War doesn’t stay in the past. And neither does the identity you built to survive it.

Parts of this conversation go to some heavy places, including suicide and mental health. 

Today I sit down with James Malone, former Royal Marines commando and now founder of Palpa Films to explore what really happens when you leave one life behind and try to build another.

James walks us through that shift. From Afghanistan to maritime security. From remote mines in Australia and New Zealand to picking up a camera and starting again. It’s not a straight line. It’s messy. At times, destructive. And honest.

We talk about what combat leaves behind. The pressure. The responsibility. The moments you can’t control. And what it’s like when others see something in you before you’re ready to admit it yourself.

This isn’t just about transition. It’s about what comes after.
 The drinking. The avoidance. The turning point.
 James shares the “burn the ships” moment that forced a different path and how small, consistent actions became a way out.

We also get into the work he does now. Creativity. Storytelling. Learning to trust instinct. “Be ready. Honour your impulse.”  And what it means to make something about something not just of it.

There’s a thread through all of this:  You don’t escape it. You learn to work with it. If you’re navigating change, carrying something heavy, or trying to figure out who you are after the role you once held this one will land.

To reach out to James, find him on LinkedIn or via his website.

If this conversation brings something up for you, don’t sit with it on your own. You can reach out to Save A Warrior UK for support. 

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