Greg Anderson is a former law enforcement officer and Army Ranger who gained national attention in May 2020 when he was fired for making a viral video opposing COVID-19 mandate enforcement. Rather than pursuing lengthy legal battles, he pivoted to entrepreneurship and built a successful jiu-jitsu academy with 300 students.

Anderson is now preparing for Row West Pacific, an unsupported mission to row across the Pacific Ocean from Washington to Hawaii with three teammates. Drawing from his military experience including 14 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, plus his Alaska commercial fishing background, he's channeling decades of adventure and risk-taking into this 70-day ocean crossing.

The conversation explores his philosophy of not living vicariously through others, the importance of pursuing adventure despite family responsibilities, and how his wife supports his mission. Anderson recently published Courage Through Adversity, combining memoir with practical guidance for men seeking to improve themselves and society.

From Police Termination to Entrepreneurial Success

Anderson was fired for making a video encouraging police officers to uphold constitutional rights rather than enforce COVID mandates, stating "we enforce laws, not mandates" - Greg

His chain of command agreed his message was "technically and legally correct" but violated policy by voicing opinions in uniform, leading to termination over policy violation

Multiple lawyers initially promised wrongful termination suits on Fox News, but after George Floyd incident "lost all steam" and lawyers backed out citing weak legal standing

Rather than "chasing bad money with good money" in legal battles, Anderson invested GoFundMe support into building his jiu-jitsu academy, now generating more income than police work

The Row West Pacific Mission Details

Four-man team will row unsupported from Washington to Hawaii in 20-foot ocean rowing boat with no sails, engine, or support vessels for approximately 70 days

Boat features two cabins, solar panels for power, AIS safety system, and is "hurricane-rated" with self-righting capability if rolled over

Team operates on 3-hour shifts: "3 hours on, 3 hours off for 60 days" with two rowers active while two rest, burning 8,000 calories daily

Food supply includes 70 days of freeze-dried meals plus spear gun and fishing equipment, with one teammate being expert spear fisherman with "five-minute breath hold"

Water comes from two desalinators drawing from ocean - "there's no way you could bring that much weight and water for a 70-day journey" - Greg

Philosophy of Adventure Over Vicarious Living

Anderson's core ethos: "Don't live vicariously through other men" - inspired by watching Atlantic rowing team, he decided to pursue Pacific crossing rather than just spectate

Grew up on commercial fishing boat in Alaska and always felt "called to the ocean" but put adventure "on the back burner" during military service and early parenthood

Believes men should listen to internal calling: "When that little voice inside or that giant voice inside of you says, hey, you should do that. Don't discredit that" - Greg

References Braveheart as formative influence at age 14, inspiring his warrior path and eventual Army Ranger career with 2nd Ranger Battalion

Combat Experience and Mental Preparation

Served 14 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with 2nd Ranger Battalion, including two years in Ramadi during 2004-2005 peak combat period

Learned to reframe fear as excitement: "Fear and excitement are a very similar vibration" and chose to "have fun with it and see what happens instead of allowing it to diminish you"

Expects first week at sea will mirror deployment psychology: initial doubt and homesickness followed by acceptance and "falling into your op tempo"

Team made pact for "zero conflict" through maintaining respect even during stress, drawing from high-functioning military team experience in combat environments

Family Support and Risk Management

Two original team members dropped out due to spousal concerns, but current team has full family support after intentional prayer and discussion periods

Anderson's wife told concerned spouse: "If this is the type of man that you want to be the leader of your family...when a sense of adventure calls to them, you don't want to tame them"

Wife supports mission because she feels safety with Anderson: "You're the only guy in the world that I've ever felt safe with...the night we met, I knew that you were going to be the one"

Anderson argues adventure is essential for fathers: "By pursuing the things that call to us...we're actually showing them that that's how you do live as a human being"

Has lost seven military teammates to suicide, reinforcing philosophy: "I would rather live chasing adventure and being a free spirit. And if something catches me in the meantime, that's just part of life"

Training and Physical Preparation

Intentionally gained 20 pounds from 190 to 210 pounds at 6 feet tall, eating "whatever I want" to build fat reserves for massive caloric deficit

Training focuses on Concept 2 rower for 1-2 hours daily, logging "over a million meters" to condition connective tissues rather than build fitness base

Ocean rowing veterans advised that "expedition itself will build the fitness" through repetitive motion conditioning over 70 days

Recently published Courage Through Adversity as "memoir and blueprint" combining personal story with practical guidance for men's development