What does it take to fly into the worst moments of other people's lives, and then find your way back from your own? Author and Air Force veteran Anthony Dyer joins us to tell that story, and it's one that will stay with you.
Born in 1982 in the small Appalachian town of Sylva, North Carolina, Anthony is a “Xennial”, that bridge generation with one foot in the GenX childhood and one in the Millennial world. We learn about his upbringing in the heart of the Appalachian mountains before enlisting in the Air Force out of high school. An over 20 year career in the United States Air Force would follow, which included serving as an Air Force firefighter after 9/11 for five years, as well as spending a decade as a United States Air Force Combat Special Missions Aviator. Anthony shares some of his riveting experiences flying into high-risk missions in some of the world’s most dangerous war zones.
But the heart of this conversation is what came after the missions. Anthony candidly shares about various challenges he faced, including loss of identity after retirement, transitioning back and forth between military operations and family life in a relatively short timeframe, and seeking help through therapy. With his debut memoir, "Moon Child", Anthony offers the reader a journey that starts in Appalachia, and continues through the rigor of military training, the extraordinary experience of playing a vital role in combat special missions aviation, battling addiction and finding purpose in healing and helping others. “Moon Child” is just one way in which Anthony is working to break the stigma around mental health in the military.
We know this episode will resonate with veterans, service members, first responders and anyone who works in a highly intense field, as well as anyone who simply wants to hear a story of real courage and healing.
Check Out Anthony Here:
Website: https://a.co/d/06wUCpRg
Online Store: https://www.traitmarkermedia.com/moonchild
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marco.brolo6?_r=1&_t=ZP-97BPB5ivP8p
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marco_brolo21?igsh=aXU0eG40dGVhNGVk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BW9cgFUf9/
X: https://x.com/anthonyp_dyer
Anthony's memoir "Moon Child" is available now.
Buy it here: https://amzn.to/3QzPBP3
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
2:33 Family Background in Appalachia
12:19 Growing Up in a Small Town: Sylva, North Carolina
22:11 School Life and Interests
28:30 High School and Joining the Air Force
37:10 Basic Military Training in San Antonio, Texas
41:03 Survival Training and Mental Resilience
48:54 The Balance of Self-Awareness and Confidence
51:38 The Code of Trust and Dependability
53:46 Being Inspired by the First Responders of 9/11
55:12 5 Years Serving as an Air Force Firefighter
1:00:41 Transitioning to Gunship Operations
1:05:33 First Deployment to Afghanistan
1:11:52 The Reality of Combat Missions
1:18:01 Adjusting to Civilian Life
1:23:03 Meeting Wife
1:26:00 A Quick Engagement and Marriage Journey
1:28:41 Becoming a Father: The Impact of Parenthood
1:31:42 Deciding to Retire: A Personal Journey
1:34:48 Struggles with Identity
1:40:31 Seeking Help: The Path to Recovery
1:42:17 The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
1:49:28 The Transformative Power of Fatherhood
1:50:47 Finding Purpose After Service
1:56:41 Writing "Moon Child"
2:03:54 "Choosing Better Over Bitter" and "The Two Wolves"
2:07:12 Gratitude
2:15:40 5 Year Vision
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