Adrenaline, Addiction & Purpose with John Graham

In this gripping and deeply personal episode, Maj. Donovan is joined by John Graham, a former diplomat, mountain climber, and self-described adrenaline junkie. Together, they explore the surprising parallels between thrill-seeking and substance use disorder. John reflects on a life spent on the edge—scaling perilous peaks, navigating war zones, and diving headfirst into revolutions. But what happens when the rush fades and the risks take their toll? For John, the path to healing wasn’t through more danger—it was through service. Discover how John found purpose in The Giraffe Heroes Project, a global movement encouraging people to "stick their necks out" for the greater good. From the battlefield to the community, John’s journey illustrates how bold action and service can be the antidote to addiction and restlessness. He now shares his hard-won wisdom and stories on TikTok as Badass Granddad, inspiring a new generation to live with courage and compassion. In This Episode: The psychology behind thrill-seeking and addictionJohn’s harrowing and heroic adventuresHow service can ground and transform a lifeThe origins and impact of The Giraffe Heroes ProjectWhy John believes "wisdom is worthless unless it's passed on" Resources & Mentions: 🌍 Learn more about The Giraffe Heroes Project: https://www.giraffe.org🎥 Follow John Graham on TikTok: @BadassGranddad📚 John’s books and talks: johngraham.org