Combat. Chaos. Survival. What does a decade of war really do to the mind and body?
In this jaw-dropping episode of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Adz Lison, former Royal Marine Commando and Physical Training Instructor, to uncover the brutal, unfiltered truth behind life on the front lines of one of the longest and bloodiest campaigns in modern military history: Afghanistan.
Adz didn’t just pass through the Royal Marines - he stood out. Completing the elite Physical Training Instructors (PTI) Course, one of the most physically demanding qualifications in the entire British military, Adz went on to train Royal Marines recruits to reach levels of fitness matched only by Olympic athletes and world-class operators.
But it’s his frontline experience that will leave you speechless.
With four operational combat deployments in Afghanistan, Adz endured the kind of relentless violence and trauma that few can comprehend. He fought in daily firefights lasting up to 8 hours, came under constant threat of IEDs, and was blown up more than 20 times during a single tour - and survived. These weren’t rare moments. This was his daily life. The brutality of war, the chaos of combat, and the constant proximity to death shaped a decade of his life.
In one story that captures the insanity of it all, Adz recounts how just 72 hours after surviving a ferocious gun battle and another explosion, he found himself sat in his living room back in the UK - physically home, but mentally still at war.
We explore the critical question: Are we doing enough for the mental health of our servicemen and women - during and after their time in uniform?
This episode is a raw and powerful insight into combat trauma, survival, leadership under fire, resilience, and the psychological toll of war. Adz speaks openly about the mental health battle that follows years of intense service and the struggles and coping mechanisms that continue long after the battlefield has fallen silent.
Topics Covered:
Royal Marines life and elite military training.
The Physical Training Instructor (PTI) Course.
Afghanistan combat experience.
IEDs, firefights, and close calls.
Trauma and survival.
Post-combat mental health.
Veteran support and the transition home.
Leadership in war.
Resilience and recovery.
Physical and psychological strength.
What is Beyond The Battlefield ?
Warrior Wellness Movement presents: Beyond The Battlefield
Welcome to Beyond the Battlefield - the podcast that dives deep into the human spirit’s ability to overcome.
I’m Ollie Osborne - former Royal Marines Commando, holistic health, wellness and performance coach, and founder of Warrior Wellness Movement. After 14 years in the military and nearly two decades coaching, I know that life’s toughest battles aren’t always fought on the frontline - they happen in our minds, our bodies, and our daily lives.
Each episode, I sit down with extraordinary guests - military veterans, athletes, entrepreneurs, survivors, and everyday warriors - who have faced trauma, adversity, and life-altering setbacks. We uncover their raw, unfiltered stories of struggle, resilience, and ultimate comeback.
If you’re battling your own challenges, looking for inspiration, or searching for the mindset to push forward, Beyond the Battlefield will remind you: no matter how tough it gets, there’s always a way back.
Hit subscribe and join us - because the fight isn’t over, and neither are you.
#Resilience #Adversity #ComebackStories #MentalToughness #TraumaRecovery #SuccessMindset #Inspiration #WarriorSpirit #BeyondTheBattlefield #NeverGiveUp