On Your Lead
On Your Lead is a podcast about the miles that make you better at life, leadership, and everything in between. Hosted by Thad David — Marine Recon Scout Sniper veteran, speaker, and endurance athlete — the show explores what it really takes to lead when things get hard. Through conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, entrepreneurs, and high performers, On Your Lead digs into discipline, decision-making, ownership, and the long work of becoming someone better. This isn’t about quick wins. It’s about earned confidence, taking the long road, and learning from people who’ve carried the weight before you. And learning from people who’ve carried the weight before you. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, training for a big goal, or navigating a hard season — these are the miles that shape who you become.
Episodes
Western States 100 has a strange power over people, even the ones who swear they’re not into hype. We talk with AJW, a 10-time Western States finisher, coach, longtime volunteer, and storyteller with deep roots in the race, to put real words to what makes this ultramarathon feel like sacred ground. From the nonprofit ethos to the lived reality of the course, we get into why this event keeps its mystique even a...
Some leaders sound amazing in meetings and still leave a trail of burnout behind them. Others build teams that trust them, take ownership, and grow into leaders themselves. We sit down with Christine O’Hara to talk about the difference, and why the “steady state” matters more than hype when your company is moving fast and the pressure is on.
Christine connects ultra-endurance racing lessons ...
In this episode of On Your Lead, Thad sits down with endurance athlete Christine O'Hara to unpack what it really takes to push through the hardest moments in ultra running—and in life.
Christine shares the story behind her experience at the Moab 240, a race that tests runners across 240 miles of desert terrain, sleep deprivation, and mental fatigue. But this conversation goes far beyond the race itself.
They div...
In this episode of On Your Lead, I sit down with Dean Karnazes to talk about endurance, discipline, and what actually carries you through hard moments.
Dean shares how he approaches pain, uncertainty, and long efforts — not by overthinking, but by quieting the mind and focusing on the next step. We talk about why suffering doesn’t need to be dramatic, how preparation creates freedom, and why some of the m...
What if the fastest way to become a better leader is to stop trying to do everything yourself?
In this episode of On Your Lead, I sit down with Mike Abrashoff, former U.S. Navy commander and bestselling author of It’s Your Ship, to unpack how he transformed one of the Navy’s lowest-performing ships into a fleet leader by giving ownership to the people closest to the work.
Mike shares the real mechanics beh...
What if the key to healing trauma lies in the unexpected fusion of military discipline and psychedelic therapy? This episode features an enlightening conversation with Army veteran Mark Cunningham, who reveals his journey from the battlefields of Afghanistan to the nuanced world of MDMA-assisted therapy. With a rich background in anthropology and marriage and family therapy, Mark shares how his experiences overseas ...
Embark on an enlightening journey with Neil Krovats, the mastermind behind Clearline Technologies, as we unveil the secrets of his entrepreneurial metamorphosis. Discover how this visionary ventured beyond the family business to sculpt an eco-friendly empire from recycled tire rubber, crafting pipe supports that redefine industry standards and environmental stewardship. Neil's narrative is a homage to the ingenious ...
As a former Marine ReconScout Sniper, I've weathered storms both literal and metaphorical, but nothing quite mirrors the tempest of reintegration that veterans face. Sean Duclay from Sail Ahead joins me, your host Thad David, to navigate these choppy waters, revealing how sailing provides a lifeline to veterans adrift in the civilian world. We set sail on a remarkable voyage where Sean charts the course of Sail Ahea...
When my great grandfather returned from the Spanish-American War, the battle followed him home, casting a long shadow over his daily life. Dr. Chris Frueh joins us to shed light on this very darkness that many veterans confront, known as Operator Syndrome—an affliction that intertwines mental and physical health, leaving a complex legacy of suffering. Through Dr. Frueh's compassionate lens, we navigate these c...
As a former Marine Recon Scout Sniper, the invisible wounds of moral injury in veterans are a subject close to my heart. It's why I'm honored to sit down with Mary Scott from Pivotal Impact Programs, who joins us with over three decades of mental health expertise. Together, we peel back the layers of this complex issue, sharing insights and stories that reveal the emotional struggles veterans and their loved ones en...
When I stripped away the excesses from my diet—sweets, booze, and meat—I stumbled upon a transformative power that reshaped my life. It's Thad David here, your host and former Marine recon scout sniper, and I'm thrilled to share with you how the art of subtraction has revolutionized my health and personal well-being. This isn't just my own tale; it's an homage to the veterans and listeners who've dramati...
When life threw John Register a curveball that would make most people give up, he turned it into a stepping stone for something greater. Sit back and be inspired by the incredible journey of this combat veteran and Paralympic silver medalist, as he shares with us the indomitable spirit that drove him to redefine the possible after a life-altering injury. John's insights on shifting focus from limitations to possibil...
When Bart Bartholomew, a Navy veteran with an incredible life story, joins me, Thad David, you know you're in for a journey that traverses the depths of the ocean and the human spirit. Bart's unexpected draft notice at 17 thrust him into an adventure with the Navy, a tale of resilience he narrates with humor and honesty. His vivid recounting of boot camp antics, the camaraderie found on the flight deck, and the inte...
The weight of a service member's armor never fully lifts, even long after the battlefields have fallen silent. Marshall Spring, a former Marine Corps canine handler, joins us to navigate the labyrinth of veterans' mental health, illuminating the darkest corners where depression and suicide lurk. His story is a stark reminder that the fight for our veterans' well-being continues on home soil. Together, we dissect the...
When Jackie Jones of Flourish Momentum shares her journey from an art educator to a therapist, we're reminded that sometimes the most profound changes in our lives come from unexpected transitions. This episode is a testament to how embracing the art of healing can illuminate a path toward reclaiming life after trauma, particularly for veterans and active-duty military personnel grappling with PTSD and its complex c...
Imagine enlisting in the Navy seeking freedom, only to confront the paradox of military hierarchy and the stark realities of war. Our distinguished guest, Navy Veteran Bob Merrick, takes us through the gripping twists and turns of his service—from deciding to join during the Vietnam War to the chilling recollection of Christmas in boot camp. His story is a rich tapestry, a vivid narrative that weaves through t...
When a Vietnam vet's road to reconciliation with his son intersects with my own journey as an author, the result is a poignant exploration of familial bonds, military service, and the lingering echoes of PTSD. Join us for an enlightening chat with Lieutenant Colonel Lisa Jaster, an icon of determination and one of the first women to graduate from Ranger School, as she recounts the challenges she faced and the stereo...
From the heart-wrenching tale of Sue Johnson, a retired Army veteran and an adoptee from Vietnam, to the candid accounts of veterans grappling with PTSD, this episode is a tapestry of stories that explores the power of forgiveness, the journey of self-discovery, and the resilience of the human spirit. Sue's riveting story offers an insightful glimpse into the essence of identity and the significance of giving back. ...
What if you could peek into the seldom-shared tales of our veterans - those who have bravely served our country? In our engaging conversation with Brad Hoops, the founder of Remember and Honor, we bring you just that. Brad’s remarkable project is dedicated to preserving the stories of our veterans through personal interviews, and our discussion uncovers the impact they have on both veterans and interviewers. <...
* Check out Teimojin's Early Bird Registration on the link below*
Prepare yourself as we journey into the heart-pounding realm of survival medicine with our esteemed guest, Teimojin Tan. This Canadian veteran, doctor, and finalist of the ninth season of a survival show, Tan enlightens us with his wisdom from his new book, "Survival Medicine 101: Your First 72 Hours." He illustrates the pivotal role of the ini...
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