Ted Glover knows a thing or two about performing under pressure.

During his 25 years in the U.S. Navy, he specialized in underwater explosive demolition and disposal. He spent the following 10 years imparting what he learned to other sailors.

“One of the things I learned from the military, especially as a diver, is that you don’t get many second chances,” he says of his military education. “Near the end of my service, I was an instructor for high-risk training. It’s serious stuff!”

Then one day, Ted realized he needed a change. He quit his job and began evaluating his options. Eventually, an acquaintance introduced him to Field Nation.

“After being an instructor and knowing how to teach somebody something, surely I embrace the role of being a student and learn something new,” he describes. “So I signed up for Field Nation and started studying on my own.”

He quickly began picking up the tools of the trade. At first, transitioning from the team mentality of the military to that of an independent contractor was intimidating. But Ted soon built a network of reliable IT peers with whom he could trade knowledge and support.

“I made sure I was honest with people,” he explains. “I never pretended I knew how to do something if I didn’t know how to do it because I really wanted to learn. I listened, I asked questions, and I made sure I was clear on everything I needed to know to get the job done.”

Now Ted finds himself in a familiar position: that of a teacher and a leader.

“I employ four people now. One of the things I tell them is that there’s no problem that can’t be fixed if you take the right approach.”

A typical day begins around 8 a.m. and includes about three or four jobs. But Ted enjoys the fact that this schedule isn’t set in stone. Rather, he decides how and when to work.

He adds: “I think it’s a great opportunity for people who want to work differently, who don’t want the nine to five, but want to do something on their own.”

When he’s driving to and from work sites, Ted keeps his mind fresh with a wide array of listening materials.

“I listen to all kinds of music, from 1970 all the way to 2022. I also like to stay up-to-date on world events and current affairs,” he says. “This job requires a lot of focus, which means big stories can pass you by if you’re not careful. So I try to stay well-rounded and informed.”