From combat zones to camera crews — this is the incredible story of Mark Kershaw, an Army veteran who turned battlefield lessons into cinematic storytelling.
In this episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with Mark to explore his journey from struggling student to soldier, from firefights in Afghanistan to finding purpose through film.
Mark opens up about:
· Growing up lost and finding direction in the Army
· Life as an airborne infantryman and the near-fatal ambush that shaped his perspective
· The transition from warfighter to creator — how producing movies became therapy and purpose
· Why veterans bring a unique intensity, leadership, and storytelling skill to Hollywood
· The importance of grit, fear of failure, and finding identity beyond the uniform
This isn’t just a story about survival — it’s about reinvention. Mark’s honesty, humor, and humility remind us that sometimes the toughest missions come after the military.
🕒 Chapters (SEO + engagement focused)
00:00 – “Why I’m Not Special”
01:30 – Growing Up Undisciplined and Searching for Purpose
03:30 – Enlisting After 9/11: A Decision That Changed Everything
06:00 – Lessons from Basic Training and Early Failures
11:00 – Airborne School: From PLFs to Pain
16:00 – Deployment to Iraq: Leadership Under Fire
19:00 – Joining the 82nd Airborne and the Pursuit of Excellence
22:00 – Afghanistan: The Firefight That Defined a Leader
28:00 – Tragedy, Brotherhood, and Survival
41:00 – Life After Combat: Finding New Purpose
43:00 – The Transition: From Military to Movie Production
46:00 – Producing Indie Films: Grit Meets Creativity
50:00 – Veterans in Film: Real Stories, Real Emotion
52:00 – Lessons on Grit, Leadership, and Authentic Storytelling
Connect with Liberty Speaks:
🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com
🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
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