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The Strategic Veteran

The Strategic Veteran

By: Adam Peters
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 Welcome to The Strategic Veteran, a raw and unfiltered journey into military transition. Host Adam Peters challenges the status quo by sharing authentic stories of veterans navigating life after service while advocating for real systemic change in how our military prepares service members for civilian life. Each episode dives deep into the human transition experience - from the struggles that many face but few discuss to the transformative moments that shape new paths forward. Through honest conversations with fellow veterans, Adam explores the challenges of identity, purpose, and belonging that come with hanging up the uniform. More than just a podcast, The Strategic Veteran is a movement. It's about proving that meaningful change is possible, even in systems others claim can't be changed. Whether you're a veteran seeking connection, a service member preparing for transition, or someone passionate about supporting our military community, these stories will inspire, challenge, and empower you to be part of the solution. Join us as we work to bridge the gap between military and civilian life, one story at a time.Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Alex Muddiman

    Alex Muddiman
    Aug 25 2025
    What if the thing breaking you down isn’t the system but the belief you can’t fight back against it? Alex Muddiman spent nearly a decade in the Air Force chasing a dream of flying, only to have a hidden medical condition ground him for good. He pivoted to cyber, battled misdiagnosis, fought for the proper care, and stayed on mission even when leadership didn’t have his back. Alex’s story is every overlooked line in the reg, every late night Googling your rights, and every moment you wonder if you’re the only one banging your head against the wall. How he mapped out his entire ROTC plan on a napkin — and made it happen Why a single commander showed him the kind of leader he’d never be The day a simple test proved he wasn’t broken, just misunderstood How he used ADHD as a weapon, not an excuse Why knowing the regs better than your boss is the best armor you’ll ever have ⏱ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:10 Growing up in Springfield, Massachusetts 08:20 From welding to Air Force ROTC 15:50 Building a three-college plan to chase the sky 23:10 Getting grounded for good and pivoting to cyber 31:00 Living in the Barney Chair and learning to fight back 38:40 How leadership failed — and what it taught him 46:00 The night shift that cracked him open 52:00 The TOVA test that changed everything 59:00 Why the reg book is your best friend My name is Adam Peters, and I’m here to unf*ck the transition.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Marla Ballard

    Marla Ballard
    Aug 18 2025
    What if the thing that nearly broke you is the same thing that can set you free if you learn to love yourself again? Marla Ballard isn’t a veteran in uniform, but she’s lived the sacrifice. When her husband, an Army major, was wounded in Iraq, Marla lost the life she knew and built something better in its place. Today she’s the CEO of You Too Shine and director of Unconquerable Me, helping veterans and entrepreneurs break free from old stories, stuck trauma, and limiting beliefs — one healing at a time. Why her husband’s recovery showed her the real battle starts at home How tapping and quantum personal development can free trapped pain The lesson she learned about fear, love, and free agency Why community is the greatest tool nobody talks about The power of turning survival into service when the uniform is gone ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:10 Growing up gritty in Kentucky 07:40 From racehorses to resilience 12:30 Becoming an Army wife overnight 18:50 The fear nobody warned her about 26:00 Watching her husband lose his identity 32:40 Why she built her own community 40:10 The truth about trauma trapped in your body 46:50 Free Me EFT and what makes it work 52:00 How to find your unconquerable self again Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlafballard/ Website: https://empower-me-academy.yu2shine.com/marla-ballard Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marla.ballard.9 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marla.ballard/ Free E-book: https://mygiftoffer.com/ My name is Adam Peters, and I’m here to unf*ck the transition.
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    1 hr
  • Marc Fitzwater

    Marc Fitzwater
    Aug 11 2025
    What if the real fight isn’t keeping people safe, it’s teaching them they can protect themselves long after you’re gone? Marc Fitzwater spent two decades as a Green Beret, leading elite teams through Afghanistan, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. He carried the weight of loss, the lessons of mentorship, and the quiet mission to bring warriors home better than he found them. Now he runs I-Sixty-Eight Consulting Group and the Cutting Edge Training Facility in Colorado, turning tactical training into a sanctuary where men, women, and families find strength, skill, and unshakable confidence. Why two fallen brothers still guide every move he makes The difference between teaching people to shoot and teaching them to believe How building a safe place for women became his real legacy Why running a company is harder than any deployment The cost of protecting others when you forget to protect your own family time ⏱ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:10 Growing up in the Virginia mountains 07:30 From college baseball dreams to the National Guard 12:40 Old school Green Berets who changed his life 18:50 Three deployments, two brothers lost, and a new mission born 25:00 From the fight to the family — the real transition 31:30 Why I-Sixty-Eight is more than a gun range 38:00 Women, warriors, and building real community 45:20 How to stay present when the mission won’t leave your head 52:00 Grand openings, future plans, and his open invitation to vets Website: https://www.i68consulting.com Facebook: I-Sixty-Eight Consulting Group Instagram: I-Sixty-Eight Consulting Group My name is Adam Peters, and I’m here to unf*ck the transition.
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    57 mins
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