Join Frankie for an unforgettable conversation with Sebastian Edwards-Beech — a former member of the prestigious Household Cavalry who served on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. From the intensity of active duty to the challenges of finding purpose in civilian life, Sebastian shares his deeply personal journey with honesty and heart. Hear how he faced mental health battles head-on and turned his experiences into a force for good through his incredible work with NAAFI Break CIC, supporting fellow veterans in their return to everyday life.
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Join Frankie as he delves into the intriguing world of espionage with former intelligence operative and author Gavin Stone. Discover the secrets behind covert operations, the challenges of private investigations, and the art of storytelling that brings these experiences to life. Whether you're fascinated by spycraft or curious about the life of a private investigator, this episode offers a captivating glimpse into a world of intrigue and adventure.
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Frankie sits down with Steve Jones MBE, a distinguished veteran of the British Army’s Royal Artillery, for an honest and captivating conversation about life in and after the military.
From tours in Afghanistan to his posting at NATO Headquarters, Steve shares first-hand stories from the front line and behind the scenes — revealing what it’s really like to serve Queen and Country in some of the world’s toughest environments.
He opens up about the camaraderie, the discipline, and the challenges of leaving the Army behind — offering an unfiltered look at the realities of transitioning to civilian life after years in service.
Whether you’ve worn the uniform yourself or simply want to understand what drives those who do, this episode is packed with grit, heart, and insight into one of Britain’s proudest professions.
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What does it take to come back stronger after failure? Pasha Monroe knows. Raised in Scunthorpe, he joined the Royal Marines, faced defeat during SBS selection, and refused to let it define him. Instead, he transformed it into fuel — mastering the Mountain Leaders course and returning to achieve the impossible. Join Frankie's Pod as Pasha shares the mindset, moments, and meaning behind his extraordinary journey.
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In Episode 94, Frankie sits down with Gina Ginelli—Royal Signals veteran, globetrotter, and award-winning inspiration.
From competing for England in Alpine Skiing to serving in the Army Ski Team, and later raising over £250,000 for veterans and cancer charities through endurance challenges—including a 5,200-mile walking mission—Gina’s story is one of service, resilience, and purpose beyond the uniform.
Tune in for a powerful conversation about life in the military, the transition to veteran life, and the extraordinary drive that keeps Gina moving forward.
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In this powerful episode, we sit down with Veterans into Logistics founder Darren Wright, who once served with 21 Air Assault (Gibraltar 1779–1783) Battery, Royal Artillery. Darren shares the deeply personal story of losing his close military friend, Jamie Doyle, in 2018—just months after Jamie left the Army. That loss became the spark that inspired Darren to create Veterans into Logistics, a charity dedicated to supporting ex-military personnel as they transition into civilian life.
Darren opens up about his own struggles adjusting after service, the importance of meaningful employment for veterans, and how HGV driver training is transforming lives. From tackling homelessness and unemployment to restoring confidence and purpose, this conversation shines a light on why logistics is more than just a career path—it’s a lifeline.
In this compelling episode, join Frankie as he sits down with world champion master's cyclist David LeGrys. Dive into David's journey from a young cyclist inspired by Olympic dreams to a seasoned athlete navigating the highs and lows of competitive sports. Discover how mental health challenges, including dark thoughts and reckless behaviour, shaped his path and led him to explore neuro-linguistic programming as a tool for personal growth and coaching others. This episode offers a raw and honest look at the intersection of mental health and sports, revealing the resilience and determination required to overcome life's hurdles. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that sheds light on the power of mindset in achieving greatness.
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From the RAF to world-class health consultancy — Cain Leathem’s journey is all about discipline, knowledge, and redefining human performance.
In this episode, Frankie is joined by Cain Leathem — a veteran who proudly served with the RAF and is now one of Britain’s leading Exercise and Nutrition Consultants. As the founder of GB Fitness, Cain has spent more than 30 years helping everyone from complete beginners to elite international athletes unlock their full potential.
With expertise spanning biomechanics, endocrinology, nutrition, NLP, mental health, and clinical testing, Cain offers a holistic perspective on health and performance. He shares how his unique journey — from military service to international consultancy — shaped his mission to challenge mainstream health myths, empower individuals through education, and promote wellness in both life and the workplace.
Whether you’re an athlete, a business leader, or simply someone looking to cut through the noise of social media “experts,” this conversation will inspire you to rethink what optimal health really means.
At just 23, Colin MacLachlan became one of the youngest soldiers in two decades to join the SAS. From Iraq to Sierra Leone, he’s led hostage rescues, counter-terrorism operations, and some of the most dangerous missions on the planet. Now a TV personality on Who Dares Wins, Colin shares what it really takes to survive high-pressure situations, lead under fire, and transition from the battlefield to civilian life. A raw and gripping look into the secretive world of Special Forces.
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In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Frith, a former soldier from Tamworth who served with the Staffordshire Regiment. Anthony reflects on his military career, from his early deployment to Kosovo through to his tours of duty in Iraq, where he witnessed both the challenges of service and the devastating loss of comrades.
He shares powerful memories from July 2005, when three of his fellow soldiers—Pte Phillip Hewett, Pte Leon Spicer, and 2nd Lt Richard Shearer—were killed by a roadside bomb. Nearly two decades later, Anthony has channelled that experience into leading the campaign for the Staffordshire 3 Memorial in Tamworth, a lasting tribute to their sacrifice.
This conversation explores service, loss, resilience, and remembrance—charting Anthony’s journey from peacekeeping in Kosovo to the battlefields of Iraq, and finally to building a memorial that ensures his brothers in arms will never be forgotten.
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In this gripping episode, we delve into the extraordinary life of Chris Thrall, a former Royal Marines Commando whose journey from elite military service to the depths of addiction and the underworld of Hong Kong is nothing short of remarkable. After serving in the Northern Ireland Conflict and Arctic warfare, Chris left the military to seek fortune in Hong Kong. However, his path took a dark turn as he became homeless and addicted to crystal meth, eventually working for the notorious 14K triad as a nightclub doorman in the infamous Wan Chai district .
Chris's bestselling memoir, Eating Smoke, chronicles his descent into drug-induced psychosis and life within Hong Kong's criminal underworld. Despite the harrowing experiences, he found a way out, rebuilding his life through resilience and determination. Today, Chris is a bestselling author, adventurer, and motivational speaker, having traveled to over 80 countries across all seven continents, and completed extreme endurance feats like running an ultra-marathon a day for 37 days to raise awareness for veterans' mental health .
Join us as Chris shares his incredible story of transformation, offering insights into overcoming adversity, the importance of mental health, and the power of human resilience. Don't miss this inspiring conversation on Frankie's Pod.
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Podcast, Veterans, British Army, Veterans Stories
In this explosive episode, Frankie sits down with Dave Saben — a military veteran and former platoon commander during Australia’s involvement in Vietnam — for a raw, firsthand account of one of the most defining moments in Aussie military history: the Battle of Long Tan. With bullets raining, brutal conditions, and the odds stacked against them, hear how a band of young Australian soldiers faced a force of thousands — and what it took to survive. Saben pulls no punches, sharing the chaos, courage, and comradeship forged in the crucible of war. If you think you know Long Tan — think again. This is war as it's rarely told: up close, personal, and unforgettable. Join us as we honour veterans and their astonishing stories of bravery.
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Podcast, Veterans, British Army, Veterans Stories
In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Peter Watt, former Royal Navy Deckhand and a leading member of the Hebburn Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club. Peter takes us back to his roots in Jarrow, sharing stories of growing up in the North East before setting sail with the Navy.
He opens up about life at sea, the lessons learned, and the challenges faced — both during service and after. Peter also shares how the Veterans Breakfast Club became a lifeline for connection, support, and purpose, and why it’s more important now than ever.
A powerful conversation about service, identity, and the bonds that last long after the uniform comes off.
Don't forget you can help the channel by buying me a virtual coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/frankiespodOr support me via PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Frank...Closing music by Julie Cooper of The Last Post memorial bar/ museum & Hub. (Aka The Don Bar). / 125823604219204
Podcast, Veterans, British Army, Veterans Stories
In this episode of Frankie’s Pod, Frankie sits down with Paul Shilling, a former soldier with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR) and the founder of Operation Jackdaw — a wild camping experience for veterans near Canterbury, Kent. Paul shares stories from his military career, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and how the outdoors became a lifeline for him and fellow veterans. Hear how a love for wild camping grew into a monthly retreat where ex-military and serving personnel find connection, peace, and purpose under the stars.https://www.operationjackdaw.co.uk/Don't forget you can help the channel by buying me a virtual coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/frankiespodOr support me via PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Frank...Closing music by Julie Cooper of The Last Post memorial bar/ museum & Hub. (Aka The Don Bar). / 125823604219204 Podcast, Veterans, British Army, Veterans Stories
Strap in for an unforgettable conversation with Gareth Jones—a man forged in the hills of Brecon, tested in the ranks of the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), and hardened in the prison service. But Gareth’s story doesn’t end there. Today, he's the driving force behind Bulldogs Boxing Community Wales, where he's turning blood, sweat, and years of frontline experience into real change for young people through the power of boxing. We talk military life, the raw reality of the prison system, and how he's now fighting a different kind of battle—one for community, mental health, and second chances. This episode is gritty, inspiring, and packed with heart. Don’t miss it.Learn more about the Bulldog Boxing Community
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In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Frankie sits down with Claire Aves — athlete, survivor, and winner of Who Dares Wins — to talk resilience, healing, and the life-changing role sport played in her recovery.
Claire opens up about the darkest chapter of her life: leaving home at 17, enduring nearly three years of mental and physical abuse, and the painful isolation that followed. She shares how escaping that relationship at 19 became the first step in rebuilding her life and self-worth — a journey that would eventually lead her to discover strength, purpose, and victory through sport.
Now a force to be reckoned with, Claire reflects on what it truly means to overcome and how pushing the limits of both body and mind helped her reclaim her identity.
This is an emotional and inspiring conversation you don’t want to miss.
In this episode, I sit down with Lewis Manalo and Matt Patak — military veterans turned AAA game developers and Co-Founders of an exciting new studio.
Lewis Manalo served in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne, and has written for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon, Dying Light 2, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt, Exoborne, and more.
Matt Patak served in Iraq with the Third Infantry Division, and has been a level designer on Tom Clancy’s The Division 1 & 2, Ryse: Son of Rome, Exoborne, and others.
We dive deep into their time in the military, the challenges and lessons from deployment, and how those real-world experiences inform their approach to storytelling, design, and leadership in game development.
They also share a first look into their upcoming video game project — a game shaped by personal history, creative fire, and battlefield authenticity.
Whether you're into military stories, behind-the-scenes game dev, or the human side of creativity — this one’s not to be missed.
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This week on Frankie's Pod, we dive deep with a man whose story redefines resilience. Steve joined the army at just 16, driven by a mission to make a difference. But nothing could prepare him for the moment he watched tragedy unfold before his eyes—powerless to stop it. That moment changed everything.
Haunted by the weight of inaction, Steve spiraled into a battle with his mental health. But instead of letting it define him, he chose to fight back. Now, he’s on a mission to help others do the same—whether you're an entrepreneur, a public servant, or simply someone searching for more.
In this powerful conversation, Steve shares how he turned pain into purpose, and why he believes the key to lasting motivation isn’t hype—but focus, grit, and believing you’re worth the fight. His signature talk, “Worth Fighting For,” has moved audiences across the country—and today, he’s bringing that raw, unfiltered truth to the pod.
If you’ve ever felt like giving up—or wondered how to keep going when everything around you is falling apart—this episode is your lifeline.
In this powerful episode of Frankie’s Pod, I sit down with Mark Ormrod – former Royal Marine, Invictus Games athlete, author, motivational speaker, and an incredible example of human resilience. Mark shares the raw and inspiring story of his journey: from growing up and choosing to join one of the world’s toughest military units, to enduring the unimaginable after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan — an explosion that cost him both legs and an arm.
We dive into what Royal Marines training was really like, relive the day that changed his life forever, and explore his mindset during the long road to recovery. Mark opens up about the physical and mental battles he faced, how he rebuilt his life, and the powerful purpose driving his future plans.
This is not just a story about survival — it’s about grit, courage, and the relentless pursuit of a meaningful life after trauma.
In this episode of Frankier’s Pod, we sit down with Roy Fitzgerald, a veteran whose military journey spans decades, continents, and disciplines. Roy takes us back to where it all began—joining the Royal Artillery in 1988 and training at Woolwich before serving in 4 RA. From working the guns to shifting into artillery intelligence, Roy recounts the realities of life in the regiment, including candid reflections on the culture, challenges, and the often-unspoken issue of bullying.
He shares his experience serving in remote locations like Benbecula and his transition to the Intelligence Corps, where he continued to serve in key postings around the world. Later, he returned to the Royal Artillery with 104 Regiment, spending 12 years in the Regular Reserve, before stepping into a transformative role at HQ Field Army. There, as Command Sergeant Major in the Transform Branch, Roy took on a powerful mandate: "Telling the Truth Under Power."
Post-military life saw him step into global security work, including a significant role at the British Consulate in Kiev.
This episode is a raw, honest, and insightful look at leadership, integrity, transformation—and what it means to serve with purpose at every stage.