Why Transitioning is Hard, and How to Do It Anyway | Dan Kunze

Not Sure What’s Next? These Veterans Prove SUCCESS After Service Is Possible

From combat deployments to billion-dollar boardrooms, the stories of veterans who’ve built, led, and innovated prove that the mission doesn’t end when the service does, it evolves. In this episode of Tactical Wealth, host Kaj Larsen pulls together lessons from some of the extraordinary guests of Season 1, veterans who’ve faced uncertainty, rebuilt from scratch, and gone on to create lasting impact in business, technology, healthcare, and beyond. We dig into: 💡 The mindset shift every veteran must make when stepping into civilian life 🧠 Why financial literacy is a weapon for freedom and opportunity 🌎 How service-driven leadership translates into entrepreneurship and innovation ⚖️ The pillars that carry you through transition 📊 Proof that veterans are already among America’s most successful founders and leaders Whether you’re unsure what’s next, just starting your transition, or already building your next mission, this episode is your reminder: you have the tools, the grit, and the network to succeed. Others have done it, and so can you. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders who build wealth with vision, grit, and purpose. RESOURCES BRIAN FERGUSON www.arenalabs.co IG: @arenalabs RICH DIVINEY www.theattributes.com Book 1: The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance Book 2: Masters of Uncertainty: The Navy SEAL Way to Turn Stress into Success IG: rich_diviney LinkedIn: Rich Diviney  DR. BRENDEN BORROWMAN www.neurovalabs.com IG: @brenden_grizz LinkedIn: Brenden Borrowman PhD KAJ LARSEN www.kajlarsen.com IG: @kajlarsen

Brian Ferguson: Should You Bet It All on Your Next Mission?

From Navy SEAL to redefining healthcare performance, Brian Ferguson’s journey is one of “accidental intentionality”, a career shaped by service, risk, and an unshakable commitment to human potential. In this episode of Tactical Wealth, Kaj Larsen sits down with Brian, founder and CEO of Arena Labs, to explore how lessons from special operations and innovation translate into saving lives in the operating room. We dig into: 💡 Why you don’t have to start a business to think like an entrepreneur 🧠 The risk calculus every veteran should weigh before jumping into entrepreneurship 🏥 How high-performance medicine gives doctors and nurses the same tools elite teams use to thrive under pressure ⚖️ Balancing purpose, service, and sustainability in your next chapter 📊 The real cost, and payoff, of betting on yourself Brian’s story is a masterclass in adapting your edge for a new mission without losing the service-driven mindset that got you there. Whether you’re in transition, already building, or simply looking to lead with impact, this episode delivers tactical insights for the battlefield of business and beyond. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders who build wealth with vision, grit, and purpose. RESOURCES arenalabs.co [http://arenalabs.co/] IG: @arenalabs www.kajlarsen.com [http://www.kajlarsen.com/] IG: @kajlarsen

Built to Endure: Jeff Gum on Grit, SEALs, and Sunga Life

Grit doesn’t just get you through Hell Week,  it builds companies too. In this episode of Tactical Wealth, Kaj Larsen sits down with Jeff Gum, Navy SEAL turned entrepreneur, to explore what it really means to never quit. Jeff’s story is one of raw perseverance. From being dropped during SEAL training after nearly dying from a rare illness, to clawing his way back into the program and graduating, to later launching a mission-driven lifestyle brand, Jeff proves that resilience isn’t just a trait, it’s a strategy. We dive into: 💥 The brutal moment Jeff was told his SEAL dream was over, and how he got back in 🪖 What Hell Week taught him about grit, mindset, and resourcefulness 🌊 The origin story of Sunga Life, and why inspiration often strikes on the edge of discomfort 📦 How he launched a lean, risk-aware business without draining his savings 🤝 Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, especially for veterans This isn’t about a clean pivot from military to business,  it’s about showing up with the same perseverance in both worlds.  Whether you're starting over, leveling up, or in the middle of your own Hell Week, this episode is a reminder: setbacks don’t define you, your response does. 🔔 Subscribe for more raw, tactical conversations with leaders who build wealth with purpose. RESOURCES www.sungalife.com [http://sungalife.com/] Instagram: @sunga.life LinkedIn: Jeffrey Gum Instagram: @jeffgum www.kajlarsen.com [http://www.kajlarsen.com/]  Kaj Larsen: @kajlarsen

Why Transitioning is Hard, and How to Do It Anyway | Dan Kunze

What happens when a soldier, policymaker, and entrepreneur all live in the same person? In this powerful episode of Tactical Wealth, Kaj Larsen sits down with Dan Kunze, Army veteran, national security strategist, tech leader, and investor, to explore how military discipline translates into long-term success in business, wealth, and leadership. From the front lines to the boardroom, Dan’s story is anything but linear. With a career spanning service in the Army National Guard, advising Fortune 500 companies, and shaping federal workforce and technology policy, Dan brings a rare perspective on how to navigate change, stay in the money, and lead with mission-first clarity. We dive into: 💼 Transitioning from military life to civilian success (and why it’s never one-size-fits-all) ⚙️ Why understanding enterprise systems is the new battlefield skill 💡 Lessons in entrepreneurship, from paper routes to coffee companies 📈 The difference between ideas and execution, and why validation matters 🧠 Building social capital, leveling up your knowledge, and using your network strategically 🇺🇸 Why veterans already have the raw materials to thrive, if they know how to use them Whether you’re on active duty, just getting out, or 10 years into your second career, this episode is full of tactical insight and actionable advice to help you find your next mission, and fund it. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with elite leaders, veterans, and high performers who are building wealth with purpose. RESOURCES LinkedIn: Dan Kunze Instagram: @dgkunze www.kajlarsen.com [http://www.kajlarsen.com/] LinkedIn: Kaj Larsen  Instagram: @KajLarsen

How To Thrive Under Pressure with Rich Diviney

What separates high performers from everyone else, especially under pressure? In this unforgettable episode of Tactical Wealth, Kaj Larsen sits down with retired Navy SEAL Commander, bestselling author, and leadership expert Rich Diviney to unpack what it truly takes to thrive in the most demanding environments, whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom. From leading elite units at SEAL Team 6 to creating groundbreaking training programs focused on resilience and performance, Rich shares the hard-earned lessons that have shaped his life, and can transform yours. We dive into: 💥 The hidden attributes that drive success (and why skills aren’t enough) 💥 How to build courage and move through fear in everyday life 💥 Transitioning from military to civilian life with purpose and confidence 💥 The neuroscience behind stress, dopamine, and “moving horizons” 💥 Why narcissism, when understood correctly, can be a performance asset Whether you're a veteran preparing for your next chapter or a leader navigating uncertainty, this episode is a masterclass in human performance. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more powerful interviews with military leaders, elite thinkers, and high performers. 📚 Resources: Website: https://theattributes.com [https://theattributes.com/] Book 1: The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance Book 2: Masters of Uncertainty: The Navy SEAL Way to Turn Stress into Success Instagram: rich_diviney LinkedIn: Rich Diviney  www.kajlarsen.com [http://www.kajlarsen.com/] Instagram: @KajLarsen LinkedIn: Kaj Larsen