#67 From Soldier to Civilian: The Journey of Transition with John Stephenson
In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I talk with John Stephenson, author of The Making of a Hunter: A Service User's Guide to Transition from the Armed Forces and Managing Director of Forces Transition Group. John reached the rank of Sergeant Major in the Army before founding an award-winning organisation that helps thousands of military and blue light personnel transition smoothly from service life to civilian careers.
Our conversation explores the powerful transformation from service to civilian life and the identity shift that comes with leaving the military. John shares the story behind his compelling slogan 'Serve Well, Leave Well & Flourish', unpacks his framework of three types of people facing transition, the Sleepwalker, the Hoper, and the Hunter, and reveals why mindset is the foundation of everything.
"You've got to take ownership. Nobody's going to do it for you. You can sit there and wait, but actually, if you want something, go and get it. Be proactive."
In this episode:
"Everything starts with mindset. If you haven't got the rightmindset, you're not going to move forward. Positivity, self-awareness, and compassion - they're the three things that underpin everything."
The conversation delves into the five fundamentals to success, the importance of community support through partnerships like Scotty's Little Soldiers and the Shine a Light Initiative, and practical advice for anyone navigating major life changes. Whether you're leaving the armed forces or facing a significant transition, this conversation offers wisdom to help you move forward with purpose and confidence.
Connect with John
To learn more about the training, coaching and services provided to military service leaders, or to enquire about business or charitable collaborations, please get in touch with John.
"The skills that you've got from the military are transferable. You've just got to understand what they are and how to articulate them. Don't undervalue yourself."
Also mentioned in this podcast:
Podcast Chapters
00:00 Introduction to John Stevenson and His Work
08:52 The Importance of Transitioning Well
14:31 Understanding the Sleepwalker, Hoper, and Hunter
25:36 The Five Fundamentals of Transitioning
30:35 Empowering Military Candidates
33:14 Mastering Interview Skills
36:22 Financial Literacy for Veterans
37:13 Community Support and Partnerships
43:31 The Journey to Authorship
48:49 Engaging the Next Generation
51:28 Future Plans and Collaborations
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