The Tactical Leader

In the latest episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast, host Zack Knight sits down with Marine veteran, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur T. Shane Johnson to discuss his extraordinary journey from military service to business success. T. Shane's story is one of resilience, survival, and a relentless commitment to helping others, particularly in the veteran community. From surviving an MS-13 gang attack to launching Big Guns Coffee, his path is both inspiring and deeply impactful.

The Marine Corps and the Entrepreneurial Mindset

T. Shane shared his motivations for joining the Marine Corps, emphasizing the discipline, determination, and brotherhood that shaped his character. The mindset of a Marine—adapt and overcome—proved invaluable in his transition to entrepreneurship. Zack and T. Shane discussed how veterans possess a unique drive and resilience that make them natural leaders in the business world.

A Harrowing Near-Death Experience

One of the most gripping moments in the episode was T. Shane’s recounting of a brutal attack by MS-13. While riding his motorcycle, he was deliberately hit by a car, leaving him with severe injuries, including broken bones, internal organ damage, and punctured lungs. Despite flatlining multiple times, he fought his way back, determined to use his second chance at life to make a difference.

A New Mission: Helping Others Find Purpose

After recovering, T. Shane faced another challenge—transitioning to civilian life. He initially found success in the mortgage industry, but when the 2008 financial crisis hit, he lost everything and found himself homeless. Rather than giving up, he rebuilt from the ground up, using his story to inspire others through books, public speaking, and initiatives like Hike Across America, where he ran 12,000 miles to raise awareness for homeless veterans and suicide prevention.

Redefining Homelessness: The Power of Identity

T. Shane spoke passionately about the need to rebrand homelessness and help those affected regain their sense of self-worth. He proposed an initiative where homeless individuals could write and publish books, sharing their stories as a way to reclaim their identity and generate income. Zack resonated with this idea, emphasizing how purpose and identity are critical for personal and professional growth.

Big Guns Coffee: A Business Born from Family and Purpose

T. Shane’s journey took another turn when his 10-year-old daughter, Charlie, inspired him to start a business. Together, they launched Big Guns Coffee, a venture that not only supports veterans but also revolutionizes the coffee industry by being the first indoor hydroponic coffee farm in the U.S..

Big Guns Coffee isn’t just a business; it’s a movement—one focused on empowering people through high-quality coffee and a mission-driven brand. T. Shane and Charlie have worked tirelessly to scale their business, and now, they’re preparing for a major national launch.

Exciting News: Big Guns Coffee Goes National!

🚀 May 2025 – Big Guns Coffee will be available in 427 Sprouts Farmers Market stores

🚀 July 2025 – Expanding to 300 Walmart stores in North & South Carolina

This incredible milestone is a testament to hard work, resilience, and family-driven entrepreneurship.

Final Thoughts: Leadership, Purpose, and Service

Throughout the episode, T. Shane and Zack emphasized the importance of leadership, storytelling, and service. Whether in the military, in...

Episode Description:

In this special episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast, recorded live at the ATLVets Tampa Speaker Series, host Zack Knight sits down with retired Command Sergeant Major Andy Wilson—former Delta Force operator and the powerhouse founder of Quiet Professionals.

Andy shares his incredible journey from dropping out of high school in Maine, to climbing the ranks of the most elite military units in the world, to building a multi-million-dollar defense contracting company from the ground up.

This conversation is packed with insights on leadership, risk-taking, entrepreneurship, and the mindset required to transition successfully from the military to business. Andy gets real about the early struggles of starting multiple businesses, why reinvesting in systems and people has been the key to his success, and how he's navigated the world of government contracts, private equity, and rapid growth—all with a relentless focus on discipline and serving others.

🔥 Key Takeaways:

• How Andy’s military career shaped his entrepreneurial mindset
• Lessons learned from founding and exiting multiple businesses
• The power of reinvesting in people, systems, and scalability
• Why the term “self-made” doesn’t tell the full story
• How to manage risk, failure, and keep moving forward
• Transitioning from Special Operations to Special Operations in business
• The realities of private equity partnerships and scaling toward a billion-dollar valuation

Featured Guest:

Andy Wilson

• Retired Command Sergeant Major (Delta Force)
• Founder & CEO, Quiet Professionals
• Serial entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist

Host:

Zack Knight

Founder of ATLVets & The Tactical Leader Podcast

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Don’t miss out on our monthly events spotlighting veteran leaders across the country. Learn more: atlvets.org/events

Connect with Us:

Follow @TheTacticalLeaderPodcast + @ATLVets for more leadership insights and upcoming speaker events.

#TheTacticalLeader #ATLVets #AndyWilson #QuietProfessionals #VeteranLeadership #DeltaForce #Entrepreneurship #GovCon #Leadership #PrivateEquity #TampaBusiness #MilitaryTransition #PurposeDrivenBusiness

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast, Zack Knight sits down with Tommy Richardson, a Marine veteran and Navy SEAL, to dive into his incredible 26-year military career, his transition to civilian life, and how he’s now helping veterans find purpose and leadership beyond the uniform. From his journey through Marine Corps infantry to the elite Navy SEAL teams, to launching Divine Savagery, Tommy shares insights on faith, resilience, entrepreneurship, and the power of physical fitness as a tool for reintegration.

This episode is brought to you by ATL Vets, the premier organization for veteran workforce development and entrepreneurship.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

1️⃣ Military Service & Transition to Navy SEALs

• 26 years in uniform: Tommy served in both the Marine Corps and Navy SEAL teams, experiencing combat at the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• From Marine to SEAL: Initially aiming for Force Recon, Tommy instead found his calling in the SEAL teams, making the switch in 2007 with the help of fellow operators.
• Passion for the field: His decision to stay in the fight, rather than being stuck behind a desk, led him to special operations, where he thrived in a high-intensity environment.

2️⃣ The Mental & Spiritual Battle After Service

• Faith kept him going: Tommy credits his faith in God as his ultimate source of strength, guiding him through both war and transition.
• Understanding the daily battle: He breaks down the constant war between spirit and flesh, helping veterans realize they’re still in the fight, but in a different way.
• Helping veterans find purpose: Tommy believes veterans are wired for leadership and that transitioning means finding a new mission, not losing identity.

3️⃣ Finding a New Tribe: Westside Barbell & Physical Fitness

• Healing through movement: After suffering injuries and surgeries, Tommy turned to powerlifting as a way to rebuild physically and mentally.
• Westside Barbell connection: Through an invite-only process, Tommy joined the legendary Westside Barbell gym, finding a new brotherhood of strength that mirrored the team environment of the military.
• Physical health as mental therapy: He emphasizes that fitness, discipline, and competition give veterans a way to regain structure and camaraderie.

4️⃣ Building Divine Savagery: Veteran Leadership & Wellness

Tommy's company, Divine Savagery, is built around three pillars:

✅ Speaking & Leadership Training – Helping organizations and veterans develop elite-level leadership skills.

✅ Business Optimization & Consulting – Applying military discipline and structure to corporate success.

✅ Wellness & Tactical Training – Offering physical training, nutrition coaching, and tactical skill development for veterans and civilians.

🔹 Westside Barbell training programs

🔹 Fitness, nutrition, and recovery coaching

🔹 Special operations & tactical training for military and law enforcement

🔥 Notable Quotes from Tommy Richardson

💬 “The flesh is...

In this episode of The Tactical Leader podcast, host Zack Knight sits down with retired Green Beret, entrepreneur, and author Scott Mann for an impactful conversation about leadership, the challenges veterans face in transitioning to civilian life, and the transformative power of storytelling.

Key Topics Covered:

• Scott’s Early Life and Military Aspirations: Scott talks about meeting a Green Beret at the age of 14 and how that moment inspired his future in the military.
• The Challenges of Transitioning Out of Uniform: Scott opens up about the personal and professional struggles he faced when leaving the military and how he overcame these challenges.
• The Search for Purpose Beyond Service: Scott emphasizes the importance of finding meaning after service and the steps he took to rediscover his purpose in civilian life.
• Rooftop Leadership: Learn about Scott’s initiative, Rooftop Leadership, and his approach to leadership, which centers around managing energy—both your own and that of others.
• Veterans in Entrepreneurship: Scott shares why veterans are uniquely equipped for entrepreneurship and how he designed his life after military service.
• The Power of Storytelling: Scott dives into why storytelling is such an important tool for veterans and anyone looking to share their journey, heal from past struggles, and connect with others.
• Mental Health and Self-Care: Scott discusses the importance of self-care and maintaining mental well-being as a critical part of leadership and personal recovery.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Leadership is the management of energy—yours and those around you.”
• “You spend your whole life serving a purpose bigger than yourself. The challenge is finding that same level of meaning outside the uniform.”
• “Veterans have an entrepreneurial mindset because we’ve been thrown into situations where we had to adapt and thrive.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Scott Mann’s Website: Rooftop Leadership
• Scott’s Book: Nobody’s Coming to Save You (Available on Amazon)

Want to learn more from Scott Mann?

Check out his book Nobody’s Coming to Save You and visit Rooftop Leadership for more on his leadership programs, speaking engagements, and resources for veterans.

About The Tactical Leader Podcast:

The Tactical Leader is dedicated to helping leaders, especially veterans, develop the skills needed for success in their personal and professional lives. Hosted by Zack Knight, the podcast features conversations with experts in leadership, resilience, and overcoming adversity.