Ep. 132 From the Battlefield to the NFL: Nate Boyer on Identity, Transition, and Purpose

In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Nate Boyer—United States Army Special Forces Veteran, former NFL player, filmmaker, and co-founder of Merging Vets and Players (MVP)—to explore one of the most unique and inspiring post-military journeys ever told.

Nate shares how, after serving in the Special Forces, he took an unconventional leap into college football at the University of Texas—despite never having played a down of organized football. That decision launched a path that eventually brought him to the Seattle Seahawks locker room, playing alongside legends like Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson. But as Nate reflects, the real story begins after the final whistle—when both athletes and veterans alike are faced with a daunting question: Who am I without the uniform?

This raw and honest conversation unpacks how Nate discovered the deep parallels between the military team room and the pro sports locker room—and why losing that sense of mission and community leaves so many feeling lost. That insight led to the founding of MVP, a nonprofit that reconnects veterans and former pro athletes through shared workouts, peer support, and purpose-driven community.

In this episode, Nate opens up about:

• Why he transitioned from his military career to professional football—and what he learned on both fields
• Training alongside elite athletes while still deploying to Afghanistan in the off-season
• Getting “the call” from Pete Carroll and the surreal experience of suiting up in the NFL preseason
• How MVP recreates the team environment for those transitioning out of service or sport
• The making of MVP the movie—and why telling real stories matters
• How you can join, support, or partner with Merging Vets and Players today

Whether you’re a veteran, athlete, leader, or transition support advocate, this episode is a powerful reminder that identity doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It just evolves—and MVP is making sure no one goes through that evolution alone.

Learn more and get involved at: vetsandplayers.org

Follow Nate: @nateboyer37

#MergingVetsAndPlayers #VeteranTransition #AthleteLifeAfterSport #GreenBeretToNFL #MVPtheMovie #TeamRoomToLockerRoom #VeteranSupport #NFLTransition #IdentityAfterService #MentalHealthAwareness #MissionContinues #VeteransInFilm #FromServiceToScreen #MilVetPodcast #NateBoyer

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