The MisFitNation Show
The MisFitNation Show: Empowering Stories of Resilience and Growth
Welcome to The MisFitNation Show, hosted by Rich LaMonica, a proud US Army Veteran. Alongside a fellow Veteran and a prominent business leader, our mission is clear: to inspire and empower you to become a better human being.
We spotlight the remarkable stories of Veterans and First Responders, showcasing their journeys of resilience, strength, and triumph over adversity. Each episode features captivating interviews with guests from diverse backgrounds, including authors, entrepreneurs, coaches, motivational speakers, and health & fitness professionals.
Listeners will gain valuable insights, life lessons, and actionable advice from those who have faced challenges and achieved success. Whether it’s the grit of our Veterans and First Responders or the expertise of thought leaders, The MisFitNation Show is a vibrant community dedicated to personal growth and collective well-being.
Join us for an episode or become a regular listener! If you believe your story can inspire others, reach out to us to be a guest on the show.
Accolades:
2025 Veteran Podcast of The Year – American Freedom Fund
2022 – Top 40 Over 40 – Podcast Magazine
2021 – Best Society and Culture Podcast – Veteran Podcast Awards
Tune in to The MisFitNation Show, your ultimate platform for inspiration, motivation, and transformation. Discover stories that uplift and empower—because every voice matters!
https://linktr.ee/themisfitnation
What does it take to fly into the most dangerous situations on earth… to save someone else?
On this episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica sits down with Lt. Col. (Ret.) John Mangan, a decorated U.S. Air Force Combat Search and Rescue pilot who spent 25 years flying missions around the world.
John flew the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, conducting some of the most dangerous missions in military aviation—rescuing downed pilots and wounded soldiers in hostile environments.
Over the course of his career, he:
• Flew over 200 combat missions
• Deployed eight times to Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria
• Commanded the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron in Kandahar
• Flew alongside Pararescuemen, SEALs, Delta Force, Rangers, SAS and Australian Commandos
His courage and leadership earned him some of the military’s most prestigious awards, including:
🏅 Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor (twice)
🏅 Air Medal (12 times)
🏅 Aerial Achievement Medal (twice)
🏅 The prestigious Cheney Award
John’s missions and actions have been documented in books like Not a Good Day to Die, None Braver, Zero Six Bravo, and Dead Men Risen.
Today, he continues serving others by sharing lessons from combat through writing and speaking.
His latest book, The Three Rings Mindset, teaches readers how to train their minds, master emotions, sharpen focus, and perform at their highest potential—whether in combat, business, athletics, or everyday life.
This conversation dives deep into leadership under pressure, resilience, focus, and the mindset required to perform when everything is on the line.
- What it’s really like to fly combat rescue missions
- The pressure of rescuing teammates in hostile environments
- Leadership lessons learned in combat
- How elite performers control emotions under pressure
- The Three Rings Mindset and how anyone can apply it
- Building resilience in high-stakes situations
🌐 Website
http://www.johnmanganbooks.com
📚 Books
- Into a Dark Frontier
- The Three Rings Mindset
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If this conversation helped you rethink leadership, resilience, or performance under pressure, drop a comment below:
👉 What lesson from John’s story stood out to you?
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About the host
Rich LaMonica - Motivational Speaker, Author, and Army Veteran
Rich LaMonica Is a 22-year veteran of the United States Army who was deployed on multiple occasions in support of the Global War on Terrorism. It was during this career he evolved as a leader of people. His education came from great mentors who showed him how to take care of people. He retired in 2015 and went through an entire year of self-reflection as he transitioned to civilian life again. Those 365 days from retiring to finding a job taught him valuable lessons about transition. This has powered his drive to help other veterans as they go through the transition and any other roadblocks they are hitting. He is a Motivated Speaker who discusses Mindset, Resilience, Grit, and more skills that will make you find your Purpose no matter the journey you have been on. He is currently finishing up two books while pursuing a Ph.D from Liberty University in Homeland Security. He lives by rules and has a motto that resonates with fans of How I met Your Mother “Challenge Accepted”.
For more information go to: https://www.themisfitnation.com
