Today we hear the Story of 29 year Army Special Operations veteran Rick Hogg, who spent time with the 82nd, 7th Special Forces Group and “The Unit”  Tier 1 US Army Special Operations Command. His time ranged from Desert Storm deep into the post-9/11 era. Rick spent years as a K-9 handler in the Special Ops community, forging a very strong bond with his dog “Duco” in particular. Rick managed through years of deployments and overcame the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with a very concerted focus on his own health and transition from the military that many can learn from. After leaving the service, Rick is the founder of War HOGG Tactical- a training company that provides firearms, tactical, and canine training to law-abiding citizens, military, and law enforcement agencies.- with knowledge that was borne out of his experience training Special Forces.  He’s written the book “The Firearms Training Notebook: 1% Better Everyday”, co-hosts the On The Range Podcast, and founded the “In Honor of Duco” charity. A combat veteran and a Special Operations Forces K-9 handler with 13 combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Rick discusses his passion for training others and his involvement in Project Officer Survival, a non-profit that offers free law enforcement firearms training.  He also shares advice for veterans transitioning to civilian life and emphasizes the importance of taking control of one’s healthcare.  We discussed the importance of finding one’s passion and purpose-  and how he is celebrating life through photos and journals. During the show, Rick  shared his personal experience with processing grief and losing his beloved dog. He spoke about how he used his training and discipline to work through his emotions and come out stronger on the other side.  In addition, Rick shared a very funny story about his time serving in Baghdad, where he and his fellow soldiers had to deal with a notorious Christmas cake thief. Despite their best efforts to catch the culprit, the thief remained elusive, and the soldiers were left with a holiday tradition that was forever changed.  Overall, this podcast episode offers valuable insights into the world of tactical training and the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life.  With Rick’s expertise and experience, listeners are sure to come away with a newfound appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military and law enforcement personnel, as well as a deeper understanding of how to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. You can find Rick at https://www.warhogg.com/ On Insta: https://www.instagram.com/warhogg_com/ His Linktree at – https://linktr.ee/warhoggtactical I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodie.com.au  And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com – the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.  100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule. Links for my former shows are in the show notes below- THANKS FOR WATCHING!