In this inaugural episode of Frontline Voices, host “IRON” Mike Steadman is joined by fellow Hoover Veteran Fellow alumnus Greg Eason. Mike opens up about his journey from growing up in a single-parent household, to becoming a Marine Corps officer, entrepreneur, and community leader. Together, they explore the idea of “normalizing excellence,” how their lived experiences shaped their outlook, and what it means to be a change-maker today. They also discuss the power of mentorship, faith, and resilience in overcoming adversity. This episode sets the stage for future conversations with veterans leading impactful work across the country.
Recorded on March 11, 2025.
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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Gregory Eason is a real estate developer and investor focused on delivering high-quality housing experiences in emerging and underserved markets. A graduate of the US Naval Academy with a degree in quantitative economics, he served as a gunnery and training officer in the Navy before transitioning out of the military and into real estate. He currently leads a build-to-rent project in Atlanta, and is an angel investor in a 185-acre development in North Augusta, Georgia. As a Veteran Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Greg explored innovative housing solutions and the intersection of economic mobility, faith, and community investment.
“IRON” Mike Steadman is a former Marine Corps infantry officer, three-time national boxing champion, and the founder of IRONBOUND Boxing, a nonprofit in Newark, NJ that provides free boxing and entrepreneur education to youth. He’s also a professional business coach, brand builder, and category designer who helps underdogs and misfits, veterans, Black women, and those used to being “one of one”, launch purpose-driven brands and ventures. Mike is a Hoover Institution Veteran Fellow, where he sharpened his thinking around leadership, public policy, and the role veterans can play in solving some of America’s most pressing challenges. He currently trains CEOs, advises emerging brands, and helps underdogs and misfits build businesses and tell stories that matter.
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- The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy
- The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Jim Collins' Stockdale Paradox Concept
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