Ben Owen is an Army Infantry veteran, a father to eight children, graduate of the University of Alabama, and American Patriot. From startups to Fortune 500 companies, Ben has excelled in leadership, strategy, raising brand awareness and sales. He is the President of digital media and data intel company Black Rifle Co, co-founder of We Fight Monsters, and CEO of Flanders Fields, where his mission is to stand up as many Flanders owned clean living facilities as possible to get veterans clean and off the streets through volunteer missions in the United States and around the world. As a previously homeless and addicted veteran, Ben has seen some of the worst the world has to offer. In this episode, he shares his story of rising above the extraordinary hardships he’s faced in order to bring hope and help to as many people as he can. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkoujZQZatbqy4KGcgjpVxQ/join Shawn Ryan Show Links SUBSCRIBE: http://www.youtube.com/@ShawnRyanShow Sign up: https://shawnryanshow.com/pages/newsletter Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/VigilanceElite Download Free Content: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lF-8_5jwRc5eAhzDkqqCOp-6yvd05vAw?usp=sharing Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shawn-ryan-show/id1492492083 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5eodRZd3qR9VT1ip1wI7xQ?si=59f9d106e56a4509 Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shawnryanshow Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnryanshow/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawnryanshow/ Follow on X: https://twitter.com/ShawnRyanShow SRS Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4pqo9Uoh0WuUKxw0BmaK1yrg9Kd7E4lk #vigilanceelite #shawnryanshow #veteran #military Ben Owen Links: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/therealbenowen/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealbenowen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Ben-Owen-100077606762984/ Black Rifle Co - https://www.blackrifle.company/ Flanders Fields - https://flandersfields.org/ We Fight Monsters - https://wefightmonsters.org/ Once American - https://onceamerican.com/ Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://ShawnLikesGold.com | 855-936-GOLD #goldcopartner https://amac.us/srs https://meetfabric.com/shawn https://americanfinancing.net/srs | 866-781-8900 | NMLS 182334, www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org https://hillsdale.edu/srs https://helixsleep.com/srs 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 00:21 Life at Rock Bottom 01:34 A Journey to Faith 21:25 Childhood and Early Life 44:50 Abuse and Trauma in Rehab 46:28 Life in Utah Treatment Facility 48:55 Struggles with Addiction and Family 54:09 College and ROTC Challenges 01:06:09 Enlisting After 9/11 01:34:43 Struggles with Addiction and Relationships 01:39:27 Finding Purpose and Career Challenges 01:41:40 Entrepreneurial Ventures and Family Growth 01:53:26 Health Scares and Pain Medication 01:58:04 Building a Business and Family Life 02:17:42 The Electronics Business Model 02:18:19 Transition to Firearms and Drop Shipping 02:19:56 Balancing Business and Family Life 02:29:24 Life in South Memphis 02:34:52 Legal Troubles and Attempted Recovery 02:51:15 Reconciliation and Relapse 03:07:58 Rebuilding Bonds with Kids 03:11:54 New Beginnings with Jess 03:19:07 Jess's Perspective 03:29:08 Facing the Past and Moving Forward 03:48:49 The Beginning of the Downward Spiral 03:49:57 The Impact on Family 03:51:01 Living in a Trap House 03:52:51 Homelessness and Desperation 04:00:58 Kidnapping and Escaping 04:09:06 Violence and Addiction 04:14:29 Turning Point and Recovery 04:45:47 Memphis Mission and Unexpected Challenges 04:52:23 Turning Drug Dealers and Addressing Addiction 05:09:24 Expanding Efforts and Future Plans 05:19:38 Psychedelics and Mental Health 05:25:03 Final Thoughts