What happens when the mission changes, but the drive to keep pushing never goes away?

Air Force Veteran and OVN Ambassador Athlete Don spent part of his military career as a flight engineer aboard special operations aircraft, including combat missions in the MH-53 Pave Low. Today, that same drive has taken him into a very different arena—Ironman triathlons.

In this episode of No Neutral, Don talks about his military career, discovering endurance sports later in life, and why completing an Ironman is as much a mental challenge as a physical one.

After being sidelined for more than a year, Don is now working his way back—rebuilding strength, returning to training, and chasing his next finish line.

It’s a conversation about service, discipline, setbacks, family, and continuing to find something worth pushing toward.

No Neutral — Where Competition Creates Connection.

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The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual guests and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Operation Vet NOW or its partners.

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If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek support from a qualified professional or contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1.