Episode 217: From "Wookie" to Guardian: Green Beret Travis Wilson on Loss, Ego, and Healing the Brain
What happens when the legend of “Wookie”—the 6’3” Green Beret who outworks everyone, jumps out of planes for fun, and lives hard on and off the battlefield—collides with reality, loss, and a broken body?
In this episode, Travis “Wookie” Wilson sits down with DJ to unpack a 21-year Army career, including 13 years in Special Forces, and the moments that nearly destroyed him—and then remade him.We walk through:-Growing up the son of an Air Force pararescueman and an Air Force nurse-Being immature, selfish, and ego-driven as a young soldier “playing GI Joe” around the world-The death of his infant son and the collapse of his first marriage—and how he didn’t show up for her the way he now wishes he had-Choosing the enlisted Green Beret path and finding real brotherhood on an ODA-The firefight where a teammate was shot in the chest and Travis, an 18E—not a medic—slid in under fire and saved his life while doubting every move-The free-fall accident that broke his back, rattled his brain, and quietly pulled the pin on his identity-A divorce that left him staring down a shotgun, calling himself a “piece of shit” in the mirror, and wondering if it would be easier to end it-Wrestling with faith, ego, and Mr. Hyde—the guy who destroys everything while the hero part of you goes to war and plays guardian-How brain treatment, stem cells, and deliberate work on himself turned his stutter, tremor, anger, and shame into empathy, purpose, and a new mission-Why he believes some guys don’t ask for help—they just “ride the lightning”—and what he’s doing to stop that
Today, Travis is:-Founder of Alpha Elite Performance (health, fitness, performance)-Founder of Project Recon, a nonprofit focused on regenerative healing, stem cells, and brain health for SOF and first responders-A man who openly calls himself a “different guy” than the ego-driven Wookie his mom once overheard girls talking about in the standsThis is a conversation about maturity, loss, faith, and becoming a guardian instead of a wrecking ball—for your team, your family, and yourself.Connect with Travis WilsonProject Recon: https://projectrecon.orgAlpha Elite Performance: https://alphaeliteperformance.comInstagram – Travis: @traviswilsongreenberetInstagram – Project Recon: @projectreconConnect with DJ & the DTD PodcastWebsite (One Stop Shop): https://dtdpodcast.netYouTube: Dynamic Tales Delivered Podcast – The DTD PodcastInstagram: @thedtd_podcastFacebook: The DTD PodcastPresented by Nomadic ResearchBig thanks to Hoot and the team at Nomadic Research. If you want to look squared away—from packs and travel gear to hats, shirts, and hoodies—check out: https://nomadicresearch.com
Tell them DTD sent you.
INTRO and OUTRO music written,performed, and provided by the band Rattle Root. Check them out below.
