Dr. Tony Dice is a former Navy SEAL, firefighter, paramedic, and now a licensed counselor and educator whose life reflects both extraordinary service and personal transformation. He grew up in Horse Creek, California, a small rural town on the Oregon–California border, as the oldest of eight siblings. After losing his father at age sixteen, Dice left home, earned his GED, and began working in emergency services. His early years as an EMT and firefighter exposed him to trauma and crisis response, setting the stage for a lifelong commitment to serving others. He later joined the U.S. Navy and became a member of SEAL Team 2, where he served with distinction and gained firsthand experience with the mental and emotional toll of high-risk operations. Following his time in the military, he worked in private security, including assignments in Afghanistan, where he continued to operate in dangerous environments.
Despite these professional accomplishments, Dice struggled personally with substance use and the challenges of post-deployment adjustment—a battle many veterans and first responders face. In 2010, he entered rehabilitation, marking a turning point that led him toward recovery and a renewed sense of purpose. Motivated by his experiences, Dice pursued higher education, earning a doctorate in counseling from Old Dominion University’s Darden College of Education and Professional Studies. His academic work focused on trauma, addiction, and resilience among service professionals, and he now serves as adjunct faculty in ODU’s Department of Counseling and Human Services, where he mentors future counselors and emphasizes trauma-informed and culturally competent care.
Dr. Dice is also the CEO and co-founder of Bishop & Dice Defense LLC, a company dedicated to improving the psychological health and resilience of military members, law enforcement, and first responders. Through this organization, he and his team provide counseling, training, leadership development, and consulting services designed to strengthen both mental and operational readiness. His professional philosophy—that mental toughness must be supported by mental health—guides his work in therapy, education, and leadership development alike.
Beyond his practice, Dice is a respected speaker and trainer at regional, national, and international conferences. His presentations address topics such as post-traumatic stress, moral injury, suicide prevention, addiction recovery, and resilience. What sets him apart is the authenticity he brings to his message—combining scholarly insight with the credibility of someone who has lived through the experiences he now helps others navigate.
Dr. Tony Dice’s life is a testament to resilience and redemption. From firefighter and Navy SEAL to counselor and educator, his journey shows that strength is not only measured by physical endurance but also by the courage to confront trauma, heal, and guide others toward recovery. Today, he continues to impact the lives of veterans, first responders, and students alike, bridging the worlds of combat and compassion and proving that the greatest victories are those of the human spirit.