In today's episode, Joe engages in a heartfelt conversation with Helen Valentino, who shares her extraordinary journey from a challenging childhood to her experiences in the military. Helen opens up about her upbringing, marked by family trauma and the struggles of growing up with undiagnosed ADHD. She recounts her decision to join the army, driven by a desire to escape her past and pursue a career in nursing. With honesty and honour, Helen reflects on her time in the military, the camaraderie she found, and the challenges she faced, including navigating a male-dominated environment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The individual experienced a difficult upbringing, including living with disabled grandparents and facing abuse from a parent, which significantly impacted their mental health and development.

Despite attending an elite private school, they struggled academically due to undiagnosed ADHD, leading to feelings of inadequacy and a belief that they were "stupid" compared to peers.

The decision to join the army was influenced by a desire to escape home life and a newfound interest in nursing after working as a care assistant. The military provided a structured environment that ultimately led to personal growth.

The experience in the army fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork, especially during intense situations like the Gulf War, highlighting the importance of support among peers in high-pressure environments.

After realising that a long-term military career was not suitable, the individual planned to pursue agency nursing and complementary therapies, indicating a desire to explore different avenues in healthcare beyond traditional nursing roles.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think looking back now, he probably had a lot of anger issues, a lot of unresolved trauma himself, as most of our parents do."

"We didn't have Childline. There was no, you know, it was probably maybe another five or 10 years after it happened to me."

"I was made to feel like I was stupid at school, really stupid."

"I signed up to train as a nurse. I hadn't even contemplated the idea that there might be a war when I was in the army."

"One of the things that's really special about the army is the camaraderie with your peers."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsjoeoconnor/

https://www.facebook.com/The1Transformer

https://www.instagram.com/the1transformer/

HOST BIO

Joe O'Connor is a resilient business entrepreneur and Financial Adviser dedicated to supporting business owners and veterans in their transition to civilian life. Despite facing life-threatening challenges at a young age, Joe defied the odds and embarked on a remarkable journey. From excelling as a Combat Engineer and Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Engineers to starting his own business as a Financial Adviser, Joe has displayed unwavering determination.

After rejoining the Army as a reservist in the Bomb Disposal Unit, Joe reached the rank of Sergeant before transferring to the SAS, where he endured a severe injury and was medically discharged. Undeterred, he resumed his role as an IFA and founded a charity that aids injured veterans and their families.

Joe's charity is currently finalizing plans for a training center and 23 Lodges, aiming to provide vital support for veterans transitioning to civilian life while addressing stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Today, Joe's mission is to unite business owners and veterans, helping them unleash their full potential for success.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/