Episode 202: Tom Spooner 82nd Airborne, Green Beret, Delta Force
In this conversation, Tom Spooner shares his remarkable journey from a soldier in combat to a voice for healing among veterans. He discusses his early life, the challenges he faced growing up, and how his military career shaped him. Spooner opens up about his struggles with alcoholism, the turning point of getting sober, and the importance of therapy in his emotional healing. He also delves into the complexities of moral grief and the cost of war, emphasizing the need for open discussions about mental health in the military. In this conversation, Tom Spooner shares his journey from military service to founding Warrior's Heart, a rehabilitation center for veterans and first responders. He reflects on the emotional toll of combat, the importance of mental health, and the unique approach of Warrior's Heart in healing warriors through peer support and nature. Tom emphasizes the significance of community, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and the fulfillment he finds in helping others recover from trauma.
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00:00 Introduction to Tom Spooner's Journey
01:55 Early Life and Military Aspirations
05:12 The Impact of Family and Environment
08:01 Military Career Beginnings and Challenges
11:03 Experiences in Combat and Personal Growth
13:57 Reflections on War and Self-Identity
16:55 Transitioning to Special Forces
20:01 The Role of Self-Worth in Military Success
23:06 Desert Storm: First Combat Experience
25:58 Memorable Moments from the Gulf War
28:48 Personal Struggles and Alcoholism
31:55 The Decision to Get Sober and Its Impact
36:16 Struggles with Alcohol and Military Life
38:53 Turning Point: Seeking Help and AA
41:23 The Journey of Sobriety and Self-Discovery
46:55 Admitting Vulnerability and Emotions
55:37 Therapy and Processing Trauma
01:00:28 Moral Grief and the Cost of War
01:14:41 The Weight of Choices in Combat
01:17:16 The Journey to Special Forces
01:21:28 The Impact of 9/11 on Military Careers
01:26:22 Stepping into the Shadow of Giants
01:30:05 First Combat Experience: A New Reality
01:36:19 Comparing Combat Experiences: Iraq vs. Afghanistan
01:38:07 Understanding the Bigger Picture of War
01:42:43 The Reality of Being a Number in the Military
01:48:01 Maintaining Humanity in the Face of Adversity
01:51:23 Memorable Moments in Delta Force Training
01:52:23 Navigating Personal Challenges During Training
01:56:36 The Impact of Military Service on Family Life
01:59:27 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
02:04:32 The Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery
02:08:21 Warrior's Heart: A Unique Approach to Recovery
02:15:29 Transformative Experiences at Warrior's Heart
02:21:22 The Future of Warrior's Heart and Community Support
02:27:47 NOMADIC COMMERCIAL 2.mp4
INTRO and OUTRO music written,performed, and provided by the band Rattle Root. Check them out below.
Tom Spooner
Co-Founder of Warriors Heart
Tom Spooner is a U.S. Army veteran with 21 years of service, 12 deployments, and 40 months in combat. From the Gulf War to Delta Force operations post-9/11, Tom has spent his life on the front lines—both in battle and in recovery.
After struggling with alcohol early in his military career, Tom got sober in 1992 and remained on a path of personal healing while continuing to serve in elite Special Forces units. But after years of physical injuries, traumatic brain injury, and emotional struggles, he hit a breaking point. Like many warriors, Tom came home—but wasn’t fully home.
Thanks to a fellow warrior who refused to let him suffer in silence, Tom finally got the help he needed. That moment changed his mission.
Today, Tom is the Co-Founder of Warriors Heart, the first and only private treatment center in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to active military, veterans, and first responders struggling with addiction, PTSD, and mild TBI. Located in Bandera, Texas, Warriors Heart is a safe place where warriors can heal with dignity—surrounded by a team who’s walked the same path.
Tom’s message is simple but urgent: We’re losing more warriors at home than we are in combat. That’s not acceptable. We must bring them home—fully.
