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In this powerful episode of the Not Special Podcast, Herb and Corrie sit down with former 82nd Airborne paratrooper, Green Beret, and Delta Force operator Tom Spooner who now dedicates his life to saving warriors instead of fighting wars.

From surviving near-death blasts, battling alcoholism, navigating brain injuries, and walking away from elite military life—his journey leads to the creation of Warriors Heart, a 500-acre healing center for veterans and first responders struggling with addiction, trauma, and TBI.

This is a raw, honest, and emotional conversation about identity, sobriety, purpose, and why even the strongest warriors break—and how they can heal.

What You’ll Learn:
* How childhood dreams turned into a path through the 82nd Airborne → Special Forces → Delta Force
* The truth behind selection at the highest levels
* Hidden battles: alcoholism, brain injury, and a marriage hanging by a thread
* The turning point that led to sobriety
* Why “taking lives” became “saving lives”
* The creation of Warriors Heart and how it transforms veterans and first responders
* The importance of community, vulnerability, and shared language in healing
* The difference between a clinical hospital and a healing home

If you’re a veteran, first responder, family member, or anyone who wants to understand the cost of service—and the path to restoration—this is an episode you won’t forget.

⏱️ Clickable Chapter Timestamps
00:42 – From 82nd Airborne to Green Beret02:30 – Pushing limits & the mindset for Special Forces04:00 – Life in 7th Group & real missions in South/Central America06:45 – The misconceptions about Green Berets (thanks Rambo…)08:10 – Direct action vs. teaching & partnering missions09:15 – Why he attempted Delta selection09:50 – 9/11 happens during Delta selection11:30 – Alcoholism, marriage collapse & hitting bottom13:00 – Sobriety, faith & becoming a better operator14:40 – Hidden injuries: TBI, blast exposure & cognitive decline16:45 – The struggle to transition back into home life18:10 – Sobriety as a warrior advantage19:30 – Discovering the veteran suicide crisis & deciding to act20:40 – Public silence vs. breaking the stigma22:00 – Why vulnerability from elite operators saves lives23:00 – Building Warriors Heart: the mission begins24:30 – What makes Warriors Heart different from traditional treatment25:30 – “Welcome Home”: why language and environment matter27:30 – Veterans & first responders healing inside community28:40 – Clinical excellence + warrior culture = real recovery29:55 – Not a lockdown facility: why choice matters in healing31:30 – Safety, trust, and true security for warriors32:45 – It’s training, not punishment: putting in the work34:00 – The mindset shift: what got you here won’t get you there35:10 – Why asking for help is actually strength36:00 – Final lessons & what warriors need to hear today

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