#23 - Matthew French - From Combat to Community - Resilience, Loss, and Leading the Next Generation

In this powerful episode, we welcome Matthew French, former Australian Army Paratrooper, who shares the first-ever public account of the tragic incident on August 29, 2012, when three Australian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan. Matthew gives us a deeply personal look into the emotional and psychological toll of combat, as well as the incredible mental resilience it takes to navigate such devastating losses.

Beyond his military service, Matthew is now the founder of Veteran Mentors, a groundbreaking program that uses military-style training to empower troubled youth with essential life skills like resilience, discipline, and leadership. His story is a testament to the enduring strength of veterans, not just on the battlefield but in their ability to give back to the community and shape the next generation of leaders.

In this episode, we explore:

• Matthew’s journey as a paratrooper and his deployment to Afghanistan
• The emotional impact of the August 29, 2012 incident
• His personal path to PTSD recovery and mental resilience
• How Veteran Mentors is making a lasting impact on youth through structured, military-inspired programs

Tune in for an inspiring discussion about military life, the challenges of returning to civilian life, and the transformative power of leadership and mentorship.

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Matthew French, Paratrooper, Afghanistan deployment, August 29 incident, Veteran Mentors, PTSD recovery, Military life, Youth leadership programs, Combat resilience, Mentorship, Veterans’ mental health, Military-to-civilian transition, Mental toughness