Stories

Rock Bottom, 4 ER Trips, and No Sleep, A Marine’s Brutal Rebuild Story w/ David Lonergan

David Lonergan, Marine Corps Veteran, fitness coach, Triple Threat Transformation, tells their story to Vegas Veteran Voices, a Veteran-led nonprofit in Las Vegas.

Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the channel

In this story
David Lonergan, Marine Corps Veteran, fitness coach, Triple Threat Transformation
Service branch
U.S. Marine Corps
Organization
Triple Threat Transformation
Published
Running time
57 minutes (57:32)
Production
Filmed in Las Vegas by Vegas Veteran Voices
Recorded before Vegas Veteran Voices became a nonprofit.

About this story

Marine Veteran David Lonergan (aka “Mr. Kettlebell”) opens up in this raw, unscripted conversation about how hitting rock bottom during the 2020 lockdowns nearly cost him everything, and how walking around a track was the first step in rebuilding his mind, body, and mission. (He's personally transformed over 400+ lives through functional training)

Filmed on location at The Coffee Class at Village Square in Las Vegas, this episode dives deep into David’s transformation from alcohol abuse, anxiety attacks, and total burnout to building Triple Threat Transformation, a movement grounded in mindset, movement, and manifesting your vision into real action.

We get personal about:
• Military life vs. civilian mindset (and why some vets never really leave service)
• How David lost 30 pounds in 90 days by starting with just walking
• The surprising power of kettlebells (and why they’re not just hipster gym gear)
• The real difference between motivation, dedication & consistency
• What it takes to find your purpose again, even if you don’t know who you are anymore
• Why Veterans often stay stuck in “high school quarterback” stories, and how to move forward
• Building a new identity after service without losing who you were

If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost your way after the military, or needed a no-BS push to start your fitness journey, this episode is for you.

This isn’t just about fitness. It’s about reclaiming your identity, getting honest about where you’re at, and realizing you’re not alone in the struggle. And yeah, there’s some dark humor, MCMap stories, and a few Marine-approved motivational rants.

Filmed at:
The Coffee Class at Village Square
Las Vegas, NV
Thanks for letting us crash the shop & caffeinate our existential dread.
9580 W Sahara Ave Suite 101, Las Vegas, NV 89117
https://www.thecoffeeclass.com/
IG : @coffeeinvegas

Connect with David:
IG : @Davidrlonergan & @triplethreattransformation
4056 Dean Martin Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89103
https://www.triplethreattransformation.com/

Related stories

Aug 1, 2025

CHAMPS 2025 : Mental Health, Cannabis Reform & Marine Grit w/ JAY

In this powerful on-site episode of Vegas Veteran Voices, we hit the floor of the CHAMPS Trade Show in Las Vegas with Marine Corps Veteran Jay, co-founder of Stoned Earth, ( https://stonedearth.com/ ) a sustainable accessory company shaking up the paraphernalia space. We dig deep into how cannabis can be used responsibly for pain, PTSD, and anxiety, how Veterans are uniquely positioned to lead in this industry, and what it really means to transition from military life to entrepreneurship.

Nov 21, 2025, with full article

Wounded Warrior Project: From Afghanistan to Finding Purpose with Juan Valdez

In this Washington DC episode of Vegas Veteran Voices, Marine Veterans sit down with Juan Valdez, a Purple Heart recipient, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, law-school graduate, and Veteran advocate with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), for one of the most raw, honest, and emotional conversations we’ve ever filmed. Juan survived multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, including being shot in the chest by a sniper in 2006, and he opens up about trauma, identity loss, purpose, and the long road to rebuilding a life after warfare.