If you’ve ever wondered how to be a resilient leader in a world that often rewards comfort and conformity, this conversation with Kate Monroe is for you. A Marine Corps veteran, author of multiple books, founder and CEO of VetComm, and a former congressional candidate, Kate’s story is steeped in grit, perseverance, and relentless passion.
In this episode, we explore how to lead through adversity, why veterans are being let down by the system, what true leadership entails, the critical importance of health, and how to build something greater than yourself. Kate holds nothing back, and what she shares might change how you view service, leadership, and even your own potential.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
What it really means to be a resilient leader in high-stakes environments
How to lead people through adversity, not just around it
The leadership lessons Kate learned from the Marine Corps that still guide her today
Why resilience starts with what you tell yourself and how to reset your mental script
How Kate Monroe went from trauma to CEO and political candidate
The hidden struggles veterans face when returning to civilian life, and how VetComm is changing that
What most people misunderstand about politics, service, and the real path to change
— Episode Chapter Big Ideas (timing may not be exact) —
0:00 – Intro & Kate's mission
0:31 – Why “Thank you for your service” isn’t enough
2:10 – Kate’s wild journey into the Marine Corps
3:52 – Grit, trauma, and lessons from military life
5:30 – Are we raising a soft generation?
7:21 – Why young people feel lost and how to lead them
8:44 – Building a service-first culture at VetComm
10:43 – Why veterans struggle with the VA and how Kate helps
13:08 – The brutal transition from military to civilian life
16:25 – Kate’s personal journey and evolution into CEO
20:55 – Vision + execution = unstoppable leadership
24:26 – Kate’s daily mental health rituals and recovery tools
26:43 – Writing books to heal, to lead, and to create control
29:29 – What led her to run for Congress
31:51 – The ugly truth about politics and how change really happens
34:57 – Her take on the current administration and the VA
37:45 – Leadership, media, and creating impact at scale
38:49 – The next chapter: Movies, motivation & domination
39:56 – Closing thoughts on leadership, haters, and staying authentic
— Key Quotes from Kate Monroe —
“Hardship is temporary. But if you stop moving, it becomes permanent.”
“Real leadership is showing up, not sending people in your place. I take the hill first and they follow.”
“If you say it’s hard, you’re the first one who’ll believe it.”
— Connect With Kate Monroe —
Website: https://www.vetcomm.us/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KateMonroeCEO/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateMonroeCEO
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Kate.Monroe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katemonroeceo/
— Connect with Julian and Executive Health —
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianhayesii/
Ready to take your health, leadership, and performance to the next level? Book a complimentary private executive health diagnostic call with Julian Hayes II. Link below. https://calendly.com/julian-exechealth/chemistry
Website — https://www.executivehealth.io/
***DISCLAIMER: The information shared is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. This is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. The content here is not intended to replace your relationship with your doctor and/or medical practitioner.