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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In this episode of the Overwatch Collective Podcast, Greg Grogan speaks with Albert Lu, the owner of Metfix Boise, about the intersection of physical and mental health, particularly for first responders and military personnel. They discuss the importance of nutrition, the challenges faced by those in high-stress jobs, and the role of community in fostering wellness. Albert shares insights on fitness methodologies, the significance of sleep and recovery, and how Metfix aims to support individuals in achieving their health goals. The conversation emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to health, combining physical fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being.

Website: www.MetFixBoise.com

Instagram: MetFixBoise

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Tuning in from the lovely Bay Area is Terry, who founded Vets Boats in 2014, with the intent to help our veteran community overcome the challenges of mental health by sailing on the water and working on experiential sailing, sail training, and restoration & events.

Terry served honorably in the United States Navy as a fighter pilot with deployments overseas. Terry shares his take on mental health in our community and how we can combat members of our community normalizing mental health challenges and reducing suicides.

Learn more at Vetsboats.org or email Terry at Tbmoran@vetsboats.org.

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In this episode of the Overwatch Collective podcast, host Greg Grogan speaks with Thomas LaGrave, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who shares his journey from a troubled childhood and military service to overcoming addiction and finding purpose in helping others. Thomas discusses his experiences in the military, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and the importance of therapy and education in recovery.

He emphasizes the need for support within the veteran community and his commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people. The conversation highlights the significance of addressing mental health issues and the impact of personal stories in inspiring change.

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In this episode of the Overwatch Collective Podcast, Greg Grogan speaks with Michael 'Chappy' Chappell about his military experiences, the transition to civilian life, and his work with the Arizona Trail Association's VETS program.

They discuss the importance of community support for veterans, the therapeutic benefits of nature, and the ongoing challenges of mental health awareness and suicide prevention within the veteran community.

Chappy shares insights on the VETS program's mission to engage veterans in trail stewardship and the upcoming Operation Freedom March initiative, emphasizing the need for collaboration among organizations to better serve veterans.

Learn more by following on social media @aztrailvets

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In this episode of the Overwatch Collective Podcast, host Greg Grogan speaks with Ben and Cindy about their journey through military service, mental health challenges, and the impact of substance misuse. Ben, a former U.S. Navy Corpsman, shares his experiences with PTSD and the struggles he faced after leaving the military. Cindy provides insight into her perspective as a spouse, recognizing the signs of Ben's struggles and supporting him through difficult times. The couple discusses their exploration of alternative treatments, including Ibogaine, and the positive changes that followed.

They emphasize the importance of open communication, support systems, and the need for veterans to seek help. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of resilience, love, and the importance of mental health awareness in the military community.

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