Ben Shortreed | The Blueprint for Unbreakable Mental Toughness

Fireworks took his hand — but not his purpose. In this episode, Josh Kosnick sits down with Ben Shortreed, a Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, father, and 2025 Superhuman Man of the Year. What began as a backyard party ended with Ben losing his left hand in a freak fireworks accident. What followed was even more brutal: unbearable phantom pain, opioid dependency, an identity crisis, and a battle with suicide. But this story isn’t about suffering — it’s about the blueprint for mental toughness that Ben forged in the fire. Inside this raw and transparent conversation:  • The night that changed everything  • Facing down phantom pain and addiction  • How fitness helped him reclaim his identity  • Fatherhood, faith, and finding purpose through adversity  • Why he joined the Bridge Builder Mastermind  • What “no excuses” actually looks like 🔥 Want to transform your body and mind? Mention Ben Shortreed’s name and get $500 off the Supra Human program: https://suprahuman.com ⸻ ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Ben’s mindset after the accident 01:03 – Fireworks, addiction & phantom pain 07:10 – Rebuilding post-trauma 13:41 – Phantom pain: the silent battle 16:27 – Business, identity & purpose 23:49 – Finding Supra Human 28:24 – Real transformation begins 31:09 – Fitness as identity 40:33 – Escaping painkillers 42:49 – Goals, growth & fatherhood 48:18 – Mastermind power & competition 51:56 – Action as the cure for anxiety 56:30 – Faith, regret & God’s plan 01:02:14 – Family, legacy & mental health 01:03:44 – Veterans, hormones & mission Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes featuring top business minds, elite performers, and leadership experts. Connect with Josh Kosnick: https://linktr.ee/joshkosnick #SpartanLeadership #Leadership #BusinessSuccess #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #SelfImprovement #Podcast #JoshKosnick #SpartanMindset Spartan Valor Foundation is dedicated to empowering veterans, military families, and survivors of child trafficking. Through strategic partnerships, we provide critical resources, advocacy, and hope for those who have sacrificed so much. Join us in making a difference—because no hero should stand alone. 🔗 Learn more: spartanvalor.org Support the show CONNECT WITH ME HERE: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter TikTok YouTube SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube