167: Military Resilience, Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention: Chris “Switch” Roness on Why You Matter

In this powerful episode of The Purpose Effect, host Alesha sits down with retired Air Force Colonel Chris “Switch” Roness — combat pilot, founder of the You Matter human performance system, and CEO of WebU, a global community helping dads build connection, resilience, and purpose. After 27 years of military service, personal tragedy, deployment challenges, and a deep faith journey, Chris discovered a mission far bigger than himself: helping people strengthen their mental wellness, build support systems, and develop resilience before life hits its hardest moments. Together, Alesha and Chris unpack the You Matter MATR system, a proactive framework for resilience, human performance, emotional wellbeing, and suicide prevention. Chris also shares the power of the Gas Gauge tool, a simple way to check in on your mental and emotional state without forcing people to talk about their feelings head-on. This conversation also goes deep into Chris’s personal story — including the stillbirth of his daughter Ava, a crisis during deployment, and how those painful moments became the foundation for his life’s work. Through faith, leadership, and purpose, Chris shows how our hardest seasons can become the very place our mission is born. If you have ever felt like you were just surviving instead of thriving, this episode will challenge you to stop waiting for a crisis to build your support system — and start strengthening your resilience today. Key Topics Military resilience and leadership lessons from a retired Air Force Colonel Mental wellness, emotional wellbeing, and proactive suicide prevention The You Matter MATR system for resilience and human performance The Gas Gauge tool for simple emotional check-ins WebU and the power of connection for dads Fatherhood, faith, grief, and finding purpose through pain Ava’s Rule and how one family’s loss helped create meaningful change Why telling your story from a place of strength can help others heal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices