Show notes
In this deeply inspiring and wide-ranging conversation, Nate Boyer shares his incredible journey from humanitarian work in Africa to the frontlines as a Green Beret, and eventually to the NFL. Spencer and Nate dive into topics like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for clean water, starting MVP (Merging Vets & Players) with Jay Glazer, pursuing film and directing documentaries, and the legacy of WWII heroes. This episode is about purpose, reinvention, and making impact.What You'll Learn in This Episode:- How Nate Boyer transitioned from Special Forces to the NFL—and what he learned on both fields.- The origin and impact of the Waterboys project bringing clean water to East Africa.- Why Boyer co-founded MVP (Merging Vets & Players) and how it’s helping athletes and veterans redefine purpose.- What it takes to direct your first film, and how Nate turned lived experiences into scripted storytelling.- Behind-the-scenes insights into acting, filmmaking, and telling the stories of WWII veterans through documentaries.Timestamps:- [00:00 - 04:28] – Introduction: Nate’s climb up Mount Kilimanjaro and what the experience meant. - [04:28 - 08:56] – Waterboys.org: The mission to bring clean water to Tanzania and how NFL players contribute. - [08:56 - 13:24] – Sustainable transformation: Impact of wells on schools, livestock, and healthcare access. - [13:24 - 17:52] – Volunteering in Darfur: Nate’s first exposure to crisis zones and global humanitarian work. - [17:52 - 22:20] – Special Forces journey: Army enlistment, Green Beret training, and 18X pipeline insights. - [22:20 - 26:48] – Football dreams: Walking on to the University of Texas team at age 29. - [26:48 - 31:16] – NFL experience: Senior All-Star game, long snapping, and life with the Seattle Seahawks. - [31:16 - 35:45] – MVP begins: The idea, the struggle, and how Jay Glazer and Nate launched a movement. - [35:45 - 40:13] – Identity after service: Shared purpose between athletes and veterans post-career. - [40:13 - 44:41] – Nate in Hollywood: Acting school, NFL Network show, and early on-screen roles. - [44:41 - 49:09] – D-Day documentary: Traveling to Normandy and capturing the voices of WWII veterans. - [49:09 - 53:37] – Generational wisdom: Why we must preserve the stories of the Greatest Generation. - [53:37 - 58:05] – Directing and storytelling: Lessons from behind the camera and leading with vision. - [58:05 - 1:02:33] – Actor vs. director: The balance between creativity, clarity, and collaboration. - [1:02:33 - 1:07:02] – Closing thoughts: Life after the uniform, legacy, and what Nate’s working on next.Links & Resources:Follow Nate on Instagram, TikTok, and X: @nateboyer37Waterboys – https://www.waterboys.orgMVP (Merging Vets & Players) – https://vetsandplayers.org/Podcast Guest Submission Form: https://www.spencercoursen.com/podcastFollow Spencer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.coursen/?hl=enPurchase "The Safety Trap" by Spencer Coursen: https://a.co/d/3KXG4y2Connect With Coursen Security Group: https://www.coursensecuritygroup.com/