
In Part 2 of our raw, unfiltered conversation, Tom Bown opens up about what came after the uniform.
He talks candidly about the slow onset of depression, what it looked like to spiral silently, and how shame, ego, and fear of being seen as “broken” nearly took his life. It’s heavy—but what follows is the real power of this episode.
Tom shares how he began rebuilding, how therapy and accountability changed his path, and why he launched The Origin Initiative—a no-BS platform for sharing experience, building capacity, and helping others who wear the uniform feel less alone.
💬 Topics include:
Why his depression didn’t “look” like he thought it would
The myths we tell ourselves about mental toughness
What the system got wrong—and what people got right
How he turned his story into something that helps others
🎧 If you missed Part 1, start there. This is the other half of the story—and one that could make a difference for someone you know.
You can find more about Tom here:
The Origin Initiative – ORIGIN K9
Music thanks to:
These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD
Thanks to our sponsor:
SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap
Discount code 'BADGE10'
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