In this episode, Toni sits down with Joe Collins, Bill Mazur, and Josh Vadell of Sentinel Resilience Solutions for an honest conversation about the human side of service—the part most people never see.

Together, they explore why asking for help can be so difficult, what real resilience looks like, and why healing often begins long before a crisis. They share practical insights about trust, leadership, recovery, and the simple things that help people find hope again.

Whether you're a first responder, veteran, healthcare professional, leader, or simply someone carrying more than you've let on, this conversation is a reminder that you were never meant to carry life's weight alone.

Joe, Bill, and Josh will also be joining us at this year's Strength in Service Summit, where they'll continue these important conversations in person.  

In this conversation, Toni sits down with Pastor Paul Berthiaume, Lead Pastor of Jacob's Well Church in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, for an honest conversation about three things that shape every one of us, and our journey of change and healing:

Our mindset. Our honesty. And our environment.

Together, they explore why the stories we tell ourselves matter, why honesty is often the first courageous step toward healing, and how the people and environments we choose can either help us grow...or quietly hold us back.

Pastor Paul also shares two simple but powerful ideas that will stay with you long after our conversation ends: The Power of Replacement and the truth that healthy things grow.

Whether you're feeling stuck, searching for hope, or simply trying to become a healthier version of yourself, you'll find practical wisdom, biblical truth, and encouragement you can begin applying today.

Pastor Paul will also be joining us again this year at the Strength in Service Summit, where he'll continue encouraging veterans, first responders, their families, and our entire community.

Because healthy things grow.

Today on Live the Life, you’ll meet a guy with a beard, a guitar, and a story that’ll surprise you.

Singer-songwriter and The Voice finalist Chris Kroeze talks growing up in a town of 2,000, playing to millions on national TV, and why he keeps coming back to his roots—serving veterans, writing raw music, and staying grounded. It’s funny, real, and full of heart.

Today on Live the Life, we’re sitting down with Dr. Kevin Schultz—chiropractor and founder of Foundational Health—to talk about what it really takes to build lasting wellness from the ground up. For over two decades, Dr. Kevin has helped thousands of patients not just relieve pain, but reclaim their health through smart nutrition, lifestyle shifts, and proactive care. 

In this conversation, he shares why preventing disease starts long before a diagnosis, and how small, daily choices can create a strong foundation for the life you want to live. You won’t want to miss even a moment of this!!

She never fired a shot—but the world called her a hero. Soldier, veteran, and former POW Jessica Lynch sets the record straight and reflects on the kind of strength that doesn’t always make the news: staying grounded in truth, honoring the fallen, and finding resilience in the aftermath. This one’s about grit, grace, and the power of never giving up.

It pulls together the stories, struggles, and soul work we’ve shared so far. It’s about what happens next. After the identity crisis. After the hard questions. After the quiet rebuilding begins.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Where do I go from here?”—this episode is for you.

We’ll revisit the truths you’ve uncovered and the strength you’ve earned. And we’ll leave you with a powerful reminder: you’re not starting over. You’re stepping forward—with clarity, courage, and God walking with you every step of the way.

This isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of something stronger.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• A powerful message of strength from within—spoken like your own voice
• An unexpected invitation to see yourself through a lens of holy resilience
• A reminder that your progress matters, even when it’s messy
• Practical ways to keep moving forward with grace and grit

Three Ways to Keep Going:

1. 365 Strong: Grace. Grit. God.
A free new resource—365 Strong offers daily anchors of encouragement. Short, soul-filling reminders to help you stay grounded and growing.
Soon to be released first to Toni’s Circle.

2. Explore More at ToniMattson.com
Find upcoming events, tools, and training built to support your journey—no matter where you are on it.
Visit: www.ToniMattson.com

3. Join Us for the Strength in Service Summit (Oct. 3–4)
Held at Trinity Equestrian Center, this two-day experience is designed to refuel veterans, first responders, and those who support them. You’ll leave encouraged, equipped, and connected.
Registration now open. Seats are limited.

Resources for the Road (Updated List)

• Book: Unlikely Recruits by Toni Mattson
  Real stories of veterans who found healing through horses—and the unlikely grace God used to reach them. Available at ToniMattson.com
• WoVeN (Women Veterans Network)
  A national peer-support network connecting women who’ve served. Authentic conversations, community, and care.
  👉 www.wovenwomenvets.org
• Veteran Sisters
  Grassroots community by and for women veterans—retreats, local meetups, and real talk.
  👉 www.veteransisters.org
• Veteran Wellness Program at Trinity Equestrian Center
  Free equine-assisted therapy sessions for veterans and their families. Grounded. Relational. Life-changing.
  👉 www.trinity-ec.com
• The Pink Berets
  Focused mental health and support resources specifically for women veterans, active duty, and first responders.
  👉 www.thepinkberets.org
• VA Women Veterans Call Center
  Free, confidential support line just for women vets—staffed by women who get it.
  📞 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636)
  👉 www.womenshealth.va.gov
• Veterans Yoga Project
  Trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness practices for nervous system healing. Online and in-person classes.
  👉 www.veteransyogaproject.org
• Make the Connection
  Real stories from vets. Searchable by branch, era, or struggle—hear from others who’ve walked your road.
  👉 www.maketheconnection.net

In this episode, Toni speaks directly to the women who’ve tried the “right” things but still feel off. Therapy didn’t land. Group circles felt isolating. And the idea of “healing” seems more like a buzzword than a breakthrough.

Toni shares what she’s learned after walking 16+ years beside veterans who’ve battled trauma, identity loss, and the quiet ache of trying to feel whole again. Through raw insights and real stories—including one powerful encounter between a combat vet and a horse named Ellie—you’ll hear this truth loud and clear:

You’re not broken. You’re becoming.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why healing isn’t about following a formula—but following what feels true
• How to release shame over what didn’t work
• Why trying again is a sign of hope, not failure
• What it looks like to heal without pretending, performing, or fitting in

3 Small Steps You Can Take Right Now:

1. Name what hasn’t worked—without guilt.
   Saying “that wasn’t for me” is clarity, not quitting.
2. Get curious, not critical.
   Try something new—not to commit forever, but to explore what resonates.
3. Ask your body, not your brain.
   What feels like breath? What feels like burden? Start there.

From the pasture to the page…

Whether it’s boots, hooves, scripture, sweat, or silence—your healing path should feel like yours.
You don’t have to follow someone else’s journey to finally feel whole.
You’re not failing—you’re becoming.

Resources for the Road

If you're ready to try something different, here are some places to start:

• Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) – Peer-led support built for connection
  🔗 www.wovenwomenvets.org
• Equine Therapy Resources (EAGALA) – Find credentialed horse therapy near you
  🔗 www.eagala.org
• Trinity Equestrian Center – Trauma-informed veteran programs in Wisconsin
  🔗 www.trinity-ec.com
• ToniMattson.com – Explore podcast episodes, tools, and upcoming retreats
  🔗 www.tonimattson.com
• VA Whole Health Program – Holistic care options through the VA
  🔗 www.va.gov/wholehealth
• Give An Hour – Free mental health care for veterans and families
  🔗 www.giveanhour.org
• National Center for PTSD – Women Veterans Section
  🔗 www.ptsd.va.gov
• Peer Support Programs (Local) – Check with your local VA or Vet Center for women-specific peer-to-peer support options.

Final Reminder:

Your healing isn’t late.
Your path isn’t wrong.
And your way back doesn’t have to match hers.

You are brave beyond your service—and brave enough to heal your way.

She wore the uniform.
She stepped up. She showed up. She served.

So why—after all that—is she still questioned?
Still overlooked? Still mistaken for “the spouse”?
Why is her story minimized while her sacrifice goes unseen?

This episode was built from the voices of women like you—through surveys, stories, and sacred conversations. If you’ve ever felt invisible, dismissed, or underestimated because you’re a woman veteran… this episode will feel like a deep breath.

In this episode, Toni explores:

• What happens when the world can’t see past the stereotype?
• Why female veterans often have to fight to be taken seriously—after they served
• Real stories of strength, silence, and what it means to be seen
• The legacy of women warriors—including Toni’s WWII Army nurse mother
• How healing can begin when we stop waiting to be recognized—and start owning our story

Try This Today:

1. Own your service. Say it out loud. Claim it in your bio. Wear it like it counts—because it does.
2. Reconnect with your people. Reach out to one sister you served with—remind her she’s not alone.
3. Write down one moment you’re proud of. Not for anyone else—just to remind yourself what you’re made of.

Resources for the Road

• Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) – Advocacy and peer connection
• VA Women Veterans Program Managers – Find one at your local VA
• National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) – Support with discrimination or denied care
• Toni Mattson – Reach out at tonimattson.com or email toni@tonimattson.com
• Unlikely Recruits – Toni’s book sharing real stories of healing, purpose, and strength after service

This isn’t about proving your worth.
It’s about remembering it.

You are strong.
You are enough.
And your story is still being written.

She hung up the uniform and returned to the life she left behind… but nothing feels the same.
Not her routine. Not her relationships. Not even herself.

In this episode of Brave Beyond Service, we’re talking about what really happens when a woman comes home from military service—and realizes she’s not the same, and neither is the world she came back to.

From the unspoken pressure to “snap back,” to the guilt of not feeling grateful enough, we explore the quiet unraveling of reintegration—and why it takes more grace than grit to find your footing in a life that’s moved on without you.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why reintegration feels more like a collision than a return
• How invisible shifts in identity can leave you feeling out of place in your own life
• Real stories from women who came home and felt like strangers in their own homes
• What horses have taught us about softening, grounding, and healing without pretending
• Four small but powerful steps to start honoring who you are now

Guided Reflection:
Take a few deep breaths, get still, and ask yourself:
• What version of me are people expecting to see?
• What version of me feels most real right now?
• Where do those two selves collide—and how can I begin to honor both?

This episode won’t hand you neat answers.
 But it will give you space to start seeing yourself more clearly.

Special Invitation
Join us June 6–7 at Trinity Equestrian Center for the WDVA Women Veterans Retreat.
No cost. No pressure. Just soul-filling connection, truth-telling, and sisterhood.
Toni will be speaking on Who Am I Now?—and you’ll be surrounded by women who get it.

Resources for the Road
Support for navigating life after service and deep identity shifts:

• Toni’s Website & Free Tools — Tools, podcast episodes, retreat info, and more:
  🔗 www.tonimattson.com
• WDVA Women Veterans Retreat — June 6–7 at Trinity Equestrian Center:
  🔗 http://bit.ly/4c8xjuE
• Trinity Equestrian Center — Equine-assisted services for veterans and families:
  🔗 www.trinity-ec.com | ☎️ (715) 835-4530
• VA Vet Center — Confidential readjustment counseling:
  🔗 www.vetcenter.va.gov | ☎️ 1-877-WAR-VETS
• Cohen Veterans Network — Mental health support for post-9/11 veterans and families:
  🔗 www.cohenveteransnetwork.org
• Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) — Advocacy and support:
  🔗 www.servicewomen.org
• Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) — Peer support and connection:
  🔗 www.wovenwomenvets.org
• Military OneSource Transition Support — Help with employment, family, and transitions:
  🔗 www.militaryonesource.mil
• Blue Star Families — Community programs for military-connected families:
  🔗 www.bluestarfam.org
• The Headstrong Project — Free mental health care for veterans:
  🔗 www.theheadstrongproject.org

Recommended Reading:

• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• Homefront 911 by Stacy Bannerman
• Unlikely Recruits by Toni Mattson — 20 real stories of veterans finding healing through horses and faith

In this episode of Brave Beyond Service, we’re naming what so many female veterans carry silently—PTS, anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion—and the shame or stigma that tells you to keep quiet about it.

You’ll hear real stories from women who look strong on the outside but are unraveling inside. We’ll talk about the invisible pressure to smile through it, the fear of asking for help, and why healing doesn’t require you to tell your whole story—just to be honest about where you’re at.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why emotional and spiritual pain still gets minimized
• How trauma and transition show up long after service ends
• What it means to stop pretending and start healing
• Gentle, doable steps to begin releasing what you’ve been holding
• How horses, faith, and honesty can create space to exhale

Guided Reflection:

Grab a notebook or even the back of a receipt.
You don’t have to write it all—just start with one question that speaks to you:
• What have I been carrying that I haven’t named?
• What emotion have I been pushing down?
• What would it sound like if I gave myself permission to be honest—just for five minutes?

You’re not here to perform.
You’re here to heal. In your time, in your way.

This episode is raw, real, and full of permission:
To stop pretending.
To start telling the truth.
To finally breathe.

Because you are brave beyond your service—and brave enough to heal.

Resources for the Road: Episode 2

If you’re ready to take a next step—here are a few places to begin:

• VA Women’s Mental Health Services – Specific programs created just for women
• Vet Centers – Confidential, community-based support
• Wounded Warrior Project – Warrior Care Network – Trauma-informed care for PTS
• National Center for PTS – Women Veterans Section
• Trinity Equestrian Center – If horses are your way in, we’re here. You’re always welcome.

Or reach out to me directly at tonimattson.com or by email at toni@tonimattson.com

She served. She sacrificed. She took the uniform off.
And now she’s left wondering—Who am I without it?

This first episode of Brave Beyond Service kicks off the conversation so many female veterans are already having—quietly, internally, and often in isolation. It’s about the identity crisis that sneaks in after the mission ends. The part where life gets less structured, less clear, and a whole lot more silent.

If you’ve ever stood in your own kitchen and felt like a stranger in your own life…
If you’ve ever stared at the woman in the mirror and thought, “Where did I go?”
If you’ve wrestled with the fear that the strongest parts of you were left behind with your gear…

You are not alone.
And you are not broken.

This episode is the start of something honest, real, & deeply needed—a journey to help you reconnect with the woman behind the uniform, & the identity that’s still alive underneath it all.

In this episode, we explore:

• The silent unraveling that happens when structure and status fall away
• Why feeling lost after service isn’t failure—it’s the fallout of giving everything you had
• Real stories from the field—of women rebuilding from the inside out
• What horses have taught me about presence, identity, and healing
• Three small, powerful steps to reconnect with who you are (yes, starting today)

You can find resources, tools, and ways to connect with me at tonimattson.com.
While you’re there, check out my book Unlikely Recruits—20 real stories about how God enlists horses to help veterans heal.

And if this episode stirred something in you, I’d love to hear about it.
Email me anytime at toni@tonimattson.com or come say hi at Trinity Equestrian Center.

Resources: 

• Toni Mattson Online – Tools, podcast, and more
  www.tonimattson.com
• Trinity Equestrian Center – Equine-assisted sessions for veterans and families
  www.trinity-ec.com | (715) 835-4530
• Toni’s Book: Unlikely Recruits – 20 real stories of healing with horses and faith
  Available on Amazon
• VA Women Veterans Call Center – Real people answering real questions
  1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636) | www.womenshealth.va.gov
• Veterans Crisis Line – Confidential support, 24/7
  Dial 988 and Press 1 | Text 838255 | www.veteranscrisisline.net
• Code of Support Foundation – Case coordination, navigation, and peer support
  www.codeofsupport.org
• Blue Star Families – Resources and community for military families
  www.bluestarfam.org
• Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) – Advocacy and support for service women and female veterans
  www.servicewomen.org
• Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) – Peer support groups and community connection
  www.wovenwomenvets.org
• Foundation for Women Warriors – Housing, childcare, education & workforce development for women veterans
  www.foundationforwomenwarriors.org
• SHEROES United – Empowerment and trauma recovery resources for women veterans
  www.sheroesunited.org
• Army Women’s Foundation – Scholarships, leadership development, and support for all Army women, past and present
  www.awfdn.org

Why Tune In:

- A Visit Unlike Any Other: Imagine the governor, right here with us, diving deep into the impact of our equine-assisted therapy and youth development. It's a unique glimpse into a meaningful exchange.

- Powerful Stories: You'll hear comments directly from veterans whose lives have been transformed through their connection with horses. Their journeys are nothing short of inspirational.

- Meaningful Conversations: Gov. Evers was genuinely engaged, keen to understand every aspect of our mission. It was more than a visit; it was a real connection.

- New Horizons: Learn how this visit might just spark new initiatives for supporting veterans and youth in Wisconsin. Plus, the governor took home a copy of "Unlikely Recruits" – how cool is that?

Drawing upon the belief that our journeys are never wasted, Toni explores the idea that even our tears and transformations serve a purpose in the grand tapestry of life. Throughout the episode, she encourages listeners to reflect on their own stories and invites them to consider how their experiences can be utilized by a higher power—God—to bless and impact the lives of others.

Join Toni as she embarks on a heartfelt exploration of personal narratives, uncovering the ways in which our stories can become powerful tools for connection, empathy, and ultimately, a source of inspiration for those around us. Discover the significance of your own story and the potential it holds in this thought-provoking episode of "Live the Life" podcast.