
The Veteran’s Guide to Finding Identity After Military Service
Explicit content warning
01/10/25 • 59 min
In this compelling episode of the Security Halt! Podcast, Deny Caballero sits down with Varpas De Sa Pereira to tackle one of the toughest challenges veterans face: the transition to civilian life. From navigating the identity crisis to finding renewed purpose and managing mental health, this conversation dives deep into the unique struggles of leaving the military behind.
Varpas shares his personal journey, discussing the emotional toll of warrior withdrawal syndrome, the cultural disconnect veterans often feel, and the importance of community support in rebuilding a sense of belonging. The episode sheds light on critical topics like PTSD, imposter syndrome, and the psychological impact of military service, offering actionable insights and hope for veterans navigating their new reality.
Whether you're a veteran, a supporter, or simply curious about the complexities of military transition, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on resilience, connection, and growth. Don't miss it—stream now on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts!
🎙️ Follow, Share, and Subscribe for more stories about veteran support, mental health, and thriving beyond service.
BE A BRO! Support the show!!
buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
Looking for hand crafted, custom work, military memorabilia or need something laser engraved? Connect with my good friend and PREMIER Season 7 Sponsor
Eric Gilgenast.
Instagram: haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main
https://www.instagram.com/haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Journey
06:10 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
12:46 Working with Youth and Mental Health
17:49 The Impact of Combat Experience on Therapy
23:12 Understanding Warrior Withdrawal Syndrome
29:19 The Importance of Community and Support
35:55 The Struggle of Transitioning from Active Duty
44:33 Imposter Syndrome and the Need for Validation
50:58 Connecting Through Shared Experiences and Symbols
Instagram: @securityhalt
Tik Tok: @security.halt.pod
LinkedIn: Deny Caballero
Follow Varpas on LinkedIn and on social media today!
LikedIn: Varpas de Sa Pereira
https://www.linkedin.com/in/varpas-de-sa-pereira-a27290291/
Instagram: drvarpas
https://www.instagram.com/drvarpas/
X: @DrVarpas
Be sure to get his new book today! Warrior Withdrawal: When BAMF No Longer Means Bad*$$ M^ther#u@!er
https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Withdrawal-When-Longer-Means/dp/196220250X?tag
Produced by Security Halt Media
In this compelling episode of the Security Halt! Podcast, Deny Caballero sits down with Varpas De Sa Pereira to tackle one of the toughest challenges veterans face: the transition to civilian life. From navigating the identity crisis to finding renewed purpose and managing mental health, this conversation dives deep into the unique struggles of leaving the military behind.
Varpas shares his personal journey, discussing the emotional toll of warrior withdrawal syndrome, the cultural disconnect veterans often feel, and the importance of community support in rebuilding a sense of belonging. The episode sheds light on critical topics like PTSD, imposter syndrome, and the psychological impact of military service, offering actionable insights and hope for veterans navigating their new reality.
Whether you're a veteran, a supporter, or simply curious about the complexities of military transition, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on resilience, connection, and growth. Don't miss it—stream now on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts!
🎙️ Follow, Share, and Subscribe for more stories about veteran support, mental health, and thriving beyond service.
BE A BRO! Support the show!!
buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
Looking for hand crafted, custom work, military memorabilia or need something laser engraved? Connect with my good friend and PREMIER Season 7 Sponsor
Eric Gilgenast.
Instagram: haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main
https://www.instagram.com/haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Journey
06:10 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
12:46 Working with Youth and Mental Health
17:49 The Impact of Combat Experience on Therapy
23:12 Understanding Warrior Withdrawal Syndrome
29:19 The Importance of Community and Support
35:55 The Struggle of Transitioning from Active Duty
44:33 Imposter Syndrome and the Need for Validation
50:58 Connecting Through Shared Experiences and Symbols
Instagram: @securityhalt
Tik Tok: @security.halt.pod
LinkedIn: Deny Caballero
Follow Varpas on LinkedIn and on social media today!
LikedIn: Varpas de Sa Pereira
https://www.linkedin.com/in/varpas-de-sa-pereira-a27290291/
Instagram: drvarpas
https://www.instagram.com/drvarpas/
X: @DrVarpas
Be sure to get his new book today! Warrior Withdrawal: When BAMF No Longer Means Bad*$$ M^ther#u@!er
https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Withdrawal-When-Longer-Means/dp/196220250X?tag
Produced by Security Halt Media
Previous Episode

From Air Force Veteran to Filmmaker: Carey Kight’s Inspiring Journey
In this inspiring episode of Security Halt!, host Deny Caballero sits down with Carey Kight, a veteran turned creative entrepreneur, to explore the transformative journey from military service to civilian life. Carey shares his upbringing, his decision to join the Air Force, and the lessons learned throughout his military career. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to the creative industry, where he found purpose and fulfillment in storytelling and film.
Carey emphasizes the importance of veterans recognizing the transferable skills gained during service and applying them to new fields, particularly in creative careers. He also highlights his work with Veteran Made Productions, a company dedicated to empowering veterans in their creative pursuits and fostering a connection between military and civilian communities. This episode is a testament to resilience, storytelling, and the endless opportunities available to veterans.
Don’t miss this episode! Follow, share, like, and subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts to support veteran voices and stories.
BE A BRO! Support the show!!
buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
Looking for hand crafted, custom work, military memorabilia or need something laser engraved? Connect with my good friend and PREMIER Season 7 Sponsor
Eric Gilgenast.
Instagram: haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main
https://www.instagram.com/haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main/
Chapters
00:00 Growing Up and Early Influences
10:01 Transitioning to the Air Force
18:41 Finding Purpose in Service
26:15 Embracing the Military Experience
33:32 Transitioning from Military to Creative Careers
45:19 Building Veteran Made Productions
56:35 Future Aspirations and Community Impact
Instagram: @securityhalt
Tik Tok: @security.halt.pod
LinkedIn: Deny Caballero
Follow Carey on LinkedIn, on social media and check out Veteran Made podcast today!
LikedIn: Carey Kight
https://www.linkedin.com/in/careykight/
Instagram: veteranmade.ck
https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/
Website: veteranmadeproductions.com
https://www.veteranmadeproductions.com/
Produced by Security Halt Media
Next Episode

Finding Purpose After War: Kevin Garrad on Wildlife Conservation and Healing
In this captivating episode of Security Halt!, host Deny Caballero sits down with Kevin Garrad, a former Green Beret, to explore his extraordinary journey from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan to the vast wilderness of Africa as a wildlife conservationist. Kevin shares the highs and lows of military service, his struggles after service, and the mental toll of hypervigilance experienced by veterans.
The conversation dives into Kevin’s transition to civilian life and how reconnecting with nature through adventure travel and wildlife conservation gave him a renewed sense of purpose. Kevin also reflects on the broader implications of modern technology, social media, and AI on mental health, offering insights into the importance of community, resilience, and shared experiences.
This episode is a powerful exploration of healing, self-discovery, and the transformative power of nature. Don’t miss it! Follow, share, like, and subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts to hear Kevin’s remarkable story.
BE A BRO! Support the show!!
buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/sechaltpodcast
Looking for hand crafted, custom work, military memorabilia or need something laser engraved? Connect with my good friend Eric Gilgenast.
Instagram: haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main
https://www.instagram.com/haus_gilgenast_woodworks_main/
Chapters
00:00 Embracing the Unknown: Kevin's Journey Begins
03:05 From Soldier to Special Forces: The Path of a Warrior
05:54 The Reality of War: Highs and Lows of Military Life
08:59 Mental Health and Resilience: Lessons from the Battlefield
12:10 The Struggles with Addiction: A Soldier's Perspective
14:50 Reflections on War: Understanding the Cost of Conflict
17:56 Transitioning Out: Finding Purpose Beyond the Military
20:59 The Future of Warfare: A Soldier's Insight
22:55 The Gypsy Soul: A Life of Adventure
23:42 The Modern Explorer's Urge
25:08 Traveling for Culture and Nature
26:49 Adventure Beyond the Military
27:48 Staying Young at Heart
29:00 The Connection Between Health and Lifestyle
30:35 Understanding Life's Cycle in Nature
32:25 Transitioning to Africa: A New Purpose
35:28 From Military to Wildlife Conservation
39:28 Reconnecting with Nature and Survival Skills
40:36 COVID-19 in Africa: A Unique Perspective
42:39 Building a New Life in Wildlife Conservation
46:46 Creating WildWorks: A New Mission for Veterans
48:54 Understanding Hypervigilance and Its Impact
52:06 The Primal Connection to Nature
55:20 The Importance of Shared Experiences
01:00:01 The Dangers of Technology and Social Media
01:05:51 Exploring the Future of AI and Human Connection
Instagram: @securityhalt
Tik Tok: @security.halt.pod
LinkedIn: Deny Caballero
Follow Kevin on LinkedIn, on social media and check out Veteran Made podcast today!
LikedIn: Kevin Garrad
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-garrad-10b5798a/
Instagram: kevin.pip
https://www.instagram.com/kevin.pip/
Instagram: wildwerx
Produced by Security Halt Media
Security Halt! - The Veteran’s Guide to Finding Identity After Military Service
Transcript
Security Odd Podcast . Let's go . The only podcast that's purpose-built from the ground up to support you
Speaker 1Not just you , but the wider audience , everybody .
Speaker 1Authentic , impactful and insightful conversations that serve a purpose to help you . And the quality has gone up . It's decent ,
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