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Mike flew elite combat missions. He commanded one of the most selective aviation units in the U.S. military. He was told growing up he wasn’t intelligent.

Mike Athanasakis shares his journey from a troubled childhood and Tourette diagnosis to Apache pilot and Battalion Commander in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

After years of high-risk deployments and leadership at the highest levels of special operations, Mike made an unexpected pivot: becoming an Owner-Operator with Chick-fil-A — one of the most selective franchise systems in America.

He breaks down:

• Why Chick-fil-A’s operator selection process mirrors elite military assessment
• How special operations leadership translates to business
• Building culture in a high-performance restaurant environment
• Leading teams without rank
• Redefining success after combat

This episode is about identity, pressure, transition, faith, family — and discovering that impact doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, the office of Dr. James Lynch. The incredible work that Dr. Jim and his wife Jodi do changes peoples lives. Check out their website for more information at https://drjameslynch.com/

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