The Grey Man Podcast

Bryce Haysom joins The Grey Man Podcast to share his journey through military service, martial arts, mental health, jiu-jitsu and finding purpose after life didn't go exactly to plan. Bryce talks about his early desire to join the military, his experience in service, the challenges that followed, and how combat sports became an important part of his life. From Muay Thai and boxing to travelling internationally for jiu-jitsu competitions and training camps, Bryce shares how martial arts has helped shape his identity and connect him with a wider community. The conversation also explores veteran support, mental health, brotherhood, trauma and the positive role jiu-jitsu can play in helping people reconnect and find purpose. Sponsor: Baldwin Advocacy and ClaimsIf you are navigating the DVA system and need transparent, ethical guidance for your military compensation claims, reach out to Baldwin Advocacy and Claims. Visit www.baldwinclaims.com.au to get started today.

Paul Archer sits down for an honest conversation on going from a nine-year prison sentence to building a 7-figure landscaping business. This episode unpacks childhood trauma, addiction, drug trafficking, and life inside the Australian prison system, and how programs like Trojan's Trek became the catalyst for real change. The chat also covers military service, studying a business degree behind bars, and mentoring incarcerated veterans through lived experience. Sponsor: Baldwin Advocacy and Claims If you are navigating the DVA system and need transparent, ethical guidance for your military compensation claims, reach out to Baldwin Advocacy and Claims. Visit www.baldwinclaims.com.au to get started today.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Tony Bryson shares the extraordinary story of his journey from a challenging childhood in London to becoming a Royal Marines Commando. Tony talks about growing up with financial hardship and family violence, finding an escape through sport, and developing the discipline and mental strength that helped him complete one of the world’s toughest military training courses. Of the 56 recruits who started, only 12 finished. He takes us inside his experiences with 4 5 Commando, Arctic warfare training in Scotland and deployment to Afghanistan after 9/11. Tony discusses combat operations, dangerous helicopter insertions, the loss of fellow servicemen, serious injuries and the lasting psychological impact of war. The conversation also explores his transition out of the military, work in intelligence and close protection, protecting high-profile clients, and the pressures that came with earning large amounts of money. Tony speaks openly about PTSD, delayed trauma, addiction, destructive behaviour, relationships, regret and the difficult process of rebuilding a life after military service. This is an honest conversation about resilience, survival, identity and what happens when the war continues internally long after the deployment has ended. This episode includes discussion of war, death, suicide, PTSD, drug use and sexual content. Sponsored by Baldwin Advocacy and Claims Have you been injured or affected by your work, military service or an accident? Baldwin Advocacy and Claims helps people understand their rights and navigate the claims process. To find out more about how Baldwin Advocacy and Claims may be able to help, visit Baldwin Advocacy and Claims online or contact their team directly. Make sure you understand your options before accepting an offer or settling a claim. This is general information only and is not legal advice. Individual circumstances differ, so seek independent advice about your situation.

Kai Baldwin sits down for an honest conversation on the state of Australian veteran support and DVA claims. This episode exposes predatory behaviours in the veteran advocacy space, high fee structures, and how recent DVA legislative changes impact serving ADF members and veterans. The chat also covers military service experience, injury recovery, martial arts, and transitioning out of defence. Sponsor: Baldwin Advocacy and Claims If you are navigating the DVA system and need transparent, ethical guidance for your military compensation claims, reach out to Baldwin Advocacy and Claims. Visit www.baldwinclaims.com .au to get started today.

What happens when you reach the peak of your game in the military, but your mind reaches its absolute limit? In this episode, a former British Army Officer who worked alongside Special Forces candidly discusses his time in service, the intense pressures of combat operations, and the mental health collapse that forced him to confront his mental state. He breaks down the reality of Sandhurst training, the moment he realized he needed urgent military therapy , the struggle of transitioning to civilian life, and why he eventually packed up everything to build a simple life on Phuket’s world-famous Fitness Street in Thailand.

What happens when the military identity you’ve known for decades is suddenly taken away? Former Navy Clearance Diver Ash re-joins the podcast to talk about navigating medical discharge, dealing with the loss of purpose, and how an 11-hour, 54-minute swim across the English Channel marked the first page of a brand new chapter. Ash breaks down the gritty realities of the swim—pushing through 11-degree water, handling mental fatigue, overcoming irrational open-water fears, and raising $154,000 for veterans. More importantly, he shares crucial wisdom on what happens after you complete a major goal, how to avoid the post-achievement void, and why your worst day can ultimately become your best day. Sponsored by Baldwin Advocacy & Claims Navigating DVA claims, medical discharges, or military compensation? Baldwin Advocacy & Claims is a veteran-owned, fixed-fee advocacy service built to ensure you get the full entitlements you earned without taking a percentage of your pay-out. Don't leave your future to chance—book a free consultation today at baldwinclaims.com.au .

In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast , Harley Fox sits down with Adam Gale in Kamala, Thailand, to explore his journey from infantry service and emergency response to founding Live Play Work . Adam unpacks the hard realities of PTSD, navigating recovery, and creating sustainable support networks for Australian veterans living abroad. Together, they break down the critical gaps in DVA care, why high-risk veterans slip through the cracks, and how effective triage and peer advocacy are saving lives outside of Australia's borders. Sponsored by Baldwin Advocacy and Claims Navigating DVA claims can feel like an uphill battle when you're already carrying enough on your plate. You don't have to fight the system alone. Reach out to the team at Baldwin Advocacy and Claims —they specialize in taking the stress out of DVA paperwork, ensuring your claims are managed correctly so you can focus on your recovery and wellbeing. Get in touch with Baldwin Advocacy and Claims today to get the support you deserve. baldwinclaims.com.au

In this episode, host Harley Fox chats with Jason, a former Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank crewman and truck driver. Jason opens up about growing up as an Army brat, the physical realities of operating heavy armour, and the dark side of military culture—including extreme hazing, systemic bullying, and physical assault. He discusses the long-term impact of concussions inside a tank turret, hitting absolute rock bottom with his mental health, and how he eventually found a way forward through technical scuba diving and taking back control of his life. An unfiltered conversation about survival, brotherhood, and resilience. If you or anyone you know needs support, please reach out to: Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling): 1800 011 046 Lifeline: 13 11 14

In Episode 3 of our Thailand Travel Series, host Josh sits down with Jarrod Hancock for a deeply raw and unfiltered conversation. Jarrod opens up about his upbringing, his journey through the Army Cadets into full-time military service, surviving high-risk close protection deployments and rocket attacks in Afghanistan, and his ongoing battle with addiction, trauma, and recovery. Jarrod’s journey is a powerful reminder that the fight doesn't always end when you leave the uniform—it’s about finding the strength to keep standing up, no matter how many times life knocks you down. Enjoying the raw, real conversations on The Grey Man Podcast? Make sure to hit that Subscribe button, drop a 5-star review, and share this episode with a mate who needs to hear it. Every share helps us bring more untold veteran and everyday stories to light so no one has to feel like they're fighting their battles alone. Follow our journey across socials and jump into the community comments below! Navigating DVA claims shouldn't feel like another battle. Today’s episode is proudly brought to you by Baldwin Advocacy and Claims . If you’re a current or former serving ADF member struggling to get the support, compensation, or medical recognition you deserve, the team at Baldwin Advocacy and Claims is here to fight in your corner. They take the stress out of the process so you can focus on your health and recovery. Head over to their website or reach out to the team today to get expert support on your DVA claims. www.baldwinclaims.com.au

What does it take to serve in the military for over 50 years? In this powerful episode, we speak with an Australian Army veteran who completed 50 years and 3 months of continuous service, holding the title of the last serving Vietnam War veteran in the Australian Regular Army before his discharge. He speaks openly about deploying to Vietnam at age 19, stepping millimetres away from a concealed landmine, and handling toxic Agent Orange without protection. He reflects on the painful return to Australia amidst public hostility, his decades-long battle with PTSD, and the real cost of putting the military ahead of his wife and children. From rising through the ranks as an RSM and Major to rebuilding his family life through therapy and finding purpose in community veteran groups, this raw conversation offers an inside look at military service, mental health, and life after uniform. 🎧 Enjoying The Grey Man Podcast? Make sure to follow the show on Spotify, leave us a 5-star rating to help us reach more listeners, and share this episode with your mates.

US Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran Ron Dunning reflects on his service as an M60 machine gunner during the 1968 Tet Offensive and the relentless artillery shelling at Con Thien. Wounded twice by shrapnel early in his deployment, Ron opens up about combat in the DMZ, facing racial tension in the 1960s military, and returning home to a divided nation. He shares his long journey with PTSD, navigating the VA health system, and how journaling helped him process his trauma. Ron also explains why he left the United States to live as an expat in Japan, Belize, and Thailand, and details an extraordinary moment from his return to Vietnam—where he embraced a former NVA soldier who fought on the opposite side of the battlefield five decades earlier.

In this episode, 23-year Australian Army veteran Michael ("Smokey") takes us through his diverse career across the ADF. Starting out as a bouncer and stuntman in Brisbane, Michael joined the Army at 26 and served across Signals (Electronic Warfare), Military Police (MWD Dog Handler), Recruit Training (Kapooka), and Telecommunications. Michael shares unforgettable stories from his time in East Timor—including guarding arrested Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and rebel leader Alfredo Reinado in Dili, navigating high-stress riots, and participating in a 45-rebel bloodless capture with the SAS. He also breaks down the funny side of service, from legendary base pranks to the story of "Whispers," an imaginary military dog that fooled officers for two years. Finally, Michael speaks candidly about the physical and psychological toll of a high-tempo career—dealing with spinal paralysis, severe PTSD, depression, and alcoholism—and how he rebuilt his life through the Soldier Recovery Centre, daily journaling, land management, and returning to his passion for music.

🚨 THAILAND EPISODE 1 IS LIVE!🔥We’re kicking off the Thailand Travel Series with a massive conversation featuring Leroy Faure from The Fit Dad Lifestyle. In this episode, we lay it all on the table:🪖 Army Days – The transition from service to civilian life💼 Business – Building a brand while living on your own terms👨‍👩‍👦 Family – Keeping the household anchored through big life changes🌴 Expat Life – What moving to Thailand really looks like behind the scenesIf you’ve ever thought about making a bold pivot in life, fitness, or business—you need to hear this one.🎧 WATCH & LISTEN NOW📲 YouTube & Spotify (Link in bio)👇 Drop a comment below once you’ve checked it out!👉 SUBSCRIBE to The Grey Man Podcast for more raw veteran stories.==================================================🪖 SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: BALDWIN ADVOCACY & CLAIMS==================================================The Grey Man Podcast is proudly supported by Baldwin Advocacy & Claims (BAC). Navigating the DVA system? Don't go it alone. Founded by a veteran and built for veterans, BAC is a fixed-fee DVA advocacy service dedicated to fighting for the entitlements you earned. From initial liability and permanent impairment claims to medical separation and appeals, they handle it all under one roof with a strict morality clause.👉 Book your FREE, 100% confidential DVA consultation today: 🔗 Website: https://baldwinclaims.com.au📞 Phone: (07) 2103 0427==================================================🎧 LISTEN ON THE GO==================================================Prefer audio? Catch the full podcast episodes on your favorite streaming platforms:🔗 Spotify: The Grey Man Podcast 🔗 YouTube Music: The Grey Man Podcast==================================================📲 FOLLOW THE GREY MAN==================================================🔗 Instagram: @thegreymanpodcast🔗 Facebook: @greymanpodcast#GreyManPodcast #AussieVeterans #VeteranVoices #DVAClaims #MilitaryTransition

Cameron Niven didn't intend to become a military cop, but an administrative technicality forced him into the Corps—and a toxic chain of command forced him to become a lawyer. In this episode, the founder of Soldier’s Legal Counsel shares his incredible journey from an Army Military Police private embedded with elite units to a private legal advocate defending modern veterans. Cameron opens up about the systematic harassment he faced from a toxic Company Sergeant Major, explaining how a dispute over university study leave triggered a multi-year "merry-go-round of hate" filled with trumped-up disciplinary charges. Now holding a Master of Laws from Melbourne University, Cameron uses his civilian career to expose severe systemic issues inside Defence Administration. He explains how hierarchy actively abuses the lower burden of proof in the administrative system to fast-track discharges, highlights the pervasive issue of "copy-and-paste" legal notices, and details his past work tracking down fraudulent doctors taking advantage of the DVA scheme. This is a powerful look at how a soldier’s drive to serve doesn’t end when their military uniform comes off. 🤝 Episode Sponsor: Baldwin Advocacy and Claims Navigating DVA claims, or military discharge paperwork shouldn't be a battle you fight alone. Baldwin Advocacy and Claims are experts in cutting through the red tape to get veterans, first responders, and their families the medical, financial, and permanent impairment compensation they deserve. 📲 Get a free, confidential initial consultation today at: https://baldwinclaims.com.au/ Hit follow, rate us 5 stars, and share this episode to support the everyday veteran community!

What happens when a life built entirely on accidental chapters leads you to fending off a bull shark on a movie set, surviving a -52°C Arctic blizzard, and joining a NASA-backed medical team researching Mars habitats? In this episode, we sit down with Sunny Whitfield—former Australian Army recon soldier, frontline paramedic, and extreme environment medicine specialist. Sunny gives us an incredibly candid, raw look at his extraordinary life history, which he documents in his books Hurry Up and Wait , Helicopters, Coconuts, Volcanoes, and Sled Dogs , and Hold My Drink and Watch This . Beyond the jaw-dropping survival stories, Sunny challenges mainstream academic fluff on mental health. He drops powerful truths about the damage of forcing a "thriving" mentality, the isolation that comes with long-term medical trauma, and what a special needs daughter taught him about true resilience over elite military training. This is a masterclass in humility, treating people with respect regardless of their social standing, and understanding when it’s time to close one life chapter to start the next. Charity Note: All profits from Sunny’s books go directly to regional clean water projects in Nepal. 🤝 Episode Sponsor: Baldwin Advocacy and Claims Navigating DVA claims, or military discharge paperwork shouldn't be a battle you fight alone. Baldwin Advocacy and Claims are experts in cutting through the red tape to get veterans, first responders, and their families the medical, financial, and permanent impairment compensation they deserve. 📲 Get a free, confidential initial consultation today at: https://baldwinclaims.com.au/ Don't forget to follow the podcast, rate us 5 stars, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

How do you survive a childhood inside a predatory religious cult, only to face down targeted rocket attacks and IED blasts in Afghanistan? In this unforgettable episode, we sit down with former Cavalry Sergeant Todd Fresi ("FREZ"). Frez spent over 14 years in uniform, but his toughest battles happened completely behind the eyes. Frez opens up with incredible honesty about escaping a manipulative cult at 16 by forging an early path into the Infantry Reserves. He reflects on his time in 2 Cav Regiment, the adrenaline of driving ASLAVs in high-threat environments, and the profound dark humour that kept the boys alive. But the high tempo eventually broke through his emotional armour. Frez candidly shares the compounding weight of unaddressed childhood abuse, processing the horrors of foreign cultural cycles, massive alcoholism, and surviving two terrifyingly real suicide attempts. From the psych ward to the bush, Frez details his ongoing journey of healing through intense exposure therapy, medicinal alternatives, a structured carnivore diet, and relentless physical fitness. This is an elite class in resilience, ultimate accountability, and raw survival. 🤝 Episode Sponsor: Baldwin Advocacy and Claims Navigating DVA claims, or military discharge paperwork shouldn't be a battle you fight alone. Baldwin Advocacy and Claims are experts in cutting through the red tape to get veterans, first responders, and their families the medical, financial, and permanent impairment compensation they deserve. 📲 Get a free, confidential initial consultation today at: https://baldwinclaims.com.au/ Connect with Us & Support the Show: 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Hit follow and leave us a 5-star review! 📲 Follow the Show on Instagram 💬 Join the Conversation: Frez shared an incredibly raw message today. Leave a comment below and show your support for a brother in arms. Need Support? You Are Not Alone. If this episode raised heavy themes or memories for you, free and confidential help is available 24/7. Reach out—don't carry the pack alone. Open Arms (Veterans & Families Support): 1800 011 046 (Australia) Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Text Support (Lifeline): 0477 13 11 14 If you are outside of Australia, please contact your local emergency services or national crisis helpline.

What happens when your entire identity is built on staying tough, but your body and mind are quietly falling apart? In this episode, we sit down with Josh, a former Air Force Airfield Defence Guard and paramedic who is now using his lived experience to reshape veteran mental fitness. Josh doesn't hold back. He reflects heavily on how early childhood trauma followed him into the defence force, manifesting later in life as toxic relationship behaviours, emotional abuse, and severe denial. He takes us through the high-stakes reality of paramedicine and the physical downfall caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis, an autoimmune condition triggered by military trauma. Josh maps out his self-medication spiral with alcohol, his literal brush with suicide, and how his young daughter’s cry pulled him back from a tree he was ready to drive into. Now a qualified social worker, Josh discusses founding "Mindful Mates"—a drop-in centre breaking down the clinical stigmas of traditional mental health with N64 Golden Eye, massage chairs, and active walking therapy. If you are a veteran, first responder, or someone struggling with accountability and raw survival, Josh’s message of ultimate apology and redirection is one you need to hear. Connect with Us & Support the Show: Follow Mindful Mates: @mindful_mates_association 🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast: Don't miss an episode—hit that subscribe button and leave us a 5-star review! 📲 Follow The Grey Man Podcast on Instagram 💬 Join the Conversation: Drop a comment below. What was your biggest takeaway from Josh's story? Brought to you by Baldwin Advocacy and Claims: Navigating DVA claims, or military discharge paperwork shouldn't be a battle you fight alone. The team at Baldwin Advocacy and Claims are experts in cutting through the red tape to get veterans, first responders, and their families the medical, financial, and permanent impairment compensation they deserve. Don't leave your future to chance—let the professionals handle your advocate needs. 📲 Get a free, confidential initial consultation today at: https://baldwinclaims.com.au/ Need Support? You Are Not Alone. If this episode raised anything for you, or if you or someone you know is struggling, free and confidential help is available 24/7: Open Arms (Veterans & Families Support): 1800 011 046 (Australia) Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Text Support (Lifeline): 0477 13 11 14 If you are outside of Australia, please contact your local emergency services or national crisis helpline.

What happens when the uniform comes off, but the demons remain? In this deeply personal episode, host Harley, sits down with his younger brother, Navy veteran Zeke Field, to explore a life defined by complex family dynamics, military service, and a quiet battle for survival. Zeke candidly details how an unstable upbringing led him to the defence force, where an underlying culture of alcohol dependence became a dangerous coping mechanism for undetected trauma. For the first time, he shares the raw details of his RNIN discharge, surviving a suicide attempt, and the gruelling journey through rehabilitation facilities. Now a school teacher, Zeke reflects on how rewriting his definition of masculinity—embracing vulnerability, open communication, and consistent therapy—ultimately saved his life. Content Warning: This episode contains honest discussions about alcoholism, depression, and suicide. If you need support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Follow the show on Spotify and leave a review if this conversation resonated with you!

What happens when you survive a chaotic childhood of homelessness, street gangs, and abandonment, finally find your purpose in the military, and then watch it all vanish in an instant? In this special milestone episode, the tables are turned. Guest host Shaun O'Gorman (The Strong Life Project, Episode 51) steps into the interviewer's seat to extract the raw, unfiltered life lessons from our host after 12 months and 64 episodes of intense conversations with veterans and high-performers. We pull back the curtain on: The "Both Sides of the Tracks" Reality: From surviving Brisbane's southside gangs and teenage delinquency to re-joining the Army and working in soldier recovery. The Identity Crisis Trap: Why handing in your military or service ID card feels soul-crushing—and how successful veterans reinvent themselves without relying on their past uniforms. Overcoming Victim Mentality: Navigating severe grief, addiction, and suicidal ideation by finding an external anchor and committing to "do the solid work" through talk therapy. The Power of Hard Things: Why martial arts (Muay Thai & Jiu-Jitsu), community clubs, and serving a purpose bigger than yourself are the ultimate antidotes to modern isolation and helplessness. Whether you are a veteran struggling to transition to civilian life, an alpha personality fighting a hidden battle, or someone trying to break free from your own past, this raw conversation is a powerful blueprint for survival, accountability, and finding out who you truly are. 👉 Follow & Leave a Review: If this episode resonated with you, please hit follow and leave a 5-star review to help us get these critical stories to the people who need them most.

What makes a military veteran the ultimate untapped weapon in a cutthroat corporate landscape? In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast, Harley sits down with Mick Lee—an Australian Infantry veteran, former Federal Police international training officer, and the co-founder of Nucleus Evolution. Mick shares a raw, unfiltered perspective on the massive leadership deficit plagueing modern corporate structures and exactly how to fix it. Mick breaks down his tactical journey, from the reality of infantry grinds at Singleton to running high-stakes counter-terrorism and intelligence operations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific post-Bali. He exposes why modern companies constantly set emerging leaders up to fail by prioritizing technical skill over human management, and how the standard corporate answer to systemic burnout is usually just throwing a new polo shirt or a token water feature at the problem. If you want to understand the true mechanics of high-performing teams, the absolute necessity of scenario-based rehearsals, and why creating psychological safety is the only way to stop your best people from walking away, this conversation is your blueprint. Tune in to learn how to transition tactical discipline into boardroom execution. Connect with the Show: 🛒 Support the Mission (Merch & Links): https://linktr.ee/greymanpodcast 📸 Instagram: thegreymanpodcast 🎥 Facebook: greymanpodcast