How Vulnerability Became His Superpower — David Shamszad’s Story
Warriors Unmasked
In this powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck sits down with entrepreneur and author David Shamszad, who opens up about his decade-long battle with untreated bipolar disorder and addiction, and how he rebuilt his life through treatment, community, and self-belief. From facing the darkest moments of mental illness to founding an 8-figure real estate company, David shares the real, raw, and redemptive story of what recovery can look like. You’ll hear how vulnerability became his greatest strength, why he wrote his memoir I Am Someone You Know, and what he wants others facing...
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Living On Purpose — Shaun Murphy on Faith, Fatherhood & Finding Strength in the Storm
Warriors Unmasked
In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck sits down with Shaun Murphy, a father, entrepreneur, and man of deep faith, for an open conversation about grief, identity, and rediscovering purpose. After the unexpected loss of his father, Shaun found himself questioning everything—his path, his business, and even his faith. Through that pain, he discovered the power of presence, the importance of slowing down, and a deeper connection to his calling. If you’ve ever faced loss or felt called to pivot into a more intentional life, this conversation will remind you that growth doesn’t...
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195. From Rock Bottom to “Make It Great”: Ian Fee’s Journey of Sobriety, Self-Worth, and Second Chances
Warriors Unmasked
What happens when you’ve burned every bridge, lost your family, and can barely look at yourself in the mirror… but you still wake up knowing there has to be more? In this honest and powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Ian—author of Wild Ride to Sobriety and founder of Make It Great—to explore what it truly takes to go from self-destruction to self-respect. Ian opens up about his early start with alcohol, the choices that cost him everything, and the moment he decided he was done being the villain in his own life story. With unflinching vulnerability, Ian...
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194. Breaking the Cycle: Dustin Dunbar on Healing Addiction, Generational Trauma, and Choosing a New Legacy
Warriors Unmasked
What do you do when the very thing you swore you’d never become… becomes your reality? In this gripping and deeply honest episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes psychologist, coach, and former TV personality Dustin Dunbar for a raw conversation about the grip of generational addiction, the illusions of control, and the power of finally choosing freedom. Dustin shares his childhood story growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father and grandfather—and how he set out on a mission to never repeat their mistakes. For years, he seemed to succeed. With a doctorate in psychology, a...
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193. Finding Faith on the Side Road: Link Forester on Fatherhood, Loss, and Loving What Matters Most
Warriors Unmasked
What if the unexpected turns in life weren’t detours—but the actual path to everything that matters? In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with financial advisor, husband, father, and author Link Forester to talk about the moments that redefined his life. From becoming a father while still in college, to taking a leap of faith and leaving a stable career, to enduring every parent’s worst nightmare—the loss of a child—Link’s story is one of resilience grounded in faith, family, and a healthy dose of humor. Link shares how he and his wife Carla...
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192. From Chaos to Clarity: Dr. Lisa Nezneski’s Path to Healing, Resilience, and Mindful Living
Warriors Unmasked
What happens when your entire life crumbles in a matter of months? When the people you trust betray you, your health gives way, and you're left staring into a future you never expected? For Dr. Lisa Nezneski, that wasn’t a hypothetical—it was her reality. In this powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Lisa—pharmacist, poet, mindfulness teacher, and shamanic healer—to explore her extraordinary journey from heartbreak and upheaval to deep healing and transformation. Lisa opens up about the moment she learned her wages were being garnished, how that shock...
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191. The Truth About Alzheimer’s: Caregiving, Cognitive Decline, and Compassion with Lisa Skinner
Warriors Unmasked
In this deeply educational and heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Lisa Skinner — a behavioral expert in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. With decades of experience as a community counselor, senior care director, and author of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s: Its Secret Faces, Lisa brings powerful insight to one of the most complex and misunderstood diseases of our time. As someone who has helped thousands of families — and cared for eight of her own family members with dementia — Lisa offers compassionate, practical advice...
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190. The Power of Intention and Human Performance with Dr. Toper Taylor
Warriors Unmasked
In this thought-provoking episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Dr. Toper Taylor—a seasoned executive, media innovator, and now, intention researcher—on a mission to explore the scientific potential of human thought. With a career rooted in global brand building and entertainment leadership, Dr. Taylor now turns his curiosity toward how our minds shape reality and how intention can impact human performance, mental health, and our overall experience of life. Chuck and Dr. Taylor dive deep into what intention truly is—beyond casual goals—and how it exists as energy that can...
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189. Healing from Infidelity: A Conversation with Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem
Warriors Unmasked
In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem—founder of The Infidelity Counseling Center and creator of Systematic Affair Recovery Therapy (SART™)—to explore why infidelity happens, how it impacts both partners, and practical steps couples can take to heal and prevent future betrayal. Through candid anecdotes and evidence-based insights, Dr. Alsaleem walks listeners through the emotional aftermath of an affair, emphasizing the importance of empathy, self-reflection, and structured therapy. He delves into the nuances of rebuilding trust,...
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188. Why Coaches Need Mental Health Support Too with Carly Baker
Warriors Unmasked
In this important and timely episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Carly Baker, head coach of the Women's Rugby program at Endicott College and Assistant Director of the Graduate Sport Leadership Program. Carly brings a powerful and honest voice to a topic that often goes overlooked—the mental health and wellbeing of coaches. As a former multi-sport athlete turned professor and coach, Carly shares a unique, dual perspective. She opens up about the pressure to win, the relentless expectations placed on coaches, and the emotional toll it can take behind the scenes—even in...
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