Welcome to the Multi-FAMILY zone podcast, where business meets family. The hosts of the show, Julia and Gino Barbaro, have been married for over twenty years, and have six children. Julia homeschools the children, and recently became a marriage and life coach to help couples become better communicators and help enrich their lives.  The couple is constantly asked about how they balance their entrepreneurial and real estate journey while raising their kids. The Multi-FAMILY zone was created to address these questions, along with a host of questions from the Jake and Gino community. In this week’s show, Julia and Gino interview Aaron & McKayla Hale, two Jake & Gino community members. They have an incredible story to share. After serving 14 years in both the Navy as a chef to the Commander of the US 6th Fleet and then transitioning on to becoming an Army team leader in one of the military’s most dangerous jobs, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Staff Sergeant Aaron Hale was blinded by an IED. Not letting his injuries hold him back, Aaron became an EOD instructor, motivational speaker, mountain climber, white water kayaker, and marathon runner.   Four years later tragedy struck again when Aaron contracted bacterial meningitis which robbed him of his hearing leaving him not just 100% blind but completely deaf as well. Again, Aaron picked himself up, dusted off, and continued to chase the best of what life has to offer. Today, he’s back speaking and sharing his story, running marathons, he’s a proud husband and father of a eight year old son and the recent addition of identical twins, runs a thriving chocolate company with his wife, and recently completed his first 100 mile ultra marathon   McKayla has known Aaron since childhood since their mothers were themselves childhood friends.   Formerly a student at Berkeley, McKayla first garnered team building, communication, and sales skills from her managerial position at Lulu Lemon before starting her adventure with Aaron.   Today, McKayla is a full-time mother to a 9yr old and 15mo identical twin boys, on the local charter school board, a community volunteer organizer, ice President of their chocolate company, and partner in their REI business. ...not to mention, patient wife and caregiver to her bombastic disabled veteran husband!   Their relationship is an example to all of us on how we should help each other out and support each other.  One thing that stood out to me on the show was when Aaron said that it was an ethical imperative for him to turn a problem into an opportunity and to be the role model for others out there.   The Jake & Gino community is blessed to have the Hale family and to share their story!   You can visit their company at EOD Fudge