Earl Granville: A National Guard Hero’s Journey of Loss, Survival, & Triumph - Losing A Limb To A Roadside Bomb

Redefining Mindsets and Building Community
In this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie’s guest is Earl Granville, a true testament to resilience, leadership, and the power of positive mindset. Earl shares his transformative journey from trauma to triumph, offering listeners insights into how to redefine their own mindset to create the space for positive shifts in life. He discusses stepping out of your comfort zone, becoming the leader you are meant to be, and the critical importance of building and maintaining a healthy community.

Earl’s story is nothing short of inspiring. Just two weeks into basic training at Fort Benning, GA, with his twin brother Joe, the tragic events of 9/11 unfolded, marking a pivotal moment in his life. Earl went on to serve nine years as an Infantryman in the Army National Guard, with multiple deployments to Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. During his final tour, Earl lost his left leg below the knee due to a roadside bomb, and tragically, he also lost two of his teammates, Major Scott Hagerty and Specialist Derek Holland, on that same day.

After the loss of his limb in combat and the passing of his brother Joe, who took his own life while serving on active duty, Earl discovered the power of a positive mindset and became a passionate advocate for mental health, physical fitness, and resilience. He continues his journey as a public speaker, traveling the country to share his story and motivate others to overcome challenges. In addition to speaking, Earl works with several non-profits like Operation Enduring Warrior, the Oscar Mike Foundation, and WarriorStrong, all of which help wounded veterans and law enforcement officers stay physically active post-injury.

Earl’s efforts have earned him numerous awards, including the 2018 Attorney General Heart So Big Award, the Junior Chamber International (JCI USA) TOYA Award, and the 2018 Daughters of the American Revolution Veterans Volunteer Award. He retired as a Staff Sergeant with multiple honors, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Tune in to hear how Earl Granville's story of overcoming adversity and his commitment to positive change can inspire you to face your own challenges with resilience, build stronger connections, and lead a life of purpose.

In This Episode You Will Hear:
• One good thing about these conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan is that we’ve had a lot of people in their 20s and 30s that were losing limbs that causes technology to be boosted. (3:48)
• The amputee’s best friend is your Allen wrench. (7:03)
• [At] NYPD, the culture today is like the modern day Vietnam veteran. (21:09)
• Joining the military made it about me. What can I get out of this? Sure – free college. But going to Iraq, I became an NCO, put in charge of people. I realized this isn’t about me, it’s about us. (37:27)
• There’s pride that people take when tragedy happens. It’s what the community does to honor those who aren’t here anymore. (42:52)
• I remember going over the headset talking to my guys like “Damn, it’s beautiful here, look at this green grass. Who’s water the grass in Afghanistan?” The next thing I remember, I saw nothing but black. (65:52)
• I was ejected out of my Humvee and I wasn’t wearing mu gunner’s harness which probably saved my life, because the roof peeled back like a tuna can. (70:04)
• Everything happened right in my situation. I really do feel that way. What do I have to complain about? (70:20)
• Afghans don’t have the will to fight. (76:26)
• Have you ever met an Afghan or an Iraqi with an Iraqi flag or an Afghan flag tattoo? (76:43)
• I went under for surgery on my hip, and I woke up in Germany, with a nurse pulling a breathing tube out of my throat. (79:02)
• Joe [my twin brother] seeing me in this state, says to me: “I shoulda just gone with you. (84:23)
• It’s not forever. I’m gonna get my independence back. I’m gonna be walking again, cause it’s not forever. (96:08)
• While on active duty, my twin brother, Staff Sergeant Joe Granville, takes his own life. (97:57)
• How do I get this second chance at life, and Joe [my twin brother] take his away? (98:08)
• Not every mental health situation with an armed forces service member is PTSD related. (109:00)
• The big thing people need is purpose – military or not. (110:29)
• I found this passion of physical fitness once again thanks to being introduced to Crossfit. (120:41)
• People you surround yourself with, I truly believe, makes who you are. (125:15)

Socials:
- Website: earlgranville.org
- IG: Earlgranville
- Enduringwarrior.org
- Oscar mike foundation
Oscarmike.org
- warriorstrongink

- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
-  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit

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