Unstoppable Stories - Episode 22: A Duty to Serve: Lessons from the Battlefield and Beyond

In this powerful episode of Unstoppable Stories, host Lauren Cardillo sits down with Zachry Flores; military veteran, UMGC alumnus, and current UMGC professor. Zach shares the raw realities of serving as a military police officer, both stateside and overseas, and opens up about his journey before, during, and after his time in uniform.From childhood dreams of police work to unexpected deployments, Zach’s path was anything but predictable. Even after sustaining a brain injury in the line of duty, he pushed forward earning a bachelor’s in criminal justice, a minor in business, and an MBA from UMGC, where he now teaches. His passion for the military runs deep, and he’s devoted his life to supporting those who serve in mind, body, and spirit.Tune in for an honest, inspiring look at what it really means to serve, and to keep showing up, no matter what.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/unstoppableConnect with Zachry on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachry-flores-mba-23b1b5ab/ Host: Lauren CardilloGuest: Zachry Flores (Military Veteran, UMGC Alumnus, UMGC Professor)Time Stamps & Show Notes: (00:00 - 00:47) Intro(00:48 - 02:24) Zach’s Beginnings(02:25 - 05:12) Military Life(05:13 - 07:36) Iraq and Afghanistan(07:37 - 12:51) A Memorable Day in the Life(12:52 - 14:29) The People Being Taught(14:30 - 18:09) Zach’s Brain Injury(18:10 - 20:36) The After Care(20:37 - 22:03) Daily Challenges(22:04 - 23:23) Coping Mechanisms(23:24 - 27:00) The College Journey(27:01 - 30:11) Day to Day(30:12 - 33:46) The Student in Me(33:47 - 34:27) In the Office(34:28 - 35:45) Graduation(35:46 - 38:49) The Defining Feature(38:50 - 39:38) What’s the future?(39:39 - 40:17) Closing