In this episode, Greg Grogan interviews Bill Johnson, the Texas Regional Manager of Merging Vets and Players (MVP), a nonprofit organization that connects veterans and professional athletes to support each other in their transitions to civilian life. They discuss the founding of MVP, its expansion across the U.S., the importance of physical fitness and peer support, and the challenges of funding and resources for veterans' mental health. Bill emphasizes the significance of community and collaboration in reducing isolation and suicide rates among veterans and first responders.

Learn more at Vetsandplayers.org

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Merging Vets and Players
04:08 The Founding of MVP
06:39 Expansion and Community Impact
09:14 Physical Fitness and Peer Support
15:05 Mental Health Resources and Collaboration
23:04 Future Goals and Funding Challenges
30:57 One More is One Less Philosophy

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In this episode of the Overwatch Collective Podcast, host Greg Grogan speaks with Doug White, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a retired law enforcement officer, about his journey through mental health challenges and the importance of addressing these issues within the first responder community. Doug shares insights from his book, 'Hiding in Plain Sight,' discussing the struggles of maintaining professional boundaries, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the need for open conversations about emotional well-being. The conversation emphasizes the significance of leadership, relationships, and the impact of sharing personal stories to foster a supportive environment for those in high-stress professions.

Quick Links

• Website: https://www.dougwhiteofficial.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougwhiteofficial/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tell_this_story
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Tell_This_Story
• Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/0C4wNoBzyn8e8HwXqdEp7W?si=2c3bb060f2e445fd
• Podcast (Amazon Music): https://a.co/d/biLp8ba
• Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSSTBY2B
• Audiobook on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Hiding-in-Plain-Sight-Audiobook/B0FST2VYFG
• Contact: doug@dougwhiteofficial.com

Free Guides (Download Instructions)

7-Day Tactical Kick-Start — FREE
A focused reset built for veterans/first responders (and families): one mindset cue, one action, and one reflection prompt per day. Includes 10-minute decompression, sleep setup, “one hard thing,” after-action notes, and a spouse check-in.

90-Day Stronger-Than-Before Challenge — $0.08 with code "test1"
A 12-week roadmap to lock habits and purpose. Weekly themes (Identity, Discipline, Communication, Recovery, Mission Replacement), plus templates for AM/PM routines, training & recovery logs, partner syncs, Sunday reset, and a quarterly after-action review.

How to get them:

1. Go to DougWhiteOfficial.com → Shop → Guides
2. Add 7-Day Tactical Kick-Start and 90-Day Stronger-Than-Before Challenge to cart
3. At checkout, enter code: test1
   • 7-Day = $0.00
   • 90-Day = $0.08
4. Complete checkout (digital download)
5. Access links on the confirmation page and via the email receipt (or My Account → Downloads)

Short Bio (Show Notes)

Doug White is a veteran, retired law enforcement officer, and award-winning author of Hiding in Plain Sight: The Truth About Trauma, Service, and the Way Forward. Through his platform Tell This Story and the Tell This Story podcast, Doug breaks the silence around post-traumatic stress injuries and shows veterans, first responders, and their families a practical path to growth beyond the badge or uniform. His work blends lived experience with simple, repeatable daily habits—centered on discipline, communication, recovery, and purpose—so listeners can move forward stronger than before.

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In this episode of the Overwatch Collective Podcast, Greg Grogan interviews Roger Sutherland, a retired police officer with 40 years of experience in Australia. They discuss the challenges faced by shift workers, particularly in law enforcement, including mental health issues, weight gain, and the importance of values in policing. Roger shares his journey in creating A Healthy Shift, a program designed to support shift workers in optimizing their health and wellness. The conversation also touches on the impact of recent tragedies in policing, the need for trauma-informed support, and the importance of vulnerability in leadership.

Roger and Greg delve into the critical issues surrounding compassion fatigue, leadership's role in mental health, and the importance of self-care for first responders. They discuss the detrimental effects of compassion fatigue, the need for supportive leadership, and the significance of recognizing behavioral changes in colleagues. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of awareness and proactive measures to prevent tragedies, the importance of setting boundaries, and the value of practicing gratitude. They also explore the transformative power of breathwork as a tool for managing stress and enhancing emotional resilience, ultimately advocating for a culture of support and understanding within shift work environments.

Learn more about Roger and how he can benefit you by checking out his podcast, instagram, linked in, and website by searching A Healthy Shift.

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