Team Never Quit

Marines, Marathons, and Meaning: The Legacy of Col. Hank Donigan

In this weeks Team Neer Quit podcast, Marcus and Melanie speak with Retired Colonel Hank Donigana Marine whose life reads like a battle-hardened adventure novel. From his early days jumping out of airplanes at Fort Benning to leading troops through intense combat in Lebanon, Grenada, and Iraq, Col. Donigan has lived a life of sacrifice, courage, and service.

A graduate of the Naval Academy and a 30-year Marine Corps veteran, Donigan shares the emotional and physical toll of war, including his own battle with PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Yet, rather than slowing down, he has turned pain into purposerunning marathons nearly every week and using each mile to raise awareness and funds for wounded service members through the Semper Fi & Americas Fund. With $85,000 raised in 2023 alone, he stands as the nations top individual fundraiser for the cause.

At 68 years old and 46 marathons deep in a single year, Hank embodies resilience, leadership, and hope. In this episode, hear how staying in shape became both a coping mechanism and a mission to inspire othersand why, if given the chance, hed proudly come back and do it all again as a United States Marine.

Col. Donigan shares his experiences with:
Surviving combat in Lebanon and the aftermath of the Beirut barracks bombing
The healing power of running and his marathons
Raising funds for wounded warriors and their families
Leadership, legacy, and living with purpose post-service

In This Episode You Will Hear:
We need to do a better job with American history, and make our kids aware of, and proud of our heritage. (1:47)
I wanted to go where the action was, and was sent to Okinawa to serve battalion force Marines. (11:54)
The Marine Corps made me a runner. (20:36)
I had a grandfather who ran the Boston Marathon in 1916, so I always had this dream of running in it. (22:11)
I was the first Marine Corps finisher [of the Boston Marathon]. (24:24)
Everybody wants to be the popular guy; the likeable guy. But there are some things that your inexperienced troops dont know, and you have to be the hard guy a bit of a prick. But if youre not willing to do that and you let things slide, people are gonna get hurt and youre not gonna bring everybody home. (31:31)
There was a group of engineers that were out playing football. All of a sudden, the first round came in, and one of the marines hit the deck and his helmet rolled off. The next round came in and a piece of shrapnel took the top of his head off. (32:47)
Nice guys kill Marines is something I live by and continue to teach. (33:42)
I learned how critical fitness was to leadership and combat leadership. (35:47)
Marcus, threes things about you, being a SEAL and being a sailor that will be with you till the day you die. (37:45)
Ive been able to take veterans in need, and connect them with case workers with a fund and see them get immediate assistance. (41:19)
Walking is good. If you can get 10,000 steps a day, that really adds up to something good for your health. (45:50)

Support Hank
- thefund.org
https://runsignup.com/Race/47358/Donate/rpy06X1vBee5NBTB

Support TNQ
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Combat Veteran Turned Motivational Speaker

In this week’s powerful episode from Team Never Quit, Marcus and Melanie meet with Evangelo “Vann” Morris—a retired Navy Lieutenant Commander, global speaker, and devoted patriot whose service spans over 30 years across the military and government sectors. From humble beginnings in Folsom, Louisiana, to elite missions across 45 countries, Vann’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and purpose.

Vann began his career aboard nuclear-powered submarines, receiving intensive training in nuclear propulsion and thermonuclear weaponry before commissioning as an officer. As a Naval leader, he directed high-risk Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) missions in volatile waters, including a record-setting Colombian drug seizure of 14 metric tons of cocaine.

His distinguished career includes deployments on nearly every type of Navy vessel—from aircraft carriers to submarines—and pivotal roles at the Pentagon, Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne, and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). In his final assignments, he served as Combat Systems Officer, Anti-Terrorism Officer, and Tactical Action Officer aboard the USS McCampbell.

Since retiring in 2014, Vann has continued to serve by mentoring Special Operations Forces as an Information Operations Subject Matter Expert. He’s also a passionate public speaker, dedicated to honoring veterans and inspiring the next generation with the enduring message of freedom.

In this episode, we discuss:

Connect with the legacy. Be inspired by the leadership. Learn from the life of Evangelo “Vann” Morris.

In This Episode You Will Hear:
• I’m one of 16 kids on my biological mother’s side, and one of 8 kids on my biological father’s side. (6:09)
• My mother was a sharecropper in Selma, Alabama. (11:47)
• [my brother] Martin was riding on a bike with his big brother. They were crossing the street to get to a general store. As they were crossing the street, here came a car. Within a second, the car was on them. It broke both of [my big brother’s] s legs. He was almost able to do it, but the car clipped his legs broke both of his legs. The car hit Martin, broke his back, snapped his neck and went up into the air, came down, bled out, and died immediately. The car kept going. Our mother was notified, and we never knew what happened. (13:28)
• In my 2nd year as a seventh grader, I was chatty in class and the teacher said: “You see son this is why you’re not gonna be anything in life. This is why you’re gonna be a total failure. As a matter of fact, you’re not gonna do any better than your dad. (15:58)
• The commanding officer starts talking. I called you [twelve] here today to let you know that your grades are phenomenal, your physical fitness test – through the roof, and your attitudes are exactly what we’re looking for. I want all of you to consider becoming a commissioned officer. (28:09)
• I had a metamorphosis of the mind. A paradigm shift had happened in my life. And all of the sudden, what had happened to my big brother - back broken, neck snapped – forgiven; The teacher telling me to go out and bale hay – forgiven, the other teacher saying I’d never be anything and be worse than my father – forgiven. These guys were saying something very different.  Goodness overcame all the bad things that had happened. (28:53)
• I’m taking trauma, and I’m channeling it to purpose. (30:27)
•I really believe that when we die – if we should make it to heaven, I believe that God will take us personally, take us under his arms and say “Let me show you all the people you impacted and knew nothing about.” (32:19)
• You’re gonna have tough times. Don’t think you’ll understand why people are putting you to work in a certain kind of way. (41:39)
• There’s no more dangerous place than to have warfare in the mind. (41:49)
• Don’t give up. (42:21)
• Hard work pays off. You can’t give up. (53:19)
• Even if the reward is not coming to you, and if you are in a position to help them, for the love of God, Help them. (55:28)
• [Melanie] “A lot of times, when we’re in a dark spot, we’re in our own bubble, and we don’t think anybody else sees the work we put in.” (57:12)
• [I told my son] Listen: you can go in the Air Force, you can go to the Marines, you can go to the Army. Just remember this. That Navy paycheck is what fed you. (61:40)
• I am really on a mission to be part of that wave to heal America. (68:48)
• I need to honor the veterans and those who have served. (78:50)

Socials:
  - Bio: Evangelomorris.com
  - instagram: evangelomorris

Support TNQ
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From Ranger to Representative: Jason Crow on Service, Sacrifice, and Solutions
 In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie are honored to welcome Congressman Jason Crow, who represents Colorado’s Sixth Congressional District.
A former Army Ranger and Bronze Star recipient, Jason brings the heart of a public servant and the grit of a soldier to Congress. From working minimum-wage jobs in high school to deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division and elite 75th Ranger Regiment, Jason’s journey is a powerful testament to servant leadership.

 We dive into:
• Jason’s path from working-class roots to the battlefield and into the halls of Congress
•  How his military experience shapes his approach to leadership and legislation
•  His work helping veterans navigate life after service

Tune in for a powerful conversation on service, sacrifice, and putting people before politics.

In This Episode You Will Hear:
• I got hooked in the military for college money. (8:00)
• [The military] totally changed the trajectory of my life. (9:54)
• I always make it a point when I run into a Vietnam vet; I say “Welcome Home.” (16:20)
• [Marcus] Q: “Did you sign up for ranger school? What’s that like?”   A: “Well, it sucks.” (20:22)
• Georgia is cold in the winter. It’s just a fuck fest. You’re just cold and tired and hungry for 2 months. (21:05)
• College is good, but I tell a lot of folks is [to learn] a trade. (35:40)
• The civil military divide: How little understanding a lot of people in America have of military service. (39:53)
• To be a veteran advocate, you had to be the squeaky wheel in politics. (41:08)
• Morgan [Luttrell] and I have this bill trying to stop veteran suicides in VA facilities. (43:34)
• We can only make good policy if we have good information. (44:47)
• [Marcus] “You and I don’t need enemies – we have friends.” (48:21)
• [Marcus] “My brother never says anything nice to me.” (48:30)
• [Melanie: Vets should] “Support each other, love each other, lift each other up. Talk shit in a good way. Hold each other accountable.” (49:10)
• The greatest generation fought WWII, defeated fascism, and they came back and became the civic leaders, the political leaders, the business leaders. They set the standard for what citizenship is about. (52:57)
• We have the Bipartisan Veteran Caucus in congress. We call it the Noah’s Ark caucus, because you’ve gotta join with somebody from the other side of the aisle. (54:23)

Socials:
  - Bio: https://crow.house.gov/about
  - X: https://x.com/RepJasonCrow
  - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepJasonCrow/
  - Instagram:  repjasoncrow

Support TNQ
  - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
  -  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit

Sponsors:
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Skating Across America for Sobriety and Purpose
In this week’s Team Never Quit episode, Marcus and Melanie are joined by the incredible Chad Caruso — a skateboarder, YouTuber, and Guinness World Record holder who skated 3,000 miles across America in just 57 days, from Venice Beach, CA to Virginia Beach, VA.
Chad didn’t just break records — he used this cross-country journey to raise money for Natural High, a nonprofit youth drug prevention program, and to share his powerful story of overcoming addiction and injury. Skateboarding became more than a passion — it became a lifeline, helping Chad find sobriety, resilience, and purpose.

In this episode Chad shares about:
•His record-setting skate across the U.S.
•What pushed him to keep going — physically, mentally, and emotionally
•How skateboarding saved his life
•His work raising awareness for addiction and mental health
•The creation of his book, “Pushing Through America”
•What’s next in his mission to inspire and uplift others

Chad’s journey is one of grit, growth, and giving back. Whether you're a skater, in recovery, or just need a push to chase your own goals — this episode is for you.

Follow Chad on Instagram: @chad_caruso
Check out his book: Pushing Through America

In This Episode You Will Hear:
• I’ve been skateboarding for a little over 25 years. That’s really all I’ve devoted my life to. (3:19)
• I definitely recommend finishing school. (5:36)
• It doesn’t happen overnight. You go to a party here, a party there. Then you’re 26, 28. The habit thing. I didn’t want to be a part of the system. I was just all about rebelling. (7:40)
• That was the real turning point [when facing jail time] I had to look around and say “Alright, what are you doin?” (10:02)
• [I got into the Guinness Book of World Records] It was this year. (13:30)
• It’s nice to get the pat on the back, but ultimately, it was about much more than that. It was about giving up the drinking, focusing on something positive. I did the Skate Across America to raise money for charity. (13:40)
• When you’re at the start line it’s all fun. Everyone’s there filming, talking, it’s exciting. Then you push off, and then a couple of miles in, you’re like “Oh, I’m gonna be doing this for the next 2 months. (18:32)
• [I completed the entire distance with] 1 board; I didn’t change the wheels or the bearings, or anything. (23:56)
• Even if it’s way slower than you normally go, if you keep treading that ground, you’re gonna make it there. (28:55)
• I figured out that if I skate head-on to trucks, like tractor trailers; they’re coming at me at 70 mph. If I made myself seen, I could take over the whole lane. So, I would basically play chicken with them, and wave them out of the way. (30:14)
• [At the finish] The mayor put his hand up for a high five. I skated right past him, I didn’t even notice. (35:23)
• “If you keep pushing, you’re gonna get there.” (36:17)
• When you’re out there alone for so many hours, all the noise of society and people’s opinions kinda fades away. (36:26)
• When you’re left to yourself, you realize how simple life is. (36:35)
• Quitting drinking and focusing on my hobby turned my life around. (41:34)
• Whatever you’re most interested in or gets you excited – just pursue that. (41:52)
• If I can help to make this life a little bit better, that’s a win. (47:41)

Socials:
  - Chad's Website: https://chadcaruso.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop-itFsFDe1VaizcL5bdyRpDn-edp0YecWQ-SdGcoBmGKkCH3lo
  - Chad's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChadCaruso
  - Chad's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chad_caruso/?hl=en
  - Chad's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chadcaruso

Support TNQ
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
-  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit

Sponsors:
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The Journey to Midnight: From Navy Rescue Swimmer to Mental Health Advocate – A Conversation with Matt Griffin

This week, Marcus and Melanie are honored to welcome Matt Griffin, a six-year U.S. Navy veteran and fifteen-year law enforcement professional with a career deeply rooted in narcotics investigations and public service.
Matt's journey began in 1997 with the U.S. Navy, where he would later become a certified Search and Rescue swimmer, conducting counter-drug operations that played a key role in Operation Enduring Freedom, intercepting over a metric ton of cocaine intended for the U.S. market.
After transitioning to law enforcement, Matt joined the Virginia Beach Police Department in 2003, where his drive and initiative earned him multiple awards—including the Class Act Award—and certifications as a narcotics expert witness in state and superior court.
In 2007, Matt moved to the Keene, NH Police Department, where his work with the NH Drug Task Force and later as a School Resource Officer further showcased his dedication. He earned a Life Saving Award and led the department in arrests for two consecutive years.
In 2015, Matt was selected to join the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force, working undercover during the height of the opioid and fentanyl crisis. His relentless pursuit of justice and education surrounding these deadly drugs led to a State Police Commendation in 2016.
After retiring in 2017, Matt has focused on shattering the stigma around mental health in the first responder and military communities. Now working full-time with Cody Systems as an account executive for RMS/CAD, Matt is also a national keynote speaker, mentor, consultant, and the #1 Amazon bestselling author of The Journey to Midnight.

In this episode, Matt opens up about:

Whether you're in uniform or support someone who is, this is a powerful and inspiring conversation you don’t want to miss.

In This Episode You Will Hear:
• [The field] is the great equalizer. Nobody can bother me there. On the field, it doesn’t matter what you bring, what you showed up in, or what kind of clothes or shoes you have. It’s me against you. (18:49)
•You just never knew when to give all you had, so all you do was constantly give all you had. (31:13)
•Life’s not fair, which makes it fair. (36:45)
•Just like in the Navy, you’re not gonna do well in the beginning, because they’ve gotta see a transition to you being good. (43:22)
•We made marijuana legal, but what that did was the cartels were like “I’m not losing 30% of my profit. I’ll find something else.” (61:46)
•America makes up 80 something percent of the world’s opioid prescriptions. (63:11)
•I take full responsibility for my divorce. I forgot how to be a husband, forgot how to be a dad, and it hit me hard. (66:11)
• [My friend Brian, also the Police Chief] was checking in on me. You know what I didn’t say? “how’re you doing bro?” He checked on me and I didn’t check on him. 2 hours later he went home and shot and killed himself. (72:46)
•If you want to learn how to make ramen the right way, ask a military guy. (76:31)
•I just felt like I was failing my kids every single day. All of a sudden, this light bulb went off. The next step in my transition from the Navy to the police department to the team, is to take myself out of the game. (77:00)
•The off-ramp is – it’s okay to not be okay. (80:05)
•Once you realize that life is short, you don’t want to waste 24 hours being hungover. (86:04)
•Every day I’d wake up and I’d say. “Today’s a good day to die, so is tomorrow.” And I would try to string some good decisions together. (90:29)
•My motto is: Every day, I find an opportunity inside of my 24-hour window that I get to live to do something good for somebody else. (91:08)
•Tomorrow is a good day, and you can make it there. (93:20)
•The scariest day of my life was when I hit “publish” on my book. (100:08)
•Where I sit here today, God is the biggest influence in my life. (107:08)
•As I speak around the country people would line up to buy a book, but I realized they weren’t trying to buy a book. You know what they wanted to do? They just wanted to come and say “Hey, I’m struggling, too.” (116:10)

Socials:
--  IG: authormattgriffin
— https://authormattgriffin.com/keynote
Support TNQ
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
-  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit

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