Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Episode 257 of the Transition Drill podcast explores combat injury, military transition, and rebuilding purpose for veterans and first responders navigating life after service. You’ll hear Geoffrey Quevedo on surviving a devastating IED blast in Afghanistan, and what it takes to build a meaningful life after losing the career and identity you thought would last forever.
Geoffrey, a former Army Specialist, enlisted with one goal in mind. He wanted to serve as a 19D Cavalry Scout, deploy to combat, and earn his place alongside the soldiers he admired. After growing up in California working alongside his family, he entered the Army in 2010, completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, arrived at Fort Drum, and was quickly deployed to Afghanistan. Just eight months into that deployment, Geoffrey stepped in to accompany his partner while clearing an IED-making compound. A hidden explosive changed his life in an instant, leaving him with catastrophic injuries that ultimately resulted in the loss of his left arm and lower leg.
The conversation goes far beyond the battlefield. Geoffrey shares the physical and emotional reality of Walter Reed, more than 40 surgeries, rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury recovery, learning to use prosthetics, and the difficult moment he realized he would never return to combat. Instead of allowing that loss to define him, he focused on finding a new mission. After medically transitioning from the Army, he remained in Southern California for continued treatment, rebuilt his life through adaptive running and soccer, volunteered in his community, became a motivational speaker, and now mentors and encourages other amputees through organizations including the Challenge Athletes Foundation. Throughout the conversation, Geoffrey's humor, resilience, and refusal to live in regret reveal what real perseverance looks like when service ends but purpose doesn't. Veterans, first responders, and anyone facing a life-changing setback will find practical perspective, honesty, and hope in his story.
CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:
Instagram: instagram.com/paulpantani
WEBSITE: transitiondrillpodcast.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulpantani
SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:
transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:
paul@transitiondrillpodcast.com
CHAPTERS
0:00:00 - Intro: No Regrets, Still Alive
0:02:37 - Roots, Family and a Relentless Work Ethic
0:05:40 - The Army Was Always the Plan
0:09:02 - Becoming a Cavalry Scout
0:12:43 - Orders to Fort Drum and Afghanistan
0:16:31 - Nineteen Years Old and Going to War
0:18:26 - The IED Blast That Changed Everything
0:19:54 - Waking Up at Walter Reed
0:22:23 - “Tape Me Up and Send Me Back”
0:24:32 - Forty Surgeries and Impossible Choices
0:28:35 - Learning to Walk Again
0:29:30 - When the Army Said He Couldn’t Return
0:33:13 - Losing the Uniform and Starting Over
0:36:28 - Finding Purpose Through Soccer and Running
0:40:01 - Running Again—and Learning How to Fall
0:43:13 - Accepting What Would Never Grow Back
0:48:37 - Competing Without Sympathy
0:51:10 - Studying Trauma After Losing His Brothers
0:54:37 - Turning His Experience Into Service
0:59:48 - Independence, Chronic Pain and Choosing Life
1:05:03 - “You Only Live Twice”
1:08:23 - Psychology, Education and a New Mission
1:10:33 - Understanding the Price Behind the Support
1:12:13 - The Body Bag Beneath His Hospital Bed
1:13:22 - Don’t Quit While Your Heart Still Beats
1:16:45 - Closing: Live, Laugh and Keep Going
SPONSORS:
GRND Collective: Premium, veteran-owned sportswear built for those who show up, outwork the excuses, and give 100%. Score 15% off your order at thegrndcollective.com using promo code TRANSITION15 at checkout
Blue Line Roasting: Premium, law-enforcement-owned coffee roasted to fuel the shift. A portion of every order directly supports law enforcement families facing line-of-duty injury or loss. Save 10% at bluelineroasting.com with promo code Transition10
Frontline Optics: Premium eyewear founded by a firefighter and built to withstand the job. Every single purchase helps support the First Responders Children’s Foundation, serving families who’ve paid the ultimate price. Save 10% off your pair at frontlineoptics.com using promo code Transition10
#transitiondrillpodcast #militarytransition #firstresponders
Episode 257 of the Transition Drill podcast explores combat injury, military transition, and rebuilding purpose for veterans and first responders navigating life after service. You’ll hear Geoffrey Quevedo on surviving a devastating IED blast in Afghanistan, and what it takes to build a meaningful life after losing the career and identity you thought would last forever.
Geoffrey, a former Army Specialist, enlisted with one goal in mind. He wanted to serve as a 19D Cavalry Scout, deploy to combat, and earn his place alongside the soldiers he admired. After growing up in California working alongside his family, he entered the Army in 2010, completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, arrived at Fort Drum, and was quickly deployed to Afghanistan. Just eight months into that deployment, Geoffrey stepped in to accompany his partner while clearing an IED-making compound. A hidden explosive changed his life in an instant, leaving him with catastrophic injuries that ultimately resulted in the loss of his left arm and lower leg.
The conversation goes far beyond the battlefield. Geoffrey shares the physical and emotional reality of Walter Reed, more than 40 surgeries, rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury recovery, learning to use prosthetics, and the difficult moment he realized he would never return to combat. Instead of allowing that loss to define him, he focused on finding a new mission. After medically transitioning from the Army, he remained in Southern California for continued treatment, rebuilt his life through adaptive running and soccer, volunteered in his community, became a motivational speaker, and now mentors and encourages other amputees through organizations including the Challenge Athletes Foundation. Throughout the conversation, Geoffrey's humor, resilience, and refusal to live in regret reveal what real perseverance looks like when service ends but purpose doesn't. Veterans, first responders, and anyone facing a life-changing setback will find practical perspective, honesty, and hope in his story.
CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:
Instagram: instagram.com/paulpantani
WEBSITE: transitiondrillpodcast.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulpantani
SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:
transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:
paul@transitiondrillpodcast.com
CHAPTERS
0:00:00 - Intro: No Regrets, Still Alive
0:02:37 - Roots, Family and a Relentless Work Ethic
0:05:40 - The Army Was Always the Plan
0:09:02 - Becoming a Cavalry Scout
0:12:43 - Orders to Fort Drum and Afghanistan
0:16:31 - Nineteen Years Old and Going to War
0:18:26 - The IED Blast That Changed Everything
0:19:54 - Waking Up at Walter Reed
0:22:23 - “Tape Me Up and Send Me Back”
0:24:32 - Forty Surgeries and Impossible Choices
0:28:35 - Learning to Walk Again
0:29:30 - When the Army Said He Couldn’t Return
0:33:13 - Losing the Uniform and Starting Over
0:36:28 - Finding Purpose Through Soccer and Running
0:40:01 - Running Again—and Learning How to Fall
0:43:13 - Accepting What Would Never Grow Back
0:48:37 - Competing Without Sympathy
0:51:10 - Studying Trauma After Losing His Brothers
0:54:37 - Turning His Experience Into Service
0:59:48 - Independence, Chronic Pain and Choosing Life
1:05:03 - “You Only Live Twice”
1:08:23 - Psychology, Education and a New Mission
1:10:33 - Understanding the Price Behind the Support
1:12:13 - The Body Bag Beneath His Hospital Bed
1:13:22 - Don’t Quit While Your Heart Still Beats
1:16:45 - Closing: Live, Laugh and Keep Going
SPONSORS:
GRND Collective: Premium, veteran-owned sportswear built for those who show up, outwork the excuses, and give 100%. Score 15% off your order at thegrndcollective.com using promo code TRANSITION15 at checkout
Blue Line Roasting: Premium, law-enforcement-owned coffee roasted to fuel the shift. A portion of every order directly supports law enforcement families facing line-of-duty injury or loss. Save 10% at bluelineroasting.com with promo code Transition10
Frontline Optics: Premium eyewear founded by a firefighter and built to withstand the job. Every single purchase helps support the First Responders Children’s Foundation, serving families who’ve paid the ultimate price. Save 10% off your pair at frontlineoptics.com using promo code Transition10
#transitiondrillpodcast #militarytransition #firstresponders
