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In this powerful episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie sit down with Johnny Vargas, aka Viva La Vargas — U.S. Army NCO, viral content creator reaching 30–40 million views a month, and one of the most influential voices in the military community.

Johnny opens up about his rise from everyday soldier to one of the military’s most trusted online storytellers. He shares how he turned humor, truth, and authenticity into an online movement, all while balancing fatherhood, serving on active duty, earning his master’s degree, and advocating for troops and families who often feel unheard.

This episode goes deep — trauma, resilience, haters, leadership, viral growth strategy, and a Pentagon phone call that changed everything.

If you’re in the military, a veteran, a military spouse, a creator, or someone trying to overcome your past… this one will hit home.

⏱️ CLICKABLE TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Why Johnny says he’s not special
01:11 – Herb & Corrie introduce Johnny Vargas, aka Viva La Vargas
01:55 – How a burning car led him to join the Army
03:37 – Meeting the recruiter who changed his life
04:31 – Becoming the leader he wished he had
05:23 – Shipping out on New Year’s Day
05:41 – How his content career accidentally started
06:15 – MRT school, resilience, and early struggles online
06:48 – The viral skit that changed everything
08:02 – Stories that “don’t translate” to civilian life
09:00 – Balancing family, Army, school & creating
10:25 – The dinner plate life analogy
10:33 – Pursuing a master’s to become a Licensed Professional Counselor
11:20 – Why military families deserve more
12:17 – The “influencer” label & legal realities
12:33 – Coolest opportunities—celebs, events & impact
13:21 – Johnny opens up about surviving childhood sexual abuse
15:07 – The messages that change lives
15:47 – Mistakes, lessons & doing hard things
16:41 – Dealing with haters & turning critics into friends
18:03 – Story of the soldier who transformed his life
19:30 – Keyboard warriors & real-world courage
20:20 – Why people lash out & how to respond
20:43 – Tips for people who want to grow on social media
21:55 – Johnny’s formula: 3 videos/day for 365 days
23:04 – Authenticity - trends
24:17 – Meeting creators who aren’t who they pretend to be
24:49 – Being recognized in public
25:08 – Staying grounded with family & purpose
26:05 – Reaching 30–40 million people monthly
27:02 – Building trust with an audience
27:33 – Why he engages with supporters daily
28:02 – VA loans, helping service members build wealth
28:59 – Buying his first home as a specialist
29:17 – Educating troops on the VA loan
30:18 – Why he partnered with Veteran Lending Group
32:21 – The Army’s impact on his life
32:33 – Content dreams that came true
33:02 – Celebrity stories: Kevin Hart, Chef Rush & more
33:40 – Jocko’s team follows him
33:57 – Live TV moments with his kids watching
35:02 – Corrie’s hilarious Denzel Washington story
37:37 – Advocating for the overlooked: families & junior soldiers
41:20 – The “Barracks Batman” nickname
43:10 – The Fort Myer washer incident
45:05 – Pentagon phone call
47:36 – Meeting with senior leaders
48:28 – Standing his ground & advocating for troops

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