In this powerful episode, Thad and Tyler are joined by Jeremy Thibodeaux, a former 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment MH-47 Flight Engineer and Silver Star recipient, who is now pursuing a doctorate in psychology. Jeremy opens up about his personal journey, reflecting on how both his childhood and military service impacted his mental health. From battling serious childhood illnesses to confronting the emotional toll of combat, Jeremy’s story is a testament to the deep connection between physical and mental health.

Jeremy shares his experiences with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), not just as a result of his intense combat missions but also from the long-term effects of being bullied as a child due to his health conditions. He talks about the importance of addressing mental health in a community where it’s often stigmatized, and how his own journey to healing led him to pursue a career in psychology to help others. The episode dives deep into Jeremy's decision to break the cycle of silence around mental health and how he uses his personal experiences to help his son, who also faces health challenges.

Links

The Arcane Project

The Guardian Revival One Mile Challenge

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

13:49 Childhood Illnesses and Resilience

19:03 Joining the Military and Pursuing Dreams

22:30 Parenting and Teaching Kindness

27:37 Becoming a Crew Chief Mechanic in the 160th

37:08 First Deployment and Memorial

38:14 Recalling Military Experiences

44:49 Sharing Stories of Combat

51:33 Intense Firefights and Close Calls

58:36 Transitioning to Civilian Life

01:07:35 Struggles with Mental Health

01:10:29 Journey to Recovery

01:13:03 The Impact of Trauma

01:14:25 Pursuing a Degree in Psychology

01:15:53 Developing New Ways of Thinking

01:16:19 Cognitive Processing Therapy and Neuroplasticity

01:17:18 Faith and Spirituality in Healing

01:18:42 The Importance of Seeking Help

01:27:22 Jeremy's Work in Behavioral Health

01:30:23 Jeremy's Nonprofit Project for Veterans

Key Words

Resilience and Recovery Podcast, Breaking the Silence on PTSD, Mental Health Awareness Podcast, PTSD and Mental Health Recovery, Overcoming PTSD Podcast, Veteran Mental Health, Healing from Trauma, PTSD Resilience Stories, Mental Health Stigma Podcast, Military PTSD Recovery, Mental Health Conversations, First Responder Mental Health, Combat PTSD Awareness, Mental Health in the Military, Psychological Resilience Podcast