In this episode James sits down with the author of "The Warfighter's Lounge", Jeff Bodell, a veteran whose journey through the forces and beyond is all about resilience, leadership, and the lessons that carry over long after the uniform comes off.

Jeff opens up about what service taught him, the challenges of stepping into civilian life, and the importance of brotherhood, honesty, and purpose. His story is a no-nonsense look at transition, growth, and building a meaningful life outside the wire.

Whether you’ve served, supported someone who has, or just want a masterclass in grit and leadership — Jeff’s story will leave you inspired.

🎯 Takeaways:

• Leadership in the military isn’t left behind — it shapes life after service.
• Transition is about identity as much as career.
• Brotherhood and community remain essential long after discharge.
• Mental strength is built by facing challenges head-on.

🔊 Sound Bites:

• “Service doesn’t end with the uniform — it evolves.”
• “Leadership is about showing up, even when it’s bloody hard.”
• “You can lose the rank, but you don’t lose the lessons.”

📬 Connect with Jeff:

👉 Jeff on Instagram

👉 The Book: Warfighter's Lounge

👉The Audio Book: Warfighter's Lounge

In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast, James sits down with Craig Mayville, a veteran whose journey through service, struggle, and self-discovery shines a brutal light on what it means to fight battles long after the uniform comes off.

Craig opens up about the challenges of transition, the weight of mental health, and the process of finding purpose again when the old mission ends. With raw honesty and a dash of humour, he reminds us that resilience isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about finding the strength to rebuild, again and again.

Whether you’re a veteran, a mate of one, or just someone searching for meaning in the mess, Craig’s story will hit home.

Takeaways:

• Transition from service is a journey, not a switch.
• Mental health struggles aren’t weakness — they’re human.
• Brotherhood doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.
• Purpose can be rebuilt, one small step at a time.

Sound Bites:

• “The fight doesn’t end when you leave the forces — it just changes shape.”
• “Resilience isn’t about never falling down. It’s about refusing to stay there.”
• “You don’t need to carry it alone. You’re stronger when you find your tribe.”

Connect with Craig:

👉 LinkedIn

👉 Instagram

In this raw and fearless conversation, James sits down with Si Hearn – a former police officer who turned personal collapse into an extraordinary new chapter.

Si doesn’t sugarcoat his story. From a tough childhood and years of bullying, to climbing the ranks in the police force and facing the darkest toll of the job, he opens up about the breaking point that forced him to stop, reset, and rebuild. What others might call a breakdown, Si calls a breakthrough – a circuit breaker that propelled him out of an institution that had drained him and into a world brimming with possibility.

You’ll hear Si reflect on:

• 🚨 Life inside the police – from frontline action to dealing with riots, terrorism, and life-or-death situations.
• ⚡ The personal struggles behind the uniform – toxic relationships, loss, and the mental health battles that nearly derailed everything.
• 💡 How he reinvented himself through relentless learning, resilience, and digital entrepreneurship.
• 🛠️ The transferable skills of policing – and how they set him up to thrive in marketing, AI, and business.
• 🌍 Why he believes life’s too short for staying stuck in the wrong job – and how freedom, growth, and purpose are always within reach.

This episode is equal parts harrowing, inspiring, and brutally honest. Si’s story is proof that you can crash, burn, and still rise higher than before – if you’re willing to learn, adapt, and never stop moving forward.

1. A breakdown can be a breakthrough. Sometimes life has to burn down before you can build it back stronger.
2. Institutional jobs don’t define you. Leaving the police wasn’t the end of Si’s story — it was the start of something far bigger.
3. Skills transfer, identity doesn’t die. Networking, communication, and resilience are assets you can carry into any new career.
4. Mental health isn’t weakness. Ignoring the signs nearly destroyed him; facing them saved him.
5. Progress > perfection. You don’t need to know it all — just stay one page ahead and keep moving.
6. Freedom beats security. The “safe” option can be the most dangerous thing for your happiness.
7. Reinvention is possible. From digital marketing to AI to building networks — Si proves you can create a whole new chapter.

• “Some people call it a breakdown — I call it my circuit breaker.”
• “In the police, you see the worst in everyone. Outside, I’ve learned to see the best.”
• “If you’re not learning, you’re dying.”
• “Your uniform doesn’t make you — your skills do.”
• “I’ve locked up 1,500 people, but the biggest prison was my own life.”
• “Security isn’t safety. Freedom is.”
• “The only person who can stop you… is you.”

👉 Whether you’re in the police, grinding in a career that feels like a dead end, or simply searching for your next breakthrough – this one’s for you.

Connect with Si:

On Instagram

In this raw and unfiltered episode, James sits down with Isaac, a veteran who’s lived the highs of service and the lows of what comes after. From frontline missions to personal battles, Isaac lays bare the reality of life in uniform and the messy, uncertain road of transition into civilian life.

This isn’t a story of pity — it’s about grit, growth, and the power of brotherhood. Isaac speaks with brutal honesty about the struggles veterans face, the stigma around mental health, and how finding your tribe can be the difference between sinking and standing tall.

If you’ve ever wondered what courage looks like off the battlefield, this is it.

• Transition is a battle of identity as much as circumstance.
• Brotherhood doesn’t end at discharge — but you’ve got to find it again.
• Talking openly about mental health isn’t weakness — it’s survival.
• Great Guns is here to remind you: you’re not broken, you’re battle-tested.

• “Leaving service isn’t the end of the fight — it’s the start of a whole new one.”
• “Civvy Street doesn’t come with a manual. But it does come with mates, if you’re brave enough to ask.”
• “You don’t need fixing. You just need a place where your scars make sense.”

Want to connect with Isaac G. Lee:

Isaac's Website

Isaac's Instagram

Get the book - "Hanger 4" The book or on Kindle

In this episode of The Great Guns Podcast, host James Scott sits down with Jo-Anne Karlsson — psychotherapist, equine-facilitated practitioner, and director of LEAP Equine — to explore the remarkable intersection of horses, healing, and human connection.

Jo-Anne shares her journey from traditional therapy rooms to working in open fields alongside her herd, explaining how horses’ non-judgmental presence and innate sensitivity can help clients process trauma, navigate PTSD, and rebuild trust. From service personnel to corporate leaders, teenagers to families, she reveals why this approach works for such a wide range of people — and why sometimes, the most profound breakthroughs happen without saying a single word.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Presence – Horses live entirely in the moment, responding authentically to the energy and behaviour of the person in front of them.
• Choice Matters – Jo-Anne’s herd is never forced to engage; this freedom makes interactions genuine and meaningful.
• Right Fit = Real Progress – Therapy works best when there’s trust, comfort, and the right personality match between client and practitioner.
• Nature Heals – Being outdoors removes the “spotlight” pressure of a therapy room and creates space for openness.
• Two-Way Street – Healing isn’t just for the person struggling; it’s about understanding the people around you, too.
• Small Steps Count – Even tiny breakthroughs — like sitting calmly near a chicken — can be deeply therapeutic.

Sound Bites:

• “Horses don’t judge. They’re not thinking ahead or looking back — they’re responding to you, right here, right now.” – Jo-Anne Karlsson
• “If you can’t be vulnerable with your therapist, you’re not making the best use of your time or money.” – Jo-Anne Karlsson

• “Nature has a way of lowering our barriers before we even realise it’s happening.” – James Scott

• “Sometimes it’s high impact in the moment, sometimes the links form days later — but the shift comes.” – Jo-Anne Karlsson

• “It’s not about using the horses; it’s about inviting them to work alongside us.” – Jo-Anne Karlsson

Want to connect with Jo-Anne:

LEAP Equine: www.leapequine.com

Jo-Anne Karlsson: www.joannekarlsson.com

In this hard-hitting episode, James sits down with Ben Edwards, a former Royal Navy serviceman, ex-Met Police detective, and now Head of Global Physical Security. But Ben’s not just navigating the world of global corporate security — he’s changing the game for UK veterans trying to reintegrate into civilian life.

Ben shares his brutally honest take on what’s going wrong with the current resettlement process — from outdated systems to a lack of real, long-term support. And he’s not here just to talk; Ben is doing the work. Through his volunteer mentoring with the VETS programme, he’s guided countless veterans out of confusion and into purpose.

💥 From mentoring to mindset, identity loss to corporate impact — this is an episode for veterans, hiring managers, and anyone who gives a damn about getting it right.

➡️Why mentorship isn’t charity — it’s strategy.

➡️The real challenges veterans face after they take off the uniform.

➡️What makes ex-forces candidates unbeatable in civilian roles.

➡️The invisible value veterans bring to business culture.

➡️Why employers need to stop fearing the unknown and start building bridges.🎙️

Sound Bites:

“Veterans aren’t broken — they’re just under-supported.”

“Hiring veterans isn’t a handout. It’s good business.”

“Mentoring saved me as much as I’ve saved others.”

“It’s not about your rank anymore. It’s about how you show up.”

• The resettlement system needs a total overhaul — and we can’t wait for the government to do it.
• Community, visibility, and belief are what get veterans moving again.
• If you’re an employer: hire veterans. If you’re a veteran: find your tribe.

🔗 For more on Ben’s work, connect with him on LinkedIn

🛡️ Support our mission at www.great-guns.com — where gear meets purpose.

#VeteransInBusiness #MentorshipMatters #LifeAfterService #GreatGunsPodcast

#BenEdwards

Gary Hayes has seen it from both sides — the frontline and the fallout.

As a former soldier turned mental health professional, Gary brings a rare and powerful perspective to this episode of the Great Guns Podcast.

He knows what it means to serve.

He knows what it means to break.

And more importantly — he knows what it takes to rebuild.

In this raw, honest conversation, Gary talks about the deep mental wounds that follow service, the guilt that sticks, and the strength it takes to ask for help instead of hiding behind the uniform.

💥 From squaddie to psychotherapist

💥 From silence to speaking out

💥 From survival to support

This is the conversation every veteran deserves to hear — and every civilian should understand.

🔊 SOUND BITES

🗣️ “It’s easy to talk about the battles you fought. It’s harder to talk about the ones that still fight you.”

🗣️ “Service conditions you to cope. But coping isn’t the same as healing.”

🗣️ “There’s no shame in the struggle — the shame is in silence.”

🗣️ “You don’t have to go back to who you were. You get to choose who you become next.”

✅ TAKEAWAYS

The mental health cost of military culture — and what needs to change

How identity loss after service leads to isolation

Why talking saves lives — and the myth of “being strong”

How veterans can transform pain into purpose by showing up for each other

Real advice for navigating guilt, transition, and trauma without shame

💀 This episode might not be easy listening — but it might just save a life.💀

Connect with Gary:

PTSD999

Email him

Call him: +44 7957252955

#GreatGunsPodcast #GaryHayes #VeteranVoices #MentalHealthMatters #FromSoldierToSupport #BuiltNotBorn #RealTalkNotRank

This episode hits different.

Claire Lilly, founder of The Forcer Protocol, is the ex-wife of a British Army veteran who died by suicide. What she brings to the mic isn’t a lesson—it’s a lived experience. It's not about medals or mission reports. It's about what happens to the people left behind.

In this raw and brave conversation, Claire opens up about the impact of suicide, what it’s like to carry grief quietly for years, and how she’s now using her voice to help others feel less alone.

💥 This is the other side of service—the one we don’t talk about enough.

💥 It’s about pain, yes—but also resilience, humour, and healing.

💥 It’s a must-listen for anyone who thinks they’re the only one still grieving.

🗣️ “He didn’t look like someone who was struggling—and that’s the scariest part.”

🗣️ “You don't get over it. You get through it. And you do it one day at a time.”

🗣️ “Grief changes shape. It doesn’t disappear.”

🗣️ “No one should have to grieve in silence.”

✅ TAKEAWAYS

• The truth about what it’s like to grieve while raising a family
• The stigma and silence that often surround veteran mental health
• How Claire found strength through sharing her story—and helping others do the same
• A reminder that healing doesn’t mean forgetting—it means learning how to live again

🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else that real conversations matter.

💀 This isn’t just another veteran story. It’s the story that too often goes untold.

Connect with Claire:

The Forcer Protocol

LinkedIn

Website - Power Of Now

#ForcerProtocol #GreatGunsPodcast #ClaireLilly #LifeAfterLoss #VeteranFamilies #SuicideAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #BuiltNotBorn #RealTalkNotRank

WWW.GREAT-GUNS.COM

He was a U.S. Green Beret.🪖

Then a Night Stalker, Special Forces Black Hawk pilot.🚁

Two of the most demanding jobs in the world—and Nick wore both uniforms with pride.💪

But behind the elite training, the high-stakes missions, and the badges of honour…

He was suffering.

While still serving.

In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast, Nick rips the silence off a truth far too many hide: even warriors at the top of their game can be barely holding it together.

💥 He didn’t “struggle after.” He struggled during.

💥 He didn’t break. He carried more than most.

💥 And now, he’s speaking out—not to be pitied, but to help others realise they’re not alone.

If you’ve ever looked at someone and thought, “They’ve got their Sh#t together”—this episode will make you think again.

🗣️ “You leave the military, but it doesn’t always leave you.”

🗣️ “There’s a gap between who you were and who you’re meant to become—and it’s f*cking hard to cross.”

🗣️ “We don’t need perfect heroes. We need honest ones.”

🗣️ “I thought I was the only one struggling. Turns out, I was just the only one saying it out loud.”

• Why transition out of the military can hit harder than most expect
• The unspoken mental health battle many veterans still fight daily
• How shame and silence feed off each other—and how to stop the cycle
• The value of vulnerability in leadership and community
• A reminder that progress is ugly, uncomfortable, and absolutely worth it.
• 
  

🎧 Stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your truth bombs.

💀 If you’ve served, struggled, or started over—this one’s for you.

Connect with Nick:

YouTube

Instagram

#GreatGunsPodcast #NickOKelly #NickUnfiltered #VeteranVoices #PostServiceLife #MentalHealthMatters #BuiltNotBorn #NightStalkers

After leaving the military, 26 year Navy Seal veteran, William didn’t just hang up the uniform—he stripped away the expectations, the identity, and the pressure to “just move on.”

What came next? A raw, honest rebuild.

In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast, we sit down with William to unpack the truth about transition—the emotional weight of starting again, the real fear behind reinvention, and how he learned to turn discomfort into direction.

This isn’t polished. This isn’t a highlight reel.

It’s the story of a veteran finding his footing—one small, terrifying step at a time.

🎖️ From military service to mental resilience

💥 From burnout to breakthrough

🎯 From self-doubt to purpose-driven momentum

Whether you’re still serving, recently out, or just trying to find your place in this messy world—William’s story will hit home.

🔊 SOUND BITES

🗣️ “You don’t have to have it all figured out—just be willing to start.”

🗣️ “Leaving the forces was like losing my identity. But that loss made space for something real.”

🗣️ “Growth starts the second you stop pretending you’re fine.”

🗣️ “There’s strength in saying, ‘I don’t know who I am right now.’ That’s where the work begins.”

✅ TAKEAWAYS

• Why identity loss after service is more common (and more brutal) than most admit
• The myth of “just cracking on” — and how it keeps veterans stuck in silence
• How vulnerability is a weapon, not a weakness
• Why small actions and honest conversations create lasting transformation
• The power of slowing down, recalibrating, and rebuilding from the inside out

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

🔥 This one’s not just for veterans—it’s for anyone who’s had to start over.

Connect with William:

5 SEAL SECRETS

LinkedIn

#GreatGunsPodcast #NavySeals #WilliamBranum #VeteranVoices #RealTalk #MentalStrength #TransitionTruths #BuiltNotBorn