Join host Mike Ritland on the Mike Drop Podcast for a raw, unfiltered talk with Nick O’Kelly — retired Green Beret turned Night Stalkers Black Hawk pilot from the elite 160th SOAR. From white-knuckle combat insertions to battling suicidal thoughts that began in flight school, Nick’s story pulls no punches.
His debut book Stigma exposes the harsh truth of mental health struggles in special operations. From strict Christian roots to tier-one missions, fatherhood, and the pressures of perfection, Nick reveals the high cost of silence and the power of speaking out. A must-listen for anyone in high-performance worlds.
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Support Nick O'Kelly
https://www.youtube.com/@thenickokelly
https://www.amazon.com/Stigma-Nick-OKelly/dp/1966228155
https://www.instagram.com/thenickokelly/?hl=en
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickokelly
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CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:57 - Team Dog Food Ad
00:02:01 - Welcoming Nick O'Kelly
00:02:53 - Shift from SF to Nightstalkers
00:03:43 - Last Book: Phoenix Revival
00:04:54 - Time Travel to Jesus
00:05:14 - Faith in Special Operators
00:07:29 - Core Values for Kids
00:08:13 - Favorite Quote: Pursuit of Excellence
00:08:44 - Strict Christian Upbringing
00:10:22 - Sneaking Out Tactics
00:12:31 - Siblings in Military
00:14:16 - Spark to Join Army
00:15:51 - High School to Flight School
00:19:01 - Okinawa Duty Station
00:22:34 - Philippines FID Deployment
00:24:34 - Flight School Packet
00:26:00 - Warrant Officer Hazing
00:28:39 - Mental Health Onset
00:31:53 - Q Course Stress Example
00:35:19 - Suicidal Thoughts Begin
00:39:00 - Chaplain and Behavioral Health
00:43:04 - Depression Persists in Unit
00:47:52 - Dropping 160th Packet
00:52:36 - Vertigo and Anxiety Spells
00:59:15 - 160th Assessment Week
01:03:14 - Green Platoon Training
01:07:13 - BNAV Firehose Navigation
01:13:06 - Advanced Aircraft Qualification
01:17:46 - BMQ to FMQ Progression
01:23:21 - First Combat Deployment
01:28:31 - Beam Dream Powder Ad
01:30:08 - Dusty LZ Abrupt Turn Landing
01:33:30 - Hairy Mission: Weather Contingencies
01:36:17 - Stress vs. Physiological Root Causes
01:40:36 - Knee Surgery Grounds FMQ Progression
01:43:01 - Narcolepsy Misdiagnosis Ends Flying Career
01:47:24 - Panic Disorder Diagnosis
01:50:33 - Medboard Exit and New Purpose
01:57:26 - Breaking the Stigma
01:58:54 - Leadership Risk vs. Speaking Up
02:02:47 - Natural Modalities Over Pills First
02:05:12 - Book Myths: Weakness and Burden Lies
02:08:43 - Marital Strain During Dark Ages
02:11:11 - Mission: Nip Stigma in the Bud
02:12:39 - Daily Cold Plunge Routine
02:15:37 - Neurofeedback for Brain Reset
02:17:48 - Wealth Management for Veterans
02:18:53 - Passive Investing
02:19:25 - Bond Market as Economy Predictor
02:22:24 - Crypto Optimism and Utility Coins
02:29:31 - YouTube Channel: SOF Mindset Lessons
02:30:20 - Book "Stigma" Pre-Order
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