⚠️ Warning: Contains discussion of extreme violence, sexual assault and trauma. Listener discretion advised.

At just 12 years old, Dave Pounds woke in the night to face the unimaginable. He witnessed the aftermath of his mother’s brutal murder — an experience that changed the course of his life forever.

The next morning, he went to school as if nothing had happened. For decades, he carried that trauma in silence, battling PTSD, alcohol dependence, and the weight of grief that no child should ever endure.

After more than 30 failed therapies, Dave reached breaking point before finally discovering that strength and recovery come from within.

Today, he is the founder of Design For Life, a speaker and coach teaching others what he calls true resilience — rebuilding your life from the inside out.

This episode of Beyond the Battlefield is one of the most powerful and emotional yet. It’s a story of trauma, survival and the power of the human spirit to rebuild after unimaginable loss.

🎧 Beyond the Battlefield gives veterans, leaders, and everyday people a voice to share stories of resilience, recovery and strength through adversity.

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The Holistic Approach to Health, Wellness & Performance.

#DavePounds #BeyondTheBattlefield #Resilience #TraumaSurvivor #PTSD #MentalHealthAwareness #Healing #AddictionRecovery #TrueResilience #WarriorWellnessMovement

When Helping Others Breaks You – Aaron Clark’s Burnout Story

Aaron Clark built something powerful a not-for-profit organisation called Mental Health Muscle that was changing lives across the UK.

What started as a mission to support others quickly exploded beyond anything Aaron imagined. At its peak, Mental Health Muscle was impacting tens of thousands of people and attracting thousands of messages every single week. But behind the scenes, Aaron was unravelling.

The pace was relentless. The responsibility was overwhelming.
And as the pressure mounted, Aaron’s own mental health collapsed. What began as passion turned into exhaustion, anxiety, and a complete burnout. It was a moment of truth: continue and risk everything, or step away and save his health.

In this raw and honest conversation, Aaron shares:

The rise of Mental Health Muscle and its powerful impact

The hidden cost of success and helping others

The signs of burnout he ignored and the consequences

How his breakdown changed his life and priorities

Why protecting your health is non-negotiable, no matter the mission

Aaron’s story is a cautionary tale for anyone driven by purpose and a powerful reminder that you cannot pour from an empty cup.

🎙 Beyond the Battlefield is now streaming on all major podcast platforms and YouTube.

📲 Subscribe now so not to miss any early releases or new episodes
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The Holistic Approach to Health, Wellness & Performance.

#AaronClark #MentalHealthMuscle #Burnout #BeyondTheBattlefield #MentalHealthAwareness #BurnoutRecovery #Leadership #HelpingOthers #Resilience #Wellness

Zane McCormack knows what it means to hit breaking point.

Raised in New Zealand, Zane moved to the UK to play rugby before joining the UK Police. For years he faced the relentless strain of frontline policing — trauma, stress, and pressure few outside the uniform ever see.

Eventually, it caught up with him. Zane suffered a severe health crash, blacking out for days at a time and losing all memory of what happened. What he now understands as burnout almost cost him everything.

In this conversation, Zane talks openly about:

• The hidden mental health toll of policing
• The experience of saving someone’s life, only to later question his own
• How constant stress and public criticism push officers to the edge
• His journey back to health and life after service

Today, Zane has turned his pain into purpose. He is now a Burnout Prevention Coach, helping others recognise the signs, prevent collapse, and rebuild resilience.

This is a story about service, sacrifice, and the silent battles behind the badge.