The American Grit Podcast

Join us talking to Michael Merzke is a retired U.S. Army veteran with over 24 years of service, including deployments with Military Police and elite Special Operations units in Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama, Kosovo, and beyond. Today, he serves as Program Manager at Extivita, a leading hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic, and volunteers with HBOT4Heroes, helping veterans heal from TBI and PTSD through cutting-edge, oxygen-based treatment. Michael’s mission is deeply personal, shaped by his own recovery journey and his son’s battle with cerebral palsy. From combat zones to healing chambers, Michael embodies relentless service, fierce advocacy, and the true meaning of American grit.https://itsallaboutthemiles.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmerzke/https://www.instagram.com/itsallaboutthemiles/https://x.com/Mike_Merzke

Step inside the garage of a WWE Icon and legend Bill Goldberg. In this raw episode of American Grit, WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg joins host Tim Jensen for a one-on-one like you’ve never seen before. Filmed straight from Goldberg’s own garage, this conversation hits harder than a spear from the man himself.They break down what’s next for Goldberg as he eyes his retirement match in 2025, reflect on the wild ride of his wrestling and football career, and dig deep into life after the ring. Goldberg opens up about being a present, proud father and watching his son Gage forge his own path in college football.#wwe #goldberg #wweraw #wwesmackdown

Today on the American Grit podcast hosted by Tim Jensen, we welcome a former infantry officer with the Canadian Armed Forces. Our guest served as a civil affairs officer in Afghanistan and learned the crucial lessons of resilience, teamwork, and leadership under pressure. After returning home with injuries and confronting PTSD, he transformed his struggles into a force for positive change. He authored "The Nimble Warrior," a guide to physical and mental resilience, and founded his own training programs and the "Hard To Kill Podcast," aimed at empowering the military and first-responder communities to become leaner, fitter, and tougher. His dedication to improving the well-being of his fellow veterans and first responders is both inspiring and impactful.

Join us on American Grit as Tim Jensen sits down with Kagan Dunlap, a distinguished U.S. Marine Corps officer and acclaimed content creator. In this episode, Kagan shares his journey from the military to the media, detailing his experiences in service and how they've shaped his approach to producing engaging, educational content. We'll dive into his military career, exploring pivotal moments and lessons learned in uniform. Kagan will also shed light on his transition to a content creator, discussing how he leverages his platform to inform and inspire both veterans and civilians alike. Stay tuned as we tackle current events, providing insights into how they impact our veterans and the broader military community. Check out his socials: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@kagan.dunlap Twitch twitch.tv/kagan_dunlap Twitter twitter.com/Kagan_M_Dunlap My Merch bunkerbranding.com/pages/kagan-dunlap My Website kagandunlap.com The Trenches Discord discord.gg/UH5zUBPJnn @kagan.dunlap ​

Join host Tim Jensen on the American Grit Podcast as he sits down with Amy Forsythe, an award-winning military journalist and U.S. Navy Public Affairs Officer. Amy shares her extraordinary career journey, from her early days as a Marine Combat Correspondent documenting pivotal military operations to her current role as a Navy Reserve Public Affairs Officer. Discover how Amy's storytelling has preserved significant moments in military history through deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and features in global media outlets. Learn about her critically acclaimed book "Heroes Live Here"—a heartfelt tribute to Camp Pendleton Marines—and her induction into the Women's Museum of California Hall of Fame. About Featured Veteran Veterans are leaders, mentors, and entrepreneurs and often represent the best in our communities. Grunt Style's featured Veteran campaign is an initiative to celebrate these veterans' hard work and spirit, from showcasing their talents to highlighting their accomplishments and aspirations. We hope these Men and Women will serve as an inspiration and a positive example of what the American warfighter can do when they hang up their uniform and take on the role of community leaders. Join us on this mission, and meet the movers and shakers in your community today.

Join Host Tim Jensen on this powerful episode of the American Grit Podcast as he sits down with George Lutz, the founder of Honor and Remember, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring every U.S. military service member who has given their life in service to the nation. Inspired by the loss of his son, George “Tony” Lutz II, who was killed by a sniper in Fallujah, George's mission is to ensure the sacrifices of these heroes are never forgotten. Discover the story behind the Honor and Remember Flag, a symbol designed to keep the memories of our fallen alive, and learn how this organization is impacting families across the country. From the meaning behind each element of the flag to the push for national adoption, George and Tim explore why this movement matters and how you can get involved. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about remembrance, resilience, and the enduring spirit of America’s military families. #honor #service #military #memorial #remember American Grit Website https://americangrit.com

Join host Tim Jensen on the American Grit podcast as he sits down with Luke Sherman, Senior Vice President of Outreach at Folds of Honor and a retired captain from the Tulsa Police Department with over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Luke shares his compelling journey leading him to his pivotal role in expanding Folds of Honor's mission to include the families of fallen and disabled first responders. In this episode, Luke discusses how Folds of Honor is making a profound impact by providing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America's heroes—both military members and first responders. Learn how the organization honors their sacrifices by empowering their families through education, and discover ways you can contribute to this vital mission.

Operated by K9s For Warriors, the Station Dog Program partners with first responder agencies to offer high-quality K9s for emotional support. Unlike Service Dogs, these Station Dogs don't have ADA rights but significantly reduce stress and burnout among officers, firefighters, dispatchers, and victims. Visit https://k9sforwarriors.org/stationdogs/ to learn more.