Rise Stronger: The Spartan Approach to Grief with Kim Pastore

The Hard Way w/ Joe De Sena

In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with Kim Pastore, a widow who faced unimaginable loss when her husband, a dedicated SWAT officer, was killed in the line of duty. Kim opens up about the overwhelming grief and challenges she faced and shares how she found the strength to keep going by turning to the Spartan Way. Through gratitude, resilience, and a commitment to honoring her husband’s legacy, Kim founded a foundation to support the mental and physical wellness of first responders. Kim’s journey offers hope, showing that even in the darkest times, we can find purpose, strength, and a way to help others. This is a story about love, loss, and the power of never giving up. Highlights:

00:00 Intro 00:47 Kim’s husband George and his SWAT journey 02:50 George’s tragic death and the grieving process 09:04 The Spartan way of overcoming grief 13:29 The role of adversity in childhood 15:15 Gratitude as a tool in tough times 18:35 Launching the George Pastore Foundation 23:20 Humble warrior games and community support 24:16 How to get involved with the foundation

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Jorge Pastore Foundation | Website: https://www.jpastorefoundation.org/