Character isn't built when things are easy. It's revealed when everything changes.

After losing his leg above the knee in combat, Nick Lavery refused to let that injury define the limits of his service. Driven by purpose, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to his team, he set his sights on returning to Special Forces and combat operations, ultimately becoming the first above-the-knee amputee to return to combat. And he's still on active duty today.

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Nick, active-duty U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, author of Objective Secure, entrepreneur, and leader whose story is rooted not just in extraordinary physical achievement, but in resilience, accountability, and the daily pursuit of excellence. Nick speaks candidly about self-doubt, setbacks, failure, and the reality that even high performers struggle. He explains why pressure doesn't create character but reveals it, and why long-term success depends on connecting a clear mission to the small actions taken every day. Rather than relying on motivation, Nick shares how systems, habits, and disciplined execution create lasting results.

John and Nick also discuss the After-Action Review, a military tool Nick now brings to high-performing organizations. The principle is simple: identify what worked, spend even more time confronting what did not, and use accountability to get better.

Guest Links:

MCHN: https://mchn.co
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-lavery/

Learn more at BerryLaw.com

What happens to your physical readiness when the uniform comes off?

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Maj. Joel Del Rosario, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), founder of Readi, to discuss tactical fitness, longevity, and why Veterans still have a responsibility to take care of the most important piece of equipment they own: their body.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, Joel set out to help tactical athletes train for performance without sacrificing long-term health. Readi combines strength, mobility, recovery, mindset, and nutrition resources for military members, Veterans, law enforcement, and firefighters. Joel is also going through the police academy himself to better understand the physical demands law enforcement officers face every day.

John and Joel discuss training smarter instead of simply training harder, preventing injuries, avoiding overtraining, and rebuilding fitness after service. Joel also shares leadership lessons from the Marine Corps and explains why consistency and high standards matter whether you're leading a unit, a company, or yourself.

His message to Veterans is simple: hanging up the uniform does not mean hanging up your responsibilities.

Guest Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeldelrosario/
Readi: https://www.getreadi.app/
Readi Social: @getreadi.app
Joel Del Rosario: @joellerblades

Learn more at BerryLaw.com

What if one of the biggest threats to military readiness is what our service members eat?

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Robert Irvine, Royal Navy Veteran, chef, entrepreneur, television personality, and founder of the Robert Irvine Foundation, to discuss why he believes food is national security.

Robert shares how his journey began when he joined the Royal Navy at 15 years old and started cooking for service members. Today, he is helping modernize how the U.S. military feeds the Joint Force, from redesigned dining facilities and personalized nutrition to addressing food insecurity among military families.

The conversation explores the connection between nutrition, readiness, long-term Veteran health, and military community. Robert explains why food does more than fuel the body. Sharing meals builds relationships, strengthens units, and gives leaders opportunities to recognize when someone may be struggling.

Robert also shares his approach to leadership, why insecurity creates poor leaders, and how empathy, authenticity, listening, and hiring people smarter than you can build stronger teams.

Guest Links:

Robert Irvine Foundation: https://robertirvinefoundation.org/
Robert Irvine: https://chefirvine.com/

Learn more at BerryLaw.com

What if the best part of the smoke pit was never really the cigar?

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent sit down with Joey Mac Dizon, Marine Corps Veteran and co-founder of The Mobile Cigar Lounge, to talk about turning military camaraderie into a business built around relationships, experiences, and community.

Joey shares how memories of the smoke pit inspired a company designed to recreate those moments when people slow down, connect, and build real relationships. He explains how mentorship from fellow Veteran entrepreneurs and a willingness to learn from other leaders helped him grow both personally and professionally.

The conversation explores hiring, culture, communication, and Joey's approach to giving people room to succeed instead of micromanaging them. More than anything, Joey explains why cigars are simply the vehicle. The real mission is creating the feeling of connection and brotherhood that so many Veterans remember from service.

Guest Links:

Website: https://themobilecigarlounge.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeymacdizon/

Learn more at BerryLaw.com

What do you do when people decide you don't belong in the room before you've even had the chance to lead?

In this episode of Veteran Led, Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent sits down with Roslyn Davis, Air Force Veteran and President and CEO of RoDa Business Solutions, to discuss resilience, leadership, entrepreneurship, and proving yourself through performance.

After 24 years in the Air Force, Roslyn continued serving through government contracting and a decade of federal civil service, including work on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. She shares how being placed in leadership roles others believed she was too junior or too young to handle taught her an important lesson: don't focus on the naysayers. Focus on results.

The conversation explores how military resilience translates to entrepreneurship, why government contractors need the right strategic partners, and why relationships should extend beyond a single transaction. Roslyn also discusses the value of the Veteran entrepreneur community and why success often hides years of struggle that nobody else sees.

Guest Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roslyn-davis/
Website: https://www.RoDaBusinessSolutions.com/

Learn more at BerryLaw.com

What happens when the path from drugs and juvenile detention leads to military service, entrepreneurship, and a completely different future?

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent sit down with Andrew Vose, Army Veteran, entrepreneur, and real estate leader, to talk about the experiences that shaped his path and the lessons he carried into business.

Andrew shares his unconventional journey into the Army and how military service eventually took him through Ranger Battalion and Special Forces support. After leaving the military, he brought those experiences into recruiting, real estate, entrepreneurship, and business acquisition. Today, he leads a network of more than 1,000 real estate agents while continuing to pursue new opportunities.

The conversation covers failure, risk, leadership, AI, and Andrew's philosophy of the "2 Ps": proximity and purpose. From losing more than $200,000 on an investment to rebuilding after a failed business, Andrew explains why getting it wrong can sometimes teach you more than getting it right.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvose/
Website: https://www.andrewvose.com
Instagram: @theonlyandrewvose

Learn more at BerryLaw.com

How does someone go from homelessness, illiteracy, and juvenile detention to military service, entrepreneurship, authorship, and leadership coaching?

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry speaks with Sensei Dave Armstrong, Air Force Veteran, author, martial artist, and leadership and resilience speaker, about accountability and the ability to rebuild your life.

Dave shares how he entered the juvenile justice system at 11, lost his mother as a child, moved through foster homes and detention centers, and was homeless at 18. Unable to read or write when he graduated high school, he committed himself to passing the ASVAB and joining the Air Force. Military service gave him structure, mentors, and opportunities that changed his trajectory.

The conversation explores how martial arts reinforced discipline and respect, why Dave struggled to find his identity after service, and how he rebuilt his purpose through education, writing, coaching, and helping at-risk youth. His message for Veterans is simple: accountability can be developed, purpose can be rebuilt, and action starts by refusing to compromise with yourself.

Guest Links:

Speaking: https://www.upna.net/speaking
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/senseidaveofficial/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/senseidavearmstrong/

Learn more at ptsdlawyers.com

What happens when headlines oversimplify legislation that could impact millions of Veterans, surviving spouses, and military families?

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry speaks with Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann, Director of Government and Legislative Affairs at TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), about the realities behind Veteran advocacy on Capitol Hill and the legislation shaping the future of military families.

Drawing from her own experience as the daughter of two Veterans who lost both parents to military-related tragedy, Ashlynne shares the deeply personal journey that led her into advocacy. She discusses helping lead the effort to eliminate the "widow's tax," the passage of the Love Lives On Act, and the ongoing debate surrounding the Take Care of America's Veterans Act.

The conversation explains how legislation is built, why misinformation spreads so easily, and what Veterans and their families should understand before reacting to headlines. It is an insightful look at the intersection of policy, advocacy, and service.

Guest & Organization Links:
TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)
https://www.taps.org/

Take Care of America's Veterans Act
https://www.legion.org/advocacy/legislative/take-care-of-americas-veterans-act

Elizabeth Dole Foundation
https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
https://www.vfw.org

Independent Veterans of America (IAVA)
https://www.ihelpveterans.org/

Wounded Warrior Project
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
https://www.moaa.org/

Learn more at ptsdlawyers.com