The Two-Promises Podcast

How does the intense triage mindset of a combat medic translate directly to managing complex, costly civilian transactions? In Part 3 of this four-part series, former Navy SEAL Corpsman Aaron Peña shares his approach to applying the high-stakes discipline of the SEAL teams to real estate sales and negotiations. Aaron discusses why real estate deals are "not high stakes" compared to the battlefield, detailing his Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for client management that instill Confidence and eliminate chaos. In a moment of levity, Aaron recounts a classic Failure and Resilience story from Second Phase BUD/S—the infamous Tread with SCUBA tanks and weights—where a minor gear failure turned into a full-blown chaotic battle with the instructors. He concludes by defining the Four Pillars of Home Risk Assessment and gives expert advice on how to enter any stressful negotiation (home, car, promotion) with calm, clarity, and zero ego. In this episode, you'll learn: Military as an Incubator: Why the military provides a debt-free foundation for testing career paths, unlike expensive civilian degrees. SOPs for Success: Aaron's method for creating Standard Operating Procedures for clients, making complex real estate deals feel seamless and reducing client stress. The Tread Fiasco: A humorous anecdote from BUD/S Second Phase involving treading water with faulty gear, aggressive instructors, and a valuable lesson in managing chaotic attention. The Four Pillars of Risk Assessment: The essential, high-cost components Aaron checks first in any property: Roof, HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical. Mission, Not Commission: Aaron's professional conviction to cancel a contract and lose a commission if the home requires costly repairs that would financially burden his client. Negotiation Strategy: Advice on how to approach stressful negotiations: remain calm, take 24 hours to de-stress, and collaborate without ego by seeking advice from your team. ⏳ Timestamps 00:12 Intro Hook: The chaotic and humorous BUD/S tread story conclusion 01:04 Military as a Test Bank: The value of the service as a debt-free incubator for testing long-term career identity 02:00 Triage in Real Estate: Managing complex deals with ease because "no one is shooting at us" 03:00 SOPs for Clients: Creating Standard Operating Procedures for home buying to ensure a seamless, non-sporadic process 04:20 Client Confidence: Assessing client reaction and adjusting criteria on the fly to provide assurance 05:50 The BUD/S Tread: Setting up the Second Phase underwater tread test with full gear 07:03 The Fiasco: A strap came undone, leading to cramping, instructor chaos, grabbing the ledge, and turning a routine test into a hilarious failure 09:27 The Retest: Passing the retest with ease on Monday, solidifying the lesson learned 10:00 Instructor Humbled: Becoming a First Phase instructor and being reminded of the daily BUD/S grind 12:48 Skill Bridge: Translating instructor tough love to the civilian world—modulating assertion and knowing your audience 13:50 Collaborate Without Ego: Why humility is crucial in leadership and why you don't need all the answers 15:50 Humility in Yemen: Aaron's leadership strategy asking senior Green Berets for help to ensure mission success 20:30 Biggest Mistake: Making large purchases (like a new car) that disrupt the debt-to-income ratio during the closing process 21:40 Transparency: Being upfront about all necessary closing costs (surveys, appraisal, inspection) 22:00 Four Pillars of Risk: The high-cost items (Roof, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical) that must be assessed, especially in older homes 23:54 Mission, Not Commission: Canceling a contract and losing a deal to prevent the client from being financially burdened by repairs 25:00 Clearing the House: A humorous anecdote of clearing a rough neighborhood property out of habit and missing the SEAL teams 27:35 Negotiation Advice: Remain calm, de-stress for 24 hours, and leverage your resources (don't go at it alone) 29:27 De-stressing Clients: Taking the stress out of relocation for military families by dialing in critical criteria (schools, base proximity) About the Guest Aaron Peña is a former Navy SEAL Medic who applies the disciplined mindset of elite military operations to real estate. As an investor and realtor, he is purposefully focused on helping military families use their benefits to achieve financial success and resilience, ensuring every client experience is handled with the calm demeanor of a combat medic. Connect with Aaron Peña: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-pena73/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.pena.863363/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_pena7/ Compass: https://www.compass.com/agents/aaron-pena/ 🔥 Don't Miss More! This is Part 3 of 4. Subscribe now to catch the final part of Aaron Peña's conversation, where he discusses his community service outside of real estate and his ultimate vision for veteran financial growth. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram #SEALMedic #MilitaryTransition #RealEstateRisk #TriageMindset #AaronPena #BudsLife #MilitaryLeadership #NegotiationSkills #FourPillarsHome #CollaborateWithoutEgo #Service #Discipline #Reinvention #Grit #TwoPromisesPodcast

How does the grit, urgency, and disciplined focus of a combat medic translate into the world of real estate? In Part 2 of this four-part series, former Navy SEAL Corpsman Aaron Peña shares the story of his military identity—how he became a healer in a community of warriors—and how those high-pressure skills now shape the way he navigates complex real estate deals. Aaron talks about the academic firehose of the Joint Special Operations Combat Medic (JSOCM) course, the struggle to prove wrong those who said he couldn't pass without a college degree, and the kinetic learning style that helped him master lifesaving skills. He recounts a high-intensity deployment to the Philippines, where he faced mass casualties and the moral weight of choosing where to allocate limited medical resources. Ultimately, he explains why he chose reinvention over medical school, and how triage and crisis management map to real estate strategy and negotiation. In this episode, you'll learn: What inspired Aaron to pursue the SEAL pipeline after 9/11. How he started as an undesignated seaman and clawed his way into the career path that was right for him. Why JSOCM training is considered the most intense medical pipeline in the military—and how he survived it. Aaron's firsthand account of mass casualty triage under fire in the Philippines. The emotional and moral difficulty of dealing with the deceased while treating the living. Why he ultimately walked away from the medical path to pursue real estate. How triage and crisis leadership translate directly into navigating high-pressure deals. ⏳ Timestamps 00:00 Intro and Preview Trailer 01:03 Becoming both a SEAL and a medic—serving as a healer in an elite community. 01:32 The 9/11 moment that pushed Aaron toward military service and the SEAL pipeline. 02:30 Starting as an undesignated seaman—receiving a bonus but becoming a "glorified janitor." 03:50 Ship life aboard the USS Ronald Reagan and constant PST (Physical Screening Test) training. 04:44 Raising his hand for JSOCM Training Center despite instructors saying he wouldn't pass without a college degree. 05:51 Academic struggles, memorization challenges, and discovering he is a kinesthetic learner. 07:35 The relentless academic pressure of medic school—anatomy, pharmacology, and weekly testing. 09:00 Transitioning to trauma training—hands-on work with human and Patient Role Model casualties. 11:00 Building confidence during ER internships while treating real trauma patients. 12:23 Mass casualty event in the Philippines: stabilizing gunshot wounds and an abdominal evisceration. 14:15 Making the hardest decision: moving in from patient care from managing the deceased to triaging the living. 16:39 The feeling of success in crisis—staying calm and collected while saving lives. 18:43 The calling of being a medic—helping people and being relied on. 19:40 Losing the passion for medicine and finding a new passion in real estate. 20:32 Applying for the EMDP-2 medical program and feeling relieved when the Navy denied the long commitment. 21:20 Viewing the military as a test bed to discover long-term passions without taking on excess debt. 22:44 How triage skills—diagnosing under pressure—now transfer directly to real estate deals. About the Guest Aaron Peña is a former Navy SEAL Medic who has successfully transitioned his elite military discipline into the world of real estate. As an investor and realtor, he is purposefully focused on guiding active duty service members and veterans to leverage their VA loan, and the benefits of multi-family, income-producing assets; ensuring their financial resilience and achieving true financial success after service. Connect with Aaron Peña: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-pena73/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.pena.863363/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_pena7/ Compass: https://www.compass.com/agents/aaron-pena/ 🔥 Don't Miss More! This is just Part 2 of 4! Subscribe now to catch the rest of Aaron Peña's conversation, where he dives deeper into investment strategies, property management, and building wealth through disciplined real estate acquisition. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram #SEALMedic #JSOCM #CombatMedic #NavySEAL #MassCasualty #USSRonaldReagan #Navy #MilitaryTransition #Grit #Resilience #RealEstateInvesting #AaronPena #TriageUnderFire #TwoPromisesPodcast

How do you find your Identity and next purposeful mission after decades of service? In Part 1 of this four-part series, we sit down with former Navy SEAL Corpsman Aaron Peña to discuss his strategic career pivot from elite medic to successful real estate investor and advisor. Aaron reveals why he made the tough decision to pull his Warrant Officer package and Surrender a 30-year career goal to prioritize his family's needs. He shares the foundational secrets to his financial growth, detailing exactly how he used the VA loan early in his career to convert his Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from rent into income-producing assets. Getting a home in every port can be a life changer for service members! This episode is a crucial roadmap for active duty and transitioning service members who want to move past the Failure of high dependency and achieve financial Resilience through real estate Achievement. In this episode, you'll learn: The Transition Trap: Why the military uniform becomes tied to your identity, making the post-service transition feel like "learning a new language." The Calculated Surrender: Aaron's tough decision to pull his career package at the 18-year mark to address friction and absence affecting his family. VA Loan Looping: The specific strategy Aaron used to buy his first San Diego property, convert the VA loan to a conventional loan, and free up his VA entitlement to acquire a second property. Multi-Family Advantage: Why Aaron now advises young service members to skip single-family homes and use the VA loan for duplexes, triplexes, or quads for immediate cash flow. New Construction Leverage: How active duty personnel can combine the VA loan with builder incentives to cover closing costs, achieving a truly zero-money-down investment. ⏳ Timestamps 000:14 Preview Intro 01:08 Host introduction to Aaron Peña: Medic background, career shift to real estate investment. 02:08 The Shift: Why Aaron gave up his 30-year goal to retire early, prioritizing family over career commitment. 03:00 The Strategy: Starting real estate investments mid-career; leveraging the VA loan for zero down payment. 03:40 VA Loan Looping: How to convert a VA loan to a conventional loan to free up the VA entitlement for a second property. 04:20 Why Aaron became a realtor: Observing commissions and wanting to help service members. 04:40 Multi-Family Advice: Recommending duplexes/quads for better cash flow for young service members. 04:56 BAH as Investment Capital: Why pay rent when you can use your housing allowance to invest in yourself? 06:49 The Multi-Family Breakdown: Advantages of using the VA loan for 1–4 units for max cash flow (Case Study). 08:39 Using VA Loan Twice: Entitlement rules and why active duty members can buy a house everywhere they go. 09:15 Coastal Advantage: The value of Navy bases being in high-appreciation coastal areas. 10:29 New Construction Benefits: Combining the VA loan with builder incentives (3–5% for closing costs). 11:00 The Zero-Down Myth: Educating members that VA loans are zero down payment, but closing costs are still required. 12:50 Military Family Challenge: Being gone 85% of the year and being a "tourist" in your own home. 13:40 Navigating Friction: Advice to be patient and show grace to your spouse after long absences. 14:49 The Quarantine Reflection: 15 days of COVID quarantine provided the mental space to reassess life and mission. 15:30 Life on the Outside: Researching veterans who were thriving, confirming the decision to leave. 17:11 The Reward: Autonomy and control over time to attend all kids' events and prioritize family. 19:16 The Family Decision: Letting his wife choose their new home base in St. Augustine, Florida. 21:21 Being a Modern Father: The importance of presence, praying with kids, apologizing, and leading by example. 22:30 Surrender and Humility: Taking the armor off, being authentic, and asking questions (applied to real estate). About the Guest Aaron Peña is a former Navy SEAL Corpsman who has successfully transitioned his elite military discipline into the world of real estate. As an investor and realtor, he is purposefully focused on guiding active duty service members and veterans to leverage their VA loan and benefits into multi-family, income-producing assets, ensuring their financial resilience and achieving true financial achievement after service. Connect with Aaron Peña: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-pena73/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.pena.863363/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_pena7/ Compass: https://www.compass.com/agents/aaron-pena/ 🔥 Don't Miss More! This is just Part 1 of 4! Subscribe now to catch the rest of Aaron Peña's conversation, where he dives deeper into investment strategies, property management, and building wealth through Disciplined real estate acquisition. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram #VALoanStrategy #MilitaryTransition #SEALTeam #NavySEAL #RealEstateInvesting #AaronPena #MultiFamily #FinancialFreedom #VeteranBenefits #IncomeProducingAssets #BAH #TwoPromisesPodcast #Reinvention #VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryFamily

What does it truly take to be a dedicated warrior in a world defined by chaos? This FullSend Friday episode features highly decorated retired Green Beret Master Sergeant, Geoff Dardia, founder of the Task Force Dagger Health Initiatives Program. Geoff shares his searing journey—from an early medical discharge out of BUD/S due to medication side effects, to re-enlisting post-9/11 and facing a catastrophic breakdown from years of operational stress, blast exposure, and neurotoxicity (the "Operator Syndrome"). He recounts the betrayal he felt from a medical system that offered pills instead of looking for root causes, and how this initial struggle ignited his mission of reform. This episode is a masterclass in applying military planning to personal health. Geoff details the comprehensive testing (including KXRF bone lead scans and gut scopes) that proved his symptoms were physical, not psychological. He offers a proven blueprint—built around accountability and repetition—for taking ownership of your health, becoming your own advocate, and turning personal struggle into global service. In this episode, you'll learn: • The Canary in the Coal Mine: Geoff's early medical setback in BUD/S that unintentionally prepared him for his later fight against Operator Syndrome • The Betrayal and the Why: Why he faced resistance from the medical system and fought through the gaslighting • Health as Mission Planning: IPB + Risk Management applied to personal wellness • The Scientific Smoking Gun: Comprehensive testing that proved the true root causes • The Off-Ramp Solution: The Fort Bragg MEDA transition initiative • The Final Call to Action: Three steps to become the "CEO of your own health" Timestamps 00:56 Introduction to Geoff Dardia and the critical role of Task Force Dagger 02:45 Geoff's background: outdoors, adrenaline, and BUD/S at 19 03:29 BUD/S failure: Medical discharge at 21; identity crisis 05:27 Reinvention: Rehabbing and rejoining the Army 18X program post-9/11 06:30 The Spiral: Continuous deployments, divorce, health decline, zero recovery 08:13 The Break/The Surrender: Becoming an instructor and recognizing the severity 10:15 Gaslighting: Being labeled "the canary in the coal mine" 11:33 Founding the SOF Health Initiatives program (2012) 12:10 Risk Management for Health: Applying IPB to self-protection 15:48 The Betrayal: Medical system resistance vs. SF leadership support 17:45 A new purpose: Bearing the "how" through a deeper "why" 21:59 Validation: Bone lead scans and labs proving physical causes 23:00 Campaign Strategy: Fighting back using a 7-phase UW campaign model 24:14 Moral Injury: Losing teammates to cancer and suicide 26:08 SGB as an IFAC: Rapid, low-cost crisis intervention 32:07 Humans vs. Hardware: The military ignores operator maintenance 36:21 HBOT: Treating TBI as a wound with oxygen 42:57 Host experience: Infectious disease + parasite treatment through Task Force Dagger 51:17 The MEDA Program: A proven 36-month transition model 59:00 Call to Action: Become the investor and defender of your own health 1:10:12 Host Debrief & Final CTA: "CEO of your health" action steps 👤 About the Guest Geoff Dardia is a highly decorated retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant and Green Beret (1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group). He is the founder and program director of the Task Force Dagger Health Initiatives Program, connecting warfighters and families to cutting-edge medical treatments often unavailable through the VA/DOD. His personal battle with neurotoxicity and TBI shapes his mission to reform warfighter health. Connect with Geoff Dardia or Task Force Dagger: Website: https://www.taskforcedagger.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sof_health_initiative/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaskForceDaggerFoundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taskforcedagger/ 🎧 Stay Connected If you found value in this FullSend Friday episode, please like, subscribe, and follow us on all socials. Your support helps us bring you more industry-leading interviews! What principle from this episode will you apply to your personal growth this week? 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram #GreenBeret #TBI #PTSD #VeteranHealth #MentalToughness #Podcast #Grit #Resilience #LeadershipDevelopment #FullSendFriday #MilitaryMotivation #Neurotoxicity #FunctionalMedicine #Reinvention #OperatorSyndrome #SpecialForces #SGB #SuicidePrevention #MilitaryMedicine #HealthCareReform

In the conclusion of our two-part series, retired Green Beret Geoff Dardia of Task Force Dagger reveals the blueprint for systemic change in warfighter and community health. Geoff lays out the actionable steps for those who feel broken or failed by the medical system, urging a disciplined approach where health becomes mission planning. He shares the proven success of the META model established on Fort Bragg — embedding medical and behavioral resources into the 36 months before one transitions out of the military. This episode delivers a powerful message: the fight isn't about the "what" (the disease), but the "why" (lifestyle, environment, and stress). Geoff calls for a transformation from Disease Care to Functional Medicine and treating the root causes. Because true Service requires conviction — and empowered veterans become the future force multipliers of growth and reinvention within our communities. In this episode, you'll learn: • Work-Life Harmony: Why "balance" is a myth and boundaries are essential to prevent burnout • The 36-Month Rule: The required timeline for transition planning and healthcare approvals • META: A zero-budget, repeatable model for proactive care and early intervention • Functional Medicine vs. Disease Care: Addressing root cause dysfunction • The Operator Manual Concept: Teaching warfighters to maintain the human weapon system • The Force Multiplier Effect: Why healed individuals become powerful advocates for change ⏳ Timestamps 00:00 How can we rise up and advocate for positive change in the system? 01:11 Purpose Found: Turning personal struggle into a network of ambassadors 01:50 Work-Life Harmony: Observing trauma without absorbing it 03:13 Collaboration with organizations offering holistic therapies 04:19 The 36-Month Rule: Why planning must start early 05:35 VA Polytrauma Centers: Critical resources for warfighters 07:34 The Pandemic Analogy: A global "deployment" of fear 09:55 META Program: A repeatable model for proactive transition support 12:01 TAPS Myth: The real origin and why it fails high-op tempo careers 13:00 The Familiar Hell: Why stress-wired individuals choose service roles 14:26 First Responders Trauma: Lack of stress inoculation and recovery systems 16:15 The Maintenance Check: Scheduled full-system health assessments 17:35 The Call to Action: Invest in yourself like a high-performance vehicle 18:40 You Are a Vehicle: Performance depends on environment and maintenance 20:39 Fixing the Military: The toxic food environment issue 22:50 Advocating for Change: Focus on the why, not the what 24:00 Functional Medicine: The required shift to root-cause systems 27:09 Supporting the Mission: Funding and becoming a Force Multiplier About the Guest Geoff Dardia is a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant and Green Beret. He leads the Task Force Dagger Health Initiatives Program, connecting warfighters and families to advanced medical treatments not readily accessible through the VA or DOD. His battle with neurotoxicity and TBI fuels his lifelong mission to ensure long-term health for the special operations community — a true example of Service and Reinvention. Connect with Geoff Dardia or Task Force Dagger: Website: https://www.taskforcedagger.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sof_health_initiative/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaskForceDaggerFoundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taskforcedagger/ Thank you for listening to this powerful conclusion with Geoff Dardia. If this episode opened your eyes to the need for change — in your own health, in your community, or within the system itself — then take action today. Share this message. Advocate for better care. Invest in yourself like the high-performance machine you are. If this episode helped you, please rate, review, and subscribe to the Two Promises Podcast. Your support helps amplify the mission and reach those who need this information most. We'll see you in the next episode. Stay disciplined. Stay committed. Stay in the fight. Don't Stay Under.🛡️🎙️ Listen to Part 1 If you missed Part 1, go back and hear Geoff's powerful journey through medical failures, early misdiagnosis, and the fight to uncover the scientific smoking gun that changed everything. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram