A More Elite Podcast

056: Meg Kelvington, Army Veteran and Riveting Mission LLC Owner

I am a big Meg Kelvington fan, and you should be too. Our paths should have crossed multiple times but never did until she found a slice of time to sit down for A More Elite Podcast.

Meg is a former Army fixed-wing pilot, current Army spouse, Liberty University graduate student, life and fitness coach, small business owner, and, oh, one other thing – mother of four kids. How does she keep her sanity and desire to help others find their purpose in between school drop-offs, sports, meal prep, and laundry?

First, Meg is extremely organized. Extremely. Organized. Second, Meg finds strength using her platform as a veteran, military spouse, business owner, and mother to glorify God. But, it was not always that way; she came to Christ in 2009 after realizing her broad shoulders alone were not enough to bear the weight of her responsibilities alone.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or just trudging through your day. Take a listen to Meg. She has a story that we all can relate to #forAmerica.

056: Meg Kelvington, Army Veteran and Riveting Mission LLC Owner - Audio Only

I am a big Meg Kelvington fan, and you should be too. Our paths should have crossed multiple times but never did until she found a slice of time to sit down for A More Elite Podcast.

Meg is a former Army fixed-wing pilot, current Army spouse, Liberty University graduate student, life and fitness coach, small business owner, and, oh, one other thing – mother of four kids. How does she keep her sanity and desire to help others find their purpose in between school drop-offs, sports, meal prep, and laundry?

First, Meg is extremely organized. Extremely. Organized. Second, Meg finds strength using her platform as a veteran, military spouse, business owner, and mother to glorify God. But, it was not always that way; she came to Christ in 2009 after realizing her broad shoulders alone were not enough to bear the weight of her responsibilities alone.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or just trudging through your day. Take a listen to Meg on Thursday at 12 pm ET. She has a story that we all can relate to #forAmerica.

055: Karl Monger, Founder and Executive Director of GallantFew, Part I - Audio Only

This week on A More Elite Podcast, we hear a story of overcoming obstacles with our guest Karl Monger. Karl is an Army Ranger veteran, a local elected official, and the executive director of GallantFew veteran support nonprofit.

Karl is the consummate lemonade maker. He was raised by a single mother for part of his childhood but found community at the local Boys and Girls Club. He was on orders to the 1st Ranger Battalion but just missed arriving before the battalion participated in Operation Just Cause. Later, Karl was informed that he had earned a rifle company command at the 1st Ranger Battalion only to get passed over for that coveted leadership position after the tragic events at Antelope Lake, Utah on Oct. 29, 1992. 

All the challenges and hardships led Karl to where he is today, leading GallantFew into its 12th year as a premier one-on-one veteran support and transition program.

Click on the link below to view A More Elite Podcast - purpose-built #forAmerica. 

055: Karl Monger, Founder and Executive Director of GallantFew, Part I

This week on A More Elite Podcast, we hear a story of overcoming obstacles with our guest Karl Monger. Karl is an Army Ranger veteran, a local elected official, and the executive director of GallantFew veteran support nonprofit.

Karl is the consummate lemonade maker. He was raised by a single mother for part of his childhood but found community at the local Boys and Girls Club. He was on orders to the 1st Ranger Battalion but just missed arriving before the battalion participated in Operation Just Cause. Later, Karl was informed that he had earned a rifle company command at the 1st Ranger Battalion, only to get passed over for that coveted leadership position after the tragic events at Antelope Lake, Utah on Oct. 29, 1992. 

All the challenges and hardships led Karl to where he is today, leading GallantFew into its 12th year as a premier one-on-one veteran support and transition program.

054: Jeff Wright, USARA President & Wright Wealth LLC Founder & President - audio only

It only takes one person to make a seismic shift in the trajectory of another’s life.

New US Army Ranger Association president Jeff Wright can point to the reason he became a Ranger. As an ROTC cadet at the University of Texas, Jeff took notice of a cadre member with service in the 75th Ranger Regiment. To Jeff, that Ranger was the epitome of what a leader should be, an example to follow. Jeff would seek a commission in combat arms and eventually earned an assignment to the 1st Ranger Battalion as a fire support officer.

With a mission of fostering fellowship within the ranks of Rangers of all eras, it is no surprise that Jeff took USARA’s mantle of leadership with the desire to expand opportunities and places “for Rangers to be Rangers.” Jeff experienced the difference that just one Ranger could make in his career and wants to expand on the opportunities for others through the association’s formal Patrol Base structure and informal events.

The sense of community Jeff aspires to enhance is rooted in his faith. Jeff’s faith was tested his daughter was born with Spina Bifida, a birth defect in which an area of the spinal column doesn't form properly, leaving a section of the spinal cord and spinal nerves exposed through an opening in the back. His family’s ability to best support his daughter and maintain stability was made possible by his understanding of his unique place in his community.

Experiencing the healing power of connection, Jeff is continuing to foster the familial bonds that Rangers share. He knows the power of what one Ranger buddy can mean to another #forAmerica.

054: Jeff Wright, USARA President & Wright Wealth LLC Founder & President

It only takes one person to make a seismic shift in the trajectory of another’s life.

New US Army Ranger Association president Jeff Wright can point to the reason he became a Ranger. As an ROTC cadet at the University of Texas, Jeff took notice of a cadre member with service in the 75th Ranger Regiment. To Jeff, that Ranger was the epitome of what a leader should be, an example to follow. Jeff would seek a commission in combat arms and eventually earned an assignment to the 1st Ranger Battalion as a fire support officer.

With a mission of fostering fellowship within the ranks of Rangers of all eras, it is no surprise that Jeff took USARA’s mantle of leadership with the desire to expand opportunities and places “for Rangers to be Rangers.” Jeff experienced the difference that just one Ranger could make in his career and wants to expand on the opportunities for others through the association’s formal Patrol Base structure and informal events.

The sense of community Jeff aspires to enhance is rooted in his faith. Jeff’s faith was tested his daughter was born with Spina Bifida, a birth defect in which an area of the spinal column doesn't form properly, leaving a section of the spinal cord and spinal nerves exposed through an opening in the back. His family’s ability to best support his daughter and maintain stability was made possible by his understanding of his unique place in his community.

Experiencing the healing power of connection, Jeff is continuing to foster the familial bonds that Rangers share. He knows the power of what one Ranger buddy can mean to another #forAmerica.

053: Nick Devlin, Adventure Coach, CEO and Owner at Nick Devlin Coaching - audio only

US Army Ranger veteran Nick Devlin joined the Army at 29 years old during the height of the Global War on Terror. Nick deployed four times with 1st Ranger Battalion. Before joining the Army, Nick was aware of his passion to make things better. After four years with the Rangers, Nick’s entrepreneurial spirit was lit by aligning his love of the fitness and outdoors with self-improvement.

Knowing the science of the healing properties of both nature and exercise, Nick knew his standing as an Army Ranger provided a level of “been there done that” hard to match. Nick was able to align his potential and passion with a purposeful career as a certified life coach providing the spark to an individual’s self-development and improvement.

Nick revealed an interesting detail from his experiences assisting clients during our conversation. Over the past three years, nearly all of the participants in his coaching program had a firm idea of their faith background. Interesting. We often think of those desiring counseling or coaching needing to “find” themselves. In Nick’s experience with life coaching, he finds those willing to seek guidance are rooted in a belief system. Nick’s clients know who they are and what they believe. His clients have the humility to acknowledge the truth of individual humanity – imperfection.

Hear how Nick encourages others to “take the leap” to live their life’s adventure on this week’s Ranger For Life A More Elite Podcast.

053: Nick Devlin, Adventure Coach, CEO and Owner at Nick Devlin Coaching

US Army Ranger veteran Nick Devlin joined the Army at 29 years old during the height of the Global War on Terror. Nick deployed four times with 1st Ranger Battalion. Before joining the Army, Nick was aware of his passion to make things better. After four years with the Rangers, Nick’s entrepreneurial spirit was lit by aligning his love of the fitness and outdoors with self-improvement.

Knowing the science of the healing properties of both nature and exercise, Nick knew his standing as an Army Ranger provided a level of “been there done that” hard to match. Nick was able to align his potential and passion with a purposeful career as a certified life coach providing the spark to an individual’s self-development and improvement.

Nick revealed an interesting detail from his experiences assisting clients during our conversation. Over the past three years, nearly all of the participants in his coaching program had a firm idea of their faith background. Interesting.

We often think of those desiring counseling or coaching needing to “find” themselves. In Nick’s experience with life coaching, he finds those willing to seek guidance are rooted in a belief system. Nick’s clients know who they are and what they believe. His clients have the humility to acknowledge the truth of individual humanity – imperfection.

Hear how Nick encourages others to “take the leap” to live their life’s adventure on this week’s Ranger For Life A More Elite Podcast.

052: Adam Stalnaker, Financial Advisor and Educator

Adam Stalnaker has devoted the past two years to bridging the financial literacy gap in the military. Adam developed the Plan to Succeed personal finance class, created individual assessments and tools, and consulted active-duty service members and veterans on a better path for their financial future. What has he learned? In short, the military is a tough nut to crack when it comes to financial planning. Adam points out the majority of our military population are not coming from families that are excelling financially. This is no surprise. A number of studies cite roughly 75% of all American families carry significant debt outside of their home mortgage and more than 25% made payments to collection agencies for failing to maintain their debt payment schedules. These statistics suggest that the military would be open to learning how not to repeat their parents’ mistakes, but Adam suggests there are other environmental factors at play.

First, we have a diverse population that enters our workforce at a generally young age. Much like traditional college students leaving home for the first time, active-duty personnel are making money and spending free time with like-minded individuals that enjoy social activities and have the opportunity to make their first large purchase - generally a vehicle. Adam knows this is a recipe for debt or, at best, a feeling that there is little left to invest.

Second, Adam calls the Thrift Savings Plan a game-changer. TSP provides a single, well-defined program to start building healthy financial habits such as paying yourself first. The gap that Adam sees is that few service members are educated to select the right funds for their financial plan. Yes, the military is using the TSP and introducing many to personal financial planning for the first time. Adam reports that the majority of the active-duty personnel he works with have little knowledge of the TSP options available and if their TSP elections meet their financial goals.

Third, Adam brings up the ultimate irony in military personal finance. Unlike military operations where planning begins after the end state or ideal circumstances are defined at the end of a mission; when it comes to financial planning our youthful population has a difficult time looking forward and defining their ideal retirement. For Adam, this is the big investing red flag. Understanding retirement planning is the Why. Adam believes financial planning decisions answer the questions: how much to invest, when to invest, when to make risk decisions, and when and how to diversify are rooted in the end state.

How do we defeat the enemy within? We have found that one question gets our military thinking and acting on investing. We ask the military we serve the following question? Can you look in the mirror and say that you are making more money for yourself than a trained professional would make for you? If the answer is “yes”, great. If the answer is “no”, take action.

052: Adam Stalnaker, Financial Advisor and Educator

Adam Stalnaker has devoted the past two years to bridging the financial literacy gap in the military. Adam developed the Plan to Succeed personal finance class, created individual assessments and tools, and consulted active-duty service members and veterans on a better path for their financial future.

What has he learned? In short, the military is a tough nut to crack when it comes to financial planning. Adam points out the majority of our military population are not coming from families that are excelling financially. This is no surprise. A number of studies cite roughly 75% of all American families carry significant debt outside of their home mortgage and more than 25% made payments to collection agencies for failing to maintain their debt payment schedules. These statistics suggest that the military would be open to learning how not to repeat their parents’ mistakes, but Adam suggests there are other environmental factors at play.

First, we have a diverse population that enters our workforce at a generally young age. Much like traditional college students leaving home for the first time, active-duty personnel are making money and spending free time with like-minded individuals that enjoy social activities and have the opportunity to make their first large purchase - generally a vehicle. Adam knows this is a recipe for debt or, at best, a feeling that there is little left to invest.

Second, Adam calls the Thrift Savings Plan a game-changer. TSP provides a single, well-defined program to start building healthy financial habits such as paying yourself first. The gap that Adam sees is that few service members are educated to select the right funds for their financial plan. Yes, the military is using the TSP and introducing many to personal financial planning for the first time. Adam reports that the majority of the active duty personnel he works with have little knowledge of the TSP options available and if their TSP elections meet their financial goals.

Third, Adam brings up the ultimate irony in military personal finance. Unlike military operations where planning begins after the end state or ideal circumstances are defined at the end of a mission; when it comes to financial planning our youthful population has a difficult time looking forward and defining their ideal retirement. For Adam, this is the big investing red flag. Understanding retirement planning is the Why. Adam believes financial planning decisions answer the questions: how much to invest, when to invest, when to make risk decisions, and when and how to diversify are rooted in the end state.

How do we defeat the enemy within? We have found that one question gets our military thinking and acting on investing. We ask the military we serve the following question? Can you look in the mirror and say that you are making more money for yourself than a trained professional would make for you? If the answer is “yes”, great. If the answer is “no”, take action.

Adam's work with the military community is a story #ForAmerica.