Adapt and Overcome Podcast

"Law School at 67? This Navy Captain Is Just Getting Started"

What does it look like to reinvent yourself at 67 years old? In this episode of the Adapt and Overcome Podcast, Tommy Hardaway sits down with retired Navy Captain Peter Lawless to talk about perseverance, leadership, military service, financial discipline, and why he’s heading to law school later in life. Peter shares his incredible journey from growing up in a household with 11 brothers and sisters, to working construction jobs to pay for college, to leading major logistics operations for the Navy and Marines overseas. He opens up about overcoming difficult leadership situations, learning how to adapt to challenging personalities in the workplace, and why empathy became one of his greatest leadership tools. The conversation also dives into financial literacy, investing, retirement planning, and why Peter believes discipline—not luck—is the foundation for long-term success. He explains how small investments made consistently over time can completely change a person’s future. Now, at 67 years old, Peter is preparing for his next chapter after being accepted into law school at the University of Florida. His goal is to help people navigate financial planning, estate planning, and even divorce-related financial challenges as a certified divorce financial analyst. This episode is packed with wisdom for veterans, professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to build a better future while overcoming life’s obstacles.   Be a Guest Are you a successful business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at https://adaptandovercomepodcast.com/guest [https://adaptandovercomepodcast.com/guest]  and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you...

"9 Months on IVs While Pregnant: Pharmacist Turns Suffering Into Mission" featuring Dr. Danielle Plummer

What happens when a life-threatening pregnancy experience becomes the catalyst for a life mission? In this powerful episode, Dr. Danielle Plummer shares her journey from military spouse to Doctor of Pharmacy—and how nine months on IVs during multiple pregnancies led her to help other women facing similar challenges. Dr. Plummer opens up about her struggles with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe and often misunderstood pregnancy condition. Despite having access to military healthcare, she found herself dismissed and without proper support. That experience pushed her to pursue advanced education and ultimately specialize in personalized medication management for pregnant women. Today, she uses pharmacogenetics to help women find safer, more effective treatment options tailored to their DNA—offering hope where traditional systems fall short. Beyond her medical work, Danielle reflects on the resilience required as a military spouse—navigating constant relocations, career changes, and raising a family across multiple countries. She also shares practical insights on building financial stability, creating income streams, and planning for the future despite uncertainty.   Be a Guest Are you a successful business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at https://adaptandovercomepodcast.com/guest [https://adaptandovercomepodcast.com/guest]  and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you...

"Responsible for 150 Marines—Couldn't Be Responsible for Myself" featuring Bert Bender

What happens when a Marine officer responsible for 150 lives transitions into civilian life—and suddenly has to figure out how to lead himself? In this episode, Tommy sits down with Bert Bender, a cybersecurity and data privacy attorney, to unpack his journey from the Marine Corps to the legal world. Bert shares how his military leadership experience shaped his professional mindset, but also reveals the unexpected challenges he faced when that structure disappeared. Bert dives into his work helping organizations respond to data breaches, manage legal risks, and proactively prevent cyber incidents. He explains why specializing deeply in one field gives him an edge and how leadership skills from the military translate into guiding clients through high-stakes situations. The conversation also explores the reality of transitioning out of the military. Bert reflects on how what seemed like a smooth transition at the time was actually more complicated in hindsight. He opens up about feeling lost early in his legal career and the surprising difficulty of shifting from leading others to being fully accountable for himself. Tommy and Bert also discuss financial discipline, side income ideas, and the importance of setting clear priorities. Bert shares lessons learned from his own experiences, including avoiding “lifestyle inflation” and understanding when a side hustle is no longer worth the time and energy. Toward the end, Bert talks about balancing career growth with family life and his desire to stay present as a father while continuing to grow professionally.   Be a Guest Are you a successful business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at https://adaptandovercomepodcast.com/guest [https://adaptandovercomepodcast.com/guest]  and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you...

"Hadn't Done Math in 12 Years—Earned Math Minor, Physics Degree" featuring Cameron "Cam" Colucci

What happens when you haven’t touched math in over a decade… and then decide to pursue engineering anyway? In this episode, Cameron “Cam” Colucci shares how he went from zero recent academic experience to earning a math minor and physics degree—proving that discipline, patience, and humility can take you further than natural talent. Cam is a mechanical engineer at Clarity Design Incorporated, a full-service engineering firm specializing in design, prototyping, and manufacturing. With a background in steel fabrication and service as a Marine Corps aircrewman on the V-22 Osprey, Cam brings a unique blend of hands-on experience and technical expertise. In this conversation, Cam breaks down how his military background shaped his mindset, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and what it really takes to succeed when starting over academically. 🔑 Key Takeaways: * Why being “comfortable being uncomfortable” is a major advantage * How Cam went from struggling with basic math to enjoying it enough to minor in it * The reality of transitioning from military to civilian life * Why patience and humility are critical for long-term success * Smart advice on building wealth and avoiding debt traps * The importance of asking questions and seeking mentorship   Be a Guest Are you a successful business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at https://adaptandovercomepodcast.com/guest [https://adaptandovercomepodcast.com/guest]  and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you...

"First Marine on Wall Street: 3 Weeks In, 9/11 Happened 1500 Feet Away" featuring Biagio "Ben" Colandreo

In this episode, Ben takes us through a truly unique path—one that blends military leadership, financial strategy, and real-world resilience. From being selected as the first Marine placed inside a hedge fund to commanding in combat, his story is packed with lessons on adaptability and forward-thinking. Ben breaks down how his military background shaped his ability to analyze information, forecast outcomes, and make high-pressure decisions—skills that translated directly into success on Wall Street and in venture investing. He also shares how he now works with investors and startups, stepping into struggling companies to stabilize operations, extend financial runway, and position them for growth and successful exits. 💡 Key Takeaways * Why taking action (“just do it”) is the first step to building wealth * How failure plays a critical role in long-term success * The mindset shift from military thinking to future-focused investing * Why many veterans struggle in corporate environments—and how to navigate it * Insights into investing in real estate, equities, and emerging tech like AI * The importance of surrounding yourself with high-performing teams Be a Guest Are you a successful business owner, entrepreneur, or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest at https://adaptandovercomepodcast.com/guest [https://adaptandovercomepodcast.com/guest]  and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you...