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.
• 
  

🎧 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.

Connect with Nick:

YouTube

Instagram

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

After leaving the military, 26 year Navy Seal veteran, William didn’t just hang up the uniform—he stripped away the expectations, the identity, and the pressure to “just move on.”

What came next? A raw, honest rebuild.

In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast, we sit down with William to unpack the truth about transition—the emotional weight of starting again, the real fear behind reinvention, and how he learned to turn discomfort into direction.

This isn’t polished. This isn’t a highlight reel.

It’s the story of a veteran finding his footing—one small, terrifying step at a time.

🎖️ From military service to mental resilience

💥 From burnout to breakthrough

🎯 From self-doubt to purpose-driven momentum

Whether you’re still serving, recently out, or just trying to find your place in this messy world—William’s story will hit home.

🔊 SOUND BITES

🗣️ “You don’t have to have it all figured out—just be willing to start.”

🗣️ “Leaving the forces was like losing my identity. But that loss made space for something real.”

🗣️ “Growth starts the second you stop pretending you’re fine.”

🗣️ “There’s strength in saying, ‘I don’t know who I am right now.’ That’s where the work begins.”

✅ TAKEAWAYS

• Why identity loss after service is more common (and more brutal) than most admit
• The myth of “just cracking on” — and how it keeps veterans stuck in silence
• How vulnerability is a weapon, not a weakness
• Why small actions and honest conversations create lasting transformation
• The power of slowing down, recalibrating, and rebuilding from the inside out

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

🔥 This one’s not just for veterans—it’s for anyone who’s had to start over.

#GreatGunsPodcast #NavySeals #WilliamBranum #VeteranVoices #RealTalk #MentalStrength #TransitionTruths #BuiltNotBorn

What happens when a 20-stone, booze-soaked hospitality veteran hits the lockdown wall and decides, "F**k this—I want more"?

Adam Smith, co-founder of A-Game, joins us for a brutally honest and fiercely uplifting conversation about what it really means to bring your best self to the table (hint: it’s not kale smoothies and forced gratitude).

We talk alcohol-free living—not from a preachy mountaintop, but from the battlefield of self-worth and social pressure. We dig into masculinity, mental health, the loneliness of leadership, and why “perfectionism” is just low self-esteem dressed up in a designer hoodie. From the pain of reinvention to the power of purpose, Adam doesn’t just talk the talk—he’s walked it, crawled it, and danced on its grave.

This isn’t a sob story. It’s a war cry. If you're tired of numbing out, playing small, or being told to "man up," this episode is your permission slip to drop the mask and get real.

Takeaways

• Why chasing perfection is a sneaky form of self-sabotage
• How going sober gave Adam his life—and business—back
• The “Coffee Test” to find out who your real friends are
• Why men suck at talking (and society sucks worse at listening)
• How vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s rebellion
• Reclaiming your power through Stoic philosophy, small habits, and telling yourself a better f**king story
• How A-Game scaled from nothing to a million-pound movement by betting on honesty and humanity

SOUND BITES:🔊🔊🔊

“Perfectionism? That’s just low self-esteem in a sexy outfit.”

➤ (Mic drop. And possibly the most accurate thing said about perfectionism—ever.)

“You didn’t become a world-class soldier drunk. You did it sharp, focused, and clear.”

➤ (Say it louder for the lads at the bar.)

“I stopped asking what’s wrong with a few beers—and started asking what’s right with them.”

➤ (Oof. That’ll stop a scroll.)

“If you can’t meet your mates for a coffee on a Tuesday morning, they’re not your mates. They’re drinking buddies.”

➤ (Cue 85% of listeners re-evaluating their group chat.)

“Men don’t need to talk more. People just need to shut up and listen when we do.”

➤ (Tattoo this on society’s forehead.)

“Bravery isn’t just charging into battle—it’s saying, ‘I’m not okay’ and risking the fallout.”

➤ (For the veterans, the dads, and every man faking fine.)

“Your quality of life isn’t about being perfect. It’s about how quickly you can bounce back when you f#*k up.”**

➤ (That’s resilience, Great Guns-style.)

Ready to bring your A-game—no booze, no bullsh*t?

👉 Follow Adam Smith and the A-Game crew at A-Game

👉 Want more fearless chats like this? Subscribe, rate, and review the Great Guns Podcast.

And hey—if you’ve ever cried in a Tesco car park or danced sober at a wedding, this one’s for you.