The Two-Promises Podcast

🛡️ Anthony Rivera (Part 3): The Identity Bridge—Health Vaults, Financial Gains, and Serving Others

Is your identity tied to your uniform, or is the uniform just something you wore? In Part 3 of our series, Navy SEAL veteran Anthony Rivera breaks down the ultimate Immediate Action Drill for the veteran identity crisis. Anthony explains how Vetivize acts as a secure, HIPAA-compliant Health Vault, allowing veterans to track their conditions quarterly so they never have to rely on a hit-in-the-head memory during a VA exam. We dive into the massive financial impact of veteran benefits: how the average Vetivize user increases their annual income by $14,400 tax-free, and why savvy employers are using this platform to save thousands in corporate healthcare premiums. Beyond the numbers, Anthony shares a powerful philosophy on mental health: the antidote to self-loathing is Service. From belly button gazing to burning the boats on your old identity, this episode is a blueprint for anyone who feels their best days are in the rearview mirror.   Key Topics & Search Insights The $14,400 Pay Raise The concrete statistics behind veteran benefit increases and how it changes a family's financial trajectory Corporate ROI on Veterans Why businesses pay for veteran benefits programs to reduce their own insurance matching costs and HR turnover The HIPAA-Compliant Vault The importance of data security and why no one, not even the CEO, has a backdoor into your medical records The Service Antidote Why focusing on others is the fastest way to climb out of the poo-poo place of depression Identity vs. Job Moving past the I am a SEAL or Green Beret mindset to embrace deeper roles as a father, husband, and servant   ⏱️ Timestamps 01:11 The Vetivize Vault Security, encryption, and why your data is for your eyes only 03:14 The $14,400 Bump How engaging the system increases annual tax-free income 04:20 Employer Upside How veteran benefits save businesses $13k to $15k per employee 05:38 Private Insurance vs. VA Choosing the right healthcare path to save on monthly premiums 07:50 The Startup Hell Week The daily grind of entrepreneurship and solving fires with action 11:51 The Mental Health Spillover How veteran lessons in resilience will eventually heal civilian communities 13:34 The Antidote to Self-Loathing Why serving others is the root source of healing 15:15 Incremental Steps How better food and exercise follow the decision to serve others 17:30 The Rumination Lie Identifying the ego voice that wants to keep you isolated 19:00 The Immediate Action Drill Replacing a lie with a truth in your mental rehearsals 20:41 The Identity Crisis Why the military indoctrinates us to believe we are our jobs 21:50 Belly Button Gazing Analyzing the decisions that got you here and where you want to go next 23:08 I used to suck on my mommy's titty A humorous reality check on leaving the past behind 24:30 Infinite Time Span Realizing we are dead soon and why there's no time to waste on a victim mindset About the Guest Anthony Rivera is a retired Navy SEAL, CEO, and founder of Vetivize. He is a recovering team guy who has transitioned into a servant-leader in the tech space. His mission is to ensure that the 19 million veterans in the U.S. are treated with honor, security, and the financial integrity they earned through their service. Connect with Anthony Rivera: Website: https://vetavize.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyriveraexecutiveleader Don't wait until your ticket gets punched to plan your exit. Anthony Rivera's experience proves that knowledge is only potential power—it becomes real power through implementation. Whether you're dealing with service-connected injuries or navigating the VA system, you don't have to hike Mount Everest in the wrong shoes. You are not your job. You never were. Anthony Rivera reminds us that while the military is an incredible chapter, it isn't the whole book. Whether you're a husband, a father, or a friend, your next mission is waiting and it requires you to be all in. Ready to engage? Check Your Vault Start documenting your health wins and losses this week. Don't rely on a foggy memory. Serve Someone Else If you're in a dark place, find one person to help. Watch how the lights turn back on. Spread the Word Send this episode to a veteran who is struggling to find their identity outside the uniform. ▶️ What's Next? This is only Part 3. Stay tuned for Part 4 of 4 with Anthony Rivera, where the focus shifts to legacy, long-term impact, and how veterans move beyond personal recovery to become force multipliers for their families, communities, and future generations of service members. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram #VeteranIdentity #VABenefits #FinancialAutonomy #NavySEAL #Vetivize #ServiceAboveSelf #MilitaryTransition #MentalHealth #VeteranOwnedBusiness #FunctionalMedicine #SelfAccountability #Entrepreneurship #TwoPromisesPodcast #VeteranWealth #GrowthMindset

⚓ Anthony Rivera (Part 2): Cracking the VA Code—AI, Automation, and the 11-Day Disability Turnaround

Why does military transition feel like "learning a new language"? In Part 2 of our 4-part series, Navy SEAL veteran Anthony Rivera explains how he applied the "Plan Your Dive, Dive Your Plan" SEAL ethos to the complicated world of VA benefits. Anthony reveals how he went from receiving conflicting advice to reading the "root source" documents—the CFR 38—and successfully turned his VA claim around in just 11 days, compared to the national average of 181. We dive deep into his new platform, Vetivize, which uses proprietary AI and automation to act as a "Yelp for Heroes," centralizing the 40,000+ disorganized veteran nonprofits into one seamless interface. Whether you are active duty planning an exit via the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program or a veteran who has been out for 40 years, this episode is a tactical guide to documenting your health (from migraines to IBS) and reclaiming the benefits you've earned. Key Topics The CFR 38 blueprint and VA rating language The BDD program advantage for active duty members AI-generated documentation and quarterly health reports The frog in the pot syndrome with chronic symptoms Fixing the veteran nonprofit efficiency gap   ⏳ Timestamps 01:00 Facing the identity crisis of leaving the SEAL Teams 02:00 The 11-day VA claim turnaround versus the 181-day average 02:31 Why Anthony ignored peer advice and read CFR 38 04:00 The creation of Vetivize using AI and automation 04:53 Centralizing 40,000 veteran nonprofits into one system 06:30 The donor paradox in veteran nonprofit culture 09:06 Failing through the cracks during COVID-era transition 12:15 The BDD program and the six-month submission window 15:10 Mapping the veteran journey and VA customer experience 17:39 Documentation over memory for TBI and head injuries 18:37 Migraine and IBS language the VA needs to hear 20:42 The NSAID trap and long-term stomach damage 22:00 AI avatars helping veterans with reading retention 24:00 Matchmaking veterans to services through Vetivize   About the Guest Anthony Rivera is a retired Navy SEAL and the founder of Vetivize. After a decade of elite service and a high-speed transition into the civilian sector, Anthony dedicated himself to helping 7,000+ veterans navigate the VA. Today, his company uses AI to automate the benefits process, ensuring veterans are connected to the federal, state, and nonprofit resources they deserve. Connect with Anthony Rivera: Website: https://vetavize.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyriveraexecutiveleader Don't wait until your ticket gets punched to plan your exit. Anthony Rivera's experience proves that knowledge is only potential power—it becomes real power through implementation. Whether you're dealing with service-connected injuries or navigating the VA system, you don't have to hike Mount Everest in the wrong shoes. ▶️ What's Next? This is only Part 2! Stay tuned for Part 3 of 4 with Anthony Rivera, where we break down real-world execution—how veterans apply AI, automation, and documentation systems to avoid delays, reduce friction, and take control of their VA and transition outcomes. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram #AnthonyRivera #NavySEAL #VADisabilityClaimProcess #CFR38 #BDDProgram #BenefitsDeliveryAtDischarge #VADisabilityCode #VeteranTransition #Vetivize #VeteranAITechnology #AutomatedVAClaims #CombatTrauma #TBIDocumentation #IBSVARating #MigraineVARating #VeteranBenefits #TwoPromisesPodcast

Anthony Rivera (Part 1): Mastery of Chaos—From BUD/S Pool Comp Failures to the "Wild West" of Iraq

How do you transition from the "Fog of War" to the "Fog of Peace"? In the premiere of this 4-part series, Navy SEAL veteran Anthony Rivera joins his BUD/S Class 267 classmate to relive the high-stakes selection process that forges an elite warrior. Anthony shares a raw and often humorous look at the mastery of chaos, starting with his unexpected failure in BUD/S Second Phase Pool Comp under a "chill" instructor and the overconfidence that led to his setback. We dive into the physical toll of elite training, including a "lawn dart" injury on the obstacle course that nearly ended his career, and the grueling reality of frogman Friday evolutions. The conversation shifts downrange to Anthony's first deployment in Iraq's Al Anbar province. From hallucinations of dancing dragons caused by extreme sleep deprivation to burning a "Lord of the Flies" style bonfire as they shuttered a base on the Syrian border, Anthony provides an unfiltered look at the Special Operations lifestyle. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, process-driven culture, and navigating the mental revving that occurs when the engine of the mind won't shut down. Key Topics The BUD/S selection process and Pool Competency Managing chaos through SOPs and process-driven culture Extreme sleep deprivation and the revving mind Combat operations in Iraq's Al Anbar province Transitioning into the Fog of Peace through Vetivize   ⏳ Timestamps 01:10 Class 267 reunion and reconnecting after full Navy careers 02:45 Pool Comp secrets and the "chill" instructor 05:28 Surf hits and underwater de-rigging chaos 07:52 The Pool Comp failure caused by overconfidence 10:10 Obstacle course lawn dart injury before graduation 12:14 FTX realities and operating injured 14:31 The Wild West of Iraq in Ubaidi, Al Anbar 15:50 Dancing dragons and hallucinations from sleep deprivation 19:05 The engine in the mind and mental overdrive 21:06 Involuntary combat stress inside CHUs 24:22 Lord of the Flies moment during base shutdown 27:49 Enlisted-heavy leadership dynamics in SQT 32:28 Hypoxia and blackout during the BUD/S tread 36:14 Entering the Fog of Peace and founding Vetivize About the Guest Anthony Rivera is a retired Navy SEAL and a graduate of BUD/S Class 267. After multiple deployments to Iraq and serving as a BUD/S First Phase Instructor, Anthony transitioned to the civilian sector with a mission to help veterans navigate the Fog of Peace. He is the founder of Vetivize, a platform dedicated to providing resources and clarity for military members entering the civilian world. Connect with Anthony Rivera: Website: https://vetavize.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyriveraexecutiveleader Whether you're battling dancing dragons in a combat zone or navigating the uncertainty of a career change, the lesson is the same: lean into the process. Anthony Rivera's journey reminds us that even when you lawn dart into failure, the community and the SOPs you build will carry you to the next ridgeline. ▶️ What's Next? This is only Part 1! Stay tuned for Part 2 of 4 with Anthony Rivera, where we dive deeper into the specific mission of Vetivize and the tactical steps for a successful career transition. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram #NavySEAL #BUDS #IraqWarStories #VeteranTransition #CombatStress #SleepDeprivation #MasteringChaos #SpecialOperations #Vetivize #SEALTeam #MilitaryMindset #PoolComp #Frogman #FogOfWar #TwoPromisesPodcast

⚓️ Full Send Friday: Navy SEAL Aaron Peña on Real Estate Investing, The VA Loan "System," and Healing Invisible Wounds

Transitioning out of the elite special operations community is like "learning a new language." In this comprehensive Full Send episode, former Navy SEAL Medic Aaron Peña joins the show to share his blueprint for a successful post-service life. Aaron breaks down the exact system he used to turn his Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) into a real estate portfolio using the VA Loan. We dive deep into the technical side of property acquisition—including house hacking multi-family units and VA loan entitlement—before shifting to the raw, personal reality of service. Aaron opens up about his battle with a life-threatening collapsed lung, the emotional toll of trauma in the Philippines, and his journey through the VA Renew Program. This is a masterclass in professional reinvention and personal resilience. Key Topics The VA Loan wealth strategy and entitlement looping Transitioning from Navy SEAL Medic to real estate agent The four pillars of home inspection: roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical Recovering from invisible wounds through the VA Renew Program Building a veteran community through a local FOB The all-in mentality and choosing family over rank progression ⏳ Timestamps 00:22 The identity crisis of transitioning out of uniform 02:57 Retiring at 20 years and the impact of absence on family 03:40 VA loan strategy and freeing up entitlement 04:58 House hacking using BAH instead of paying rent 06:50 Why VA loans work best on 1–4 unit properties 08:41 Using VA loan entitlement multiple times 11:00 New construction incentives and closing cost strategies 12:50 Feeling like a tourist at home after transition 15:30 Researching successful veterans before leaving service 21:21 Fatherhood, presence, prayer, and authenticity 24:50 The 9/11 catalyst and choosing the SEAL path 27:00 The undesignated grind before the pipeline 31:09 SOCM school and proving the instructors wrong 35:58 Combat medicine in the Philippines and mass casualty triage 46:51 Applying triage and SOPs to real estate 50:54 The BUD/S tread failure and composure under stress 63:22 Collaborating without ego while leading in Yemen 67:45 Mission over commission in real estate decisions 74:50 Building the FOB in St. Augustine, Florida 86:50 Processing the loss of a child casualty 89:13 The Renew Program and inpatient trauma recovery 93:33 The collapsed lung that nearly ended Aaron's career 100:32 Burn the boats and committing to the next mission About the Guest Aaron Peña is a retired Navy SEAL Medic and First Phase Instructor who now serves as a Principal Real Estate Agent in Northeast Florida. He is the founder of the St. Augustine SEAL network (the FOB) and is dedicated to helping veterans and first responders leverage their benefits to achieve financial autonomy. Connect with Aaron Peña: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-pena73/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.pena.863363/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_pena7/ Compass: https://www.compass.com/agents/aaron-pena/ If you are currently in a transition—whether it's leaving the military or shifting your career—Aaron's advice is simple: Commit without a plan B. Identify your next mission, find your community, and be humble enough to ask the questions that lead to growth. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram

⚓ Aaron Peña (Part 4): Building the FOB—Brotherhood, Invisible Wounds, and the Power of Surrender

What does it mean to be a committed leader when the mission shifts from the battlefield to the home front? In the final chapter of this four-part series, former Navy SEAL Aaron Peña gets vulnerable about the Invisible Wounds of a 20-year career. Aaron discusses the deep sense of loneliness that often follows a military transition and how he took purposeful action to build a Forward Operating Base (FOB) for SEALs in Northeast Florida. From managing the "rabid spider monkey" energy of community service to the harrowing story of a life-threatening spontaneous pneumothorax as a new guy, Aaron's story is a masterclass in resilience. He pulls back the curtain on his time in the Renew Program, an inpatient treatment for combat trauma, proving that the ultimate achievement isn't just surviving the fight—it's having the conviction to ask for help and lead others through their own reinvention.   In this episode, you'll learn: Building the FOB: How Aaron grew a local network from 4 to 27 SEALs by simply asking, "Who do you know?" The Down-Man Response: How a brotherhood shows up when one of their own is diagnosed with cancer. The Powerhouse Spouses: Why military spouses are critical to veteran community resilience. SOPs for Suffering: Why "suffer in silence" is a failing strategy and how structured support changes outcomes. The Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A terrifying medical emergency and the fight to remain in the SEAL teams. Time, Talent, and Treasure: A framework for meaningful service within local veteran communities. ⏳ Timestamps 01:13 The loneliness of transition after relocating from San Diego 02:30 Building the FOB by reaching out to the SEAL Future Foundation 03:25 The "young frogman" effect and its impact on veteran mental health 05:00 Supporting a down man after a cancer diagnosis 05:35 How military spouses lead community resource coordination 06:30 Time, talent, or treasure as a framework for giving back 07:50 Building a high-performing real estate team through cultural fluency 10:30 Missing the healing impact of being a medic and confronting life's fragility 13:34 Invisible wounds from a child casualty in the Philippines 15:15 The Renew Program and a five-week inpatient trauma journey 15:58 Breaking the suffer-in-silence mentality through vulnerability 17:30 The dangerous cycle of physical pain and unmanaged mental health 20:16 Waking up with a collapsed lung and emergency room chaos 22:41 Needle decompression and lung surgery details 25:01 Fighting the medical board to remain in the SEAL teams 27:15 Final message on commitment, humility, and embracing the process 29:27 Debrief & Cocktail   About the Guest Aaron Peña is a former Navy SEAL Medic, first-phase instructor, and current real estate principal agent in St. Augustine, Florida. He is a passionate advocate for the SEAL Future Foundation and a leader in building local veteran support networks. Aaron's journey from combat trauma to community leadership reflects a lifelong commitment to service and reinvention. Connect with Aaron Peña: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-pena73/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.pena.863363/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_pena7/ Compass: https://www.compass.com/agents/aaron-pena/   Success isn't just about the mission; it's about the commitment you make to yourself and your community after the uniform comes off. Aaron Peña's journey from a collapsed lung to a flourishing real estate career proves that with enough Grit and the willingness to Surrender your ego, reinvention is always possible. If you felt the conviction in Aaron's story today, don't keep it to yourself. The best way to support the Two Promises Podcast is to take action: Subscribe & Review: Help us reach more people by leaving a 5-star review on your favorite platform. Build Your Own FOB: Reach out to one person this week and ask, "Who do you know?" Start building the community you wish you had. Connect with the Foundation: Support our brothers at the SEAL Future Foundation and find your next ridge line. 🌎 Connect with the Two Promises Podcast 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify 📲 Follow Us: Youtube Tiktok Facebook Instagram #SEALFutureFoundation #VeteranBrotherhood #NavySEAL #MentalHealthAwareness #PTSDRecovery #InvisibleWounds #VeteranRealEstate #StAugustine #VALoan #MilitaryTransition #WarriorMindset #TaskForceDagger #OperatorSyndrome #VeteranSpouse #Reinvention