Yes, Chef! This week, we have a super special guest: Chef Opal Poullard, a two-time Food Network Chopped Champion and USAF Veteran.

Chef Opal's culinary journey is shaped by her global travels, exploring cuisines in Italy, Spain, England, France, Japan, and South Korea. With 7 years in Asia and multiple deployments, she honed her skills and served as an Enlisted Aide to high-ranking Generals. As an Advanced Culinary Instructor at Fort Gregg-Adams, she trained over 300 Military Chefs for top-tier assignments.

In 2023, Chef Opal was chosen by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to be a Guest Chef at the White House. Currently, she is the Vice President of the American Culinary Federation Old Dominion Chapter, an Evaluator certifying chefs nationwide, and runs her own consulting business, Chef Opal LLC.

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+ Website: https://bit.ly/3YekbPo

+ LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3LBXVHS

Content Warning: Episodes of The Civvies Podcast and YouTube channel may, at times, cover sensitive topics, including but not limited to suicide, abuse, violence, and more. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the YouTube Channel or Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of MetroStar. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. The MetroStar name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of their owner, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

00:00 Introduction

02:15 Joining the Air Force

08:30 Pursuing Cooking While in Security Forces

14:39 Becoming an Enlisted Aide

23:43 Changing Your Field in the Military

25:51 Getting on Chopped

42:50 Chef Opal Makes Filet Mignon

48:24 Leveraging Teamwork on Chopped

51:46 Plating a Delicious Meal

56:20 How to Find Chef Opal

In this episode, Steph checks in with Lee Ring, Co-Owner of CrossFit Lobo in San Antonio, TX. Lee talks about his experience in the Air Force, being a military spouse abroad, finding a job as a civilian, and navigating life as a veteran.

Lee also shares the resources that have helped him run a successful CrossFit gym, as well as his tips for veterans looking to start or acquire a business, and the importance of physical fitness for mental health.

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+LinkedIn: https://hubs.li/Q02FfJY80

Content Warning: Episodes of The Civvies Podcast and YouTube channel may, at times, cover sensitive topics, including but not limited to suicide, abuse, violence, and more. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the YouTube Channel or Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of MetroStar. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. The MetroStar name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of their owner, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

In this episode, we sit down with our fellow MetroStar veteran team members. This special roundtable delves into the journey of transitioning from military to civilian life, a testament to the resilience and adaptability of our veterans.

Join us as we explore the challenges, opportunities, and support systems that are crucial for veterans embarking on this significant journey. We cover topics like finding employment and leveraging your military skills, support programs, mental health, mentorship, and more.

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+ Website: https://bit.ly/3KPblQd

+ LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4bhglrW

Content Warning: Episodes of The Civvies Podcast and YouTube channel may, at times, cover sensitive topics, including but not limited to suicide, abuse, violence, and more. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the YouTube Channel or Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of MetroStar. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. The MetroStar name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of their owner, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with one of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, Gen. Enoch Woodhouse, whose story is a testament to courage, resilience, and legacy.

Woodhouse delves into his early days, detailing the rigorous training and the camaraderie that forged the unbreakable bonds among the Tuskegee Airmen. Through his vivid memories, we gain insight into the resilience required to overcome World War II combat and racial discrimination. From the discipline instilled in training to the leadership skills honed in combat, he shares how these invaluable lessons shaped his post-war endeavors and contributed to his legacy.

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+ Website: https://bit.ly/3VqOKQc

+ LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3UZStmo

Content Warning: Episodes of The Civvies Podcast and YouTube channel may, at times, cover sensitive topics, including but not limited to suicide, abuse, violence, and more. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the YouTube Channel or Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of MetroStar. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. The MetroStar name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of their owner, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

This week, we have the honor of talking with Bernard Toney Jr. about his transition from combat veteran to White House medical officer and medical provider for the First Lady and Vice President.

Toney's journey wasn't easy. He faced significant struggles, including dealing with survivor's guilt and confronting stereotypes and biases due to his appearance.
Mentorship played a crucial role in Toney's life. His story is a powerful testament to how guidance and support can transform one's path. He shares invaluable insights on personal growth and resilience. Toney's perspectives on representation, availability, and accessibility are inspiring. He emphasizes the importance of these elements in shaping one's life and career, offering lessons we can all learn from.

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+ LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3ypGrLk

Content Warning: Episodes of The Civvies Podcast and YouTube channel may, at times, cover sensitive topics, including but not limited to suicide, abuse, violence, and more. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the YouTube Channel or Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of MetroStar. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. The MetroStar name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of their owner, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

00:00 Dr. Bernard Toney Jr.

07:00 Education Opportunities in High School

10:56 Tragedy at a Young Age

16:06 Joining the Army with Gold Teeth

30:55 Getting into Academics

38:25 White House Medical Officer

48:00 Navigating the Military Transition

54:30 Career Pointers

This week, we're chatting with Trevor Spires! We look at his transition from military service to becoming a Senior Solutions Architect in Big Tech. You'll hear about his invaluable lessons learned in the military, pivotal moves during his junior to mid-level career phase, and the importance of a mental reset (he took a career break to hike the Appalachian Trail!). Additionally, we explore meaningful ways to give back along your personal journey.

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+ Website: https://mss.fyi/3QEncUD

+ LinkedIn: https://mss.fyi/3QXxlMz

Content Warning: Episodes of The Civvies Podcast and YouTube channel may, at times, cover sensitive topics, including but not limited to suicide, abuse, violence, and more. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the YouTube Channel or Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of MetroStar. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only. The MetroStar name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of their owner, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

To kick off Civvies Season Two, we go back to where it all started with Season One's host, Andrew Bice, to hear about his journey making the leap from a Navy SWCC to GovCon, taking on his passions for missions to the civilian side.

We chat about utilizing your network, gauging the advice you're given, protecting your physical/mental health, and getting in tune with your life's purpose and your passions.

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+ Website: https://mss.fyi/3UssDIt

+ LinkedIn: https://mss.fyi/4b5oNdR

Content Warning: Episodes of The Civvies Podcast and YouTube channel may, at times, cover sensitive topics including but not limited to suicide, abuse, violence, and more. You are advised to refrain from watching or listening to the YouTube Channel or Podcast if you are likely to be offended or adversely impacted by any of these topics.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of MetroStar. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The MetroStar name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

A MetroStar Original Podcast: By a veteran for veterans. Tune in bi-monthly to hear from veterans (and their support networks) as they share their experiences, opinions, and knowledge. Tune in to season two on April 24. Stream The Podcast: https://spoti.fi/43Ui440 For two decades, MetroStar has been proud to support veterans as they transition back to civilian roles or for the first time. Explore Veteran Life at MetroStar: https://mss.fyi/4cShxnE #veteran #podcast #veteranpodcast