Evacuating 63 Families from Israel – Dean Stott on Leadership, Courage & Connection in Crisis Artwork

Health Is A Skill with Todd Vande Hei

Welcome to the Health is a Skill podcast with host Todd Vande Hei! Todd is the CEO of Stark, which exists to change the future of health and fitness in the communities they serve. For the last 15 years, Todd has been on a journey to discover what it means to be in a state of peak health. After suffering from a series of seizures and being diagnosed with high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation in his early 30’s, Todd decided it was time to make a change. Those changes fell into one of four categories: lifestyle, exercise, nutrition, and stress management. But the biggest thing Todd learned through it all? Health is a skill. You’re not born with it, like some would like you to believe, and it isn’t acquired by simply buying another product or starting that new diet. Health is something you can create for yourself, and over time it is possible to attain peak health.

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Health Is A Skill with Todd Vande Hei

Evacuating 63 Families from Israel – Dean Stott on Leadership, Courage & Connection in Crisis

October 09, 2025 • Todd Vande Hei • Season 4 • Episode 24

When crisis strikes, most people run from danger — Dean Stott runs toward it. A former Tier One Special Forces operator turned humanitarian, Stott has led evacuations from war zones across the globe — from Afghanistan and Libya to Israel. In this powerful conversation, he sits down with Todd to unpack the mindset, planning, and humanity behind saving lives under pressure.

They discuss:
• October 7th, 2023 — entering Israel as war broke out, and how Dean mobilized a global network to help families escape.
• From Special Forces to service, how his time in elite military units shaped his ability to lead through chaos.
• Crisis planning made human, why success depends more on trust and relationships than tactics.
• The “hearts and minds” approach, and why cultural awareness saves more lives than force ever could.
• The good and bad of social media, from hate comments to unexpected miracles that changed outcomes.
• Transferable lessons for everyday life, from defining your mission to staying flexible when plans fail.

Whether you’re a business leader, parent, or someone seeking resilience in uncertain times, Dean’s story shows how courage, clarity, and compassion can move mountains — even in war zones.
⚡ Final Takeaway: Real leadership isn’t about rank or orders — it’s about showing up, staying calm, and doing what’s right when everyone else freezes.

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🤔 ABOUT Todd Vande Hei 🤔

Welcome to Todd Vande Hei's channel, where health mastery meets real-life transformation. Join Todd as he shares invaluable insights and practical tips to help you unlock your full health potential.

Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, seeking sustainable weight loss, or simply striving to live your best life, Todd's journey and expertise will inspire and empower you to take control of your health and well-being.

Join our community of health enthusiasts committed to making positive changes and thriving at every stage of life. Let's embark on this journey to vibrant health together!

DISCLOSURE

We focus on optimizing every aspect of your well-being. At Stark, our team of expert trainers, doctors, nutritionists and a complete medical support team, led by CEO Todd Vande Hei, is dedicated to helping you become the BEST version of yourself. We specialize in coaching executives, athletes, pop stars, astronauts and other noteworthy individuals in all forms of exercise, diet, lifestyle, stress management and personalized supplement protocols.

Our methodology is designed to tackle each facet of well-being comprehensively. We believe that optimal health encompasses ten key aspects, which...