Turbo pulls no punches as he takes us on a raw journey from the battlefield to the breakroom, from combat boots to cubicles.

This episode is a full-spectrum conversation about what it really feels like to transition from military life to civilian life, and why it’s so damn hard for many of us.

We kick things off with simple, field-tested mental health tools—like the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique—and real talk about stigma, silence, and survival. You’ll hear the gut-wrenching stories of veterans who came back from war but nearly didn’t make it through the quiet.

From Sergeant Mike’s breaking point to the healing that begins with humor, Turbo reminds us that asking for help doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human. But this episode goes deeper. We shine a light on families trying to hold it together. On allies in the workforce and in classrooms who want to help but don’t always know how.

You’ll get practical steps for employers and educators to become veteran-ready, not just veteran-friendly. And we close by calling the community to action.

One voice, one connection, can save a life.

Living After the War Within

Turbo is joined by Michael Carmichael (President & CEO of Check A Vet) and Robert Peterson (veteran and winner of the Brantley Gilbert guitar raffle) for a raw and honest conversation about the invisible wounds veterans carry—and the importance of community in the healing process.

Together, they dive into:

• Spotting the Wounds No One Sees: From PTSD and MST to hypervigilance and disassociation—why recognizing signs early matters.

• The Birth of “Team Room”: A grassroots, veteran-led initiative built on trust, routine, and camaraderie—not bureaucracy.

• Survivor Skills for Civilian Life: Real-world tips for navigating VA benefits, education programs, and finding purpose after the uniform.

• Family in the Fight: How service impacts spouses, children, and parents—and why we must support them too. Robert shares the heart-wrenching story of losing his veteran sister to suicide and the regrets that still linger. Michael opens up about his own journey after 11 combat tours.

Through it all, they deliver a shared message: You are not broken. You are not alone. And healing is possible.

🎶 Plus, we feature tracks from Die Tired and John Major, a veteran and rising country music artist with a heart for the mission.

💥 This is one of our most emotional, inspiring, and important episodes yet. Don’t miss it.

The Fight After the Formation

You wore the uniform. You followed the orders. You completed the mission.

But what happens after the formation breaks?

In Episode 2 of Check A Vet Nation, Turbo dives into the often unseen battles veterans face after service — and how families, employers, educators, and everyday Americans can be part of the solution.

This episode is for: Active-duty warriors managing mental stress in silence Transitioning vets struggling to find purpose in civilian life Families trying to support their veteran without losing themselves Leaders who want to do more than say “thank you” — they want to show up

Segment Breakdown:

00:00 – Mental Health in the Ranks

15:00 – Life After the Uniform: Transitioning Travis & Family Supporter Sarah

30:00 – Veteran-Ready Workplaces and Classrooms 45:00 – The Movement Starts With You: Community and Advocacy

Key Topics: Tactical mental health tips for service members Navigating VA benefits and identity loss How to support veteran students and new hires Building backyard communities and pushing for policy change

If you’re a vet, love a vet, or want to make a difference — this episode is for you.

Mike Turbyfill sits down with Michael Carmichael, founder and CEO of Check A Vet, to announce and discuss the merger of ‪@itsaveteranslife‬ with Check A Vet.

Michael shares the deeply personal story that led him to create Check A Vet, emphasizing the need for meaningful, routine connection among veterans to prevent isolation and suicide.

Mike and Michael dive into how their shared values, lived experiences, and passion for veteran advocacy naturally brought their missions together.

They discuss the importance of mentorship, the impact of community support, and how storytelling will play a crucial role in educating, inspiring, and saving lives.

From building Team Room to launching new initiatives like Safe House, they paint a vision for a future where veterans and their supporters are truly empowered.

Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or a supporter, this episode lays the foundation for an exciting new chapter in veteran suicide prevention and holistic healing.

Turbo sits down with Robin Hoon, Director of Medical Evidence at Trajector Medical, and Michael Carmichael to discuss how veterans can finally break through the VA disability system using the power of medical evidence.

Robin shares how Trajector grew from a single nurse practitioner helping veterans out of her VA office to the largest company in the world providing medical evidence for VA claims, now helping 7,000–10,000 veterans a month.

We break down:

✅ How Trajector’s nurse-led evaluations uncover service-connected conditions

✅ Why non-combat PTSD is more common than you think

✅ The truth about military sexual trauma (MST) and unreported incidents

✅ How buddy statements can make or break your claim

✅ Transparent flat-fee pricing vs. shady back-pay models

✅ When to try a VSO and when to call in the big guns

Whether you’re stuck at 0%, 50%, or already at 90% and don’t know what’s next—this is the inside info you need.

📌 Get help or learn more: https://www.trajectormedical.com

Why We Still Serve - Finding Purpose After the Uniform

On this episode of Check A Vet Nation, Turbo goes solo with a powerful message: The mission doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Whether you’re a retired E7 or just out of boot camp, this episode is for every vet searching for purpose in the civilian world. Hear real stories. Learn how to serve again — in your own way. And maybe, just maybe, find your next mission.

Check a Vet Nation episode 1

this episode is all about how ‪@itsaveteranslife‬ and Check A Vet joined together to amplify veterans stories.