The Grey Man Podcast

In Episode 83 of The Grey Man Podcast, Elaine "Burmese Princess" Gallagher shares her journey through 13 years in the Australian Army, surviving cervical cancer at 29, navigating a difficult military discharge and rebuilding her life after experiencing PTSD and personal setbacks. Elaine reflects on growing up in a Burmese migrant family in Perth, the sacrifices her parents made, and the experiences that shaped her military career. She opens up about the challenges of transitioning out of Defence, navigating DVA claims and finding a new direction after service. The conversation explores resilience, faith, fitness, boxing, adventure and Elaine’s passion for photography. After facing depression and personal betrayal, she began establishing stronger boundaries, surrounding herself with positive people and reconnecting with her sense of purpose. Elaine also shares why second chances matter, how veterans can support one another and why it is never too late to pursue something new. This episode is an honest conversation about life after military service, veteran wellbeing, personal accountability and finding purpose through adversity. 🎙️ Listen to Episode 83 of The Grey Man Podcast with Elaine Gallagher. #TheGreyManPodcast #ElaineGallagher #BurmesePrincess #AustralianVeterans #VeteranStories #Resilience

What comes after the military? For many veterans, leaving Defence means navigating a new career, rebuilding their identity and finding purpose beyond the uniform. In Episode 82 of The Grey Man Podcast, Jack Blaine shares his journey from serving in the Australian Army to building a future in the cattle industry. Through Diggers Cattle Company, Jack is doing more than running a business — he’s working to create opportunities for veterans to develop practical skills, enter the cattle industry and find a new direction after service. Jack opens up about the challenges of military-to-civilian transition, losing the camaraderie of service, planning for life after discharge and the importance of finding a new purpose before leaving Defence. We also explore veteran entrepreneurship, the realities of building a business and Jack’s efforts to establish pathways that help former serving members take their next step with confidence. Because leaving the military doesn't mean your next mission has to end. 🎧 Listen to Episode 82 with Jack Blaine on The Grey Man Podcast. SPONSOR — BALDWIN ADVOCACY & CLAIMS (BAC) This episode is proudly supported by Baldwin Advocacy & Claims (BAC), helping Australian veterans navigate the DVA claims process and access the support and entitlements they may be eligible for. If you’re a veteran or supporting someone who has served, connect with Baldwin Advocacy & Claims to learn more about their advocacy services. #TheGreyManPodcast #JackBlaine #VeteranTransition #AustralianVeterans #LifeAfterService #DiggersCattleCo #DiggersxStockmen

Taylah "Swifty" Gentzen has spent 15 years refusing to quit. A multiple-time Australian and state boxing champion, Taylah fought for Australia as an amateur, competed overseas and eventually earned her place in the Australian team. After years of Olympic dreams, setbacks and difficult decisions, she moved into professional boxing and continued taking on some of the toughest opponents in the sport. In this episode, Taylah opens up about her journey through Australian boxing, the politics and challenges surrounding the sport, fighting for opportunities, and why she refuses to take an easy path toward a championship. She also shares the story behind joining the Australian Defence Force in 2016, choosing infantry because she wanted a challenge and a greater sense of purpose, and what it was like entering Kapooka as one of the early women pursuing an infantry role. The conversation goes deeper into resilience, identity, motherhood, female athletes, social media, staying true to yourself and the pressure women can face to seek validation. Taylah also talks about rediscovering her connection with horses and how Horse Aid and horsemanship have become an important part of her journey. With Taylah currently ranked No. 2 in the world by the IBF and a potential world title opportunity ahead, this is a story about persistence, purpose and continuing to fight when the odds are stacked against you. 🎙️ Episode 81 with Taylah "Swifty" Gentzen The Grey Man Podcast is proudly supported by Baldwin Advocacy and Claims (BAC). Baldwin Advocacy and Claims helps veterans and their families navigate the DVA claims process and access the support they deserve. Listen to the full episode of The Grey Man Podcast on Spotify.

Taylah "Swifty" Gentzen has spent 15 years refusing to quit. A multiple-time Australian and state boxing champion, Taylah fought for Australia as an amateur, competed overseas and eventually earned her place in the Australian team. After years of Olympic dreams, setbacks and difficult decisions, she moved into professional boxing and continued taking on some of the toughest opponents in the sport. In this episode, Taylah opens up about her journey through Australian boxing, the politics and challenges surrounding the sport, fighting for opportunities, and why she refuses to take an easy path toward a championship. She also shares the story behind joining the Australian Defence Force in 2016, choosing infantry because she wanted a challenge and a greater sense of purpose, and what it was like entering Kapooka as one of the early women pursuing an infantry role. The conversation goes deeper into resilience, identity, motherhood, female athletes, social media, staying true to yourself and the pressure women can face to seek validation. Taylah also talks about rediscovering her connection with horses and how Horse Aid and horsemanship have become an important part of her journey. With Taylah currently ranked No. 2 in the world by the IBF and a potential world title opportunity ahead, this is a story about persistence, purpose and continuing to fight when the odds are stacked against you. 🎙️ Episode 81 with Taylah "Swifty" Gentzen The Grey Man Podcast is proudly supported by Baldwin Advocacy and Claims (BAC). Baldwin Advocacy and Claims helps veterans and their families navigate the DVA claims process and access the support they deserve. Listen to the full episode of The Grey Man Podcast on Spotify.

Army veteran Peter "Cam" Campbell, founder of Who's Next Grappling (WNG), joins The Grey Man Podcast to share how jiu jitsu and submission grappling gave him a way back after injury, a medical discharge and years of struggling with his mental health. Cam talks about growing up angry, finding boxing and Muay Thai, and joining the Army as an artillery forward observer. He explains how chronic compartment syndrome ended his service, what happened when the structure disappeared, and why psychology got harder before it got better. He also shares how walking into a BJJ gym in 2021 changed everything, helping him lose 51 kg and find purpose again. Also in this episode: submission grappling vs traditional BJJ, leg locks, belts and lineage, the reality of running combat sports events in Australia, paying athletes, and what's next for WNG, including striking events, bare-knuckle combat grappling and freestyle wrestling. His message to veterans and anyone struggling: find something you love, find your community, keep talking, and find a reason to fight. Follow Who's Next Grappling on Instagram. 🎙️ Episode 80 with Peter Campbell. Supported by Baldwin Advocacy & Claims (BAC) The Grey Man Podcast is proudly supported by Baldwin Advocacy & Claims, helping veterans and their families navigate the DVA claims and advocacy process. Find out more about Baldwin Advocacy & Claims and the support they provide through their official channels. If this conversation raises difficult feelings for you or someone you know, please reach out to a trusted person or qualified professional for support.

What happens when your experiences, your values and the system you trusted collide? In Episode 79 of The Grey Man Podcast, Dr Nikki Jamieson explores moral injury, suicide prevention and the hidden wounds that can affect veterans, defence personnel, first responders, healthcare workers and others exposed to morally distressing experiences. Nikki shares her own powerful journey through grief and suicide loss, including the death of her son Daniel while serving in the Australian Army, and how lived experience ultimately led her into suicidology, research and advocacy around moral injury. We explore what moral injury is, how it differs from PTSD, the role of guilt, shame and betrayal, the impact of military identity and transition to civilian life, and why institutional betrayal can have such a profound effect on veterans. Nikki also explains why early intervention, connection and simply being present for someone can matter, why lived experience is critical to suicide prevention, and how moral injury can extend beyond defence into workplaces, healthcare, first responders and other professions. The conversation also looks at recovery and repair — and how people can use their experiences to develop understanding, connection and purpose. 🎙️ Episode 79 with Dr Nikki Jamieson. Supported by Baldwin Advocacy & Claims (BAC) The Grey Man Podcast is proudly supported by Baldwin Advocacy & Claims, helping veterans and their families navigate the DVA claims and advocacy process. Find out more about Baldwin Advocacy & Claims and the support they provide through their official channels. If this conversation raises difficult feelings for you or someone you know, please reach out to a trusted person or qualified professional for support.

🎙️ A Navy medic and an Army gunner-turned-cook, worlds apart in the ADF — now both giving back on the Sunshine Coast through surf lifesaving. In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast, host Harley Fox sits down with Shane Leahy and Matt Neale — Shane served as a medic in the Royal Australian Navy, while Matt spent his career in the Australian Army, first in artillery before transitioning to catering. Two very different journeys through the Australian Defence Force, now connected on the Sunshine Coast through their shared involvement in the surf lifesaving community. Shane opens up about life as a Navy medic, treating drunk and injured sailors in port, and the brutal culture around alcohol that defined military life for decades. Matt shares his story of surviving bastardisation and bullying within his regiment, hitting rock bottom with his mental health, and the long road back through a structured recovery program. Together, they break down why holistic, non-clinical mental health support works better than traditional "white coat" treatment for many veterans, and how they've both found purpose again — through humanitarian disaster response work with organisations like Pacific Guardians, and their ongoing involvement in surf lifesaving on the Sunshine Coast. If you or anyone you know needs support, please reach out to: Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling): 1800 011 046 ================================================== 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 payout. 👉 Book your FREE, 100% confidential consultation today: 🔗 Website: baldwinclaims.com.au 📞 Phone: (07) 2103 0427 ================================================== 🎧 LISTEN ON THE GOCatch the full episode on YouTube: The Grey Man Podcast 📲 FOLLOW THE GREY MAN 🔗 Instagram: @thegreymanpodcast 🔗 Facebook: @greymanpodcast #GreyManPodcast #AussieVeterans #VeteranVoices #MilitaryTransition #VeteranMentalHealth #DVAClaims #PTSDAwareness #SurfLifeSaving

What happens when the career you've always wanted is suddenly taken away? In Episode 77 of The Grey Man Podcast, we sit down with Liam Ervine to discuss six years of military service, accumulating injuries, medical discharge and the difficult transition into civilian life. Liam shares what it was like to leave the uniform, adjust to a completely different culture outside the military, deal with the mental challenges that followed, and eventually find a new direction through traditional craftsmanship and his own hat-making business. The conversation covers military service, Army logistics and supply, injuries, medical discharge, veteran transition, mental health, identity, purpose and why having a plan before leaving the military can be so important. A candid conversation about what happens after the uniform comes off — and how to start building what's next. 🎙️ Episode 77 with Liam Ervine ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: BALDWIN ADVOCACY & CLAIMS Baldwin Advocacy & Claims provides fixed-fee DVA advocacy and support for veterans and their families. Get a FREE, 100% confidential DVA consultation. 🌐 https://baldwinclaims.com.au 📞 (07) 2103 0427

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.