What happens when a 15-year Army Veteran trades artillery for Atlas stones, 900-pound deadlifts, and the pursuit of becoming a professional strongman?

In Episode 9 of NO NEUTRAL – Veterans in Motion, host Taylor sits down with OVN Ambassador Athlete Zach Bennett, an Army Veteran, Iraq War Veteran, and United States Strongman National Champion.

Zach's journey into strength sports wasn't planned. After leaving military service, he stepped away from physical training and found himself struggling with the loss of routine, motivation, and the connections that had been part of his life for 15 years.

What started with a makeshift gym in the woods eventually led to his first strongman competition, a national championship, and an opportunity to compete for his professional status.

But this conversation goes well beyond lifting heavy weights.

Zach shares how strength training helped him rebuild purpose and improve his mental wellness, the importance of faith and family in his life, and how fellow Veterans and organizations stepped forward to support his journey.

From the battlefield to the competition floor, Zach's story demonstrates that strength isn't measured only by what you can lift. It's also about finding your next challenge, building connections, and being there for others.

NO NEUTRAL is a podcast series by Operation Vet NOW (OVN), featuring Veteran athletes who use competitive sports to build connection, purpose, and community while advancing the mission of Veteran mental health and suicide prevention.

Be There for Our Veterans.

Learn more: www.OperationVetNOW.com

We would love to hear from you.

Support the show

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual guests and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Operation Vet NOW or its partners.

This podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, mental health, or professional advice.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek support from a qualified professional or contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1.

What happens when the mission changes, but the drive to keep pushing never goes away?

Air Force Veteran and OVN Ambassador Athlete Don spent part of his military career as a flight engineer aboard special operations aircraft, including combat missions in the MH-53 Pave Low. Today, that same drive has taken him into a very different arena—Ironman triathlons.

In this episode of No Neutral, Don talks about his military career, discovering endurance sports later in life, and why completing an Ironman is as much a mental challenge as a physical one.

After being sidelined for more than a year, Don is now working his way back—rebuilding strength, returning to training, and chasing his next finish line.

It’s a conversation about service, discipline, setbacks, family, and continuing to find something worth pushing toward.

No Neutral — Where Competition Creates Connection.

We would love to hear from you.

Support the show

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual guests and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Operation Vet NOW or its partners.

This podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, mental health, or professional advice.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek support from a qualified professional or contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1.

Army Veteran Crystal knows that some of life's greatest challenges are overcome not by standing still—but by moving forward.

From competitive shooting and desert racing to motocross, Crystal shares how demanding sports became more than competition. They became a way to quiet the noise, rebuild purpose, and reconnect with the same sense of community she found during military service.

In this episode, Crystal discusses the transition from military life, the mental focus required to compete, why training often matters more than trophies, and how organizations like OVN help Veterans stay connected long after they leave the uniform.

Whether she's navigating a racecourse, a shooting stage, or life after service, Crystal reminds us that healing often begins by finding something that demands our full attention—and a community that never lets us stand alone.

We would love to hear from you.

Support the show

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual guests and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Operation Vet NOW or its partners.

This podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, mental health, or professional advice.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek support from a qualified professional or contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1.