Warriors Unmasked

Chuck Thuss
  • 5.0 (29)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Warriors Unmasked is a show that will take a deep dive into the life journey of athletes, both professional and amateur, coaches, military personnel as well as first responders and the people next door. You will hear stories of tremendous courage, perseverance and mental illness, while overcoming the odds. Your host and mental health advocate, Chuck Thuss, will incorporate his own personal journey and experience as he speaks with his guests on a very intimate level.

  1. 6d ago

    237: Answering the Hard Questions, Rebuilding a Life After Loss with Devin Fish

    Sometimes the thing that almost ended your life becomes the chapter that defines it. By the time Devin Fish was 18, he had moved 16 times, attended seven different schools, and survived a childhood shaped by poverty, bullying, and his parents' struggles with addiction. He thought joining the Army would be the start of something better. Then in July 2017, a Red Cross message forced him to fly home to make the impossible decision of whether to keep his mother on life support. She passed away just days before his birthday. What followed was a slow, quiet spiral into self-hatred, isolation, and online blackmail that brought Devin to the edge of taking his own life. This conversation walks through the moment he self-admitted to the hospital, the two pamphlets he found there that changed everything, and the single question that became the foundation of his recovery. Devin shares how he learned to use one career goal to climb out of suicidal thinking, why writing Answering the Hard Questions in Kuwait forced him to revisit every dark moment on purpose, and how faith eventually rebuilt the parts of him that survival could not. Through grief, generational trauma, silence, and self-doubt, Devin's story is a reminder that the worst chapter of your life does not have to be the end of your book. Guest Bio Devin Fish is a U.S. Army veteran, debut author, and the youngest of two who grew up in Rockford, Illinois. His childhood was marked by instability, bullying, food stamps, and his parents' struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. By 18, he had moved 16 times and attended seven different schools. In 2017, while stationed at Fort Hood, Devin received a Red Cross message telling him his mother was dying. She passed away on July 9th, just days before his birthday. In the years that followed, unresolved grief, financial collapse, and a series of online blackmail scams pushed Devin to the edge, ultimately leading him to self-admit to the hospital with suicidal ideations. Devin served nearly ten years in the Army as a Cavalry Scout and Career Counselor, and in 2021 was awarded the 1st Cavalry Division Retention NCO of the Year. While deployed to Kuwait, he wrote his debut book, Answering the Hard Questions, turning his story into a roadmap for anyone still trying to find their way out. You'll hear About How Devin grew up moving 16 times in 18 years across Rockford, Illinois The day he came home from school and found his apartment surrounded by police Why he stayed silent about his trauma for most of his life Losing his mother and being the one to make the life support decision How online blackmail and isolation brought him to the edge of suicide The two pamphlets in the hospital that helped him rewire how he thought about depression The single question that became the foundation of his recovery How writing his book in Kuwait helped him heal what he had buried for years Why faith became the cornerstone of who he is today Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Meet Devin Fish 02:00 Growing Up in Rockford and 16 Moves in 18 Years 04:30 The Day His Father Was Hospitalized 08:00 Why He Suppressed Everything for Years 10:00 Losing His Mother and the Life Support Decision 13:00 The Blackmail Spiral and Suicidal Thinking 17:00 Thirty Seconds of Courage to Ask for Help 18:00 The Two Pamphlets That Changed His Life 20:00 Using a Single Goal to Climb Out of the Darkness 27:00 Reframing Trauma as a Chapter, Not the Whole Book 28:30 Writing Answering the Hard Questions in Kuwait 33:00 Coming Back to Faith 36:00 Devin's Message for Anyone Still Searching 38:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, ask yourself one hard question. Not a comfortable one. Not the one you already know the answer to. The one you have been avoiding because you are afraid of what it might say back. Maybe it is, "Why am I really staying in this?" Maybe it is, "What am I numbing right now?" Maybe it is the same one Devin asked himself: "Do I want to live, or am I just surviving?" Because as Devin shared, healing did not start when life got easier. It started the moment he stopped lying to himself in silence and answered honestly. Whatever your hard question is this week, do not run from it. Let it be the end of a chapter, not the end of the book. Connect with Devin Get his book: Answering the Hard Questions: Let It Be the End of a Chapter, Not the End of the Book Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

    39 min

  2. Jun 16

    236: Understanding Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, and Healing with Scott Stolarick

    You are not defined by the hardest thing you have been through, the worst decision you have made, or the darkest season of your life. After more than 33 years as a trauma-informed psychotherapist, Scott Stolarick has sat across from people carrying pain most of the world never sees. From psychiatric hospitals and county jails to private practice, Scott has worked with people who have experienced trauma, people who have caused trauma, and people who are trying to understand why their anxiety, depression, anger, or substance use keeps showing up in their lives. This conversation dives into what it really means to understand the whole person, not just the behaviour, diagnosis, or moment that brought them into the room. Scott shares why trauma is often part of the mental health equation, how depression and anxiety can change the way people experience life, and why compassion matters when we are trying to understand someone's story. He also talks about coping, substance use, social media, connection, skill building, and the importance of asking for help before the weight becomes too heavy to carry alone. Through his wisdom, experience, and deeply human approach, Scott reminds us that every person is made up of many pieces. And when you take a step back, you begin to see the whole picture. Guest Bio Scott is a licensed, trauma-informed psychotherapist with 33 years of experience practicing in the state of Illinois. Throughout his career, he has worked as a clinician, administrator, and clinical supervisor, supporting individuals through trauma, mental health challenges, substance use, and complex life experiences. He also holds Management and Leadership Certifications from the University of Notre Dame and Cornell University. Scott is currently the owner of Mosaic Pathway Counseling in Gurnee, Illinois, where he brings a compassionate, whole-person approach to helping people understand their story, build healthier coping skills, and move toward healing. You'll hear About Why trauma is often part of the mental health equation How depression, anxiety, anger, and substance use can connect to deeper pain Why understanding the whole person matters more than judging one behaviour How self-medication can become a warning sign when it is used to cope Why skill building is an important part of managing mental health How social media and technology can quietly affect connection and wellbeing Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:30 Scott's Career in Trauma-Informed Therapy 04:45 Why Trauma Matters in Mental Health 09:00 Why Hurt People May Hurt Others or Themselves 11:15 Seeing the Human Behind the Behaviour 14:30 Trauma, Social Media, and a More Stressed World 17:30 How Trauma Connects to Mental Health 20:30 Understanding Depression and Anxiety 24:30 Medication, Self-Medication, and Coping 29:45 When Substance Use Becomes a Warning Sign 31:30 Building Healthier Coping Skills 34:00 Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health 37:30 Social Media, AI, and Disconnection 40:30 Learning to Relax Without a Screen 45:45 Reaching Out for Help 48:15 Scott's Message for Anyone Struggling 49:45 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one step back before you judge someone else's story — or your own. Look beyond the behaviour. Look beyond the one mistake, the one hard season, or the one piece that seems easiest to focus on. Ask yourself what else might be part of the picture. And if you are the one struggling, remember this: you are not weak for needing help. You are human. Because as Scott shared, we are all mosaics. We are made up of many pieces, and the whole picture is always bigger than one painful moment. Connect with Scott Website: https://www.mosaicpathwaycounseling.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-stolarick-lcpc-cctp-298734252 Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

    49 min

  3. Jun 9

    235: From Surviving to Thriving — Healing Chronic Fatigue and Finding Purpose with Miguel Bautista

    Sometimes the thing that breaks you becomes the very thing that gives your life purpose. At 19, Miguel Bautista was driven, active, and always pushing himself to the limit. He was an athlete, a personal trainer, a top performer at work, and the kind of person who believed the answer was always to work harder, push through, and keep going. But over time, his body started sending signals he could no longer ignore. Fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, and strange physical symptoms eventually led him into years of searching for answers. Doctors told him his tests looked normal, but Miguel knew something was deeply wrong. At his lowest point, he was bedridden, living with his grandparents, unable to feed himself, and wondering if life was still worth living. This conversation dives into Miguel's journey through chronic fatigue syndrome, the identity loss that comes when your body no longer lets you live the way you used to, and the turning point that helped him understand the role of the nervous system in his recovery. Miguel shares how finding a purpose bigger than himself kept him alive, why pushing harder is not always the answer, and how he now helps others move from simply surviving to truly thriving. Through pain, illness, grief, and recovery, Miguel's story is a powerful reminder that even when life feels impossible, there is still hope. And sometimes, healing begins when you stop fighting your body and start listening to what it is trying to tell you. Guest Bio Miguel Bautista is the founder of CFS Recovery, a global program helping people recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long COVID, fibromyalgia, and other nervous system-driven conditions. After experiencing severe, unexplained symptoms at 19 that left him bedridden and hospitalized, Miguel began searching for a deeper understanding of what was happening in his body. His own recovery led him to develop a structured approach focused on nervous system regulation, behavioural recalibration, and long-term stability. Today, through CFS Recovery, Miguel and his team have helped thousands of people around the world make meaningful progress, rebuild their capacity, and return to fuller, more independent lives. You'll hear About How Miguel went from athlete and high performer to bedridden with chronic fatigue syndrome Why pushing harder can sometimes make chronic symptoms worse The identity loss that can happen when illness takes away the life you knew How Miguel found a bigger purpose during his darkest season Why nervous system regulation became a key part of his recovery How CFS Recovery was born from Miguel's promise to help others heal Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Miguel's Mission to Help People Recover 03:15 Life Before Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 07:00 Becoming Bedridden and Reaching Rock Bottom 09:00 Understanding the Nervous System Connection 11:15 Finding Purpose in the Darkest Season 17:15 Looking Under the Hood Instead of Chasing Symptoms 23:00 Why Pushing Harder Can Keep You Stuck 30:15 Turning Pain Into Purpose 32:30 How CFS Recovery Was Created 36:15 Miguel's Free Recovery Roadmap Resource 41:45 Miguel's Message for Anyone Who Feels Hopeless 44:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one step toward listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Maybe that means slowing down instead of pushing harder. Maybe it means asking for help. Maybe it means admitting that what you are feeling is not something you have to ignore, hide, or fight through alone. And if you are in a season where life feels heavy, hold on to this: there is still a spark inside of you. Because as Miguel shared, healing is possible. Your story is not over. And one day, you may look back and realize that the pain you survived became the purpose that helped you move forward. Connect with Miguel Website: CFS Recovery  YouTube: CFS Recovery - YouTube  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfsrecovery/ Tiktok: CFS Recovery  LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/miguel-bautista-85a188a9 Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

    48 min

  4. Jun 2

    234: The Next Best Version of You — Finding Joy After Loss with Stacie Shifflett

    Life will hand you things you never asked for. The question is, who do you become on the other side of it? Stacie Shifflett has walked through unimaginable loss, major life transitions, and seasons that could have easily left her stuck in bitterness, anger, and grief. After losing her son, navigating the end of a 28-year marriage, and now facing a new health challenge that has changed her independence, Stacie has learned something powerful: peace is something you have to protect, practice, and choose. This conversation dives into what it really means to keep moving forward when life knocks you down, how to make peace with things you cannot change, and why healing often begins with taking radical responsibility for your own journey. Stacie shares how emotional triggers can become guideposts, why joy is not something you achieve but something you allow, and how small, intentional steps can help you become the next best version of yourself. Through grief, disruption, anger, and uncertainty, Stacie's story is a reminder that life may change around you, but you still have the power to choose how you show up. Guest Bio Stacie Shifflet is a transformation guide, author, entrepreneur, and the creator of Modern Consciousness®, a clarity-first framework that helps people understand their inner landscape, break behavioural patterns, and intentionally choose what comes next. After building companies, acquiring a $50M software company with no upfront capital, rolling out the first IBM desktops in a major federal agency, and navigating profound personal loss, Stacie rebuilt her life and identity through deep self-inquiry and emotional honesty. Her bestselling book, Treasure Map to Joy™, brings her journey to life through a transformational parable and reflects her practical, courageous approach to turning awareness into real, lasting change. You'll hear About Why making peace with loss is part of moving forward How grief can resurface long after the hardest season has passed Why emotional triggers can become a path toward healing The power of taking radical responsibility for your own journey How small steps help you become the next best version of yourself   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:30 Losing Her Son and Choosing to Move Forward 06:00 Giving Yourself Grace Through Grief 08:30 Making Peace With Loss 14:00 Divorce, Anger, and Starting Over 18:00 Becoming the Next Best Version of Yourself 22:15 Calming Emotional Triggers and Reclaiming Your Power 30:30 Stacie's Book, Treasure Map to Joy 33:15 Facing a New Health Challenge With Grace 39:00 Holding Space for Someone Who Is Struggling 40:30 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one small step toward the next best version of yourself. It doesn't have to be dramatic. It could be choosing not to react to something that usually triggers you. It could be asking for help. It could be letting yourself feel what you've been avoiding. Or it could simply be finding one moment of joy in the middle of a hard day. Because as Stacie shared, peace does not happen by accident. It comes when you choose to protect it, practice it, and take your power back one step at a time.   Connect with Stacie Website: Modern Consciousness Facebook: Modern Consciousness | Sarasota FL Instagram: Modern Consciousness®️ (@modernconsciousness) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacie-shifflett-7b5a8922/ Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

    41 min

  5. May 26

    233: The Weight of Service — Military Life, Guilt, and Healing Through Storytelling with Derrick Jackson

    Some stories stay with you long after the mission ends. After 21 years in the United States Air Force, Derrick Jackson knows what it means to serve, sacrifice, and carry the emotional weight that comes with military life. From working as a jet engine specialist to becoming a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Derrick's career took him across the world and into situations most people never see. This conversation dives into the discipline, pressure, and emotional cost of service. Derrick opens up about the guilt he carried as a father while being deployed, the weight of sitting across from people on the worst days of their lives, and the challenge of transitioning out of active duty into civilian life. He also shares how writing became an unexpected form of healing. Through his debut novel Shadow One, Derrick turned pieces of his military experience into fiction, creating a story that reflects the pressure, doubt, and humanity behind service. Derrick's journey is a powerful reminder that healing doesn't always happen by forgetting what you've been through. Sometimes, it begins when you finally give it a voice. Guest Bio Derrick Jackson is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, former Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and fiction author. During his 21 years of service, Derrick first worked as a jet engine specialist on aircraft including the F-15 Eagle, C-5 Galaxy, C-141 Stratofortress, and C-17 Globemaster. After 10 years, he was recruited into the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, where he worked in criminal investigations, counterintelligence, protective services, and economic crimes. His assignments took him across the U.S. and overseas, including work supporting Air Force Special Operations Command missions worldwide. In 2014, Derrick retired from the Air Force after more than two decades of service. He is now a fiction author and released his debut novel, Shadow One, as part of the Shadow One series in 2024. You'll hear About Why Derrick joined the Air Force after making a life-changing decision in seconds How military discipline shaped his growth and leadership The emotional cost of serving as a special agent How guilt affected him as a father during deployments Why talking, faith, family, and support helped him release pressure How writing became an unexpected form of therapy after military service Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 01:15 Meet Derrick Jackson 02:15 Why He Joined the Air Force 04:15 Starting at the Bottom and Learning Discipline 08:00 Climbing the Military Ladder 10:00 Why Your Environment Matters 14:15 The Emotional Cost of Military Service 15:00 Carrying Guilt as a Father 19:00 The Weight of Being a Special Agent 22:30 Finding Support Through Coworkers, Faith, and Family 26:00 How Writing Became Therapy 29:00 Transitioning Out of Active Duty 34:45 The Story Behind the Shadow One Series 40:45 Derrick's Message for Anyone Carrying Heavy Weight 43:15 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one honest step toward releasing something you have been carrying. Maybe it is guilt. Maybe it is stress from your work. Maybe it is a memory you have tried to push down. Maybe it is a weight you convinced yourself you had to carry alone. Find one safe way to let some of it out. Talk to someone you trust. Write it down. Pray about it. Sit with yourself and admit what is really going on. Because as Derrick shared, healing does not happen by burying the weight. It begins when you are willing to recognize it, give it language, and take one step toward support. Connect with Derrick Website: DERRICK M JACKSON  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djakz27  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@djakz  Get his book here: Books - Shadow One: Jackson, Derrick M  Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

    44 min

  6. May 19

    232: Healing Lives in Sharing — A New Way to Navigate Grief with John Kammer

    Grief isn't something you move on from. It's something you learn to carry. After losing three of his closest friends, John Kammer found himself doing what so many people do — avoiding the pain, pushing it down, and trying to outrun it. But over time, he realized something wasn't working. Because grief doesn't go away when you ignore it. It waits. This conversation dives into what it actually takes to process loss, why so many people struggle in silence, and the powerful shift that happens when you stop trying to "move on" and start learning how to move forward. John shares how guilt, isolation, and lack of language around grief can keep people stuck — and why healing begins the moment you're willing to share what you're really feeling. What came out of his journey is something unexpected: a tool designed to help people process grief in a way that feels safe, structured, and human. Guest Bio John Kammer is the founder and CEO of Guardian AIngels, an AI-powered grief support and reflective journaling platform designed to help people process loss in a structured and emotionally intelligent way. After experiencing the loss of several close friends, John recognized the gap between therapy sessions — the late-night moments where people are left alone with their thoughts. That realization led him to create Guardian AIngels, a tool that supports healing through guided reflection, conversation, and emotional awareness. His work is grounded in the belief that healing doesn't happen through avoidance, but through consistent, compassionate engagement with what we're feeling. You'll hear About Why grief can't be avoided and must be processed The difference between "moving on" and "moving forward" How guilt and self-blame can keep people stuck in grief Why men often struggle to express and process loss How vulnerability and sharing create real healing Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 John's Story of Loss and Early Grief 06:00 Avoidance, Substance Use, and Suppressed Emotions 10:00 Why "Time Heals" Isn't the Full Truth 13:00 The Shift From Moving On to Moving Forward 16:00 The Role of Guilt and Forgiveness in Healing 20:00 Why We Resist Processing Grief 23:00 Isolation, Masculinity, and Emotional Suppression 27:00 Healing Through Vulnerability and Sharing 31:00 How Guardian AIngels Was Created 35:00 Turning Journaling Into a Conversation 39:00 Using Tools to Support — Not Replace — Healing 42:00 Carrying Relationships Forward After Loss 45:00 Final Reflections and John's Message Chuck's Challenge This week, don't keep it all in. Share something you've been holding onto — even if it feels uncomfortable. It doesn't have to be everything. Just start somewhere. Because as John shared, healing doesn't happen in isolation. It happens when you're willing to open the door and let someone in. Connect with John Website: https://guardianaingels.ai Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

    48 min

  7. May 12

    231: Betting on Yourself — From Football to Olympic Dreams with Andy Whittier

    At some point, you have to decide — are you all in, or are you just interested? Andy Whittier's journey didn't follow a straight line. From walking on to a college football team in his hometown to discovering a sport he didn't even know existed, his path has been defined by one thing: the willingness to bet on himself when nothing was guaranteed. This episode goes beyond sport. It's about what happens when you step into the unknown, let go of what's comfortable, and commit fully to something that could fail. Andy shares the reality of starting over in a completely new arena, the humbling process of becoming a beginner again, and the moment he realized that success required more than just showing up — it required total commitment. From football fields to Olympic tracks, and now stepping into military service, Andy's story is a powerful reminder that growth only happens when you're willing to go all in. Guest Bio Andy Whittier is a USA Skeleton athlete known for his resilience, discipline, and pursuit of Olympic success. After playing collegiate football at Idaho State University in his hometown, Andy transitioned into the sport of skeleton after discovering it through a recruiting opportunity. Now training at the Olympic level, Andy continues to push his limits both physically and mentally while preparing for future international competition. His journey reflects a commitment to growth, perseverance, and representing something bigger than himself. You'll hear About How Andy went from college football to discovering skeleton by chance The mental challenge of starting over in a sport he knew nothing about Why "being coachable again" was one of his biggest hurdles The turning point when he fully committed to his Olympic dream What it really means to bet on yourself and go all in Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 Growing Up With Football and Early Influences 05:00 Playing College Football in His Hometown 09:00 Life After Football and Feeling the Competitive Void 12:00 Discovering Skeleton and Taking a Leap into the Unknown 16:00 The Reality of Learning a New Sport from Scratch 19:30 Becoming Coachable Again as an Adult 23:00 Early Struggles and Lack of Progress 26:00 The Moment He Took Full Ownership of His Journey 30:00 Leaving Stability to Pursue the Dream 33:30 Winning at the Next Level and Building Momentum 36:30 Personal Growth Through Adversity 39:00 Joining the Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) 42:00 Faith, Purpose, and Trusting the Process 45:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take an honest look at where you might be holding back. Are you fully committed to what you say you want… or are you still keeping one foot in what feels safe? Pick one area of your life and go all in — even if it's uncomfortable. Because as Andy shared, growth doesn't happen until you take full ownership of your journey. Connect with Andy Website: https://www.andywhittier.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andy_whittier_/?hl=en Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

    36 min

  8. May 5

    230: Cancer Didn't Break Him — It Set Him Free

    What if the worst diagnosis of your life became the greatest gift you've ever received? When Glenn Sturm got the call at an airport in 2009 telling him he had an aggressive, incurable form of T-cell lymphoma, everything should have stopped. Instead, something unexpected happened — his perspective shifted. Rather than letting cancer define him, Glenn made a decision: he would celebrate life every single day and make someone else's life better whenever he could. Seventeen years later, still undergoing treatment, Glenn isn't just surviving — he's living with purpose, gratitude, and a commitment to serving others. This conversation explores what it looks like to choose growth over fear, purpose over pain, and why sometimes the hardest moments in life can open the door to everything you were too busy to see before. Guest Bio Glenn Sturm is a 17-year cancer survivor, four-time bestselling author, and former attorney with over 30 years of military service. A University of Florida law graduate (honors, Order of the Coif), Glenn built a highly successful legal and business career before being diagnosed in 2009 with advanced T-cell lymphoma. Since then, he has undergone continuous treatment while reinventing his life around purpose, service, and creativity. He is the author of Cancer Set Me Free, an advocate for multidisciplinary cancer care, and an accomplished photographer whose work supports charitable causes. Glenn is known for his powerful message on resilience, perspective, and living life fully — no matter the circumstances. You'll hear About The moment Glenn received his life-changing cancer diagnosis Why he chose to celebrate life instead of becoming a victim The daily habit that can change someone else's life instantly How building the right "team" can dramatically impact outcomes Why cancer became one of the greatest gifts in his life Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 Glenn's Background and Military Service 03:30 The Call That Changed Everything 07:00 Choosing Perspective Over Fear 10:30 "The Ambulance Is Gone" — A Defining Mindset Shift 13:00 Losing His Career and Reinventing His Life 17:00 Building a Multidisciplinary Cancer Team 22:00 A Life-Threatening Setback and the Power of Communication 27:00 Why He Refuses to Be a Victim 30:00 Quality of Life and Long-Term Survival 34:00 Giving Back and Serving Others Daily 38:00 How Cancer Set Him Free 42:00 Glenn's Message to Those Who Are Struggling Chuck's Challenge This week, ask yourself two simple questions at the end of each day: Did I make someone's life better today? Did I put a smile on someone's face? Even one small moment of kindness can create a ripple effect you may never see — but it matters more than you think. Connect with Glenn Website: http://www.glennsturm.com/ Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked   Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

    44 min
See All (235)

5
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

Warriors Unmasked is a show that will take a deep dive into the life journey of athletes, both professional and amateur, coaches, military personnel as well as first responders and the people next door. You will hear stories of tremendous courage, perseverance and mental illness, while overcoming the odds. Your host and mental health advocate, Chuck Thuss, will incorporate his own personal journey and experience as he speaks with his guests on a very intimate level.

Information

  • Creator
    Chuck Thuss
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    235
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Warriors Unmasked

You Might Also Like