Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
We use this sentiment in a way that waters down its meaning. We make it less effective because we use it so interchangeably in our everyday communication. As a storyteller, I’m sure I’m guilty of embellishing a story to gain attention or to create a certain curiosity. I’m not intentionally telling a lie, I work hard to ensure I’m truthful in all matters of my life. In my opinion, a stretch of the truth seems permissible as long as it does not alter the facts of the story. I had to explain that in order to ensure you understood the rest of what I’m about to tell you.
Last April, I applied to a program designed to empower U.S. Military Veterans by providing them opportunities to create sustainable businesses, perpetuate the hiring of fellow veterans, and offer them a chance to earn their futures. Warrior Rising was recommended by my wife’s brother, Matt Tobin (Season 1, Ep.002, “The Story of the Dark Horse). Matt had been a guest at a fundraiser that benefited Warrior Rising in the years prior. I thought the organization could help bolster TWWN podcast growth, so I applied to the vetrepreneur program.
I was accepted into the program and scheduled an initial call with an intake specialist. I will never forget the date of the initial phone conversation with Warrior Rising because of the events that followed. On acceptance night into the Warrior Rising program, 11 May 2021, I would end up spiking a fever of 104°. This fever would last five days before sending me to the hospital for the rest of the month of May. Needless to say, I thought my opportunity as a vetrepreneur with Warrior Rising was a thing of the distant past.
After recording a recent podcast, I noticed that I had missed a call from my wife. Nervous of an impending emergency, I called her back as soon as the podcast guests left the building. I could tell immediately by her elation that the news wasn’t as terrible as I had anticipated. Each year, Legacy Acres, owned by NFL star Austin Blythe, coordinates a hunt with NFL veterans to raise funds to benefit the Warrior Rising program. After the hunt, the players and vetrepreneurs share time, stories, and camaraderie in a weekend full of events. Kristi had been on the phone with her brother, and he had mentioned he was minus one for the yearly event at Legacy Acres. After Matt detailed the weekend full of events, my wife took the shot for me!
I sat at a table full of absolute giants. Myself and the young man who handled the hunting hounds, were the only “normal-sized” men at our assigned table. I mean that in a figurative way as well, sitting next to the likes of Marshal Yonda, Conor Boffeli, Jack Mewhort, Nate Stanley, Matt Tobin, Grey Ruegamer, and David Edwards. These guys have each accomplished amazing feats in their respective lives and NFL careers. I’ve always been comfortable in my own skin, at times I’ve been arrogant, maybe even a tad conceited. Now that life has seasoned me, I know it is okay to be proud of my accomplishments, but never to gloat. Something about being in a sea of athletic, accomplished, huge, rich, and attractive people can have a way of making one question their own worth. To say that I was intimidated, is how I will put it to save face.
He asked me if anyone was sitting next to me. I’ve been absent from being a spectator of the NFL since my brother-in-law, Matt, retired from the game. I’m more of a play than watch type of guy, so when he introduced himself I was ignorant. Due to his size, I assumed he was a football player and asked if that were the case. He introduced himself as, Nate Stanley, the former Iowa Hawkeyes and now Minnesota Viking quarterback. I feel the need to share this piece because of the humility and overall kindness that Nate displayed while we chatted. We spoke about his injury and the setbacks he’d endured and how good it feels to get back to doing what you love. Sharing the same name, we immediately had something in common and I used that opportunity to share the podcast. I’m extremely appreciative for the time and attention that Nate gave our conversation. It gave me clarity and confidence during a time when I felt racked with nerves. You’ve earned a new fan for life @njstan4—I look forward to watching where you take life. With that replenished confidence, I started conversing with the rest of the table and was euphoric while I awaited the keynote speaker, Rob O’Neill.
“Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”, will not even touch what I am about to tell you. I sat with bated breath, listening intently to every single word that Rob O’Neill spoke during this event. Mr. O’Neill was the Navy Seal who took the shot which ended the life of Osama Bin Laden. Sitting in the Riverside Casino Event Center, in a sold-out event, listening to the Navy Seal who participated in Operation Neptune Spear that would ultimately end the reign of the World’s Most Wanted terrorist, Osama Bin Laden, was my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As someone who served in the military, this memory will serve me forever. I’m not going to try to regurgitate what was said by this American hero because it will not give it the justice it deserves. But, if you ever watch Zero Dark Thirty, know that the movie is just good. According to the subject matter expert: it is fairly accurate, but they just didn’t give the badass woman who tracked OBL enough credit to earn a kick-ass review.
Thank you to Matt Tobin and Austin Blythe for the opportunity to do something that was out-of-my- wildest dreams. I will forever appreciate the night and the chance to hear the story that will be remembered when our Nation writes her history of the global war on terrorism.
Enjoy the ride!
