Firstly I would like to thank my friend and podcast sponsors Samantha and Shaun Sargent of STAIT FOR MEN for making this amazing episode happen.

This week, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Mark Direen,, a former soldier and special forces operator with the Australian SAS.- turned Author, Adventurer and Public speaker.

Mark’s journey from military service to adventuring, public speaking, and writing is nothing short of inspiring. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation that I think you’ll find both intriguing and motivating:

We discuss the evolution of purpose, identity, and connection. He reflects on the challenges of transition, the value of adventure and resilience, and the importance of controlling what you can in life. Mark offers practical advice on embracing new experiences, maintaining authenticity, and applying lessons from high-stress environments to everyday challenges, inspiring listeners to live more fully and intentionally.

He shares his journey of evolving purpose from military service to inspiring others through adventure and storytelling. We covered-

The Importance of Adventure, life experiences and challenges. Whether it’s climbing mountains or starting a new business, these adventures teach us resilience and positivity.

Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life: Mark opens up about the challenges of leaving the military and how he maintained his sense of purpose and identity.

Control the Controllables: A recurring theme in our discussion was the importance of controlling what you can in life. From military operations to everyday challenges, maintaining control over the small things can lead to greater success and safety.

Learning from Adversity: Mark shares how he turns difficult experiences into positive learning moments. His approach to debriefing himself and extracting lessons from tough times is something we can all apply to our own lives.

Getting Blown Up: Yes, you read that right. Mark recounts the harrowing experience of driving over an IED and how his training kicked in to keep him functioning in a life-threatening situation.

Travel Safety Tips: For those of you who love to travel, Mark offers practical advice on staying safe abroad, from getting travel insurance to learning self-defense and maintaining situational awareness.

Mark’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, adventure, and living authentically and I hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did

🔗 Connect with Mark on

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark.direen/

Websites: www.markdireen.com www.pointassist.com.au    

I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com and www.eatwellmovewell.net

And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com

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