E016 - Survive and Thrive with Eric Basek and Mike Gallardo

Flex Your Freedom with Barb Allen

From EMT to SWAT operator, to multi-certification holder in CrossFit, Law Enforcement. Krav Maga, Fight Club and MMA, Eric Basek is a walking lethal weapon with a black belt and an Expert title. Yet he harnesses his skills to pursue his passion, impacting the lives of people all over the country. American Snippets interviewed Eric along with his good friend Mike Gallardo, a combat veteran with his own incredible story of courage and resilience. Mike overcame a series of hard times before enlisting with the United States Army. Then, on a battalion-sized mission in Iraq, Mike was in a vehicle that purposely drove over an IED, in order to deflect the blast from those behind them. His selfless actions lead to him losing part of his leg. What Mike has done with his life since is nothing short of amazing. Rather than allowing himself to give up, he turned his struggles into victories and is an inspiration to others. Today, Mike is an award-winning adaptive athlete. He has won an Emmy for his work with Major League Baseball, and together with Eric, he prepares young Marine recruits for what lies ahead. These two men are exceptional and we are grateful they took time out to share their stories with American Snippets. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the featured article, video, and more at americansnippets.com/016