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About This Episode
Why should you listen to Nathan Spearing? In Episode 1, Nathan unpacks the pivotal moments in his life and career that led him to leave special operations, start a bespoke construction company, build a thriving real estate business, and ultimately have more time to invest in his family.
Nathan is 38 years old, been married 15 years, has five kids, and was homeschooled all the way through high school. After high school, he worked a congressional campaign, then joined the military where he served for 14 years in special operations, including first and third ranger battalion, with 12 combat deployments.
When his son was seven years old, he found himself deployed to the Middle East watching his entire family open their Christmas presents on Skype while being micromanaged by the commanding general of special operations. He realized that if he wasn't going to be effective, he would get out and try to build something he would own at the end of it and not miss his kids growing up.
Leaving the Military and Paying Back $40K
Nathan left the military in December 2016. Just prior to out-processing, he and his wife closed on an 8,300 square foot historic mansion that needed complete renovations, with about $80,000 cash in the bank as a financial cushion. Then came a curveball: the government wanted to tax a portion of his reenlistment bonus that he hadn't earned since he was getting out early in a five-year commitment.
Rather than use it as planned for a small business loan, Nathan and his wife decided to write a $40,000 check on the last day to be free and clear—and almost broke. He immediately started a construction company to earn money while splitting time between working on the historic renovation and building the new business.
Why Am I Doing All of This?
Nathan acknowledges he is obedient to what he believes God has called him to do, pursuing it with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength, trusting the yield to Him. This approach led to his construction business thriving, achieving financial independence via their real estate portfolio, and acquiring 20 acres of land to start a farm.
Nathan was first introduced to the concept of personal agency by author C.R. Wiley, who argues that general competence is required for freedom. Personal agency is your ability to express individual power, act independently, make free choices, and affect change. Nathan's atypical education and special operations experience in dozens of countries gave him general competency and mindset that he's applied to small business success.
He warns that he won't always be "nice" on this podcast, believing the world is in its current mess because people are too nice. However, he promises to be kind and tell listeners what they need to hear so their lives can get better. As Abraham Lincoln said: "I do not like that man. I must get to know him better."