Blast Exposure & Brain Injuries MCPL Justin MacPherson Part VI

In the final installment of our six-part series on blast exposure and brain injuries, I continue my powerful conversation with JTF2 breacher, Master Corporal Justin MacPherson. This episode dives into raw truths, hard lessons, and the urgent need for change. We explore the efforts of Veterans-turned-Toronto Police Officers Aaron Dale and Jeremy Burns, and the Military Veteran Wellness Program - a critical initiative helping get homeless veterans off the streets. Justin and I discuss the deep disconnect between action and bureaucracy - the harsh reality that within the system, “facta non verba” (deeds, not words) has been flipped. In a culture of risk aversion, taking bold steps isn’t rewarded - silence and inaction often are. We ask tough questions: Would people still line the border to protect this country? What does retention and recruitment say about how Canada treats its servicepeople? Is this the Canada we thought we served? We talk about the burden of truth - how it shouldn’t fall solely on the injured. Professional soldiers with psychological wounds need support navigating a system that often assumes resilience means silence. We confront the reality that high-risk units - especially those dealing with explosives - are indeed suffering the effects of brain injuries, and the system must catch up to the science. We touch on the need to invest not just in policies, but in places and people - making every space a Veteran enters feel safe, welcoming, and worthy of their service. You’ll also hear about Warrior Adventures Canada - what it is, why it was started, and how it’s helping Veterans rediscover meaning and challenge in civilian life. Stick around for the Fast and Furious - as we discuss filling the void after service, finding a new arena, and the importance of never stopping. As Justin says: "Don't stop striving for greatness." Don’t live life scripted. You’ve got one life - how are you going to live what’s left of it?