In this episode, Tommy Hardaway sits down with Marine Corps veteran James Gonzalez to explore how robotics and AI are transforming surgery—and how military discipline helped shape his path into the medical device industry.

James shares his journey from serving in the U.S. Marines after 9/11 to discovering a passion for healthcare. What started as an interest in nursing evolved into a career in surgical technology and eventually into the fast-paced world of medical device innovation. Today, James works with Carl Storz, a global medical device company specializing in minimally invasive surgical instrumentation, digital integration, AI platforms, and robotic solutions for soft tissue surgery.

Listeners will get an inside look at how medical technology is changing operating rooms across the country. James explains how new tools are reducing procedure times, minimizing incision sizes, and improving patient outcomes. He also shares what sets his company apart in a competitive industry, including the advantages of being a private, family-owned organization with a long-term innovation vision.

Beyond technology, this episode dives into leadership, resilience, and career growth. James opens up about losing a job at a startup and how leaning on community, mentorship, and veteran networks helped him adapt and move forward. He emphasizes the importance of networking, mentorship, and pouring into others as keys to long-term success.

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What happens when you take military discipline, leadership under pressure, and combine it with concierge-level healthcare? In this episode, Robert Kunkel shares how his Army background shaped the way he leads and builds hospitals that truly care for people.

Robert Kunkel, Director of Operations for Exceptional Healthcare, joins Tommy from Farmington, New Mexico, where he is preparing to open his company’s eighth micro-hospital. With a career that began in the infantry and transitioned into the Army Medical Service Corps, Robert has spent decades solving complex problems in high-pressure environments.

After retiring from the Army in 2013, Robert continued serving in healthcare leadership roles, including work with Indiana University Health and government healthcare services. Today, he helps lead the development and launch of 22,000-square-foot micro-hospitals that combine emergency services, inpatient care, radiology, lab, and pharmacy services under one roof.

One of the key differentiators for Exceptional Healthcare is its concierge care approach. Inspired by leadership training at Disney University, the company emphasizes treating patients like valued guests. From doing a patient’s laundry to feeding family members, Robert explains how small, thoughtful actions create a powerful experience in an industry where word-of-mouth matters.

Robert also shares his personal journey as the first in his family to earn an advanced degree and how overcoming self-doubt helped shape his leadership style. He discusses breaking the stigma around military leadership in the civilian workforce and how he now mentors others to pursue education and growth.

If you are in healthcare, leadership, or transitioning from the military to civilian life, this episode offers practical insights on discipline, adaptability, and serving people well.

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What does it take to turn military service into a 23-year leadership career in the pharmaceutical industry? In this episode, Marine Corps veteran Nicole Bennett shares how her time as a recruiter gave her the sales training, discipline, and leadership foundation that launched her into big pharma and beyond.

Nicole, who works for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, explains how her company stands apart as a niche biotech founded by two doctors who still lead the organization today. She shares insight into manufacturing and distributing a product that treats eight different medical conditions, and how being part of a smaller biotech company creates unique opportunities.

The conversation dives deep into the powerful transition from military life to corporate America. Nicole discusses how Marine Corps sales training helped her land a competitive pharmaceutical role over 250 other applicants. She also opens up about one of her biggest challenges—learning to adapt her direct Marine communication style to corporate leadership environments.

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In this episode of the Adapt and Overcome Podcast, host Tommy Hardaway welcomes Stephen Dupart, an active-duty Army Allied Trade Specialist who works as a welder and machinist by day and runs an online personal training business by night. Stephen shares how he transformed his life after once weighing nearly 300 pounds and struggling with fitness and confidence.

Stephen opens up about his journey through yo-yo dieting, basic training, and the mindset shift that helped him lose over 120 pounds and regain control of his health. He explains how hiring a coach changed everything for him and why accountability is now the foundation of his own business, Strife Fitness.

Listeners will hear how Stephen balances early mornings, military PT, long workdays, and late nights building his business. He also shares practical advice for anyone stuck in a 9-to-5 job who wants to create extra income or pursue entrepreneurship without feeling overwhelmed.

As the episode wraps up, Stephen talks about his plans after leaving the Army, including opening a brick-and-mortar gym in Wisconsin and expanding Strife Fitness even further.

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What does military leadership really teach you about success after the uniform comes off? In this episode of the Adapt and Overcome Podcast, host Tommy Hardaway sits down with Army veteran and investor Jon Kerr to explore how discipline, structure, and leadership learned in the military can directly translate into business and investing success.

Jon shares his journey from serving as an Army captain to becoming an investor in multiple companies. He explains why he proudly calls himself an investor instead of an entrepreneur, how he evaluates businesses before putting his money to work, and why leadership teams matter more than ideas alone. Throughout the conversation, Jon breaks down the importance of finding differentiated businesses, owning equity, and taking a long-term view when building multiple income streams.

The conversation also dives deep into how military culture shaped Jon’s approach to leadership. From understanding accountability to helping teams succeed, Jon explains how lessons from drill sergeants and commanders still guide how he supports the companies he invests in today. He also offers honest advice for people looking to create income beyond a traditional 9-to-5 and why there is no such thing as “easy money.”

This episode is packed with practical insights for veterans, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in investing, leadership, or building financial independence.

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AI is changing the tech industry fast, and for many software engineers, the big question is simple: adapt or get left behind. In this episode of the Adapt and Overcome Podcast, host Tommy Hardaway sits down with software engineer and Army veteran Sean Gil to talk about what it really takes to thrive in today’s AI-driven world.

Sean shares his experience working as a software engineer at a media company that builds financial education tools, including a budgeting app available on iOS and Android. He explains how AI has reshaped the way engineers work and why learning to use AI tools early is no longer optional. Rather than seeing AI as a threat, Sean breaks down how it can be used as a productivity tool for engineers who are willing to evolve.

The conversation also dives into Sean’s military background and how serving in the Army shaped his mindset. He talks about discipline, time management, and why relentless effort often matters more than raw talent. Sean offers honest insight into standing out in competitive industries by showing up consistently and doing the work.

Later in the episode, Sean shares thoughts on building income outside of a traditional 9-to-5, planning for the future, and how becoming a new parent has shifted his focus toward financial stability and long-term investing.

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What if something as common as a wisdom tooth could help heal traumatic injuries in the future?

In this episode of the Adapt and Overcome Podcast, host Tommy Hardaway sits down with Army dentist Brandi Gervais, who joins from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Brandi shares her unique journey into military dentistry and explains how serving as an Army dentist differs from civilian practice.

Brandi talks about the group-practice model inside military medicine, where specialists work side by side and patient care is never driven by profit. She explains how military dentists can focus solely on what is best for the service member, without the financial pressure that often exists in private practice.

The conversation also dives into how Brandi’s upbringing in a military family shaped her career path, and how a simple orthodontic experience as a teenager inspired her to become a dentist. She discusses how the Army invests heavily in education, leadership development, and long-term career growth.

Toward the end of the episode, Brandi shares exciting research she has been working on involving stem cells found in extracted wisdom teeth. She explains how these stem cells could one day be used in regenerative medicine, potentially helping treat traumatic brain injuries and battlefield wounds in less invasive ways.

This episode offers a fascinating look at how military medicine is quietly driving innovation while serving those who serve.

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In this episode, host Dave Dubeau chats with Tommy Hardaway, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and real estate entrepreneur who shares his journey from single-family rentals to niche commercial properties. Tommy explains how landlord struggles and lessons from his father led him to pivot toward recession-resistant assets like RV resorts and self-storage facilities.

Tommy unpacks:

• Why he gave up on single-family homes after 20 years of landlording.

• How self-storage offers fewer headaches and strong returns.

• Why RV resorts surged after COVID—and how seasonal and transient guests drive income.

• The surprising upfront cash flow from RV parks and dynamic pricing strategies.

• How veterans can build their own retirement path through smart real estate investments.

He also gives us a peek into his own show, Adapt and Overcome, aimed at empowering fellow veterans and investors.

Guest Bio: Tommy Hardaway is a retired Marine and postal worker turned real estate investor. He focuses on RV resorts and self-storage, helping others—especially veterans—gain financial freedom through smart investing. He’s also the host of the Adapt and Overcome podcast.