Forged in the Fire: From Special Operations to Serving Heroes — The Mission of Josh Daniel
From the battlefield to the Blue Ridge Mountains, retired Master Sergeant Josh Daniel is still leading from the front. Through Counter Culture Solutions and Hero Games Charity, he’s teaching purpose,
What happens when a warrior lays down his rifle but not his mission?
For Josh Daniel, retirement from the U.S. Army didn’t mean stepping away from service — it meant stepping deeper into it.
After more than 20 years in Special Operations, including seven combat deployments, Josh returned home to Bedford, Virginia, not to fade into comfort, but to launch two life-changing missions: Counter Culture Solutions, a lifestyle and leadership initiative, and Hero Games Charity, a nonprofit that honors fallen Special Operations warriors by uplifting their families and communities.
🔥 From Humble Beginnings to Elite Leadership
Josh’s military journey began as a 134-pound teenager fresh out of high school, driven by a hunger to serve and a relentless work ethic.
“Excellence is available to everyone — but not everyone is willing to work for it. I charted the path. Now I help others walk it.”
That quote isn’t just a catchy tagline — it’s Josh’s core message, and one that’s deeply earned. He entered the ranks of the 75th Ranger Regiment, later transitioned to Special Forces, and rose to the coveted position of Team Sergeant — arguably the highest leadership role for a Green Beret operating in the field.
What separates Josh’s story is that he didn’t walk away from the uniform bitter or broken. He came home inspired — ready to serve in a different kind of war: the fight for culture, values, and purpose in civilian life.
🧭 Counter Culture: Building Resilient People, One Trek at a Time
Today, Counter Culture Solutions is Josh’s primary mission — and it’s not just a business. It’s a calling.
Through Counter Culture, Josh leads:
1-on-1 mindset and leadership mentoring
Personal firearms and defense training
Men’s wilderness treks, including “The Weight We Carry”
Youth survival programs
Business & school preparedness training (TVAs and active shooter response)
The treks in particular are a cornerstone of the program. Whether it’s The Weight We Carry for men or youth-focused treks and survival courses, these are experiences built for transformation. Real talk. Real hardship. Real growth.
“Sometimes kids don’t hear it from their parents. Sometimes they can’t. But when they come out with us — when they accomplish something difficult — you see the light bulbs go off. That spark of ‘I can actually do this.’ It changes lives.”
Group sizes are intentionally small — usually 10 people or less — to maintain meaningful interaction and a high cadre-to-client ratio. Whether you’re a kid learning to make a spear or a business executive learning how to lead under pressure, you leave with tools that last.
🛡️ Safety with Purpose: Training That Matters
Counter Culture also offers Threat & Vulnerability Assessments (TVAs) and Active Shooter Response Training for schools, churches, and businesses.
“We offer free initial TVAs to help organizations see their blind spots. It doesn’t take long for us to conduct an assessment — we’ve done them all over the world as Green Berets. We just want people to be aware of their vulnerabilities, and we give them practical ways to fix them.”
Josh is blunt about the challenges facing public institutions, especially schools.
“The sad truth? Private schools often have the funding to prepare their staff. Public schools don’t. So the gap widens.”
He’s not just raising awareness — he’s working to fill the gap through training, honest conversations, and scalable solutions that make safety practical and accessible.
🕊️ Hero Games Charity: A Living Tribute to the Fallen
If Counter Culture is Josh’s voice to the living, Hero Games Charity is his tribute to the fallen.
Started in 2017, Hero Games began as a modest challenge at a local CrossFit gym. Josh came home on leave, challenged his brother’s members with a brutal, military-style workout in the cold and rain — and despite the pain, they asked for more.
That first event planted a seed. With each year, it grew — and now it’s a week-long remembrance and healing experience for the families of fallen Special Operations warriors.
The week includes:
A time of connection and remembrance
Community events in Bedford, VA
And the main event: The Hero Games, a 6–8 hour endurance challenge led by SOF cadre in honor of a fallen hero
“This year, we’re honoring PFC Eric Hario, from 1st Ranger Battalion. His legacy — and the sacrifice of so many like him — deserves to be remembered in a way that breathes life into their story.”
Hero Games is more than sweat and suffering. It’s a living memorial, built on love, grit, and community.
🔗 Learn More & Get Involved
🌐 herogamescharity.com
📱 @JDXHGCXCCS
✨ Three Things to Be a Better Human – From Josh Daniel
Every guest on The MisFitNation Show gets the same question before we wrap up:
"What are three things our audience can start doing tomorrow to be better humans?"
Here’s Josh’s answer — powerful, simple, and unforgettable:
Care about other people more than you care about yourself.
Take action with that mindset — show empathy and give people the benefit of the doubt.
Live with fewer regrets.
“Sit on your front porch when you’re 80 and look back knowing you chose kindness, took risks, and didn’t waste your time being unkind or unwilling. Most of us will get there and say, ‘Man, I didn’t do the things I should’ve, and I did a lot I shouldn’t have.’ Let’s try to minimize those moments now.”
🎧 Hear the Full Story
🎙️ Catch the full interview with Josh Daniel on The MisFitNation Show — streaming now on YouTube, and all major platforms.
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and help us amplify voices that matter.