He was a U.S. Green Beret.🪖

Then a Night Stalker, Special Forces Black Hawk pilot.🚁

Two of the most demanding jobs in the world—and Nick wore both uniforms with pride.💪

But behind the elite training, the high-stakes missions, and the badges of honour…

He was suffering.

While still serving.

In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast, Nick rips the silence off a truth far too many hide: even warriors at the top of their game can be barely holding it together.

💥 He didn’t “struggle after.” He struggled during.

💥 He didn’t break. He carried more than most.

💥 And now, he’s speaking out—not to be pitied, but to help others realise they’re not alone.

If you’ve ever looked at someone and thought, “They’ve got their Sh#t together”—this episode will make you think again.

🗣️ “You leave the military, but it doesn’t always leave you.”

🗣️ “There’s a gap between who you were and who you’re meant to become—and it’s f*cking hard to cross.”

🗣️ “We don’t need perfect heroes. We need honest ones.”

🗣️ “I thought I was the only one struggling. Turns out, I was just the only one saying it out loud.”

• Why transition out of the military can hit harder than most expect
• The unspoken mental health battle many veterans still fight daily
• How shame and silence feed off each other—and how to stop the cycle
• The value of vulnerability in leadership and community
• A reminder that progress is ugly, uncomfortable, and absolutely worth it.
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🎧 Stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your truth bombs.

💀 If you’ve served, struggled, or started over—this one’s for you.

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#GreatGunsPodcast #NickOKelly #NickUnfiltered #VeteranVoices #PostServiceLife #MentalHealthMatters #BuiltNotBorn #NightStalkers