Andy Gallie shares his raw, unfiltered story of living with a 33-year gambling addiction that began at age 9 and eventually led to prison. A former Royal Navy serviceman, Andy speaks openly about how military culture fuelled his destructive habits, the emotional toll on his family, and his powerful journey through addiction recovery. Now a leading voice in veteran support through the Battling the Odds campaign and Beacon Counselling Trust, Andy helps others escape the same darkness.

A vital listen for anyone affected by addiction, military mental health issues, or the unseen struggles of veterans.

What does it cost to give your entire life to service?

In Episode 15 of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Dai Charles — a man who dedicated nearly 40 years to protecting his country.

Dai joined the Royal Navy in 1978 before transferring to the Royal Marines Commandos in the thick of the Falklands War. From there, he deployed to nearly every major conflict over the last four decades: Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan — and more.

After a lifetime in uniform, Dai didn’t stop serving. Today, he works with Border Force, guarding the UK’s borders, fighting smuggling and immigration crime, and keeping the nation safe behind the scenes.

But this conversation isn’t just about medals and deployments.
It’s about the real human cost. The guilt that never goes away when men under your command take their own lives.
It’s about the weight of leaving the Corps after nearly 40 years and the struggles that follow when the brotherhood is gone.

Dai also talks about founding the RMA Riders — a motorcycle group for former Royal Marines who still crave that sense of belonging, camaraderie, and shared humour only the Corps understands.

His story is about loyalty, loss, pride, and the silent battles veterans still fight long after the battlefield is behind them.

🎙 Beyond the Battlefield gives veterans a voice. Real stories. Raw truth. Shared to inspire and remind us all that strength isn’t just about what you survive — it’s about who you stand beside.

🔎 Topics Covered:
Royal Navy and Royal Marines career

Operational deployments: Falklands, Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Northern Ireland

The hidden world of Border Force

Veteran suicide and survivor’s guilt

Brotherhood and the power of staying connected

Founding the RMA Riders

Transitioning out of the military after nearly 40 years

Parenting the next generation of Royal Marines

Purpose and resilience after service

🎙 Beyond the Battlefield is streaming now on all major podcast platforms and YouTube.
📲 Subscribe now so not to miss any early releases or new episodes.

🌐 www.warriorwellnessmovement.com
The Holistic Approach to Health, Wellness & Performance.

#DaiCharles #RoyalMarines #RoyalNavy #BeyondTheBattlefield #VeteranStories #FalklandsWar #AfghanistanVeteran #BosniaConflict #NorthernIreland #BorderForce #RMA #RMA Riders #MilitaryBrotherhood #LifeAfterService #VeteranCommunity #WarriorWellness #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranMentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #BrotherhoodForever #CombatStories

In Episode 14 of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Steve Martindale — a former Royal Marine Commando and Close Protection Officer in Iraq and Afghanistan — who’s now co-founded CS22 Veteran Expeditions CIC (Cockleshell22) to help veterans rediscover purpose.

Formed in 2022, CS22 takes inspiration from historic Commando raids—like Operation Frankton and Heroes of Telemark—and retraces them in the UK and overseas (France, Norway, Falklands). These aren’t charity walks—they’re UK-based training weekends and overseas expeditions led with precision by military veterans, offering ground-breaking mentoring, team bonding, and a holistic boost to physical and mental wellbeing.

Through high-challenge adventure and history-driven missions, CS22 gives veterans a renewed sense of mission, camaraderie, and belonging . Their vision? To deliver purpose, peer support, and personal transformation through adventure, history, and community.

Topics Covered:

Royal Marine & Close Protection Service in Afghanistan

CS22 Veteran Expeditions: mission and method

Training weekends in the UK (e.g., Lake District, Anglesey)

Overseas expeditions retracing Commando missions

Mentorship, team-building, and peer support

Mental and physical health transformations

Honouring military history while creating future purpose

Leadership, resilience, and reclaiming identity

🎙 Beyond the Battlefield gives veterans a platform to share real stories of adversity, recovery, and renewed purpose—designed to inspire others.

👉 Learn more or join CS22 Veteran Expeditions:
🌐 https://cockleshell22.com

🎙 Now streaming on all major podcast platforms and YouTube

📲 Subscribe now so not to miss any early releases or new episodes
🌐 www.warriorwellnessmovement.com

The Holistic Approach to Health, Wellness & Performance.

#CS22 #VeteranExpeditions #SteveMartindale #RoyalMarines #CloseProtection #OperationFrankton #HeroesOfTelemark #VeteranPurpose #BeyondTheBattlefield #MentalResilience #OutdoorMentoring #AdventureTherapy #VeteranSupport #HolisticHealth #WarriorWellness #LifeAfterService #MilitaryPodcast #Camaraderie #ReconnectionThroughChallenge #PeerSupport