Episode Overview — Zach Tidwell | Resilient

This is the heaviest — and most important — episode of Character Talks we have ever released.

The word that defines this conversation is Resilient.

In this powerful and unfiltered episode, we sit down with Zach Tidwell, a completely blind Marine Corps veteran who has become a living example of what it means to keep going when life feels impossible.

In 2019, Zach lost his sight following a suicide attempt. What could have been the end of his story became the beginning of something extraordinary.

With raw honesty, Zach takes us straight into the darkness — sharing the thoughts before and after attempted suicide, the battle with addiction, the long road of recovery, and the reality of facing a life-threatening disease.

But this episode is not just about what Zach has endured…

It’s about who he is becoming.

Today, Zach continues to push the limits of what’s possible — through adventuring, challenging assumptions about blindness, learning to code and build tools that create accessibility for others, and using his voice to impact lives far beyond his own story.

This conversation is real. It is heavy. It is scary. And it is deeply uplifting.

⚠️ Listener discretion advised: This episode contains strong language and open discussion of suicide, addiction, and mental health. It is not intended for young ears.

But for anyone who has struggled… for anyone who loves someone who has struggled… this episode is a reminder that you are not alone — and that resilience is real.

• Website: https://zachtidwell.net/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachctidwell/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tidwell-9076852ab/

• X (Twitter): https://x.com/ZachCTidwell

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Zach-Tidwell-Host-of-Going-in-Blind/61556533676388/

• Going In Blind Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (USA)
Call or text 988 — available 24/7

Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741

Veterans Crisis Line
Call 988, then press 1
Text 838255

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

You matter. Help is real. And reaching out is a sign of strength.

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Special thanks to Chad Hollister for providing the song “LIFE.”
Chad is a dear friend, and we encourage everyone to visit his site, listen to his music, and feel all the good vibes!

Website: https://www.chadmusic.com/

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