Johnny Vargas is an active-duty U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (SFC) and prominent military influencer known for his authentic content on military life, veteran news, benefits, mental health, and humorous skits.
Hailing from California's San Fernando Valley, Vargas enlisted in the Army on January 1, 2013, initially serving as a cavalry scout before transitioning to Air Defense Artillery. His accidental entry into social media began in 2023 when a video posted by his wife went viral, sparking his curiosity and leading him to build a dedicated presence under the handle @Viva_La_Vargas (primarily on TikTok, with accounts on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook).
Through consistent posting—often multiple videos per day focused on educating, entertaining, and emotionally connecting with audiences—he grew his following to approximately 300,000 across platforms by late 2025, reaching 35-45 million users monthly.
Vargas has turned this into a thriving side business exceeding his military salary (around $90,000 annually), offering consulting, media management, keynote speaking, and brand partnerships while collaborating with organizations like the Association of the United States Army and veteran support groups.
A married father of four with family military ties (including a grandfather in the Korean War), he is set to medically retire from the Army in summer 2026 and plans to expand his media ventures full-time. Vargas emphasizes genuineness, persistence, and supporting service members' transitions, often stating, "If I can do it, other veterans and active-duty members can too."
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7
Kagan Dunlap Show Links:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShow
X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShow
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059
Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=en
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=en
Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
Johnny Vargas Links:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/viva_la_vargas_/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyVargasMusic/
Threads - https://www.threads.com/@viva_la_vargas_
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Viva_La_Vargas
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@vivalavargas
X - https://x.com/Viva_La_Vargas
Johnny Vargas is an active-duty U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (SFC) and prominent military influencer known for his authentic content on military life, veteran news, benefits, mental health, and humorous skits.Hailing from California's San Fernando Valley, Vargas enlisted in the Army on January 1, 2013, initially serving as a cavalry scout before transitioning to Air Defense Artillery. His accidental entry into social media began in 2023 when a video posted by his wife went viral, sparking his curiosity and leading him to build a dedicated presence under the handle @Viva_La_Vargas (primarily on TikTok, with accounts on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook).Through consistent posting—often multiple videos per day focused on educating, entertaining, and emotionally connecting with audiences—he grew his following to approximately 300,000 across platforms by late 2025, reaching 35-45 million users monthly.Vargas has turned this into a thriving side business exceeding his military salary (around $90,000 annually), offering consulting, media management, keynote speaking, and brand partnerships while collaborating with organizations like the Association of the United States Army and veteran support groups.A married father of four with family military ties (including a grandfather in the Korean War), he is set to medically retire from the Army in summer 2026 and plans to expand his media ventures full-time. Vargas emphasizes genuineness, persistence, and supporting service members' transitions, often stating, "If I can do it, other veterans and active-duty members can too."Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/Johnny Vargas Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/viva_la_vargas_/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyVargasMusic/Threads - https://www.threads.com/@viva_la_vargas_Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Viva_La_VargasTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@vivalavargasX - https://x.com/Viva_La_Vargas
Alyssa Michelle was born and raised in upstate New York as one of four sisters in a middle-class family. Growing up in the 90s, she was more drawn to art, music, and church than athletics—until high school, when she decided to pursue the military and began building discipline through individual sports like track and cross country. That decision ultimately set her on a path of resilience and leadership.Alyssa attended SUNY Brockport, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and commissioning as the top cadet in her ROTC class in 2015. Alyssa branched into Field Artillery and began her Army career at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving as a Fire Support Officer. During her time in uniform, she took on roles at the company, platoon, and executive officerlevels, leading through demanding training cycles such as JRTC and earning a reputation for mental toughness and adaptability.In 2017, Alyssa became a mother and simultaneously navigated the challenges of divorce, leading her to make the difficult decision to leave active duty as a Captain in 2019. She transitioned into a corporate role in Austin, Texas, determined to create stability for her young son. During this time, she also launched her personal brand, Little Fit Patriot, which began with fitness modeling and bodybuilding competitions before evolving into online coaching and fitness content creation. By 2024, Alyssa realized her passion extended beyond fitness into storytelling and entrepreneurship. She exited corporate life to start her own media and production company, LFP Creative, while also partnering with the veteran nonprofit Warrior Rising. Today, Alyssa is the CEO of LFP Creative, blending her military discipline, creative vision, and entrepreneurial spirit. Her journey—from ROTC to active duty, from fitness influencer to founder—reflects resilience, reinvention, and risk-taking in pursuit of freedom and a life centered on meaningful connections and time with her son.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Alyssa Michelle Links:Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/littlefitpatriot/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FitPatriotTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@littlefitpatriot_YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LittlefitpatriotLinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-michelle/
Alyssa Michelle was born and raised in upstate New York as one of four sisters in a middle-class family. Growing up in the 90s, she was more drawn to art, music, and church than athletics—until high school, when she decided to pursue the military and began building discipline through individual sports like track and cross country. That decision ultimately set her on a path of resilience and leadership.
Alyssa attended SUNY Brockport, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and commissioning as the top cadet in her ROTC class in 2015. Alyssa branched into Field Artillery and began her Army career at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving as a Fire Support Officer. During her time in uniform, she took on roles at the company, platoon, and executive officerlevels, leading through demanding training cycles such as JRTC and earning a reputation for mental toughness and adaptability.
In 2017, Alyssa became a mother and simultaneously navigated the challenges of divorce, leading her to make the difficult decision to leave active duty as a Captain in 2019. She transitioned into a corporate role in Austin, Texas, determined to create stability for her young son. During this time, she also launched her personal brand, Little Fit Patriot, which began with fitness modeling and bodybuilding competitions before evolving into online coaching and fitness content creation. By 2024, Alyssa realized her passion extended beyond fitness into storytelling and entrepreneurship. She exited corporate life to start her own media and production company, LFP Creative, while also partnering with the veteran nonprofit Warrior Rising.
Today, Alyssa is the CEO of LFP Creative, blending her military discipline, creative vision, and entrepreneurial spirit. Her journey—from ROTC to active duty, from fitness influencer to founder—reflects resilience, reinvention, and risk-taking in pursuit of freedom and a life centered on meaningful connections and time with her son.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Alyssa Michelle Links:Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/littlefitpatriot/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FitPatriotTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@littlefitpatriot_YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LittlefitpatriotLinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-michelle/
Lindsey Chrismon is a U.S. Army veteran, pioneering aviator, Harvard Business School graduate, and tech entrepreneur known for breaking barriers and pursuing relentless excellence.Born in Montville, New Jersey, into a non-military family, Chrismon grew up as a self-described "tomboy," building tree forts, riding bikes, and excelling in sports from a young age. She competed in soccer, basketball, track, and even played drumline in her high school marching band. Entering West Point in 2010, Chrismon endured the grueling Cadet Basic Training ("Beast"), where blistered feet and self-doubt tested her resolve, but she persevered. As a cadet, she balanced rigorous academics, military training, and athletics, captaining the women's track team in events like the 400-meter hurdles, pentathlon, and heptathlon. She led the Black Knights to their first victory over Navy in track since 2007. Her leadership culminated in 2013–2014 when she was selected as First Captain of the Corps of Cadets—the highest cadet rank, responsible for leading all 4,400 cadets—making her only the fourth woman in West Point's history to hold this position and ranking her No. 1 in her class.Graduating in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in American Government and Politics, Chrismon commissioned as an Army Aviation officer. Her first assignment was flying the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter with the 3-6 Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas, where she served as a platoon leader for four years. Seeking greater challenges, she applied to the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), known as the "Night Stalkers." After a rigorous assessment in 2018, she became the first woman in U.S. Army history to pilot the AH-6M Little Bird—a lightweight, highly maneuverable attack and assault helicopter used in high-stakes special operations. She flew missions requiring precision low-altitude flying, stealth, and multitasking, earning respect through her skill and leadership. Chrismon served nearly a decade in the Army, transitioning out in fall 2023.While at West Point, Chrismon met fellow cadet Gabe Chrismon (Class of 2014), a former Infantry officer; the couple later married and became business partners. Post-military, Chrismon pursued her long-held goal of attending Harvard Business School—she had written in her West Point yearbook a decade earlier that she wanted an HBS MBA. Accepted into the Class of 2025, she graduated in May 2025 with her MBA, focusing on entrepreneurship and technology. During her time at HBS, she co-founded Oply, an AI-powered home management platform that helps homeowners predict, manage, and automate maintenance to protect and increase property value. As co-founder and CEO, Chrismon leads the Nashville-based, venture-backed startup alongside her husband Gabe (COO). Drawing from their military discipline and prior experience in home services, Oply applies proactive principles—similar to aircraft maintenance—to revolutionize homeownership for busy families. Chrismon is also a Veteran Fellow (2025–2026) at the Hoover Institution, advocating for responsible AI governance.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Lindsey Chrismon Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lindsey.chrismon/?hl=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/lindsey.danilackLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-danilack-chrismon/X - https://x.com/lindseychrismon
Lindsey Chrismon is a U.S. Army veteran, pioneering aviator, Harvard Business School graduate, and tech entrepreneur known for breaking barriers and pursuing relentless excellence.
At age 11, during a family picnic at West Point's Trophy Point, she fell in love with the military atmosphere and decided on the spot that she would attend the U.S. Military Academy.
Despite applying only to West Point—putting all her eggs in one basket—she earned admission, along with recruitment for the women's track and field team, after securing a congressional nomination.Entering West Point in 2010, Chrismon endured the grueling Cadet Basic Training ("Beast"), where blistered feet and self-doubt tested her resolve, but she persevered. As a cadet, she balanced rigorous academics, military training, and athletics, captaining the women's track team in events like the 400-meter hurdles, pentathlon, and heptathlon. She led the Black Knights to their first victory over Navy in track since 2007.
Her leadership culminated in 2013–2014 when she was selected as First Captain of the Corps of Cadets—the highest cadet rank, responsible for leading all 4,400 cadets—making her only the fourth woman in West Point's history to hold this position and ranking her No. 1 in her class.
Graduating in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in American Government and Politics, Chrismon commissioned as an Army Aviation officer. Her first assignment was flying the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter with the 3-6 Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas, where she served as a platoon leader for four years.
Seeking greater challenges, she applied to the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), known as the "Night Stalkers." After a rigorous assessment in 2018, she became the first woman in U.S. Army history to pilot the AH-6M Little Bird—a lightweight, highly maneuverable attack and assault helicopter used in high-stakes special operations. She flew missions requiring precision low-altitude flying, stealth, and multitasking, earning respect through her skill and leadership.
Chrismon served nearly a decade in the Army, transitioning out in fall 2023.While at West Point, Chrismon met fellow cadet Gabe Chrismon (Class of 2014), a former Infantry officer; the couple later married and became business partners. Post-military, Chrismon pursued her long-held goal of attending Harvard Business School—she had written in her West Point yearbook a decade earlier that she wanted an HBS MBA.
Accepted into the Class of 2025, she graduated in May 2025 with her MBA, focusing on entrepreneurship and technology. During her time at HBS, she co-founded Oply, an AI-powered home management platform that helps homeowners predict, manage, and automate maintenance to protect and increase property value.
As co-founder and CEO, Chrismon leads the Nashville-based, venture-backed startup alongside her husband Gabe (COO). Drawing from their military discipline and prior experience in home services, Oply applies proactive principles—similar to aircraft maintenance—to revolutionize homeownership for busy families. Chrismon is also a Veteran Fellow (2025–2026) at the Hoover Institution, advocating for responsible AI governance.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Lindsey Chrismon Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lindsey.chrismon/?hl=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/lindsey.danilackLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-danilack-chrismon/X - https://x.com/lindseychrismon
Michael “Rod” Rodríguez is the President and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. Rod joined the U.S. Army in 1992 and attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course to become a Green Beret in 1997. In 2013, he was medically retired due to numerous combat injuries. His last assignment as a Green Beret came as a Sniper Instructor assigned to the JFK Special Warfare Center (Range 37) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He has deployed ten times in service to our nation. Rod’s involvement with the GWOT Memorial Foundation began in 2016, when he joined the organization as a board member in support of the Foundation’s sole mission to construct a Memorial on the National Mall that appropriately honors the profound service and sacrifices of all who served in America’s longest war. In 2018 Rod stepped into the leadership role of the Foundation as President and CEO.From 2015-2018 Rod served as a member of President George W. Bush’s Military Service Initiative Advisory Council, advising and supporting the President and leadership of the Bush Institute on strategies and programs to support veterans and their families. In 2013, Rod was appointed as a Fellow of the Manhattan-based Explorers Club, an international organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific exploration and inquiry, for his research on traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress. In August of 2021, Rod, assisted in evacuating U.S. allied personnel and their families from Afghanistan. He assists several other charities in the veteran and non-veteran spaces, and is called up for leadership advice, and strategies to private businesses and local, state, and national government agencies. Rod is a proud Norwich University graduate who holds a B.S. in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis and an M.A. in Diplomacy with a concentration in International Conflict Management.As an artist who works with metal, Rod is a passionate advocate for the power of art to heal, tell a story, share an emotion, connect, and inspire us all. In addition to being part of several private collections to include the British Royal Family, his work has been exhibited at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and several other galleries across the nation. Rod also has worked with the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Forces initiative. Rod is a New Mexico native who comes from a family with a strong tradition of military service. His father is a Vietnam veteran, both his grandfathers, and several other family members served during World War II. The mother of his children served for 21 years and deployed six times, their eldest son is stationed at Ft. Bragg and has deployed 4 times, one of which was to the same regions of Afghanistan as Rod and his mother. Rod has been an outspoken advocate for veterans and their families and often speaks publicly on the need to increase understanding of life experiences between the civilian and military communities. Most importantly, Rod is a proud abuelo (grandfather), padre (father), and hermano (brother) to many.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Michael Rodriguez Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/monsterzdad/?hl=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/michael.rodriguez.77398LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rodr%C3%ADguez-367b7b58/X - https://x.com/Monsterzdad
Michael “Rod” Rodríguez is the President and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. Rod joined the U.S. Army in 1992 and attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course to become a Green Beret in 1997. In 2013, he was medically retired due to numerous combat injuries. His last assignment as a Green Beret came as a Sniper Instructor assigned to the JFK Special Warfare Center (Range 37) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He has deployed ten times in service to our nation.
Rod’s involvement with the GWOT Memorial Foundation began in 2016, when he joined the organization as a board member in support of the Foundation’s sole mission to construct a Memorial on the National Mall that appropriately honors the profound service and sacrifices of all who served in America’s longest war. In 2018 Rod stepped into the leadership role of the Foundation as President and CEO.
From 2015-2018 Rod served as a member of President George W. Bush’s Military Service Initiative Advisory Council, advising and supporting the President and leadership of the Bush Institute on strategies and programs to support veterans and their families. In 2013, Rod was appointed as a Fellow of the Manhattan-based Explorers Club, an international organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific exploration and inquiry, for his research on traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress.
In August of 2021, Rod, assisted in evacuating U.S. allied personnel and their families from Afghanistan. He assists several other charities in the veteran and non-veteran spaces, and is called up for leadership advice, and strategies to private businesses and local, state, and national government agencies. Rod is a proud Norwich University graduate who holds a B.S. in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis and an M.A. in Diplomacy with a concentration in International Conflict Management.
As an artist who works with metal, Rod is a passionate advocate for the power of art to heal, tell a story, share an emotion, connect, and inspire us all. In addition to being part of several private collections to include the British Royal Family, his work has been exhibited at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and several other galleries across the nation. Rod also has worked with the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Forces initiative.
Rod is a New Mexico native who comes from a family with a strong tradition of military service. His father is a Vietnam veteran, both his grandfathers, and several other family members served during World War II. The mother of his children served for 21 years and deployed six times, their eldest son is stationed at Ft. Bragg and has deployed 4 times, one of which was to the same regions of Afghanistan as Rod and his mother. Rod has been an outspoken advocate for veterans and their families and often speaks publicly on the need to increase understanding of life experiences between the civilian and military communities. Most importantly, Rod is a proud abuelo (grandfather), padre (father), and hermano (brother) to many.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Michael Rodriguez Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/monsterzdad/?hl=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/michael.rodriguez.77398LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rodr%C3%ADguez-367b7b58/X - https://x.com/Monsterzdad
Benjamin Bunn is a former Green Beret and Infantry Officer who served 17 years in the United States Army before transitioning out in 2016. His military career includes multiple deployments in support of the Global War on Terror—most notably to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Baltics during stability operations in Eastern Europe. He earned his Green Beret in 2006 and closed out his service as an Infantry Officer, bringing with him a deep well of operational experience and leadership under pressure.Since leaving active duty, Ben has built a reputation as a driven entrepreneur and community builder. He is the founder and owner of Cigar City CrossFit in Tampa, Florida—a 15,000 sq. ft. training facility that has become a staple in the local fitness community. He’s also launched and advised multiple ventures in the startup and CPG space, with a focus on building sustainable brands and teams from the ground up. Ben currently serves as Deputy Executive Director at Warrior Rising, where he helps fellow veterans navigate the path from military service to entrepreneurship. He’s also the host of the Warrior Rising Podcast, where he shares stories from the front lines of business and mentors new veteran business owners one-on-one.Ben is a passionate coach, mentor, and community advocate. He’s raised over $1.5M for veteran nonprofits and volunteers regularly in the health and wellness space—most recently with SOCOM at MacDill AFB. Outside of work, he’s a proud father to his 6-year-old son Loyal, husband to Samantha, and the unofficial shepherd of two dogs and eleven chickens. He still trains daily and stays actively involved in his local community. His favorite cigarettes are camel filters.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Ben Bunn Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coach_bunny/?hl=enLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-bunn-a17a5b40/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Benjamin-Bunn
Benjamin Bunn is a former Green Beret and Infantry Officer who served 17 years in the United States Army before transitioning out in 2016. His military career includes multiple deployments in support of the Global War on Terror—most notably to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Baltics during stability operations in Eastern Europe. He earned his Green Beret in 2006 and closed out his service as an Infantry Officer, bringing with him a deep well of operational experience and leadership under pressure.
Since leaving active duty, Ben has built a reputation as a driven entrepreneur and community builder. He is the founder and owner of Cigar City CrossFit in Tampa, Florida—a 15,000 sq. ft. training facility that has become a staple in the local fitness community. He’s also launched and advised multiple ventures in the startup and CPG space, with a focus on building sustainable brands and teams from the ground up. Ben currently serves as Deputy Executive Director at Warrior Rising, where he helps fellow veterans navigate the path from military service to entrepreneurship. He’s also the host of the Warrior Rising Podcast, where he shares stories from the front lines of business and mentors new veteran business owners one-on-one.
Ben is a passionate coach, mentor, and community advocate. He’s raised over $1.5M for veteran nonprofits and volunteers regularly in the health and wellness space—most recently with SOCOM at MacDill AFB. Outside of work, he’s a proud father to his 6-year-old son Loyal, husband to Samantha, and the unofficial shepherd of two dogs and eleven chickens. He still trains daily and stays actively involved in his local community. His favorite cigarettes are camel filters.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Ben Bunn Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coach_bunny/?hl=enLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-bunn-a17a5b40/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Benjamin-Bunn
Tyler Grey is an American actor, director, consultant, producer, and technical advisor as well as former Army Ranger and Delta Force operator who portrays Trent Sawyer on the SEAL Team. Tyler Grey is a former 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force) operator.
Prior to that, he was a sniper-qualified Army Ranger. Tyler was medically retired from the Army and was 100% disabled after being severely wounded on a mission in Iraq, which is why his right arm is disfigured. Tyler portrays Trent Sawyer on SEAL Team (TV Series), and also serves as a producer and consultant for the series.
Now a leading voice in veteran mental health, he developed LTSD theory—a groundbreaking framework on chaos addiction and how trauma rewires the brain—giving veterans a powerful new way to understand post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
From a young age, Tyler Grey dreamed of being a soldier—playing war with toy weapons and wearing military t-shirts like armor. A shy but fiercely loyal kid, he learned early that being a warrior could protect both himself and others. But instead of becoming a hero overnight, that path launched him into a years-long odyssey of chaos, combat, and ultimately, self-discovery.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7
Kagan Dunlap Show Links:
Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShow
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=en
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059
Tyler Grey Links:
Official Website: https://tyleragrey.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tyleragrey
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/forgedinchaosbook/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyleragrey/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@tyleragrey
X - https://x.com/TylerAresGrey
Tyler Grey is an American actor, director, consultant, producer, and technical advisor as well as former Army Ranger and Delta Force operator who portrays Trent Sawyer on the SEAL Team.
Tyler Grey is a former 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force) operator. Prior to that, he was a sniper-qualified Army Ranger. Tyler was medically retired from the Army and was 100% disabled after being severely wounded on a mission in Iraq, which is why his right arm is disfigured. Tyler portrays Trent Sawyer on SEAL Team (TV Series), and also serves as a producer and consultant for the series.
Now a leading voice in veteran mental health, he developed LTSD theory—a groundbreaking framework on chaos addiction and how trauma rewires the brain—giving veterans a powerful new way to understand post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).From a young age, Tyler Grey dreamed of being a soldier—playing war with toy weapons and wearing military t-shirts like armor.
A shy but fiercely loyal kid, he learned early that being a warrior could protect both himself and others. But instead of becoming a hero overnight, that path launched him into a years-long odyssey of chaos, combat, and ultimately, self-discovery.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Tyler Grey Links:Official Website: https://tyleragrey.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tyleragreyFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/forgedinchaosbook/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyleragrey/Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@tyleragreyX - https://x.com/TylerAresGrey
Jason Redman joined the U.S. Navy on September 11, 1992, and spent 11 years as an enlisted Navy SEAL. He was commissioned in May of 2004 as a Naval SEAL Officer. In May of 2006, he graduated from U.S. Army Ranger School and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, the following year.On September 13, 2007, while acting as Assault Force Commander to capture an Al Qaeda High Value Individual, Jason’s Assault Team came under heavy machine gun and small arms fire, and he was severely wounded in the ensuing firefight.Jason was taken to Bethesda Naval Medical Center to begin his path towards recovery. After 37 surgeries, Jason uses his positive attitude to motivate others and to continue to raise awareness of the sacrifices of America’s military forces and their families. This drive led him to create the non-profit Wounded Wear, and author the bestselling books “The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader” and “Overcome: Crush Adversity with the Leadership Techniques of America’s Toughest Warriors.”Additionally, Jason speaks across the country, spreading his message of life, inspiration, leadership, and teamwork, and sheds a light on those who have sacrificed so much. In 2010, he was named the recipient of the Hope and Courage award, along with both the Hampton Roads community and Wendy’s recognizing him with their Military Hero award in 2013. In December 2013, Jason was awarded the Still Serving Veteran of the Year Award.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Jason Redman Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jasonredmanww/?hl=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/jasonredmanww/Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYlcniaDl7BxOLMCn-EoXqwX - https://x.com/JasonRedmanWW
Gregory Wagnon was born in Pennsylvania, and grew up in Colorado and Virginia and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2006 serving as an 0351 Assault man in 2nd Battalion 8th Marines in Fox Company. He served in two Combat tours, one in Iraq in Ramadi and one in Afghanistan in Helmand Province during the battles in Operation Khanjar Strike of the Sword. Since exiting service Gregory has gained a new found perspective on life through spirituality and abstinence. He found through God, Family, and Community a new found purpose in life and the freedom that it brings.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7
Kagan Dunlap Show Links:
Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShow
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=en
Gregory Wagnon Links:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/faithful_fitfather/
Gregory Wagnon was born in Pennsylvania, and grew up in Colorado and Virginia and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2006 serving as an 0351 Assault man in 2nd Battalion 8th Marines in Fox Company. He served in two Combat tours, one in Iraq in Ramadi and one in Afghanistan in Helmand Province during the battles in Operation Khanjar Strike of the Sword. Since exiting service Gregory has gained a new found perspective on life through spirituality and abstinence. He found through God, Family, and Community a new found purpose in life and the freedom that it brings.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enGregory Wagnon Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/faithful_fitfather/
Support the Cause Here: https://bornprimitive.com/
Bear Handlon: From Navy SEAL Battlefields to Building a Fitness Empire Meet Bear Handlon, a true embodiment of grit, discipline, and unyielding drive—a former Navy SEAL officer, Yale athlete, and visionary entrepreneur who's redefined what it means to "work hard, wear easy." Born and raised in the heartland of Indiana, Bear's journey began on the gridiron, where he honed his competitive edge as a middle linebacker for the Yale Bulldogs. But Bear didn't stop at football; in 2013, he channeled that same intensity into the world of functional fitness, competing at the prestigious CrossFit Games as part of a team—a testament to his early passion for pushing physical and mental limits. Fresh out of Yale, Bear's path took a pivotal turn toward service. In the spring of 2014, just months before commissioning into the U.S. Navy, he co-founded Born Primitive alongside his partner (and now wife) Mallory Handlon (née Riley). What started as a simple idea—crafting high-performance compression shorts sewn by a neighbor to better support Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit sessions—quickly evolved into a garage-side hustle. As Bear reported for duty, he and Mallory bootstrapped the brand from their modest setup, turning late-night shipments into a foundation for something extraordinary.Over the next nearly 8 years, Bear served with distinction as a Navy SEAL officer in the Special Operations community, deploying on high-stakes missions that demanded the very resilience he infused into his fledgling company. Balancing classified operations with entrepreneurial demands, Bear led SEAL teams while remotely guiding Born Primitive's growth. It was a masterclass in multitasking under fire: no outside capital, no safety nets—just raw determination. By the time he transitioned out of active duty, Born Primitive had exploded from a one-product wonder into a global lifestyle powerhouse. Today, as Co-Founder and CEO, Bear oversees a 9-figure fitness, athleisure, and outdoor apparel brand that's synonymous with durability, style, and performance. From moisture-wicking tees that withstand the toughest WODs to versatile gear for everyday warriors, Born Primitive's motto—"Work Hard, Wear Easy"—mirrors Bear's ethos of excellence without compromise.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enBear Handlon Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bearhandlonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bear-handlon-699688152/
Support the Cause Here: https://bornprimitive.com/Bear Handlon: From Navy SEAL Battlefields to Building a Fitness Empire Meet Bear Handlon, a true embodiment of grit, discipline, and unyielding drive—a former Navy SEAL officer, Yale athlete, and visionary entrepreneur who's redefined what it means to "work hard, wear easy." Born and raised in the heartland of Indiana, Bear's journey began on the gridiron, where he honed his competitive edge as a middle linebacker for the Yale Bulldogs. But Bear didn't stop at football; in 2013, he channeled that same intensity into the world of functional fitness, competing at the prestigious CrossFit Games as part of a team—a testament to his early passion for pushing physical and mental limits. Fresh out of Yale, Bear's path took a pivotal turn toward service. In the spring of 2014, just months before commissioning into the U.S. Navy, he co-founded Born Primitive alongside his partner (and now wife) Mallory Handlon (née Riley). What started as a simple idea—crafting high-performance compression shorts sewn by a neighbor to better support Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit sessions—quickly evolved into a garage-side hustle. As Bear reported for duty, he and Mallory bootstrapped the brand from their modest setup, turning late-night shipments into a foundation for something extraordinary.Over the next nearly 8 years, Bear served with distinction as a Navy SEAL officer in the Special Operations community, deploying on high-stakes missions that demanded the very resilience he infused into his fledgling company. Balancing classified operations with entrepreneurial demands, Bear led SEAL teams while remotely guiding Born Primitive's growth. It was a masterclass in multitasking under fire: no outside capital, no safety nets—just raw determination. By the time he transitioned out of active duty, Born Primitive had exploded from a one-product wonder into a global lifestyle powerhouse. Today, as Co-Founder and CEO, Bear oversees a 9-figure fitness, athleisure, and outdoor apparel brand that's synonymous with durability, style, and performance. From moisture-wicking tees that withstand the toughest WODs to versatile gear for everyday warriors, Born Primitive's motto—"Work Hard, Wear Easy"—mirrors Bear's ethos of excellence without compromise.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enBear Handlon Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bearhandlonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bear-handlon-699688152/
Retired Master Sergeant Earl D. Plumlee, is an American Green Beret and Medal of Honor Recipient from Clinton, Oklahoma. He kicked off his military journey in 1998 with the U.S. Army National Guard, then switched to the Marine Corps in 2000, serving as a Force Reconnaissance Marine until 2008. Rejoining the Army in 2009, he became a Weapons Sergeant with the elite 1st Special Forces Group.
Plumlee was presented with the Medal of Honor on Dec. 16, 2021 for his actions while responding to an attack by insurgents on Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013.
Since retiring from the U.S. Army in December 2023 after 25 years of service, Master Sergeant Earl D. Plumlee has channeled his heroism into veteran advocacy and public service. He serves as a Business Development Manager and senior technical training professional in Saab, Inc.'s Land Systems Division, supporting military readiness and innovation.
A sought-after speaker, Plumlee delivered keynote addresses at events like the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting—sharing lessons on leadership forged in combat—and the Secure Forward conference, while appearing on Veterans Radio to recount his Medal of Honor actions.
Inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in October 2024, he continues inspiring through initiatives that honor fallen heroes and empower service members.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7
Kagan Dunlap Show Links:
Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShow
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=en
Earl Plumlee Links:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/earl_plumlee_official/
Army 1st Lt. Austin von Letkemann, better known by his Instagram handle Mandatory Funday is a rising comic influencer and U.S. Army intelligence officer who has amassed over 3 million followers and hundreds of millions of monthly viewers through his uplifting, humorous content.
Letkemann shares his unexpected journey from personal setbacks to viral stardom, having joined the Army out of curiosity amid life's challenges. Transitioning into a public affairs role where he'll craft content for the Army—"flying the plane as we build it," as he puts it—Letkemann launched his content creation in 2022 with a simple formula: film a short video, post it, and repeat thousands of times.
His posts celebrate leadership, military life, and fatherhood, aiming to inject positivity and laughter into the service community. A devoted father to four daughters—who fill his world with "activity and sparkles"—Letkemann balances family with passions for weightlifting and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7
Kagan Dunlap Show Links:
Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShow
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=en
Mandatory Funday Links:
Instagram - https://instagram.com/mandatoryfunday
Facebook - https://facebook.com/MandatoryFunDay
TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/mandatoryfunday
YouTube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCq_IooL5-mnPOXnjxxfRMrA
X - https://x.com/@monotonemustang
Doug Collins is a distinguished public servant, military veteran, pastor, and legal expert whose remarkable journey has taken him from the halls of Georgia's state legislature to the highest echelons of national leadership. A proud veteran, Collins has dedicated much of his adult life to defending his country. He served in the United States Navy Reserve and later joined the United States Air Force Reserve in 2002, where he continues to serve to this day. Collins' represented the people of Georgia as a member of the state House of Representatives from 2007 to 2012. In 2012, he was elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, going on to serve in the three succeeding Congresses from January 3, 2013, to January 3, 2021. As of 2025, Doug Collins holds one of the most vital positions in the Trump administration: Secretary of Veterans' Affairs in the Cabinet of President Donald J. Trump. In this role, he champions the needs of America's heroes, working tirelessly to expand access to healthcare, streamline benefits, and honor the sacrifices of those who have served. Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enDoug Collins Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/secvetaffairs/X - https://x.com/SecVetAffairsX - https://x.com/repdougcollins?lang=en