Was created to encourage men of all walks of life to become better versions of themselves. It’s easy to say that we want to be better husbands, fathers, and human beings but very few of us actually put in the work necessary to do that. Most of us are willing to do the work but we lack the tools and training to take action. This project was created to fill that void and to rally men, and to bring out the best in one another.

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The TURN TO Project

Meet the Team

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BILL HARRIS

Bill is the father of 3 amazing boys and a husband of 34 years. He triumphed over a severe bout with PTSD and crippling anxiety. His passion is helping veterans, first responders, and men that are struggling to thrive.

Bill is a Navy Veteran, with multiple Combat tours in the Middle East.  Bill brings a broad base of knowledge and experience. He spent 8 years serving beside US Marines as an FMF Corpsman, and 7 years as the Senior Assault Squadron Medic, at Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU).

Bill is the co-founder of First Care Provider, a non-profit dedicated to teaching life-saving skills (learned in combat) to everyday citizens. He is a Sealfit / Unbeatable Mind Coach, NRA / USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor & range safety officer, and a Nationally Registered Paramedic.

He has worked with corporate partners, Fortune 500 companies, Military agencies, Universities, Federal, State, and local law enforcement and first responder agencies, the Department of State, the Central Intelligence Agency, and everything in between.

ChrIS Aldis

Chris Aldis is a retired Command Master Chief, 30-year Navy veteran, who has led organizations with over 90,000 personnel. He is an author, coach and speaker focused on personal improvement, critical thinking and servant leadership. He has mentored, coached and advised thousands of people, including Marine Corps Generals and Navy Commanders. 

He has transformed organizations into highly effective and efficient teams through his coaching and leadership. He is passionate about helping men become better versions of themselves as husbands, fathers and leaders in the home, the community and in industry. 

Chris is a fitness enthusiast who loves the outdoors and movement. He is a husband, married 32 years, a father to his 25 year old son, Tyler and 19 year old daughter, Kari. He lives with his wife and daughter in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

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A man and woman embrace closely in a wedding setting, outdoors with white attire.
Man wearing a cap and jacket outdoors with an American flag in the background.
Family posing on a dirt path in a park; woman in purple dress, man holding a toddler in a floral dress, and a girl in a dark teal dress.
Man in outdoor setting, wearing a beanie and long-sleeve shirt, writing in a notebook with a pen, next to a backpack on rocky terrain.

John accardo

John Accardo is a powerhouse in the corporate world, known for his leadership, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to excellence. His journey began on the ice, playing junior hockey in Canada before launching his career. At just 18, he became a manager at Best Buy, quickly propelling himself into the corporate world with remarkable success.

John has consistently guided, mentored, and built thriving teams in every role he has taken on. As the youngest manager at Apple for 14 years, he set a standard of excellence before being recruited as the General Manager for a Tesla dealership in Norfolk, VA. His passion lies in improving operations, empowering his employees, and helping them exceed their potential. A true leader, John is respected for his fairness, honesty, and unwavering commitment to treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Above all, John's greatest love is his family. His heart belongs to his wife and two beautiful daughters, who are his foundation and greatest joy. He cherishes his life with them in Chesterfield, VA, where family remains his true north.

Bill Lipsett

Bill is a 30-year Navy Veteran retiring as a Master Chief Gunners Mate. His career has taken him on three missile cruisers, a carrier, several high-profile shore commands, and a combat tour in Afghanistan. While on active duty, his instructor/inspector/operator skills were in Major caliber gun systems, crew-served weapon systems, small arms, and unarmed self-defense.  He enjoys going to the gym and shooting various guns. He is a high-octane beast with a Master of Science in Emergency and Disaster Management and a bachelor’s degree in human resource management. Additionally, he is a best-selling author. He has four children and a loving wife (Loretta), and they both love to travel and see the world.

A man wearing glasses, a black adidas cap, and a black shirt with a logo is sitting next to a woman with curly hair wearing black overalls. They are posing for a selfie outdoors with a blurred crowd in the background.
Promotional graphic for 'Veterans Unchained 2.0: Lessons Learned' featuring the American flag, a portrait of a contributing author, and an Amazon best selling author badge.
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Brian reyelt

An award-winning executive chef and restauranteur for over 15 years. Brian graduated magnum cum laude from Johnson & Wales University where he studied business and culinary arts.  Amongst numerous accolades, he successfully opened several restaurants. Most impressively for him, Brian overcame his toxic relationship with alcohol. He went through years where he went down a slippery slope until he found himself in a situation that demanded change.  Now he is focusing his efforts on helping others achieve optimized sustainable lifestyles.  A mission to "add years to lives and life to those years."  With a new relationship on life, he lost over 100 pounds, practices daily mindfulness, and continues to challenge himself.   He has run numerous marathons, completed multiple 5000+ burpee fundraisers, secured Kokoro Camp, a 50+ hour crucible training which mimics BUDS Navy SEAL hell week, run by Retired Navy Seal Commander Mark Divine’s SEALFIT.  Understanding human growth & potential is found in the discomfort.

EatHealThrive,LLC was born on principles Brian has applied to his life, experiences, and science-backed information.  He has been Certified in Nutrition, Health and Wellness from Cornell University.  Brian is a certified Unbeatable Mind Coach and SEALFIT trainer.

sean zackman

Sean Zackman is a seasoned leader with over 25 years in the IT industry and 20 in executive management. As a senior executive for a large DoD retail organization with over 15,000 people, he not only oversees critical operations but also prioritizes developing and empowering his teams. His leadership philosophy centers on mentorship, collaboration, and professional growth.

Throughout his career, Sean has guided countless professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and resilience. He takes pride in building high-performing teams by investing in individuals and helping them grow into confident leaders. Whether coaching junior staff, advising executives, or leading cross-functional teams, he is committed to creating opportunities for those around him.

His passion for mentorship extends beyond work. He is actively involved in leadership and personal development initiatives, including the Turn 2 Project, which fosters accountability, camaraderie, and growth through mentorship and community-building.

Above all, Sean is a proud father of two—his daughter, a Virginia Tech graduate, and his son, currently at JMU. As a widower, he values resilience and adaptability, traits he carries into both his personal and professional life. For him, leadership is about inspiring others and preparing the next generation to take on new challenges.

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Eric Bleadingheiser

Eric is a husband of 35 years to an amazing woman and a father to two awesome young men, both Eagle Scouts.  He is a retired Navy Senior Chief after 26 years of service in the Naval Aviation Maintenance environment and currently a Navy contractor.  Eric was also a Boy Scout leader for 12+ years and has helped numerous young men learn and thrive in an outdoor environment.  He enjoys the outdoors and teaching skills he has learned along the way. 

Brad NIcora

Brad’s passion for a healthy lifestyle began in high school after attending the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio. After culinary school, he aspired to become a personal trainer to the stars, but life took a different turn when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at 19. After a two-year battle, his path shifted.

Earning an Exercise Science degree from The Ohio State University, Brad worked with varsity athletic teams, including football, wrestling, and rugby, as well as the first American World’s Strongest Man in nearly 30 years. This experience inspired him to launch an online training program, helping athletes, gym owners, and personal trainers worldwide achieve their fitness goals.

After 18 years in the fitness industry, Brad transitioned to a leadership role at the world’s largest therapeutic nutrition company, focusing on patient health and educating doctors on the critical role of nutrition.

Along the way, he met his wife, who shares his passion for fitness. Together, they embrace a healthy lifestyle, continually striving to be their best. Now, Brad looks forward to helping others achieve their fitness goals.

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A person standing next to an orange Land Rover Defender with black accents, parked on a gravel driveway in a forested area.
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A person wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap takes a selfie at a crowded Fenway Park during a baseball game.
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Chris Baldini

With over 30 years in emergency response and disaster management, Chris is a retired Paramedic Chief from the Philadelphia Fire Department and currently works in Emergency Management. He is committed to safeguarding communities through meticulous planning and responsive action. His experience spans local and international disaster response, from managing federal medical assets during Hurricane Maria to coordinating crisis events in the City of Philadelphia. Dedicated to continuous improvement, he has expertise in Emergency Medical Services, tactical medicine, and crisis management focusing on fostering resilient systems that stand ready to face any challenge.

 

Additionally, he has worked internationally in Egypt, Ukraine, the Philippines, and the Republic of Georgia as a Subject Matter Expert on Mass Casualty Response and treatment of patients exposed to CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) agents.

Chris is divorced with 2 adult daughters. His personal journey has included struggles with PTSD, alcohol, and depression.

Joe Byrd

Joe Byrd, a proud Philadelphian and retired U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman, served 20 years specializing in combat medicine, shipboard medicine, and surgical technology. Supporting Marines, serving aboard ships, and deploying during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, his military career remains a source of deep pride.

Beyond service, Joe has spent over eight years in Al-Anon, offering and receiving support in the fight against addiction. He co-founded The Turn 2 Project and has actively contributed to its mission, including attending and serving at multiple Man Camps.

An outdoor enthusiast, Joe enjoys camping, sports, and hands-on work. His transparent, approachable nature fosters trust and connection, making him a valued friend and mentor. Through service, community, and personal growth, he embodies dedication, authenticity, and compassion.

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