The Grey Man Podcast

What happens when you reach the peak of your game in the military, but your mind reaches its absolute limit?

In this episode, a former British Army Officer who worked alongside Special Forces candidly discusses his time in service, the intense pressures of combat operations, and the mental health collapse that forced him to confront his mental state.

He breaks down the reality of Sandhurst training, the moment he realized he needed urgent military therapy , the struggle of transitioning to civilian life, and why he eventually packed up everything to build a simple life on Phuket’s world-famous Fitness Street in Thailand.

What happens when the military identity you’ve known for decades is suddenly taken away? Former Navy Clearance Diver Ash re-joins the podcast to talk about navigating medical discharge, dealing with the loss of purpose, and how an 11-hour, 54-minute swim across the English Channel marked the first page of a brand new chapter.

Ash breaks down the gritty realities of the swim—pushing through 11-degree water, handling mental fatigue, overcoming irrational open-water fears, and raising $154,000 for veterans. More importantly, he shares crucial wisdom on what happens after you complete a major goal, how to avoid the post-achievement void, and why your worst day can ultimately become your best day.

Sponsored by Baldwin Advocacy & Claims

Navigating DVA claims, medical discharges, or military compensation? Baldwin Advocacy & Claims is a veteran-owned, fixed-fee advocacy service built to ensure you get the full entitlements you earned without taking a percentage of your pay-out. Don't leave your future to chance—book a free consultation today at baldwinclaims.com.au.

In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast, Harley Fox sits down with Adam Gale in Kamala, Thailand, to explore his journey from infantry service and emergency response to founding Live Play Work. Adam unpacks the hard realities of PTSD, navigating recovery, and creating sustainable support networks for Australian veterans living abroad.

Together, they break down the critical gaps in DVA care, why high-risk veterans slip through the cracks, and how effective triage and peer advocacy are saving lives outside of Australia's borders.

Sponsored by Baldwin Advocacy and Claims

Navigating DVA claims can feel like an uphill battle when you're already carrying enough on your plate. You don't have to fight the system alone. Reach out to the team at Baldwin Advocacy and Claims—they specialize in taking the stress out of DVA paperwork, ensuring your claims are managed correctly so you can focus on your recovery and wellbeing. Get in touch with Baldwin Advocacy and Claims today to get the support you deserve. baldwinclaims.com.au

In this episode, host Harley Fox chats with Jason, a former Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank crewman and truck driver.

Jason opens up about growing up as an Army brat, the physical realities of operating heavy armour, and the dark side of military culture—including extreme hazing, systemic bullying, and physical assault. He discusses the long-term impact of concussions inside a tank turret, hitting absolute rock bottom with his mental health, and how he eventually found a way forward through technical scuba diving and taking back control of his life.

An unfiltered conversation about survival, brotherhood, and resilience.

If you or anyone you know needs support, please reach out to:

• Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling): 1800 011 046

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

In Episode 3 of our Thailand Travel Series, host Josh sits down with Jarrod Hancock for a deeply raw and unfiltered conversation. Jarrod opens up about his upbringing, his journey through the Army Cadets into full-time military service, surviving high-risk close protection deployments and rocket attacks in Afghanistan, and his ongoing battle with addiction, trauma, and recovery.

Jarrod’s journey is a powerful reminder that the fight doesn't always end when you leave the uniform—it’s about finding the strength to keep standing up, no matter how many times life knocks you down.

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Navigating DVA claims shouldn't feel like another battle.Today’s episode is proudly brought to you by Baldwin Advocacy and Claims. If you’re a current or former serving ADF member struggling to get the support, compensation, or medical recognition you deserve, the team at Baldwin Advocacy and Claims is here to fight in your corner. They take the stress out of the process so you can focus on your health and recovery.

Head over to their website or reach out to the team today to get expert support on your DVA claims. www.baldwinclaims.com.au

What does it take to serve in the military for over 50 years?

In this powerful episode, we speak with an Australian Army veteran who completed 50 years and 3 months of continuous service, holding the title of the last serving Vietnam War veteran in the Australian Regular Army before his discharge.

He speaks openly about deploying to Vietnam at age 19, stepping millimetres away from a concealed landmine, and handling toxic Agent Orange without protection. He reflects on the painful return to Australia amidst public hostility, his decades-long battle with PTSD, and the real cost of putting the military ahead of his wife and children.

From rising through the ranks as an RSM and Major to rebuilding his family life through therapy and finding purpose in community veteran groups, this raw conversation offers an inside look at military service, mental health, and life after uniform.

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US Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran Ron Dunning reflects on his service as an M60 machine gunner during the 1968 Tet Offensive and the relentless artillery shelling at Con Thien. Wounded twice by shrapnel early in his deployment, Ron opens up about combat in the DMZ, facing racial tension in the 1960s military, and returning home to a divided nation.

He shares his long journey with PTSD, navigating the VA health system, and how journaling helped him process his trauma. Ron also explains why he left the United States to live as an expat in Japan, Belize, and Thailand, and details an extraordinary moment from his return to Vietnam—where he embraced a former NVA soldier who fought on the opposite side of the battlefield five decades earlier.

In this episode, 23-year Australian Army veteran Michael ("Smokey") takes us through his diverse career across the ADF. Starting out as a bouncer and stuntman in Brisbane, Michael joined the Army at 26 and served across Signals (Electronic Warfare), Military Police (MWD Dog Handler), Recruit Training (Kapooka), and Telecommunications.

Michael shares unforgettable stories from his time in East Timor—including guarding arrested Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and rebel leader Alfredo Reinado in Dili, navigating high-stress riots, and participating in a 45-rebel bloodless capture with the SAS. He also breaks down the funny side of service, from legendary base pranks to the story of "Whispers," an imaginary military dog that fooled officers for two years.

Finally, Michael speaks candidly about the physical and psychological toll of a high-tempo career—dealing with spinal paralysis, severe PTSD, depression, and alcoholism—and how he rebuilt his life through the Soldier Recovery Centre, daily journaling, land management, and returning to his passion for music.

🚨 THAILAND EPISODE 1 IS LIVE!🔥We’re kicking off the Thailand Travel Series with a massive conversation featuring Leroy Faure from The Fit Dad Lifestyle. In this episode, we lay it all on the table:🪖 Army Days – The transition from service to civilian life💼 Business – Building a brand while living on your own terms👨‍👩‍👦 Family – Keeping the household anchored through big life changes🌴 Expat Life – What moving to Thailand really looks like behind the scenesIf you’ve ever thought about making a bold pivot in life, fitness, or business—you need to hear this one.🎧 WATCH & LISTEN NOW📲 YouTube & Spotify (Link in bio)👇 Drop a comment below once you’ve checked it out!👉 SUBSCRIBE to The Grey Man Podcast for more raw veteran stories.==================================================🪖 SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: BALDWIN ADVOCACY & CLAIMS==================================================The Grey Man Podcast is proudly supported by Baldwin Advocacy & Claims (BAC). Navigating the DVA system? Don't go it alone. Founded by a veteran and built for veterans, BAC is a fixed-fee DVA advocacy service dedicated to fighting for the entitlements you earned. From initial liability and permanent impairment claims to medical separation and appeals, they handle it all under one roof with a strict morality clause.👉 Book your FREE, 100% confidential DVA consultation today: 🔗 Website: https://baldwinclaims.com.au📞 Phone: (07) 2103 0427==================================================🎧 LISTEN ON THE GO==================================================Prefer audio? Catch the full podcast episodes on your favorite streaming platforms:🔗 Spotify: The Grey Man Podcast 🔗 YouTube Music: The Grey Man Podcast==================================================📲 FOLLOW THE GREY MAN==================================================🔗 Instagram: @thegreymanpodcast🔗 Facebook: @greymanpodcast#GreyManPodcast #AussieVeterans #VeteranVoices #DVAClaims #MilitaryTransition

Cameron Niven didn't intend to become a military cop, but an administrative technicality forced him into the Corps—and a toxic chain of command forced him to become a lawyer.

In this episode, the founder of Soldier’s Legal Counsel shares his incredible journey from an Army Military Police private embedded with elite units to a private legal advocate defending modern veterans. Cameron opens up about the systematic harassment he faced from a toxic Company Sergeant Major, explaining how a dispute over university study leave triggered a multi-year "merry-go-round of hate" filled with trumped-up disciplinary charges.

Now holding a Master of Laws from Melbourne University, Cameron uses his civilian career to expose severe systemic issues inside Defence Administration. He explains how hierarchy actively abuses the lower burden of proof in the administrative system to fast-track discharges, highlights the pervasive issue of "copy-and-paste" legal notices, and details his past work tracking down fraudulent doctors taking advantage of the DVA scheme.

This is a powerful look at how a soldier’s drive to serve doesn’t end when their military uniform comes off.

🤝 Episode Sponsor: Baldwin Advocacy and Claims

Navigating DVA claims, or military discharge paperwork shouldn't be a battle you fight alone. Baldwin Advocacy and Claims are experts in cutting through the red tape to get veterans, first responders, and their families the medical, financial, and permanent impairment compensation they deserve.

📲 Get a free, confidential initial consultation today at: https://baldwinclaims.com.au/

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