Coming home doesn't always mean you're back. For Marine Corps reservist Ron Jansen, the toughest battles came long after Iraq, when the mission was over and the noise faded. Like so many veterans, he tried to pick up where he left off. A full-time job. Family life. No time to think about what really happened downrange. But trauma doesn't stay quiet forever. It showed up in his relationships, his stress, and the nagging sense that something inside still hadn't healed. In this episode, we dive deep into the hidden cost of suppressing your experience and the surprising freedom that comes from facing it head-on. Ron opens up about the therapeutic power of writing, the raw difficulty of vulnerability, and the camaraderie rediscovered through outdoor retreats and faith-based community. If you've ever felt disconnected, like you're "just getting by," this conversation will hit home. This isn't about wallowing in the past. It's about integrating it so you can actually move forward. Here's where the real breakthroughs happen:
Timestamps
00:01:00 - Avoiding emotions after deployment and why it backfires00:04:00 - Writing a combat memoir as a path to healing00:11:30 - Finding therapy in wilderness retreats and group connection00:17:00 - Shedding the armor of invincibility after service00:26:45 - Why storytelling and brotherhood can change everything
Links & Resources
- Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
- Website: https://anotherwisehealthyperson.com/
Transcript
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