NAAFI Break

The NAAFI Break podcast highlights the transition from the military into second career success. The measure of success is subjective and different for everyone, although it is common to define it in many cases as achieving fulfilment by finding a new purpose. Within the Veterans Community there are many examples of ‘giving back’ and when someone leaves the Military and is successful a strong desire to ‘send the elevator down for the next person’ . Mark ‘Benny’ Hill is one of those people, dri...

Gina Atkinson joins me on the NAAFI BREAK podcast to uncover what drives her to 'Give Back' and support a variety of causes, all of which are driven by personal and purposeful reasons.From Army Cadet to Inspiration of Year 2022 in the Soldiering on Awards and Fundraiser of the Year 2023 at the Veterans Awards she has devoted her time to bringing awareness and change to her chosen causes and somehow managed to find time to forge a successful post military career!Link to Gina's Book and a live ...

As we journey through to three years and over 125 episodes, the "How to make a successful transition from the military?" focus of our podcast continues to resonate and extend its influence into broader circles. The authentic narratives from our Veteran Community remain the bedrock of truth, providing invaluable insights. However, the spectrum of learning widens as we delve into the perspectives of those who actively support and are profoundly affected by the military transition.Stepping into ...

Every guest on NAAFI Break brings their lived experience and their personal truth around the transition from the military into a second career. Some follow traditional pathways, some go on a squiggly path, others go cross country so to speak, but they all achieve success. It is these lived experiences we hear what drives the successful ones! Success is not a metric based on salary or money made, it can be about finding peace, surviving and thriving after trauma or simply giving back to ...

The NAAFI Break Podcast has covered many aspects of the transition from the military to a second career, always leaning on the 'truth' and lived experience of those who have served or connected to our Veteran Community. That is why when a guest opens up and expresses their emotions, it is a privelidge to bring their story to the wider consciousness. I have often asked guests if they joined to get away from the life they had or to seek a new adventure and it throws up many reasons for joining....

Steven Ferris joined me on the NAAFI Break podcast to highlight his personal lived experiences of joining the RAF as a Physical Education Officer and his goal to forge a career in the Parachuting world. His RAF career brought him ‘money can’t buy experiences’ and launched him into his post service career in Leadership and Coaching.His own experiences of Leadership shaped his future purpose and he has now become a contributing Author to a book called ‘Breaking Barriers’ Transformat...

Leaving the Military is different for everyone, with many distancing themselves initially before feeling the pullback to reconnect or give back to the Veteran Community. One thing that seemed part of our DNA while serving is being physically fit, albeit for some because there was a mandatory fitness test to pass every year. So why do so many people struggle to maintain their daily activity when they leave? I can't profess t have the silver bullet, my own post-service activity has been a rolle...

This week my Guest is Ria Jackson, Blogger, Advocate and founder of The V Word, who I would describe as a ‘Doer’. Using her own lived experience to trigger her drive, to create a safe space for female Veterans to share their different lived experiences.Bringing the different perspectives into the open, is vital for society, not just exclusively the Armed Forces, to learn how to support the needs of our female Service Personnel both in Service and in the transition to civilian careers.If...

This week my guest is Dorthe Jacobsen, a Dane who has contributed to a series of publications available to the Danish Military to help them understand the impact of their service, deployments etc on their family.It looks through the lens of the children of different ages and highlights how behaviours and experiences can create an aftershock.The implications of the serving soldiers behaviour can be destructive and the books help to prepare both parties for what could happen and ensure good com...

I’m joined by Peter Lewis, an Army Veteran and Chief People Officer at SuperNova Capital. A Long way from the 16 year old, big fish - little pond, into the Army and a rude awakening with a dodgy suitcase on arrival at Recruit Training.Peter is a podcast host in his own rite with his ‘give yourself the chat’ podcast that is worth checking out too! https://open.spotify.com/show/5PM5xspBqr2QTkhQ3K5qqu?si=iy_A7NHpQteGDFDUgfdYPAPeter provides honest self reflection of how he has learned...