Most people spend their lives chasing success.
A bigger business.
More money.
More freedom.
For Trent McMurtrey, achieving those goals came with a price he never expected.
In Episode 131 of Mountain Mule Media, Trent shares the story of building an international education company with more than 100 employees before COVID brought everything to a halt. What followed was a complete shift in how he defines purpose, leadership, family, and success. It’s also the story behind Battle Worn Legacy, an organization dedicated to helping veterans, first responders, and entrepreneurs build stronger lives from the inside out.
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When Success Becomes Your Identity
For years, Trent believed he was providing for his family by building a bigger business.
The company grew into an international operation with offices across multiple countries and millions of dollars in annual revenue.
But while the business was thriving, his marriage, family, and personal life were quietly falling apart.
Looking back, he says his identity became tied to what he owned and what he accomplished instead of who he was becoming.
Losing Everything Became a Turning Point
COVID changed everything.
International travel stopped almost overnight, lawsuits piled up, and the business he’d spent years building unraveled.
At the same time, his marriage was on the verge of ending.
Instead of doubling down on rebuilding the business, Trent chose something different. He sold assets, bought an RV, traveled the country with his wife and children, and focused on rebuilding the relationships that mattered most.
Why Battle Worn Exists
That experience became the foundation for Battle Worn.
The nonprofit focuses on serving military veterans and first responders through an intensive five-day program built around faith, family, fitness, and finances.
The goal isn’t simply giving people a retreat.
It’s creating lasting relationships and accountability that continue long after the program ends, helping participants reconnect with purpose and with one another.
Entrepreneurs Need Community Too
One of the more interesting parts of the conversation is that Battle Worn isn’t only for veterans.
Trent is also launching Battle Worn Legacy, a similar experience designed specifically for entrepreneurs and business leaders.
After spending decades building businesses himself, he understands how easy it is for work to consume every part of life. The program aims to help leaders build healthier businesses without sacrificing the people waiting for them at home.
Success Means Something Different Now
Today, Trent says he’s happier than he was when he was running a much larger company.
His priorities have changed.
Family comes first.
Purpose matters more than possessions.
And instead of measuring success by revenue alone, he measures it by the impact he’s able to have on other people’s lives.
It’s a reminder that success isn’t just about what you build. It’s also about what you’re willing to protect along the way.
Learn More
Organization: Battle Worn Legacy
Website: https://battlewornlegacy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trent_mcmurtrey/
Mountain Mule Media
Mountain Mule Media exists to build real connection between Montana’s businesses and the people they serve.
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