Passing The Torch with Martin Foster
Passing The Torch is a TORCH LEAP® podcast featuring long-form conversations with leaders, veterans, entrepreneurs, and culture-shapers focused on growth, identity, and transition.
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Welcome to Passing The Torch, a personal development podcast that’s about the journey, not just the destination.
This show is a conversation with people who inspire me — thought leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, authors, and others who are constantly evolving and learning about themselves. I’m not pretending to have it all figured out, and that’s what makes this podcast different. As I navigate my own personal growth and discover new tools, insights, and stories that are helping me, I’m bringing you along for the ride.
I believe that when it comes to self-improvement, we don’t always need to hear from someone who has already "arrived" at their ideal self. Instead, we can find power in connecting with people who are in the trenches alongside us, figuring things out as they go. Passing The Torch is an opportunity for both of us to learn, grow, and share in real-time.
Every episode, I sit down with individuals from all walks of life — from CEOs and best-selling authors to Special Forces Operators, friends, and elite athletes — and we dive deep into the lessons they’ve learned, the obstacles they’ve overcome, and the wisdom they’ve gained. Along the way, I’ll be sharing my own experiences and insights from my personal development journey.
Whether you’re someone who’s looking for guidance or simply enjoy hearing raw, honest stories of transformation, Passing The Torch offers something for everyone. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about sharing what we’ve learned and helping each other move forward.
Join me on this adventure. Let's pass the torch together.
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© 2026 TORCH LEAP®, LLC. All rights reserved.
Passing The Torch with Martin Foster
Ep. 140: Team RWB Executive Director Michael 'Sully' Sullivan
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Michael Sullivan is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel with 30 years of service, including 23 years as a Green Beret and the Executive Director at Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB).
A 1994 graduate of Claremont McKenna College, he led some of the military’s most elite special operations units and served in key command roles across Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Africa. Sully completed six combat tours in Afghanistan and commanded organizations including 3rd Special Forces Group, Special Operations Command Forward–Lebanon, and 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade.
He is also a founding member of Team RWB’s Fayetteville Chapter and comes from a four-generation family legacy of military service.
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Quick Episode Summary:
Exploring purpose, connection, legacy, and resilience in veterans’ post-service lives.
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Podcast Chapters:
00:00 Intro
07:35 Military sense of purpose and community
10:58 Building a Veteran Fitness Community
15:40 Missing camaraderie and connection
17:51 Monday motor pool and team bonding
19:31 Dealing with loneliness and isolation
22:46 Family legacy of military service
27:00 Kids choosing West Point
31:00 Honoring sacrifices through action
35:17 Veteran wellness and fitness community
39:06 Importance of community connection
42:43 Joining Team RWB for support
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🔥 Torch Takeaways Include:
- Leadership and Legacy
- Mission vs. Purpose
- Combating Isolation and Fostering Connection
- The Power of Ritual and Remembrance
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Quotes to open episodes:
"You're not damaged. You're actually better prepared to handle some of the worst days ahead."
“A leader must be what he wants the team to become.” – John Wooden
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His Resources:
- Website: https://teamrwb.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-985a8a2b/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sully_rwb/
Connect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartin
More Amazing Stories:
Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You Insecure
Episode 81: Kurt Warner – Perseverance, Humility, and Lighting the Way
Episode 90: Michelle 'MACE' Curran – How to Turn Fear into Fuel
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© 2026 TORCH LEAP®, LLC. All rights reserved.
Michael Sullivan is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel with 30 years of service, including 23 years as a Green Beret and the Executive Director at Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB).
A 1994 graduate of Claremont McKenna College, he led some of the military’s most elite special operations units and served in key command roles across Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Africa. Sully completed six combat tours in Afghanistan and commanded organizations including 3rd Special Forces Group, Special Operations Command Forward–Lebanon, and 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade.
He is also a founding member of Team RWB’s Fayetteville Chapter and comes from a four-generation family legacy of military service.
-
Quick Episode Summary:
Exploring purpose, connection, legacy, and resilience in veterans’ post-service lives.
-
Podcast Chapters:
00:00 Intro
07:35 Military sense of purpose and community
10:58 Building a Veteran Fitness Community
15:40 Missing camaraderie and connection
17:51 Monday motor pool and team bonding
19:31 Dealing with loneliness and isolation
22:46 Family legacy of military service
27:00 Kids choosing West Point
31:00 Honoring sacrifices through action
35:17 Veteran wellness and fitness community
39:06 Importance of community connection
42:43 Joining Team RWB for support
-
🔥 Torch Takeaways Include:
- Leadership and Legacy
- Mission vs. Purpose
- Combating Isolation and Fostering Connection
- The Power of Ritual and Remembrance
-
Quotes to open episodes:
"You're not damaged. You're actually better prepared to handle some of the worst days ahead."
“A leader must be what he wants the team to become.” – John Wooden
-
His Resources:
- Website: https://teamrwb.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-985a8a2b/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sully_rwb/
