Service Above Self: A Memorial Day Tribute to the Heroes Who Defended Our Freedom
Mick Unplugged
Realm
4.8 • 3K Ratings
🗓️ 25 May 2026
⏱️ 54 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
You don't rise to the occasion, you rise or fall to your level of preparation.
This Memorial Day episode features reflections from figures like Chef Robert Irvine and Michelle Mace-Curren on military service and leadership. Delve into the deep driving forces behind dedication and self-sacrifice, exploring the critical role of preparation in overcoming impossible challenges.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- Chef Robert Irvine's mission to help those lost
- The reason behind a 30-year Air Force veteran's call for help
- Why micromanaging doesn't constitute leadership
- 4 principles for building strong, loyal teams
- The significance of 1% of the US population serving in the military
QUOTES THAT HIT
"Because there are people out there that need my help." - Memorial Day
"If you're worried about something right now that your worry will not affect, you're wasting your energy." - Memorial Day
"My because is simply because we're temporary." - Memorial Day
CHAPTERS
00:03 Mick Unplugged: Your Because
00:46 Chef Irvine's Because: Helping Others
02:12 Tough Love and Relatability
05:48 Overcoming Impossible: Start with Chapter One
07:29 Empathetic Leadership: Beyond Micromanagement
10:51 Military Service: A Daughter-in-Law's Journey
17:03 My Because: A Free Nation
22:43 Robert J. Ono's Because: Family
28:02 Bin Laden Raid: The 90-Minute Flight
32:31 Preparation: Master the Basics
33:23 CZ Lopez: Purpose and Misfortunes
43:17 Michelle Mace-Curren: Legacy and Leadership
QUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: What does Chef Robert Irvine consider his "because"?
A: Chef Robert Irvine says his "because" is that there are people out there who need his help, and he uses his platform for the betterment of others who are less fortunate.
Q: How does Michelle Mace-Curren define her "because" as an entrepreneur after military service?
A: Michelle Mace-Curren finds her "because" in creating her legacy now, seeing the tangible inspiration in front of her eyes when she gives keynote speeches, and knowing that her work impacts people's lives.
Q: Why is preparation essential for leaders, according to Robert J. Ono?
A: Robert J. Ono emphasizes that leaders must be prepared for contingencies and master the basics, because "you don't rise to the occasion, you rise or fall to your level of preparation."
Connect & Discover Our Memorial Day Heroes:
Chef Robert Irvine Website: ChefIrvine.com
Chef Robert Irvine Instagram: @chefirvine
Robert Irvine Foundation: RobertIrvineFoundation.org
JoAnne Bass LinkedIn: @jo-bass
JoAnne Bass Instagram: @thejoannebass
Rob O'Neill Website: RobONeill.com
Rob O'Neill Instagram: @mchooyah
CZ Lopez LinkedIn: @ramoncolonlopez
CZ Lopez Instagram: @therealczcolonlopez
Michelle "Mace" Curran Website: MaceCurran.com
Michelle "Mace" Curran Instagram: @mace.curran
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Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | This is Mick Unplugged. |
| 0:05.0 | Let us uncover the because, that thing that drives you, that thing that fuels you. |
| 0:12.0 | I'm ready if you are. Let's go. |
| 0:16.0 | Chef Robert Irvine. |
| 0:18.0 | So, Chef, on Mick Unplugged, I like talking to individuals about something that's deeper |
| 0:26.3 | than their why. |
| 0:27.4 | And I like to call it your because, right? |
| 0:29.2 | Like, I think that your because is what drives you and what fuels you. |
| 0:32.9 | Your why to me is very superficial. |
| 0:35.5 | If I were to ask Chef Robert Irvine today, what's your because? |
| 0:39.9 | What's that thing that keeps you going and driving and that thing that keeps you at the top |
| 0:45.2 | of your game? |
| 0:46.0 | Because there are people out there that need my help. |
| 0:48.5 | That's my and that's a true statement. |
| 0:51.8 | For me, I'm in a blessed position, although I've had to work to get there and fight |
| 0:57.5 | the good fight, as they say, like everybody else. But now I have a platform. I want to continue to use |
| 1:02.8 | my platform for the betterment of other people that are less fortunate, whether you've been in the |
| 1:07.9 | military, whether you have a restaurant, whether you're just down and |
| 1:11.2 | out of luck, I feel that I've been given a blessing to be able to pick you up, no matter what |
| 1:17.5 | walk of life, what revenue stream you have or don't have, whether you live on the street, |
| 1:22.9 | whether you live on a tent, whether you live in a mansion, whether you're a Fortune 500, |
| 1:27.0 | CEO or anybody, really. |
... |
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