Calling Your Shot Podcast: #015 Derrick Balderas – Forged in Faith

Calling Your Shot Podcast: #015 Derrick Balderas – Forged in Faith

In this episode of Calling Your Shot Podcast, we sit down with Derrick Balderas — Texas law enforcement officer, Army combat veteran, endurance athlete, and leader of the Christian Strong Movement. Derrick shares his journey from serving as a U.S. Army Infantry NCO with combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan to a career in law enforcement, tactical training, active shooter response, and firearms instruction across Texas. But beyond the uniform, Derrick opens up about the personal challenges that have shaped his life, including loss, faith, resilience, and finding purpose through adversity. We discuss leadership, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Ironman and ultra-endurance training, mental toughness, and the lessons learned from overcoming some of life's hardest moments. Most importantly, Derrick shares how honoring the legacy of his son Christian has become the driving force behind the Christian Strong Movement and his mission to inspire others to navigate grief, hardship, healing, and personal growth through faith and perseverance. This is a powerful conversation about service, perseverance, faith, family, and the mindset required to keep moving forward when life hits the hardest. Follow Derrick Balderas and learn more about the Christian Strong Movement. Subscribe to Calling Your Shot Podcast and follow us on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for more conversations with veterans, first responders, entrepreneurs, and leaders who continue to answer the call. Derricks affiliates: https://www.covenant-training-group.com/ [https://www.covenant-training-group.com/] https://www.ironwrx.co/ [https://www.ironwrx.co/] https://gobundance.com/theride [https://gobundance.com/theride] https://birdworx.com/ [https://birdworx.com/] https://secureamericanow.us/ [https://secureamericanow.us/] Sponsors: Berserker [https://berserkerbuilt.com⁠Operation] Built- https://berserkerbuilt.com⁠ [https://berserkerbuilt.com⁠Operation] Operation [https://berserkerbuilt.com⁠Operation] Path Forward – ⁠https://www.operationpathforward.org⁠ [https://www.operationpathforward.org⁠Zimo] Zimo [https://www.operationpathforward.org⁠Zimo] Pouches – ⁠https://zimopouches.com⁠ [https://zimopouches.com⁠Echelon] Echelon [https://zimopouches.com⁠Echelon] – ⁠https://drinkechelon.com⁠ [https://drinkechelon.com⁠Grind]

Calling Your Shot Podcast: #014 Kawa Mawlayee pt.3 – Who’s Really Running the Show?

He’s back once again—this time taking the conversation even further. Host Chris Moreno sits down with Kawa Mawlayee, an active duty Green Beret and the only Afghan American to serve in U.S. Army Special Forces, for Part Three of their powerful conversation. With over 22 years of combined service in the Marine Corps and Army Special Forces, Kawa continues to bring unmatched experience, insight, and raw honesty to the table. Episode Highlights: In this third installment of the Calling Your Shot Podcast, the conversation goes even deeper into real-world issues impacting both America and the Middle East. Chris and Kawa continue breaking down rising global tensions, U.S. foreign policy, and the realities behind today’s conflicts—while also addressing the long-term impact on service members, veterans, and the American public. Watch Now: Stream this powerful episode of the Calling Your Shot Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe and share—these are the conversations that matter.

Calling Your Shot Podcast: #013 Alec Candelari – A Legacy of Service

Host Chris Moreno sits down with Alec Candelari, a decorated U.S. Marine and Army veteran who chose to follow in his father’s footsteps, dedicating his life to service, discipline, and protecting others. With over a decade of combined experience across the Marine Corps, Army National Guard, and Contracting, Alec has lived a life defined by precision, integrity, and purpose.In [http://purpose.In] this episode of the Calling Your Shot Podcast, Alec opens up about his journey from Force Reconnaissance operations in the Indo-Pacific to leading sniper and deep reconnaissance teams, and now serving in federal operations supporting federal agencies. He shares how his father’s legacy of service shaped his path, the lessons learned from years of high level training, and how that commitment continues to drive him today.Episode Highlights:• Growing up with a father who inspired a lifetime of service• Lessons from Force Reconnaissance and advanced sniper operations• Training Kurdish forces in the fight against ISIS• Maintaining purpose and brotherhood beyond the uniformA story of family, duty, and legacy — Alec’s journey is proof that the call to serve doesn’t just come once; it’s carried through generations.Sponsors: Team Room Tactical – ⁠https://teamroomtactical.com⁠Static [https://teamroomtactical.com⁠Static] Line Co – ⁠https://staticlineco.com⁠ [https://staticlineco.com⁠Berserker] Berserker [https://staticlineco.com⁠Berserker] Built – ⁠https://berserkerbuilt.com⁠ [https://berserkerbuilt.com⁠Operation] Operation [https://berserkerbuilt.com⁠Operation] Path Forward – ⁠https://www.operationpathforward.org⁠ [https://www.operationpathforward.org⁠Zimo] Zimo [https://www.operationpathforward.org⁠Zimo] Pouches – ⁠https://zimopouches.com [https://zimopouches.com⁠Echelon] ⁠Echelon [https://zimopouches.com⁠Echelon] – ⁠https://drinkechelon.com⁠ [https://drinkechelon.com⁠Grind] Grind [https://drinkechelon.com⁠Grind] Ops Coffee Company – ⁠https://grindopscoffee.com [https://grindopscoffee.comWolf21-] Wolf21- [https://grindopscoffee.comWolf21-] https://thewolf21.com/ [https://thewolf21.com/]

Calling Your Shot Podcast: #012 Travis Wilson – The Mission Continues: Project R3CON & Alpha Elite Performance

Host Chris sits down with Travis Wilson, a retired GreenBeret and founder of Alpha Elite Performance and Project R3CON, for a raw and powerful conversation about life, recovery, and finding purpose after the uniform. After over 20 years in Special Forces and multiple combatdeployments, Travis faced a life-changing parachute accident that could’ve ended everything. Instead, he turned that moment into fuel for a new mission helping veterans and first responders reclaim their strength, mindset, and community. Project R3con https://projectr3con.org/ [https://projectr3con.org/] Alpha Elite Performance https://alphaeliteperformance.com/ [https://alphaeliteperformance.com/] Sponsors: Team Room Tactical – ⁠ [https://teamroomtactical.com]https://teamroomtactical.com⁠ [https://teamroomtactical.com⁠] Static Line Co – ⁠ [https://staticlineco.com]https://staticlineco.com⁠ [https://staticlineco.com⁠] Berserker Built – ⁠ [https://berserkerbuilt.com]https://berserkerbuilt.com⁠ [https://berserkerbuilt.com⁠] Operation Path Forward – ⁠ [https://www.operationpathforward.org]https://www.operationpathforward.org⁠ [https://www.operationpathforward.org⁠] Zimo Pouches – ⁠ [https://zimopouches.com]https://zimopouches.com⁠ [https://zimopouches.com⁠] Echelon – ⁠ [https://drinkechelon.com]https://drinkechelon.com⁠ [https://drinkechelon.com⁠] Grind Ops Coffee Company – ⁠ [https://grindopscoffee.com]https://grindopscoffee.com⁠ [https://grindopscoffee.com⁠]

Calling Your Shot Podcast: #011 Vincent “Rocco” Vargas – Grounded in Faith, Driven by Service

Host Chris sits down with Vincent “Rocco” Vargas — U.S. Army Ranger veteran, former Border Patrol agent, entrepreneur, author, actor, and motivational speaker. Best known for his role as Gilly on FX’s Mayans M.C., Rocco brings a raw and authentic voice shaped by three combat deployments with the 75th Ranger Regiment and years of service to both country and community. Episode Highlights: In this episode of the Calling Your Shot Podcast, Chris and Rocco dive deep into life after the uniform, the power of faith and family, and the pursuit of purpose. From the battlefield to Hollywood, to entrepreneurship and writing, Rocco shares how he continues to “light the fuse” for personal growth, leadership, and resilience. Watch Now: Stream this powerful episode of the Calling Your Shot Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe and share — because these are the conversations that matter. Sponsors: Team Room Tactical – ⁠https://teamroomtactical.com [https://teamroomtactical.com] StaticLineCo – https://staticlineco.com [https://staticlineco.com] Berzerker Built – ⁠https://berserkerbuilt.com [https://berserkerbuilt.com] Operation Path Forward – ⁠https://www.operationpathforward.org [https://www.operationpathforward.org] Zimo Pouches – ⁠https://zimopouches.com [https://zimopouches.com] Echelon – ⁠https://drinkechelon.com [https://drinkechelon.com] Grind Ops Coffee- https://grindopscoffeeco.com/ [https://grindopscoffeeco.com/] Books: Borderline: Defending the Home Front https://www.amazon.com/Borderline-Defending-Front-Vincent-Vargas/dp/1250285577 [https://www.amazon.com/Borderline-Defending-Front-Vincent-Vargas/dp/1250285577] Light The Fuse https://www.amazon.com/Light-Fuse-Vincent-Vargas-ebook/dp/B08145113X?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1 [https://www.amazon.com/Light-Fuse-Vincent-Vargas-ebook/dp/B08145113X?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1]