In this episode, we have the honor of speaking with Brian Slade, a decorated military veteran who has served in both the Army and the Air Force. Brian has flown combat missions in Afghanistan and is the author of the new book “Cleared Hot: Lessons Learned about Life, Love, and Leadership While Flying the Apache Gunship in Afghanistan and Why I Believe a Prepared Mind Can Help Minimize PTSD.” In this conversation, Brian shares his insights on how to prepare your mind to help you fight and find success in whatever you do.

Military Background

Brian Slade shares that he has been in the military for over 30 years and has held command positions in the Army and Air Force. He has received numerous awards and decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and fourteen combat air medals. He currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel for Air Force Combat Search and Rescue. Brian talks about the challenges of being in combat and how it can take a toll on a person’s mental health.

Cleared Hot

Brian’s book “Cleared Hot” is about his experiences flying the Apache Gunship in Afghanistan and the lessons he learned about life, love, and leadership. He talks about the importance of being a positive deviant and how that mindset helped him to succeed in combat. Brian also shares his thoughts on the impact of trauma and pain on our lives and how we can learn to navigate these difficult times.

Trauma and Pain

Brian Slade shares his insights on trauma and pain and how they can affect our lives. He talks about how war trauma and relationship trauma can have similar effects on our minds and bodies. He emphasizes the importance of seeking help and finding ways to cope with these experiences. Brian also shares his thoughts on what to do if you’re “stuck” in a trauma and how to move forward.

Gaining from Your Difficult Times

Brian talks about how we can gain from our difficult times and use them as opportunities to learn and grow. He shares his experience of “embracing the suck” and using the difficulties he faced in combat as opportunities for personal and professional growth. Brian encourages us to adopt a similar mindset and find ways to turn our difficulties into opportunities for growth and development.

Difficulty as an Opportunity

In the final part of our conversation, Brian Slade emphasizes the importance of seeing difficulty as an opportunity. He shares his thoughts on how we can prepare our minds to handle difficult situations and find success in whatever we do. Brian encourages us to stay positive, embrace the challenges we face, and find ways to grow and learn from our experiences.

Conclusion

Brian Slade’s insights on preparing your mind for success are valuable for anyone looking to find success in their personal or professional life. His experiences in combat and his perspectives on trauma and pain provide valuable lessons on how to navigate difficult times and find opportunities for growth. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from Brian’s experiences and we hope that his insights will help you prepare your mind for success.

Show resources:

Cleared Hot book

Cleared Hot website

Sponsors:

Jeremy Clevenger Fitness

The Sasquatch Flag Company

The Fraternity of Excellence