Drive On: Helping Veterans Navigate PTSD & Life After Military Service

Scott DeLuzio
  • 5.0 (89)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Are you a veteran struggling with PTSD, combat stress, or adjusting to civilian life? Tired of feeling isolated and unsure where to turn for support? You deserve solutions from mental health experts, veteran nonprofits, and fellow veterans who truly understand what you're facing. Each week, host Scott DeLuzio, an Army veteran and Gold Star Brother, shares interviews and practical steps to help you regain purpose, rebuild confidence, and thrive after military service. Find hope and take the next step forward.

  1. Veteran Finds Strength After the Weak Man Phase

    OCT 23

    Veteran Finds Strength After the Weak Man Phase

    Losing your sense of identity after service feels like freefall. For Lee Freeburg, that struggle was real. A Navy hospital corpsman who fought to find his place in uniform and beyond, Lee spiraled into what he calls his weak man phase, living for temporary pleasures, drifting without direction. It took a violent quad accident and a broken collarbone to spark a 180 that changed his life. Lee opens up about finding purpose through discipline, rebuilding after hitting rock bottom, and using storms as teachers rather than excuses. He shares how faith, fatherhood, and accountability became the anchors for his transformation. From designing a tool to revolutionize an industry to writing a book so his daughter would always know his values, Lee proves that rebuilding starts with self-awareness and grows through action. This is a powerful journey through loss of identity, rediscovering mission, and the fight to leave a legacy worth carrying forward. Timestamps: 00:09:00: Facing heartbreak when leaving the uniform behind 00:12:30: The quad accident that became a life reset 00:14:45: Breaking free from the weak man mindset 00:18:00: Lessons from storms and the sailor's analogy for life 00:23:30: Writing a book for his daughter and defining faith Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Book "How to Live a Better Life": https://www.amazon.com/How-Live-Better-Life-Principles/dp/B0DGQ79QKY/ Follow Lee Freeburg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lee.freeburg/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

    59 min
  2. When the Uniform Comes Off Everything Changes Overnight

    OCT 21

    When the Uniform Comes Off Everything Changes Overnight

    Leaving the military can feel like stepping off a cliff. One day, you've got steady pay, housing, and a community that's always around. The next day, it's all gone. That's the reality Robert Wheeler faced when he left the Navy. He went from structure and purpose to bills stacking up, silence from the people he served with, and depression that pushed him past 300 pounds. In this conversation, Robert opens up about why he once threw out his uniforms and refused to even call himself a veteran. He shares the hard lessons he learned about VA benefits, how Chapter 31 gave him time freedom to rebuild, and why fitness is needed for more than just looks. You'll hear him talk about how to handle when negative spirals hit, and how gratitude helped him get out from under that constant rain cloud. If you've ever felt like you lost everything overnight after taking off the uniform, this episode is a blueprint for finding your footing again. Timestamps: 03:01 Losing community, pay, and benefits all at once 07:27 Throwing out uniforms and hiding veteran identity 17:49 How fitness pulled him back from depression and 300 pounds 28:40 Pain into progress, building discipline one day at a time 35:36 Emotional regulation and telling yourself to "shut up" Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://www.battlefittedbrand.com Follow BattleFitted on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlefitted Follow BattleFitted on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battlefitted Follow BattleFitted on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/battlefitted Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

    51 min
  3. Treating Veteran Transition Like an Experiment

    OCT 16

    Treating Veteran Transition Like an Experiment

    Losing the uniform can mean losing identity, reputation, and even the sense of mission that kept you moving forward. For many, the transition feels like starting from zero. That is exactly what Stephen Bump faced after 12 years in the Air Force. His journey carried him from aerospace engineering to Eli Lilly, through business school, and finally into building his own consulting firm. Along the way, he learned to trust others, embrace humility, protect family time, and make career moves that aligned with his own values, not just someone else's definition of success. This conversation is about facing the uncomfortable reality that no one in your civilian job cares about your rank or medals, and how that is not the end but the beginning. From finding purpose in unexpected industries, to reclaiming fitness and family balance, to using the GI Bill and veteran resources to carve a better future, Stephen lays out a roadmap any veteran can use to transition with clarity and confidence. Timestamps: 00:07:45 - The hardest part of starting over in civilian careers 00:15:45 - Losing fitness and regaining it through entrepreneurship 00:22:15 - The freedom and responsibility of choosing your own clients 00:28:30 - Breaking free from other people's definitions of success 00:39:00 - The veteran resources that made the biggest difference Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://www.persperity.net Follow Stephen Bump on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbump/ Resources mentioned in the episode: Cameron Brooks Headhunter: https://www.cameron-brooks.com/ Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/ GI Bill: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

    53 min
  4. Turning Grief Into a Greater Mission

    OCT 14

    Turning Grief Into a Greater Mission

    Jennifer Ballou's deployment to Afghanistan was supposed to overlap briefly with her husband's fourth combat tour. They'd have a couple of months in-country together, then he'd head home to the kids while she finished her year. That plan ended the night she learned he'd been killed in action. She came home with his flag-draped casket and stepped into a new reality: single parent, senior leader, and a grieving spouse trying to make sense of it all. She talks about the tough balance between duty and family, the moments the Army got it right, the times they didn't, and how her kids showed resilience she'll never forget. Now, as Chief of Staff for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Jennifer is still serving. This time, by making sure the stories of service and sacrifice are never lost. This conversation is about loss, leadership, and finding purpose on the other side of tragedy. Timestamps 00:04:30 - The night everything changed in Afghanistan 00:09:30 - Flying home with her husband's casket 00:12:50 - Trying to lead soldiers while grieving 00:21:20 - When leadership fell short-and when they stepped up 00:29:40 - From Gold Star fellow to Chief of Staff at the GWOT Memorial Foundation Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://www.gwotmemorialfoundation.org/ Follow Jennifer Ballou on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejenniferballou/ Follow Jennifer Ballou on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferballou/ Follow the Global War on Terrorism Foundation: https://www.facebook.com/gwotmf/ https://www.instagram.com/gwotmf/ https://twitter.com/GWOTMF/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-war-on-terror-memorial-foundation https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKqTW0t9gKm7c7k_G8xv9Cw Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

    46 min
  5. Fighting the Rush After Combat

    OCT 9

    Fighting the Rush After Combat

    The battlefield changes you, but the real fight might start when you get home. Ben Sykes went from web designer to Marine machine gunner during the invasion of Iraq, living through relentless firefights, surreal moments in Saddam's palaces, and the strange calm of enemy fire becoming routine. But nothing prepared him for the turbulence of reintegration. Restless nights, the crash of losing combat's adrenaline, and the struggle to fit into a world that no longer made sense. In this conversation, Ben opens up about the chemical withdrawal of leaving war, the dangerous paths veterans can fall into, and the hard-earned lessons he wishes he'd known during his transition. Whether you've been in the fight yourself or love someone who has, his story is a brutally honest look at what it takes to reclaim your footing after service. Timestamps: 00:10:40 - Trading Hollywood for the yellow footprints 00:12:50 - First firefight on the road to Baghdad 00:23:10 - Securing Saddam's palace and the gold they never saw 00:28:50 - The chemical withdrawal of coming home 00:37:00 - From homelessness to finding a new mission Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

    56 min
  6. How Psychedelics Help After Military Service

    OCT 7

    How Psychedelics Help After Military Service

    After two deployments and a solid run in the Marine Corps, Susannah Stokes did what a lot of vets do-she took her leadership skills into the corporate world. But even with a great job at Facebook and everything looking good on paper, something still felt off. This episode talks about what happens when the structure goes away, and you're left trying to figure out who you are. Susannah opens up about feeling undervalued, disconnected, and stuck in roles that didn't reflect what she was capable of. She talks about the identity crash after service, the limits of traditional therapy, and how psychedelics helped her see things differently, without numbing out. We also get into how she's helping others now and what legal psychedelic support can look like. Timestamps 00:02:00 - From a Marine Corps deployment to Facebook's corporate culture 00:06:45 - Why many vets are under-placed in civilian roles 00:14:20 - Losing faith, identity, and the question that changed everything 00:23:40 - How psychedelics rewired trauma loops and revealed purpose 00:44:20 - Finding legal, structured healing through guided plant medicine Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://www.metamorphosis.ventures/ Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

    59 min
  7. Get the VA Disability Rating You Deserve

    OCT 2

    Get the VA Disability Rating You Deserve

    You served your country, endured physical pain, and now struggle to get the benefits you rightfully earned. If navigating the VA disability claims system feels like a second battle, this episode is your lifeline. Dr. Adam Weissman, an emergency physician turned veteran advocate, pulls back the curtain on the VA disability rating process. He shares insider knowledge to help you sidestep common pitfalls, clarify confusing terms, and leverage expert medical evaluations from REE Medical to achieve the disability rating you truly deserve. Stop settling for less. Here's your path to securing better support, financial stability, and peace of mind. Timestamps 00:02:00 - The Hidden Roadblocks in VA Disability Claims 00:10:30 - How Expert Evaluations Can Boost Your Rating 00:21:00 - What Happens When You're Underrated 00:28:15 - The Extra Benefits of Higher Ratings 00:34:00 - Avoiding Predatory Disability Claim Services Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://driveonpodcast.com/recommends/ree-medical/* Follow REE Medical on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reemedicalvets Follow REE Medical on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reemedicalvets/ Follow REE Medical on Twitter/X: https://x.com/REEMedical Follow REE Medical on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ree-medical Other links: https://www.youtube.com/@REEMedicalVets Transcript View the transcript for this episode. * - This page contains affiliate links. If you click a link and purchase a product or service, I may earn a small commission, which in no way affects the price you pay for the service.

    50 min
  8. Building Veteran Community Through Fitness

    SEP 30

    Building Veteran Community Through Fitness

    Chris Smith didn't plan to become the program director of a veteran fitness nonprofit. When he left the Army, his only goal was to stay afloat. But after facing down PTSD, relationship struggles, and a stretch of homelessness, he found himself on a new path-one focused on health, consistency, and community. In this episode, Chris talks about how Warrior Strong helped him rebuild his identity and give back to others dealing with similar struggles. He shares what it was like to go from engineering missions in Iraq to sleeping in his car, and how a single yoga class turned into a whole new way to serve. Whether you're a veteran looking for your next step or just trying to feel a little more grounded, this conversation is about what's possible when you stop waiting and start showing up. Timestamps 00:01:00 - 9/11 hit during basic training 00:12:30 - Losing stability after service 00:17:00 - How yoga and fitness changed everything 00:34:15 - What Warrior Strong offers right now 00:44:00 - Advice for veterans stuck in place Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://www.warriorstronginc.org/ Follow Warrior Strong on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warriorstronginc Follow Warrior Strong on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/warriorstronginc/ Follow Warrior Strong on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorstronginc.9685 Follow Warrior Strong on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/warrior-strong Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

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About

Are you a veteran struggling with PTSD, combat stress, or adjusting to civilian life? Tired of feeling isolated and unsure where to turn for support? You deserve solutions from mental health experts, veteran nonprofits, and fellow veterans who truly understand what you're facing. Each week, host Scott DeLuzio, an Army veteran and Gold Star Brother, shares interviews and practical steps to help you regain purpose, rebuild confidence, and thrive after military service. Find hope and take the next step forward.

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