In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Nate Boyer—United States Army Special Forces Veteran, former NFL player, filmmaker, and co-founder of Merging Vets and Players (MVP)—to explore one of the most unique and inspiring post-military journeys ever told.

Nate shares how, after serving in the Special Forces, he took an unconventional leap into college football at the University of Texas—despite never having played a down of organized football. That decision launched a path that eventually brought him to the Seattle Seahawks locker room, playing alongside legends like Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson. But as Nate reflects, the real story begins after the final whistle—when both athletes and veterans alike are faced with a daunting question: Who am I without the uniform?

This raw and honest conversation unpacks how Nate discovered the deep parallels between the military team room and the pro sports locker room—and why losing that sense of mission and community leaves so many feeling lost. That insight led to the founding of MVP, a nonprofit that reconnects veterans and former pro athletes through shared workouts, peer support, and purpose-driven community.

In this episode, Nate opens up about:

• Why he transitioned from his military career to professional football—and what he learned on both fields
• Training alongside elite athletes while still deploying to Afghanistan in the off-season
• Getting “the call” from Pete Carroll and the surreal experience of suiting up in the NFL preseason
• How MVP recreates the team environment for those transitioning out of service or sport
• The making of MVP the movie—and why telling real stories matters
• How you can join, support, or partner with Merging Vets and Players today

Whether you’re a veteran, athlete, leader, or transition support advocate, this episode is a powerful reminder that identity doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It just evolves—and MVP is making sure no one goes through that evolution alone.

Learn more and get involved at: vetsandplayers.org

Follow Nate: @nateboyer37

#MergingVetsAndPlayers #VeteranTransition #AthleteLifeAfterSport #GreenBeretToNFL #MVPtheMovie #TeamRoomToLockerRoom #VeteranSupport #NFLTransition #IdentityAfterService #MentalHealthAwareness #MissionContinues #VeteransInFilm #FromServiceToScreen #MilVetPodcast #NateBoyer

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Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
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Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
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In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins welcomes Nicholas Kovalsky—United States Army veteran and the co-founder of Perspectives Health—to dive into his unconventional journey from military service to mission-driven entrepreneurship.

Nicholas shares how his firsthand exposure to the mental health crisis, both in and out of uniform, inspired him to take action—starting first with a grassroots harm reduction nonprofit, and later pivoting into high-tech healthcare solutions. With raw honesty and grit, he unpacks the whirlwind journey of leaving college, going into debt, and betting everything on building a startup from the ground up—with no business background, no funding, and no clear path forward.

He reflects on the power of just showing up, trusting your team, and learning everything the hard way—through risk, rejection, and relentless iteration. From pitching at random conferences to moving cross-country with no safety net, Nicholas shows what it really takes to build a company that’s already transforming how clinicians manage their most time-consuming task: administrative documentation.

In this episode, Nicholas opens up about:

• Why he walked away from a full ride at UChicago to pursue a startup dream
• Building a startup team from scratch with zero product and 100% conviction
• How his company developed a game-changing AI agent for electronic health records
• The role of speed, risk tolerance, and “high agency” in entrepreneurial success
• What the military instills in founders that no MBA can
• The overlooked opportunity for enlisted veterans to lead in tech and innovation
• Why mental health, substance use, and homelessness remain top priorities for impact

Whether you're a veteran thinking about launching a startup, a mission-driven builder, or someone who believes in solving real problems with real-world action, this episode is packed with insights, hard truths, and authentic inspiration.

#VeteranFounders #AIHealthcare #MentalHealthInnovation #VeteransInTech #StartupJourney #MilitaryTransition #HighAgency #HealthTech #EnlistedVeterans #MissionDrivenStartup #FoundersStory #MilVetPodcast #FromBootsToBusiness #SubstanceUseCare #EntrepreneurshipInAction

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet

In this inspiring episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Matt Ibbetson, United States Navy Veteran, Partner at Ridgemont Equity Partners, and graduate of the United States Naval Academy to explore his fascinating journey from rural roots to high finance.

Matt shares how growing up on a farm instilled the work ethic that carried him through the Naval Academy, life undersea as a submarine officer, and later into elite consulting with McKinsey & Company. He dives deep into the lessons learned in leadership, discipline, and communication—skills that proved invaluable as he transitioned into the Private Equity world.

From building teams on a submarine to driving portfolio operations in middle-market companies, Matt reflects on:

• The power of preparation, humility, and hard work
• How military experience uniquely prepares veterans for leadership in business
• Why networking is about giving—not just getting
• Building value in private equity while staying true to family and personal values
• The importance of mission alignment in your career decisions
  
  

Whether you’re a transitioning service member, a veteran in business, or just someone looking for actionable career wisdom, Matt’s story is a powerful example of how to turn service-driven values into long-term professional success.

Don’t miss this one—it’s packed with insights on leadership, transition, and the value of service in every chapter of life.

#VeteranLeadership #MilitaryTransition #PrivateEquity #VeteransInBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #SubmarineLife #McKinseyAlumni #NavyVeteran #RidgemontEquityPartners #CareerTransition #MilVetPodcast #ServiceToSuccess #NetworkingMatters #MissionDrivenLeadership #FromMilitaryToBusiness

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet