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Paul Thoma

@paul__thoma

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storyteller/performance enthusiast

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Storytelling has brought me peace, whether I’m in front of or behind the camera.

If you had asked me in 2018, when I left the military, if I’d be doing this today, I never would have imagined it. Life has a way of taking you down paths you never expected, and sometimes those paths lead you to discover a new purpose.

I’m grateful for the opportunities, the people I’ve met, and the stories I’ve been able to tell along the way.

God willing, the opportunities will continue to grow, the projects will get bigger, and the stories will become more impactful.

Just getting started.
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#veteran #filmmaker #storytelling #director

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What an incredible weekend in Auburn & Lake Martin!

We brought nine of our Team Guys together for four days of connection, brotherhood, and opportunity—from Lake Martin to a closed Auburn basketball practice, game day, and Sunday’s Pearl Foundation event.

We are deeply grateful to our donors, community partners, and Auburn University leadership for opening doors and creating vital career, education, and transition pathways for our guys. Most importantly, thank you to our SEALs for showing up, connecting, and strengthening the bond.

Moments like these remind us what community is all about. Looking forward to building on this momentum!

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Never Forget. Where were you on 9-11? I had just rode past the Potomac and Pentagon on my road bike on my way back to work in Vienna, VA. When I got to work, everyone was staring at the TV’s. Our hearts sank when Flight 175 hit the South Tower, then Flight 77 struck the Pentagon.

In 2020, I had the privilege of participating in the Hudson SEAL Swim in New York City. But some of what I remember most happened outside the water.

We spent the day before walking through the city, stopping at firehouses, meeting firefighters, shaking hands and handing out challenge coins as a small gesture of respect and gratitude.

One of those stops was FDNY Engine 65 — the “Midtown Mob.” We got to spend some time with the crew, hear their stories and stand among pieces of their history that make the weight of September 11 impossible to ignore.

Twenty-five years later, 9/11 cannot become just another date on the calendar.

Remember the people who went to work that morning and never came home. Remember the firefighters, police officers, first responders and ordinary Americans who ran toward danger when every instinct told them to run away. Remember the families who have carried that loss ever since.

And remember what this country looked like on September 12th when, for a moment, we weren’t divided by everything that seems to divide us today. We were simply Americans.

Honor the fallen. Support the living. Never forget. 🇺🇸

#NeverForget #September11 #911 #FDNY #Engine65

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Some screen grabs from one of my favorite pieces I’ve written and directed.

What I’m most proud of is how quickly the team came together and made it happen—from pre-production to filming to the final edit, all in a little over two weeks.

Great people, a great team, and a lot of work packed into a short timeline. Proud of what we created and can’t wait to knock out the next one.
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#directing #action #military #stunts #veterans

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#Veteran🇺🇸 #Actor / #stuntman @paul__thoma
#portrait
#losangelas #california

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Me and @taylor1canfield racing in the Mint 400 representing the Navy team for @green_beret_racing_

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🏎️ @bellhelmets

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A Much Needed Reset-

Months ago we were sitting around with our friends Paul and Cindy talking about doing a family trip for the kids’ spring break.
A snowboard trip to Lake Tahoe sounded like a great idea… so we committed, put it on the calendar, and stuck to it.
Patsy handled all the logistics behind the scenes. All I had to do was show up with a smile on my face. And that’s exactly what happened.

We don’t get away often. Changing the scenery, unplugging for a bit, and spending time with old friends was something we didn’t realize how much we needed.
We dropped the girls into snowboard school, and they both crushed it. We’re definitely not snow people by trade, but they fell in love with it on this trip!
Watching their confidence grow day by day was the best part. Even the little struggles… fighting with the boots, hair in their face, cold hands, all of it. That’s the stuff you remember.
Huge credit to the amazing instructors and staff who care enough to make kids fall in love with something new.

Paul and Cindy have built such a beautiful family. Watching our kids hang out together while we catch up on life, parenting, business, longevity, health, the kind of conversations you find yourself having in your 40s… it was refreshing.
It’s always a good feeling seeing your friends thriving.

Grateful for Paul and Cindy’s hospitality, for Patsy making it all happen on our end, and for the crew back home holding down the fort so we could step away for a few days.
If I could offer one piece of advice something I’ve failed at before, it’s this:
Make the time to create memories while you can, you won’t magically find the time later.
Block the dates. Commit to the plan. Go make the memories.
This was one of the best trips we’ve had in a long time.
Feeling grateful. Love you guys.

Also… we didn’t get home until 3 am and I got up at 5… if this doesn’t make sense, ignore my delirious thoughts.

#mindset #reset #mentalhealth #family #tahoe

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Paul Thoma and Mike Brown explain the level of commitment required in Naval Special Warfare, where the team and mission always come before comfort or personal priorities.

#PaulThoma #MikeBrown #LifestyleWithRoyIce

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Paul Thoma breaks courage down to facing fear, uncertainty, and hard decisions, and why those moments are where growth actually happens.

#PaulThoma #MikeBrown #LifestyleWithRoyIce

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This week on Lifestyle with Roy Ice, former Naval Special Warfare operators Paul Thoma and Mike Brown join Roy for a direct conversation about courage, discomfort, and life after high-stakes environments.

From ice bath challenges to military transition, they explain why growth doesn’t stop when structure disappears and why choosing discomfort still matters long after service ends.

#LifestyleWithRoyIce

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