#79: Nate Boyer - Community, Identity, and Healing Through Storytelling

Send us a text Nate Boyer—former Green Beret, NFL long snapper, philanthropist, and public speaker. Nate’s journey is anything but ordinary, spanning military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, walking on to the University of Texas football team, and even suiting up briefly with the Seattle Seahawks. He’s also made a difference across the globe, from volunteering in refugee camps to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to support clean water initiatives. But Nate’s story is about much more than impressive résumés. In their conversation, Martin and Nate dive deep into the power of storytelling, building stronger communities, overcoming the overwhelm of modern digital life, and the lessons Nate learned mentoring children with autism. They talk about bridging cultural and political divides, the search for purpose, and what real leadership looks like, both on and off the field and battlefield. SPOILER: Nate does a Macho Man Randy Savage impression in the episode.  Notes: 00:00 Intro 02:55 Why life is great right now 03:49 Tanzania and trip with Water Boys 04:40 National Veterans Memorial and Museum 06:09 Actor he resembles 07:51 What"s Front of mind 10:27 Message for 19-year old self 12:28 Life Lessons from children with Autism 17:49 Storytelling as mechanism to mesh cultural and political divides 21:20 Impact memorials have on storytelling 26:07 Specific story that moved through work with Merging Vets & Players 29:06 What he hopes to be remembered for  32:25 Word Class Talent people may not know about him 34:08 Movie image depicting leadership 36:10 Billboard Message 37:54 Piece of wisdom to help people light their own torch and carry it forward 38:44 Upcoming projects and initiatives - Episodes You Might Enjoy: #68 - Jennifer Marshall - Paranormal, Acting, Cancer, Uganda, Military, and Motherhood: https://www.passingthetorchpod.com/ep-68-jennifer-marshall-paranormal-acting-cancer-uganda-military-and-motherhood/ #76 - Michael "Rod" Rodriguez - Healing Through Action: https://www.passingthetorchpod.com/ep-76-michael-rod-rodriguez-healing-through-action/ #78 - Vincent "Rocco" Vargas - Healing Through Hitting: https://www.passingthetorchpod.com/78-vincent-rocco-vargas-healing-through-hitting/ - Get in Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torchmartin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@torchmartin 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 49: Ryan Hawk – Crafting a Legacy of Leadership Episode 52: Riley Tejcek – Mission of Empowerment and Endurance