Episode 77: Finding Purpose After the Storm: David Heaviside on Veterans and Mental Health

Finding Purpose After the Storm: David Heaviside on Veterans and Mental Health.🗣️ Episode Summary:In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Frankie sits down with David Heaviside, a former soldier with the British Army who served in 2nd Battalion, The Light Infantry (2 LI)—later part of 3 Rifles. David opens up about his military service, including a life-changing deployment to Iraq on Operation Telic, where he and his unit were hit by an IED.After leaving the military, David faced a battle of a different kind—PTSD. He shares the dark spiral he experienced and how it nearly destroyed him. But this is a story of hope and resilience. David talks candidly about how he turned his life around and founded Veterans Activities for Mental Health, an organisation helping ex-forces personnel reconnect, heal, and find purpose through outdoor activities and peer support.Joining the Army in 2004Serving with 2 LI and the transition into 3 RiflesExperiences on Op Telic in IraqThe IED strike and its long-term impactTransitioning to civilian lifeThe onset of PTSD and its effects on mental health, relationships, and identityHitting rock bottom and the wake-up momentThe decision to seek help and rebuildThe birth of Veterans Activities for Mental HealthHow nature, movement, and connection became key to healing🎙️ Interview Highlights:🪖 Life in the Army🧠 The Battle After the Battle💪 Taking Back Controlhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/360873519682555