Permission To Speak Freely

What do veterans really know about the benefits they've earned, and how many are leaving money and support on the table?

 

This week on Permission to Speak Freely, Damo and Damon are joined by Trinidad Aguirre, Navy veteran and CEO and co-founder of Vets Forever, for an important conversation about VA disability benefits, veteran advocacy, and life after military service. Trinidad shares his journey from the Navy to corporate America and eventually founding Vets Forever. Along the way, the conversation explores the challenges veterans face navigating the VA claims process, the dangers of unaccredited “claim sharks,” and why understanding your benefits before separating or retiring matters. The crew also discusses veteran homelessness, mental health, the military's responsibility to prepare service members for transition, and the differences between today's Navy and the Navy of previous generations. From sea stories and Fleet Week memories to practical information about VA disability ratings, C&P exams, claims appeals, and Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD), this episode offers plenty for active-duty service members, veterans, and military families.

 

Learn more about Vets Forever: https://vetsforever.com

Whether you're preparing to transition out of the military, already a veteran, or simply looking to understand  the benefits available to those who served, this is a conversation worth hearing.

 

 

 

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PTSF Theme music: Produced by Lim0

PTSF Podcast returns with another hosts-only episode as Damo checks in from Navy Week in Delaware while Damon joins from Fallon, Nevada. The guys kick things off with Damo sharing his experience learning the Navy Ceremonial Guard’s four-man drill, then get into a discussion about healthy conflict, leadership, and knowing when to let people work through their differences. The conversation shifts as the guys respond to a listener question about burnout in the military and how leaders can manage it for themselves and their Sailors. Also, the two discuss establishing boundaries between work and personal life, accountability, personal relationships, and whether someone’s mistakes should change how they’re viewed. Later, Damon addresses the military’s tendency to overload dependable Sailors with additional responsibilities, leading Damo into a passionate discussion about the Navy’s evaluation system, legacy rankings, reporting senior averages, and the lack of honest performance assessments. The guys also debate whether the evaluation system itself is broken or if the real problem lies with how leaders use it. Plus, personal stories, plenty of laughs, and much more!

 

 

Do you have “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at ptstpodcast@gmail.com

 

 

 

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Pick of the Week:

No Excuses: The Power of Hard Work and Discipline (Mike Stevens) - https://noexcusesthepowerofhardworkanddiscipline.com/

 

 

PTSF Theme music: Produced by Lim0

What happens when a Navy Sailor turns his passion for fitness into a business while navigating the transition from enlisted Sailor to commissioned officer?

 

This week on Permission to Speak Freely, Damo, Aar on, and Damon welcome Ensign Beniah Williams, founder of True Fitness, for a conversation that goes well beyond the gym. When we originally booked Beniah for the podcast, he was a First Class Petty Officer. By the time we sat down to record, he had earned his commission and was beginning an entirely new chapter in his Navy career. Throughout the conversation, Beniah shares his journey from struggling with his own weight to becoming a fitness instructor, entrepreneur, and Naval Officer. He discusses the challenges of building a business while serving on active duty, his experiences aboard Navy ships, and how his approach to fitness has evolved over the years. The crew also gets into the Navy’s physical readiness culture, whether fitness scores should carry more weight in evaluations, the realities of maintaining fitness while deployed, and the difference between preparing Sailors to pass a test and building a culture of genuine physical readiness. From military leadership and personal accountability to entrepreneurship, nutrition, and the importance of finding a fitness routine that works for you, this episode covers plenty of ground.

 

ABOUT OUR GUEST

 

ENS Beniah Williams | Naval Officer | Founder, True Fitness

 

Ensign Beniah Williams is a United States Navy officer, fitness entrepreneur, and experienced group fitness instructor. Before earning his commission, Beniah served as an enlisted Yeoman, gaining experience across multiple Navy assignments, including sea duty and service at the Pentagon. His passion for fitness began with his own personal transformation. After facing weight challenges early in life, he pursued fitness instruction and eventually earned certifications across more than ten fitness programs and specialties. In 2023, he founded True Fitness, a veteran-owned fitness business focused on making wellness accessible through personalized training, group instruction, and online workouts. Through the True Fitness Workouts platform, Beniah continues to help individuals develop sustainable fitness habits regardless of their experience level, location, or physical starting point. His philosophy is straightforward: fitness isn’t about everyone looking the same. It’s about becoming a healthier version of yourself.

 

CONNECT WITH BENIAH & TRUE FITNESS

 

Official Website: truefitnessdc.com

True Fitness Workouts App: Available for iPhone and Android.

LinkedIn: Beniah Williams

True Fitness LinkedIn: True Fitness | Online Workouts

 

 

 

 

Do you have “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at ptstpodcast@gmail.com

 

 

 

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PTSF Theme music: Produced by Lim0

What does it take to succeed in spaces where people believe you don't belong? In this episode of Permission to Speak Freely, Damo and Aaron welcome retired U.S. Navy Captain Dr. Barbara Bell for a conversation about perseverance, leadership, breaking barriers, and the lessons learned throughout an extraordinary career. As a member of the fourth class of women to enter the United States Naval Academy, Barbara experienced firsthand the challenges of entering an institution that was still learning to accept women. Her journey eventually took her into naval aviation, the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, and efforts to expand opportunities for women in military service. Throughout the conversation, Barbara reflects on the importance of mentorship, the responsibility of being a trailblazer, and why standing out can sometimes be more powerful than fitting in. The discussion also explores leadership development, the role of artificial intelligence in education, and the importance of ethical leadership. Drawing from her book, Flight Lessons: Navigating Through Life's Turbulence and Learning to Fly High, Barbara shares perspectives on navigating adversity, embracing opportunities, and preparing the next generation of leaders.

 

About the Guest

 

Dr. Barbara Bell is a retired U.S. Navy Captain, naval aviator, author, educator, and leadership speaker. A 1983 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, she was among the institution's earliest female graduates and later attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Throughout her distinguished Navy career, she accumulated more than 1,600 flight hours across 35 types of U.S. and allied aircraft. She also participated in efforts to remove combat exclusion restrictions that limited opportunities for women in military aviation and other combat assignments. Dr. Bell holds a Doctor of Education from Vanderbilt University and currently serves as an adjunct instructor at the United States Naval Academy, continuing her commitment to developing future leaders. She is the author of Flight Lessons: Navigating Through Life's Turbulence and Learning to Fly High, a book that draws on her personal and professional experiences to explore resilience, courage, and leadership.

 

Support and Connect With Barbara Bell

 

Purchase Flight Lessons:

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Flight-Lessons/Barbara-Bell/9781642253603

 

Official Website:

https://captainbarbarabell.com/

 

Connect on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-bell-ed-d

 

 

 

Do you have “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at ptstpodcast@gmail.com

 

 

 

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PTSF Theme music: Produced by Lim0

Captain Marcus A. Canady joins Damon and Damo for a conversation about leadership, connection, trust, and what it means to truly know the people you lead. The conversation centers on Canady’s concept of “Intrusive Leadership,” a leadership style built around intentional engagement with people beyond their professional responsibilities. Canady explains why leaders should understand what is happening in the lives of their people, how trust has to be earned before those conversations can happen, and why being intrusive does not mean ignoring personal boundaries. As he explains during the conversation, leaders can put themselves “on the porch,” but the other person still has to invite them inside. The group discusses emotional intelligence, listening, accountability, mentorship, family, parenthood, diversity, mental health, suicide prevention, and the responsibility leaders have to understand perspectives different from their own. Canady shares stories from throughout his career, including leaders who intentionally invested in him, the impact his wife and family have had on his development, and a conversation with Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr. about a leader who considered Brown’s family while helping map out his career.  Damo reflects on his own leadership experiences and how his approach has changed over time, including learning more about the interests of younger Sailors at his command and finding ways to meet them where they are. Canady also challenges military organizations to think more deliberately about how they develop leaders of people, not simply leaders capable of accomplishing the mission.

 

About CAPT Marcus A. Canady:
Marcus Canady is a U.S. Coast Guard captain, aviator, author, leadership educator, and founder and CEO of Canady Leadership Group. A 2000 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Canady completed Naval Aviation Flight Training and spent much of his career flying MH-65 helicopters. His operational experience includes search and rescue, hurricane response, and counter-narcotics missions. He later served as commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Houston and as the Coast Guard Chair and a military instructor at the National Defense University’s Eisenhower School. Canady holds graduate degrees from Duquesne University, Syracuse University, and the National War College. He is the author of Intrusive Leadership: How to Become THAT Leader. The second edition was released in 2025 and expands his examination of leadership built around trust, emotional intelligence, listening, intentional engagement, and making people feel seen and valued.

 

Get the book:
Intrusive Leadership, 2nd Edition — Curry Brothers Publishing
Intrusive Leadership, Edition 2 — Apple Books
Intrusive Leadership, 2nd Edition Military Version — Google Books

 

Learn more about Marcus Canady:
Canady Leadership Group

 

 

Do you have “Do Better” that you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at ptstpodcast@gmail.com

 

 

 

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PTSF Theme music: Produced by Lim0