Episode 74 – Business Pushed Me Harder Than War Ever Did | Tom Sauer
January 14, 2026
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Navy and Marine Corps veteran Tom Sauer joins Bo for a wide-ranging conversation on service, entrepreneurship, mental health, and what it really takes to build a business from nothing. After spending 16 years in uniform, including time in Navy EOD, Tom made the leap from government service into the private sector and eventually founded a veteran-focused mental health and addiction treatment company that has helped save hundreds of lives.
In this episode, Tom breaks down why leaving the military was harder than combat, how entrepreneurship tested him in ways the battlefield never did, and why childhood trauma is often the real root of addiction and mental health struggles. From psychedelics and faith to SBA loans, acquisitions, and leadership under pressure, this conversation pulls no punches.
Guest Resources
Website: miramarhealth.com
X (Twitter): @ThomasBSauer
Value Bombs
Entrepreneurship Is a Different Kind of Courage – Why starting a company scared him more than combat operations.
Trauma Starts Early – How childhood trauma, not combat, is often the real source of addiction and mental health struggles.
Business Is Learnable – Why boring businesses with real cash flow beat flashy ideas.
Buy Revenue, Do Not Build It – Why acquiring existing businesses is often smarter than starting from scratch.
Cash Flow Over Ego – How SBA loans and seller financing let you buy companies without personal wealth.
Take Care of Your People – Why paying employees well and offering benefits creates long-term stability.
Freedom Has a Cost – The emotional and financial toll of betting on yourself before things work.
Sponsors
Grit Fitness – Elevate your fitness with cutting edge training and expert coaching. Learn more at Grit Fitness.
D3 Capital – Unlock sophisticated investment strategies designed to protect and grow your wealth. Learn more at D3 Capital.
Show Notes
[00:00] – Tom Sauer introduces his military background and transition from Marine Corps to Navy EOD.
[03:00] – Why entrepreneurship challenged him more than anything he experienced in uniform.
[07:00] – The reality of veteran mental health care and why his company treats the most severe cases.
[11:00] – Psychedelics, faith, and why these tools should never be taken lightly.
[16:00] – Weed, schizophrenia, and what he has learned working with addiction firsthand.
[20:00] – Fitness, aging, mobility, and why lifting still matters as you get older.
[23:00] – Walking away from a military pension and choosing to bet on himself.
[27:00] – Sleeping on an air mattress, stressing payroll, and the early grind of entrepreneurship.
[32:00] – Leadership, culture, and why taking care of employees comes before personal luxury.
[36:00] – Freedom versus complacency and how success can quietly slow you down.
[41:00] – Government work, corruption, and why financial independence matters in leadership.
[46:00] – His father’s addiction, loss, and why mental health became personal.
[51:00] – Why childhood trauma is more common than combat trauma among veterans.
[56:00] – Acquiring businesses with SBA loans and seller financing.
[01:01:00] – Final thoughts on service, freedom, and building a life with meaning.
Killer Resources
D3 Capital eBook – Master tax reduction strategies with our exclusive guide.
Grit Fitness Blog – Premium content on fitness, wellness, and peak performance.
D3 Capital Blog – Stay ahead with insights on financial trends and advanced wealth building strategies.
Performance & Wellness Picks
Strength Training – Lift heavy while respecting mobility and longevity.
Daily Walking – Simple movement that supports mental health and recovery.
Sleep Discipline – Recovery is non-negotiable for long-term performance.
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