What Running Across Australia Taught A Veteran About Healing with Will Burnett

06/26/24 • 85 min

Download "10 Military Habits That Are Sabotaging Your Career... and Your Life"

Our guest today is Will Burnett, a decorated veteran, father of four, loving husband, and a dedicated practitioner in healing. With 10 years of hands-on and theoretical experience in biology, psychology, psychotherapy, and behavioral science, Will has made a global impact in trauma healing and achieved multiple Guinness World Records in ultra-marathon running.

He will share insights on his journey from the Australian military to civilian life, the challenges of transitioning, and his groundbreaking work in wearable technology that reads emotions in real-time.

Summary

The conversation covers Will's journey from the Australian military to civilian life, including his struggles, self-discovery, and the transformative experiences that led to his decision to run across Australia. It delves into themes of hardship, self-discovery, healing, and personal growth, highlighting the impact of military life and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. William Trubridge shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship, including the challenges and lessons learned. He discusses the development of a wearable technology that reads emotions in real time and its potential impact on mental health care. The conversation emphasizes the importance of emotional awareness and the power of effective communication.

Takeaways

The journey from military life to civilian life involves struggles, self-discovery, and healing.
Hardship and challenges can be transformed into opportunities for personal growth and resilience.
The decision to run across Australia was a transformative experience that symbolized healing and self-discovery.
The conversation highlights the impact of military life on personal identity and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. The journey from military service to entrepreneurship involves challenges and lessons that shape personal and professional growth.
The development of wearable technology that reads emotions in real time has the potential to revolutionize mental health care and emotional awareness.
Effective communication and emotional awareness are key to creating meaningful work and life experiences.
Asking for help when needed and effectively communicating emotions can be empowering and lead to positive outcomes.

Chapters

00:00 Struggles and Self-Discovery
27:56 Healing and Transformation
42:47 Navigating the Journey: From Military Service to Entrepreneurship
53:47 Revolutionizing Mental Health Care with Wearable Technology
01:16:31 The Power of Emotional Awareness and Effective Communication

Links:
The Mind Mechanic: https://www.themindmechanic.org/

Download "10 Military Habits That Are Sabotaging Your Career... and Your Life"

Summary

Takeaways

The journey from military life to civilian life involves struggles, self-discovery, and healing.
Hardship and challenges can be transformed into opportunities for personal growth and resilience.
The decision to run across Australia was a transformative experience that symbolized healing and self-discovery.
The conversation highlights the impact of military life on personal identity and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. The journey from military service to entrepreneurship involves challenges and lessons that shape personal and professional growth.
The development of wearable technology that reads emotions in real time has the potential to revolutionize mental health care and emotional awareness.
Effective communication and emotional awareness are key to creating meaningful work and life experiences.
Asking for help when needed and effectively communicating emotions can be empowering and lead to positive outcomes.

Chapters

Links:
The Mind Mechanic: https://www.themindmechanic.org/

Previous Episode

Heroic Hearts Project: Connecting Veterans to Psychedelic Therapy

Our guest today is Jesse Gould, founder and president of the Heroic Hearts Project, a nonprofit pioneering psychedelic therapies for military veterans. After being deployed as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan three times, Jesse founded the Heroic Hearts Project in 2017 to spearhead the acceptance and use of ayahuasca therapy as a means of addressing the current mental health crisis among veterans. His organization has raised over $350,000 in scholarships from donors including Dr. Bronner’s, partnered with the world’s leading ayahuasca treatment centers, and sponsored psychiatric applications with the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Georgia. Jesse helps shape treatment programs and spreads awareness of plant medicine as a therapeutic method. He has spoken globally about psychedelics and mental health and was recognized as one of the Social Entrepreneurs To Watch For In 2020 by Cause Artist. Today, he will share insights on the importance of providing access to psychedelic medicines for veterans, the limitations of traditional treatment methods, and the need for a new approach to mental health care that prioritizes healing and community support.

Summary

Jesse Gould, founder of Heroic Hearts Project, discusses the importance of providing access to psychedelic medicines for veterans struggling with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. He shares his personal journey of seeking help for his own mental health issues and the limitations he faced with traditional treatment methods. Jesse emphasizes the need for a new approach to mental health care that goes beyond symptom management and focuses on healing and integration. He also highlights the importance of community support and the role of psychedelics in addressing ancestral trauma and building emotional resilience. Heroic Hearts Project is a nonprofit organization that educates people about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and connects veterans and their families to these treatments. They provide support and guidance throughout the entire process, from preparation to integration. The organization also conducts research, advocates for policy change, and aims to reestablish supportive veteran communities. Donations can be made on their website, and veterans can apply for their programs. The goal is to provide veterans with life-saving care and a supportive community to aid in their healing journey.

Takeaways

Access to psychedelic medicines can be critical for veterans struggling with mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Traditional treatment methods often focus on symptom management rather than addressing the root causes of mental health disorders.
Psychedelics can be a powerful tool for healing and integration, but they require a supportive container and proper preparation and aftercare.
The current mental health care system is not effectively addressing the needs of veterans, and there is a need for a new approach that prioritizes healing and community support.
Ancestral trauma and emotional resilience play a significant role in mental health, and psychedelics can help individuals explore and process these aspects of their lives. Heroic Hearts Project educates people about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and connects veterans and their families to these treatments.
They provide support and guidance throughout the entire process, from preparation to integration.
The organization conducts research, advocates for policy change, and aims to reestablish supportive veteran communities.
Donations can be made on their website, and veterans can apply for their programs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Heroic Hearts Project
02:23 Effectiveness of Psychedelics for Mental Health
08:07 Jesse's Personal Journey and the Creation of Heroic Hearts Project
16:18 The Need for Community Support and Infrastructure
30:45 Different Approaches: Symptom Management vs. Healing
35:30 Psychedelics as a Tool for Navigating and Expressing Emotions
39:24 The Need for a New Approach in Mental Health Care
44:46 The Impact of Medications on Emotional Intelligence and Resilience
49:46 The Importance of Experience and Trust in Therapy
54:41 The Physical Effects of Trauma and the Role of Psychedelics
01:02:41 The Impact of Psychedelics on the Brain
01:09:42 The Journey to Legalize MDMA for Medical Use
01:19:49 Heroic Hearts Project: Connecting Veterans to Psychedelic Therapy

Links:

Next Episode

Finding Identity and Purpose After Leaving the Military with Garret Biss

Download "10 Military Habits That Are Sabotaging Your Career... and Your Life"

Today’s guest is Garret Biss, a retired Marine Corps Pilot, addiction recovery coach, and TEDx Speaker. After retiring in 2015, Garret faced anxiety, depression, and displacement, turning to alcohol until suicidal ideation spurred change. Mentoring helped him overcome addiction, rediscover his identity, and reignite his passion for life. He co-founded an addiction recovery residence, created a recovery program based on positive psychology, and developed ValiantPathTM️, specifically for veterans. Garret will share his journey, work with veterans, and the role of coaching in mental health.

Summary

Garret Biss, a veteran and coach, shares his journey of personal development and helping other veterans reconnect with themselves. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of pain and addressing them, rather than relying on substances or behaviors as coping mechanisms. Garret highlights the difference between coaching and therapy, with coaching focusing on leveraging existing strengths to create positive outcomes. He also emphasizes the need for self-compassion and self-worth, as well as the importance of surrounding oneself with compassionate and supportive individuals. The conversation explores the challenges of transitioning out of the military and finding a new sense of purpose. The transition from military service can be traumatic, as veterans lose the connection, positive identity, and sense of meaning that the military provided. Many veterans struggle with mental health challenges, addiction, and a deflated self-worth. It is important to recognize the emotional, mental, and spiritual consequences of this transition and provide support to veterans. Personal development and self-improvement are crucial in rebuilding a better version of oneself and finding a sense of purpose and fulfillment in civilian life.

Takeaways

Understanding the root causes of pain and addressing them is crucial for personal growth and healing.
Coaching focuses on leveraging existing strengths to create positive outcomes, while therapy often focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health challenges.
Self-compassion and self-worth are essential for personal growth and overcoming challenges.
Surrounding oneself with compassionate and supportive individuals can greatly aid in the healing process.
Transitioning out of the military can be challenging, and finding a new sense of purpose is important for veterans. The transition from military service can be traumatic, as veterans lose the connection, positive identity, and sense of meaning that the military provided.
Many veterans struggle with mental health challenges, addiction, and a deflated self-worth.
It is important to recognize the emotional, mental, and spiritual consequences of this transition and provide support to veterans.
Personal development and self-improvement are crucial in rebuilding a better version of oneself and finding a sense of purpose and fulfillment in civilian life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
01:00 Garret's Work with Veterans
06:05 The Importance of Continuing the Journey of Recovery
08:10 Garret's Personal Journey and Purpose
11:30 Transitioning from the Military
13:56 The First Day Out of the Military
21:19 Taking Steps Towards Recovery
25:07 Pouring Ourselves into Work
28:02 The Importance of Personal Development
33:08 Garret's Experience with Addiction
36:20 The Importance of Support and Tools in Recovery
39:14 Recognizing Self-Worth and Moving Beyond Pain
41:12 Compassion and Self-Compassion in the Recovery Process
44:28 Moving from Toughness to Tenderness
47:34 Accepting Love and Developing Self-Love
52:37 Taking Ownership and Creating Meaning
01:01:35 The Challenges of Maintaining Sobriety and Mental Well-being
01:03:30 Supporting Veterans in Their Recovery Journey