Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked - The Podcast!

There’s a point where pushing through just doesn’t work anymore.

For Keith Cole, that moment didn’t come in combat. It came decades later — after war, loss, responsibility, and years of carrying more than anyone could see. A Vietnam Marine veteran, CPA, husband, and provider, Keith spent over 50 years holding it all together… until one night, alone in his office, everything finally broke.

This episode is about what happens when the weight becomes too much to carry, and what can happen when you finally let it go.

Keith shares his journey from combat and trauma to decades of silent burnout, and the moment he reached a breaking point that led to full surrender. What followed wasn’t weakness — it was clarity, peace, and a new path rooted in faith, discipline, and daily practice. His story offers a powerful perspective on healing, especially for those who have spent a lifetime being “strong” for everyone else.

Always in your corner,

Chuck

Guest Bio

Keith A. Cole is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, former CPA, author, and speaker who writes and speaks on trauma, burnout, and faith-centered recovery. After serving during the Vietnam era and spending decades managing both professional and family responsibilities, Keith experienced deep emotional and spiritual burnout.

Through surrender and a renewed relationship with Jesus Christ, he developed a daily recovery framework that helped him find peace, purpose, and healing. He shares that journey in his book, Burnout: God’s Recovery Plan: A Marine’s Story of Trauma, Surrender, and Healing through Faith, offering practical guidance for those feeling overwhelmed by life’s burdens.

EPISODE MINUTE BY MINUTE

00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction
02:00 Keith’s Early Life and Decision to Join the Marines
06:00 Vietnam, Combat, and Being Wounded Three Times
10:00 Returning Home and Carrying Unprocessed Trauma
14:30 The Emotional Toll of Notifying Families of Fallen Marines
18:00 Life After Service — Responsibility, Work, and Suppression
22:00 Decades of Carrying the Weight Without Processing
24:30 The Breaking Point During the Pandemic
26:30 Surrender, Faith, and a New Beginning
28:00 Creating a Daily Recovery Plan
30:00 Life Today — Peace, Rest, and Perspective
32:00 Keith’s Message to Veterans and Anyone Struggling

Connect with Keith Cole

Website: https://recoverybyfaith.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kacolecpa

Chuck’s Challenge:

This week, take an honest inventory of what you’ve been carrying for too long. Not what’s visible to others — but what you’ve been holding inside. Write it down. Acknowledge it. And then ask yourself: Do I need to keep carrying this alone? One conversation, one moment of honesty, could be the start of real relief.