Ten Thousand Miles

Vic Pepe

The road to success is full of hard work and determination. It is never easy - you just learn to handle hard... Here, I interview people who "make it look easy" but leave it all on the field daily to do so.

  1. 4D AGO

    The Military World Games Story Nobody's Talking About

    In this episode of 10,000 Miles, host Vic Pepe sits down with Ike Belk and David Koerner, the co-chairs of the 2027 Military World Games Local Organizing Committee, for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the biggest global sporting events most Americans have never heard of. Born of the post–World War II idea that nations can compete in sport rather than conflict, the Military World Games are powered by CISM (International Military Sports Council) and its mission of friendship through sport. Now, for the first time in history, the United States will host the Military World Games in 2027, with Charlotte, North Carolina, as the centerpiece. We cover what the Military World Games are, how they differ from the Olympics, why this event is “diplomacy in motion,” and what it takes to execute a multi-venue, multi-sport global competition involving active-duty service members and elite athletes from around the world. Ike and David also share the origin story of their partnership, the bold decision to pursue the bid, the international travel and negotiations, and the leadership lessons behind building a team capable of delivering an event of this scale. If you care about leadership, logistics, global cooperation, and honoring those who serve, this episode will light you up. Topics include: • What CISM is and why the Military World Games exist • Why 2027 is a historic first for the USA • Charlotte’s role and what it means for the Carolinas • The scale: venues, sports, security, transportation, and athlete village planning • Media, streaming, and why the world is about to learn what this event really is • The “peace through sport” mission and the real diplomatic impact Subscribe for more conversations with builders, leaders, and people doing big things that move the world forward. #MilitaryWorldGames #CISM #PeaceThroughSport #CharlotteNC #TeamUSA #Olympics #Leadership #SportsDiplomacy #Military #10000MilesPodcast Please Comment, Like, Share, and Subscribe! #shorts #shortsfeed #podcast #leaders #stories #podcast #courage #business #Success #Leadership #Motivation #Inspiration #SelfImprovement #PersonalDevelopment #GoalSetting #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #LifeGoals #PositiveThinking #AchieveYourGoals #SuccessMindset #LeadershipSkills #MotivationalQuotes #SuccessTips #LeadershipDevelopment #InspirationalVideos #SuccessStories #money #life #rockandroll #music #CEO #COO #CFO #CAO #nextjob #goodtimes #success

    57 min
  2. FEB 16

    Military Experience is a Powerful Tool for Change - US Army Major General ** ret. Matt Smith - EP100

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithmattd/ For this special episode, Vic Pepe sits down with Major General (Two-Star) (Ret.) Matt Smith whose journey spans more than three decades of military service and a remarkable transition into higher education and veteran advocacy. Matt shares his story from a Long Island upbringing rooted in community service to leading soldiers in complex global environments. He opens up about pivotal life decisions, the impact of 9/11, returning to active duty, and ultimately finding his next mission helping veterans succeed in business and beyond. Today, Matt serves as Executive Director of Veteran Initiatives at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, where he leads the MBA for Veterans program and mentors the next generation of leaders. This conversation explores what service truly means, how purpose evolves over time, and why leadership does not end when the uniform comes off. Please Comment, Like, Share, and Subscribe! #shorts #shortsfeed #podcast #leaders #stories #podcast #courage #business #Success #Leadership #Motivation #Inspiration #SelfImprovement #PersonalDevelopment #GoalSetting #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #LifeGoals #PositiveThinking #AchieveYourGoals #SuccessMindset #LeadershipSkills #MotivationalQuotes #SuccessTips #LeadershipDevelopment #InspirationalVideos #SuccessStories #money #life #rockandroll #music #CEO #COO #CFO #CAO #nextjob #goodtimes #success

    1h 37m
  3. FEB 9

    The Psychology Of Success - Discipline, Confidence & Urgency - Briahn Forster EP99

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/briahnforster/ In this episode, I sit down with Bri Forster, Channel Director at Avant Communications, and one of those rare professionals who immediately stand out through execution, urgency, and care for the people she works with. Bri shares her journey from earning a psychology degree at Rider University and originally planning a career in healthcare, to pivoting into medical sales, then technology through SHI, and ultimately finding her home at Avant, starting in March of 2020, right as the world shut down. We unpack: • Where Bri’s strong sense of urgency comes from and how competitive cheerleading shaped her mindset • Why psychology is a powerful advantage in sales and leadership • How to reset mentally when things are not going your way • The traits Bri sees consistently in the most successful trusted advisors • The most common obstacle holding people back early in their careers: self-doubt • Why listening often matters more than talking when building trust We also wrap with a fun lightning round covering habits, mindset, timing versus hard work, and what still makes Bri nervous today. If you are early in your career, building a business, or looking for practical lessons you can apply immediately, this episode delivers real insight without the fluff. Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and if you know someone who could benefit from this conversation, send it their way. #BriForster #AvantCommunications #Leadership #SalesMindset #PsychologyInBusiness #Channel #TrustedAdvisor #BusinessGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence Please Comment, Like, Share, and Subscribe! #shorts #shortsfeed #podcast #leaders #stories #podcast #courage #business #Success #Leadership #Motivation #Inspiration #SelfImprovement #PersonalDevelopment #GoalSetting #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #LifeGoals #PositiveThinking #AchieveYourGoals #SuccessMindset #LeadershipSkills #MotivationalQuotes #SuccessTips #LeadershipDevelopment #InspirationalVideos #SuccessStories #money #life #rockandroll #music #CEO #COO #CFO #CAO #nextjob #goodtimes #success

    49 min
  4. FEB 2

    Not Just Whitesnake - The Many Lives Of Joel Hoekstra - EP98

    https://www.instagram.com/joelhoekstra13 https://www.youtube.com/@joelhoekstra13 http://www.joelhoekstra.com/ In this episode, Vic Pepe interviews renowned guitarist Joel Hoekstra to explore his journey from classical music to rock stardom. Joel shares his early influences, the pivotal moments that shaped his career, and the challenges he faced along the way. He discusses his experiences in various bands, his time at GIT, and the transition to Broadway, highlighting the importance of preparation and musicianship in achieving success in the music industry. In this engaging conversation, Joel Hoekstra shares his remarkable journey through the music industry, detailing his experiences with Broadway, Night Ranger, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He discusses the pivotal moments that led to his audition for Whitesnake and reflects on David Coverdale's legacy. Joel emphasizes the importance of hard work, dedication, and the support of fellow musicians in achieving success. He also introduces his upcoming album 'From the Fade' and his side project Hoekstra's 13, showcasing his evolution as an artist. Please Comment, Like, Share, and Subscribe! #shorts #shortsfeed #podcast #leaders #stories #podcast #courage #business #Success #Leadership #Motivation #Inspiration #SelfImprovement #PersonalDevelopment #GoalSetting #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #LifeGoals #PositiveThinking #AchieveYourGoals #SuccessMindset #LeadershipSkills #MotivationalQuotes #SuccessTips #LeadershipDevelopment #InspirationalVideos #SuccessStories #money #life #rockandroll #music #CEO #COO #CFO #CAO #nextjob #goodtimes #success

    1h 16m
  5. JAN 26

    How Curiosity and Learning Can Shape Your Career- Marc Jorgensen - EP97

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcjorgensen/ In this episode, Vic Pepe and Marc Jorgensen delve into the journey of self-learning and personal growth, reflecting on their 24-year professional relationship. They discuss how their early experiences in technology shaped their careers, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and the willingness to embrace new challenges. Marc shares his mantra, 'How hard can it be?', inspired by a British TV personality, which encapsulates his approach to tackling unfamiliar tasks. The conversation highlights the significance of metacognition—understanding one's own learning processes—and how it can lead to greater independence and confidence in problem-solving. They also touch on the role of technology and AI in facilitating learning, stressing that while tools like ChatGPT can provide answers, true understanding comes from engaging with the material and asking the right questions. Please Comment, Like, Share, and Subscribe! #shorts #shortsfeed #podcast #leaders #stories #podcast #courage #business #Success #Leadership #Motivation #Inspiration #SelfImprovement #PersonalDevelopment #GoalSetting #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #LifeGoals #PositiveThinking #AchieveYourGoals #SuccessMindset #LeadershipSkills #MotivationalQuotes #SuccessTips #LeadershipDevelopment #InspirationalVideos #SuccessStories #money #life #rockandroll #music #CEO #COO #CFO #CAO #nextjob #goodtimes #success

    47 min
  6. JAN 19

    Anxiety Is The Signal Of Growth - EP96

    https://a.co/d/hkAKbck https://a.co/d/e3E9Gir In this episode, Vic Pepe shares his personal journey of navigating change and how it has shaped his life and career. He reflects on his early aspirations of becoming a musician, the challenges he faced in college, and his eventual transition into the music industry. Through storytelling, he illustrates how he embraced change, learned from experience, and leveraged his passion for music to build a successful career in technology. Vic emphasizes the importance of adaptability and the mindset required to thrive in a rapidly changing world, especially amid technological advancements such as AI. Vic also discusses his upcoming book titled "Change: How to Turn Life Shifts into Strength and Freedom," which aims to help others understand and manage their feelings of anxiety and uncertainty during times of change. He encourages listeners to view discomfort as a sign of growth and to seek out opportunities for learning and development. The episode serves as both a personal narrative and a motivational guide for anyone facing transitions in their lives. Please Comment, Like, Share, and Subscribe! #shorts #shortsfeed #podcast #leaders #stories #podcast #courage #business #Success #Leadership #Motivation #Inspiration #SelfImprovement #PersonalDevelopment #GoalSetting #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #LifeGoals #PositiveThinking #AchieveYourGoals #SuccessMindset #LeadershipSkills #MotivationalQuotes #SuccessTips #LeadershipDevelopment #InspirationalVideos #SuccessStories #money #life #rockandroll #music #CEO #COO #CFO #CAO #nextjob #goodtimes #success

    30 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The road to success is full of hard work and determination. It is never easy - you just learn to handle hard... Here, I interview people who "make it look easy" but leave it all on the field daily to do so.