Episodes

  • 🛡️ Anthony Rivera (Part 3): The Identity Bridge—Health Vaults, Financial Gains, and Serving Others

    🛡️ Anthony Rivera (Part 3): The Identity Bridge—Health Vaults, Financial Gains, and Serving Others
    Jan 12 2026
    Is your identity tied to your uniform, or is the uniform just something you wore? In Part 3 of our series, Navy SEAL veteran Anthony Rivera breaks down the ultimate Immediate Action Drill for the veteran identity crisis. Anthony explains how Vetivize acts as a secure, HIPAA-compliant Health Vault, allowing veterans to track their conditions quarterly so they never have to rely on a hit-in-the-head memory during a VA exam. We dive into the massive financial impact of veteran benefits: how the average Vetivize user increases their annual income by $14,400 tax-free, and why savvy employers are using this platform to save thousands in corporate healthcare premiums. Beyond the numbers, Anthony shares a powerful philosophy on mental health: the antidote to self-loathing is Service. From belly button gazing to burning the boats on your old identity, this episode is a blueprint for anyone who feels their best days are in the rearview mirror. Key Topics & Search Insights The $14,400 Pay Raise The concrete statistics behind veteran benefit increases and how it changes a family's financial trajectory Corporate ROI on Veterans Why businesses pay for veteran benefits programs to reduce their own insurance matching costs and HR turnover The HIPAA-Compliant Vault The importance of data security and why no one, not even the CEO, has a backdoor into your medical records The Service Antidote Why focusing on others is the fastest way to climb out of the poo-poo place of depression Identity vs. Job Moving past the I am a SEAL or Green Beret mindset to embrace deeper roles as a father, husband, and servant ⏱️ Timestamps 01:11 The Vetivize Vault Security, encryption, and why your data is for your eyes only 03:14 The $14,400 Bump How engaging the system increases annual tax-free income 04:20 Employer Upside How veteran benefits save businesses $13k to $15k per employee 05:38 Private Insurance vs. VA Choosing the right healthcare path to save on monthly premiums 07:50 The Startup Hell Week The daily grind of entrepreneurship and solving fires with action 11:51 The Mental Health Spillover How veteran lessons in resilience will eventually heal civilian communities 13:34 The Antidote to Self-Loathing Why serving others is the root source of healing 15:15 Incremental Steps How better food and exercise follow the decision to serve others 17:30 The Rumination Lie Identifying the ego voice that wants to keep you isolated 19:00 The Immediate Action Drill Replacing a lie with a truth in your mental rehearsals 20:41 The Identity Crisis Why the military indoctrinates us to believe we are our jobs 21:50 Belly Button Gazing Analyzing the decisions that got you here and where you want to go next 23:08 I used to suck on my mommy's titty A humorous reality check on leaving the past behind 24:30 Infinite Time Span Realizing we are dead soon and why there's no time to waste on a victim mindset About the Guest Anthony Rivera is a retired Navy SEAL, CEO, and founder of Vetivize. He is a recovering team guy who has transitioned into a servant-leader in the tech space. His mission is to ensure that the 19 million veterans in the U.S. are treated with honor, security, and the financial integrity they earned through their service. Connect with Anthony Rivera: Website: https://vetavize.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyriveraexecutiveleader Don't wait until your ticket gets punched to plan your exit. Anthony Rivera's experience proves that knowledge is only potential power—it becomes real power through implementation. Whether you're dealing with service-connected injuries or navigating the VA system, you don't have to hike Mount Everest in the wrong shoes. You are not your job. You never were. Anthony Rivera reminds us that while the military is an incredible chapter, it isn't the whole book. Whether you're a husband, a father, or a friend, your next mission is waiting and it requires you to be all in. Ready to engage? Check Your Vault Start documenting your health wins and losses this week. Don't rely on a foggy memory. Serve Someone Else If you're in a dark place, find one person to help. Watch how the lights turn back on. Spread the Word Send this episode to a veteran who is struggling to find their identity outside the uniform. ▶️ What's Next? This is only Part 3. Stay tuned for Part 4 of 4 with Anthony Rivera, where the focus shifts to legacy, long-term impact, and how veterans move beyond personal recovery to become force multipliers for their families, communities, and future generations of service members. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram #VeteranIdentity #VABenefits #FinancialAutonomy #NavySEAL #Vetivize #ServiceAboveSelf #MilitaryTransition #MentalHealth #VeteranOwnedBusiness #FunctionalMedicine #SelfAccountability #Entrepreneurship #TwoPromisesPodcast #VeteranWealth #GrowthMindset
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    27 mins
  • ⚓ Anthony Rivera (Part 2): Cracking the VA Code—AI, Automation, and the 11-Day Disability Turnaround

    ⚓ Anthony Rivera (Part 2): Cracking the VA Code—AI, Automation, and the 11-Day Disability Turnaround
    Jan 5 2026

    Why does military transition feel like "learning a new language"? In Part 2 of our 4-part series, Navy SEAL veteran Anthony Rivera explains how he applied the "Plan Your Dive, Dive Your Plan" SEAL ethos to the complicated world of VA benefits.

    Anthony reveals how he went from receiving conflicting advice to reading the "root source" documents—the CFR 38—and successfully turned his VA claim around in just 11 days, compared to the national average of 181. We dive deep into his new platform, Vetivize, which uses proprietary AI and automation to act as a "Yelp for Heroes," centralizing the 40,000+ disorganized veteran nonprofits into one seamless interface.

    Whether you are active duty planning an exit via the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program or a veteran who has been out for 40 years, this episode is a tactical guide to documenting your health (from migraines to IBS) and reclaiming the benefits you've earned.

    Key Topics

    The CFR 38 blueprint and VA rating language

    The BDD program advantage for active duty members

    AI-generated documentation and quarterly health reports

    The frog in the pot syndrome with chronic symptoms

    Fixing the veteran nonprofit efficiency gap

    ⏳ Timestamps

    01:00 Facing the identity crisis of leaving the SEAL Teams

    02:00 The 11-day VA claim turnaround versus the 181-day average

    02:31 Why Anthony ignored peer advice and read CFR 38

    04:00 The creation of Vetivize using AI and automation

    04:53 Centralizing 40,000 veteran nonprofits into one system

    06:30 The donor paradox in veteran nonprofit culture

    09:06 Failing through the cracks during COVID-era transition

    12:15 The BDD program and the six-month submission window

    15:10 Mapping the veteran journey and VA customer experience

    17:39 Documentation over memory for TBI and head injuries

    18:37 Migraine and IBS language the VA needs to hear

    20:42 The NSAID trap and long-term stomach damage

    22:00 AI avatars helping veterans with reading retention

    24:00 Matchmaking veterans to services through Vetivize

    About the Guest

    Anthony Rivera is a retired Navy SEAL and the founder of Vetivize. After a decade of elite service and a high-speed transition into the civilian sector, Anthony dedicated himself to helping 7,000+ veterans navigate the VA. Today, his company uses AI to automate the benefits process, ensuring veterans are connected to the federal, state, and nonprofit resources they deserve.

    Connect with Anthony Rivera:

    Website: https://vetavize.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyriveraexecutiveleader

    Don't wait until your ticket gets punched to plan your exit. Anthony Rivera's experience proves that knowledge is only potential power—it becomes real power through implementation. Whether you're dealing with service-connected injuries or navigating the VA system, you don't have to hike Mount Everest in the wrong shoes.

    ▶️ What's Next?
    This is only Part 2! Stay tuned for Part 3 of 4 with Anthony Rivera, where we break down real-world execution—how veterans apply AI, automation, and documentation systems to avoid delays, reduce friction, and take control of their VA and transition outcomes.

    🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast
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    #AnthonyRivera #NavySEAL #VADisabilityClaimProcess #CFR38 #BDDProgram #BenefitsDeliveryAtDischarge #VADisabilityCode #VeteranTransition #Vetivize #VeteranAITechnology #AutomatedVAClaims #CombatTrauma #TBIDocumentation #IBSVARating #MigraineVARating #VeteranBenefits #TwoPromisesPodcast
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    28 mins
  • Anthony Rivera (Part 1): Mastery of Chaos—From BUD/S Pool Comp Failures to the "Wild West" of Iraq

    Anthony Rivera (Part 1): Mastery of Chaos—From BUD/S Pool Comp Failures to the "Wild West" of Iraq
    Dec 29 2025

    How do you transition from the "Fog of War" to the "Fog of Peace"? In the premiere of this 4-part series, Navy SEAL veteran Anthony Rivera joins his BUD/S Class 267 classmate to relive the high-stakes selection process that forges an elite warrior.

    Anthony shares a raw and often humorous look at the mastery of chaos, starting with his unexpected failure in BUD/S Second Phase Pool Comp under a "chill" instructor and the overconfidence that led to his setback. We dive into the physical toll of elite training, including a "lawn dart" injury on the obstacle course that nearly ended his career, and the grueling reality of frogman Friday evolutions.

    The conversation shifts downrange to Anthony's first deployment in Iraq's Al Anbar province. From hallucinations of dancing dragons caused by extreme sleep deprivation to burning a "Lord of the Flies" style bonfire as they shuttered a base on the Syrian border, Anthony provides an unfiltered look at the Special Operations lifestyle. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, process-driven culture, and navigating the mental revving that occurs when the engine of the mind won't shut down.

    Key Topics

    The BUD/S selection process and Pool Competency
    Managing chaos through SOPs and process-driven culture
    Extreme sleep deprivation and the revving mind
    Combat operations in Iraq's Al Anbar province
    Transitioning into the Fog of Peace through Vetivize

    ⏳ Timestamps

    01:10 Class 267 reunion and reconnecting after full Navy careers
    02:45 Pool Comp secrets and the "chill" instructor
    05:28 Surf hits and underwater de-rigging chaos
    07:52 The Pool Comp failure caused by overconfidence
    10:10 Obstacle course lawn dart injury before graduation
    12:14 FTX realities and operating injured
    14:31 The Wild West of Iraq in Ubaidi, Al Anbar
    15:50 Dancing dragons and hallucinations from sleep deprivation
    19:05 The engine in the mind and mental overdrive
    21:06 Involuntary combat stress inside CHUs
    24:22 Lord of the Flies moment during base shutdown
    27:49 Enlisted-heavy leadership dynamics in SQT
    32:28 Hypoxia and blackout during the BUD/S tread
    36:14 Entering the Fog of Peace and founding Vetivize

    About the Guest

    Anthony Rivera is a retired Navy SEAL and a graduate of BUD/S Class 267. After multiple deployments to Iraq and serving as a BUD/S First Phase Instructor, Anthony transitioned to the civilian sector with a mission to help veterans navigate the Fog of Peace. He is the founder of Vetivize, a platform dedicated to providing resources and clarity for military members entering the civilian world.

    Connect with Anthony Rivera:

    Website: https://vetavize.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyriveraexecutiveleader

    Whether you're battling dancing dragons in a combat zone or navigating the uncertainty of a career change, the lesson is the same: lean into the process. Anthony Rivera's journey reminds us that even when you lawn dart into failure, the community and the SOPs you build will carry you to the next ridgeline.

    ▶️ What's Next?

    This is only Part 1! Stay tuned for Part 2 of 4 with Anthony Rivera, where we dive deeper into the specific mission of Vetivize and the tactical steps for a successful career transition.

    🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast
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    #NavySEAL #BUDS #IraqWarStories #VeteranTransition #CombatStress #SleepDeprivation #MasteringChaos #SpecialOperations #Vetivize #SEALTeam #MilitaryMindset #PoolComp #Frogman #FogOfWar #TwoPromisesPodcast
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    38 mins
  • ⚓️ Full Send Friday: Navy SEAL Aaron Peña on Real Estate Investing, The VA Loan "System," and Healing Invisible Wounds

    ⚓️ Full Send Friday: Navy SEAL Aaron Peña on Real Estate Investing, The VA Loan "System," and Healing Invisible Wounds
    Dec 26 2025

    Transitioning out of the elite special operations community is like "learning a new language." In this comprehensive Full Send episode, former Navy SEAL Medic Aaron Peña joins the show to share his blueprint for a successful post-service life.

    Aaron breaks down the exact system he used to turn his Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) into a real estate portfolio using the VA Loan. We dive deep into the technical side of property acquisition—including house hacking multi-family units and VA loan entitlement—before shifting to the raw, personal reality of service. Aaron opens up about his battle with a life-threatening collapsed lung, the emotional toll of trauma in the Philippines, and his journey through the VA Renew Program. This is a masterclass in professional reinvention and personal resilience.

    Key Topics
    • The VA Loan wealth strategy and entitlement looping
    • Transitioning from Navy SEAL Medic to real estate agent
    • The four pillars of home inspection: roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical
    • Recovering from invisible wounds through the VA Renew Program
    • Building a veteran community through a local FOB
    • The all-in mentality and choosing family over rank progression
    ⏳ Timestamps

    00:22 The identity crisis of transitioning out of uniform

    02:57 Retiring at 20 years and the impact of absence on family

    03:40 VA loan strategy and freeing up entitlement

    04:58 House hacking using BAH instead of paying rent

    06:50 Why VA loans work best on 1–4 unit properties

    08:41 Using VA loan entitlement multiple times

    11:00 New construction incentives and closing cost strategies

    12:50 Feeling like a tourist at home after transition

    15:30 Researching successful veterans before leaving service

    21:21 Fatherhood, presence, prayer, and authenticity

    24:50 The 9/11 catalyst and choosing the SEAL path

    27:00 The undesignated grind before the pipeline

    31:09 SOCM school and proving the instructors wrong

    35:58 Combat medicine in the Philippines and mass casualty triage

    46:51 Applying triage and SOPs to real estate

    50:54 The BUD/S tread failure and composure under stress

    63:22 Collaborating without ego while leading in Yemen

    67:45 Mission over commission in real estate decisions

    74:50 Building the FOB in St. Augustine, Florida

    86:50 Processing the loss of a child casualty

    89:13 The Renew Program and inpatient trauma recovery

    93:33 The collapsed lung that nearly ended Aaron's career

    100:32 Burn the boats and committing to the next mission

    About the Guest

    Aaron Peña is a retired Navy SEAL Medic and First Phase Instructor who now serves as a Principal Real Estate Agent in Northeast Florida. He is the founder of the St. Augustine SEAL network (the FOB) and is dedicated to helping veterans and first responders leverage their benefits to achieve financial autonomy.

    Connect with Aaron Peña:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-pena73/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.pena.863363/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_pena7/

    Compass: https://www.compass.com/agents/aaron-pena/

    If you are currently in a transition—whether it's leaving the military or shifting your career—Aaron's advice is simple: Commit without a plan B. Identify your next mission, find your community, and be humble enough to ask the questions that lead to growth.

    🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast
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    1 hr and 43 mins
  • ⚓ Aaron Peña (Part 4): Building the FOB—Brotherhood, Invisible Wounds, and the Power of Surrender

    ⚓ Aaron Peña (Part 4): Building the FOB—Brotherhood, Invisible Wounds, and the Power of Surrender
    Dec 22 2025
    What does it mean to be a committed leader when the mission shifts from the battlefield to the home front? In the final chapter of this four-part series, former Navy SEAL Aaron Peña gets vulnerable about the Invisible Wounds of a 20-year career. Aaron discusses the deep sense of loneliness that often follows a military transition and how he took purposeful action to build a Forward Operating Base (FOB) for SEALs in Northeast Florida. From managing the "rabid spider monkey" energy of community service to the harrowing story of a life-threatening spontaneous pneumothorax as a new guy, Aaron's story is a masterclass in resilience. He pulls back the curtain on his time in the Renew Program, an inpatient treatment for combat trauma, proving that the ultimate achievement isn't just surviving the fight—it's having the conviction to ask for help and lead others through their own reinvention. In this episode, you'll learn: Building the FOB: How Aaron grew a local network from 4 to 27 SEALs by simply asking, "Who do you know?" The Down-Man Response: How a brotherhood shows up when one of their own is diagnosed with cancer. The Powerhouse Spouses: Why military spouses are critical to veteran community resilience. SOPs for Suffering: Why "suffer in silence" is a failing strategy and how structured support changes outcomes. The Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A terrifying medical emergency and the fight to remain in the SEAL teams. Time, Talent, and Treasure: A framework for meaningful service within local veteran communities. ⏳ Timestamps 01:13 The loneliness of transition after relocating from San Diego 02:30 Building the FOB by reaching out to the SEAL Future Foundation 03:25 The "young frogman" effect and its impact on veteran mental health 05:00 Supporting a down man after a cancer diagnosis 05:35 How military spouses lead community resource coordination 06:30 Time, talent, or treasure as a framework for giving back 07:50 Building a high-performing real estate team through cultural fluency 10:30 Missing the healing impact of being a medic and confronting life's fragility 13:34 Invisible wounds from a child casualty in the Philippines 15:15 The Renew Program and a five-week inpatient trauma journey 15:58 Breaking the suffer-in-silence mentality through vulnerability 17:30 The dangerous cycle of physical pain and unmanaged mental health 20:16 Waking up with a collapsed lung and emergency room chaos 22:41 Needle decompression and lung surgery details 25:01 Fighting the medical board to remain in the SEAL teams 27:15 Final message on commitment, humility, and embracing the process 29:27 Debrief & Cocktail About the Guest Aaron Peña is a former Navy SEAL Medic, first-phase instructor, and current real estate principal agent in St. Augustine, Florida. He is a passionate advocate for the SEAL Future Foundation and a leader in building local veteran support networks. Aaron's journey from combat trauma to community leadership reflects a lifelong commitment to service and reinvention. Connect with Aaron Peña: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-pena73/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.pena.863363/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_pena7/ Compass: https://www.compass.com/agents/aaron-pena/ Success isn't just about the mission; it's about the commitment you make to yourself and your community after the uniform comes off. Aaron Peña's journey from a collapsed lung to a flourishing real estate career proves that with enough Grit and the willingness to Surrender your ego, reinvention is always possible. If you felt the conviction in Aaron's story today, don't keep it to yourself. The best way to support the Two Promises Podcast is to take action: Subscribe & Review: Help us reach more people by leaving a 5-star review on your favorite platform. Build Your Own FOB: Reach out to one person this week and ask, "Who do you know?" Start building the community you wish you had. Connect with the Foundation: Support our brothers at the SEAL Future Foundation and find your next ridge line. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram #SEALFutureFoundation #VeteranBrotherhood #NavySEAL #MentalHealthAwareness #PTSDRecovery #InvisibleWounds #VeteranRealEstate #StAugustine #VALoan #MilitaryTransition #WarriorMindset #TaskForceDagger #OperatorSyndrome #VeteranSpouse #Reinvention
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    34 mins
  • 🏠 Aaron Peña (Part 3): Triage in Real Estate—Translating SEAL Team Discipline to Negotiations and Risk Assessment

    🏠 Aaron Peña (Part 3): Triage in Real Estate—Translating SEAL Team Discipline to Negotiations and Risk Assessment
    Dec 15 2025
    How does the intense triage mindset of a combat medic translate directly to managing complex, costly civilian transactions? In Part 3 of this four-part series, former Navy SEAL Corpsman Aaron Peña shares his approach to applying the high-stakes discipline of the SEAL teams to real estate sales and negotiations. Aaron discusses why real estate deals are "not high stakes" compared to the battlefield, detailing his Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for client management that instill Confidence and eliminate chaos. In a moment of levity, Aaron recounts a classic Failure and Resilience story from Second Phase BUD/S—the infamous Tread with SCUBA tanks and weights—where a minor gear failure turned into a full-blown chaotic battle with the instructors. He concludes by defining the Four Pillars of Home Risk Assessment and gives expert advice on how to enter any stressful negotiation (home, car, promotion) with calm, clarity, and zero ego. In this episode, you'll learn: Military as an Incubator: Why the military provides a debt-free foundation for testing career paths, unlike expensive civilian degrees. SOPs for Success: Aaron's method for creating Standard Operating Procedures for clients, making complex real estate deals feel seamless and reducing client stress. The Tread Fiasco: A humorous anecdote from BUD/S Second Phase involving treading water with faulty gear, aggressive instructors, and a valuable lesson in managing chaotic attention. The Four Pillars of Risk Assessment: The essential, high-cost components Aaron checks first in any property: Roof, HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical. Mission, Not Commission: Aaron's professional conviction to cancel a contract and lose a commission if the home requires costly repairs that would financially burden his client. Negotiation Strategy: Advice on how to approach stressful negotiations: remain calm, take 24 hours to de-stress, and collaborate without ego by seeking advice from your team. ⏳ Timestamps 00:12 Intro Hook: The chaotic and humorous BUD/S tread story conclusion 01:04 Military as a Test Bank: The value of the service as a debt-free incubator for testing long-term career identity 02:00 Triage in Real Estate: Managing complex deals with ease because "no one is shooting at us" 03:00 SOPs for Clients: Creating Standard Operating Procedures for home buying to ensure a seamless, non-sporadic process 04:20 Client Confidence: Assessing client reaction and adjusting criteria on the fly to provide assurance 05:50 The BUD/S Tread: Setting up the Second Phase underwater tread test with full gear 07:03 The Fiasco: A strap came undone, leading to cramping, instructor chaos, grabbing the ledge, and turning a routine test into a hilarious failure 09:27 The Retest: Passing the retest with ease on Monday, solidifying the lesson learned 10:00 Instructor Humbled: Becoming a First Phase instructor and being reminded of the daily BUD/S grind 12:48 Skill Bridge: Translating instructor tough love to the civilian world—modulating assertion and knowing your audience 13:50 Collaborate Without Ego: Why humility is crucial in leadership and why you don't need all the answers 15:50 Humility in Yemen: Aaron's leadership strategy asking senior Green Berets for help to ensure mission success 20:30 Biggest Mistake: Making large purchases (like a new car) that disrupt the debt-to-income ratio during the closing process 21:40 Transparency: Being upfront about all necessary closing costs (surveys, appraisal, inspection) 22:00 Four Pillars of Risk: The high-cost items (Roof, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical) that must be assessed, especially in older homes 23:54 Mission, Not Commission: Canceling a contract and losing a deal to prevent the client from being financially burdened by repairs 25:00 Clearing the House: A humorous anecdote of clearing a rough neighborhood property out of habit and missing the SEAL teams 27:35 Negotiation Advice: Remain calm, de-stress for 24 hours, and leverage your resources (don't go at it alone) 29:27 De-stressing Clients: Taking the stress out of relocation for military families by dialing in critical criteria (schools, base proximity) About the Guest Aaron Peña is a former Navy SEAL Medic who applies the disciplined mindset of elite military operations to real estate. As an investor and realtor, he is purposefully focused on helping military families use their benefits to achieve financial success and resilience, ensuring every client experience is handled with the calm demeanor of a combat medic. Connect with Aaron Peña: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-pena73/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.pena.863363/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_pena7/ Compass: https://www.compass.com/agents/aaron-pena/ 🔥 Don't Miss More! This is Part 3 of 4. Subscribe now to catch the final part of Aaron Peña's conversation, where he discusses his community service outside of real estate and his ultimate vision for veteran financial ...
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    31 mins
  • 🩺 Aaron Peña (Part 2): Triage Under Fire—How a SEAL Medic's Grit Translates to Complex Real Estate Deals

    🩺 Aaron Peña (Part 2): Triage Under Fire—How a SEAL Medic's Grit Translates to Complex Real Estate Deals
    Dec 8 2025
    How does the grit, urgency, and disciplined focus of a combat medic translate into the world of real estate? In Part 2 of this four-part series, former Navy SEAL Corpsman Aaron Peña shares the story of his military identity—how he became a healer in a community of warriors—and how those high-pressure skills now shape the way he navigates complex real estate deals. Aaron talks about the academic firehose of the Joint Special Operations Combat Medic (JSOCM) course, the struggle to prove wrong those who said he couldn't pass without a college degree, and the kinetic learning style that helped him master lifesaving skills. He recounts a high-intensity deployment to the Philippines, where he faced mass casualties and the moral weight of choosing where to allocate limited medical resources. Ultimately, he explains why he chose reinvention over medical school, and how triage and crisis management map to real estate strategy and negotiation. In this episode, you'll learn: What inspired Aaron to pursue the SEAL pipeline after 9/11. How he started as an undesignated seaman and clawed his way into the career path that was right for him. Why JSOCM training is considered the most intense medical pipeline in the military—and how he survived it. Aaron's firsthand account of mass casualty triage under fire in the Philippines. The emotional and moral difficulty of dealing with the deceased while treating the living. Why he ultimately walked away from the medical path to pursue real estate. How triage and crisis leadership translate directly into navigating high-pressure deals. ⏳ Timestamps 00:00 Intro and Preview Trailer 01:03 Becoming both a SEAL and a medic—serving as a healer in an elite community. 01:32 The 9/11 moment that pushed Aaron toward military service and the SEAL pipeline. 02:30 Starting as an undesignated seaman—receiving a bonus but becoming a "glorified janitor." 03:50 Ship life aboard the USS Ronald Reagan and constant PST (Physical Screening Test) training. 04:44 Raising his hand for JSOCM Training Center despite instructors saying he wouldn't pass without a college degree. 05:51 Academic struggles, memorization challenges, and discovering he is a kinesthetic learner. 07:35 The relentless academic pressure of medic school—anatomy, pharmacology, and weekly testing. 09:00 Transitioning to trauma training—hands-on work with human and Patient Role Model casualties. 11:00 Building confidence during ER internships while treating real trauma patients. 12:23 Mass casualty event in the Philippines: stabilizing gunshot wounds and an abdominal evisceration. 14:15 Making the hardest decision: moving in from patient care from managing the deceased to triaging the living. 16:39 The feeling of success in crisis—staying calm and collected while saving lives. 18:43 The calling of being a medic—helping people and being relied on. 19:40 Losing the passion for medicine and finding a new passion in real estate. 20:32 Applying for the EMDP-2 medical program and feeling relieved when the Navy denied the long commitment. 21:20 Viewing the military as a test bed to discover long-term passions without taking on excess debt. 22:44 How triage skills—diagnosing under pressure—now transfer directly to real estate deals. About the Guest Aaron Peña is a former Navy SEAL Medic who has successfully transitioned his elite military discipline into the world of real estate. As an investor and realtor, he is purposefully focused on guiding active duty service members and veterans to leverage their VA loan, and the benefits of multi-family, income-producing assets; ensuring their financial resilience and achieving true financial success after service. Connect with Aaron Peña: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-pena73/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.pena.863363/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_pena7/ Compass: https://www.compass.com/agents/aaron-pena/ 🔥 Don't Miss More! This is just Part 2 of 4! Subscribe now to catch the rest of Aaron Peña's conversation, where he dives deeper into investment strategies, property management, and building wealth through disciplined real estate acquisition. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram #SEALMedic #JSOCM #CombatMedic #NavySEAL #MassCasualty #USSRonaldReagan #Navy #MilitaryTransition #Grit #Resilience #RealEstateInvesting #AaronPena #TriageUnderFire #TwoPromisesPodcast
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    24 mins
  • 🏠 Aaron Peña (Part 1): Going from the Trident to Deeds—Leveraging the VA Loan for Financial Reinvention

    🏠 Aaron Peña (Part 1): Going from the Trident to Deeds—Leveraging the VA Loan for Financial Reinvention
    Dec 1 2025
    How do you find your Identity and next purposeful mission after decades of service? In Part 1 of this four-part series, we sit down with former Navy SEAL Corpsman Aaron Peña to discuss his strategic career pivot from elite medic to successful real estate investor and advisor. Aaron reveals why he made the tough decision to pull his Warrant Officer package and Surrender a 30-year career goal to prioritize his family's needs. He shares the foundational secrets to his financial growth, detailing exactly how he used the VA loan early in his career to convert his Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from rent into income-producing assets. Getting a home in every port can be a life changer for service members! This episode is a crucial roadmap for active duty and transitioning service members who want to move past the Failure of high dependency and achieve financial Resilience through real estate Achievement. In this episode, you'll learn: The Transition Trap: Why the military uniform becomes tied to your identity, making the post-service transition feel like "learning a new language." The Calculated Surrender: Aaron's tough decision to pull his career package at the 18-year mark to address friction and absence affecting his family. VA Loan Looping: The specific strategy Aaron used to buy his first San Diego property, convert the VA loan to a conventional loan, and free up his VA entitlement to acquire a second property. Multi-Family Advantage: Why Aaron now advises young service members to skip single-family homes and use the VA loan for duplexes, triplexes, or quads for immediate cash flow. New Construction Leverage: How active duty personnel can combine the VA loan with builder incentives to cover closing costs, achieving a truly zero-money-down investment. ⏳ Timestamps 000:14 Preview Intro 01:08 Host introduction to Aaron Peña: Medic background, career shift to real estate investment. 02:08 The Shift: Why Aaron gave up his 30-year goal to retire early, prioritizing family over career commitment. 03:00 The Strategy: Starting real estate investments mid-career; leveraging the VA loan for zero down payment. 03:40 VA Loan Looping: How to convert a VA loan to a conventional loan to free up the VA entitlement for a second property. 04:20 Why Aaron became a realtor: Observing commissions and wanting to help service members. 04:40 Multi-Family Advice: Recommending duplexes/quads for better cash flow for young service members. 04:56 BAH as Investment Capital: Why pay rent when you can use your housing allowance to invest in yourself? 06:49 The Multi-Family Breakdown: Advantages of using the VA loan for 1–4 units for max cash flow (Case Study). 08:39 Using VA Loan Twice: Entitlement rules and why active duty members can buy a house everywhere they go. 09:15 Coastal Advantage: The value of Navy bases being in high-appreciation coastal areas. 10:29 New Construction Benefits: Combining the VA loan with builder incentives (3–5% for closing costs). 11:00 The Zero-Down Myth: Educating members that VA loans are zero down payment, but closing costs are still required. 12:50 Military Family Challenge: Being gone 85% of the year and being a "tourist" in your own home. 13:40 Navigating Friction: Advice to be patient and show grace to your spouse after long absences. 14:49 The Quarantine Reflection: 15 days of COVID quarantine provided the mental space to reassess life and mission. 15:30 Life on the Outside: Researching veterans who were thriving, confirming the decision to leave. 17:11 The Reward: Autonomy and control over time to attend all kids' events and prioritize family. 19:16 The Family Decision: Letting his wife choose their new home base in St. Augustine, Florida. 21:21 Being a Modern Father: The importance of presence, praying with kids, apologizing, and leading by example. 22:30 Surrender and Humility: Taking the armor off, being authentic, and asking questions (applied to real estate). About the Guest Aaron Peña is a former Navy SEAL Corpsman who has successfully transitioned his elite military discipline into the world of real estate. As an investor and realtor, he is purposefully focused on guiding active duty service members and veterans to leverage their VA loan and benefits into multi-family, income-producing assets, ensuring their financial resilience and achieving true financial achievement after service. Connect with Aaron Peña: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-pena73/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.pena.863363/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_pena7/ Compass: https://www.compass.com/agents/aaron-pena/ 🔥 Don't Miss More! This is just Part 1 of 4! Subscribe now to catch the rest of Aaron Peña's conversation, where he dives deeper into investment strategies, property management, and building wealth through Disciplined real estate acquisition. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us...
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    26 mins