Green Beret Seeking Purpose with Dave Fielding

07/31/24 • 70 min

Our guest today is Dave Fielding, a U.S. Army Green Beret turned intelligence officer. Growing up north of Boston in a blue-collar family, Dave was inspired by his grandfather, a World War II veteran, and pursued challenging endeavors from a young age. His early experiences in the Boy Scouts and near-death experiences pushed his boundaries, eventually leading him to join the military. Dave's journey is not just about professional achievements but also about overcoming personal struggles, including mental health battles and healing through writing. Today, Dave will share insights on transitioning from military service to civilian life, focusing on health, wellness, and personal growth. But before we dive in, I want to tell you about our new free resource available at themissionafter.org. It's called 'The 10 Surprising Military Habits that are Sabotaging Your Career... and Your Life.' This guide will help you identify and overcome those habits, so be sure to download it at themissionafter.org

Summary

The conversation explores the challenges and experiences of transitioning from a military career to civilian life, with a focus on health and wellness. The speakers discuss the physical and mental toll of military service, the importance of self-care and recovery, and the need for self-awareness in managing stress. They also touch on the significance of finding one's strengths and passions in building a fulfilling post-military life. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of mission and the power of personal growth and self-discovery. In this conversation, Mike Bledsoe discusses his journey of transitioning from the military to civilian life and finding his passion. He shares his experience of dealing with the emotional aftermath of his military service, including thoughts of suicide, and how he overcame them. Mike emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and self-awareness in healing and finding one's true identity. He also talks about the significance of prioritizing and pursuing one's passion, even if it means taking risks and making lifestyle adjustments. Mike's mission after the military is to maximize joy and live a life filled with natural beauty and service.

Takeaways

Transitioning from a military career to civilian life can be challenging, both physically and mentally.
Taking care of oneself and prioritizing recovery is crucial for maintaining optimal health and well-being.
Self-awareness is key in managing stress and avoiding burnout.
Finding one's strengths and passions is essential in building a fulfilling post-military life.
Having a sense of mission and purpose can provide direction and motivation in life after the military.
Personal growth and self-discovery are powerful tools for healing and moving forward. Transitioning from the military to civilian life can be challenging, and it's important to prioritize self-compassion and self-awareness in the healing process.
Finding and pursuing one's passion is crucial for a fulfilling life, even if it means taking risks and making lifestyle adjustments.
Prioritizing and focusing on one main goal or priority can lead to greater success and fulfillment.
Maximizing joy and living a life surrounded by natural beauty and service can be a meaningful mission after the military.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
01:27 The Physical and Mental Toll of Military Service
05:20 Recovery and Taking Care of Oneself
08:34 Navigating Failure and Finding New Paths
12:19 Rediscovering Strengths and Passions
18:34 Building a Health and Wellness Program for Law Enforcement
23:51 Managing Stress and Allostatic Load
29:04 The Power of Mission and Purpose
31:03 Personal Growth and Self-Discovery
34:56 Finding Passion and Healing in Transition
36:21 The Power of Self-Compassion and Self-Awareness
37:50 Prioritizing and Pursuing Your Passion
46:01 Maximizing Joy and Living a Meaningful Life

Links:
Instagram: @davefielding.dol
X: @davefieldingDOL
Website: https://www.davefielding.com/

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Summary

Takeaways

Transitioning from a military career to civilian life can be challenging, both physically and mentally.
Taking care of oneself and prioritizing recovery is crucial for maintaining optimal health and well-being.
Self-awareness is key in managing stress and avoiding burnout.
Finding one's strengths and passions is essential in building a fulfilling post-military life.
Having a sense of mission and purpose can provide direction and motivation in life after the military.
Personal growth and self-discovery are powerful tools for healing and moving forward. Transitioning from the military to civilian life can be challenging, and it's important to prioritize self-compassion and self-awareness in the healing process.
Finding and pursuing one's passion is crucial for a fulfilling life, even if it means taking risks and making lifestyle adjustments.
Prioritizing and focusing on one main goal or priority can lead to greater success and fulfillment.
Maximizing joy and living a life surrounded by natural beauty and service can be a meaningful mission after the military.

Chapters

Links:
Instagram: @davefielding.dol
X: @davefieldingDOL
Website: https://www.davefielding.com/

Previous Episode

A Veteran's Path to Peace: The Power of Micro-Dosing

Are you a veteran seeking peace and healing? Discover how micro-dosing psilocybin mushrooms can transform your life in our new video, "A Veteran's Path to Peace: The Power of Micro-Dosing."

Join Mike Bledsoe as he shares his personal journey from struggle to strength through the use of psilocybin mushrooms. In this video, you’ll learn about the benefits of micro-dosing, the importance of setting the right intentions, and how this practice can lead to profound personal growth and empathy.

✨ What You'll Learn:

The transformative power of micro-dosing psilocybin
Key insights from Mike’s journey with psilocybin mushrooms
How to set yourself up for a positive and safe experience
The science behind micro-dosing and its benefits for veterans
We invite you to join us for the full course in The Mission After Skool community, where you'll find support, resources, and a community of like-minded veterans on similar journeys. Together, we can explore the potential of psychedelics to bring peace and healing.

🔗 Join The Mission After Skool Community: skool.com/the-mission-after-2227

Subscribe, like, and share this video with fellow veterans. Your path to peace starts here.

Next Episode

Cold Therapy Solutions: Filling the Gap with Craig Mayville

Join The Mission After Community FREE

Our guest today is Craig Mayville, a five-year Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Vätten Cold Plunge. Craig has over 11 years of experience in military aviation maintenance and exotic car maintenance, and he now focuses on enhancing wellness through cold plunge technology. Today, he will share insights on his transition from military service, the benefits of cold therapy, and his journey in building a successful business. But before we dive in, I want to tell you about our new free community at themissionafter.org. In addition to meeting like-valued veterans, we are also creating a library of free courses. Some of what we have in there right now is Breathe, a Microdosing Guide, and a list of upcoming retreats we’re hosting and co hosting. There’s a lot more in the works as well. Come join us at themissionafter.org.

Summary

Craig Mayville shares his experience in the Marine Corps and the challenges he faced. He discusses his transition to civilian life and his journey to improve his health through dietary changes. He also explores his introduction to cold therapy and the benefits he has experienced. He started a cold plunging community that quickly grew into a thriving community of over 60 people. The cold plunging experience had a profound impact on the participants, leading to improved mood, energy, and even life-changing decisions. Inspired by the success of the community, Craig launched Vätten Cold Plunge, a company focused on providing high-quality, commercial-grade cold tubs. The company aims to exceed expectations in the industry by offering bespoke solutions and exceptional customer service. Vätten is a high-end cold plunge and cold tub company that offers custom-built, premium products. They focus on providing a unique and luxurious experience for their clients, using exotic materials and attention to detail. Vätten's facilities are impressive, with displays of exotic cars and demonstrations of cutting-edge technology like 3D metal printing. The company aims to fill a gap in the market for high-end cold therapy solutions, targeting clients who are already educated about the benefits of cold therapy and are looking for a premium experience. They also have a mission to support veterans by donating custom cold tubs to those in need.

Takeaways

The Marine Corps can be a challenging and intense experience, but it can also provide valuable lessons and opportunities for personal growth.
Transitioning from the military to civilian life can be uncertain and challenging, but finding a supportive community can make a difference.
Making dietary changes, such as eliminating processed foods and focusing on whole foods, can have a positive impact on health and well-being.
Cold therapy, such as cold plunges or ice baths, can offer numerous benefits, including improved mental clarity, reduced inflammation, and increased resilience. Cold plunging can have a profound impact on mood, energy, and overall well-being.
Building a community around a shared experience can lead to unexpected growth and positive outcomes.
There is a need for high-quality, commercial-grade cold tubs in the market.
Exceptional customer service and bespoke solutions can set a company apart in the industry. Vätten offers high-end, custom-built cold plunge and cold tub solutions
They provide a luxurious and unique experience for their clients
Vätten's facilities showcase exotic cars and cutting-edge technology
The company aims to fill a gap in the market for high-end cold therapy solutions
They support veterans by donating custom cold tubs to those in need

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Friendship

01:00 Craig's Experience in the Marine Corps

04:16 Reasons for Leaving the Marine Corps

07:11 Transition to Civilian Life

08:38 Challenges in BMW Sales

10:38 Exploring Cold Therapy

15:23 Craig's Health Journey

22:35 Dietary Changes for Improved Health

29:15 Benefits of Cold Therapy

32:56 The Power of Cold Plunging and Community

38:07 From Community to Company: Launching Vätten Cold Plunge