E007 - From Command Sergeant Major to Purpose: Leadership & Legacy with Donnell Johns Sr.

Podcast Title: Tha Motiv8tors Table Host: Dr. JayR McIntyre Summary: Dr. JayR McIntyre sits down with Donnell Johns Sr., a retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major, veteran and military spouse advocate, and executive coach, for a conversation on leadership beyond the uniform. Donnell traces his path from San Francisco’s Fillmore district, where a recruiter at his kitchen table set him on a twenty-six year Army career, through retiring as Command Sergeant Major and serving as the first Army National Guard G1 Sergeant Major. He opens up about growing up dyslexic and ADHD before either condition was diagnosed, building his son into the next generation of the family legacy as a newly commissioned second lieutenant, and the mindset work of speaking goals into existence before they arrive. The conversation turns to Veterans Growing America, the organisation Donnell founded to spotlight veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs through a physical storefront in Woodbridge, Virginia, weekly community events, an incubator and pitch program, and a mission to replace “thank you for your service” with real economic support. Donnell closes with a call to keep growing one percent at a time, no matter how long the climb takes. Main Topics: Leadership principles from the highest levels of the military Transitioning from service to executive leadership Supporting veterans and military families Building a legacy through discipline, purpose, and impact Donnell’s twenty-six year U.S. Army career and the path to becoming Command Sergeant Major Veterans Growing America’s storefront model and weekly extravaganza events for veteran entrepreneurs Building a family legacy through his son’s officer commission and his daughter managing his personal brand The mindset and delayed gratification behind a ten year “overnight success” Intriguing Quotes: “My ceiling is his floor.” (Donnell Johns Sr.) “Thoughts become things, right? Be careful what you think about because it will come true.” (Donnell Johns Sr.) “I can’t eat thank you for my service.” (Donnell Johns Sr.) “I retired in 2016. I’ve been working on this dream since 2016. I’m a ten year overnight success.” (Donnell Johns Sr.) “I’m not asking you to do ten percent. I’m not asking you to do one hundred percent. Just do one percent better than what you did yesterday.” (Donnell Johns Sr.) “Where do the healers go get healed? Where do the motivators go get motivated? They come to the motivators table.” (Dr. JayR McIntyre) Key Moments: [00:01:32] - Dr. JayR introduces Command Sergeant Major Donnell Johns Sr. to the table as one of his own mentors [00:04:53] - Donnell recalls a recruiter sitting at his kitchen table in San Francisco that set him on the path to the Army [00:05:26] - Donnell details his twenty-six year Army career, retiring as Command Sergeant Major and serving as the first Army National Guard G1 Sergeant Major [00:08:41] - Donnell explains why his ceiling is his son’s floor and how he set his son up to enter the military as an officer [00:19:43] - Donnell breaks down Veterans Growing America, the organisation spotlighting veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs [00:24:34] - Donnell describes the weekly extravaganza events at the Woodbridge, Virginia storefront, from comedy shows to celebrity meet and greets [00:42:11] - Donnell reflects on ten years of building Veterans Growing America since starting with just a tent in a parking lot [00:46:08] - Donnell closes with the one percent per day challenge and a message to keep growing Notable Guests/Resources: Donnell Johns Sr. is the founder and CEO of Veterans Growing America, a 501(c)(3) organisation based in Woodbridge, Virginia that spotlights veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs through a physical storefront, weekly community events, and an incubator and pitch program. He is a retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major who served twenty-six years, including as the first Army National Guard G1 Sergeant Major. He runs Veterans Growing America alongside his wife and son, Donnell Johns Jr. Learn more at veteransgrowingamerica.com and connect with him on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook as Veterans Growing America. Sponsors mentioned: Los Angeles Tribune, Riverside, Seven Eagle Academy. Special Announcements:🌐 Official Website: https://www.thahoodmotiv8tor.com/🎧 Watch & Listen on All Platforms🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gmg75s...🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@THAHOODMOTIV8TOR📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tha_motiv8tor_table_podcast/ From the Block to the Board — Every Story Has Power.MOTIV8TORS MOUNT UP. IT'S TIME TO SHAKE THA ROOM. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.