Aaron Hale – How This Dad Overcomes The Odds
#66: Aaron Hale - How This Dad Overcomes The Odds
"Pain thrives in darkness. If we bring it out into the sunlight and we face it, those scars can heal. I just face everything head on."
-Aaron Hale, Veteran and Dad talks about how he overcomes losing his sight and hearing from an IED explosion.
Aaron Hale
in 10 seconds
- Aaron Hale spent 6 years as an EOD technician, until being blinded by an IED
- During recovery, Aaron rediscovered his love for baking and created EODFudge.com
- Aaron is a father to an 8-year-old son and 4-month-old twins
- Aaron, his wife McKayla and their family live in Santa Rosa, FL
In today's conversation, you'll learn 3 key things:
- How Aaron is able to remain so positive and productive, despite being blind and deaf
- How being a Dad has transformed Aaron's life
- How you can use exercise as a healthy form of discipline for your kids
Clip: The Explosion That Changed My Life
Watch Time: 2 minutes
YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/MGGNK2eMacg
Aaron: Just about the same time my metal detector was trying to tell me something very important, I got the mule kick from hell.
I went to adjust my helmet, to find that my helmet was gone. I thought, “Oh no….the army is going want that helmet back.”
It’s funny what we think about in these situations, but that’s the truth.
Within 48 hours, I was at Walter Reed, I had to come to grips with the new situation, I was going to be totally blind.
Thankfully, it just hit me in the head. I’m thankful the damage was limited.
A blind soldier, a blind father. I needed to find out how I could carry on.
Video: Aaron Hale’s Incredible Story
Watch Time: 8 minutes
Watch Aaron’s full story here:
https://eodfudge.com/aaron-hale.html
Clip: Exercise is a Great Discipline Tool
Watch Time: 2 minutes
YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/trWVigiERtM
Aaron: One other thing I brought over from my military training, exercise makes a great discipline tool.
Instead of being grounded, we work out. Push ups, walls lists, even holding books out.
It’s not one of those disciplines that make you feel guilty about after.
Clip: Make Your Bed: The Best Way To Start Your Day
Watch Time: 1 minute
YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/gyRdi-jrpPo
Rob: Can you explain the importance of making your bed every day?
Aaron: Admiral McCraven was a Navy SEAL and said “life can be hard, it can be tough, you can face failure after failure.
But if you can make your bed every day, at least you come home to a made bed.
And at least you start your day off with one success, one completion.”
LISTEN TO AARON’S DAD TIP
Sponsored by: KickstartReading.com
Watch Time: 2 minutes
YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/vrQ-5gNS-TQ
Aaron: It’s not about you. You’re not the most important thing in that household.
Being blind and deaf, it always feels like I’m the burden, like I’m creating more work. But there’s so much I can around the house, and for the children.
You’re helping the kids grow into good people. It’s your job not to raise assholes.
Clip: Rapid Fire Questions with Aaron Hale
Watch Time: 3 minutes
YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/BWLNuhI1jNI
Rapid Fire Questions with Aaron Hale:
– What is your favorite food to cook? Anything that comes out of the smoker, or anything wrapped in a tortilla. So, smoked barbacoa tacos
– What is the best dessert you make? Our flagship fudge, ‘Merican Pick-Me-Up
– Favorite movie of all time? Stripes or the Blues Brothers
-Favorite military movie? Platoon
– Favorite concert you ever saw? White Zombie and Pantera
-What is the athletic achievement you’re most proud of ?
Running my hometown marathon after recovering from meningitis (and qualifying for the Boston Marathon)
Thank you Aaron, for your service, for sharing your incredible story, and for showing us how we can serve our families. You truly are an inspiration.
You can learn more about Aaron Hale:
LISTEN TO MORE EPISODES OF THE DAD THE BEST I CAN SHOW
P.S. If you know a great Dad guest, email me at DadTheBestICan@gmail.com and we’ll get him on the show!
