Most veterans are trained to stay calm, push through, and get the job done no matter what. But what happens when the mission ends and emotions catch up?

In this episode of the Military Transition Academy Podcast, Coast Guard veteran and certified coach Matthew Barney breaks down the emotional side of life after service. He shares what emotional intelligence actually looks like — not just in leadership, but in day-to-day life when the uniform comes off and identity shifts start to surface.

We talk about:

• Why emotions like anger, anxiety, or numbness are normal

• How to process feelings without falling into a victim mindset

• Tools for handling emotional triggers like job search stress and uncertainty

Matthew is the founder of The Emotional Male and brings 15+ years of leadership experience and coaching insight to this raw, honest conversation.

Whether you’re in transition or supporting someone who is, this episode will shift your perspective and give you practical tools to move forward.

Connect with Matthew here: Matthew Barney | LinkedInConnect with Vets2PM: www.vets2pm.com/training