A Grenade Nearly Killed Him. Grief Nearly Finished the Job. Then He Started Running. | Dave Coleman

In this episode, Dan sits down with Dave Coleman, a former Royal Marine whose journey from combat to ultra endurance is one of the most raw and honest conversations you'll hear on this podcast. Dave opens up about his time in Afghanistan, the IED that nearly took his life, and the brutal medical battle that followed - including a terrifying brush with flesh-eating disease. But the physical injuries were only the beginning. Dave talks candidly about the mental health crisis that followed his return home: PTSD, medication, self-harm, and the isolation of decompression that so many veterans face but rarely speak about. Then comes the turning point - the loss of a close friend, and how that grief, alongside the chaos of COVID, pushed Dave toward something unexpected: ultra running. What started as a way to process pain became a lifeline, a form of therapy, and ultimately a new purpose. This conversation doesn't shy away from the realities of ultra endurance - the pain, the mental battles, the wrong turns, the moments where everything falls apart on course. Dave shares what he's learned training for and racing ultras, practical advice for anyone considering their first one, and how sobriety and lifestyle changes have amplified his mental strength.Main Topics Covered:The impact of trauma, PTSD, and mental health challenges post-serviceHow ultra running became a tool for healing, resilience, and purposeThe connection between addiction, mental health, and pushing physical limitsThe role of grief and grief-driven motivation in demanding physical challengesThe significance of mental health awareness and the power of community supportTimestamps: 02:05 - Dave’s background: From Royal Marines to civilian training business04:57 - The impact of social media and external influences on recruitment09:13 - Surviving an IED and medical details of injury18:05 - Medical evacuation from Afghanistan and subsequent health battles22:22 - The role of decompression and isolated recovery post-deployment25:14 - Grief, loss of a friend, and emotional relapse during COVID43:12 - The reality of ultras: pain, mental battles, and themes of perseverance50:49 - Setting ultra goals: learning and training for tough races65:37 - The wild mental and physical journey of extreme endurance73:47 - Reflection on race mishaps, lost routes, and mental resilience85:15 - How sobriety and lifestyle changes amplify mental strength86:13 - The therapeutic power of ultra running for mental health87:26 - How ultra running shifts coaching perspectives and mental limits93:39 - The link between addiction, mental health, and ultra runners' shared strugglesKeep in Touch: Follow Dan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dutyhappybloke/Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomicrambopodcast/ARC website: https://www.atomicrambo.comTake the free ARC assessment: https://arcassesment.lovable.app/Follow Dave - http://www.civvy2commando.comInstagram -  https://www.instagram.com/civvy2commando/