This September, we’re taking part in Stay Tuned, a month-long event for the suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably. We’re using the power of the pod to raise money for CALM’s life-saving services, needed now more than ever, and to help people find ways to Stay. If you can, chuck in £12.20 - that’s the cost of answering a potentially life-saving call.

Stay Tuned Fundraising - Donate Here

Welcome to Episode 22 of Mum, Dad's Got Another Tattoo! This is a powerful, humbling, and deeply human episode. We're joined by former Royal Marine, Dan Holder, a man with a story of heroism, trauma, and redemption.

Find out more about ARC here: https://www.atomicrambo.com/

Follow Dan on Instagram: Duty Happy Bloke

• The Accidental Marine: Dan's journey started not from a deep-seated military ambition, but by accident at university. He shares what it was like to be an outsider joining an elite unit and the relentless mental and physical hardship of commando training.
• The Reality of War: Dan recounts the brutal reality of his deployment in Afghanistan. He speaks with raw honesty about the difference between movies and the "uncomplicated" nature of combat, where the only goal is to survive.
• The Bronze Star & A Dark Legacy: We delve into the heroism that earned Dan the US Bronze Star for Valour. He shares his incredible story of a terrifying IED incident and a subsequent bomb disposal mission. Dan reveals the chilling truth of how the medal's fame, paradoxically, exacerbated his complex PTSD, leading to daily flashbacks and a cycle of self-medicating with alcohol.
• Finding a New Purpose: Dan opens up about his journey to recovery and how he rebuilt his life. We discuss his transition from military to civilian life, his successful career as a tree surgeon, and the moment he realized his true calling was to help others overcome life's obstacles.
• The ARC Method: Dan introduces his unique coaching philosophy: Atomic Rambo Culturing (ARC). He breaks down the three pillars of his method—Awareness, Resilience, and Commitment—using a compelling personal example of how he used them to survive a near-fatal altitude sickness on a mountain in Peru. This is real talk on a survival scale.
• Male Mental Health & The "Hero's Journal": We discuss why men often struggle with vulnerability. Dan shares a simple, actionable tool for listeners: the "Hero's Journal," and explains why small, consistent steps are more effective than a "magic bullet" for personal growth and wellbeing.
• Leadership & Resilience: From military leadership to his experience running a business, Dan shares his philosophy on working with people, delegating to strengths, and why doing hard things is the best way to build the resilience you need when life hits hard.

Connect with us!

• Email: [email protected]
• Social Media: @DadGotAnotherTattoo (on most platforms)

• Podcast Network: Proud members of Podomedy.com

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Do your bit to save lives with CALM - The UK suicide prevention charity. Donate 12 GBP to help fund their helpline this September. Give now: https://tiltify.com/@podomedy/fundraiser-for-stay-tuned-2025

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