The Warrior Games are built around competition, but, for many participants, the medals are only part of the story.
In this episode of Army Matters, LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with two Warrior Games competitors—CW3 Cody Edgerton of Team Army and SSG (Ret.) Andrew May of Team SOCOM (U.S. Special Operations Command)—to discuss adaptive sports, recovery, military identity, and what happens when servicemembers are forced to redefine what comes next due to illness or injury.
For Edgerton, an aggressive cancer changed the trajectory of his military career, eventually bringing him into the Army Recovery Care Program and adaptive sports.
May’s path to the Warrior Games followed life-changing injuries sustained during a deployment to Syria, including the loss of his right leg below the knee, traumatic brain injuries, and PTSD.
This conversation examines how Warrior Games competitors learn from one another, create connection across ranks and services, and pursue adaptive sports to discover a renewed sense of identity, competition, and purpose.
The next Warrior Games take place in Orlando, Florida, August 7–14, 2027.
Guest: CW3 Cody Edgerton of Team Army and SSG (Ret.) Andrew May of Team SOCOM (U.S. Special Operations Command)
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AUSA’s Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.
