The Warrior’s Ascent Podcast: From Healing to High-Performance

S4_E_10_Audio_Briana Goff part 2

Dr. Briana Goff
PhD,LCMFT
EMDR Certified Therapist
EMDR Consultant

S4_E10_Video_Briana Goff Part 2

Briana Goff
PhD,LCMFT
EMDR Certified Therapist
EMDR Consultant

Support, Self-Care, and the Shift Beyond Survival

Warriors' Ascent, high performance, network of relationships, ideological alignment, positive outcomes, resiliency, empowerment, ownership, self-care, preventative maintenance, mental attitude, trauma, accountability, support network, healing journey.
In the first episode of season five of the Warriors Ascent podcast, hosts Mike Kenny and Matt Hastings discuss the importance of building a supportive network of relationships for personal and professional growth. They emphasize the significance of surrounding oneself with positive, solution-oriented individuals who share similar values and philosophies. The conversation highlights the role of empowerment and ownership in personal development, drawing parallels to military leadership and the importance of self-care. They also touch on the challenges of transitioning from a military mindset to one that embraces self-care and the need for a balance between responsibility and accountability. The podcast aims to provide actionable insights and support for veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD.

Strength, Purpose, and Knowing When to Shift Gears

warrior archetype, psychological construct, warrior ethos, overcoming adversity, military service, warrior mindset, combat experience, warrior persona, warrior values, warrior resilience, warrior ethos, warrior virtues, warrior integration, warrior community, warrior mission
Matt Hastings, a former helicopter pilot and board member of Warriors Ascent, shares his transformative journey from military service to seeking help from Warriors Ascent after a difficult transition. He highlights the organization's impact on veterans and first responders, emphasizing the importance of group therapy and multimodal approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. Hastings discusses the challenges of stigma and the need for discovery rather than recovery. He also touches on the organization's fundraising efforts and the significant role of community support in sustaining their mission to help those struggling with PTSD and anxiety.

Healing Through Mentorship: Female Warriors Share Their Journey

Keywords: 
#Warriors' Ascent podcast  #female veterans PTSD #complex trauma healing #mentorship in recovery #veteran nonprofit support #breathing techniques for anxiety #warrior ethos #PTSD resources for women #cognitive behavioral therapy tools #female first responder trauma #emotional healing journey #mission statement purpose #yoga for PTSD #veteran peer mentorship #inner warrior transformation #self-care for trauma survivors #suicide survivor healing #resilience through trauma #veteran mental health program
n this deeply moving episode of the Warriors' Ascent Podcast, hosts Mike Kenny and Matt Hastings sit down with Nicole and Kim, two courageous women who once entered the Warriors' Ascent program at their breaking points—and returned as powerful mentors. Recorded live from the Heartland Retreat Center during Cohort 66 (Female Cohort), they reflect on the long road from trauma to healing.
Nicole shares how witnessing a traumatic suicide while working in corrections shattered her world and how Warriors’ Ascent gave her the rest, release, and renewed purpose she never thought possible. Kim opens up about a lifetime of complex trauma, from childhood abuse to surviving an accident that took her father’s life—and how this program led her to emotional breakthrough, inner peace, and even love.
Together, they highlight transformative tools like breathing techniques, journaling, mission statements, and yoga that helped them reclaim their identity, connect with others, and thrive. They also speak candidly about what it's like to return as mentors and support a new generation of female veterans and first responders on their healing journey.
Whether you’re struggling with PTSD, burnout, or just feeling “not enough,” this episode will move you, inspire you, and remind you that you’re not alone—and you are enough.

Support, Self-Care, and the Shift Beyond Survival

#OwnYourJourney #HealingWithPurpose #VeteranVoices #PTSRecovery #LeadWithPurpose #IAmEnough #MindsetMatters #WarriorMindset
🎙️ Season 5, Episode 1 – "Empowerment, Ownership, and the Warrior Ethos"
Welcome to Season 5 of the Warriors’ Ascent Podcast. In this opening episode, hosts Matt Hastings and Mike Kenny dive deep into the foundational elements of healing and thriving: empowerment, ownership, and intentional self-care.
Recorded from the new headquarters with the support of KC Podcast Studios, this conversation sets the tone for the season by exploring what makes a strong network of support—in organizations, in healing journeys, and in life. From building relationships rooted in ideological alignment to embracing the hard truth that healing requires personal accountability, Mike and Matt unpack the values that define Warriors’ Ascent and the Warrior Ethos.
You’ll hear stories from combat and command, powerful reflections on trauma, and insights into what it means to truly lead with purpose—especially when life gets hard.
If you’re navigating the challenges of trauma recovery or looking for tools to reconnect with your inner warrior, this episode is your call to action. It’s not just about surviving—it’s about owning your journey and choosing to thrive.

Strength, Purpose, and Knowing When to Shift Gears

#WarriorEthos #LiveWithPurpose #InnerWarrior #MissionDrivenLife #PostTraumaticGrowth #TraumaToTriumph #HealingJourney #RiseAboveTrauma #MindBodyWarrior
🎙️ Season 5, Episode 2 – "Living the Warrior Ethos: Manifesting Strength with Purpose and Integrity"
In this compelling episode, Matt and Mike dive deeper into what it truly means to live the Warrior Ethos—not as a concept, but as a way of life. They explore the intersection of purpose, responsibility, and service, sharing powerful reflections on their own military experiences and how the ethos manifests through Warriors’ Ascent’s mission.
Whether it's transforming trauma into strength, showing up for others, or doing the inner work of healing, this episode challenges you to live with intentionality, align with your values, and lead with integrity—on and off the battlefield of life.

Healing Through Mentorship: Female Warriors Share Their Journey

#WarriorsAscentPodcast #WarriorSisterhood #FemaleVeteransHealing #PTSDRecoveryJourney #MentorshipMatters #CohortHealing #VeteranSupport #PostTraumaticGrowth #TraumaToTriumph #HealingIsPossible #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealthHealing #RestWithoutShame
🎙️ Season 5, Episode 3 – “Mentorship, Healing & the Warrior Sisterhood”
In this moving episode recorded live at the Heartland Retreat Center, hosts Mike Kenny and Matt Hastings sit down with Nicole and Kim, two graduates-turned-mentors from Warriors’ Ascent’s all-female Cohort 54. Now back to guide others through the program, they share how their journeys through trauma, transformation, and self-discovery have reshaped their lives—and the lives of those around them.
Together, they explore what makes Warriors’ Ascent unique: rest without shame, safe spaces for vulnerability, breathing techniques for anxiety, and a mission-driven identity that empowers veterans and first responders to heal and thrive. They also unpack the power of peer mentorship and the lasting impact of building a tribe where women can be seen, heard, and supported.
From surviving suicide loss and childhood trauma to rediscovering purpose and calm, this episode is a call to action for anyone questioning whether healing is possible. It is.