<p>From the battlefield to the business world, Mark Nutsch shares his remarkable story and the secrets to his success—from leading a heroic 12-man Green Beret team in defeating the Taliban to founding a wildly popular and award-winning bourbon brand.</p><p>In October 2001 following the attacks on 9/11, Mark Nutsch led a team of U.S. Special Forces on a covert mission to Afghanistan, where they would ride to war on horses to fight the enemy—side by side with their Muslim counterparts—capture the strategic city of Mazar-i-Sharif within a matter of weeks, and successfully overthrow the Taliban. Now a consultant to Special Operations Command, he earned a Bronze Star with valor for his bravery. The story inspired a <em>New York Times</em> bestselling book by Doug Stanton, <em>Horse Soldiers</em>, and a 2018 major motion picture called <em>12 Strong,</em> in which Mark is portrayed by actor Chris Hemsworth. </p><p>Years after this historic event, Mark and a few of his fellow Green Berets teamed up for a different sort of mission: Co-founding American Freedom Distillery and their signature offering, Horse Soldier Bourbon, which is sold in bottles pressed in molds made from steel salvaged from the World Trade Center site. The company achieved remarkable success, and Horse Soldier Bourbon has won more than 30 awards, including three Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco International Spirits Competition, and in 2024 the brand became the “Official Dark Spirit” Sponsor of the Professional Bull Riders. </p><p>On stage, Nutsch enthralls audiences with an edge-of-your-seat, behind-the-scenes account of how this almost unbelievable event played out, impacted the world, and earned them the gratitude of a nation. He also shares his impressive entrepreneurial story, discussing how he and his team applied the lessons they’d learned in the military—deliberate and focused planning, short and long term coordination, and maintaining a strategic vision—to grow their business and establish an unforgettable legacy. He inspires audiences to leverage these principles to achieve their own personal and professional goals. </p>
Green Beret Commander Portrayed in the Movie <i>12 Strong</i> & <i>NYT</i> Bestseller, <i>Horse Soldiers</i>; Co-Founder, Horse Soldier Bourbon
<ul><li><strong>12 Strong: An Extraordinary Mission of Commitment, Purpose, Heroism and Hope</strong></li><li>Green Beret Mark Nutsch takes audiences behind-the-scenes of the first successful Special Forces campaign that took place in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. Nutsch and his team’s powerful story inspired the major motion picture, <em>12 Strong</em>, starring Chris Hemsworth as “Mitch Nelson” (Mark Nutsch). The team’s unwavering valor was also fortified by their unique, strategic partnership with their Afghan counterparts. While leveraging guerilla tactics on horseback, his 12-man team successfully outmaneuvered the full military force of the enemy to a historic victory in overthrowing the Taliban.</li><li>On stage, Mark shares insights on leadership and team dynamics in overcoming insurmountable odds in what was described as “the most important mission of the free world.” </li><li>Mark also shares his impressive entrepreneurial story, discussing how he and a few of his fellow Green Berets founded American Freedom Distillery and its signature Horse Soldier Bourbon. By applying the lessons they’d learned in the military—deliberate and focused planning, short and long term coordination, and maintaining a strategic vision—they were able to grow their business and establish an unforgettable legacy. Audiences walk away empowered to achieve their own personal and professional goals. </li></ul><p><br></p>