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Meet Marcus McLain: From Army Sergeant to

Military Service and the Journey to Germany

The Wake-Up Call in Afghanistan

Transition Challenges and Identity Crisis

The Mighty Oaks Experience

The Power of Rest and Grace

Rucking as a Spiritual Practice

GoRuck's European Expansion

The Power of Walking and Community Building

The Importance of Community in Personal

GoRuck's Mission and Local Impact

Wrapping Up and Future Plans

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What happens when the war goes on without you?

Retired Army Master Sergeant Marcus McClain shares his journey from rural Indiana to multiple combat deployments, being wounded in Afghanistan, and facing the unexpected identity crisis that followed leaving the military. For nearly twenty years, he was “Sergeant Mac.” His purpose was clear. His mission mattered. His tempo was relentless. But when he found himself in a hospital bed in Germany realizing the war was continuing without him, something shifted.

In this conversation, Marcus opens up about the dangerous trap of tying your identity to a title, rank, or profession. He shares the struggle of transitioning out of the Army at 38 years old and discovering he didn’t know who he was outside of the uniform. Success and drive masked deeper issues. Anger, restlessness, and burnout began to surface. Eventually, he had to confront a hard truth: maybe the problem wasn’t everyone else. Maybe it was him.

We talk about faith, humility, and the two words that have reshaped his life: grace and rest. For a high performer who has always led from the front, learning to slow down and let God lead has been one of the hardest battles yet. Marcus also explains how rucking became more than fitness it became a tool for mental clarity, spiritual focus, and intentional space to hear from God without distraction.

Whether you’re a veteran navigating transition, a leader in the corporate world, or someone who feels lost when the mission changes, this episode will challenge you to separate who you are from what you do. Your job may be important, but it is not your identity.

Learn more about GORUCK: https://www.goruck.com 

Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you.

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https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard 

What happens when the war goes on without you?
Retired Army Master Sergeant Marcus McClain shares his journey from rural Indiana to multiple combat deployments, being wounded in Afghanistan, and facing the unexpected identity crisis that followed leaving the military. For nearly twenty years, he was &ldquo;Sergeant Mac.&rdquo; His purpose was clear. His mission mattered. His tempo was relentless. But when he found himself in a hospital bed in Germany realizing the war was continuing without him, something shifted.
In this conversation, Marcus opens up about the dangerous trap of tying your identity to a title, rank, or profession. He shares the struggle of transitioning out of the Army at 38 years old and discovering he didn&rsquo;t know who he was outside of the uniform. Success and drive masked deeper issues. Anger, restlessness, and burnout began to surface. Eventually, he had to confront a hard truth: maybe the problem wasn&rsquo;t everyone else. Maybe it was him.
We talk about faith, humility, and the two words that have reshaped his life: grace and rest. For a high performer who has always led from the front, learning to slow down and let God lead has been one of the hardest battles yet. Marcus also explains how rucking became more than fitness it became a tool for mental clarity, spiritual focus, and intentional space to hear from God without distraction.
Whether you&rsquo;re a veteran navigating transition, a leader in the corporate world, or someone who feels lost when the mission changes, this episode will challenge you to separate who you are from what you do. Your job may be important, but it is not your identity.
Learn more about GORUCK: <a href="https://www.goruck.com">https://www.goruck.com</a>&nbsp;
Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you.
Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: <a href="https://marchordie.substack.com">https://marchordie.substack.com</a>!
Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: <a href="https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional">https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional</a> or text JOIN to (832) 333-8794
Follow March or Die: <a href="https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie">https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow">https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die">https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die</a>&nbsp;
Follow Jeremy: <a href="https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker">https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://jeremystalnecker.com">https://jeremystalnecker.com</a>&nbsp;
Follow Sean: <a href="https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard">https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard">https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard</a>&nbsp;

Host Jeremy Stalnecker seeks to help listeners answer one of the toughest questions we all face, "How do I move forward when my world is falling apart?" Jeremy Stalnecker is the Executive Director of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, dedicated to helping America’s military warriors and their families who are suffering from the unseen wounds of combat such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Jeremy has served in the Marine Corps, and as Senior Pastor at Bay Area Baptist Church. He is an accomplished author, inspirational speaker and a frequent guest on some of the most prominent news networks.

Host Jeremy Stalnecker seeks to help listeners answer one of the toughest questions we all face, "How do I move forward when my world is falling apart?" Jeremy Stalnecker is the Executive Director of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, dedicated to helping...

March or Die

Host Jeremy Stalnecker seeks to help listeners answer one of the toughest questions we all face, "How do I move forward when my world is falling apart?" Jeremy Stalnecker is the Executive Director of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, dedicated to helping America’s military warriors and their families who are suffering from the unseen wounds of combat such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Jeremy has served in the Marine Corps, and as Senior Pastor at Bay Area Baptist Church. He is an accomplished author, inspirational speaker and a frequent guest on some of the most prominent news networks.

What To Do When Your Title Is Your Identity

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/ea2b1a29-eb4e-4e4f-a79d-b3f7011a3f39/transcript