How Sailing Saved My Life | Royal Marine Veteran - Dan Fielding

From the battlefield to rock bottom—and back again.In Episode 12 of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Dan Fielding, a former Royal Marine Commando who shares his raw, honest story of mental health collapse, addiction, and recovery after leaving the military.Like many veterans, Dan was hit hard by the silence that follows discharge. He lost his identity, turned to alcohol and drugs, and used addiction to mask the mental pain and trauma he didn’t yet understand. He was suffering in silence—like so many others—told to just “Crack on, Royal.”But eventually, the cracks became too deep to ignore.Dan’s turning point came the day he walked into Turn to Starboard, a sailing-based veterans' charity based in Falmouth, Cornwall. From the moment he stepped through the door, Dan said it felt like coming home to family. Sailing gave him not just purpose, but peace.Today, Dan is the Chief Operating Officer of Turn to Starboard and is helping others who are struggling the way he once did. His mission is clear: no veteran gets left behind.This episode is an emotional deep dive into the real cost of service, the damage of suppressing pain, and the importance of community, support, and speaking out. If you’ve ever worn the uniform, known someone who has, or struggled with identity after service—this one will hit hard.Topics Covered:Royal Marines identity lossAddiction and mental health in veteransAlcohol and drug use post-dischargePTSD and emotional suppressionThe "Crack on Royal" mindsetVeteran rehabilitation through sailingTurn to Starboard charityFinding purpose after the militaryLeadership through lived experienceBuilding a new life beyond the battlefield