Mike Force Podcast: Stay Mission Focused and Reshape Your Purpose
Host: Mike Glover
Date: February 16, 2026
Episode Overview
In this introspective and deeply personal episode, Mike Glover explores what happens when a man loses his mission and purpose in life, sharing reflections on his own journey from military service to personal challenges and growth. With vulnerability and honesty, Mike discusses the transition many men face after leaving structured roles, especially in the military, and offers practical advice on how to rebuild a sense of purpose and identity amid loss and adversity. The episode is part motivational, part instructional, and resonates strongly with men going through periods of uncertainty, transition, or feeling lost.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Defining Mission and Purpose
-
Structure and Identity in the Military (00:52):
- Mike discusses how his early military service at 17 gave him structure, discipline, and purpose.
- He describes the clarity of military life—clear objectives, standards, and camaraderie.
"The military defined me, but also gave me left and right limits and a backstop structure to allow me to operate, make mistakes, but also give me the discipline and purpose in this mission that really shaped my life."
– Mike (00:58) -
Transition and the Concept of 'Lifer' (03:01):
- The 'lifer' concept—committing one’s life to a single system—versus the reality of life after service.
- Realization that life after the military presents a new beginning and more time left to define oneself.
2. The Loss of Purpose and the Identity Crisis
-
Internal Shift After Service (10:40):
- Mike narrates how his ambitions shifted from being a paramilitary ops officer to questioning if the sacrifices were truly worthwhile.
"Sometimes your purpose is taken from you, sometimes it collapses on its own. And sometimes life just hits you so hard that the mission you thought you had no longer fits who you are. You might be feeling this way now. You might be thinking to yourself, right now, I'm lost. I feel that way. I'm right there with you."
– Mike (13:44) -
Historical Context and Generational Struggles (15:30):
- Drawing from the post-WWII and Vietnam veterans’ experiences, he illustrates how cycles of loss and finding purpose are part of the male experience after great commitment and risk.
"We're seeing that now with GWOT vets, men including myself, who question the task and purpose of the missions we are sent on.... But we carried the weight of that."
– Mike (18:27)
3. Practical Steps to Regain Purpose
Mike outlines a five-step framework to transition out of purposelessness, offering both personal anecdotes and actionable advice.
1. Stabilize the Base (41:01)
- Begin by taking care of the fundamentals: physical health, sleep, clean nutrition, and hydration.
- Avoid destructive habits like excessive alcohol, social media, and distractions.
"You have to get your physical foundation back again. I am telling you the advice that I'm taking now because I'm currently in that situation."
– Mike (41:19)
2. Shrink the Timeline (44:50)
- Stop obsessing over the long-term; focus on today and create momentum through small, immediate actions.
"Stop thinking five years ahead. Think today and now, moment to moment. What can you do today that moves you forward one inch at a time?"
– Mike (45:08)
3. Replace Identity with Action (47:11)
- Don’t fixate on regaining your 'old self' or previous sense of validation—build a new identity with purposeful actions.
- Mike shares his struggle with starting over after loss, emphasizing forward movement despite setbacks.
"You are building the next version of yourself through habits and repetition. One habit, one action at a time."
– Mike (47:35)
4. Rebuild the Tribe (49:15)
- The devastation of losing a tribe is significant and must be addressed by seeking new supportive communities.
- Isolation is dangerous; accountability and challenge from other men is necessary.
"Isolation kills mission faster than failure."
– Mike (50:07)
5. Serve Someone Else (51:34)
- The fastest path out of self-destruction is to be responsible for others.
- Serving others brings perspective and clarifies purpose.
"You don't need clarity to start moving. You need movement to create clarity. And if you serve someone else, then that focus, that intention, creates purpose."
– Mike (51:56)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the Structure of Military Life:
"Whenever somebody says thank you for your service, I always think to myself, one, thank you for acknowledging that. But two, it wasn't hard. It was, in hindsight, the easiest part of my life....everything was structured and defined for me."
– Mike (31:02) -
On Facing the Void After Service:
"I still remember the day that I resigned as a sergeant major in Special Operations...Now you're just Mike and nobody cares."
– Mike (36:06) -
On the Real Foundation of Purpose:
"The mission and purpose was never the job. I know it feels that way, but it was never the job...Those were the vehicles. The real mission and purpose was the responsibility."
– Mike (39:50) -
On Accepting the Challenge:
"Mission isn't found ever in comfort...We want the challenge. We want the fight."
– Mike (55:43) -
On Rebuilding and Transition:
"If you're listening to this and you feel like you've lost mission and purpose, hear me clearly, you're not broken, you're just transitioning. Life has a way of stripping us down so we could rebuild ourselves stronger."
– Mike (57:09)
Important Segment Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:52 | Introduction to theme: Losing mission and purpose | | 10:40 | Shifting ambitions and loss of fulfillment | | 15:30 | Generational struggles with returning home | | 27:40 | The void after leaving the military | | 41:01 | Tangible Takeaways: Step 1 – Stabilize the base | | 44:50 | Step 2 – Shrink the timeline | | 47:11 | Step 3 – Replace identity with action | | 49:15 | Step 4 – Rebuild the tribe | | 51:34 | Step 5 – Serve someone else | | 55:43 | Reflection: Mission found through challenge, not comfort | | 57:09 | Final encouragement: You're not broken—just transitioning |
Episode Tone & Style
Mike’s tone is direct, honest, and unguarded—mixing personal confession, practical advice, and brotherly exhortation. He regularly underscores both his own current struggles and those shared by many men, making the episode relatable and motivational.
Summary Takeaway
Mike Glover’s heartfelt reflection offers valuable guidance for anyone—especially men—struggling with a loss of mission or purpose. By stabilizing the basics, focusing on the present, taking concrete action, rebuilding support networks, and serving others, one can not only recover but emerge stronger, with a purpose forged through adversity.
If you're feeling adrift or know someone who is, this episode is a powerful reminder that purpose isn't tied to a role or job—it's something you can reshape, no matter where you are in life.