From SEAL to CEO: A Journey of Transformation with Juan "Gonzo" Gonzalez
Release Date: 06/02/2025
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What does it truly take to achieve elite performance and maintain it for a career? This FullSend Friday combines all parts of our powerful conversation with former Navy SEAL and founder of The Warrior Calling, Josiah Kauffman. Josiah shares his journey from facing Failure due to a devastating injury early in BUD/S (class 263/265) to becoming an operator in the high-stakes, hyper-professional SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) community. He offers rare insights into a world defined by extreme OPSEC and the unique Conviction required to perform highly sensitive, clandestine deep-water missions. This...
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Navy SEAL Instructor: The Dangers of Leaked OPSEC, Curing High-Performer Burnout, and Finding Your "Why" After Quitting Goldman Sachs | Josiah Kauffman
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"There's a lot that shouldn't be said." In Part 2 of our powerful conversation, former Navy SEAL Instructor Josiah Kauffman (The Warrior Calling) gives a rare and critical "insider" perspective on the recent New York Times article leaking sensitive Special Operations capabilities. He reveals why this is so dangerous and the real-world implications it has for the safety of future operators. Josiah then shares his raw, personal journey of transition, burnout, and finding a new "calling." He contrasts the feeling of a "dialed" SEAL platoon operating at its peak with the hidden dangers of...
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Navy SEAL Josiah Kauffman: Forged Through Failure – Overcoming Injury, BUD/S, and the Unseen World of SDV
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How do you define Resilience when your dream is shattered moments after surviving the impossible? What happens when Failure isn’t just an option—but a brutal reality delivered via a broken bone after Navy SEAL Hell Week? In this gripping Part 1 of 3, BD sits down with Josiah Kauffman, former Navy SEAL, BUD/S classmate (Class 265!), and founder of Warrior Calling. Josiah takes us deep into his extraordinary journey—beginning with the crushing blow of a femur stress fracture following Hell Week with Class 263, forcing a complete reinvention of his path. This is a masterclass in Grit,...
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Full Send Friday: Forged Through Failure: Navy SEAL Q on Quitting BUD/S, Breaking Cycles & Uniting a Divided World
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The Honor Grad Mindset: From Quitting Hell Week to Breaking Cycles with Special Forces’ Jovon “Q” Quarles
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Special Forces S4 EXCLUSIVE: Navy SEAL on Celebrity Near-Drowning & Quitting Hell Week | Jovon P. Quarles
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What happens when the world’s most grueling military training is unleashed on celebrities? In Part 2 of our explosive series, Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test instructor and retired Navy SEAL Jovon Quarles takes us behind the curtain of the show’s most dangerous evolution: facing their fears in the depths of the sea. Q reveals the harrowing, real-time details of a celebrity who, after being dropped from a plane 300 feet into a reservoir, suffered a shallow water blackout, forcing a dramatic rescue. But the danger isn't just for the recruits. Q shares his own terrifying story...
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Navy SEAL Instructor on Breaking Celebrity Egos | Jovon P Quarles "Q"
The Two-Promises Podcast
What does it take to break the ego of a world-famous celebrity? In this powerful interview, former Navy SEAL and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test host Jovon P Quarles "Q" reveals the raw truth about training celebrities, the psychological differences between military recruits and A-listers, and the surprising nature of human grit. From being “cold-called” on Instagram to becoming a primary host on FOX’s hit show, Q shares how the Navy SEAL mindset strips away fame and glamour to expose the true character underneath. This is a deep dive into mental toughness, transition, and what...
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Navy SEAL Sniper: Career-Ending Injury & Building a Business Empire | Jeff Gum
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What happens when the mission ends? For former Navy SEAL Sniper Jeff Gum, a devastating injury during a deployment forced him to answer that question years before he expected. It marked the end of a decorated career but the beginning of a new, purpose-driven life as an entrepreneur, adventurer, and advocate. In this powerful episode, Jeff sits down to discuss the unfiltered realities of his time in the SEAL Teams, from the brutal hierarchy of BUDS training to high-stakes operations in Fallujah. He details the moment his life changed forever on a rooftop in the Middle East and the grueling path...
info_outlineIn Part 2 of this compelling conversation on the Two Promises Podcast, we continue exploring the powerful transition from military life to entrepreneurship with Juan "Gonzo" Gonzalez. He expands on essential lessons in personal security, deliberate business growth, and living a purpose-driven life. The episode dives deeper into mentorship, community engagement, and how real-world security situations have informed his unique leadership approach.
If Part 1 was about identity and mindset, Part 2 is about mission, mentorship, and making an impact.
What We Talk About:
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The transition from military to business and the lessons it teaches
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Communication as a leadership tool and growth driver
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Mentorship and building the right team over time
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Personal security and situational awareness tips
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Deliberate growth and preventing costly mistakes
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Embracing a purpose-driven entrepreneurial journey
What We Mention:
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Juan Gonzalez and his transition from SEAL to CEO
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Eagle Eye Production and his business journey
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Best practices for personal and home security
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Communication and emotional intelligence in leadership
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Finding passion and living with purpose beyond the military
Timestamps:
⏳ [00:00:00] Intro Music
⏳ [00:00:57] Picking up from Part 1 and recap
⏳ [00:02:02] Transitioning from Military to Business
⏳ [00:06:08] The Importance of Communication in Business
⏳ [00:09:56] Growing a Business: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
⏳ [00:14:03] Personal Security Awareness Tips
⏳ [00:19:52] Home and Business Security Strategies
⏳ [00:26:03] Real-Life Security Experience and Lessons Learned
⏳ [00:30:06] Finding Your Purpose and Passion
⏳ [00:30:41] Final Reflections
⏳ [00:30:41] Outro Music
Whether it's securing your space or growing your purpose, Juan's story reminds us that transformation is ongoing—and service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.
If you missed Part 1, check out Episode 12 to hear the beginning of this powerful story.
🎯 Stay mission-driven, stay aware, and stay connected.