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
109 episodes
There Was Never a Doubt | Lessons from the Moab 240
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 t...
Dean Karnazes — Thinking Is the Problem
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 — no...
Mike Abrashoff — Leadership Isn’t Control, It’s Letting Go
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 ...
|int| From Battlefields to Breakthroughs: Mark Cunningham on the Healing Journey of Veterans Through MDMA-Assisted Therapy | Ep 106
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 ...
|Int| Transforming Trash to Treasure with Neil Krovats's Green Business Breakthroughs | Ep 105
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-f...
|int| Charting a New Course: Sean Duclay on Sailing as Sanctuary for Veterans' Reintegration and Recovery | Ep 104
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 ...
|int| Bridging the Battlefront to Homefront: Dr. Chris Frueh on Confronting Operator Syndrome | Ep 103
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 Operat...
|int| Unmasking the Invisible Wounds: A Deep Dive into Moral Injury and the Rebirth of Hope for Veterans | Ep102
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 ment...
Subtracting to Enhance Life: How Less Became More in My Journey to Health and Happiness | Ep 101
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 th...
|int| Redefining the Possible: John Register's Journey from Combat Veteran to Paralympic Triumph and Beyond | Ep 100
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, a...
|int| Navigating Depths and Resilience: Navy Veteran Bart Bartholomew's Voyage of Service and Survival | Ep 99
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 adv...
|int| The Unseen Battles: Marshall Spring on Veterans' Mental Health and the Quest for Post-Traumatic Growth | Ep 98
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 th...
|int| Exploring the Canvas of Veteran Recovery w/ Jackie Jones | Ep 97
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 t...
|int| Navigating Service and Sacrifice: Navy Veteran Bob Merrick's Journey from Vietnam to Civilian Triumph | Ep 96
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—f...
|int| Breaking Barriers and Building Futures: Army Ranger Lt. Col. Lisa Jaster on Shattering Stereotypes and Leading With Purpose | Ep 95
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 w...
|int| Forging the Path to Healing: Sue Johnson's Journey from Vietnam to Veterans' Advocate | Ep 94
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 ...
|int| Preserving the Past: Brad Hoopes's Mission to Chronicle Veterans | Ep 93
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 ...
|int| Teimojin Tan's Guide to Navigating Survival Medicine and Personal Finance | Ep 92
* 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...
|int| From Attempted Suicide to Physically Fit and Mentally Sound w/ Lieutenant Commander Dave Snell | Ep 91
Imagine, you've seen the world, fought wars, studied international relations, and yet, your toughest battle is the one within. This episode, we tackle the rarely discussed topic of mental health within the military. Our guest, a retired veteran...
|int| Leading With Precision: A Dive Into the Life, Lessons and Leadership of Marine Sniper Instructor Caylen Wojcik | Ep 90
As a seasoned Marine and former scout sniper school instructor, Caylen Wojcik joined us on the podcast to lay bare the trials and triumphs of his military journey. We traverse the storied corridors of our military experiences, reflecting on the...
|int| From Vietnam to the Homefront: SL Waller's Battle to Adapt | Ep 89
Have you ever wondered what it's like to make a combat jump in the midst of the Vietnam War? SL Waller, a seasoned US Army veteran, takes us through his riveting journey, beginning from the moment he enlisted in November 1964, through his first...
|After Action| Redefining Happiness: How Steve Found Contentment in Serving Others | Ep 88
What if the key to happiness lies not in our personal accomplishments, but in serving others? In this debrief of our last interview with our guest, Steve from Hives for Heroes, knows this concept all too well. As a former marine, he had achieve...
|int| Steve Jimenez: A Tale of Triumph, Bees, and the Power of Mentorship | Ep 87
This week On Your Lead, we're diving into an extraordinary conversation about the journey from chaos to contentment, and the surprising ways honey bees impact us all. Meet Our Guest:Steve Jimenez - Founder of Hives for He...
|After Action| How Daily Gratitude Journaling Transformed an Ex-Ranger's Life | Ep 86
In this After Action we glance back at the previous interview we had with Griff, Former Ranger and Co-Founder of Combat Flip Flop. Griff's story is a powerful one. What stood out to me most was the profound impact that gratitude and...
|int| From Army Ranger to Entrepreneur: Griff's Journey of Resilience and Ingenuity | Ep 85
What happens when an Army Ranger's path takes a sharp detour towards entrepreneurship? Our guest Griff gives us an inside look into this unexpected journey. Griff, co-founder of Combat Flip Flops, started his military career in a bid to attend ...