You’re not lost—you’re becoming.

She served. She sacrificed. She took the uniform off.
And now she’s left wondering—Who am I without it?

This first episode of Brave Beyond Service kicks off the conversation so many female veterans are already having—quietly, internally, and often in isolation. It’s about the identity crisis that sneaks in after the mission ends. The part where life gets less structured, less clear, and a whole lot more silent.

If you’ve ever stood in your own kitchen and felt like a stranger in your own life…
If you’ve ever stared at the woman in the mirror and thought, “Where did I go?”
If you’ve wrestled with the fear that the strongest parts of you were left behind with your gear…

You are not alone.
And you are not broken.

This episode is the start of something honest, real, & deeply needed—a journey to help you reconnect with the woman behind the uniform, & the identity that’s still alive underneath it all.

In this episode, we explore:

• The silent unraveling that happens when structure and status fall away
• Why feeling lost after service isn’t failure—it’s the fallout of giving everything you had
• Real stories from the field—of women rebuilding from the inside out
• What horses have taught me about presence, identity, and healing
• Three small, powerful steps to reconnect with who you are (yes, starting today)

You can find resources, tools, and ways to connect with me at tonimattson.com.
While you’re there, check out my book Unlikely Recruits—20 real stories about how God enlists horses to help veterans heal.

And if this episode stirred something in you, I’d love to hear about it.
Email me anytime at [email protected] or come say hi at Trinity Equestrian Center.

Resources: 

• Toni Mattson Online – Tools, podcast, and more
  www.tonimattson.com
• Trinity Equestrian Center – Equine-assisted sessions for veterans and families
  www.trinity-ec.com | (715) 835-4530
• Toni’s Book: Unlikely Recruits – 20 real stories of healing with horses and faith
  Available on Amazon
• VA Women Veterans Call Center – Real people answering real questions
  1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636) | www.womenshealth.va.gov
• Veterans Crisis Line – Confidential support, 24/7
  Dial 988 and Press 1 | Text 838255 | www.veteranscrisisline.net
• Code of Support Foundation – Case coordination, navigation, and peer support
  www.codeofsupport.org
• Blue Star Families – Resources and community for military families
  www.bluestarfam.org
• Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) – Advocacy and support for service women and female veterans
  www.servicewomen.org
• Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) – Peer support groups and community connection
  www.wovenwomenvets.org
• Foundation for Women Warriors – Housing, childcare, education & workforce development for women veterans
  www.foundationforwomenwarriors.org
• SHEROES United – Empowerment and trauma recovery resources for women veterans
  www.sheroesunited.org
• Army Women’s Foundation – Scholarships, leadership development, and support for all Army women, past and present
  www.awfdn.org