#79 - Nate Boyer - Community, Identity, and Healing Through Storytelling

Send us Fan MailNate Boyer—former Green Beret, NFL long snapper, philanthropist, and public speaker.Nate’s journey is anything but ordinary, spanning military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, walking on to the University of Texas football team, and even suiting up briefly with the Seattle Seahawks. He’s also made a difference across the globe, from volunteering in refugee camps to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to support clean water initiatives.But Nate’s story is about much more than impressive résumés. In their conversation, Martin and Nate dive deep into the power of storytelling, building stronger communities, overcoming the overwhelm of modern digital life, and the lessons Nate learned mentoring children with autism. They talk about bridging cultural and political divides, the search for purpose, and what real leadership looks like, both on and off the field and battlefield.SPOILER: Nate does a Macho Man Randy Savage impression in the episode. Notes:00:00 Intro02:55 Why life is great right now03:49 Tanzania and trip with Water Boys04:40 National Veterans Memorial and Museum06:09 Actor he resembles07:51 What's Front of mind10:27 Message for 19-year old self12:28 Life Lessons from children with Autism17:49 Storytelling as mechanism to mesh cultural and political divides21:20 Impact memorials have on storytelling26:07 Specific story that moved through work with Merging Vets & Players29:06 What he hopes to be remembered for 32:25 World Class Talent people may not know about him34:08 Movie image depicting leadership36:10 Billboard Message37:54 Piece of wisdom to help people light their own torch and carry it forward38:44 Upcoming projects and initiatives-Episodes You Might Enjoy:#68 - Jennifer Marshall - Paranormal, Acting, Cancer, Uganda, Military, and Motherhood: https://www.passingthetorchpod.com/ep-68-jennifer-marshall-paranormal-acting-cancer-uganda-military-and-motherhood/#76 - Michael 'Rod' Rodriguez - Healing Through Action: https://www.passingthetorchpod.com/ep-76-michael-rod-rodriguez-healing-through-action/#78 - Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas - Healing Through Hitting: https://www.passingthetorchpod.com/78-vincent-rocco-vargas-healing-through-hitting/-Get in Touch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torchmartinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@torchmartinSupport the showConnect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartinMore Amazing Stories:Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You InsecureEpisode 81: Kurt Warner – Perseverance, Humility, and Lighting the Way Episode 90: Michelle 'MACE' Curran – How to Turn Fear into Fuel------------© 2026 TORCH LEAP®, LLC. All rights reserved.