151. Transforming Pain into Purpose: Don Young’s Journey from Corporate Success to Spiritual Awakening
Release Date: 06/04/2024
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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
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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
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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
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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...
info_outlineIn this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Don Young, a former pharmaceutical marketing executive whose life transformation is a profound tale of rediscovery and spiritual awakening. Don shares his journey from achieving material success and seemingly living the American dream to facing an emptiness that wealth and status could not fill. His story is a vivid illustration of the profound impact that a shift in values from materialism to spirituality can have on personal well-being and happiness.
Don's candid discussion about his struggles with identity, the pressures of corporate life, and his subsequent spiritual awakening offers listeners a window into the transformative power of faith and the quest for authenticity. He talks about his upcoming memoir, "Finding God in Vegas," his website where he shares daily devotions and personal insights, and how these platforms have become a conduit for expressing his newfound purpose.
Listeners will find inspiration in Don's narrative, from his challenging moments to his ultimate realization of what truly matters—love, authenticity, and spiritual fulfillment. This episode is not just Don's story; it's a call to anyone feeling lost or disconnected from their true selves to reconsider what brings genuine contentment and joy to their lives.
Join Chuck and Don as they explore a journey from the superficial highs of success to the deeper, more sustaining joys of spiritual and emotional rebirth. For those moved by Don's story and interested in learning more about his writings or seeking guidance on embracing their own spiritual journeys, visit his website and follow his contributions to personal and spiritual growth.
This episode is a powerful reminder of the enduring human capacity for change and the infinite possibilities that open up when we align our lives with our deepest values and beliefs. Hit play now!
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Episode Minute By Minute:
- 0:03 - Introduction and welcome to Don Young, former pharmaceutical marketing executive turned spiritual mentor.
- 3:08 - Don discusses his successful yet unfulfilling career in pharmaceutical marketing and the luxurious yet empty lifestyle it afforded.
- 7:04 - Exploring the deep void and unhappiness behind the facade of success and the high cost of living the "American Dream."
- 10:17 - Don shares the turning point at age 55, leading to his profound spiritual awakening and the dramatic shift in his life’s focus.
- 18:20 - Discussion on the impact of societal expectations on personal identity and the struggle with coming out as gay in a conservative environment.
- 22:34 - How a career loss at 52 and personal losses transformed Don’s perspective on life, leading to rejection of materialism.
- 27:49 - Don describes the significant moments of realization during the COVID-19 pandemic and reassessing his life’s work in pharma marketing.
- 34:16 - The role of Johnny Cash’s music in catalyzing Don’s spiritual reawakening and embracing a life centered on love and authenticity.
- 37:49 - Insights into the daily practices that nurture self-love, connection with others, and spiritual fulfillment.
- 42:14 - Don reflects on how volunteering and writing helped him reconnect with his true self and the community.
- 47:48 - Closing thoughts on living a love-centered life free from fear and filled with gratitude and joy.
- 51:13 - Don answers questions on living authentically and the continuous journey towards self-discovery and creating love in the world.