Military Influencer Conference 2026: Creator Partnerships & Brand Mentions
Disclosed partnerships and other public posts mentioning Military Influencer Conference 2026 from creators in the Index. Each example links to its original source.
Creators featured
15
Disclosed partnership posts
0
Other brand mentions
101
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When I first started podcasting in the military, I had no idea how many doors it would eventually open. A lot of that came down to people who were willing to share advice, make introductions, or simply give me a shot when I was still figuring things out.
I’ve met some incredibly talented people over the years who are doing great work but aren’t necessarily getting the attention they deserve. Some have been at it for years, and you’d probably never know unless someone introduced you to them.
So I’m pretty excited to see Curtez and our team putting something like the MIC Index together. It’s a free directory designed to help people discover military-connected creators based on their work, not just their follower count.
You can create your profile here:
Creators.militaryinfluencer.com/
You don’t need thousands of followers or some huge platform to be part of it. If you’re creating content, telling stories, or doing something interesting in the military community, it’s worth getting your name in there.
And if you know somebody who’s been flying under the radar, send this their way. I’d love to see who we discover through this.
#creator #militarycommunity
Akeem Daley had a plan. Make E-7 in seven years.
When you’re hitting goals early in your career, it’s easy to start believing there’s nothing you can’t accomplish. Every success builds a little more confidence. But we all know what happens when you fly a little too close to the sun. And the military has a very special way of humbling us.
Akeem and I first connected through the Military Influencer Conference, and he returned this year as a speaker. When we sat down for HeroFront, he opened up about his career, the expectations he had for himself, and what happened when things didn’t quite go according to plan.
I appreciate him being so transparent because I think a lot of us have been there. You work your tail off, check every box, do everything you think you’re supposed to do, and sometimes you still come up short. It’s frustrating, and it’s not something people always feel comfortable talking about.
But coming up short doesn’t mean you’re finished. Sometimes the person who eventually gets selected is simply the one who refused to quit.
Appreciate you sharing your story, Akeem. Give him a follow at @simplykeem_ and check out his work with @shaketheroomshow
#MIC2026 #militarylife #usarmy #leadershiptips
Some Fun Facts about Blake Stilwell
- He is (self-proclaimed) Ohio’s 25,796th favorite son
- A President from another country once threw shade at him in the press
- and what I find most interesting...Blake and I both live in Dayton.
More to the story: While in Tampa last month, we were chatting with a small group of friends. During this conversation, Blake informed me and a few others that his best friend in Dayton is named Martin Foster. Naturally, my ego and confidence boosted. I was on cloud nine. He then went into detail and informed me there is someone else in Dayton with the same name.
I'm fine...totally fine. It's cool, it's cool and I am not jealous at all.
Blake is also an Air Force Veteran and currently serving as the Editor-In-Chief for We Are The Mighty.
Here are a few notes from our in-person episode during the @militaryinfluencer Conference in Tampa:
Growth Through Failure: Failure is not something to be avoided, but an essential catalyst for advancement and self-discovery.
Good Leadership vs. Bad Leadership: Effective leadership is largely invisible, when done well, it empowers those led and instills a sense of meaning and stakeholding.
‘Stick-to-itiveness’: The gritty determination to see difficult challenges through, especially when triggered by a deep personal cause.
Short Memory After Setbacks: Borrowed from sports, the notion that successful performers quickly shake off mistakes and remain engaged in the present.
-
Episode 149 is now live wherever you get your podcast. You can watch or listen here: https://www.passingthetorchpod.com/why-successful-people-need-a-short-memory-blake-stilwell-ep-149/
My profile is officially LIVE on the Military Influencer & Creator Index! 🇺🇸
The MIC Index is a free directory that helps brands, media, and organizations find military-connected creators, experts, and founders. It's a way to get more eyes on your work AND stay connected with the incredible people I met at MIC.
And can we talk about how much @militaryinfluencer poured into this? 👏 They didn't just build a directory. They built every asset you need to share your profile: social graphics in three sizes, a printable one-pager, your own QR code, a ready-to-post caption, and tracked links so you can see where your visitors come from.
That's what it looks like to truly invest in your community.
If you're a service member, veteran, or military spouse who creates, consults, or builds, you don't need a huge audience to be included. Create your free profile at creators.militaryinfluencer.com/join
Check out my profile at the link in my bio 👆
#MilitaryInfluencer #MICIndex #VeteranEntrepreneur #VeteranOwnedBusiness #WomenVeterans #MissionDrivenDigital
The more I attend veterans events the more I feel at home! I’m glad that I am able to meet so many veterans near me, especially female ones. I missed my sisters so much, and being around other women veterans feels like home.
#WomenVeterans #vettok #militaryinfluencer #femaleveteran #VeteranEntrepreneur
Polk County vets! 💜 I'm at the Women Veterans Expo in Winter Haven repping Sea Waves + Mission Driven Digital™
📍 American Legion Post 8, 300 Ave M NW
🕙 Until 3 PM, come say hi! 🫡
#WomenVeterans #vettok #militaryinfluencer #femaleveteran #VeteranEntrepreneur
Leaving the military can mean losing the responsibility you once carried, struggling to find meaningful work, or feeling disconnected from the people around you. Even with countless organizations dedicated to helping veterans, finding the right support can feel overwhelming. And sometimes, the biggest challenge is getting someone to listen.
Recorded in person at the Military Influencer Conference (MIC), this special edition of Drive On Podcast brings together seven guests answering the same question: What challenge facing veterans deserves more attention, and what should the veteran listening know about it?
Their responses reveal different sides of the veteran experience, along with a shared belief that veterans have the ability to help one another and influence meaningful change.
Jesse Gould and Daniel O'Dell emphasize the power of veteran advocacy and personal stories to influence policies and raise awareness. Mike Nolan reminds veterans that their service matters, regardless of what they accomplished while wearing the uniform, and encourages them to lean on the bonds they built through service.
Justin Rasik shares his personal experience of spending 17 years searching for something that worked for him, eventually finding help through 22Zero. His message encourages veterans who feel they've exhausted every option to keep looking for support.
Chris Gonzalez challenges veterans to move beyond virtual connections and build real relationships in their communities. Greg Martin addresses veteran underemployment, the difficulty of moving from military leadership into civilian careers, and the importance of finding purpose outside the workplace. Bryan Anderson highlights inconsistencies across VA facilities while reminding veterans that support exists for challenges involving employment, finances, addiction, and mental health.
These short conversations offer practical encouragement to speak up, reconnect with others, recognize the value of military service, and continue seeking help.
The full interviews with these guests will be released on Drive On Podcast toward the end of this year and into early next year. Subscribe so you don't miss the rest of these conversations!
Timestamps:
02:12 - Jesse Gould on the untapped power of veteran advocacy
03:13 - Mike Nolan on recognizing the value of your military service
05:31 - Justin Rasik on finding hope after years of searching for help
06:33 - Daniel O'Dell on how veteran stories can influence change
09:28 - Chris Gonzalez on rebuilding real community connections
10:26 - Greg Martin on veteran underemployment and finding purpose
12:18 - Bryan Anderson on inconsistent VA policies and available support
Links & Resources
Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
Military Influencer Conference: https://militaryinfluencer.com/
🎙️ MFV Resources on the Drive On Podcast!
Veteran stories matter. Veteran voices deserve to be heard.
Our Founder & CEO, Daniel O’Dell, joined Scott DeLuzio and six other veteran advocates at the 2026 Military Influencer Conference to discuss challenges facing veterans and the power of advocacy to create meaningful change.
From mental health and employment to finding community and support, this episode delivers conversations you won’t want to miss!
Catch Daniel’s segment at 6:33.
Thank you to the Drive On Podcast for helping bring these important conversations to a larger audience!
#MFVResources #VeteranVoices #MilitaryInfluencerConference
One question. Seven voices. 🎙️
At the Military Influencer Conference (MIC), we sat down in person with seven guests and asked each the same thing: What challenge facing veterans deserves more attention, and what should the veteran listening know about it?
Their answers show different sides of the veteran experience, along with a shared belief that veterans can help one another and drive real change.
🎧 Listen to this special edition of Drive On. Link in bio.
Which challenge would you add? Tell us in the comments. 👇
#Veterans #DriveOnPodcast #militaryinfluencerconference2026
Florida I hope you are out there doing your duty! Let’s get take our country back!
#WomenVeterans #vettok #NavyVeteran #voteblue2026💙 #militaryinfluencer
Some stories deserve to be told. Others remind us of promises that still need to be kept. 🇺🇸🇦🇫
At the @militaryinfluencer Conference, I caught up with @lylakohistany , an Afghan refugee, @usnavy veteran, and passionate advocate for the Afghan allies who served alongside American forces.
Lyla and the CAPT deployed to Afghanistan with General Miller for 12 months in 2013, making this story especially meaningful to our family.
Today, Lyla is helping bring these stories to the screen through @noorifilmofficial, a powerful documentary about brotherhood, sacrifice, and the bonds that remain long after war.
🎬 NOORI comes to Amazon Prime Video on November 1!
I hope you’ll join me in supporting this important film and helping share a story that deserves to be heard.
Because the promises we make to those who stood beside us should never be forgotten. ❤️
#NOORIFilm #HonorThePromise #AfghanAllies #VeteranStories
It was great catching up with Brooke again at this year’s Military Influencer Conference!
She’s an Army combat veteran, physician assistant, and founder of @shestheveteran a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women veterans through connection, community, and mental wellness.
Great seeing you again, @camochicbrooke Keep going!
#MIC2026 #WomenVeterans #VeteranCommunity #MilitaryLife
A little heat, a lot of heart. 🔥📸
Cassidy Nolan of mach1hotsauce and Tahlia D. of The headstrongproject brought their smiles to the lens at MIC!
I love capturing these moments of connection within our military and veteran community. Different paths, shared space, and stories worth telling.
#SpeakingFromTheLens #Mach1HotSauce #TheHeadstrongProject #MilitaryInfluencerConference #VeteranCommunity
What’s harder: taking off the uniform or taking off the jersey? 🇺🇸🏈
For those who have dedicated a part of their lives to serving their country or competing at the highest levels of sports, walking away can mean so much more than simply changing careers.
It can mean leaving behind an identity, a brotherhood, a sense of purpose, and a way of life that few people outside those worlds truly understand.
At the @militaryinfluencer Conference, I had the opportunity to ask @nateboyer37 a question that brings those two worlds together: What was harder, taking off the uniform or taking off the jersey?
His perspective offers an interesting look at identity, transition, and what happens when a major chapter of your life comes to an end.
#MilitaryTransition #VeteranCommunity #AthleteMindset #LifeAfterService #militarylife
The Military Influencers Conference brings together the people shaping our community.
I reflect on the energy of the vet nation at MICC 2026, where creators and leaders gather to share their work. Seeing the diverse range of groups impacting service members reminds me that our strength lies in these active partnerships.
This footage captures the candid conversations and collaborative spirit defining the current military community. It is a look at the people working to move the needle for veterans, highlighting the voices that often go unheard in larger institutional settings.
*Subscribe for more raw reflections on the nature of service.*
*@SwaggyVetsNetwork*
*CONNECT VETERANS AND SERVICEMEMBERS*
https://www.myvetnation.org/forveterans
*IMPACT VETERANS AND SERVICEMEMBERS*
https://www.myvetnation.org/give
*SAMPLE MORE SWAG*
https://www.swaggyvets.com
At MIC 2026, Vet Nation connects with organizations and individuals making a difference through veteran support, military transition resources, veteran entrepreneurship, mental health awareness, personal branding, and professional development.
Discover how the Military Influencer Conference 2026 helps veterans build meaningful relationships, discover valuable resources, and create new opportunities for success after military service.
From volunteering behind the scenes to meeting influential veteran leaders, exploring the conference marketplace, and attending educational sessions on artificial intelligence (AI), business development, social media, and leadership, Vet Nation captures the conversations and experiences shaping the future of the military community.
This isn't just another military conference. It's about veterans helping veterans, building community, and discovering the power of service beyond the uniform.
🇺🇸 WELCOME TO VET NATION — WHERE SERVICE NEVER ENDS!
🎖️ INSIDE MIC 2026
Experience the energy, connections, and inspiring stories from the Military Influencer Conference as Jason meets veterans, entrepreneurs, advocates, and organizations working to strengthen the military community.
Hear from Marine Corps veteran Jamie McPherson, learn about veteran support through the Florida Veterans Support Line, and connect with Army Sergeant Major Stephen Webley as he explores networking and professional development opportunities.
Discover organizations providing valuable veteran resources, including VA claims assistance, peer support, accessibility solutions, and services supporting military families.
We also explore the importance of positive veteran storytelling, entrepreneurship, personal branding, artificial intelligence, and leadership development.
From the MIC 2026 marketplace and educational sessions to the Y2K party featuring Steve-O and the Mighty 25 recognition, this episode captures the people and experiences that make the conference unforgettable.
The biggest takeaway? True influence isn't always measured by who's on stage. Sometimes the greatest impact comes from those quietly serving behind the scenes.
*BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT MIC 2027!*
https://militaryinfluencer.com/
*VETERAN CANCER NETWORK*
https://www.VeteranCancerNetwork.org
*RASHAD GILMORE PHOTOGRAPHY*
https://www.rashadgilmore.com/
*XTERRA HEALTH*
https://xterrahealth.com
*SECURITY HALT! MEDIA*
https://www.securityhaltmedia.com/
*T&S WEBLEY*
https://www.tswebleyllc.com/
*TURBO VETS CLAIMS*
https://www.turbovets.com
*FOREIGN BORN MILITARY SPOUSES*
https://fbmnetwork.com
*MILITARY CONNECT*
https://www.militaryconnect.com
⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 - Welcome to MIC 2026 | Military Influencer Conference
02:19 - Behind the Scenes With Vet Nation
03:18 - Veteran Networking, Support & Resources
06:05 - Exploring Veteran Organizations & Opportunities
09:23 - Veteran Leaders, Stories & Community Impact
10:46 - AI, Entrepreneurship & Professional Development
13:38 - MIC 2026 Wrap-Up | The True Meaning of Service
🇺🇸 JOIN THE VET NATION MOVEMENT
At Vet Nation, we believe military service may end, but purpose and community never should.
Our mission is to empower veterans through meaningful connections, education, entrepreneurship, leadership, and access to resources that help them thrive beyond the uniform.
Whether you're a veteran, active-duty service member, military spouse, entrepreneur, or someone passionate about supporting our nation's heroes, there's a place for you in Vet Nation.
Your service doesn't define your limits. Your next mission starts here.
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for veteran stories, military community events, leadership conversations, and resources that make a difference.
👍 LIKE this video to support veterans helping veterans.
💬 COMMENT: What does positive influence in the veteran community mean to you?
🇺🇸 VET NATION | CONNECT. SERVE. EMPOWER.
🔎 HASHTAGS
#VetNation #MIC2026 #MilitaryInfluencerConference #Veterans #VeteranCommunity #MilitaryNetworking #VeteranEntrepreneurs #VeteranSupport #VeteransHelpingVeterans #MilitaryTransition
YOU GUYS, I met one of the best advocates our Airmen and their families could ever ask for while at the @MIC!
My buddy Keith Castille caught me in passing and asked, “Do you have five minutes?”
I said, “Well, actually, no I don’t.” 😂
Then he goes, “This is the CMSAF’s spouse.”
You know what… suddenly my schedule cleared right up. 😂
Dr. Doniel Wolfe, wife of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Wolfe, is FIRED UP about taking care of our people, and I absolutely loved getting the chance to talk with her.
We talked about the Air Force, the challenges our Airmen and families are facing, and some really creative ideas about how we might be able to make an impact together.
We probably could’ve kept talking Air Force for another hour. We threw around some really cool ideas, and I’m hoping we get a chance to actually make a few of them happen.
Maybe starting with getting Dr. Wolfe AND CMSAF Wolfe together on the HeroFront Podcast? Wouldn’t that be something?!
Dr. Wolfe, thank you for spending some time with me at MIC. I loved meeting you and can’t wait to see what we can make happen!
#MIC2026 #AirForce #cmsaf #milspouse
Y’all!!! When I tell you I was EXCITED! 📸
One of my absolute FAVORITE shows is Lioness on Paramount+, so getting to capture @jillwagner , who plays Bobby, at the @militaryinfluencer Influencer Conference was definitely a pinch-me moment!
Listen, I was there to work, but the fan in me was having a WHOLE moment behind that camera! 😂
What made it even better was capturing her personality beyond the screen. The laughter, the conversation, and those genuine moments that remind me why I love storytelling through photography.
Sometimes the photographer gets to have a fan moment, too!
I LOVE what I GET to do!
Speaking From the Lens
Capturing Emotion, Crafting Legacy.
#SpeakingFromTheLens #JillWagner #Lioness #MIC2026 #MilitaryInfluencerConference
Everyone in this photo left the military as an enlisted leader and not one of us waited for permission...
I took dozens of photos at MIC this year. This is the one I keep circling back to.
Not because it was planned. But because of what it captures... Me, standing next to giants.
Darryl "Bully Juice" Williams. Daven Gates. Durelle Bailey.
Three creators who took what the military gave them and built real digital businesses on the back of their passions. #Faith. #Family. #Finances #Fitness. And of course, food.
The military hands enlisted leaders a generic script for what comes after the uniform. These men threw it out and found greatness in what actually matters to them.
That resonates with me more than I can put into words. I find it deeply inspiring, and I don't think moments like this one get captured often enough.
To Darryl, Daven, and Durelle, thank you for showing what's possible.
@militaryinfluencer
@farmersrgr8 @thesherocoffeeclub She keeps the world caffeinated. I keep the moments captured. @speakingfromthelens Together, we’re brewing impact. ☕📸 Go get your Shero Coffee or Tea #shero #coffee #tea #vetpreneur #mic2026
Still riding the high from the 2026 Military Influencer Conference in Tampa 🇺🇸 @militaryinfluencer
Grateful we made the trip and got to connect with so many incredible leaders in this space — people we’re proud to now call friends.
We also recorded 7 live podcast episodes while we were there, and we can’t wait to share them with you very soon 👀🎙️
Stay tuned… big conversations coming your way! #mic2026 #militaryinfluencerconference #veteransupport
There are a lot of people behind MIC whose work you’ve probably seen for years without ever knowing their name.
Cristian Sándor is one of them. @growclassy
Cristian started working with Curtez and MIC back in 2018 and has helped shape the look of this conference ever since. If you’ve followed MIC over the years, you’ve seen his work.
The crazy part is, until this year, he had never actually attended MIC or even been to the United States.
So for our 10-year anniversary, Cristian finally got to walk through the conference he’s spent all these years helping create and see his designs come to life all around him.
He also got to experience it with his girlfriend, who left Tampa as his fiancée after he proposed and she said yes.
And after nearly a decade of working together from across the world, Cristian and Curtez finally met face-to-face.
We were lucky enough to capture that moment, and afterward Cristian told us his knees were practically shaking as he walked up because this was the person who saw potential in him years ago, gave him a chance and brought him onto the team.
Cristian, we love you. We’re incredibly blessed to know you and so glad we finally got to spend this time together in person after all these years. This one was a long time coming, and we’re looking forward to many more MICs together.
#MIC2026 #MilitaryCommunity #ContentCreator
One of the most meaningful parts of my time at MIC happened in a room full of people wearing headphones, closing their eyes, breathing, and, in at least one case, deciding the floor was exactly where she needed to be.
I had the opportunity to join Command Purpose Foundation for their sanctuary session, a 90-minute space intentionally created within the pace and noise of the conference for people to reset, reconnect, and simply be.
My part was to lead a guided meditation and breath practice. What happened afterward has stayed with me.
People stopped me throughout the rest of the conference to tell me how they felt after the practice. Some talked about how much they needed it. Several told me they didn’t want it to end. Many said we need more of that throughout the weekend to reset.
I spend a lot of time talking about the importance of creating enough space to notice what is happening within us. And for years, practices like these have been part of how I help people experience that, not just understand it. There is a difference between talking about a practice and actually experiencing one.
For a few minutes that afternoon, people stopped moving. They breathed. They noticed. They gave themselves permission to be exactly where they were.
Nothing needed to be fixed. There wasn’t somewhere else they needed to get to.
That matters to me.
I’m grateful to Command Purpose Foundation for understanding that a conference filled with learning, networking, and doing also needed a space for being, and for inviting me to be part of creating it.
And I’m paying attention to just how much this experience seemed to resonate. I think there may be something there for me, too.
@gwotmf
@militaryinfluencer
@command.purpose
How many military benefits are out there that we have absolutely no idea about? 👀
At the @militaryinfluencer Conference, I asked @brysontheosaunders to give me one completely random military benefit that most people probably don’t know exists.
And he delivered. 😂
This is exactly why I love talking to people like Bryson. There are so many programs and resources available to active-duty service members, veterans, and military families that most of us will simply never hear about unless someone tells us.
And this one? I genuinely had no idea.
Watch to find out what it is and then tell me: Did you already know about this one?
#MilitaryBenefits #MilitaryLife #MilitarySpouse #Veterans #ActiveDuty
THE 1ST MIC. I may have come off a little standoffish at @militaryinfluencer this year.
The truth is, I was completely overwhelmed.
Watching @curtezriggs take the microphone at the 10-year anniversary of Military Influencer and talk about his journey as its founder hit me harder than I expected.
Because when I looked at him, I didn’t just see Curtez standing on that stage.
I saw the journey.
I saw our friendship. I saw the people who believed early. The partnerships and friendships that survived the journey—and even the ones that didn’t.
And then there was @donnell_sr.
Donnell humbled me during that same session by reminding me that he actually met me back in 2016, at a completely separate event.
He remembered hearing me give a keynote and being inspired by it.
What he probably didn’t realize was what was happening in my life at that same time.
🎤2019 was the year Curtez encouraged me to stop giving people the polished founder story and tell the truth.
The unfiltered version.
The failures. The fear. The uncertainty. The parts that didn’t fit neatly into the entrepreneur success story.
I had no idea that while someone was pushing me to be brave enough to tell my real story, someone else was listening—and carrying a piece of it with him.
Ten years later, there we were.
Together.
That was almost too much for me.
So if I seemed distant this year, I wasn’t. I was taking it all in.
Every time I saw Curtez, I saw ten years of becoming. Most of the time, all I could do was hug him and walk away before the tears fell.
Because ten years will teach you something:
🎯How you start does not dictate how you will finish.
You have to keep going.
You have to believe when nobody else does.
You have to keep building when it’s messy, when people leave, when relationships change, when the vision evolves, and when you have absolutely no proof that what you’re building will become what you see in your head.
Sometimes you don’t get to see the impact immediately.
Sometimes it takes ten years.
Thank you, Curtez.
Rock Bottom has a Trampoline.
They say your job on stage is to leave the room better than you found it. But what happens when the room does that for you?
Taking The Creator Stage at MIC 2026 for my "Built To CRE8" session was an absolute energy exchange. Huge shoutout to @curtezriggs for building this incredible platform. I came to speak life into the audience, but the brilliant conversations I had off-stage with fellow speakers and attendees poured that exact same inspiration right back into me.
Keep challenging the mold. Keep creating. 🙌🏾🌹🔥
#MIC2026 #BuiltToCRE8 #MilitaryInfluencerConference #Leadership #MilitaryCreators (@militaryinfluencer )
How do you keep someone’s legacy alive without letting grief define your life?
I had the opportunity to ask Ryan Manion this question at the Military Influencer Conference.
Ryan has spent years honoring the life and legacy of her brother, 1stLt Travis Manion, while also building a life, family, and mission of her own. So when I had the chance to sit down with her, I wanted to ask about something that I think so many people who have experienced loss wrestle with:
How do you continue to honor someone you love without allowing the loss of them to become the defining story of your own life?
Her perspective on this is worth hearing. ❤️
#RyanManion #MilitaryInfluencerConference #Grief #Legacy #GoldStarFamily
Two absolutely incredible guys with me in this photo.
Scott DeLuzio (Drive On Podcast)
Loius Famiglietti (“Coming Soon” Podcast)
Both of these guys are doing a lot to help mentor young men and lift up veteran voices. Had a great conversation with them, both on my podcast and in person at Military Influencer Con.
I highly recommend you chat with them if you haven’t already.
#mrwhiskey #coupleofnukes #coupleonukes #veteranpodcast #militaryinfluencerconference
lol does anyone else love free shit as much as I do? I will literally grab ANYTHING if it’s free 🤣🤣🤣💯
Do I NEED multiple canvas bags? Nope. Am I still gonna grab them? You bet your ass I am! 😂
#femaleveteran #mic2026 #militaryinfluencer #miltok #vettok
I didn’t get a selfie with everyone I wanted to at MIC 2026. But the ones I did take mean something to me.
Some connect to my past, some reflect where I am today, and some capture relationships that are just beginning. Each one holds a conversation, a memory, or a moment I want to remember.
Together, they tell a little more of my story. ❤️ #Militaryinfluencerconference #MIC2026 #veterancommunity
This is what community looks like!
Together with our brand partner @newrezhq Patrick and I had the honor of surprising a military family with a living room makeover and sharing a sneak peek with everyone on the Main Stage at the 2026 @militaryinfluencer Conference.
And because home improvement is kind of our jam, we kicked things off with a some giveaways, including a few $100 @homedepot gift cards to help some MIC attendees tackle projects of their own.
There’s something incredible about watching a room transform, but even better is watching a family realize that people showed up for them.
Thank you Newrez for continuing to stand behind our mission and helping us turn houses into homes for veteran and military families.
And thank you Military Influencer for giving us the Main Stage to share this story with such an incredible community.
Home brings healing. And we’re grateful for the partners who help us make that possible. 💙
#MovingWithTheMilitary #MIC2026 #veterans #homemakeover #militaryfamily
Standing on that stage Friday night with the other 24 members of the Mighty 25 felt like a beginning. I’m not exactly sure what I mean by that yet. I just know that’s what I felt and am ready to lean in.
There was something incredibly affirming about realizing that the way I’ve chosen to show up (consistently, intentionally, and as myself) has a place here too. I’m not the loudest person in the room. I don’t have the biggest platform. Yet being among this particular group of people reminded me that impact doesn’t have to look or sound any certain way.
The Mighty 25 recognizes veterans, military spouses, creators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers making a difference across the military community. Looking at the people being recognized, and at the many different ways they are serving, leading, creating, advocating, and building, I felt incredibly honored to be among them.
And maybe that’s what I appreciated most. There were 25 of us, each making an impact in our own way.
This recognition means a lot to me. And somehow, it feels much less like an arrival and much more like a beginning. That’s the most exciting part to me.
Thank you, We Are The Mighty, for including me among the 2026 Mighty 25. I’m incredibly proud to be one of them.
@wearethemighty
@militaryinfluencer
@gwotmf
Are successful men bad at asking for help?
I asked @ryanfbeckmann this question at the Military Influencer Conference, and his answer was an immediate yes.
We talk a lot about what it takes to become successful—independence, confidence, resilience, figuring things out and pushing through. But can those same qualities make it harder to recognize when you shouldn’t do something alone?
Ryan had some interesting thoughts on why asking for help can be particularly difficult for successful men.
Do you agree? Are successful men bad at asking for help?
#MilitaryInfluencerConference #Leadership #MensMentalHealth #SuccessMindset
First time at MIC, and it’s already unforgettable. 💥
I finally crossed paths with the man, the myth, the legend Josh with Hero Front
We had an incredible conversation sharing things I’ve wanted to bring up since our active duty days. We never got to meet back then, so connecting in person was a long time coming.
We swapped wisdom, shared experiences, and gave each other their well-deserved flowers.
That’s the heart of this conference.
When it comes to genuine connection, nothing compares to the military veteran community. 🤝
Sidebar did you notice that he's holding the VET hat? Specifically the Air Force blue dad hat.
If you attended MIC in Tampa, we have an exclusive attendee perk at checkout 🎟️ when you purchase your branch specific VET Dad Hat, 20% off
Use "MIC26"
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MIC photo dump! I had the most amazing time and reflected a lot. Met some amazing people, made some great connections, and made a huge breakthrough in my own healing journey by coming out of my comfort zone! I can’t wait for next year’s conference!
Thank you @mermaidleah77 for introducing me to a ton of people, mentoring me, and exposing me to a whole new world!!! 🌎
I’ll see you next year, @militaryinfluencer!
#veteranownedbusiness #veteran #femaleveteran #militarywomen #veteransofinstagram
LIFE OF A CEO | EP. 24 🎥
Plot twist: being a CEO isn’t about being the guy at the top.
It’s about knowing who’s beside you. 🤝
This weekend hit different.
Old friends. New faces. Same mission. 🇺🇸
Jon Jones, one of the OG Swaggy Vets. Sam, our new camera guy, who just rolled with me to MIC. And years later, we’re still showing up, building, laughing, and doing life together.
I’ve learned something:
You can chase success alone.
But you can’t build something that matters alone.
Find your crew.
Take care of them.
Celebrate them.
And never get so busy building the mission that you forget the people building it with you.
Sunday morning. Grateful. Blessed. Fired up for what’s next. 🙏
Always have family. Always have your crew.
Love you guys. Peace. ✌️
#LifeOfACEO #VetNation #SwaggyVets #CEOlife #Veterans VeteranCommunity Brotherhood Leadership Purpose Faith BuildTogether MIC2026
Celebrating the 2026 Mighty 25 at the @militaryinfluencer Conference in #tampa this weekend. Congratulations to all on the well-deserved recognition!
#mighty25 #militaryinfluencer #redcarpet #laurenhopecollective
The things my camera saw at MIC 2026. Whew. ❤️
Connections being made. Smiles, laughter, and joy unfolding right in the middle of a moment. I was honored to capture it as part of the official photography team, working under the direction of my brother and mentor, Micheal Parks of Daystar Photography.
These are just a couple of photos of me along the way, but what I witnessed through that lens reminded me why I do this work. @militaryinfluencer
Speaking From the Lens. Capturing Emotion, Crafting Legacy.
#MIC2026 #SpeakingFromTheLens #MilitaryInfluencerConference
MIC Day 4 Reflection. This was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to come back next year!!! Thank you @militaryinfluencer for putting an amazing event together!!! This was EPIC!!!!
#femaleveteran #militarywomen #veteranentrepreneur #mic2026 #militarylife
We’re closing out 10 years of MIC tonight at Shake the City, the unofficial MIC after party at 7th + Grove.
R&B Happy Hour kicks off at 6 PM, then DJ MT is taking us through the 90s, 2000s and today.
Bring your MIC badge for discounted entry and come finish the week with us.
#MIC2026 #Tampa #TampaEvents
Walking into the @militaryinfluencer conference at the @jwmarriotttampa, I felt more than the energy of a room full of creators. I felt right at home.
As an Air Force brat and the daughter of a late Lieutenant Colonel, this community is woven into who I am. Being in a room full of people who live to serve, advocate, and tell hard truths feels different.
Today gave me so much to sit with. One minute I was soaking up wisdom on influencer etiquette from @elaineswann , and the next, having a raw, necessary conversation about veteran suicide with @joshuaeramsey on the JMach Experience. Catching up with fellow storytellers like @princessfrancyandfriends and retired Green Beret Lt. Col. Robert Scheafer (#TheGreenBeretWay) reminded me just how deeply stories heal and anchor us.
With my military thriller, Operation Grey Space, which I dedicated to my dad, coming out next year, today felt less like networking and more like finding where I belong.
Can’t wait for day two and to hear from @jillwagner tomorrow. I'm a big @Lioness fan.
See you on the floor! #MIC
It was all smiles on Day 3 of MIC 2026! Tag people you see in the photos and let us know what you enjoyed the most!
#MIC2026 #creative #tampa #lightasparkleaveamark
I finally met this legend! I’ve been following her for years and to have her at our conference is so cool! 👏
@kellie 🙌
#mic2026 #creators #militarylife
@kellie.sbrocchi absolutely showed up for us today.
Kellie brought the kind of energy, authenticity and perspective that makes MIC such a unique and special community. She has a way of connecting with people that feels genuine, and we’re incredibly grateful she chose to bring that voice to the MIC 2026 stage.
Thank you for showing up for this community, Kellie. Tampa was better with you here. 💛
#MIC2026 #Tampa #MilitaryCommunity
If you’ve followed @veteranwithasign you know he’s held up a lot of signs over the years. Some funny, some brutally honest, and some that carry a much bigger message. So when I got the chance to hang with Zachary Bell at the @militaryinfluencer conference, I had to ask: out of all of them, which one has meant the most to him?
His answer was an important one. ❤️🇺🇸
#MilitaryInfluencerConference #VeteranWithASign #VeteranCommunity #MilitaryCommunity #mentalhealth
Preventing Veteran suicide. Combating homelessness in the military community. Supporting transitions from active duty to civilian life. Oh, and supporting the impact of people who are striving to lead with integrity.
Military Influence Conference is celebrating 10 years of impact, and I am so grateful for all of the inspiring human beings who I have met in this crazy military life. From Korea, to Germany, to San Diego, to DC, and MORE, we descended upon Tampa and connected and laughed and went deep.
Happy 10th birthday, MIC! @militaryinfluencer
So many happy tears cried at the @militaryinfluencer ! 🥹
When we decided on giving our 2025 Nonprofit Donation to Sea Waves, and we heard they were going to the Military Influencer Conference, we jumped on the opportunity to do the reveal in person. We knew we wanted to surprise Leah and Sea Waves to make this moment even more special and impactful. And we also thought the timing could not be more perfect with the month of September being Suicide Prevention Month.
The Military Influencer Conference has a way of creating a lot of magical moments with pretty amazing people! ✨
We are so honored to introduce our 2025 Nonprofit Donation Recipient, @seawavesinc. 🎉👏🏻
SEA WAVES is the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated solely to support, education, awareness, wellness, advocacy, and validation for eating disorders and suicide prevention so no service member, veteran, or military family faces this struggle alone. 💜💙🌊
Thank you to @sharibiery for introducing us to Leah Stiles and Sea Waves at the 2025 Military Influencer Conference. She is the reason this relationship began. Leah is one of the most incredible people we have met and is doing such incredible work with her nonprofit. We could not be more grateful for our partnership with Sea Waves, the Need A Light; Be A Light Bracelet. Not only are we helping to spread their mission through our jewelry, but we are also able to make a direct impact on their organization. 🫶🏻
Thank you to our our customers for purchasing our meaningful bracelets, our incredible community for supporting our mission, for everyone that loves what we do, and allows us to give back to military affiliated organizations like Sea Waves! We are so grateful we get to do this EVERY SINGLE DAY. 🥹💕
When does capturing content cross the line into disrespect?
With ring lights in stadium stands and influencers filming during live play (like we saw at the U.S. Open with Naomi Osaka), the rules of public etiquette are changing fast.
I sat down with modern etiquette expert, author, and proud Navy daughter @elaineswann while she’s in town for the @militaryinfluencer conference at @jwmarriotttampa
Elaine’s Top 3 Takeaways for Modern Etiquette:
At Major Events: Brands and venues need to educate creators on baseline event decorum—not just ban them.
When Networking: Focus on service first. Ask "What can I do for you?" before pitching yourself.
If You Mess Up: Stop what you're doing, redirect, apologize ONCE, and move on. Don't drag it out!
Drop a comment below: Have influencer ring lights and constant filming at public events gotten out of hand, or is it just the new normal?
Catch my full interview on @fox13tampa! and here
Catch Elaine at 4 pm today at #MIC
#FOX13Tampa #LindaHurtado #ElaineSwann #ModernEtiquette #MilitaryInfluencer #MIC2026 #TampaBay #USOpen #EtiquetteTips #NetworkingRules
Just a little from my day at MIC 2026.
So many good conversations, familiar faces, new connections, and moments that reminded me how special this military connected community really is. There is a lot happening here, but for me, it’s the people and the conversations in between everything else that make it meaningful.
Grateful to be here, grateful to connect, and grateful to capture a little of it along the way.
Just a few moments from the day.
#MIC2026 #MilitaryInfluencerConference #VeteranCommunity #SpeakingFromTheLens #MilitaryConnected
We’re only on day two of MIC 2026 and I’ve already lost my voice, which honestly tells you just about everything you need to know about this place.
We were up way too late last night having some of the best conversations, telling stories, talking about what we’re building, what we’ve been through and what we want to change in this community. That’s what happens when you bring thousands of veterans, military spouses, service members, creators, entrepreneurs and advocates together in one place. We get after it.
And that’s always been my favorite part of events like this. The panels are great, the speakers are great and there is a ton happening throughout the week, but some of the most important moments happen when none of that is going on. It’s the conversation in the hallway, the person you randomly sit next to, the introduction that turns into an opportunity or staying up until stupid o’clock talking about an idea because everybody at the table actually cares.
MIC has spent the last 10 years building a place for those connections to happen, and seeing what it has grown into here in Tampa is pretty incredible. People are coming from all over the country with different backgrounds, different stories and different ideas, but everybody seems to understand that we can do more for this community when we actually know each other and work together.
So yeah, my voice might be completely gone by Saturday.
Worth it.
Military Influencer Conference 2026 is already shaping up to be one for the books.
#MIC2026 #Veterans #MilitarySpouse #miltok
MIC 2026, Day 1. 📸
A collage can’t quite capture the energy in these rooms. Veterans, military spouses, creators, and founders showing up with stories worth telling and a real desire to serve each other.
I came to Tampa representing Vet Nation and Swaggy Vets, but I’m leaving Day 1 reminded why we started: people need community, purpose, and someone willing to listen.
Already grateful for the conversations, the new friends, and the folks who feel like old friends. We’re just getting started. 🇺🇸
#MIC2026 #MilitaryInfluencerConference #VetNation #SwaggyVets #VeteranCommunity MilitaryCreators LifeAfterService
𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝗜𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. (𝗠𝗜𝗖)🇺🇸
I’ve been part of MIC since 2018, and one of the best things to come from it is my friendship with its founder, Curtez Riggs. We’re both retired Army First Sergeants who served in recruiting, so we had plenty in common from the start.
I’ve watched Curtez turn his vision into a place where veterans, military spouses, entrepreneurs, and creators can connect and build opportunities together. I applaud everything he’s doing for our community.
Now MIC is celebrating its 𝟭𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 right here in Tampa, and I’m grateful to be part of it. Curtez, congratulations, my friend. Let’s make some more memories! 🙌🏽
#MIC2026 #MilitaryInfluencerConference #VeteranCommunity #TampaBay
Full circle moment on TV with @curtezriggs , the owner of the @militaryinfluencer and one of my mentors.
Thank you for your guidance, leadership, and for creating opportunities that continue to change lives.
Big shoutout to @yourprbestie for the opportunity and for always making sure I don’t look crazy on TV 😂
The 10th anniversary of MIC is officially here. Tampa, let’s Shake The Room! 🎤🔥
📸: @itsmeiglee
#MIC2026 #Mentorship #Leadership #ShakeTheRoom
ONE DAY OUT.
Ten years ago, MIC started with fewer than 100 people in a room. Since then, it has grown into something much bigger, bringing together thousands of people from across the military-connected community while still holding onto the same basic idea: get the right people in the room and give them a reason to connect.
Tomorrow, we do it again in Tampa, only this time we’re celebrating 10 years of MIC. Ten years of conversations, partnerships, friendships, opportunities and people finding each other who probably never would have crossed paths otherwise.
A lot has changed in a decade. The reason people keep showing up hasn’t.
See you tomorrow, fam!
#MIC2026 #MilitaryCommunity #Tampa
One more wake up til MIC!!! (IYKYK) What are you looking forward to at MIC?
#militaryinfluencerconference #veteran #veteranlife #femaleveteran #veteranentrepreneur
Excited to do what I do best. Share stories and make people proud of themselves by showing them how awesome they are! See you in Tampa!
#MIC2026 #TampaEvents #militarycommunity
A NEW CHALLENGER IS APPROACHING! 🎮
Gold Star Gamers is joining us at MIC 2026 for Podcast Row!
Built around a mission of helping children who have lost a military parent find hope, healing and connection, Gold Star Gamers uses gaming, mentorship and community to create a space where Gold Star children can connect, play and know they’re not alone.
And at MIC, they’re bringing that mission behind the mic.
Catch Gold Star Gamers on Podcast Row as we celebrate 10 years of bringing the military-connected community together in Tampa.
Game on. 🎮⭐
#MIC2026 #GoldStarGamers #PodcastRow
From 80 people in a room to nearly 4,000 military-connected leaders taking over Downtown Tampa!
I spoke with @MelissaBird, @militaryinfluencer Event Lead, to break down what’s coming to the milestone 10th Annual Military Influencer Conference at JW Marriott Water Street Tampa from Sept 23–26!
Whether you’re an active-duty service member, veteran, spouse, or entrepreneur, MIC 2026 is built for YOU:
🔹 Star Keynotes: @chefirvine ), @steveo ) and more!
🔹 Career & Business: Hiring Fairs, Veteran Transition Tracks & Entrepreneurship Workshops
🔹 Creator Hub: 20+ live podcasts on Podcast Row & Creator Stages
🔹 Support Clinics: On-site VA Claims & Benefits Clinic
🎟️ FREE Admission for active-duty service members!
Drop a comment below if you’re attending or tag a military family who needs this resource!
🔗 Register & get details at militaryinfluencer.com
#MilitaryInfluencerConference #MIC2026 #TampaBay #MacDillAFB #SupportOurTroops #VeteranOwned #MilitarySpouse #Fox13Tampa #LindaHurtado
8 DAYS. ✨ Eight days until I walk into my very first Military Influencer Conference — and y’all, I am not okay (in the best way). 😂
If you’re new here: MIC is the largest gathering in the military space — nearly 4,000 service members, veterans, spouses, creators, entrepreneurs, and executives, all in Tampa for 4 days of impact. And this year’s lineup? More than 140 leaders, builders, creators, and changemakers taking the stage — including two people I’ve been a fan of for YEARS:
🔥@chefirvine — the empire, the foundation, the decades of showing up for the military community. If I get to shake this man’s hand, consider my whole year made.
🎬 @jillwagner — star and executive producer of Lioness, and someone whose hustle I’ve admired forever. Front row energy, notebook out.
And that’s before we even get to Ben Crump, Shannon Razsadin, Ramón “CZ” Colón-López, and CMSAF Kaleth O. Wright... this lineup is UNREAL.
But here’s what I’m most excited to bring home: the entrepreneurship sessions. 📝 Because that’s my whole mission — building up veterans to start their own businesses and create income that revolves around their unique lifestyle, not the 9-to-5 culture we were told was the only option. Every workshop, every panel, every hallway conversation is fuel for that.
And I’m not just going for me. 💛 I’ll be supporting my bestie Leah Stiles and @seawavesinc — come find us at Booth 221 (Need a Light; Be a Light 🔦) — AND cheering on the @veteran_social Live activation, where Leah takes the stage.
First timer. Full heart. Fully caffeinated. See you in Tampa. 🎖️
👉🏽 Will you be at MIC? Comment “TAMPA” so I can find you — first-timers especially, let’s be new together!
#RoadToMIC #MIC2026 #MilitaryInfluencerConference #VeteranEntrepreneur #NavyVeteran WomenVeterans SeaWaves NeedALightBeALight VeteranOwnedBusiness
It’s incredible what you can accomplish in one year.
Let MIC be the jet fuel behind whatever you’re building next in the military-connected community.
Tampa | September 23–26
#MIC2026 #MilitaryCommunity #Veterans #TampaEvents
Tomorrow is the FINAL day of Veteran Social 2026.
2026.veteransocialsummit.com
Code FREE99 for free access and recordings on the backend. @Veteran Social
If you’re a younger veteran, transitioning service member, or military spouse trying to figure out what’s next, this is worth checking out.
It’s completely virtual and free. You can pull it up from home, listen in between work or classes, jump into a session that interests you, and meet people who are already doing some of the things you may be trying to figure out.
Careers. Entrepreneurship. AI. Transition. Networking. Building a personal brand. Finding community after the military.
You do not have to be some established veteran entrepreneur or influencer to belong here. If you’re just trying to learn, meet people, find opportunities, or get a better idea of what’s out there, come hang out.
Tomorrow is the last day!
#MILTok #MilitarySpouse #Veterans #MIC2026
Sometimes your first MIC makes you wonder how you didn’t find it sooner.
Josh and Akeem, both active duty career service members, talk about what it was like walking into MIC for the first time and realizing this community had been here all along.
The people, the conversations and the connections were unlike anything they had experienced before.
MIC has been bringing this community together for 10 years. Once you experience it, you understand why people keep coming back.
#MIC2026 #MilitaryCommunity #VeteranCommunity
YOU GUYS…Veteran Social 2026 kicks off tomorrow!
1,250+ registered.
50+ speakers.
15+ companies hiring.
And it’s completely virtual.
I’ll be co-hosting alongside Travis Johnson and Lauren Hope as Veteran Social and the @militaryinfluencer conference come together to bring the military-connected community two packed days of conversations, connections and opportunities.
If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time.
September 9–10
Register free: 2026.veteransocialaummit.com
Code: FREE99
#VeteranSocial #VetSocial #MIC2026 #MilitaryCommunity
My first Military Influencer Conference and I couldn’t be more ready. September 23–26, Tampa Convention Center — 4 days to connect with the world’s top military influencers and pour into my own mission. Follow the journey with #RoadToMIC. Grab your ticket at MilitaryInfluencerCenter.com. 🌟
#WomenVeterans #VeteranEntrepreneur #militarywomen #MissionToMonetize
Think about the conversations that happen when you put people with completely different careers and experiences in the same room.
That’s what this next MIC 2026 speaker group brings. Active duty, veterans, military spouses, creators, entrepreneurs, hiring leaders and people who’ve spent years figuring out what comes next. This is our community and we're thankful for each unique perspective we can lean into this Sept.
A lot of different perspectives and a whole lot to talk about!
Swipe through to meet the next group joining us in Tampa.
📍 Tampa, Florida
📅 September 23–26, 2026
Secure your seat at the link in bio.
#MIC2026 #MilitaryCommunity #Veterans #MilitarySpouses
TAMPA — JMACH IS COMING. 🇺🇸🎙️
The JMach Experience has officially been selected for Podcast Row at the Military Influencer Conference (MIC) 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
The takeaway: We’re bringing “How are you REALLY doing?” to one of the biggest gatherings of military-connected leaders, creators and voices in the country.
Real people. Real stories. Real conversations.
And we’re just getting started.
🎙️ Podcasters: limited Podcast Row spots are still available. Applications close Friday, August 21.
Going to MIC 2026? Drop a comment and tell me who JMach needs to get behind the mic with. 👇
#MIC2026 #MilitaryInfluencerConference #PodcastRow #JMach #TheJMachExperience
Before MIC became a national conference, it started with one veteran who realized the military community was missing something.
Curtez Riggs saw talented veterans, military spouses and creators building incredible things, but they had few places to come together, learn from one another and build lasting relationships. He believed that needed to change.
The journey included a 20-person meetup, a rejected sponsorship pitch, 212 tickets sold for the very first conference, rapid growth, difficult personal lessons and a financial crisis that nearly ended the conference altogether.
Ten years later, the mission remains the same: create a place where the person standing against the wall, wondering if they belong, realizes they do.
Swipe through the story behind MIC.
#MIC2026 #VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryCreators #MilitaryCommunity
Please join us in welcoming Durelle Bailey to MIC 2026!
Durelle is a U.S. Air Force veteran, content creator, and entrepreneur who has built a community of nearly 700K followers across Instagram and TikTok by helping people think through real-life decisions around marriage, money, mindset, motivation, and the future they are trying to build.
His content connects because it is practical. He talks about the things people are actually trying to figure out: how to set goals, manage money, strengthen relationships, stay disciplined, and build a life with purpose after service.
Through @durellebailey and @thebaileywaypodcast he brings a relatable voice for anyone trying to figure out the next step and build something stronger for themselves and their family.
📍 Tampa, Florida
📅 Sept. 23–26, 2026
Join Durelle and a room full of veterans, spouses, creators, entrepreneurs, and leaders building what comes next for the military-connected community.
Registration link in our bio.
#MIC2026 #MilitaryCommunity #DurelleBailey #TampaEvents
Hollywood Grit director Ryan Curtis said something a lot of veterans eventually come to realize…
You can come from a world where bullets flew overhead and still feel strangely naive to the world stepping into civilian life.
The military gives structure, purpose, community, housing, food, uniforms, and a built-in system around you. Then one day, you’re out, and you realize just how much of that world was holding you up.
MIC Tampa is at the JW Marriot Sept 23-26. Come hang out and let’s keep the conversations going.
#MIC2026 #hollywoodgrit #Veterans #militarytransition
Amazing Military and Veterans Entertainment Awards in Los Angeles. Thank you for the invite! Congratulations to all the submissions, nominations, finalists and awardees.
Proud to be an Ambassador for @pinupsforvets
@mvaawards
@militaryinfluencer
Where do I even start… first and foremost, thank you 🙏🏾
A special shoutout to @herofront for the coin and the brotherhood that came with it. Ever since we connected through The Mic, it’s been nothing but real conversations, support, and iron sharpening iron. In a world where a lot of connections are temporary, it’s a blessing to build with genuine people in the media space.
Big thank you to @militaryinfluencer for creating a platform where creators, leaders, and visionaries can connect and inspire one another.
Real ones know… sometimes the relationships you build are worth more than anything money can buy 💯🎥🔥 @shaketheroomshow
Tag somebody who’s helped sharpen you along the journey 👇🏾
The Military trained me for war — not for what came after.
In this raw and powerful episode of the HeroFront Podcast, recorded live at the Military Influencer Conference 2025 (MIC Atlanta), host Josh White sits down with Dr. J.R. “The Hood Motivator” McIntyre and SFC Akeem “Fly Recruiter” Daily to talk about what happens after the uniform comes off.
This conversation dives deep into veteran mental health, PTSD recovery, faith, and finding purpose beyond the military. Both guests share how they turned pain into purpose, rebuilt their lives, and now use their voices to inspire and lead others.
If you’ve ever struggled with identity, faith, or direction after service, this episode will remind you that your story isn’t over, it’s just beginning.
Featuring:
Dr. J.R. “The Hood Motivator” McIntyre (@TheHoodMotivator)
SFC Akeem “Fly Recruiter” Daily (@FlyRecruiterKeem)
Recorded live at MIC 2025, Atlanta, GA
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro & MIC 2025 vibes
2:30 - Meeting The Hood Motivator & Fly Recruiter
5:10 - Turning trauma into purpose
10:45 - Faith, timing, and divine alignment
17:20 - Veteran mental health & healing
25:00 - The power of storytelling and influence
33:40 - Akeem’s story: from struggle to leadership
42:00 - Dr. J.R.’s message on identity & purpose
50:15 - Josh opens up about depression and recovery
58:30 - Closing motivation: “Your story saves lives”
#HeroFront #VeteranPodcast #MilitaryInfluencer #FaithAndResilience #LifeAfterTheMilitary #MentalHealthAwareness #MotivationalPodcast #VeteranStories #PurposeAfterService #TheHoodMotivator #FlyRecruiterKeem
Sixteen years into building things on the internet, a guy spent 30 minutes explaining why I'm not a creator.
His evidence: I don't really post anywhere but LinkedIn. No footprint he could see. So for half an hour I sat there getting judged, belittled, and lightly ridiculed.
Somewhere around minute 20, I started to giggle.
Then I gave him the history lesson. The first military website I built, which went viral (before viral was a thing) and became part of my first acquisition. A portfolio of blogs earning through CJ, Amazon Associates, and QuinStreet, until the blog income passed my enlisted pay and I seriously thought about getting out. Learning alongside some of the best financial bloggers in the country, and getting introduced to FIRE before most people knew what FIRE was. DigitalMilEx. Relaunching MilBlogging, which grew into the thing behind me in this photo: the Military Influencer Conference.
He got quiet. I felt pretty good about myself.
Then on the drive home, I realized he wasn't the only one who'd stopped calling me a creator. I did too.
Blogger became business owner. Business owner became event organizer. Event organizer became executive at one of the largest military media companies in our space. Somewhere on that ladder, the word "creator" fell off my bio.
Which is funny, because every single day, we create. Across our brands and our events, my peers and I make content that reaches more than 18 million people a month. I didn't even mention that to him. It didn't occur to me. That's how narrow I'd let the definition get.
Kathy Torres-Pummill rarely posts anything on social media. Most of my peers couldn't care less about being in front of a camera. Does that make us any less creators because we don't read from a teleprompter to a lens?
Some people create content. Some create companies. Some create communities, access, partnerships. Some create rooms that thousands of other people eventually walk into. None of it fits on a camera roll. For years I've quietly moved serious resources through this community, and not one dollar of it came from going viral. It came from building things, putting the right people in the same room, and creating opportunities that organizations were happy to write a check for.
I think there are far more creators in the military-connected community than anyone is counting. Veterans, spouses, active duty, podcasters, writers, educators. Most of them don't call themselves that yet. That's why we launched the Military Creator Survey. 200+ responses in, and the early findings are already surprising me. Link in the comments. If you know someone who'd never use the word "creator" about themselves, send it to them.
Also, yes, this photo is from before I knew what an inseam was. We all start somewhere.
So tell me: what have you built that you've never once called "content"?
(Image stolen from Carlos Romero)
#MilitaryCreator #VeteranEntrepreneur #MIC2026
Created Content Featuring Military Influencer Conference 2026?
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The Military Influencer & Creator Index (MIC Index) is operated by Recurrent Military & Defense. Brand names are their owners’ marks; this page describes public creator activity and implies no affiliation.
Josh White@herofrontInstagram · 
