Season 5 Episode 187: What Happens When You Can't Answer the "What Makes You Happy?" Question with Thomas McKenzie

What happens when the military career you've devoted your life to suddenly comes to an end? For Thomas McKenzie, a Marine who reached E9 before his 20-year mark, this question became painfully real when faced with undesirable relocation options. His powerful story reveals that military transition goes far beyond the job hunt. It's a profound journey of rediscovering who you are without the uniform.

Mac candidly shares how a chance encounter with the SkillBridge program became "the biggest blessing" during his transition, providing crucial time to process his service while weathering personal tragedies and relationship changes. Through working with thousands of veterans since, he's identified a dangerous "fallacy" that begins at recruitment, This is the misguided belief that military service automatically guarantees civilian success.

"I think transition out of the military is the single hardest thing that any human being that ever serves will do," Mac reflects. His analogy comparing transitioning service members to the Little Mermaid perfectly captures the challenge: observing humans from shore while taking advice from birds who've never walked on land.

The most moving moment comes when Mac reveals how a therapist's simple question, "What makes you happy outside of the military?," left him in tears, unable to answer. His breakthrough came through imagining his 90-year-old self on his deathbed, considering what he wanted to be remembered for.

Whether you're planning your military exit, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in veteran experiences, this episode provides profound insights into the emotional and psychological journey of military transition. Thomas McKenzie's message is clear: success comes with time, support, and the determination to discover your purpose beyond the uniform.

You can connect with Thomas McKenzie at https://www.linkedin.com/in/repurpose-mac/

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The Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast is sponsored by Seek Now and their Drive Academy. Seek Now is the property inspection industry's leading business and they created Drive Academy DoD SkillBridge and CSP internships to teach transitioning military service members and veterans skills that prepare them for lucrative and rewarding careers in the property inspection and insurance industries. You can learn more and apply today at www.internwithdrive.com.