Ep 28: Your Capacity is Limitless with Ben Seekell

Bio – Ben Seekell is an active-duty Chief Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force and recipient of the Purple Heart, which is the oldest Military Decoration and given to those who are wounded or killed while fighting the nation’s wars. The Purple Heart is a solemn distinction and means a service member has greatly sacrificed themselves, or paid the ultimate price, while in the line of duty.

Show Notes

Life Balance

Life before the military and where he was during 9/11 

Fateful day of May 8, 2011 and recalling the entire day prior to the mission 

View of the word perspective 

Childhood memory that helped him persevere during this time 

What society can do to help heal invisible wounds 

Perseverance being taught 

Where a Purple Heart Recipient gets his mental toughness from 

Words of wisdom to share with other people that lost limbs and advice to families 

Unexpected sources of help that kept him going 

 Life Starting over after May 8, 2011

Turning personal tragedy into triumph 

Naming chapters in a book about his life  

Something new he learned about himself since 2011 that has improved his life 

Daily Rituals 

A new belief and behavior that has helped his life most 

What he conveys to people 

FUNNIEST THING Ben has told a child when asked about his leg 

Transcript

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Bio – Ben Seekell is an active-duty Chief Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force and recipient of the Purple Heart, which is the oldest Military Decoration and given to those who are wounded or killed while fighting the nation’s wars. The Purple Heart is a solemn distinction and means a service member has greatly sacrificed themselves, or paid the ultimate price, while in the line of duty.

Background - Per the book Courage Under Fire: True Stories of Bravery from the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines - On May 8, 2011, Chief Seekell and his military working dog, Charlie, joined a security mission. As they returned to Bagram Airfield, they stepped on a landmine. The ground exploded, sending Chief Seekell and Charlie sailing through the air. Not aware that his leg was almost completely torn off, Chief Seekell tried calling out to members of his team. He was especially worried about his canine partner. Charlie suffered several shrapnel wounds and cowered in terror from the noise.

Chief Seekell faced a long, painful recovery. He had five surgeries, which included the amputation of his foot. He also struggled through about five hours of intense physical therapy every day. But Chief Seekell was determined to work with Charlie again. Only eight months after losing his foot, he passed the Air Force fitness test. Chief Seekell once again returned to active duty with Charlie at his side.

Show Notes

Intro 00:00 – 02:29

Balancing an upcoming move while still doing speaking engagements, the Norwegian Ruck March and earning the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge 02:30 – 04:00

Discussing Life before the military and where he was during 9/11
04:00 – 06:43

The fateful day of May 8, 2011 and recalling the entire day prior to the mission 07:23 – 10:28

How the instance on that day changed his view of the word perspective
10:38 – 12:32

While going through all the surgeries, a childhood memory that helped him persevere during this time 12:32 – 15:48

What society can do to help heal emotional, mental and other forms of invisible wounds 17:36 – 21:47

Can perseverance be taught and allow yourself the win 21:58 – 23:23

Where a Purple Heart Recipient gets his mental toughness from 25:55 –28:10

Words of wisdom to share with other people that lost limbs and advice to their families 28:13 – 31:41

Unexpected sources of help that kept him going 31:43 –33:12

Life Starting over after May 8, 2011 33:13 –33:48

Turning personal tragedy into triumph for himself and other people 33:50 – 34:28

Naming chapters in a book about his life  34:30 – 35:08

Something Ben surprisingly learned about himself since 2011 that has improved his life 35:10 – 36:38

Daily Ritual of a Purple Heart Recipient when feeling unfocused and overwhelmed 36:49 –40:16

A new belief and behavior that has helped his life most 40:58 –42:20

For anyone feeling down about themselves, what he does to convey to people to live in the moment and keep going 42:24 –44:38

FUNNIEST THING Ben has told a child when asked about his leg 44:45 –45:45

The historical figure he identifies with 46:55 –48:24

If a movie were made about Ben Seekell’s life, what would be the ONE WORD TITLE, who would play him and who would play his Dad 48:32 –52:32

Three Things a Purple Heart Recipient is grateful for 52:35 –52:45

Billboard message 52:50

Books and People Mentioned:

Book - Courage Under Fire: True Stories of Bravery from the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines

Pastor Wayne Seekell

1998 GMC Sierra (Electric Blue)

Melissa Stockwell

President Obama

President Bush

Brian Williams

First Sergeants

General Patton

Jason Statham

Bruce Willis

Quotes:

“Life is a journey, and you are expected to find your path…except there is no GPS to help you navigate and that can be scary…especially if you feel alone. However, one of the best things about the unknown is the people you meet along the way. People who are strong and inspire”.   

If you enjoyed this podcast, check out more episodes with 

Melissa Stockwell
https://passingthetorch.buzzsprout.com/1946508/10142702-ep-9-melissa-stockwell-choose-your-own-story

 Setting Intentions and Enegry Flow with Serial Entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author Trevor G Blake: https://passingthetorch.buzzsprout.com/1946508/10411472-ep-23-setting-intentions-and-energy-flow-with-new-york-times-best-selling-author-trevor-g-blake

 Helping People Take Control of their lives & Hack Success with CIA Intelligence Officer, Decorated Military Combat Veteran and Fortune 10 Corporate Advisor Andrew Bustamante: https://passingthetorch.buzzsprout.com/1946508/10533881-ep-24-top-secret-helping-people-take-control-of-their-lives-hack-success-like-a-former-cia-super-spy-with-andrew-bustamante

Slow down and take a breath with The Mindful Frogman: Navy Seal Commander turned mindfulness and meditation teacher Jon Macaskill: https://passingthetorch.buzzsprout.com/1946508/10142693-ep-18-slow-down-and-take-a-breath-with-the-mindful-frogman-jon-macaskill