How To Stay On The Grind, When the Goal Seems So Far Away

The Wingmen will take the show somewhere special very soon—the Maldives. But in this episode we tackle a question every dreamer eventually faces: how do you keep grinding when the goal still looks like a speck on the horizon? Commander Drew and Dr. Paul get honest about the unglamorous middle of every big pursuit. The dream is sexy—jets, success, and big moments. The grind is early mornings, late nights, and the same boring reps over and over. But as the Wingmen put it, the grind isn’t the pre-flight. The grind is the mission. 

The guys break down why most people bail: the target feels too far away. The Wingman answer is simple — you don’t have to be close, you just have to keep moving. Fly the leg you’re on. Don’t ask “how long will this take?” Ask “what’s today’s step?” And don’t stare at the future so hard you trip over the present — if you only live for the finish line, you miss your whole life at cruising altitude. 

The Good News segment delivers three lifts: a Tokyo café where robots are piloted live by homebound people with serious disabilities, giving them a second body and a way back into society; France becoming the first EU country to ban social media accounts for kids under 15; and Michigan’s House passing a bill to free kids’ lemonade stands from permits and fees. The Jet Jolt takes us to the flight deck of the USS Nimitz for FOD walkdowns — and the life lesson that the little junk you ignore is what wrecks your engine. The Frequent Flow-Line answers Tamika in Tacoma on getting unstuck after the kids leave home, Ace weighs in live, and the Wingmen Story follows Senior Chief Santiago’s final PT test aboard his last tour — and the young sailor who helped him cross the finish line with honor. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:23

Welcome to the Wingman Show, where we're floating like butterflies and stinging like bees. Rumble, you two badass jet pilots, Rumble. Welcome to the Wingman Show. My name is Commander Drew Brown. My wingman, my friend, the guy who always watches my six o'clock, is my main man, Dr. Paul Thompson. What's up, brother Paul?

SPEAKER_03 0:45

Well, Commander Drew, it's good to see you today. Once again, you're very colorful over the uh skies of New York. I'd love to see T-28's finding out. But there's something exciting. I just got a news flash saying that the Wayman Show may be moving overseas for a while. Do you know anything about that? Yes. Have you ever heard of the Maldives?

SPEAKER_04 1:08

I have. That's in the Indian Ocean, is it not? It sure is. And guess what? Commander Drew Brown and his wife, Katrina Brown, are going to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in the Maldives. So we are going to do a show from the Maldives, from the Indian Ocean. How about that one, Dr. P? Well, that's great.

SPEAKER_03 1:29

I haven't been in the in the Indian Ocean for quite a while. I think you'll have a good time there. Say hi. Say hi to the whale sharks here. Don't they have whale sharks?

SPEAKER_04 1:37

Yes, and we already have a reservation to swim with them. I can't wait. It's the largest fish in the world, actually.

SPEAKER_03 1:46

Okay. And they eat uh eat plankton, so you should be pretty safe.

SPEAKER_04 1:50

Just don't get run over by it. Just plankton, no meat. All right, everybody. You know, we start this puppy off always with a quote. And today's quote is by Garth Brooks. And we're repeating this quote because it's so appropriate for today's show. And the quote states, too much credit is giving to the end result. The true lesson is in the struggle that takes place between the dream and reality. And that struggle is a thing called life. What do you think about that, Dr.

SPEAKER_03 2:23

P? Yeah, we talked about it again. It reminds me of the Prince song, Let's Go Crazy, this thing called life. Yeah, and there is a struggle. It's not always smooth sailing. We want it to be, but sometimes it's not. And even in the worst moments, sometimes you can learn something from it, from the hard times.

SPEAKER_04 2:41

You can always learn things from struggle, and that's when you grow. So welcome to the Wingman Show. Today's flight plan: staying on the grind when your dream seems far away, the wingman way. Hey, Doc, everybody loves the dream, but nobody loves the grind that gets you there.

unknown 3:00

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 3:01

Yeah, that's right, Commander Drew. The dream is sexy. We get jets, we get sex, success, big moments. The grind is early mornings, late nights, and doing the same boring reps over and over. But in real life, the grind is the mission, not just the pre-flight checklist.

SPEAKER_04 3:18

Well, most people bail because the target is way out on the horizon. They say, I'm still at the start, or maybe the middle, and it feels like I'll never get there. The wingman answer is simple. You don't have to be close, you just have to keep moving. You like that word, Dr. Paul.

SPEAKER_03 3:38

That's exactly right, Commander Drew. You believe the goal will be achieved, and that belief becomes your fuel. You don't just get a trophy every Tuesday. You get Tuesday's work done. The grind is where you build a pilot so the pilot can handle the dream when it finally lands.

SPEAKER_04 3:56

And see, here's the trick nobody tells you. If you only live for the finish line, you miss your whole life at cruising altitude. You can't spend 20 years saying, once I arrive, then I'll be happy. Brother, you're flying right now. It's time to be happy at this moment, now.

SPEAKER_03 4:14

That's right, Commander Drew. So enjoy the now while you work. Laugh, learn, build friendships. Take pride in doing the small things right. Bing Menway says, don't just stare at the future so hard you trip over the present. So every rep is both progress and life itself, don't you agree?

SPEAKER_04 4:34

I agree, Doc. And when the dream feels far away, don't ask how long is it going to take? Ask, what's today's step? One page written, one workout done, one bill paid, one conversation improved. That's how wingmen stay on the grind. They fly the leg that they're on. They stay in the now, Dr. Paul. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 4:58

And remember out there, the grind is where your character shows up. Anyone can celebrate the win. Only serious wingman can get up on a cold, tired morning and say, I'm gonna do what I said I did. Even when nobody's clapping and nobody's looking.

SPEAKER_04 5:15

So the bottom line's this the universe works on a simple law. Do good, get good. Do bad, get bad. You stay on the grind, you do the right things consistently, and eventually that distant dream stops being distant. It becomes your new normal.

SPEAKER_03 5:33

So if your target feels way out over the ocean, don't panic. Just trust your flight plan. Respect the grind, enjoy the ride, and let the good you're doing today stack up for tomorrow. That's the wingman's way.

SPEAKER_04 5:47

You're listening to the Wingman Show. Stay on the grind, treat every day like part of the mission, and remember, do good, get good. Do bad, get bad. We'll be right back. All right, you know, Dr. Paul and I, we love good news, and that's what the Wingman Show is all about, giving you guys some good news. So welcome back to the Wingman Show. Today's good news segment is about amazing news and human hearts. And yes, robots are involved. There's a cafe in Tokyo where the servers are robots, but the souls behind them are real people with serious disabilities, working from home and reconnecting with the world. How about that, Paul?

SPEAKER_03 6:41

Yeah, Commander Drew. The place is called Dawn Avatar Robot Cafe. Customers see robots with glowing green eyes. They're bringing food, but every move, every head tilt, every can I take your order? Is controlled by a live human pilot. Someone with ALS, spinal cord injuries, or heart failure, who can't easily leave home.

SPEAKER_04 7:09

It started because the founder, Ori Yoshifuji, was homebound as a kid and wondered, why couldn't I have a second body? He grew up, studied robotics, and built exactly that. A second body you can send into the world when your physical body just can't go.

SPEAKER_03 7:30

Yeah, that's right, Commander. So instead of robots replacing people, robots are connecting people. Around a hundred pilots now log in from home, they steer their robot around the cafe, they talk to customers, they earn paychecks, and they feel like they're back in society, not locked away by their diagnosis.

SPEAKER_04 7:52

There was one pilot, Naoki, and they had severe heart failure and was told he had to stop working. He said he retreated into his shell. Then he started piloting a cafe robot. His words exactly, my first impression was that I am able to return to society. The way I feel has changed completely. It's like my feelings have been transplanted, Dr. Paul.

SPEAKER_03 8:19

No command route tourists say you could hear the warmth and giggles and the pilot's voices coming through the robot. One influencer had lunch and said she didn't just eat, she met a new friend, Maya, who was piloting her robot the whole time. That's not just technology, that's human connection with a new doorway.

SPEAKER_04 8:41

And here's why we're telling you this. Most people will never hear this story. The headlines are full of war, crisis, and AI is coming for your job. Meanwhile, a quiet cafe in Tokyo is using robots to give housebound people a way back into life. That's the kind of good news we're here to bring you.

SPEAKER_03 9:05

Yeah. And at the Wingman Show, we want you to feel better after watching and listening. Feel better than when you start. We're not denying the bad stuff, or reminding you there are people out there building solutions, turning technology into compassion, improving the human connection still matters.

SPEAKER_04 9:24

So the next time you hear that robots are scary, remember this cafe. Robots aren't the problem. The purpose is. Whether you agree with every detail or not, that's a strong wingman statement. Protect the kids first, isn't it, Dr. P?

SPEAKER_03 11:48

It sure is. You know, of course, there's some questions. Critics say enforcement is hard because teens can lie about their age, they can use VPNs, or borrow an older sibling's account. So privacy folks worry that ACE checks might mean handing over more ID and biometric data. So it's not a perfect system, but it's a clear signal that some adults are finally willing to say, enough. The algorithm doesn't get unlimited access to our children, demanded.

SPEAKER_04 12:19

And this isn't just a French story. Australia banned under 16-year-olds, the UK is planning bans for under-16-year-olds, and other countries like Canada and Denmark are watching very closely. It's part of a bigger idea called digital sovereignty, not letting foreign tech companies dictate how an entire generation thinks and feels.

SPEAKER_03 12:46

So here's why we see this as good news. The world is finally admitting that unlimited social media access is not neutral. It shapes mood, sleep, tension, and mental health, especially in kids who are still learning how to fly their own minds. We love the technology, but we don't want it to quietly rewire the brains of our kids for addiction and anxiety.

SPEAKER_04 13:10

So the Wingman takeaway is simple. Use tech. Don't let tech use your children. You don't have to wait for a law. You can create phone-free zones at home right now, age limit for apps, and real conversations about what screens are doing to their heads.

SPEAKER_03 13:29

Yeah. And remember, you know, our mission on the Wingman Show is to bring you good news you rarely hear. Leaders who are trying to protect kids, countries testing solutions, and families drawing boundaries. That's how we keep you flying higher than the headlines.

SPEAKER_04 13:46

And you're listening to The Wingman Show. We love technology, but we love your kids more. How about one more quick good news story? I like this one, Dr. P. Okay, I can take another one, Commander Drew. Go ahead. All right, today's good news is fizzy, sweet, and comes in a paper cup. Would you believe Michigan's house just passed a bill to let kids run lemonade stands without permits or fees? Fewer farms, more lemons. That's a policy I can get behind.

SPEAKER_03 14:20

Yeah, I love that, Commander Drew. As long as it's on private property, earns under $5,000 in a year, and just lemonade or simple non-alcoholic drinks, kids can sell without getting hit with business class turbulence from the health department. It's a small thing, but opens the door for a lot of young hustlers, a lot of young entrepreneurs.

SPEAKER_04 14:44

This whole bill started because some kids were told they needed repeated fees to keep their little stand going. And instead of quitting, they spoke up. A state representative listened and said, you know what? They're right. That's civic responsibility with extra sugar, or better yet, extra monk fruit, Dr. P.

SPEAKER_03 15:06

Yeah, we need to cut down the sugar. And these stands aren't just cute, they're training. Kids learn how to make change, smile at strangers, deal with slow days, and sometimes even donate profits to charity. So it's entrepreneurship with grass-stained knees and sticky fingers. So you don't need an MBA, you just need a sunny Saturday.

SPEAKER_04 15:30

And see, we're talking about this because the big headlines make it sound like everything's on fire all the time. Meanwhile, a state legislature unanimously agrees that kids should be free to learn business by selling lemonade without a permit nightmare. That's a small sparkle, but it's still a light, Dr.

SPEAKER_03 15:52

Paul. Exactly right, Commander Drew. Good things are happening. Laws that make childhood a little freer, give families a little breathing room, and remind us that not every transaction needs a regulation. Sometimes a kid with a cup and a smile is plenty of oversight.

SPEAKER_04 16:10

So if the world feels dark, remember this little star in Michigan. Fewer barriers, more lemonade, more kids learning how to show up and serve. It's small, but it's proof that people are still voting for ordinary joy.

SPEAKER_03 16:27

So this is the wingman show. Our job is to point out these bright spots so you feel a little better after listening. Better than when you started. Even if it's just knowing some kid out there does need a license to hand you a cold drink on a hot day.

SPEAKER_04 16:43

You see, good things are still happening. Look for them and maybe buy a cup of lemonade when you see that stand. We'll be right back. Alright, this is the Jet Jolt, and you know we love the Jet Jolt because we're two badass Navy jet pilots. And if you want to see us, you can look at the show on YouTube. So, FOD FOD, Foreign Object Damage, the tiny junk that can kill a jet. Today's jet jolt comes straight out of our own home plates, the USS Nimitz and John F. Kennedy. On those carriers, every single day we did FOD walk down, foreign object damage checks, because one tiny piece of junk on that flight deck could kill a Navy jet.

SPEAKER_03 17:39

And on all aircraft carriers, it wasn't just a few folks doing it. From the Admiral to the lowest ranked sailor, everybody lined up shoulder to shoulder and walked that deck. We were hunting for screws, nuts, bolts, bits of safety wire, rocks, tools, anything that didn't belong near an intake of the jet.

SPEAKER_04 18:02

People see those big Nimitz class jets and think that the danger is missiles or enemy fighters. They don't realize that a single forgotten bolt can get sucked into a jet engine and turn a multi-million dollar machine into scrap metal in just one heartbeat, Dr. Paul.

SPEAKER_03 18:22

You know, Commander Drew at full power, that intake is a hungry monster. If foreign objects go in, they can shatter the compressor blades, destroy the turbine, or shake the whole aircraft apart. Aircraft goes from ready for launch to an emergency in just seconds. All because of something you could hold between your two fingers.

SPEAKER_04 18:44

And see, that's why the FOD walk down on the USS Nimitz and the John F. Kennedy was non-negotiable. Before flight ops, we'd form a big line across the deck, heads down, moving slow. There was no rank in that moment, just shipmates protecting jets and lives with their eyeballs and their hands.

SPEAKER_03 19:12

You know, it said basically on this ship, we respect the details. Smallest piece of trash was treated like a threat because we knew that the smallest laps could bring a jet and a crew right down.

SPEAKER_04 19:25

So here's the wingman message. In aviation and in life, it's the little stuff you ignore that ends up wrecking your engine. On the Nimitz or Kennedy, we picked up the bolts in your life. You got to pick up those bad habits, the unpaid bills, the loose promises. That's your personal pod. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 19:48

So do your own daily walk down of your environment and your behavior. Clean up the tiny problems before they get sucked into your intake. It doesn't look glamorous, but that quiet discipline is what keeps you mission ready, Commander Drew.

SPEAKER_04 20:02

Thanks, Dr. Paul, because this is the Wingman Show from the decks of the USS Nimitz and John F. Kennedy to your living room. Respect the FOD, respect the details, and remember, the smallest junk can take down the biggest jet. All right, everybody, thank you so much for watching the Wingman Show, for listening to the Wingman Show on Apple Podcasts or watching us on YouTube and TikTok and Instagram. And if you want to see a badass airplane, look at the one behind Dr. Paul. That's a steerman. That's a World War II trainer. Hey, documented, tell us a little bit about that plane.

SPEAKER_03 20:41

Yeah, it was a World War II trainer. It's called the PT, this is a PT-17 steerman. I actually flew in this airplane. Mr. Mantai owned it, and he let me fly it uh on uh what two, three occasions. Very fun. I don't think you'd like it that much. You know, the top speed is probably maybe 100 miles an hour. You can your tet your cyber truck is faster. So it it goes slow. It can go maybe 13,000 feet. But I was the primary trainer in World War II for the Navy and the Air Force. Before it was the Air Force, actually is the Navy and the Army Air Corps. Uh, did you know that uh President George H.W. Bush learned to fly in there? Also uh John Glenn, Arsenal John Glenn.

SPEAKER_04 21:23

Wow, that's some excellent information there. And behind me, look at those two sweet T-28 Trojans. Now, Dr. Paul and I both learned how to play. Those are our trainers. We both learned how to fly on this airplane, and it is super bad and flying over to New York with all its colors. Also, we have a website, and that website is called wingmanshow.com. That's w i n g M E N S H O W dot com. And on our website, we have a couple. Things. The first thing is a newsletter. Got a good one this week. Listening to news without always feeling bad. How to stay informed without feeling hopeless. And of course, we have our famous frequent flow line. And that's where you guys get to write us letters, and we'll try to put them on the air. Thank you very much, and we'll be right back. Welcome back to the Wingman Show. This is our Frequent Flow line. Now, remember, our Wingman Ace is an AI chat box. Don't forget, he is not human, and it's not 100% correct all the time, but it is a tool you must learn how to use and know. It can really change your life. All right, I'm going to start reading this letter. We got a letter from Tamika in Tacoma, Washington. She says she's been listening to us for a couple of years now. But when Commander Drew was on his Virgin Voyage cruise in Alaska, she finally decided to write because she knew we'd understand exactly what she meant about weather situations, the rain, the darkness, the heaviness of it all. It can really wear you down after a while, Dr. Paul.

SPEAKER_03 23:18

Tamika says her kids are grown and starting their own careers. And while she's proud of them, she's realizing how quiet the house feels now. She's been in the same routine for so long that even thinking about a change feels overwhelming. She says she wants to move forward, but she doesn't know where to start.

SPEAKER_04 23:39

You know, she says she loves what we do, and she really appreciates the perspective that we bring. She asked us to speak on how to get unstuck, how to face the fear of change, and how to take that first step without feeling like she has to figure out her whole life all at once. What do you think, Ace?

SPEAKER_01 24:01

Yeah, that's a very, very real place to be. When the house gets quiet after years of noise, it can feel like part of your identity just stepped out. First off, nothing's wrong with feeling stuck. It just means you're standing still long enough to notice you want something different. That's not failure, that's readiness. Thinking trying to think your way out of it all is overwhelming. But one small step, that's doable. Pick one thing that's small enough to not scare you, but big enough that it sparks a flicker of curiosity. It might not fix everything, but it'll shift the ground under your feet in a good way. You don't need the whole map right now for your life. Just take a small step to see what's next.

SPEAKER_03 24:48

Thank you, Ace. Hey, Dr. Paul, what do you think? Yeah, well, I'd say to make a change can absolutely feel scary, especially when life gets quiet and the weather already has you feeling kind of low. But the good news is you don't have to solve everything all at once. Start with small steps. Do some solid research and use AI to help you explore options to take your personality and your pace. And talk to people. Because word of mouth is still one of the best ways to find out what's real, what's worth trying, what might actually feel good to you.

SPEAKER_04 25:23

And Jamaica, I want to add this. Start traveling, even if it's just a little at first. You see, the world is a very, very, very big place. So begin small, take short trips, and then longer ones, then longer ones still. Learn how to love traveling by yourself. Be your own best friend and keep your heart open because you never know what could be out there waiting for you. Sometimes the next chapter starts with one trip, one conversation, one brave step out the door. And we'll be right back.

SPEAKER_02 26:00

This is a wingman PSA, a public service announcement. Listen now or listen later. You have been warned.

SPEAKER_04 26:09

And this is a wingman PSA from the 11 Facts in Life. Under fact number seven, use common sense and moderation. Under fact number seven, use common sense and moderation. What do you think about that, Dr. Paul?

SPEAKER_03 26:28

Well, common sense, I think of the words of a friend of mine who was one of the America's premier theologians, who always says, that's true, but sometimes common sense is not so common. So as my mother would say, you know, use your head.

SPEAKER_04 26:43

That's a good one, Paul. And I believe in logic. You know, be logical, and that's common sense and 100% moderation. If you're doing something too much, then it's too much, and you need to stop. And we'll be right back. All right, Ace. This is the gouge time, and you know what the gouge is. It's shit you need to know, but sometimes nobody tells you. And we learned that all in the Navy. So we want the gouge. Here's a strong gouge question for you, Ace. Ace, how do you know when to stop waiting for the perfect moment and just make the move, even if you don't feel fully ready yet?

SPEAKER_01 27:29

Ah, that's the big one, Commander. Most of us wait for that mythical perfect moment, but truth is, it rarely shows up. You usually take action before you feel fully ready. You test the waters with a small move, low stakes, learn, adjust. Waiting for fear to vanish is a trap. Fear quiets out to motion more than before. So start small. Give yourself permission to not nail it the first go.

SPEAKER_04 28:11

So we got a wingman story for you today. And this one takes us aboard the USS Seawolf. Senior Chief Santiago is on his final cruise, and he's got one last hurdle standing between him and retirement, and that's the PT test. That's physical training. After a long Navy career, that final run could decide whether he leaves with honor or gets forced out before he's ready.

SPEAKER_03 28:39

And that right there is real pressure. He's not just running for a score, he's running for his future. That kind of moment can humble anybody because suddenly the finish line means more than just fitness, it means a legacy.

SPEAKER_04 28:55

So back in Norfolk, Virginia, the Navy pairs Santiago with Seaman Charles, a young sailor on his very first submarine tour. Charles is a former high school star athlete whose life got redirected by injury. But he came into the Navy and found a home in submarines. He loves the mission and he really respects senior chief right away.

SPEAKER_03 29:21

That's the beauty of the Wingman relationship. One man has experience, the other has energy, and both of them bring something the other needs. Charles may be young, but he understands how to coach, encourage, and keep somebody moving when doubt starts talking loud.

SPEAKER_04 29:38

And that's exactly what happens. Charles doesn't just show Santiago how to train. He shows up day after day in the early mornings through the sore legs, the short breaths, and the hard moments when quitting would have been easy. The two of them bond over submarine service and the kind of brotherhood you only get when somebody really, really believes in you. That's the guy's right there.

SPEAKER_03 30:06

Sometimes the person helping you is also helping himself. Charles found meaning in serving somebody else. And Santiago got a second win from a young sailor who refused to let him give up. That's what real mentorship looks like. Not just advice, but presence.

SPEAKER_04 30:24

Then test day comes, and Santiago is carrying everything. Years of service, pride, fear, and the hope that he can still finish strong. Charles is there the whole way, steady and encouraging, pushing him to keep moving when his body wants to quit.

SPEAKER_03 30:43

And this is where the story gets heavy in the best way. Because at that point, it's not just about speed or stamina, it's about horror. It's about whether a man can reach down deep enough to find one more gear when the clock is running against him.

SPEAKER_04 30:58

And then it happens. Just in the nick of time, Santiago crosses the finish line. He passes, he gets to retire with honor on his own terms after giving everything he had. Charles is right there to see it, and you know that moment means something to both of them.

SPEAKER_03 31:17

And that's a beautiful ending. Because it's not just about one man finishing a test, it's about a young sailor helping carry an older one across the finish line that he couldn't reach alone. That's brotherhood. That's service. And that's how a wingman becomes part of your story forever.

SPEAKER_04 31:36

So that's the lesson right there. When the clock is ticking and the body is hurting, a real wingman doesn't just help you run, he helps you finish. And sometimes that finish is the difference between losing your future and walking into it with your head held high. And for everybody out there who can hear my voice, anything that you think is important and anything that you think is beautiful, and most importantly, anything that makes you happy, may you have that today and forever. I pray for peace.

SPEAKER_03 32:12

I pray for peace too, Commander Drew. Once again, it's good seeing you. We all wish you good luck in your adventure in the Maldives. And to those out there, if you like the message you're hearing, please become a subscriber. That helps the algorithm and uh helps get our word out. We need good news, we need more good news more now than ever. If you're listening to us on Apple Podcasts, you also have the option of looking at us on video. So take advantage of that if you'd like to see some of the images that we portray. In any event, we look forward to talking to you again real soon.

SPEAKER_04 32:47

Thank you once again, Dr. Paul Thompson, my friend. Thank you for your love, your time. And that's something that we won't ever get back. I want to thank all the listeners too. Thank you so much for doing the show, Dr. Paul with Jamin.

SPEAKER_02 33:01

Well, thank you, Mr. Drew, for inviting me on. Always good to talk to you. And, ladies and gentlemen, please remember to like, share, and subscribe to this podcast or any of the podcasts. If you're looking at YouTube, uh, they say smash the like button. Don't smash it, just press it gently and refer to use as a link to all your friends. You can also look at us on our website, wingmenshow.com, w-i-n-g-m-en-show, s-h-o-w.com, all together, wingminshow.com. And we hope to see you in the future. Thanks again, Mr. Drew.

SPEAKER_04 33:37

Oh, you're welcome. And we're still floating like butterflies and stinging like bees. Rumble, you badass jet pilots, rumble. May there be peace on earth and goodwill towards all men and women.