In this episode I have the honor of interviewing Dustin Batson, a Marine Corps veteran, my former point man, entrepreneur and business owner.  The West End Elixir Company opened its doors on September 10th of this year and business has been overwhelmingly good for Batson.  With half of his staff being veterans this should come at no surprise.

Episode three contains too many nuggets of wisdom to put them all into the show notes. Here are a few parts to listen for:

Using the reserves as a stepping stone out of the military.  (Throughout)

2nd Battalion, 7th Marines leading the way in Afghanistan.  (6:50 mark)

The biggest challenge he faced moving into the civilian world.  (15:50)

His rise through the bar ranks and leadership as a bar's general manager.  (19:30)

He explains the fear and liberation of starting his own business.  (28:32)

His future plans for success and where he is taking his business.  (41:06)

You can find the West End Elixir Company website here.  There was also a recent news article about Batson and his bar. Read it here to see how he is helping veterans start new jobs as bartenders.

In this episode I sit down with "Raz", a Marine Corps veteran I served with in 2/7 Weapons Company.  Raz left the Marine Corps in 2008 and started on a 7 year journey that would eventually see him working construction, discovering his true passion for art, and eventually heading to San Fransisco to attend the Academy of Art University.  He is now a graphic designer and freelance illustrator/designer living mere feet from the beach.

He started Create Art, his brand and business, and has sold clothing and art pieces here in the US and internationally in Germany, France, and the UK.  If you would like to see what Create Art has to offer the website is www.cr8art.com and you can also find Create Art on Instagram under the name @_createart_

Quote from the show: "You finally get to the point where life is hard not because you're struggling, but because you're choosing to do something difficult."

I interview Ryan and Darline Warner, two Marine veterans who met in their Transition Assistance Program and are now happily married with two kids.  They lift together, cook for each other, and both flourishing in their chosen careers.

Here are just a few of the topics we discuss:

What it was like during transition, both while exiting the service and the first few months after?

What can be done to help young veterans have a fulfilling transition into the civilian world?

When do you finally realize you are living a lifestyle you actually want and not just struggling through.

The non-profit mentioned in the podcast:  Lift for the 22.  #LiftForThe22 is a military support network designed to use fitness as a tool to combat PTSD and veteran suicides. Their goal is to have a gym membership for every veteran. 

You can check out Lift for the 22 at http://www.facebook.com/LiftForThe22