Tim Kennedy is the Founder of Sheepdog Response, a company specializing in self-defense, firearms, and personal security training for civilians and professionals. An accomplished entrepreneur and decorated U.S. Army Green Beret, Tim has also fought at the highest levels in mixed martial arts, including a top-five UFC world ranking, and has hosted television series including Hunting Hitler on the History Channel and Hard to Kill on the Discovery Channel. Beyond his notable business and military achievements, he is a passionate advocate for lifelong learning and resilience, drawing on his experience with both success and failure to inspire others facing transitions in life.
His unique perspective on adaptability, frugality, and balancing family with ambition offers invaluable insights into thriving during change — topics he explores both in business and in supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life.
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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [02:38] Tim Kennedy’s journey from Special Forces to UFC fame
- [04:37] Fueling meaningful progress through fearlessness in life and business
- [06:34] The power of reading anything and everything for real growth
- [09:18] Why failure is the secret weapon behind every true success story
- [11:54] How due diligence can save you millions in business
- [16:34] Creative ways Tim juggles family, travel, and multiple businesses
- [18:52] How prioritizing family and the right team leads to winning results
- [31:12] Building resilience with healthy routines: workouts, sleep, and relationships
In this episode...
Transitioning from a life of structure and purpose to a new, unfamiliar world can be daunting. Many veterans and high achievers find themselves facing the fear of failure, the uncertainty of change, and the challenge of redefining success beyond uniforms and accolades. How do some manage to not just survive, but thrive in the face of such overwhelming transitions?
Tim Kennedy, a highly accomplished Special Forces Green Beret and successful entrepreneur, shares his journey of embracing change through a mindset of enthusiasm for the unknown and a fearless appetite for new experiences. He explains that what may seem like fearlessness is actually a passion for diversity and personal growth, driven by a willingness to embrace failure and glean insights from setbacks. Tim’s commitment to reading widely and continually challenging himself outside his comfort zone has been instrumental in his personal development. His approach to being frugal and pragmatic has not only contributed to building resilient businesses but also to fostering a strong family bond. Tim emphasizes that failure is not just inevitable but crucial, highlighting how his journey to five successful businesses was paved by 15 invaluable lessons from failures. He also underscores the importance of prioritizing family, maintaining humility, and staying true to oneself, even as his public profile expanded.
In this episode of Mission Next Podcast, host Phil Randazzo sits down with Tim Kennedy, Founder of Sheepdog Response and former Special Forces Green Beret, to talk about navigating life after military service. Together, they explore the personal and professional transitions veterans face, the power of resilience, and the importance of planning for what’s next. Tim shares lessons from building a successful business, balancing ambition with family values, and staying grounded through failure. With insights on managing stress, avoiding the pitfalls of ego, and embracing purposeful living, this conversation is a powerful guide for anyone seeking clarity, courage, and direction beyond the uniform.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Quotable Moments:
- “Failure is a process that imperfections and impurities get pushed out — it’s how you
learn, grow, and become stronger in every area of life.” - “Take pride in being economical. Being frugal is something to be proud of if you want to
be rich and successful.” - “Start preparing now for what’s going to be different, uncomfortable, and stressful — get
ahead of it before your transition starts.” - “You want to be successful? Have the right team behind you — in business and in your
personal life, be really picky about who’s part of it.” - “If you want to be a successful, healthy person, work hard, eat well, love your family, and
get good sleep. It’s not rocket science.”
Action Steps:
- Embrace change and seek new experiences: This approach helps build resilience and adaptability, which are crucial for navigating transitions.
- Develop a habit of continuous learning: This broadens your perspective and equips you with knowledge that can be unexpectedly valuable in new situations or careers.
- Reframe your relationship with failure: This mindset addresses the fear of setbacks that often paralyze people during major life or career transitions.
- Practice diligent preparation and due diligence: Careful due diligence can save significant time and money, directly tackling the challenge of costly mistakes many face
when pursuing new opportunities. - Prioritize relationships and personal well-being: Strong personal foundations help
manage stress and uncertainty, supporting sustained performance and happiness duringperiods of change.
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by American Dream U, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a seamless transition for service members moving from military to civilian life.
American Dream U offers programs that connect veterans and their families with some of the world’s best coaches, mentors, and resources—helping guide them toward a highly rewarding life after the military.
Whether you’re preparing for a new career, launching a business, or simply looking for direction, American Dream U is here to support your next chapter.
To learn more, visit https://americandreamu.org.
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