In Part Three of the "Gum on Shoe" podcast, we sit down with former college athlete and F-16 pilot, Anthony "AB" Bourke. This episode naturally turned into a masterclass (and an unofficial shoutout!) for our friend JR Butler and his team at the Shift Group.

Anthony "AB" Bourke shares incredible insights into the unique value of hiring former athletes. We dive deep into their commitment to mastering a craft, their natural competitiveness, and their ability to build strong team bonds.

But finding top talent is only half the battle. As Anthony "AB" Bourke explains, once you bring these superstars into your organization, it is up to the manager to accelerate trust and let the thoroughbreds run.

Thanks to our sponsor LiveSwitch: https://join.liveswitch.com/caede2j7y7ro

What can F-16 fighter pilots teach us about closing deals? Quite a lot, according to CEO and former fighter pilot Anthony "AB" Bourke. In this episode of "GUM ON SHOE," AB reveals how he applies combat aviation strategies to modern sales operations. Discover how treating each sale like a tactical mission complete with threat assessments, lead wingman dynamics, and post mission debriefs can transform your approach to business.

AB breaks down the framework:

1) Mission Planning: Identifying threats and roadblocks before they derail your deal

2) Team Structure: Understanding who leads and who supports in high-stakes negotiations

3) Contingency Management: Preparing for the uncontrollable that even the best plan can't prevent

4) The Debrief: Why reviewing performance 30 minutes after landing (or closing) is non-negotiable

Thanks to our sponsor LiveSwitch : https://join.liveswitch.com/caede2j7y7ro

New Episode Alert: "Caution Wet Paint" Podcast

As you grow in faith and business, can you recognize good soil when you see it?

Drawing inspiration from the parable of the sower, our panel reflects on their early sales days outworking everyone around them. But as Tim Keller reminds us, the Gospel reshapes our motivation for work: moving us from self-advancement to genuine service. If you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or someone seeking to align your work with your faith, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

Thanks to our sponsor LiveSwitch : https://join.liveswitch.com/caede2j7y7ro

LiveSwitch is an AI powered platform built specifically for the trades to help contractors save time, streamline operations, and ultimately put more money back in their pockets. Think ChatGPT meets FaceTime, and was specifically built for the trades