Martin Foster

What happens when a Navy SEAL goes from conducting special operations to putting celebrities through some of the toughest challenges on television?

I absolutely love the show Special Forces: World's Toughest Test on @FOXTV . Naturally, it was a cool moment for me not only meeting, but interviewing one of the instructors.

This was recorded 9/11 weekend during the 2026 @CSCSoftballTX Frisco.

Jovon reflects on where he was on September 11, 2001, and the immediate realization that he and his teammates needed to prepare for what might come next. He also talks about the importance of community, brotherhood, and creating opportunities for veterans and civilians to come together.

More specific topics:

- What Billy Billingham would be like as a softball coach @billingham229b @jason_carl_fox

- Who would in a softball game between Navy SEALs vs. Green Berets

- The Special Forces contestant who surprised Jovon the most (answer in the clip)
and completely changed the instructors' expectations

- Jovon's experience competing on The Weakest Link and why he voted Rudy Reyes off the show

- Jovon's message directly to @realRudyReyes

.@drewbrees is tied for second of my all-time favorite QBs (Uncle Rico is the GOAT non-debatable). I am a military veteran and host a leadership and character development podcast.

Can anyone help me get Drew Brees on the show?

I will pay you with compliments and my Owen Wilson impression.

Mark Cuban is on my podcast bucket list.

Not to talk about Shark Tank.

I want to talk about what drives you after you have already achieved more than you ever imagined.

@mcuban - I would love to have you on Passing the Torch.

Open invitation.

I reached out to the team of @TomCruise about getting him on my podcast. They very politely declined, but I still take that as a win...the fact I received a response!

Douglas A. Collins was sworn in as the 12th Secretary of Veterans Affairs on February 5, 2025, following his nomination by President Trump.

His background includes being a pastor, chaplain, lawyer, congressman, and now a Cabinet Secretary.

What does a military chaplain, congressman, and Cabinet secretary learn about people after spending decades listening to them?

My latest conversation is with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins.

We recorded this one live at the Military Influencer Conference, and I wanted to get beyond policy talking points and understand the person behind the position.

We talked about leadership, listening, changing your mind, finding quiet when life gets loud, and what it actually means to take care of veterans.

A few moments from the conversation:

03:04 — Why Congress is like professional wrestling and his potential WWE tag team with Hon. Hakeem Jeffries @RepJeffries

05:03 — What 18-year-old Doug Collins would think about his life today

07:42 — The hardest part of Take Care of Veterans (mandate from President Trump)

15:28 — Why he reversed course on a VA policy after listening to veterans

21:34 — One question he would ask both party candidates in a 2028 presidential debate

23:20 — What being a chaplain, congressman, and VA Secretary taught him about listening

26:40 — Secretary Collins secret weapon

29:25 — Where he goes when the noise of life gets too loud

32:42 — What would make the next 10 years a success

33:58 — Why the VA has to meet veterans on podcasts, YouTube, and social media

37:42 — His billboard message to the world
-
"Life is not a straight line. The wrong turns, unexpected opportunities, failures, and changes of direction often teach us more than the path we originally planned."

This conversation showed a different side of Doug Collins and that is exactly what I hoped to capture.

🎙️ Passing the Torch, Episode 146 Doug Collins is live.

passingthetorchpod.com/stories-strugg…

@SecVetAffairs