The Vanguard Wall Podcast

The Vanguard Wall Podcast
  • 5.0 (37)
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The Vanguard Wall Podcast bridges the gap as a fortress of strength and resilience, where modern-day warriors—veterans, law enforcement, and those forged in adversity—share their untold stories of bravery, discipline, mental health, perserverance and personal triumph. Each episode is a shield wall, defending the spirit of honor, courage, and brotherhood that binds warriors across time.

  1. 1D AGO

    Ep 30 Part 1: He Refused to Be Put in a Box | Marine, Diplomat, Then Gone | Eric Shelvy

    Send a text On November 22nd, 2004, a photograph appeared on the cover of Time Magazine — a young Marine, 21 years old, face locked in a primal scream in the middle of the push on Fallujah, Iraq. That Marine was Eric Shelvy. And if you think you know where his story goes from there, you're wrong. Eric grew up in St. Louis — Catholic schools, divorced parents, weekends riding in his father's police cruiser. He was the one kid in his elite Jesuit high school who didn't go to college. He enlisted in the Marines instead, deployed to Iraq twice, and on his second tour led men through house-to-house combat in Fallujah — the heaviest urban fighting since Vietnam. What happened after is just as remarkable. Embassy duty in Moscow straight out of Fallujah. A posting to The Hague. A reassignment to Kuala Lumpur he didn't want — where he met a Ukrainian ballerina in an expat bar, barely speaking each other's language, and fell in love anyway. He fought embassy bureaucracy to get her a visa, married her, left the Marine Corps, joined the Diplomatic Security Service, became an ATF explosives specialist — and then walked away from all of it. Sold the house, bought a sailboat in Panama, and spent nearly three years crossing the Pacific with his family. This is Part 1. It's not a war story. It's not a love story. It's a story about a man who has spent his entire life refusing to be put in a box. Content note: Frank discussion of combat and loss of fellow service members. Documentary and historical context throughout. Subscribe for Part 2 and follow The Vanguard Wall for more stories from people who have lived it. Follow Eric Shelvy 📸 Instagram: www.Instagram.com/sailing.altair 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC3B0cJaRDBXbEMYwppOlAjQ 00:00:00 Intro: 00:06:57 St. Louis upbringing: Jesuit school + ride-alongs with a cop dad 00:18:23 Cop father in the streets: learning calm under chaos 00:25:32 The recruiter pitch: choosing infantry over the “normal” path 00:42:56 ASVAB & DEP: signing the papers and committing 00:47:20 Pre-boot jitters: cigarettes, nerves, “what did I do?” 00:49:36 Boot camp reality: receiving platoon + breaking you down 01:01:15 Becoming a Marine: discipline, suffering, brotherhood 01:07:56 To the infantry: Pendleton, forming the team 01:24:39 Landing in Kuwait: first taste of war & the unknown 01:29:30 Rolling north: vehicles, armor, and the invasion machine 01:30:16 Infantry squad anatomy: weapons, roles, how you actually fight 01:51:30 First real contact: RPGs and chaos on the move 01:57:59 First casualty: the moment war becomes real 02:03:30 Coming home changed: leadership and lessons carried forward 02:34:06 Combat mindset & fear: what guys admit after the fact 02:52:19 Promotion & pressure: stepping up as a squad leader 03:03:00 Leadership before the storm: LtCol Malay & “bad dudes in that house” 03:13:42 Quick break: resetting before the Fallujah story 03:14:10 Back to Iraq (Fall 2004): Camp Fallujah, Route Michigan, contractors bridge 03:55:07 Media spotlight: the build-up before entering the city 04:02:19 Photographer Max: living inside the platoon’s fight 04:34:52 Hardest decision in Fallujah: what command really means 04:56:44 The Time cover photo: what the frame didn’t show 04:58:47 When you realized it was on the cover: aftermath of the image 🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheVanguardWall The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    5h 12m

  2. FEB 9

    EP 29: From Failing Middle School to Special Forces Commander | LTC Chane Jackson

    Send a text Chane Jackson was told he'd never make it past eighth grade. A teacher gave him an "H" on a paper because an F wasn't low enough. He never made honor roll once.Fast forward: West Point graduate. 75th Ranger Regiment. Green Beret commander. Five combat deployments. Over 100 direct action missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Three Bronze Stars. Fluent in Arabic. And he never lost a soldier under his command—never fell back in a firefight. Not once.After retiring, Chane taught himself to code and became Director of Data Science for US Special Operations Command, managing AI systems for 90,000 personnel across 11 commands. Now he's building two businesses—D1 Training in Austin and Game Day Men's Health in Tampa—focused on optimizing human performance.This is a four-hour conversation about struggle, resilience, combat leadership, loss, and what it means to keep pushing forward when everyone says you can't.What we talk about:The childhood that shaped him—single mom, tough neighborhood, academic struggles that almost ended everythingHow a brutal West Point professor taught him the mental toughness that would save his life in combatRanger Regiment and learning what it takes to lead elite soldiersGetting his Green Beret and deploying to Afghanistan with ODA 3325Months of sustained combat in Kajaki—getting shot at on infill, firefights that never seemed to endThe day Master Sergeant Gregory Trent was killed (we covered Greg's story in a seven-part series with ODA 3424)What it's like holding someone's skull together while praying they make it homeLeading through loss while staying mission-focusedTeaching at West Point and mentoring the next generationTransition to tech—teaching himself data science and building AI systems for SOCOMWhy he left the military and started two franchisesD1 Training: athletic performance for youth and adults using cutting-edge technologyGame Day Men's Health: veteran-owned TRT and men's wellness clinic Full conversation on The Vanguard Wall podcast. ⚔️Follow Chane Jackson 📸 Instagram: www.Instagram.com/chanesz D1 Training Center Austin, Texas (owned by Chane) 📸 Instagram: www.Instagram.com/d1jollyvilletx 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/d1jollyvilletx Game Day Mens Health Tampa, FL (owned by Chane) 📸 Instagram: www.Instagram.com/gamedaytempleterrace 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gamedaytempleterrace 🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheVanguardWall The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com #SpecialForces #GreenBeret #RangerRegiment #Military #Veterans #Leadership #CombatStories #entrepreneurship @TheVanguardWallPodcast

  3. FEB 3

    Ep 30 Part 2: From Fallujah to the Open Ocean | Eric Shlevy Part 2

    Send a text He fought in Fallujah at 21. He carried a diplomatic passport in Moscow. He investigated explosives for the ATF. And then he walked away from all of it — sold his house, pulled his kids out of school, flew to Panama, and bought a sailboat. In Part 2 of this conversation, Eric Shelvy picks up where the war ended and takes us through every chapter most people never get to hear: embassy life, the State Department, the ATF fugitive task force, and ultimately the decision to sail the world with his wife and two kids for nearly three and a half years. This episode goes deep into what it actually looks like to rebuild your identity after combat — not through therapy buzzwords, but through action. Through new missions. Through showing your kids that the world is bigger than anyone told them it was. Eric talks about sailing logistics, homeschooling at sea, marriage on a boat with nowhere to escape, and the moment his daughter started talking about a life in the foreign service — at 16. He also reflects on the Time Magazine cover, legacy, and what it means to secure your place in history without letting it own you. This is a rare story. And Eric is a rare man. If this conversation moved you — share it with someone who needs it. That's the only way this reaches the people it's meant for. 🎙️ Subscribe for new episodes | Support us on Patreon | Merch available now Follow Eric Shelvy 📸 Instagram: www.Instagram.com/sailing.altair 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC3B0cJaRDBXbEMYwppOlAjQ 🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheVanguardWall The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    4h 23m

  4. JAN 29

    Ep 28: Special Forces Officer Reveals Why He Chose Seminary Over the Military | Evan Perperis

    Send a text What does it take to go from a self-described "nerdy drama club kid" to leading Green Beret teams in Iraq? And what kind of man walks away from a 20-year Special Forces career to pursue seminary? This is the story of Major Evan Perperis.Evan spent two decades in the US Army — Ranger School, SEER, Pathfinder, Special Forces Qualification Course, and four combat deployments to Iraq and the Middle East. As a Green Beret team leader with 5th Special Forces Group, he trained elite Iraqi Commandos in the heart of the War on Terror. He earned two Bronze Stars and four Meritorious Service Medals.But that's only half the story.When he wasn't downrange, Evan was running 24-hour obstacle course races, climbing the height of Mount Everest with obstacles for charity (raising over $25,000 for wounded warriors), competing as a professional OCR athlete with 100+ podium finishes, and authoring 10+ books on fitness and combatives.Then he made a decision that shocked everyone: he walked away from the military to become a Greek Orthodox priest.In this conversation, we cover: His childhood and the moment 9/11 changed everything Six months in Ranger School and refusing to quit Leading platoons and ODAs in combat The emotional toll of deployment on family His extreme endurance challenges and athletic career Why he chose Orthodoxy and the priesthood Balancing warrior mentality with faith This is a conversation about sacrifice, perseverance, faith, and what it means to truly live a life of purpose. Follow Evan Perperis: 🌐 Website: www.UltraOCRman.com 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ultraocrman 📸 Instagram: www.Instagram.com/ultraOCRman 💪 Patreon: www.patreon.com/GreekCombatives 📚 Books: www.TeamStrengthSpeed.com 📖 Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Evan-Perperis/author/B07R1R2J4B 🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com Major Evan Perperis served 20 years in the US Army as a Special Forces officer with 5th Special Forces Group, completing Ranger School, SEER, Pathfinder, and the Special Forces Qualification Course. With four combat deployments to Iraq and the Middle East, two Bronze Stars, and four Meritorious Service Medals, Evan led Green Beret teams training elite Iraqi Commandos during the War on Terror. Beyond military service, he competed as a professional obstacle course racer with over 100 podium finishes, authored more than 10 books on fitness and combatives, and raised over $25,000 for wounded warriors through extreme endurance challenges. After two decades of service, Evan made the extraordinary decision to pursue seminary and become a Greek Orthodox priest. This conversation explores his journey from combat to faith, the sacrifices of military life, the emotional toll of deployment on family, and what it means to live a life of true purpose. Follow Evan's journey at www.UltraOCRman.com and find his books at www.TeamStrengthSpeed.com. @TheVanguardWallPodcast

  5. JAN 19

    EP 27: Navy Veteran Opens Up About Depression, Faith & Hollywood | Cody Bobay

    Send a text 🔥 This is the story Hollywood doesn't want you to hear. Cody Bobay went from being an alcoholic 13-year-old in a broken home to encountering God in a Navy barracks—and his entire life changed in ONE SECOND. Now he's fighting to take back Hollywood one film at a time. From nuclear warfare missions to battling depression, from marriage crisis to standing up against church criticism, from devastating rejection to launching a studio that refuses to bow to Hollywood's agenda—this conversation goes DEEP. If you're struggling with: Pornography addiction Depression or suicidal thoughts Marriage problems Feeling like a failure Finding your purpose Being a better father Fighting for biblical masculinity This episode is for you. 📍 CHAPTERS: 00:00:00 - Introduction: From Broken Home to Warrior 00:15:32 - Age 13: First Drink, Alcoholism & Chasing Acceptance 00:30:45 - The Dark Reality: Cheating, Fighting & Hating Himself 00:46:18 - Rock Bottom: Screaming at God in a Navy Barracks 00:51:03 - The Encounter: How God Changed Everything in One Moment 01:08:47 - Nuclear Warfare: Life on the E-6B Mercury Platform 01:28:15 - SERE School: Breaking His Neck & Cold Water Torture 01:42:33 - Blue Jacket of the Year: God Whispers the Answer 01:54:20 - Meeting His Wife: No Sex Until Marriage After That Past 02:08:44 - Year 7 Crisis: "You're Having an Emotional Affair with Work" 02:22:10 - Why Christian Men Stay Fat & Addicted (The Brutal Truth) 02:38:52 - Writing 700 Devotionals While Fighting Depression 02:51:16 - God's Call to Acting: "Would You Follow Me Into the Ocean?" 03:04:39 - Hollywood Rejection: 10 Final Callbacks, Zero Callbacks Back 03:18:24 - Fighting on Film: Breaking His Neck in the Ogden River 03:29:47 - Pastors Tried to Cancel Him: "You'll Never Speak Without Seminary" 03:44:11 - The Pornography Conversation Church Won't Have 03:58:35 - Raising Kids in Hollywood: Steak & Sex Dates with His Son 04:12:18 - I68 Studios: Taking Back Hollywood Without Asking Permission 04:26:40 - Final Word: Here I Am, Send Me 🎯 FOLLOW Cody Bobby: Instagram: @codybobay Website: www.codybobay.com Soulçon Instagram: @soulconseries Website: www.soulcon.com I68 Studios Instagram: @i68studios Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/I68Studios 🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com #CodyBobay #ChristianMasculinity #HollywoodTransformation #NavyVeteran #SoulConWarrior #BiblicalManhood #MarriageAdvice #Fatherhood #ActionFilms #I68Studios #OvercomingAddiction #MentalHealthRecovery #FaithJourney #MilitaryStories Navy veteran Cody Bobay discusses his military service, personal faith transformation, 19-year marriage, parenting philosophy, and career transitions into writing, speaking, and acting. Topics include military experiences, mental health, masculinity, family relationships, and creative pursuits. Long-form conversation covering service, personal growth, and life purpose. Interview by The Vanguard Wall podcast featuring veterans and their transformation stories. @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    4h 37m

  6. JAN 2

    Ep 26: Breaking Addiction & Building Desert Plunge: Matt Kuiper's Recovery Journey

    Send a text What do you do when you've lost everything—your family, your future, your will to live? For Matt Kuiper, founder of Desert Plunge, the answer came in the form of 38-degree water. This is the story of a man who went from two DUIs and jail time to building one of the fastest-growing cold plunge companies in America—and how he discovered that our darkest moments can become our greatest purpose. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 4:00 - Early Childhood & Christian Reform Upbringing 15:10 - First Antidepressants at 15 17:20 - First Drink: "I Cannot Wait to Do This Again" 30:50 - First DUI at 16, Second at 21 37:40 - The Day I Almost Died: 220 BPM Heart Rate 47:30 - Green Oaks Ranch: 6-Month Rehab 53:00 - Meeting My Wife in Rehab 1:09:00 - Relapse: Wife Kicks Me Out 1:17:00 - Rock Bottom & 90 Meetings in 90 Days 1:27:00 - Why Marriage is Worth Fighting For 1:37:00 - Becoming an Electrician: The Trades vs College 1:48:00 - 2019 Mental Health Crisis in Ecuador 2:01:00 - Cold Plunge Changed Everything 2:07:00 - Building Desert Plunge from Garage to Business 2:34:00 - Customer Service & Business Philosophy 2:51:00 - Plant Medicine: 5-MEO, Kambo, Ketamine 3:04:00 - Faith, Fatherhood & Breaking Cycles 3:19:00 - SSRIs, Big Pharma & Alternative Medicine 3:27:00 - Final Message: You Can Change Your Story 🎯 FOLLOW Matt Kupier: Instagram: @Matt_Kuiper, @desertplunge Website: https://desertplunge.com/ 🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com #MattKuiper #DesertPlunge #ColdPlungeTherapy #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #SobrietyJourney #EntrepreneurStory #WimHofMethod #RecoveryIsPossible @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    3h 29m

  7. 12/17/2025

    EP 25 Part 2: CIA Operator: The Sacrifices Nobody Talks About | Bob "Ninja" Porras Interview

    Send a text Bob Porras served 20 years in Delta Force before joining the CIA's Global Response Staff, where he spent another decade protecting intelligence operations in the world's most dangerous places. In this conversation, Bob shares the reality behind the headlines—from the Benghazi aftermath to evacuating the Tripoli embassy in 2014, earning the CIA's highest medal in the process. This interview covers the sacrifices that come with a life in service, the broken training pipelines that put operators at risk, and what it takes to lead teams when failure isn't an option. Bob discusses his transition out of the CIA, why he started teaching tactical skills, and the personal costs of three decades at the tip of the spear. Topics include: CIA Global Response Staff operations, leadership under fire, the Khost Bombings, Benghazi Attacks, faith and family through adversity, and building resilience after service. Content Advisory: This conversation contains discussions of combat operations, wartime casualties, and the psychological toll of sustained operational tempo. Presented in documentary/educational context. 🎯 FOLLOW Bob “Ninja” Porras: Instagram: @Ninjabobsolutions Tik Tok: ninjabobsolutions7 Facebook: Ninjabobsolutions Website: https://ninjabobsolutions This Episode is sponsored by Dr Taylor Bosley 🌐 Fuel Your Momentum and Get started Now → www.precisionwellnessgroup.com  📲 Follow → @precisionwellnessgroup  Because true strength starts from within — and optimal health is the edge you deserve.  🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com #BobPorras #CIA #DeltaForce #SpecialOperations #GRS #Benghazi #MilitaryVeterans #TacticalTraining #LeadershipLessons #WarriorMindset #VeteranPodcast #TheVanguardWall @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    4h 3m

  8. 12/15/2025

    EP 25 Part 1: From Engineer to Delta Force: The Untold Journey Nobody Expected | Bob "Ninja" Porras

    Send a text Few operators earn the right to walk away from Delta Force on their own terms. Bob "Ninja" Porras did exactly that—after building a legendary career from nothing. This episode covers Bob's journey from Los Angeles to becoming one of Delta Force's most respected operators. Starting as an Army engineer, he battled bureaucracy, survived Panama combat operations, earned his Green Beret, and fought his way into the Unit—the most selective special operations force in the world. Bob shares what Delta selection really tests, the truth about peacetime military life in the 1980s, and the leadership lessons that carried him through two decades of combat rotations. From hostage rescue training to the opening chapters of the War on Terror, this is the story of a warrior who never stopped evolving. Content Advisory: This episode contains discussion of military combat operations, wartime experiences, and deployment stress. All content is presented in historical/educational context. If you're interested in military history, special operations, or leadership under pressure, this conversation delivers truth without the Hollywood filter. 🎯 FOLLOW Bob “Ninja” Porras: Instagram: @Ninjabobsolutions Tik Tok: ninjabobsolutions7 Facebook: Ninjabobsolutions Website: https://ninjabobsolutions This Episode is sponsored by Dr Taylor Bosley Grab your FREE Top 5 from Doctor Bosley PDF here → https://www.precisionwellnessgroup.com/ad-the-vanguard-wall-podcast 🌐 Fuel Your Momentum and Get started Now → www.precisionwellnessgroup.com  📲 Follow → @precisionwellnessgroup  Because true strength starts from within — and optimal health is the edge you deserve.  🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast  Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/ @TheVanguardWall   The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com Social Media: ⬇️ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com 🔔 Subscribe for more stories from America's quiet professionals 👍 Like if you want to see Part 2 (CIA GRS career) 💬 Comment your questions for Bob #DeltaForce #SpecialOperations #BobPorras #MilitaryHistory #ArmyRanger #GreenBeret #Panama #DesertStorm #CombatVeteran #Leadership #MilitaryPodcast #TheVanguardWall @TheVanguardWallPodcast

    5h 33m
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5
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

The Vanguard Wall Podcast bridges the gap as a fortress of strength and resilience, where modern-day warriors—veterans, law enforcement, and those forged in adversity—share their untold stories of bravery, discipline, mental health, perserverance and personal triumph. Each episode is a shield wall, defending the spirit of honor, courage, and brotherhood that binds warriors across time.

Information

  • Creator
    The Vanguard Wall Podcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Vanguard Wall Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Vanguard Wall Podcast

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