Uploaded May 2023 | Updated September 2026, 35 minutes ago
In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus brings to the table Special Forces Officer Bryan Ray, who has both a lengthy, positive military career as well as a “dark side” military experience that shook him to his core. Bryan & Marcus take a deep dive into Bryan’s experiences which include serving in the war in Afghanistan and running the Mountain Warfare School in Colorado.
It took a friend’s similar mental struggles and professional help to finally get past the emotional impact of his horrific experience. His healing journey includes working with a health and wellness company – Health Via Modern Nutrition (HVMN) – who developed a ketone supplement, Keytone IQ, which is proven to improve cognitive and physical performance to soldiers. Bryan brings hope to veterans who have kept their mental struggles to themselves, and reveals the benefits of getting help without embarrassment or shame.
In this episode you will hear:
• One of the most rewarding parts of war is seeing the culture of the people who live there.
• People have it a lot harder than we do in this country.
• Even in places torn by war, you can still be happy with what minimal things you have.
• I’m finding myself driving around in a Toyota Corolla – man jammies on, with a freaking gun and a backpack, hoping I don’t get killed by a U.S. Army guy.
• [War] is like taking an Oxford grad, and taking him to the deepest swamp in Louisiana and having a conversation. That was what my formal Arabic training was like.
• I’ve now been to two combat zones where our President is on TV saying we have now stopped and all combat troops are going home – right before we go out to do a hit.
• Have I seen an MRack Turbo turned into a jet for a hot tub? Yes, I have.
• Mountain shit is stressful.
• [With Keytone IQ] You can dual fuel now. You can take the most efficient fuel which is ketones and you can also have carbs on board for when you need it. So you get the mental clarity – all the stuff you need from the keytones, and you don’t have to have a restrictive diet.
• [It’s a] Super application for the ground guys.
• I want people to try it [Keytone IQ]. I want people to say it’s the real deal.
• You only buy Oakley’s for so long before they show up in the supply room.
• The man behind the weapons systems is always gonna be more important, and the more effective he is, the better.
• Stop wasting money on shit that works a little bit and phases out immediately and invest a tenth of that into the man – make a better soldier.
• There’s a lot more guys that have [mental] issues than are willing to say they have issues.
• I had an event in Afghanistan that challenged me morally. I was directly responsible for the deaths of young children. Of all the things I’ve done overseas – that was really rough.
• It wasn’t until somebody I trusted that told me they were feeling what I was feeling that I was willing to go get help.
Links:
hvmn.com
—
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Marcus Luttrell
Instagram: instagram.com/marcusluttrell
Melanie Luttrell:
Instagram: instagram.com/melanieluttrell
Hunter Luttrell
Instagram: instagram.com/huntero13
—
Support the Show
patreon.com/teamneverquit
—
Special Thanks / Credits
Executive Producer & Artwork - Hunter Luttrell
Audio Engineer - Joey Garza
Video Editor - John Fritzsching
—
About TNQ Podcast:
Each week join Retired Navy SEAL and Lone Survivor Marcus Luttrell, Morgan Luttrell, and Producer Andrew Brockenbush as they’ll take you into the “briefing room” to chat with incredible guests who share their greatest never quit stories. This humorous, heartfelt, and entertaining podcast is changing lives and has become a beacon of hope and resilience to those who are facing the impossible. One of the best ways we can support our community is to share their stories so that we might inspire others to Never Quit.
We’re bringing you real-life stories of men and women who took life’s toughest challenges and met them head-on, radically changing their own lives and inspiring others to do the same.
In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus brings to the table Special Forces Officer Bryan Ray, who has both a lengthy, positive military career as well as a “dark side” military experience that shook him to his core. Bryan & Marcus take a deep dive into Bryan’s experiences which include serving in the war in Afghanistan and running the Mountain Warfare School in Colorado.
It took a friend’s similar mental struggles and professional help to finally get past the emotional impact of his horrific experience. His healing journey includes working with a health and wellness company – Health Via Modern Nutrition (HVMN) – who developed a ketone supplement, Keytone IQ, which is proven to improve cognitive and physical performance to soldiers. Bryan brings hope to veterans who have kept their mental struggles to themselves, and reveals the benefits of getting help without embarrassment or shame.
In this episode you will hear:
• One of the most rewarding parts of war is seeing the culture of the people who live there.
• People have it a lot harder than we do in this country.
• Even in places torn by war, you can still be happy with what minimal things you have.
• I’m finding myself driving around in a Toyota Corolla – man jammies on, with a freaking gun and a backpack, hoping I don’t get killed by a U.S. Army guy.
• [War] is like taking an Oxford grad, and taking him to the deepest swamp in Louisiana and having a conversation. That was what my formal Arabic training was like.
• I’ve now been to two combat zones where our President is on TV saying we have now stopped and all combat troops are going home – right before we go out to do a hit.
• Have I seen an MRack Turbo turned into a jet for a hot tub? Yes, I have.
• Mountain shit is stressful.
• [With Keytone IQ] You can dual fuel now. You can take the most efficient fuel which is ketones and you can also have carbs on board for when you need it. So you get the mental clarity – all the stuff you need from the keytones, and you don’t have to have a restrictive diet.
• [It’s a] Super application for the ground guys.
• I want people to try it [Keytone IQ]. I want people to say it’s the real deal.
• You only buy Oakley’s for so long before they show up in the supply room.
• The man behind the weapons systems is always gonna be more important, and the more effective he is, the better.
• Stop wasting money on shit that works a little bit and phases out immediately and invest a tenth of that into the man – make a better soldier.
• There’s a lot more guys that have [mental] issues than are willing to say they have issues.
• I had an event in Afghanistan that challenged me morally. I was directly responsible for the deaths of young children. Of all the things I’ve done overseas – that was really rough.
• It wasn’t until somebody I trusted that told me they were feeling what I was feeling that I was willing to go get help.
Links:
hvmn.com
—
For More Fun, Follow:
Team Never Quit
Instagram: instagram.com/team_neverquit
Marcus Luttrell
Instagram: instagram.com/marcusluttrell
Melanie Luttrell:
Instagram: instagram.com/melanieluttrell
Hunter Luttrell
Instagram: instagram.com/huntero13
—
Support the Show
patreon.com/teamneverquit
—
Special Thanks / Credits
Executive Producer & Artwork - Hunter Luttrell
Audio Engineer - Joey Garza
Video Editor - John Fritzsching
—
About TNQ Podcast:
Each week join Retired Navy SEAL and Lone Survivor Marcus Luttrell, Morgan Luttrell, and Producer Andrew Brockenbush as they’ll take you into the “briefing room” to chat with incredible guests who share their greatest never quit stories. This humorous, heartfelt, and entertaining podcast is changing lives and has become a beacon of hope and resilience to those who are facing the impossible. One of the best ways we can support our community is to share their stories so that we might inspire others to Never Quit.
We’re bringing you real-life stories of men and women who took life’s toughest challenges and met them head-on, radically changing their own lives and inspiring others to do the same.
![DOM RASO: SEAL Team Six Veteran on Discipline, Prayer & Living w/ Purpose: Owner of CRUSH EVERYTHING
Warrior of God: The Spiritual Battle with Dom Raso
This week’s Team Never Quit guest is Dom Raso, a former Navy SEAL Team Six operator who is renowned for his elite military service and deeply inspiring journey of faith and personal transformation. Dom’s name is synonymous with the highest levels of military excellence, but beyond his unparalleled contributions to the U.S. military, his story is one of profound spiritual resilience, unwavering commitment to family, and a fierce devotion to spreading the Gospel.
Dom served with distinction as part of Navy SEAL Team Six, a unit known for its elite status and high-risk operations. Throughout his career, he contributed to the development of military techniques that are still in use today. But in this episode, Dom reveals the deeper side of his journey—how he has navigated grief, loss, and intense physical and spiritual battles while remaining anchored in his faith.
Now a devoted Catholic, husband, father of five, and entrepreneur, Dom is leveraging his platform to lead others into deeper encounters with God. With an Instagram following of over 175,000 people, he is a bold evangelist, sharing scriptural reflections, his devotion to the Rosary, and his love for the Eucharist. As the founder of Crush Everything, a company focused on equipping individuals to defend themselves and their loved ones, Dom embodies the philosophy that the physical and spiritual are intertwined in the life of a warrior.
In this conversation, Dom reflects on his experiences as a Navy SEAL, the power of prayer, and the concept of spiritual warfare. He shares how the Rosary, a tool he has cherished since his military days, has become his most powerful weapon. Dom also explores the importance of living a disciplined life, staying close to the Lord, and using one’s unique gifts to evangelize and spread virtue in the culture.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• Most people have enough children around them where really you could spend the majority of your time teaching them. (17:57)
• If we’re not taking those moments we had as a kid and really expounding on them and making them better for our children, we’re missing a key point in the gifts we can give them.(19:34)
• I had a lot of people speaking very positively [to me]. (21:42)
• At about 8 or 9, I would say that was a sure sign of like:”That’s it. Now I know what I’m doing.” (23:07)
• The Holy Spirit just put it on my heart and said: That’s the path.” (23:21)
• I believe God has a deep purpose for everybody. (25:10)
• Life is made up of choices.(25:22)
• I love my father. I love my mother – to death. They knew what was right, but they didn’t live it out themselves. (29:07)
• What I was missing was a guy like us, or man – a real man, that grabbed me on the shoulders and said “Son, you’re not walking on the right path.”(30:43)
• I always felt the closeness of God in my life, whether I was on an operation, or going through a challenging time in in my life. You’re trying to make sense of what’s going on. But you know that God’s presence is with you. (33:27)
• I meet a lot of team guys who either: A-they know they really need God, or they think that they are God.(34:06)
• We’re going to go through challenging moments in our lives. We’re gonna get our butt kicked. It’s though those challenges that form us and forge us to have the faith we have today. (36:27)
• There’s no way I’d be the man I am today without God’s help. (38:26)
• Everybody has opportunities to have God work in their life. (39:22)
• One of my major call to actions to other men is” Do you want to into the fight and be part of the solution, or are you just gonna point your finger at the bad and never do anything about it?”
• Everybody listening: We’re all stewarding something. (60:12)
• We’re really to at the physical part, we’re really goo at the mindset part. But it’s the Spirit that we’re lacking. (85:40)
Socials:
– Website: https://crusheverything.com
– IG: https://www.instagram.com/domraso?igsh=MXZnOHl0ZzI0OW9hMQ
– IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
– https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
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– Shhtape.com [TNQ] DOM RASO: SEAL Team Six Veteran on Discipline, Prayer & Living w/ Purpose: Owner of CRUSH EVERYTHING](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/T-4dNqoG0a4/mqdefault.jpg)
![CHAD CARUSO: Skating Across America For A Cause & Inspiring The Nation
Skating Across America for Sobriety and Purpose
In this week’s Team Never Quit episode, Marcus and Melanie are joined by the incredible Chad Caruso — a skateboarder, YouTuber, and Guinness World Record holder who skated 3,000 miles across America in just 57 days, from Venice Beach, CA to Virginia Beach, VA.
Chad didn’t just break records — he used this cross-country journey to raise money for Natural High, a nonprofit youth drug prevention program, and to share his powerful story of overcoming addiction and injury. Skateboarding became more than a passion — it became a lifeline, helping Chad find sobriety, resilience, and purpose.
In this episode Chad shares about:
•His record-setting skate across the U.S.
•What pushed him to keep going — physically, mentally, and emotionally
•How skateboarding saved his life
•His work raising awareness for addiction and mental health
•The creation of his book, “Pushing Through America”
•What’s next in his mission to inspire and uplift others
Chad’s journey is one of grit, growth, and giving back. Whether you’re a skater, in recovery, or just need a push to chase your own goals — this episode is for you.
Follow Chad on Instagram: @chad_caruso
Check out his book: Pushing Through America
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• I’ve been skateboarding for a little over 25 years. That’s really all I’ve devoted my life to. (3:19)
• I definitely recommend finishing school. (5:36)
• It doesn’t happen overnight. You go to a party here, a party there. Then you’re 26, 28. The habit thing. I didn’t want to be a part of the system. I was just all about rebelling. (7:40)
• That was the real turning point [when facing jail time] I had to look around and say “Alright, what are you doin?” (10:02)
• [I got into the Guinness Book of World Records] It was this year. (13:30)
• It’s nice to get the pat on the back, but ultimately, it was about much more than that. It was about giving up the drinking, focusing on something positive. I did the Skate Across America to raise money for charity. (13:40)
• When you’re at the start line it’s all fun. Everyone’s there filming, talking, it’s exciting. Then you push off, and then a couple of miles in, you’re like “Oh, I’m gonna be doing this for the next 2 months. (18:32)
• [I completed the entire distance with] 1 board; I didn’t change the wheels or the bearings, or anything. (23:56)
• Even if it’s way slower than you normally go, if you keep treading that ground, you’re gonna make it there. (28:55)
• I figured out that if I skate head-on to trucks, like tractor trailers; they’re coming at me at 70 mph. If I made myself seen, I could take over the whole lane. So, I would basically play chicken with them, and wave them out of the way. (30:14)
• [At the finish] The mayor put his hand up for a high five. I skated right past him, I didn’t even notice. (35:23)
• “If you keep pushing, you’re gonna get there.” (36:17)
• When you’re out there alone for so many hours, all the noise of society and people’s opinions kinda fades away. (36:26)
• When you’re left to yourself, you realize how simple life is. (36:35)
• Quitting drinking and focusing on my hobby turned my life around. (41:34)
• Whatever you’re most interested in or gets you excited – just pursue that. (41:52)
• If I can help to make this life a little bit better, that’s a win. (47:41)
Socials:
– Chad’s Website: https://chadcaruso.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop-itFsFDe1VaizcL5bdyRpDn-edp0YecWQ-SdGcoBmGKkCH3lo
– Chad’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChadCaruso
– Chad’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chad_caruso/?hl=en
– Chad’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chadcaruso
Support TNQ
– IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
– https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit CHAD CARUSO: Skating Across America For A Cause & Inspiring The Nation](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TCX8v98MPj4/mqdefault.jpg)


![Politics and Ukraine with Chad Robichaux
What an incredible guest we have on Team Never Quit Podcast.
Marcus engages in a compelling discussion with former Force Recon Marine, Chad Robichaux. With eight deployments to Afghanistan as part of a Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) Task Force, Chad overcame his personal battles with PTSD after nearly becoming a veteran suicide statistic.
Chad is the founder of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, serving the active duty, military veteran and first responder communities around the world with highly successful faith-based combat trauma and resiliency programs. He has spoken to over 450,000 active-duty troops and led life-saving programs for over 4,600 active military and veterans at four Mighty Oaks Ranches around the U.S. He has served as an advisor to former President Trump, Congress, the VA, and the Department of Defense.
Another one of Chad’s personal endeavors, Save Our Allies, is focused on the evacuation and recovery of Americans, our allies and vulnerable people still trapped in Afghanistan. His original mission was to rescue his long-time friend and Afghanistan interpreter, but the mission quickly evolved because of Chad’s compassion for people and his servant heart. Since its inception, Save Our Allies has safely evacuated over 17,000 people that were trapped in Afghanistan and he is now helping in Ukraine.
As if that weren’t enough, Chad is a lifelong martial artist. He holds a 4th degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and is a former Professional Mixed Martial Arts Champion having competed at the highest levels of the sport.
In this episode you will hear:
• My family has 84 years of military service. (11:38)
• I was raised in a very dysfunctional home because my father never recovered from Vietnam. (13:26)
• Our operation was compromised and I ended up being abducted. (28:52)
• On the surface, everything seemed fine. Then I crashed, had an affair, filed for divorce, and attempted to take my life. The some amazing people came around me and helped us to restore my family and my faith. (32:39)
• I tried to build the courage to take my life and I had my Glock 40 caliber pistol, but I was interrupted, and it was enough to pump the brakes. (33:20)
• My wife asked me: “How can you do all you did in the military, but when it comes to your family, you’ll quit?” (34:19)
• You’re gonna deal with anxiety, depression, and anger, but you could respond to it in a better way that could lead you to a better place. 37:36)
• God’s like a centerpiece solution, because a lot of what we deal with are spiritual wounds. (38:31)
• President Bush signed the Opportunity for Faith Mission in 2001, then in 2009, President Obama signed a policy to override that, and take funding away from faith-based programs. (53:14)
• In Afghanistan, people couldn’t go in to help, but in Ukraine you could drive a bus across the border to do mass evacs. (55:37)
• I’ve been getting a lot of heat like: Why are you going over there to help – the governments is corrupt. None of that matters. These people didn’t ask for any of this. They’re being invaded by a super power. (58:15)
• Glenn Beck (Radio Show Host) raised 21 million dollars to support our mission. (77:49)
• The White House said there were 100 Americans left [in Afghanistan] but without debate there were thousands of Americans still there. (80:38)
• You don’t leave Americans behind. The White even promised that they wouldn’t but they did. (81:43)
—
For More Fun, Follow:
Team Never Quit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/
Marcus Luttrell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/
Morgan Luttrell:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mojoluttrell/
Andrew Brockenbush:
https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush/
—
Support the Show
http://patreon.com/teamneverquit
—
Special Thanks / Credits
Executive Producer & Artwork - Andrew Brockenbush
Audio Engineer - Joey Garza
Video Editor - John Fritzsching
—
About TNQ Podcast:
Each week join Retired Navy SEAL and Lone Survivor Marcus Luttrell, Morgan Luttrell, and Producer Andrew Brockenbush as they’ll take you into the “briefing room” to chat with incredible guests who share their greatest never quit stories. This humorous, heartfelt, and entertaining podcast is changing lives and has become a beacon of hope and resilience to those who are facing the impossible. One of the best ways we can support our community is to share their stories so that we might inspire others to Never Quit.
We’re bringing you real-life stories of men and women who took life’s toughest challenges and met them head-on, radically changing their own lives and inspiring others to do the same. Politics and Ukraine with Chad Robichaux](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Tu4C-15rC0E/mqdefault.jpg)





![PHIL DONLON & GABE MANN: Forged in Fire: The True Stories of Americas Hotshot Wildfire Warriors
Into the Fire: Storytelling and Survival with Phil Donlon & Gabe Mann
In this week’s Team Never Quit podcast, Marcus and Melanie dive deep into the art of storytelling—both on stage and in the heat of real-life danger. Our guests are two visionary filmmakers with unique, gripping perspectives on their craft: Phil Donlon, award-winning actor, filmmaker, and theater veteran, and Gabe Mann, director and cinematographer of the groundbreaking wildfire documentary Hotshot.
Phil Donlon takes us through his journey from the blue-collar streets of Chicago to the bright lights of Hollywood. A founding member of The Gilead Theater Company and a passionate storyteller, Donlon shares his experiences acting in renowned theater productions, signing with WME, and ultimately finding creative fulfillment by writing and directing his own films. His latest project, High & Outside: A Baseball Noir, is now streaming worldwide.
On the other end of the spectrum, Gabe Mann puts us directly in the line of fire—literally. His documentary Hotshot is a heart-pounding, first-person account of elite wildfire fighters who battle the flames without water, capturing their raw courage with breathtaking cinematography. After six years running alongside these real-life heroes, Mann shares the intensity, sacrifice, and unexpected pull of wildfire that changed his life forever.
From the front lines of nature’s most destructive force, this episode is about the power of storytelling, survival, and the relentless pursuit of passion.
Tune in for a conversation that will leave you inspired, shaken, and ready to chase your own fire.
In this episode you will hear:
• There’s something about when you witness wildfire firsthand. It does something to you. The actual firefighters call it “The Firebug.” It taps into something primal in men. I caught it. 6:00
• Most of the photojournalists who actually do this right, are former firefighters. They actually have that certification. But for the most part, the kinds of people who are reporting for the Washington Post or The New York Times – they have no clue. 7:56
• I’m a storyteller. So however I’m doing it, whether I’m an actor, whether I’m producing something, writing it – I just want to tell good stories. 9:46
• We wanted to make a film that played like a narrative feature. 11:15
• They’re so distracted with the climate change narrative, which really has nothing to do with wildfires. It’s the accumulation of fuel. 12:08
• I’m the only dude in LA who’s actually from LA. 12:37
• When you continue to put it on something that we don’t have control over – like the weather – it’s a completely disempowering narrative. 14:04
• A wildfire is composed of 3 things. It’s called a fire triangle. You need all 3: Drought, Fuel, Ignition. 17:02
• People were crying over all these giant Redwoods and Sequoias that were getting burned down back in 2020. And nobody ever asked the very obvious question. These trees are 2,000 years old, but the fire cycle in that forest is once every 300 years – you get a purging wildfire – How did get to be 2,000 years old? What happened 2,000 years ago that made these trees so robust? 17:39
• There’s some people who have this gene that compels them to serve their country. 25:32
• If we can get some people in Washington to see this film, I think we could help make change. 27:03
• We have agency over wildfire. We can be proactive. We could solve it tomorrow, if we know what we’re supposed to do. If we look at what a hotshot crew does – literally all they do is get rid of plants. They’re either cutting them or burning them. That’s it. They don’t use water. 28:05
• We started the film with a question. I think doing that gives people the opportunity to engage with the art in the appropriate way, which is – they answer the question. 47:34
• Our motto when we were making this film was “Show, don’t tell.” 52:22
• This is what art is for. It is for explaining and getting people to feel the things that you cannot adequately convey with words.
Socials:
Support HOTSHOT
– https://www.hotshotmovie.com/
– https://www.instagram.com/teamsiqfuti/#
– IG: phil.donlon
Support TNQ
– IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
– https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
– shipsticks.com/TNQ
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– Robinhood.com/gold
– strawberry.me/TNQ
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– Shadyrays.com [TNQ]
– qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]
– Hims.com/TNQ
– Shopify.com/TNQ
– Aura.com/TNQ
– Policygenius.com
– TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]
– usejoymode.com [TNQ]
– Shhtape.com [TNQ] PHIL DONLON & GABE MANN: Forged in Fire: The True Stories of Americas Hotshot Wildfire Warriors](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/X3mTwt8ng-Q/mqdefault.jpg)