Episode #15: We Refuse to Let Our Previous Wars Win: Sarah Moore on Shedding the Uniform's Identity, Healing the Nervous System, and Becoming Whole Again

What happens when the body decides it's done, even when your mind is still convinced it can push through?

For Sarah Moore, a 21-year Army veteran and Black Hawk pilot, the answer came in the middle of a routine dunker training exercise when her nervous system snapped in front of her peers. No amount of mental toughness could stop the shaking. It was the beginning of a journey she never expected, and one that would ultimately change everything about how she understood herself, her service, and her healing.

In this episode, Sarah and Jon unpack what it really means to carry the weight of a military career, the deployments, the abusive relationships, the no-boundaries culture of high performance, and what it takes to finally set that weight down. Sarah brings a rare combination of lived experience and neuroscience training to the conversation, breaking down why trauma isn't a mindset problem, why the nervous system breaks the same way a bone does under too much stress, and why healing isn't a destination. It's a lifestyle change.

Sarah is also the founder of Blueside Adventures, a program built for veterans and first responders that combines community, adventure, and structured inner work to help people find out who they are outside of the uniform.

In this episode, you'll hear:

Connect with Sarah Moore & Blueside Adventures: 🌐 www.bluesideyoga.com 📱 Instagram & Facebook: @bluesideadventures 📧 [email protected]

Support the Mission (GoFundMe): Blue Side Adventures: The "Back Home" Mission

About The Bunkhouse: The Bunkhouse is a veteran mental health podcast hosted by Jon Cole, a retired Marine Corps officer with 16 years of service and three combat deployments. Every episode follows a guest's journey from their time in service, through their darkest moments, to where they are today. No sugar-coating. No toxic positivity. Just real conversations that remind you: you are not the only one fighting this battle, and you don't have to fight it alone.

🎙️ New episodes drop monthly.

👇 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with someone who needs it.

https://linktr.ee/thebunkhouse

Be the light in someone's dark.

#thebunkhouse #veteranmentalhealth #bethelightinsomeonesdark

In this compelling interview, Andrew Stokes shares his journey from military service to law enforcement, highlighting the challenges of trauma, resilience, and personal growth. Discover insights into the realities of policing, mental health, and the importance of vulnerability and support. Andrew Stokes shares his profound journey through trauma, mental health struggles, and finding peace through faith, therapy, and education. His story highlights the importance of seeking help, resilience, and the transformative power of faith and community support.

Andrew Stokes's military background and transition to law enforcement

Andrew Stokes

Mental health awareness

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Andrew Stokes

Resources

Law Enforcement Trauma Resources - https://www.police1.com/mental-health/articles/trauma-resources-for-police-officers/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewstokes

In this episode, Ira and Jon explore the deep and often overlooked aspects of transitioning from military service into civilian life. They discuss the importance of community, purpose, and self-care in healing and redefining identity after service.

Key Topics:

Timestamps:

This episode highlights the importance of vulnerability, community, and purpose for veterans. Ira and Jon remind us that healing is ongoing and supporting one another is key. Whether you're in transition or years into civilian life, your story matters, and you're not alone.

This is the announcement of the relaunch of The Bunkhouse Podcast.

Episode 1 (Marine Grunt to Passionate Poet)

Host: Jon

Talk About The Episode:

• Brandon Dillon

• Marine Corps 8 years 2004 to 2012

Talk With The Guest:

• What helped him get where he is today?

• Leadership, the Marine Corps taught me how to lead people and manage not only them but myself

• Poetry and poetry have saved my life, along with my kids and my future wife Yanet.

• The things I saw and did in Iraq and Afghanistan, obviously, how I treated some of my Marines, during our time in Afghanistan, my ex-wife, and the things we have said and done to each other, my childhood, so many of my brothers taking their own lives. How I handle it I used to drink A LOT, but I started therapy in 2014 and did 5 years my therapist pushed me to share my poetry, and poetry has saved my life, now I write to cope and deal with my darkness.

• The VA sucks but use it, find a therapist, and learn healthy coping mechanisms. Learn mindfulness and how to meditate. Find something to occupy your mind and time, something that you actually enjoy and get some sort of fulfillment out of.

Closing:

Brandon Dillon

https://linktr.ee/nollid20

You can contact the show by sending an email to [email protected]

Follow on Twitter with @BunkhouseCast

Follow on TikTok @bunkhousecast

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebunkhouse

I created this podcast using version 3.0.3 of Audacity(R) recording and editing software[1].

[1] Audacity® software is copyright © 1999-2021 Audacity Team.

Web site: https://audacityteam.org/. It is free software

distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

The name Audacity® is a registered trademark.

Host: Jon

Talk About The Episode:

• Kyle Moschetto

• Marine Corps, just under 12 years.

Talk With The Guest:

• He did Lots of IT side hustles before the military. “I’m a geek-of-geeks! 😀”

• Large complicated Cloud Adoption/Migration/Transformation programs!

• READ and PRACTICE. We’ve never been in a time where learning was so easy, it just takes time and practice.

Closing:

Kyle:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-kmo-moschetto-5100a761/

https://anchor.fm/task/force/phoenix

Title

Author

Link?

Leadership Gold: Lessons I've Learned from a Lifetime of Leading

John C. Maxwell

https://www.audible.com/pd/Leadership-Gold-Audiobook/1400222761?ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=81G8KFGSMBKBX50EQX26

Thinking for a Change: 11 Ways Highly Successful People Approach Life and Work

John C. Maxwell

https://www.audible.com/pd/Thinking-for-a-Change-Audiobook/B002UZMSMG?ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=81G8KFGSMBKBX50EQX26

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable

Patrick Lencioni

https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Five-Dysfunctions-of-a-Team-Audiobook/B002V08E64?ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=81G8KFGSMBKBX50EQX26

The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else In Business

Patrick Lencioni

https://www.amazon.com/Advantage-Organizational-Health-Everything-Business/dp/0470941529/

You can contact the show by sending an email to [email protected]

Follow on Twitter with @BunkhouseCast

Follow on TikTok @bunkhousecast

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebunkhouse

I created this podcast using version 3.0.3 of Audacity(R) recording and editing software[1].

[1] Audacity® software is copyright © 1999-2021 Audacity Team.

Web site: https://audacityteam.org/. It is free software

distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

The name Audacity® is a registered trademark.

Hey everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Bunkhouse; I’m your host Jon.

I know it’s been 4 months since the last episode, but I have some updates and news about the show.

First the show itself:

• After the new year I will continue to release one episode of the show.

• I already have a couple guests lined up, just have to work our schedules out.

• Veterans to share their story and how they beat their inner battles.

Now the extras:

• I have started journaling to help deal with my own anxiety, and stuff, and then I started sharing them on TikTok.

• If you want to check them out, you can go my TikTok handle @thebunkhousecast

• It also has links to other individuals, and or organizations that I support or am a part of.

• I am a board member for Hackers 4 Vets

• Nonprofit that helps veterans get into cyber by providing awards, vouchers, courses and more.

• Mission 22 provides support to Veterans and their families when they need it most: right now. Through a comprehensive approach of outreach, events, and programs, we’re promoting long-term wellness and sustainable growth.

I hope everyone has enjoyed the 10 episodes I’ve released so far and continue to be on the lookout for the upcoming episodes.

If you want to contact the show, or want to be a guest, send an email to [email protected]

Or use the LinkTree link and click “Contact”.

Again, I want to thank everyone for their support with the show, I can’t wait to see where it takes us next year.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year; and as always, Be The Light In Someone’s Dark.

Links

https://linktr.ee/thebunkhouse

[email protected]

Hackers for Vets (thehauntedhacker.com)

Mission 22 I National Veteran Non-Profit Organization

Episode 10 (Words with the Phoenix Cast)

Host: Jon

Talk About The Episode:

John, Rich, and Kyle

Marine Corps (John & Rich are still Active Duty)

Hosts of The Phoenix Cast

Closing:

The Phoenix Cast

The Art of Network Engineering

You can contact the show by sending an email to [email protected].

Follow on Twitter with @BunkhouseCast

Follow on Facebook with @BunkhouseCast

I created this podcast using version 3.0.3 of Audacity(R) recording and editing software1.

1 Audacity® software is copyright © 1999-2021 Audacity Team.

Web site: https://audacityteam.org/. It is free software

distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

The name Audacity® is a registered trademark.

Host: Jon

*** I am an active duty Marine, and any opinion expressed on this show is my own and is not military regulation or policy. ***

Talk About The Episode:

• Mike Jones

• He spent 10 years in the Navy.

Talk With The Guest:

• His/Her favorite subject:

• 3D Printing

• Persistence

• Be persistent and take advantage of any program you can find.

Closing:

• Mike Jones:

• com

You can contact the show by sending an email to [email protected].

Follow on Twitter with @BunkhouseCast

Follow on Facebook with @BunkhouseCast

I created this podcast using version 3.1.3 of Audacity(R) recording and editing software[1].

[1] Audacity® software is copyright © 1999-2021 Audacity Team.

Web site: https://audacityteam.org/. It is free software

distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

The name Audacity® is a registered trademark.

Host: Jon

*** I am an active duty Marine, and any opinion expressed on this show is my own and is not military regulation or policy. ***

Talk About The Episode:

• Ron Woerner

• USAF, 1990 – 1995

• Cybersecurity Consultant, Cyber-AAA, LLC

Talk With The Guest:

• He has been in “IT” since I was in middle school.

• Here’s a video of me talking about the first computer I used:

• https://youtu.be/7e7w0dRSP_g

• Leadership and influence.

• Leadership skills.

• Keep studying.

Closing:

• Ron Woerner, President Cyber-AAA

• [email protected]

• VetSec Website

You can contact the show by sending an email to [email protected].

Follow on Twitter with @BunkhouseCast

Follow on Facebook with @BunkhouseCast

I created this podcast using version 3.0.3 of Audacity(R) recording and editing software[1].

[1] Audacity® software is copyright © 1999-2021 Audacity Team.

Web site: https://audacityteam.org/. It is free software

distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

The name Audacity® is a registered trademark.