Send us Fan Mail Summary: Hard Truth Rods, Navy Service, and Building Purpose Through Fishing Glenn Cook, founder of Hard Truth Rods, shares how a Navy career, a health scare, and a chance connection through a custom fishing rod led him into handmade rod building. Julie Austin and Matt Cain talk with Glenn about military life, small batch craftsmanship, and how fishing became both a creative outlet and the foundation for a new purpose. This episode blends personal story, veteran camaraderie, and entrepreneurship. Glenn also explains how custom rods have supported nonprofit fundraisers, including a Three Rangers Foundation event, and why he believes business should be driven by purpose first. Key Topics: Glenn Cook explains how he went from Iowa to the Navy at age 20, first training as a sonar technician before cross-rating into the Seabees.Glenn shares the unusual path that took him from military service to plumbing, pipefitting, and eventually running a transportation program at the Omaha VA.The conversation covers a brain health scare that led to medical testing, anxiety medication, and a period of reflection that changed his routine and priorities.Glenn describes how a Tenkara fly rod, originally sitting unused in his truck, pulled him back into fishing and gave him a better headspace.He explains how he went from fishing with that rod to researching rod building, buying materials, and accidentally launching Hard Truth Rods.Glenn recounts building a custom rod for Jeff McCabe of Hard Truth distilling, matching the rod’s epoxy and thread work to the bottle label and branding.Julie asks about Glenn’s first customers and nonprofit work, and Glenn explains that his early rods went to himself, his son, friends, and local supporters.Glenn shares the story of a Three Rangers Foundation fundraiser where his rod sold for $10,000 and connected him with Medal of Honor recipients and major donors.Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Glenn Cook and Hard Truth Rods01:34 - Joining the Navy at 20 and choosing sonar technician03:44 - Discovering the Seabees and cross-rating05:57 - Family Navy history and why he enlisted10:26 - Returning to Iowa and starting civilian trades work11:18 - Apprenticeship, VA work, and leading a veteran team13:27 - The health scare that changed everything17:01 - Tenkara fishing becomes the turning point22:19 - First rods, first users, and early confidence24:06 - The Three Rangers Foundation auction story30:20 - The meaning behind hidden messages in the epoxy37:13 - Business advice: follow purpose, ask questions, stay authentic40:03 - Forces Brands USA Business of the week Resources: Support our community and purchase from an amazing businesses on https://forcesbrands-usa.com/ for the #ReplaceOneChallengeWe are a proud member of Heroes Media Group Check us out on Wreaths Across America Radio on Thursday mornings at 7 am. Support the show Visit our website: https://www.dogtags-to-ownership.com/ Follow us on Social Media Instagram/Facebook/Threads: @dogtags_to_ownership X: @DTO_Podcast TikTok: @dogtags_to_ownership
