relationships.

You’ll understand why the highest form of love and compassion is accountability and how this mindset promotes learning and developing a growth mindset. This episode also emphasizes how valuing drive, passion, and effective intelligence over pedigree can help in nurturing talents within an organization.

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• 01:11 - Coming together and finding shared adversity
• 03:34 - The quality of questions you ask has a great impact on your life
• 04:53 - Creating a culture with a bull’s eye to the front
• 05:49 - Breaking down what emotional intimacy means among military members
• 08:34 - Mike’s story about Dr. Jonny Kim and how it was a lesson in humility
• 11:30 - The value of asking questions and building brain trust in an organization
• 14:44 - Finding talent in the business world is tough because of its lack of process
• 17:29 - Movement is key. Why taking one step at a time is important in the transition
• 19:46 - Finding a new tribe in the private sector who are warriors in their own profession
• 21:08 - The highest form of love is accountability

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6ers, Katie’s journey and inspiring story in this episode is a powerful reminder that following one’s passion and taking chances can lead you to incredible experiences. Whether you’re pursuing a career, a hobby, or a personal goal, they key is to approach it with enthusiasm, commitment, and sometimes, the willingness to take risks that will help you explore new territories and test your own limits.

Katie Hernandez is a US Army Captain and a World Record holder. In 2021, she broke the women’s Guinness World Record for the fastest one-mile run (10 minutes and 23 seconds) in an 85-pound explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) bomb suit. Previously stationed in Hawaii, she completed the 25th Infantry Division's Pre-Ranger Program in 2016 and was the first woman to do so. Katie is also a massive supporter of the Military Family Program, which seeks to provide veterans and their families a free platform containing relevant programs and resources on different topics such as jobs, transition, education, and scholarships.

You will learn that showing up every day with a sense of purpose and commitment is the key to experiencing success that can have a long-lasting impact that you can share with your community. It’s about gaining that momentum and being able to explore new territories to test one’s limits.

Finding the strength to move forward is often times found in the relationships you build. By surrounding yourself with a community that supports your goals, you refine your objectives and you become more inspired to the best version of yourself.

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• 01:19 - Katie’s unconventional journey from push-up contest to the military
• 01:57 - Why it’s important to get into the military school for the right reasons
• 04:37 - What The Human Performance Project is all about
• 06:10 - Breaking 1-Mile Run World Record in an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) bomb suit
• 08:35 - The power of showing up every day and gaining momentum
• 10:30 - Getting involved in the 7X Project in Antarctica and Tip of the Spear
• 12:11 - Self-reflection and the importance of calling your own bullshit
• 13:19 - Grace over quantity: Why doing less can lead to better success
• 14:44 - How to focus on breath control during peak moments
• 15:58 - Participating in Tactical Games where CrossFit meets combat
• 18:44 - Finding passion in CrossFit

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Here is how to connect with Katie Hernandez:

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6ers, gardening has long been viewed as a way to connect with nature. But for others like Sean, the benefits and rewards are more than that. As a PTSD survivor, Sean believes caring for plants gave him purpose and a sense of responsibility. It also taught one of the key skills cultivated through horticulture: tactical patience.

Sean Fowler is a US Army veteran, program analyst (policy) at the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA), home plant content creator/influencer on Instagram, and advocate for home plants/gardening as a treatment for PTSD. He is passionate about treating PTSD using house plants after sustaining a chronic injury in an explosion in Iraq.

You will learn how Sean gained a sense of responsibility that was missing in his life through gardening. By being fully engaged tending to his garden, he learned the importance of being intentional with his actions and taking ownership of his life. Fostering deeper connections with our environment and to the people around us teaches us that we can rely on the support and feedback of others.

In a world that often feels disconnected, gardening offers a reminder that we can all be part of something greater. Veterans don’t need to be islands and don’t need to struggle with the challenges of transition and reintegration. By finding activities that can bring you joy and sense of purpose, you can begin to heal and move forward with greater confidence and resilience.

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Resources mentioned:

Lively Root 

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• 00:58 - Exploring the practice of horticulture as a metaphor for a better life
• 02:05 - Sean’s discovery of a meaningful sense of responsibility through caring for plants
• 04:30 - The value of tactical patience in understanding your environment
• 06:26 - The importance of humility and listening to the observations of those who care about you
• 08:39 - The benefits of pursuing a hobby you’re passionate about
• 9:19 - Drawing parallels between the breadth of human experience and gardening
• 11:05 - Finding inspiration from others for content creation and adding a unique spin
• 15:07 - How meditation became a big part of his healing journey 
• 16:59 - Sean’s personal struggle with maintaining integrity and accountability
• 19:14 - Integrity also means the overall workability of your life
• 20:16 - Veterans don’t need to have to suffer alone

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6ers, as you embark on your journey of personal and professional growth, let Glenn Gonzales, founder and CEO of Jet It, aid in some course corrections that will lead you to success. In this episode of the Got Your Six podcast, Glenn shares his unique insights on the power of positive friction, and how you can use it to your advantage.

Glenn's 5Ds - Dream, Data, Discipline, Determination, and Decision-making - are a testament to his success in both the Air Force and the business world. By embracing these values, you too can overcome challenges and achieve your goals.

But it's not just about individual success. Glenn emphasizes the importance of creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought. By encouraging open conversation and sharing different points of view, you can get better results and make the environment more productive.

Don't let mistakes or failures hold you back. Glenn believes that debriefing and learning from these experiences can lead to lifelong success. By taking the time to reflect and grow, you can turn a negative into a positive.

Step into the breach with us, and embrace the power of positive friction to achieve your goals and drive lifelong success with Glenn's valuable insights.

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Resources mentioned:

The Art of Possibility by Benjamin Zander

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• 00:40 - Finding tenacity internally and talking about his faith
• 04:26 - Applying positive friction in your organization
• 05:48 - Keeping diversity in thought alive in the organization
• 06:58 - How not to take psychological safety in the organization NOT taken for granted
• 08:11 - Glenn explains Jet It company
• 09:23 - 5Ds (Dream, Data, Discipline, Determined, Decision-making) of Success
• 11:04 - Trusting your plan and making sound decisions
• 11:38 - Scale is all about your base and the fundamentals
• 12:47 - Life has a way of keeping you humble
• 14:18 - Mistakes can be fascinating
• 15:55 - The importance of debriefing is finding the root cause
• 18:07 - Balancing your values and not being allergic to bureaucracies
• 19:11 - Holding yourself accountable
• 19:43 - Failures are fascinating learning opportunities
• 20:35 - You can be better than yesterday when you do your own personal debrief

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Here is how to connect with Glenn Gonzales:

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One concept that is critical when you are in a leadership role is the importance of having a team that follows you because they want to and not because they have to. When your team trusts and respects you, they are more likely to be invested in your success, give you honest feedback and go above and beyond their duties.

Steven Nisbet is a US Special Warfare Airman veteran and the president/co-founder of Shields & Stripes; a non-profit organization dedicated to serving our nation's heroes; Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Veterans. He is passionate about helping others; as a pararescueman and founder of Shields & Stripes. Steven received a bachelor’s in Sports & Fitness Administration/Management from American Military University in 2022.

You will learn that in the pursuit of professional success, it is easy to overlook the importance of investing in what truly matters to us. This episode will remind us of the significance of putting in the effort, making sacrifices, and allowing ourselves to focus our energy on what truly matters as well as tending to our mental and emotional well-being, to cultivate resilience that will truly benefit our careers.

Steve’s insights on PTSD and self-forgiveness remind us of the importance of giving ourselves grace and by embracing our vulnerability and seeking help, we can discover new facets our ourselves that can help develop greater self-awareness necessary for our own growth and transformation.

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• 01:10 - Making your team follow you because they want to, not because they have to
• 02:39 - What are you willing to put in for things that matter to you?
• 05:44 - Finding ways to give yourself grace and permission to fail
• 07:35 - Taking a step back to avoid burnout
• 09:19 - Losing teammates and gaining perspective of what really matters in life
• 11:46 - How do you help yourself lift the invisible weight off?
• 13:47 - PTSD does not look the same for everyone
• 17:58 - Steve explains the Shield and Stripes program
• 20:50 - What led Steven to seek help with his PTSD
• 23:11 - Steven talks about how he lost his faith and rediscovered newfound faith
• 24:31 - Finding forgiveness for yourself for things you cannot control

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6ers, “service before self” is a core value ingrained in the military culture and is exemplified by the actions of Medal of Honor recipients. It’s a selfless attitude that encourages you to consider the impact of your actions on others and prioritize the greater good. It’s a value worth emulating in everyday life.

Darrell Utt is a Green Berets veteran, the chief of business operations at the National Medal of Honor Museum, and sits on the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau board. He enlisted in the US Army in 1990, served in the infantry until 1996 when he joined the Army Special Forces (Green Berets), and served until his retirement in 2016. He believes in the quote, “Service before self.”

You will learn about how Darrell’s background with a mix of military service and football coaching taught him the value of discipline, teamwork, and service before self. He is now bringing these lessons on a new mission to inspire future generations to understand the true cost of freedom by telling compelling stories.

Overcoming his introversion and participating in more engagements, Darrell never stops in developing and improving himself as a leader. His personal failures as a partner despite being at the height of his career helped him change his trajectory and create his own definition of success.

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• 01:10 - How a football coach taught Darrell the values that align with military values
• 02:39 - That moment Darrell had an epiphany to try out for the Special Forces
• 05:44 - What the Medal of Honor represents and weaving it into stories that are wrapped around American values
• 11:47 - Overcoming introversion and striving to participate in more engagements
• 16:24 - Meeting with Charlotte Jones of the Dallas Cowboys
• 17:58 - Service before self after the uniform 
• 20:50 - A story about the sneaker RDC shoes created after the 9/11
• 23:12 - Facing relationship failure in the midst of career success
• 27:04 - Have a little gratitude

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6ers, in a culture where there is often an expectation to choose one career path or focus on a singular passion, you can dare to be a trailblazer. The reality is that many people have multiple interests and are actually capable of pursuing them.

Kellie Sbrocchi is a U.S. Navy HR Officer, photographer/owner of Kellie Rene Photography, and host of the MissUnderstood Podcast. She is passionate about small-unit leadership, departmental leadership, sales, marketing, recruiting, public affairs, photography, writing, and public speaking. Kellie believes being “Miss” Understood by others and in passions means you're closer to understanding your OWN life.

You will learn about the importance of prioritizing things that bring joy in life, even if they are a bit unconventional and not in line with society’s expectations. You only have this one life so if something no longer fills your cup, you’re allowed to turn your back on it and pursue something that aligns with your passions.

Kellie’s journey is a testament to how it’s possible to navigate different paths and how there is a place for multi-passionate individuals to be successful. It is time that we become more open, celebrate individuality, even if in a rigid environment like the army, and encourage the people behind us to explore their unique talents and interests.

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• 01:14 - When something brings you joy, you prioritize it whatever that looks like
• 02:54 - Turning away from something that no longer fills your cup
• 06:03 - First experience with cyberbullying as a Naval officer joining a beauty pageant
• 09:27 - Kellie shares a candid moment
• 14:20 - Finding people and connecting them together
• 16:25 - How Kellie figured out how to pay for college and decided to join the track and field team
• 18:44 - A “What-If” mindset that challenged her to pursue the different things that bring her joy
• 20:54 - How Kellie hustled to get into the HR community in the Navy
• 25:32 - You will still mess up but just keep picking yourself up

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Here is how to to connect with Kellie Hall Sbrocchi:

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6ers, we all know that physical fitness is a crucial component of the military culture. But to unlock our highest potential, we need to incorporate a broader range of metrics that will help us better understand how exercise affects overall health and well-being, leading to more personalized and effective training programs.

Alex Morrow is a U.S. Army veteran and the founder of MOPs and MOEs brand and podcast. He is passionate about the Army’s physical fitness and believes soldiers can perform better if the Measurements Of Effectiveness (MOEs) of their training tasks are taken into consideration. Alex graduated from West Point in 2013 with a degree in International Relations and Affairs. He served as an intelligence officer and later a fitness instructor in the US Army until 2021.

You will learn about the difference between measures of performance (MOPs) and measures of effectiveness (MOEs) and how they play a role in achieving a desired outcome. Alex shares how important it is to seek out things you’re not good at by being comfortable outside of your comfort zone so you can learn and grow exponentially.

As a result, you’ll realize that more learning happens when you’re wrong than when you’re right, which is why it’s so important to have people in your circle that hold you accountable because it allows you to work on your weaknesses from a place of inspiration.

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• 01:21 - How Alex found his passion
• 02:47 - Gradual process of getting into the fitness and how he handled identity shift
• 05:19 - Working on your weakness from a place of inspiration
• 07:12 - Not all of your ideas will resonate with the audience
• 08:47 - How Alex combats impostor syndrome
• 10:28 - Convincing the leadership and framing up conversations in a productive way
• 11:49 - Rethinking the way we think about physical training and holistic health
• 14:05 - Measures of performance (MOPs) and measures of effectiveness (MOEs)
• 18:37 - The process of learning and the danger of getting to the peak of ‘Mount Stupid’
• 20:19 - Having people that tell you, “you are being dumb,” is really important
• 21:38 - The fumbling phase of when you launch a project is a learning phase

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Here is how to connect with Alex Morrow:

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MOPs and MOEs podcast

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