216: Never Out of the Fight — Healing Trauma, Identity, and Addiction After Military Service with Anthony Dyer
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Anthony Dyer for an honest, deeply human conversation about military service, accumulated trauma, identity loss, addiction, and the long road to healing. Anthony shares his 21-year career in the United States Air Force, including high-risk missions, elite rescue operations, and the emotional weight that followed him home long after the uniform came off. From the quiet moments that haunt servicemen and women to the stigma around asking for help, Anthony opens up about how suppressed trauma and alcohol nearly cost him everything. What followed was a...
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215: Healing Unresolved Trauma and Learning to Accept Yourself with Dr. Brian Alman
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Brian Alman for a deeply insightful conversation about trauma, self-acceptance, and what it truly takes to heal unresolved pain. Drawing from decades of clinical work and research, Dr. Alman explains why so many people struggle despite “doing everything right” and how trauma often sits at the root of emotional, physical, and relational challenges. From childhood neglect and adverse experiences to adult stressors like loss, divorce, and identity struggles, this episode offers clarity, hope, and practical tools for anyone who feels stuck. Dr....
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214: Surviving the Holocaust, Finding Purpose — The Extraordinary Life of Charles Van Kessler
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Charles Van Kessler for a deeply moving conversation about survival, faith, resilience, and purpose. Born in Amsterdam during World War II, Charles survived the horrors of the Holocaust, losing his family, enduring abuse in a state-run orphanage, and spending years alone on the streets as a child. Against all odds, Charles’s life became a story of hope. Through faith, perseverance, and an unshakable belief that his life had meaning, he found his way to America, rebuilt his life, and devoted himself to helping others live healthier, more empowered...
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213: Healing Head Trauma, Finding Hope — The Journey of Team USA Bobsledder William Person
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode, Chuck Thuss welcomes former Team USA bobsledder William Person for a raw and deeply revealing conversation about life after elite sport, the hidden toll of repeated head trauma, and the unexpected therapy that helped pull him back from the brink. William spent nine seasons competing at the highest level, enduring extreme G-forces, repeated impacts, and the emotional strain that so many athletes carry in silence. When the symptoms of CTE began to take over his life, William found himself in a dark, isolated spiral — until one piece of information, and one unexpected...
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212: Finding Freedom After Addiction — The Inspiring Journey of Mary Beth O’Connor
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Mary Beth O’Connor for a candid, eye-opening conversation about survival, healing, and long-term recovery. After surviving a childhood marked by emotional neglect and severe abuse, Mary Beth fell into addiction at just twelve years old — eventually becoming a daily meth user by her teens. But her story didn’t end there. Through determination, trauma therapy, and a recovery path she crafted for herself, Mary Beth rose from years of substance use disorder to graduating from Berkeley Law and ultimately serving as a federal administrative law...
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211: From Underground Hacker to Healing: The Remarkable Journey of Ryan Merket
Warriors Unmasked
In this powerful episode, Chuck Thuss sits down with Ryan Merket, a former underground hacker turned Silicon Valley tech leader, author, angel investor, and man of deep faith. Ryan’s journey is one of addiction, depression, betrayal, healing, and a spiritual awakening that transformed his entire life. From early bullying and hiding behind a computer screen, to running international piracy groups, to spiraling into addiction, to being pushed out of his own startup, Ryan’s redemption story is raw, inspiring, and filled with hope. Today he works at Microsoft helping founders build...
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210: Unbroken: Adrienne Caldwell on Surviving Trauma, Finding Peace, and Rewriting Her Story
Warriors Unmasked
In this inspiring episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Adrienne Caldwell — a survivor, author, and advocate whose journey proves that even the darkest beginnings can lead to a life filled with purpose, peace, and hope. Adrienne opens up about a childhood marked by trauma and instability, but also the powerful turning point that set her on a path toward healing, rebuilding, and reclaiming her voice. Today, she uses her story to help others feel seen, supported, and empowered in their own healing. This conversation is emotional, courageous, and ultimately uplifting — a...
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209: Overcoming Adversity: The Inspiring Journey of Navy Seal David Brown
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, host Chuck Thuss welcomes former Navy SEAL David Brown. David shares his journey from a challenging upbringing in Wilkesboro, Pennsylvania, to becoming a Navy SEAL despite his small stature and initial skepticism from others. Throughout the conversation, David discusses the lessons learned from persistent bullying, the importance of resilience, and never letting adversity define him. He also delves into his transition from military life to federal law enforcement and personal battles, including a tough period marked by divorce and personal loss. Despite...
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208: Courage, Perseverance, and Mental Health: A Veteran’s Tale of Resilience
Warriors Unmasked
In this deeply moving episode of Warriors Unmasked, host Chuck Thuss welcomes Mark Tilsher, a 21-year Air Force veteran and founder of the Military Sherpa movement. Mark shares his transformative journey from a troubled childhood, marked by constant upheaval and exposure to a negative culture, to finding a lifeline in the U.S. Air Force. Despite initial disciplinary struggles, the mentorship of a new supervisor helped him alter his path. Mark candidly discusses his mental health challenges, including a two-year battle with suicidal ideations following his transition to civilian life. He...
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207: Basking in Grace: Marcia Earhart's Journey Through Grief, Healing, and Divine Strength
Warriors Unmasked
In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Marcia Earhart, a certified life, grief, and trauma coach, along with being a trained educator and mental health first responder. The deeply personal and emotional interview reveals Marcia's arduous journey through chronic illness, the loss of loved ones including her two sons, and how she found healing and purpose through her faith. Discussing her roles as a mother, wife, and coach, Marcia elaborates on the importance of trust, surrender, and abiding in God's presence. Her ministry, the Sterling Rose Sanctuary, and her book 'Gripping...
info_outlineSometimes the best action is to take a step back and realign. Can you relate?
Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked! Today’s guest is a former principal, former athletic director, founder of Mindset Sports, and proud father of three Brad Dempsey. Brad has a passion for coaching athletes of all ages and establishing a healthy balance in their Mind, Body & Spirit by empowering them to become the best version of themselves through their sport. You’ll hear about Brad’s personal journey with mental illness after surviving a horrific car crash leaving him a significant brain injury in 1995.
Listen in as Brad openly shares about his struggle with depression and anxiety as a teenager and how he came to the realization that good health was more internal than he thought. We have an honest discussion about the trouble of mental pain as a teenager and only being treated for physical injuries. You’ll hear the moment Brad connected the importance of mental and physical health, escaping overmedication, and why he never thinks of his failures as holding him back. Brad talks about what he does now to combat mental illness and how faith in God has given him the confidence to keep moving forward.
We hope this episode gives you hope and understanding for the different kinds of trauma and the healing that can happen when you are brave enough to reach out and take a hand.
For more resources or to Connect with Brad, check out the links below!
Always in your corner,
Chuck and Clint
More Of What’s Inside:
- How a brain injury changed Brad’s life
- Dealing with depression as a teenager
- The cost of pushing down your feelings
- The moment Brad realized he needed to change for the better
- How Brad handles his mental health now
- The dangers of overmedication
- The importance of living life with gratefulness
- How you can “fail forward”
- Why following your passion can change your life
- Finding the balance of mental health and sports
- And much more!
GUEST LINKS:
- https://www.mindsetsports.life/’
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/mindset-sports/about/?viewAsMember=true
- Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mindsetsports_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindsetSportsLife/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2n4_Sn0_A68RIQgfLMAuxg
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mindsetsports_
LINKS:
- malarchuk.com/book
- malarchuk.com
- www.thecompassionateconnection.com
- www.warriorsunmasked.com
- Follow us on Instagram
- Like us on Facebook
- Subscribe To Our YouTube
Episode Minute By Minute:
- 0:02 What to expect today
- 1:40 Welcome Brad
- 4:03 When everything was great but it didn’t feel like it
- 7:35 How Brad handled his inner wounds as a teenager
- 10:25 Brad’s pill addiction and recovery
- 16:04 The spiritual side of Brad’s journey
- 19:54 When Brad said “enough is enough”
- 22:16 How Brad brad keeps a heart of gratitude
- 27:28 Finding out what you really want in life
- 38:02 How to connect with Brand and Mindset Sports
- 40:49 Finding someone you trust