Drive On: Overcoming Military Trauma & Finding Success as a Veteran

Blown up. Burned out. Ready to end it all. That's where Sam Peterson found himself after his second deployment as an EOD tech. He nearly took his own life until one unexpected moment changed everything. What followed was a raw journey through trauma, healing, and finding purpose on the other side. In this episode, Sam lays it all out. The silent epidemic of blast-induced brain trauma. The VA's broken model that tells you to "just manage it". And most importantly, the groundbreaking treatments that are helping veterans reclaim their lives in days, not years. Ketamine therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, hyperbaric oxygen, and guided psychedelic experiences aren't fringe anymore. They're saving lives. Sam breaks down exactly how they work, who they're for, and why veterans need access to them now. If you're tired of the runaround, if you feel like you've hit a wall, this episode might be the first real step toward getting your life back. Timestamps 00:02:00 - The moment Sam almost took his own life 00:04:30 - Why the VA's "symptom management" model is broken 00:13:00 - The truth about TMS, ketamine, and hyperbaric therapy 00:28:00 - Why neuroplasticity can hurt you if done wrong 00:36:15 - Safe and smart ways veterans are using psychedelics Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://www.mindspadenver.com Follow Sam Peterson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-peterson-mba/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Kijuan Amey had a plan. He was finishing school, building a business, and still serving in the Air Force Reserves. Then a motorcycle crash changed everything. He lost his sight, suffered major injuries, and had to figure out how to move forward in a world that suddenly looked very different. In this conversation, we talk about what that recovery really looked like. Not just the surgeries or physical rehab, but the mental side too. The frustration, the isolation, the doubt. And also, the turning point when Kijuan decided that this wasn't going to be the end of his story. He talks about learning to live with blindness, adjusting to daily challenges, and building a new mission through mentoring, speaking, and writing. For veterans who feel stuck or disconnected, this episode is a reminder that your circumstances don't define you. How you respond to them does. If you're navigating life after service and trying to figure out what's next, there's a lot here that will hit home. Timestamps 00:01:00 - How military service rewired Kijuan's mindset 00:08:45 - The motorcycle accident that changed everything 00:19:00 - Adapting to blindness and finding new strength 00:25:00 - Turning tragedy into motivation for others 00:33:00 - The first step when life punches you in the face Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://ameymotivation.com Follow Kijuan Amey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kijuan-amey-783889121 Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Jake Rademacher didn't wear the uniform, but the war still shaped his life. His two brothers served in Iraq, and that personal connection drove him to create the documentary Brothers at War. What started as a way to understand his siblings' experiences turned into something much bigger: a tool to help other veterans process their own stories. In this conversation, Jake shares how storytelling, film, and honest dialogue can open doors for healing. He talks about sitting in on veteran groups, watching men let go of years of silence, and seeing the impact of simply being heard. We also get into why journaling works, what post-traumatic growth really looks like, and how small acts of reflection can lead to big changes. There's a lot here for veterans who are working through their own transitions. Whether you're dealing with trauma, searching for purpose, or just trying to feel a little more understood, this episode is a reminder that you're not alone and that sharing your story can be part of the solution. Timestamps 00:02:00 - From family to front lines and back again 00:05:00 - How filming war helped Jake process trauma 00:10:45 - The moment a sniper breaks down and heals 00:26:00 - Real-time healing in veteran seminars 00:31:45 - Why post-traumatic growth is possible for every veteran Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://brothersafterwar.com/ Follow Brothers After War on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brothersafterwar/ Follow Brothers After War on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brothersafterwar/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Not everyone who served in the Global War on Terrorism wore a uniform. Ganpat "Gunner" Wagh started as a Marine, moved into law enforcement, and then spent years as an FBI agent working everything from cybercrime to counterterrorism. Eventually, that led him to Afghanistan, where he deployed alongside Special Forces as part of a quiet but critical support mission. In this episode, Gunner shares what it's like to carry the mission forward in less visible ways and why those roles still carry the weight of service. He also talks about reconnecting with an old teammate in the most unexpected place and how that moment pulled him into the heart of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://gwotmemorialfoundation.org Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Pain and anxiety don't always show up on the outside, but they can dominate your inner world. That's the reality Ann Swanson lived with until she discovered practical, science-backed ways to reduce her chronic pain and anxiety. Mike Swanson, a former Army intelligence officer, faced a different battlefield. Stress, leadership pressure, and the hidden stigma around mental health in the military. Together, they share how yoga, meditation, and small breathing practices helped them take back control. They share stories about anxiety attacks in doctor's offices, suicide attempts in a bunker in paradise, and why leading from the front requires taking care of your mind. From box breathing to the "3-3-3" method and one-minute meditations you can do at work or before opening that stress-inducing email, this episode gives you a whole new toolkit. If you think meditation isn't for you, this one might change your mind. Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://www.scienceof.yoga/ Follow Ann Swanson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scienceof.yoga Follow Ann Swanson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-swanson/ Other links: www.meditationfortherealworld.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ANNSWANSONWELLNESS Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

When you've been wrecked physically, mentally, or spiritually, it's easy to believe that you're done. But Marine Corps veteran Brandon Mancine's story proves that strength isn't about never getting knocked down-it's about deciding to get back up, every damn time. After being pinned between two trucks by an intoxicated driver, Brandon was told he'd never return to the kind of elite physical conditioning he once had. Instead of accepting that fate, he made a decision that reshaped his life and mindset. In this episode, Brandon opens up about the accident that changed everything, the grit it took to come back, and the systems he built to stay strong for his kids, his clients, and himself. From training through chronic pain and old injuries to leading with humility and strength as a father and coach, Brandon gives real advice for rebuilding after life's hardest hits. Whether you're dealing with physical limitations, emotional battles, or transition blues, his message is clear: strength is something you can rebuild. And it starts one rep, one step, one choice at a time. Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://www.bmfcoaching.com Follow Brandon Mancine on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/brandon.mancine/ Follow Brandon Mancine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachbrandonmancine/ Follow Brandon Mancine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-mancine-69833b14/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

We made it to 500 episodes! Honestly, I didn't expect to hit this number when I first started the Drive On Podcast. I figured I'd try it out, see if it helped anyone, and maybe move on if it didn't. But here we are, and that's thanks to you, the listeners who stuck around, shared the show, and kept me going. In episode 100, I said: "I don't think I'll do another one of these milestone episodes anytime soon either. One hundred seemed significant to me, so I wanted to do this one. Maybe I'll do another when I hit the 500th episode, if I make it that long...Who knows if I'll still be doing it by then. I hope I am, but you never know." I guess, we now know the answer to that! In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain a bit. I talk about how the podcast got started, why I felt called to do it, and who the show is really for. I also answer five questions that came in from listeners, covering things like growth, lessons learned, podcast gear, and how the podcast has changed me along the way. This one's a little more personal. I talk about grief, PTSD, connection, and how talking with other veterans has helped me, and hopefully helped you too. Whether you've been with me since the early days or you just found the show, I think this episode gives you a solid look at what Drive On is all about. Listener Questions Answered: What's one thing I wish I started doing earlier that became a game changer? What's my most memorable moment on the podcast? What drew me to podcasting, and what gear do you really need to get started? What's my "why behind the why"? Has this show changed me? (Spoiler: it has.) Thanks for being part of this milestone. If the show's helped you in any way, I'd love it if you'd share this episode with someone who might need to hear it. Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Get Descript for the easiest podcast editing: https://driveonpodcast.com/recommends/descript/ Episodes mentioned in the show: Ep 360 Doug Brinker Beacon 4 HOPE Ep 363 Jeff Circle Empowering Veterans Through Writing Ep 444 JP Perez Transforming Lives with VetRise Academy Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Leaving the military doesn't mean your battles are over. It just changes the battlefield. In this raw, relatable episode, Navy veteran and podcast host Mr. Whiskey shares his story from the high-suicide-rate nuclear program to enduring one of the Navy's most toxic command environments aboard the USS George Washington. He opens up about the weight of grief, loss, and leadership failure. And why getting out didn't magically fix anything. We dive deep into why finding a new mission is so critical after service and how comedy, real talk, and connection can save lives. From breaking cycles of abuse in command culture to mentoring the next generation of service members, this episode delivers gut-checks, laughs, and a ton of heart. If you've ever felt like you were promised something on the way out that never arrived, this conversation is for you. Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://coupleonukes.com Follow Couple O' Nukes on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/coupleonukes/ Follow Mr. Whiskey on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mr-whiskey-921b70299/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

Coming home doesn't always mean you're back. For Marine Corps reservist Ron Jansen, the toughest battles came long after Iraq, when the mission was over and the noise faded. Like so many veterans, he tried to pick up where he left off. A full-time job. Family life. No time to think about what really happened downrange. But trauma doesn't stay quiet forever. It showed up in his relationships, his stress, and the nagging sense that something inside still hadn't healed. In this episode, we dive deep into the hidden cost of suppressing your experience and the surprising freedom that comes from facing it head-on. Ron opens up about the therapeutic power of writing, the raw difficulty of vulnerability, and the camaraderie rediscovered through outdoor retreats and faith-based community. If you've ever felt disconnected, like you're "just getting by," this conversation will hit home. This isn't about wallowing in the past. It's about integrating it so you can actually move forward. Here's where the real breakthroughs happen: Timestamps 00:01:00 - Avoiding emotions after deployment and why it backfires00:04:00 - Writing a combat memoir as a path to healing00:11:30 - Finding therapy in wilderness retreats and group connection00:17:00 - Shedding the armor of invincibility after service00:26:45 - Why storytelling and brotherhood can change everything Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://anotherwisehealthyperson.com/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

It's one thing to survive war, it's another to make sure it's remembered. In this powerful conversation, Special Forces veteran Michael "Rod" Rodríguez opens up about his journey through combat, traumatic injury, and personal loss, and how those experiences led him to a new mission: building the Global War on Terrorism Memorial in Washington, D.C. Rod isn't just talking about his story. He's fighting for all our stories - service members, Gold Star families, civilian contractors, and anyone touched by the Global War on Terrorism. As the president and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Rod walks us through what it takes to build a national memorial: the red tape, the victories, and the deep emotional stakes of making sure our generation isn't forgotten. From delivering hope in Somalia to eating charges on breaching missions, Rod's story is one of grit, growth, and leadership. But more than anything, it's about building something that lasts, not just for us, but for the next generation who needs to know what we lived through. Timestamps 00:06:42 – Early deployments and the reality of combat in Somalia 00:17:31 – TBI, PTSD, and the personal cost of continuing to serve 00:28:50 – Reaching rock bottom and finding healing through purpose 00:41:12 – Why the Global War on Terrorism Memorial matters now 01:01:46 – Honoring the invisible wounds and collective sacrifice of the GWOT generation Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://www.gwotmemorialfoundation.org/ Follow GWOTMF on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gwotmf/ Follow GWOTMF on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwotmf/ Follow GWOTMF on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GWOTMF/ Follow GWOTMF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-war-on-terror-memorial-foundation Transcript View the transcript for this episode.