Forged Youth | Legacy Within
Forged Youth: Legacy Within
What if the conversations you needed most as a teen athlete were finally being had, openly, honestly, and with purpose?
Forged Youth: Legacy Within is the podcast that equips youth athletes (ages 12–24), their parents, and coaches with the mental tools, emotional resilience, and life insight to rise above the noise and grow into strong, intentional human beings.
Each episode features real, raw conversations with professional athletes, CEOs, and cultural leaders sharing what they wish they knew when they were younger. We unpack topics like mental grit, overcoming adversity, identity beyond sport, and building a life of purpose, even when things fall apart.
Hosted by former elite athlete and mental health advocate Mariel Nichole Anderson, this podcast is your companion through the messy middle of chasing big dreams, and becoming someone even bigger in the process.
Because you weren’t born to just survive sport. You were made to be forged by it.
Forged Youth | Legacy Within
Season 1 Ep. 3 - Matthew Glade: From Military Rescue to Mental Health Advocacy
Matthew Glade: From Military Rescue to Mental Health Advocacy
In this episode of Probably Important, hosts Mariel and Josh are joined by the remarkable Matthew Glade for a candid conversation about his diverse career journey, from military rescue missions to his influential work in mental health advocacy.
Mariel introduces Matthew, praising his authenticity and influence in the field. Matthew graciously agrees to share his experiences and values with the audience.
Matthew takes us through his remarkable career, which includes over 2000 missions as a military rescue specialist and medic. He candidly discusses the toll of witnessing numerous fatalities, which eventually led to occupational stress injuries and PTSD. These experiences became the catalyst for his passion for mental healthcare reform.
As a proactive advocate for mental health, Matthew spearheaded initiatives to implement self-awareness training, combat stigma, and establish trauma support responses within agencies. His efforts normalized care and significantly improved readiness over his two decades of service.
Throughout his career, Matthew found immense value in connecting authentically with the public and his crew during high-stress rescues. He emphasizes the importance of camaraderie and shared experiences in sustaining him through challenging missions.
Matthew also discusses the power of narrative crafting in processing trauma. By helping others reframe their experiences with a focus on resilience and purpose, he has been instrumental in shifting the culture around mental health within agencies.
In his personal life, Matthew finds solace and balance through his interests in sailing and motorcycling. Engaging in these high-stakes activities allows him to stay grounded and connected during emotional lows resulting from his work experiences.
As the episode concludes, Josh and Mariel express their gratitude to Matthew for his impactful work in improving lives and systems through his advocacy. Matthew remains committed to promoting human well-being through his daily mindful practices and community connections.
Join us on Probably Important for more insightful conversations about mental health, well-being, and the human experience.
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