Beyond the Trek: Chad Ballestrazze on Military Leadership, Mentorship & Resilience

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In this inspiring episode of Security Halt!, host Deny Caballero sits down with Chad Ballestrazze—a seasoned military leader and purpose-driven entrepreneur—to unpack a journey shaped by adversity, connection, and transformation. From overcoming a tough childhood to cultivating leadership in uniform and beyond, Chad shares how mentorship, community, and resilience became the foundation of his growth.

The conversation dives into the importance of fostering meaningful relationships, creating positive cultural change within teams, and balancing ambition with well-being. Chad also introduces his passion project, Beyond the Trek—a program designed to empower veterans and civilians alike through holistic training, shared experience, and intentional leadership.

🎙️ Whether you're navigating transition, building a team, or seeking purpose post-service, this episode delivers powerful takeaways you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube
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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Advocacy and Personal Stories

01:46 Military Background and Deployment Experience

03:49 The Impact of Blast Exposure

06:37 The Aftermath of the Blast

10:56 Navigating Recovery and Symptoms

13:34 Returning to Duty and Mental Health Challenges

19:37 Facing Vulnerability and Mental Health Challenges

21:25 The Journey to Diagnosis and Treatment

24:39 Struggles with Medical Professionals

28:31 Finding Hope and Alternative Treatments

31:54 The Impact of Hyperbaric Treatment

35:41 Advocating for Veterans' Health

40:28 Breaking the Stigma of Asking for Help

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LinkedIn: Deny Caballero

Follow Chad and Beyond the Trek on Social media!

Instagram:beyondthetrek

Website: beyondthetrek.co

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Produced by Security Halt Media