In this episode of Culturally Sound, Chandler Cutler sits down with Farid Yaghini, veteran, author, wellness coach, and CEO of Camp Aftermath, to explore what it really takes to transition from service to civilian life and rebuild a lasting sense of identity.

After fleeing Iran as a child and serving over a decade in the Canadian Armed Forces with deployments to Afghanistan and Latvia, Farid knows firsthand the hidden costs of duty. His journey through anger, loss, and identity crises ultimately fueled the creation of Camp Aftermath, a Canadian charity that helps veterans, first responders, and frontline workers living with PTSD and operational stress injuries reclaim resilience through peer support, structured volunteerism, and professional mental health oversight.

This conversation is deeply personal and practical. Farid shares how he turned painful transitions into a blueprint for healing, why “flicker moments” of service can override trauma, and how the right balance of discipline, community, and compassion can carry someone through the hardest seasons of life.

Guest Bio

Farid Yaghini is the CEO of Camp Aftermath, a Canadian-registered charity supporting veterans, first responders, and frontline workers with PTSD and operational stress injuries. For more than 7 years, he has overseen national and international program delivery, including partnerships with Veterans Affairs Canada and the Commemorative Partnership Program.

Farid is also the author of Life in Rotations, a memoir chronicling his refugee story, military service, and path to healing. A certified wellness coach, yoga and meditation instructor, and holistic recovery advocate, he is currently pursuing a Master’s in Counselling Psychology to bridge clinical practice with lived experience. His mission is to ensure those who have sacrificed in service to others find belonging, strength, and a renewed sense of self beyond the uniform.

Episode Breakdown

• From Refugee to Soldier (00:00 – 12:00)
• Escaping Iran, growing up in Canada, and choosing military service.
• Deployments and Their Cost (12:00 – 25:00)
• Afghanistan and Latvia tours, the toll of war, and the struggle of transition.
• The Birth of Camp Aftermath (25:00 – 40:00)
• Building a three-phase program combining volunteerism, peer support, and long-term follow-up.
• Flickers of Purpose (40:00 – 50:00)
• Why small moments of service can transform trauma into meaning.
• Life in Rotations (50:00 – 60:00)
• Writing as therapy, documenting lessons for his daughter, and shaping legacy.
• Preparedness Over Regret (60:00 – 70:00)
• Why routines, discipline, and community-based healing keep the mission alive.

Summary

Farid Yaghini’s journey, from refugee to soldier to founder, is a powerful reminder that resilience is not about avoiding hardship but transforming it into purpose. His work at Camp Aftermath provides a living model for long-term recovery, showing that with structure, compassion, and community, those who serve can thrive beyond the uniform.

Relevant Links

🔗 Connect with Farid Yaghini on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/farid-yaghini-a17079211/

🔗 Learn more about Camp Aftermath – campaftermath.org

🔗 Listen to more episodes of Culturally Sound – corethos.com/culturally-sound