Alone and Unafraid

In this episode, Thad sits down with Ben Channels, a retired Army officer, member of the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, and founder of Reveille Guitar Project. Topics include the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, the importance of self-care, and priorities. Ben shares his experiences with anxiety, depression, and struggling with alcoholism. The conversation emphasizes the need to find a balance between work and personal life, the role of physical fitness and emotional well-being, and how Ben found his passion in guitar building, leading to the creation of the Reveille Guitar Project. This episode underscores the significance of mental health support and finding purpose after military service.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Nostalgic Banter

02:31 Introducing Benjamin C and His Military Career

08:38 Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and Military ROTC Programs

13:56 The Impact of Frequent Moves on Personal Life

23:17 The Decision to Get Out and Prioritizing Family

29:28 The Challenges of Being a Stay-at-Home Dad

32:10 The Importance of Self-Care and Balancing Personal Life

35:07 Finding a Balance: Work and Personal Life

41:26 High-Stress Environments and Mental Health

51:29 Mental Health Challenges and Support Systems

58:04 Reducing Stigma and Promoting Mental Health Awareness

01:09:03 Struggling with Alcoholism and Lack of Purpose

01:35:32 Challenges of Transitioning to the Civilian Sector

01:48:43 The Importance of Support and Finding Purpose Beyond the Job

01:51:12 Finding Your 'Why' and Motivation

01:53:36 Connecting Music and Woodworking

01:57:10 Reveille Guitar Project: Sharing the Art of Guitar Building with Veterans

02:17:20 Work-Life Balance: Maximizing Time and Preparation

02:23:51 Conclusion: Get in Where You Fit In

Keywords:

military career, moving, transition, self-care, family, stay-at-home dad, balance, physical health, exercise, sleep, mental health, high-stress environments, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, support system, alcoholism, unemployment, purpose, home life, support, transition, civilian sector, job search, defense contracting, veterans, guitar building, Reveille Guitar Project, veterans, passion, purpose, work-life balance, special operations community

Tyler Huckett joins me as my co-host as we sit down with Chris “TJ” Jason, a retired US Navy Captain (O-6) now two years post-retirement. Chris is a former NFO (Naval Flight Officer—“Goose,” not “Maverick”) who dedicated 25 years of service and is going through the transition to civilian life in real-time.

Key takeaways from this candid discussion:

• The superficial and sometimes predatory nature of post-military transition services

• Transition stress can strain marriages and relationships

• Challenges of finding meaningful employment

• Navigating civilian work environments

• Dealing with mental health issues

• The struggle of defining one's identity outside of the military

• The impact of trauma on mental health

• Seeking support from others with similar experiences

• Seeking medical help and making lifestyle changes

• Maintaining a routine and finding joy in small moments

• Making friends as an adult for social connection and support

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction of Tyler Huckett and Chris Jason

03:14 Transitioning from the Military to Civilian Life

10:00 The Challenges of the Job Search Process

26:11 Managing Expectations and Being Patient

32:01 The Need for Better Resources and Support for Veterans

36:12 Challenges of Finding Meaningful Employment

38:09 Discrimination in the Hiring Process

43:29 Defining Identity Outside of the Military

46:34 The Impact of Trauma on Mental Health

49:55 The Importance of Open and Honest Discussions

55:08 Seeking Support from Others

01:11:44 Strategic Decision-Making for Physical and Mental Health

01:13:39 Managing Chronic Pain and Sleep Problems

01:14:59 The Impact of Testosterone on Health and Well-being

01:19:44 The Importance of Support Networks and Routines

01:22:31 Finding Joy in Small Moments and Being Patient with Oneself

01:25:24 The Challenges of Making Friends as an Adult

01:29:15 Open Conversations About Mental Health

Keywords:

transition, military, civilian, job search, frustration, leadership, support, transition, military, civilian life, employment, mental health, identity, trauma, support, strategic decisions, physical health, mental health, chronic pain, sleep problems, low testosterone, support network, routine, small moments, patience, making friends

In this conversation, Thad and Nick O'Kelly delve into Nick's extraordinary journey from being a Special Forces Green Beret to a pilot in the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), and his abrupt transition to civilian life due to medical retirement. Nick opens up about his battle with depression, the profound impact it had on his life, and his subsequent journey toward healing and advocacy. The conversation highlights the struggles and triumphs of military life and the journey of self-discovery, covering several key points:

• The stigma surrounding mental health and the importance of seeking help.

• The challenges of dealing with mental health issues while serving in the military and the impact on personal relationships.

• The difficulty of finding a new sense of purpose after leaving the military.

• Nick's insights on resilience, self-awareness, and the value of being true to oneself.

Nick shares his journey of getting diagnosed with narcolepsy and anxiety with panic disorder, which led him to pursue a career in financial planning.

• The importance of finding a new sense of purpose in life

Additional topics include:

• The challenges of starting a new career

• Nick's upcoming book, Stigma

• Nick’s involvement with The Davis Focus Project, a nonprofit focused on human performance for active duty and veteran service members

Keywords

Nick O'Kelly, Thad, military, Green Beret, pilot, depression, goals, self-discovery, mental health, military, relationships, purpose, diagnosis, narcolepsy, anxiety, financial planning, transition, military, financial planning, mental health, healing, advocacy, career, stigma, resilience, self-awareness, book, human performance, nonprofit

Takeaways

Nick O'Kelly is a former Green Beret and pilot who shares his experiences in the military and his battle with depression.

Contact Nick here

The Davis Focus Project

In this episode, Rick Klauer, a former naval aviator turned Army pilot, shares his remarkable journey from the military to civilian life and back to the military. He recounts his experiences flying helicopters in both the Navy and Army. Rick also opens up about his transition to civilian life, where he faced high levels of anxiety and stress.

Rick and Thad discuss their tendency for contingency planning and overthinking, which often leads to anxiety. They explore the societal expectations placed on men to be emotionally strong and the challenges of being emotionally vulnerable in relationships. Rick shares his personal experience of going through a divorce, dealing with simultaneous feelings of depression, regret, and anxiety.

In the final part of their discussion, Rick and Thad share various strategies for dealing with anxiety and mental health issues. They highlight the benefits of exercise, sleep, and proper nutrition in managing anxiety. Additionally, they touch on the challenges faced by pilots in the FAA regarding mental health and the need for better support and treatment options. The episode concludes with discussing future plans, the importance of finding purpose, and staying active.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:03 Influence of a Military Family

08:01 Transitioning to Civilian Life

14:06 Joining the National Guard

24:52 Deployment to Afghanistan

35:12 Navigating Job Insecurity and Anxiety

38:17 The Weight of Past Events

41:36 The Challenges of Emotional Vulnerability

45:47 Coping with Divorce and Regret

54:10 The Importance of Living in the Present

01:15:23 Reflecting on Divorce and Regret

01:19:18 Managing Anger and Anxiety in High-Pressure Situations

01:35:31 The Importance of Living in the Present

01:48:02 Exploring Meditation and Alternative Practices

01:52:35 Strategies for Managing Anxiety and Mental Health

01:55:49 Challenges Faced by Pilots in the FAA

02:08:31 Finding Purpose and Staying Active

02:13:24 Being Compassionate Towards Oneself

02:26:15 Future Plans and Pursuing Endurance Races

Welcome to "Alone and Unafraid," where we dive into the real issues faced by real people in everyday life. This podcast is dedicated to exploring the depths of mental health, tackling topics such as anxiety, depression, fear, anger, and self-doubt.

We provide a platform for candid conversations about the challenges we all encounter and the triumphs we achieve. Each episode offers insights, tools, and personal stories to help you navigate these difficult times with courage and confidence.

Join us as we embrace the suck and face life's hurdles head-on, reminding you that while you may feel alone with your thoughts, you are never truly alone. Together, we can confront our fears and celebrate our victories, one step at a time.

Real people. Real issues. Real life. Welcome to "Alone and

With gratitude,

TMFK

In this episode, we chat with Tyler Huckett, a former MH-47G flight engineer from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. We dive into the challenges of post-military life and how Tyler is navigating his search for purpose. Many of us face a struggle to find direction after leaving the military, and while we don't have all the answers, we're making progress. We hope this conversation provides some insights and encouragement for your own journey.

Check Out Tyler's Podcast: Flow State Endurance

Flowstate Endurance Adventure racing team

Check out Pole Star Coffee here

 In this Episode I talk about Self doubt and where it begins, and Imposter syndrome: what it is and how to overcome it with 6 tools that can hopefully help you.

Rich Roll Podcast with Mel Robbins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6_RCZ54gy4

In this episode we talk about Work role centrality and Self objectification.

Work Role Centrality is the degree to which a person's identity is defined by their work. High work role centrality means that an individual places a significant part of their self-concept and self-worth on their job or career.

Self-Objectification occurs when a person views themselves primarily as an object to be looked at and evaluated based on appearance. This can lead to constant self-monitoring and, often, to feelings of shame and anxiety.