The Unbreakable Storm Podcast

The Grit Factor: Lara ‘LJ’ Johnson on Healing, High Performance & Leading Through Adversity Ep. 11

In this inspiring episode of Unbreakable Storm, we sit down with Lara “LJ” Johnson — award‑winning keynote speaker, bestselling author, executive coach, creator of the Global G.R.I.T. System™, and one of the most requested voices in leadership and resilience today. LJ’s journey is the living embodiment of what it means to grit through it. She opens up about surviving devastating personal challenges, including the loss of her youngest son and her own near‑fatal health crisis, and how these experiences shaped her revolutionary approach to resilience, performance, and identity. From neuroscience‑backed frameworks to real‑world leadership impact, Lara breaks down how grit — not luck or talent — is the force that elevates ordinary people into legendary leaders. We dive into her powerful Global G.R.I.T. System™, the heart of her best‑selling book Hunt or Be Hunted, and explore how anyone can identify their grit strengths and use them to perform under pressure, grow through adversity, and redefine success on their own terms. 🔥 In this episode, we explore: * What grit really is (and isn’t) * The four pillars and types of grit that shape performance * Turning heartbreak into fuel for growth * Real tools for leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence * Why vulnerability can be your greatest strength LJ’s story isn’t just motivational — it’s transformational. If you’ve ever felt like you should be further, stronger, or ahead of where you are, this episode will shift how you think about resilience, identity, and what it truly takes to rise. 🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and YouTube. For more on LJ: https://officiallaraj.com/ For more on Olivia: https://www.olivianunn.com To be a guest, email Olivia at olivia@olivianunn.com To schedule a call with Olivia https://calendly.com/olivianunn

Discipline Over Chaos: Colton Smith on Fighting Battles Inside and Out Ep. 13

From the MMA cage to the frontlines of military leadership, Colton Smith has faced every storm head-on — but his greatest victories have come not just in the octagon, but in the way he leads, fathers, and builds legacy through discipline, faith, and purpose. In this powerful season finale of Unbreakable Storm, Colton shares the story behind the headlines: not just as the winner of The Ultimate Fighter, but as a U.S. Army combat veteran, elite Combatives instructor, and entrepreneur who’s been relentlessly committed to breaking generational cycles. Raised in Iowa and fueled by a desire for a better life, Colton enlisted in the Army right out of high school, climbing the ranks while simultaneously building a pro fighting career. But behind the accolades — from UFC bouts to Ranger tabs — were deeper storms: learning to navigate identity, family, and pressure while holding himself to the highest standard of discipline. Today, Colton is a father, faith-driven leader, and founder of Enlisted Nine Fight Company — a brand and training space dedicated to building the next generation of resilient warriors. His message is clear: You don’t have to be perfect. But you must be relentless. 🔥 In this episode, Colton unpacks: * Why martial arts gave him a lifeline — and what it still teaches him * The realities of fighting addiction, anger, and adversity in silence * His faith walk, and how Christ became his true anchor * The tension between legacy and presence as a father and leader * Why discipline is freedom, and chaos is the enemy Whether you're in uniform, on a mat, or simply trying to break free from your own cycles — this episode is a gut-punch of truth, grit, and grace. 🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio. 🔗 [Listen now. Share with someone in the fight. You are not alone.] For more on Colton: https://e9fc.com/about-us/ For more on Olivia: https://www.olivianunn.com To be a guest, email Olivia at olivia@olivianunn.com To schedule a call with Olivia https://calendly.com/olivianunn

Service Beyond Boundaries: RJ Casey’s Journey Through Elite Ops, Identity & Purpose Ep. 12

In this unforgettable episode of Unbreakable Storm, we sit down with RJ Casey — a veteran operator whose life’s work spans some of the most elite arenas of service, rescue, and creative impact. RJ’s journey is remarkable not just for its breadth — from the U.S. Army to U.S. Air Force Special Warfare and other government special operations — but for the depth with which he has redefined what it means to serve. With over 35 years of distinguished experience in combat, personnel recovery, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response across multiple continents, RJ’s story goes far beyond typical military narratives. Along the way, he helped build and lead SpaceX’s Astronaut Rescue and Recovery Team, serves as a scientific diver and conservation advocate with Force Blue, and channels his passion into veteran support work with multiple nonprofit partners. He’s also a successful entrepreneur and co‑founder of Four Branches Bourbon — a veteran‑led brand dedicated to honoring service, sacrifice, and camaraderie. In this episode, RJ shares the moments that shaped him — not just as a warfighter, but as a human navigating identity, purpose, and legacy after decades of elite service. From his family’s tradition to the lessons learned in the quiet spaces between missions, RJ offers insight into how resilience is forged through connection, discipline, and clarity of purpose. 🔥 In this conversation, we explore: * What it really feels like to serve in multiple elite military communities * The emotional and psychological journey of transitioning purpose forward * How RJ’s creative pursuits and brand leadership reflect deep values * Why storytelling and shared legacy matter in healing and community building This isn’t just a military story — it’s a human one. And by the end, you’ll see that resilience isn’t about never breaking… It’s about choosing to keep building. 🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and YouTube. For more on RJ: https://www.fourbranches.com/pages/rj-casey-founders-page?srsltid=AfmBOorYR7cpV0bAh3nLAX1fQTB_mys-1tKNgtPOamhBSXWT6x0Ae2aT For more on Olivia: https://www.olivianunn.com To be a guest, email Olivia at olivia@olivianunn.com To schedule a call with Olivia https://calendly.com/olivianunn

More Than One Plan B: Nate Boyer on Service, Second Chances, and Starting Again Ep. 10

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Nate Boyer, a man whose life story is anything but ordinary. From Green Beret to NFL player to actor, director, and social impact warrior—Nate’s journey defies convention and speaks to the spirit of the unbreakable. Nate opens up about the winding path that led him from military service to professional football, despite never playing a game in college before walking on at the University of Texas. He shares how failure, rejection, and uncertainty shaped his identity more than success ever could. But beyond the resume is a deeper story—a man reckoning with purpose, searching for meaning after service, and choosing to build bridges through storytelling and action. Through MVP (Merging Vets & Players), Nate helps combat veterans and former pro athletes find a new mission after the uniform comes off. 🔥 Themes Explored: * Identity after transition * Choosing courage in the unknown * The power of community and peer support * Creativity as a healing tool * The myth of overnight success 🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, and iHeartRadio 🎯 Call to Action: This episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s a challenge to anyone standing at the crossroads. Tune in and be reminded: your second act might be your most powerful. For more on Nate: https://www.missionsixzero.com/our-team/nate-boyer/ For more on Olivia: https://www.olivianunn.com To be a guest, email Olivia at olivia@olivianunn.com To schedule a call with Olivia https://calendly.com/olivianunn

Power, Purpose & Perseverance: Brin’na Rollins-Williams on Redefining Resilience Ep. 9

In this gripping episode of Unbreakable Storm, we welcome Brin’na Rollins-Williams, a powerhouse leader, visionary, and advocate who knows what it means to rise—again and again. Brin’na opens up about the moments that nearly broke her, and how through grace, grit, and a deep commitment to her purpose, she forged her own lane. From navigating adversity to thriving in leadership spaces where she once felt unseen, Brin’na’s story is a testament to what it looks like to refuse to quit—even when no one else is clapping. She shares wisdom on building confidence, standing tall in your truth, and breaking through the noise with authenticity. Her journey reminds us that unbreakable doesn’t mean untouched—it means you’ve been through the storm and chose to keep going. 🔥 Themes: * Overcoming doubt and imposter syndrome * Leading with purpose and power * Healing through visibility and voice * Self-worth, identity, and resilience * Inspiration for women and emerging leaders 🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, and iHeartRadio. For more on Brin'na: https://www.legacyfulfilled.com/ For more on Olivia: https://www.olivianunn.com To be a guest, email Olivia at olivia@olivianunn.com To schedule a call with Olivia https://calendly.com/olivianunn