Dec 31, 2021
In today’s episode, we have invited Korey Shaffer, the founder of Til Valhalla Project. He is a retired military member and proceeded to work with people who’s got fallen heroes that want to memorialize them and find a way to serve them. He has given thousands of dollars as donations and is now running a multi-million-dollar company.
[5:10] Why should we listen to you?
I have the ability to put myself in most people’s shoes. I grew up as somebody who was picked on as a kid, who always struggled with his weight, as someone who always struggled with some form of depression, and who grew up in the projects in Providence, Rhode Island. People listen to me because they have seen me by the bed, and they might have noticed the same path that I was on.
[8:06] Have you had an experience of people who talk crap about you?
I don’t think so, honestly. It could just be because of the nature of what I do. I don’t give anybody a reason not to.
[10:03] Taking us through that process
I’ve always wanted to stay in the military, so I became very passionate about being in the infantry. I was able to deploy and move forward and toughen it out. But the healing process overseas was challenging for me. So, I experienced a lot of pain. When I got back, and they did their analysis on me, I was told that I needed to go and put an end to my 20-year vision in this career. It tore me apart. I became a pretty heavy alcoholic, and I just went downhill. I became pretty suicidal. I talked to my wife about making a plaque in memory of one of my buddies. I didn’t know his family, but I’ve reached out to my unit. And so, they helped me reach out to the family and handed them the plaque. From then on, that’s what I would do. I’d go home, work my minimum wage job, and I’d come home and would sit there and make plaques, and people will be helping me out. I became the free plaque guy. But, at one point, I needed a way to keep this going, so I decided to charge my service and give something of value.
[19:47] When did Til Valhalla Project started?
I coined the name in 2017 and didn’t open doors for business until mid-2018.
[21:06] What’s happening in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan, in a nutshell, is you push forward, establish dominance in the area, and try to move on to the next area. So, this way, you can have this clear area of Afghanistan given back to the people.
[28:47] What promise did God make to the world when He created you?
I think he probably gifted me with the ability to be blissfully ignorant of things that are apparent problems and obstacles. So I guess the promise to be persistent for the greater good.
Key Quote:
[20:39 – 20:42] “It’s about shifting identities. It’s the whole concept of the business we have.”
Learn more about Korey Shaffer on:
Website: https://tilvalhallaproject.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TilValhallaProject/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/til_valhalla_project/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tilvalhallaproj?lang=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/til-valhalla-project/