#104 - Toni Lavery - Resilience, Service, and New Beginnings

Send us a text In this episode of Passing the Torch, host Martin Foster speaks with Toni Lavery, a veteran of the United States Army, about her transition to civilian life, the challenges she faced, and the importance of resilience and support networks.  Toni shares her journey of self-discovery, health challenges, and her commitment to advocating for vulnerable populations.  The conversation delves into the significance of empathy in communication, the impact of personal experiences on professional growth, and the vital role of community support in achieving success.  Toni"s insights provide valuable lessons for anyone navigating life changes, particularly those transitioning from military to civilian life. - Quick Episode Summary: Toni Lavery shares about military transition, resilience, and inspiring new projects. - SEO Description: Explore Toni Lavery’s inspiring journey from Army service to community advocacy, leadership, resilience, and transition in this episode of Passing The Torch. - 🌟 Torch Takeaways:Transition & Identity: Discusses the emotional rollercoaster of leaving the Army, facing identity questions, and finding support in a powerful community of women veterans. Her advice: “Find the right support network and cling on to them for everything that you can.”The Power of Community: From disaster relief work to standing up a new nonprofit, is dedicated to empowering others, especially women who continually show extraordinary resilience against new challenges.Fox Force & Giving Back: Don’t miss her announcement about Fox Force, a nonprofit launching a historic all-women’s D-Day parachute jump in Normandy in 2026—a project fueled by grit and a desire to show young girls what’s possible.Art, Music & Connection: Her unique blend of skills—speaking five languages, musical talent, and artistic flair—help her build empathy and influence others, both in her Psyop work and daily life.Words of Wisdom: Leaves us with wisdom for the next generation: “Be an advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.” Whether it’s children or individuals facing hardship, it’s our responsibility to uplift and support one another. - Chapters: 00:00 Making a Difference Together 06:41 Life Beyond the Military 15:33 Med Board and Health Struggles 16:50 Task Force Dagger"s Support 22:30 Misdiagnosis and Blindness News 29:55 Joining the Army Changed Me 35:20 Italian Family, Nicknames, and Rapport 40:09 Creative Interviewing Techniques 43:48 Nonprofit Launch Fundraiser Filming 49:11 Humility Enables Effective Leadership 57:41 Gardening: Black Thumb to Green 01:03:32 Reflections on Leaving Home 01:06:01 Keep Spreading Awareness Together Connect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartin More Amazing Stories: Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You Insecure Episode 81: Kurt Warner – Perseverance, Humility, and Lighting the Way Episode 90: Michelle "MACE" Curran – How to Turn Fear into Fuel