Nick Lavery: Recalibrated Warrior: Life Beyond Borders: A Soldier's Perspective
My guest on #thePOZCAST is Nick Lavery, a true American Hero. He is an active-duty Green Beret and a true embodiment of grit, resilience, and service.
After surviving a devastating insider attack in Afghanistan in 2013 that resulted in the loss of his leg, Nick made the extraordinary decision to return to operational status, becoming the first Special Forces operator to re-deploy to combat as an above-the-knee amputee. Refusing medical retirement, he underwent intense rehabilitation and rigorous assessments before rejoining his unit in 2015. He went on to make military history, not only through his return to combat but also by completing elite training programs, including the Special Forces Warrant Officer course and the Combat Diver Qualification course—feats never before achieved by an amputee. Beyond the battlefield, Nick has continued his mission of service and leadership.
He is the founder and CEO of Precision Components LLC, a company dedicated to enhancing the performance of individuals and organizations through training and strategic development. A decorated warrior with honors like the Silver Star, multiple Purple Hearts, and the Bronze Star with Valor, he’s also a best-selling author of Objective Secure—a practical guide to achieving audacious goals. Above all, Nick is a dedicated husband and father, driven by a profound sense of purpose and a relentless commitment to living life without compromise.
Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-lavery-a691871ba/
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Summary
In this engaging conversation, Nick Lavery shares his experiences as a military service member, discussing the importance of gratitude, the realities of life outside the U.S., and the human connections formed in combat zones. He emphasizes the significance of trust within teams, the challenges of media representations of military life, and the lessons learned that can be applied to civilian life. Nick also reflects on confronting mortality, the journey back to active duty after injury, and the personal growth from these experiences. In this conversation, Nick Lavery shares his journey of overcoming challenges and redefining success through accountability, integrity, and mentorship. He discusses the importance of trust within teams, the military assessment process, and how he teaches his children about accountability. Nick also reflects on his transition from military service to a new purpose in life, emphasizing the value of hard work and the lessons learned from writing his book. The discussion culminates in deeply exploring success, highlighting the significance of accomplishment, fulfillment, and maintaining integrity throughout one's journey.
Takeaways
- Saying thank you for service is appreciated, but living life fully is the best gratitude.
- Experiencing life outside the U.S. provides perspective on freedoms and opportunities.
- Human connections, especially with children, reveal commonalities across cultures.
- Media often dramatizes military life, but some portrayals are more accurate than others.
- Trustworthiness is crucial in high-stakes environments, often more than skill.
- Feedback is essential for growth and should be embraced as a gift.
- Life is finite, and this realization can lead to deeper humility and purpose.
- The journey back to active duty requires resilience and determination.
- Trust must be established from the beginning in leadership roles.
- Personal growth often comes from confronting one's own mortality. Managing expectations is crucial in facing challenges.
- Trust is built through consistent actions and results.
- Celebrating small wins is important for motivation.
- Accountability is a rare but valuable trait.
- Teaching children about consequences is essential for their growth.
- Finding purpose after military service can be fulfilling.
- Writing can be a powerful tool for self-discovery.
- Success is defined by accomplishment, fulfillment, and integrity.
- Integrity makes the journey worthwhile, even if it's harder.
- Leading by example is key in parenting and mentorship.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Gratitude for Service
02:56 Experiencing Life Outside the U.S.
06:10 Human Connections in Combat Zones
09:08 Media Representations of Military Life
11:54 The Importance of Trust in Teams
14:57 Lessons from Military to Civilian Life
17:57 Confronting Mortality and Humility
20:52 The Journey Back to Active Duty
31:41 Facing Expectations and Building Trust
34:24 The Journey of Assessment and Acceptance
39:49 Celebrating Wins and Preparing for New Challenges
40:17 Accountability and Integrity in Society
45:02 Teaching Accountability to the Next Generation
51:08 Finding Purpose After Military Service
53:14 The Writing Journey and Self-Discovery
59:45 Defining Success: Accomplishment, Fulfillment, and Integrity
