Hustling for Honor with Joe Soel

Keep Hustling

In this episode, Aaron Gordon sits down with Iraq War veteran Joe Soel. Joe shares the profound impact of his military service, detailing three pivotal moments from his deployment that shaped his life and continue to affect him. He reflects on his motivations, inspired by his Vietnam veteran father and his journey from a traditional Methodist upbringing in upstate New York to joining the Army in 2006. Joe discusses the importance of perseverance and resilience, emphasizing the significance of simply "putting on your boots" to keep going despite overwhelming challenges. He also reads a poignant poem he wrote, "Stuck in These Boots," and highlights the enduring impact of the Iraq War on his life. Joe's powerful story underlines the relentless spirit of hustling through adversity. Listen in for a moving conversation filled with heartfelt reflections, resilience, and inspiration.

Get To Know Joe Joseph Soel, a decorated combat veteran, shares his inspiring journey from addiction to recovery in his books. As a passionate advocate for kindness and compassion, Joseph aspires to become an Episcopal Priest. When he's not writing, he's perfecting his musical talents on the guitar and banjo. Join him on his transformative journey through the pages of his captivating books.

3 Episode Key Takeaways 1. The Impact of Parental Influence: Joe's story highlights his father's profound influence on him, demonstrating how day-to-day actions and lessons can shape one's values and resilience. Observing his father's dedication and care instilled in Joe the importance of service and responsibility.

2. Embracing the Reality of Hustling through Adversity: Joe's experiences in the military showcase that hustling often occurs in the face of significant challenges and without immediate success. His mantra of "just put on your boots" emphasizes persistence, even during the toughest times, as a crucial component of long-term achievement.

3. The Power of Memory and Storytelling: Joe's journey of piecing together fragmented memories and sharing his story underscores the importance of remembering and recounting experiences. His efforts to keep the memories of fallen soldiers alive underline the collective responsibility to honor and learn from the past.

Show Overview:

01:00 Joe is a native New Yorker who recalls experience serving in Iraq. 04:35 Father's loss shapes man's impactful understanding of life. 09:04 7th Sustainer Brigade: Losses and injuries in Iraq. 10:06 Searching for missing soldiers, calling for help. 14:03 Attending solemn ceremony for fallen soldiers. 18:48 Quiet night turns into a sudden call of duty. 19:54 Value of fulfilling purpose and impact.