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146. From Combat to Compassion: Dan Zia Joseph's Journey of Resilience and Leadership

Warriors Unmasked

Release Date: 04/30/2024

169. Rewiring Your Mind For Hope and Body with Dr. Samantha Harte show art 169. Rewiring Your Mind For Hope and Body with Dr. Samantha Harte

Warriors Unmasked

In this captivating episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Samantha Harte, a physical therapist, author, and podcast host who embodies resilience and transformation. With more than two decades of experience in fitness and wellness, Dr. Harte shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming addiction, silencing her inner critic, and finding joy and resilience after trauma. Dr. Harte opens up about her struggles growing up in a household with addiction and mental health challenges, her own battle with substance abuse, and how she hit rock bottom before finding the strength...

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168. Shoulder Check: How Small Gestures Can Save Lives with Rob Thorsen show art 168. Shoulder Check: How Small Gestures Can Save Lives with Rob Thorsen

Warriors Unmasked

In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Rob Thorsen, the founder and executive director of the #HT40 Foundation and the visionary behind the Shoulder Check initiative. Rob opens up about the profound loss of his son, Hayden, to suicide, and how he transformed his grief into a mission to combat the crisis of loneliness and isolation among young people. Through Shoulder Check, Rob encourages simple, yet meaningful acts of connection—putting a hand on someone’s shoulder, checking in, and offering support when it’s needed most. Rob’s story is one of...

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167. Understanding The Role of Anger in Healing and Self-Discovery with Bronwyn Schweigerdt show art 167. Understanding The Role of Anger in Healing and Self-Discovery with Bronwyn Schweigerdt

Warriors Unmasked

In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss dives into a profound conversation with Bronwyn Schweigerdt, a licensed psychotherapist, anger expert, and author of Angry at the Right Things. Bronwyn’s unique approach to anger management and mental health challenges common misconceptions about emotions like anger, betrayal, and hurt. With her wealth of experience and compassionate insights, she empowers listeners to embrace their feelings, explore their root causes, and transform their emotional pain into healing and personal growth. Bronwyn shares her journey of becoming the therapist she...

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166. Breaking Free from Self-Sabotage and Building Resilience with Dr. Audrey Schnel show art 166. Breaking Free from Self-Sabotage and Building Resilience with Dr. Audrey Schnel

Warriors Unmasked

In this week’s episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss is joined by Dr. Audrey Schnell, a highly experienced personal development expert with over 40 years of helping people overcome self-sabotage, embrace transformation, and achieve their full potential. Dr. Schnell’s insights are a gift for anyone looking to break through their barriers and create meaningful change in their lives. During the episode, Dr. Schnell shares her wisdom on identifying the root causes of self-sabotage, highlighting that it’s not a moral failing but a survival instinct rooted in fear. She explores how our...

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165. The Power of Gratitude: How Gratitude Rewires Your Brain and Boosts Happiness with Chuck Thuss show art 165. The Power of Gratitude: How Gratitude Rewires Your Brain and Boosts Happiness with Chuck Thuss

Warriors Unmasked

In this special solo episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss dives deep into a life-changing topic: gratitude. Chuck shares his personal journey with gratitude and explains how adopting an attitude of gratitude has the power to transform every aspect of your life—your mindset, relationships, emotional health, and even physical well-being. Whether you’re facing challenges or simply looking for a way to enhance your daily life, this episode offers practical insights and actionable tips to start living with gratitude today. Key Takeaways from This Episode: Gratitude Rewires Your Brain:...

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164. Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery with Neil Markey show art 164. Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery with Neil Markey

Warriors Unmasked

In this week’s episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Neil Markey, a former Captain in the U.S. Army Special Operations and now the co-founder and CEO of Beckley Retreats. Neil's journey from a soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan to a leader in the field of mindfulness and psychedelics for healing is an inspiring story of resilience, self-discovery, and transformation. Through personal struggles with depression and PTSD, Neil discovered the power of meditation, mindfulness, and psychedelic therapy, which eventually led him to create Beckley Retreats—an innovative program...

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163. Overcoming Adversity and Embracing Mindset Mastery with Paul Gencarella Jr. show art 163. Overcoming Adversity and Embracing Mindset Mastery with Paul Gencarella Jr.

Warriors Unmasked

Hey Warriors Unmasked family, Chuck here! In this episode, I sit down with Paul Gencarella Jr., a resilient warrior whose life story is filled with incredible challenges and triumphs. From battling cancer alongside his young son to managing a bipolar diagnosis, Paul’s journey demonstrates the power of a positive mindset and the importance of leaning into faith, family, and self-growth. Paul opens up about the hardships he and his family faced, beginning with his son’s unexpected cancer diagnosis after a fall from the porch and later, his own cancer diagnosis shortly after. He shares how...

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162. Overcoming 13 Years of Misdiagnosis: Kevin Brewer’s Guide to Mental Toughness and Overcoming Obstacles show art 162. Overcoming 13 Years of Misdiagnosis: Kevin Brewer’s Guide to Mental Toughness and Overcoming Obstacles

Warriors Unmasked

In this deeply moving episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Kevin Brewer, a Navy veteran, Spartan athlete, and resilience coach. Kevin shares his incredible journey of overcoming a 13-year battle with misdiagnosed health issues that left him feeling lost and frustrated. From navigating severe physical challenges to battling the toll on his mental health, Kevin’s story is a testament to grit, self-belief, and the power of persistence. Kevin’s journey began with the physical toll of his military service, enduring years of misdiagnoses and chronic pain that, at times, made...

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161. From Suicidal Thoughts to Self-Discovery: Garret Biss’s Path to Healing show art 161. From Suicidal Thoughts to Self-Discovery: Garret Biss’s Path to Healing

Warriors Unmasked

In this powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Garret Biss, a retired Marine Corps pilot, addiction recovery coach, TEDx speaker, and the founder of ValiantPath™️. Garret's story is one of perseverance, resilience, and transformation. After retiring from the military, Garret faced challenges familiar to many veterans—anxiety, depression, and a sense of displacement. Like so many, he turned to alcohol as a crutch, but it wasn’t until he experienced suicidal ideation that he sought real change. This episode takes listeners on a journey through Garret's struggles, his...

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160. How To Quickly Heal The Real Root Cause Of Fear and Anxiety with Daniel Packard show art 160. How To Quickly Heal The Real Root Cause Of Fear and Anxiety with Daniel Packard

Warriors Unmasked

In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss dives deep into a fascinating conversation with Daniel Packard, a UC Berkeley-trained mechanical engineer and the CEO of Permanent Anxiety Solutions. Daniel shares his personal journey from battling severe anxiety and complex PTSD to pioneering a breakthrough solution that helps people overcome anxiety for good. With over eight years of research, involving 3,000 people across five continents, and more than a million dollars invested, Daniel and his team developed a system designed to address anxiety at its root cause. What makes Daniel’s...

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More Episodes

In this episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss is joined by Dan Zia Joseph, a former U.S. Army Combat Engineer turned author and mental health advocate. Dan shares his transition from the military to becoming a voice in mental health, resilience, and leadership through his platform, CombatPsych.com, and his influential writings.

Dan’s military background deeply informs his approach, bringing a unique perspective to the challenges of psychological wellness in high-stress environments. His book, "Backpack to Rucksack: Insight Into Leadership and Resilience By Military Experts," is based on his experiences and the lessons he learned about the importance of mental health and community support, especially following a transformative event involving a soldier’s suicide attempt in his platoon.

Listeners will find Dan’s discussions on leadership, the psychological impact of military service, and his own strategies for personal well-being to be both enlightening and inspiring. His story is not just about overcoming adversity but also about how proactive measures in mental health can significantly improve leadership and resilience.

For those interested in exploring deeper into Dan’s work or seeking guidance on enhancing mental health and leadership skills, visit CombatPsych.com. Here you can access Dan's writings and resources designed to support both veterans and civilians alike in their journeys toward mental wellness and effective leadership.

This episode of Warriors Unmasked is a compelling dive into the power of resilience, the importance of mental health awareness, and the transformative influence of strong, empathetic leadership. Whether you're a veteran, a leader in your community, or someone interested in personal development, Dan’s insights offer valuable lessons in perseverance, understanding, and growth.

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Episode Minute By Minute:

  • 0:30 Introduction to Dan Zia Joseph and his transition from military to mental health advocacy.
  •  3:09 Dan reflects on his service and the importance of acknowledging the contributions of fellow soldiers.
  • 5:48 Exploring the shared experiences and transitions of veterans and athletes.
  • 7:52 The impact of military life on mental health and the challenges of adjustment.
  • 10:18 Insights into the high operational tempo and its psychological effects on soldiers.
  • 14:05 Discussing the evolving conversation around mental health in the military.
  • 17:25 The importance of vulnerability in achieving optimal life outcomes.
  • 20:58 The role of new generations in reshaping perceptions of mental health in the military.
  • 23:32 Dan's transformative event leading to a focus on mental health and resilience.
  • 26:00 Insights from Dan's book, "Backpack to Rucksack," on leadership and resilience.
  • 28:53 Dan's daily practices for maintaining mental health and personal growth.
  • 33:19 Dan emphasizes the simplicity and power of gratitude in everyday life.
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