Army veterans Marcus Farris and Pete Glaeser reconnect years after serving together in Alaska to talk about life after the military, identity, and rediscovering purpose through community and adventure. Pete shares his journey from Ranger Regiment and Special Forces to co-founding Courser Racing, a nonprofit that empowers veterans through the extreme sport of ocean rowing. They explore how teamwork, discipline, and shared struggle can help veterans navigate the hardest part of the transition — losing identity and community — and how rediscovering purpose through challenge can literally save lives.
Learn more about Courser Racing: https://www.courserracing.org/
Follow Pete and the Courser Crew on Instagram: @courser.racing
00:00 — Life after the uniform
Marcus opens with reflections on isolation after transition and introduces Pete Glazier.
01:30 — Auburn to Alaska
ROTC memories, Moose’s Tooth pizza, and how their paths first crossed in the frozen north.
04:45 — From Ranger Regiment to Special Forces
Pete’s progression through Ranger Battalion, dive school redemption, and finding his place on a dive team.
11:00 — The decision to leave
Balancing family, high-tempo operations, and the painful choice to step away from active duty.
14:40 — The spark: discovering ocean rowing
A chance encounter with rowboats in Antigua leads to a new mission — crossing oceans to help veterans heal.
19:20 — Building a new team
From four operators to a full nonprofit: how Corsa Racing began and why the camaraderie mattered most.
25:00 — Purpose, therapy, and the new mission
Realizing that isolation, not weakness, drives most post-service struggles — and how Corsa aims to “end veteran suicide.”
31:15 — Long-term healing vs. weekend fixes
Why Corsa focuses on multi-year goals instead of one-off experiences, and parallels with programs like Warriors Wingman.
36:10 — Reinventing the warrior
Marcus and Pete talk about finding a new version of the “warrior class” through purpose, service, and growth.
42:30 — Training for the impossible
The mental and logistical demands of ocean rowing: sleep deprivation, teamwork, and discipline over raw fitness.
53:00 — Post-traumatic growth in action
How voluntary hardship can rewire the mind for peace and purpose.
1:00:40 — Building identity beyond the battlefield
Transitioning from operator to civilian — and learning to lead in new ways.
1:10:00 — The epidemic of silence
Why suicide feels so close to every veteran community — and how open conversation breaks the cycle.
1:18:00 — Brotherhood as medicine
How simple check-ins, shared adventure, and honest talk can save lives.
1:28:30 — Purpose through service
Corsa’s next chapter: races, mentorship, and community-building beyond the water.
1:35:00 — Final reflections
Post-traumatic growth, leadership in civilian life, and creating spaces for men to be real.
1:45:00 — Where to find Corsa Racing
Website, socials, and how to support or sponsor a team.
Key takeaways
The hardest mission is coming home. The loss of identity and purpose after leaving service can be more dangerous than combat.
Community is medicine. Regular connection, shared struggle, and teamwork are the antidotes to isolation.
Challenge heals. Voluntary hardship — like rowing across an ocean — gives structure, meaning, and confidence back to veterans.
Long-term > one-off. Sustainable healing requires time, commitment, and purpose, not just weekend retreats.
Leadership never stops. Veterans have the power to lead again — in families, communities, and the broader mental-health movement.