Episode 2

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Published on:

3rd Sep 2025

From Navy to Pattaya: Jim Hestead on Retirement, Visas & Life in Thailand

What does it really take to retire overseas and start a new life in Thailand?

In this episode of the Liberty Call Podcast, I sit down with Jim Hestead, a retired U.S. veteran who left life in the States behind to settle in Pattaya, Thailand. From navigating visas to budgeting daily expenses, Jim shares a no-nonsense look at what life as an American expat is really like.

We talk about:

⚓ His decision to move from the U.S. to Pattaya after military retirement

📜 The type of visa he uses and the requirements to live long-term in Thailand

💵 How he finances life abroad with pensions, benefits, and smart budgeting

🏝️ Adjusting to Thai culture, lifestyle, and the cost of living

🚗 Transportation choices — from cars to motorbikes in Thailand

💡 Advice for veterans considering moving overseas after service

Whether you’re a veteran curious about living abroad, a retiree looking at your options, or someone fascinated by expat life in Southeast Asia, Jim’s story offers valuable lessons on freedom, reinvention, and building a new chapter.


🎧 Watch more Liberty Call Podcast episodes here:

👉 Liberty Call Podcast Playlist


🌐 Learn more at:

👉 LibertyCallJN.com


#MilitaryRetirement #ExpatLife #ThailandLiving #VeteranStories #LibertyCallPodcast

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About the Podcast

Liberty Call Podcast
Retirement, Reinvention & Adventure Without Borders
Liberty Call is where service ends and freedom begins. Hosted a Navy Commander Juan Lucero, this podcast dives deep into the real stories of veterans navigating life after the military. From the discipline of the uniform to the uncertainty of transition, Liberty Call explores what it means to reinvent yourself, find purpose, and embrace freedom in retirement and beyond.

Every week, we sit down with service members, retirees, and global adventurers who share their journeys of transformation. You’ll hear from veterans who traded boots for backpacks, found new missions in entrepreneurship, built second careers, or chose the path of world travel and cultural discovery. These conversations highlight the resilience, struggles, humor, and victories that come with carving out a new life after service.

⚓ What you’ll get from Liberty Call:
• Honest, unfiltered stories from Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard veterans.
• Insights on the transition process: retirement, VA claims, financial planning, and civilian careers.
• Global travel inspiration — living abroad, cultural exploration, and adventure travel.
• Hard-earned lessons on family, freedom, resilience, and leadership.
• Motivation to create your own roadmap after military service.

This podcast isn’t just for veterans — it’s for anyone curious about reinvention, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom. Whether you’re active duty planning for retirement, a veteran building your next chapter, or a civilian seeking stories of courage and adventure, Liberty Call gives you a front-row seat to life’s biggest transitions.

Juan brings not only decades of Navy experience but also the perspective of someone preparing for his own retirement and global travels with his wife. Together, they aim to show that life after the military isn’t an ending — it’s the beginning of a new mission.

🎧 Join the crew. Subscribe to Liberty Call and discover how veterans are redefining life, freedom, and adventure around the world.

#MilitaryRetirement #VeteranStories #LifeAfterService #LibertyCallPodcast #TravelFreedom

About your host

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Juan Lucero

🎙️ Host Bio – Juan Lucero

Commander Juan A. Lucero, U.S. Navy, is the host of the Liberty Call Podcast. With more than 31 years of dedicated naval service, Juan’s career took him from his early days as an Aviation Support Equipment Technician to earning his commission as a Naval Officer, and ultimately serving as a Commander leading aviation maintenance teams around the world.

Born in Rota, Spain and raised in a Navy family, Juan’s journey has been defined by service, leadership, and resilience. His military career included multiple deployments aboard aircraft carriers and overseas assignments supporting U.S. operations across Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific. Along the way, he earned recognition for his leadership and dedication to the Sailors and Marines he served beside.

Soon to be retired from active duty, Juan has set sail on a new mission: traveling the globe, experiencing new cultures, and sharing stories that inspire. Through Liberty Call, he brings together veterans, adventurers, and global travelers to explore life after service, the pursuit of freedom, and the lessons learned from both the military and the open road.

When he’s not recording episodes or planning his next journey, Juan enjoys exploring with his wife Nan, documenting their adventures on YouTube, and building a community for fellow veterans who are charting their own course after the military.

⚓ “Liberty Call isn’t just about leaving the ship — it’s about what you do with your freedom once you’re ashore.”