EP37: Veteran Tim Leavitt on Combat, TBI, Brotherhood, and Finding Purpose After War

EP37: Veteran Tim Leavitt on Combat, TBI, Brotherhood, and Finding Purpose After War

Veteran Tim Leavitt describes joining the Army National Guard at 17 while in foster care, deploying to Iraq at 18 as artillery, leaving in 2008, then reenlisting in 2009 as a combat engineer and completing two Afghanistan route-clearance deployments. He recounts the realities of combat versus movies, including difficulty seeing shooters, and details a Kunar Province 360 ambush where radio intercepts warned of an attack, RPGs disabled his vehicle, his squad leader was badly wounded, and an RPG blast injured Leavitt with shrapnel and contributed to a TBI; he later suffered another blast and head injury when overrun. He discusses hospital recovery, being pushed toward separation, loss of military brotherhood, struggles transitioning to college, ongoing recovery and coping, and finding purpose through Ironman races, the Baja 1000, and delivering vetted humanitarian aid to Ukrainian villages. 00:00 RPG Ambush Flashback 00:30 Joining at Seventeen 02:55 First Iraq Deployment Reality 04:23 Leaving and Reenlisting 06:19 Route Clearance Mindset 14:23 Combat Myths vs Reality 17:12 Kunar Valley Injury 22:14 TBI and Recovery 25:56 Volunteering to Return 30:09 Final Deployment Fallout 32:29 Ironman After War 34:10 Learning to Swim for Ironman 35:00 Half Ironman Surprise 36:26 Baja 1000 Inspiration 37:12 First Trip to Ukraine 39:14 Aid Runs with Andre 42:14 War’s Other Side 47:29 What Recovery Means 52:38 Losing the Brotherhood 55:34 Almost Going AWOL 59:10 Finding Purpose After Service 01:05:12 Advice for Lonely Veterans 01:06:59 Ongoing Work and Family 01:08:00 Purpose Through Fatherhood 01:09:32 Protective Instincts Kick In 01:11:50 Boundaries Build Safe Kids 01:13:56 Letting Kids Own Choices 01:17:37 Coping With Bad Days 01:21:02 Anxiety Story Served Papers 01:23:49 Living With TBI Changes 01:28:36 Lessons I Wish I Knew 01:32:30 Who Tim Is Now 01:37:27 Adventure Mindset Reframed 01:39:25 Closing Thanks And Farewell Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai [https://irenegpt.ai/] - Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/irenegpt.ai?igsh=MWdwNTh0eTZ0aHNpaA==] - TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@irenegpt.ai?_r=1&_t=ZP-91vwytSGovf] - Youtube [https://youtube.com/@IreneGPT?si=8An_BfZ7YKOu3BOT]

EP36: PTSD Awareness - What It Is, What It Isn't

Have you ever wondered why certain sounds, situations, or words send you spiraling — even when you're completely safe? You're not broken. You may be carrying invisible wounds. In this episode, Hope and De'dy open an honest, compassionate conversation about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder — what it actually is, what it isn't, and why so many people are living with it without ever having a name for what they're experiencing. PTSD isn't just something that happens to soldiers. It can develop after childhood abuse, relationship trauma, medical experiences, accidents, and more. And it doesn't always look the way movies and TV portray it. In this episode we cover: What PTSD really is — and the four core ways it shows up in daily life The most damaging myths that keep people from getting support Real-life examples of how trauma from abuse quietly affects relationships, work, sleep, focus, and emotions The difference between having a hard time and needing professional support Why healing starts with understanding — and why you are not to blame Whether you're on your own healing journey, supporting someone you love, or simply curious to understand more — this episode is for you. Your experiences are valid. Help is available. And this is a safe space. 🎙️ Subscribe, share, and join the conversation — we want to hear from you. Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai [https://irenegpt.ai/] - Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/irenegpt.ai?igsh=MWdwNTh0eTZ0aHNpaA==] - TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@irenegpt.ai?_r=1&_t=ZP-91vwytSGovf] - Youtube [https://youtube.com/@IreneGPT?si=8An_BfZ7YKOu3BOT]

EP35: The Power of Your Voice | Setting Boundaries & Communicating Assertively

Are you tired of saying yes when you mean no? Do you struggle to speak up for yourself without feeling guilty or afraid of conflict? In this episode, we're diving deep into the transformative skill of assertive communication — and how mastering it can change every area of your life. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ The difference between assertiveness, aggression, and passivity — and why it matters ✅ Why setting healthy boundaries is essential for protecting your energy, time, and emotional well-being ✅ Real scripts and practical techniques for saying no, expressing discomfort, and stating your needs clearly ✅ Why you never have to justify your boundaries to anyone ✅ How to speak your truth in a way that respects both yourself and others ✅ How IreneGPT.ai can help you craft clear, assertive, and conflict-reducing responses using the BIFF method Your voice is one of your most powerful tools. Learning to use it assertively is one of the most direct paths to reclaiming your confidence, your agency, and your life. Whether you're navigating difficult relationships, workplace dynamics, or personal boundaries — this episode gives you the tools to show up for yourself, every single time. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with real, actionable tools for personal growth and empowerment. 👇 Drop a comment below: What's one boundary you've been struggling to set? Let's talk about it. #Boundaries #AssertiveCommunication #PersonalGrowth #SelfEmpowerment #MentalWellness #CommunicationSkills #SayingNo #SelfAdvocacy #IreneGPT #PodcastForWomen Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai [https://irenegpt.ai/] - Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/irenegpt.ai?igsh=MWdwNTh0eTZ0aHNpaA==] - TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@irenegpt.ai?_r=1&_t=ZP-91vwytSGovf] - Youtube [https://youtube.com/@IreneGPT?si=8An_BfZ7YKOu3BOT]

EP34: What People Are Finally Beginning to Understand About Control & Safety

In today’s episode of Irene Cares, Hope and De’dy dive into the real-life stories and growing conversations that are reshaping laws, protection systems, and public awareness around emotional harm, coercive behavior, technology monitoring, survivor safety, and accountability. We discuss: ✨ Why emotional and psychological patterns are finally being recognized ✨ The growing conversations around coercive control ✨ How technology can be used in unhealthy and controlling ways ✨ Why strangulation cases are being taken more seriously ✨ The importance of survivor privacy and protection ✨ How modern laws are evolving to better understand relationship dynamics and safety concerns This conversation is about awareness, healing, education, and understanding patterns many people experience but struggle to explain. At Irene Cares, we believe clarity changes everything. Through honest conversations, community, and tools like IreneGPT.ai, our mission is to help people recognize patterns, communicate more safely, and move toward healing and empowerment. If this episode resonates with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need it. ❤️ #IreneCares #HealingJourney #EmotionalWellness #RelationshipAwareness #PersonalGrowth Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai [https://irenegpt.ai/] - Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/irenegpt.ai?igsh=MWdwNTh0eTZ0aHNpaA==] - TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@irenegpt.ai?_r=1&_t=ZP-91vwytSGovf] - Youtube [https://youtube.com/@IreneGPT?si=8An_BfZ7YKOu3BOT]

EP33: The “Aha!” Moment: When Clarity Changes Everything | Irene Cares Podcast

Have you ever experienced a moment where everything suddenly made sense? In this episode of the Irene Cares Podcast, we explore the powerful “aha!” moments that can completely change the direction of someone’s healing journey. Those moments of clarity when patterns become visible, confusion turns into understanding, and you begin to see your worth more clearly than ever before. We discuss how gaining clarity can empower people to set boundaries, trust themselves again, reconnect with their intuition, and begin moving forward with confidence and peace. This conversation is for anyone who has ever questioned themselves, felt stuck in unhealthy dynamics, or is searching for deeper understanding and healing. We also discuss how IreneGPT.ai was designed to help people connect the dots, recognize patterns, document experiences, and gain the clarity needed to make empowered decisions. 💜 Built by survivors, for survivors. 🎙️ Subscribe to the Irene Cares Podcast on all major podcast platforms. 📩 Join our newsletter for healing resources and updates. 🛠️ Explore IreneGPT.ai for tools focused on clarity, communication, documentation, and emotional well-being. #HealingJourney #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalHealing #MentalWellness #IreneCares Check out Irene Cares on other platforms: - Irenegpt.ai [https://irenegpt.ai/] - Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/irenegpt.ai?igsh=MWdwNTh0eTZ0aHNpaA==] - TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@irenegpt.ai?_r=1&_t=ZP-91vwytSGovf] - Youtube [https://youtube.com/@IreneGPT?si=8An_BfZ7YKOu3BOT]