When the uniform comes off, the real battle begins. In this episode of From Battle to Business, John Krotec shares how trauma, transition, and truth shaped his mission-driven life beyond the military. From soldier to entrepreneur, John peels back the layers on emotional suppression, failed business attempts, and the cost of avoiding personal healing. But this isn’t just about struggle—it’s a story of reinvention.

Through raw honesty and unfiltered insights, John takes us from his days in the Army to hitting rock bottom, and eventually to writing The Sentinel Handbook. You’ll hear how he faced his demons, found his voice, and turned pain into purpose. This isn’t polished or scripted—it’s the kind of truth business owners and veterans alike need to hear.

Whether you’re battling self-doubt, struggling with your transition, or just tired of surface-level conversations, this episode delivers a gut-punch of clarity.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• You can’t lead others until you face your own shadows.
• Trauma doesn’t just go away—if you ignore it, it owns you.
• Entrepreneurship isn’t therapy, but it can be a path to healing.
• Silence can be deadly—especially among high-performing veterans.
• Men need spaces where they can be real, not just “tough.”
• The power of storytelling is in owning your mess, not masking it.
• Success comes after surrender—not in business, but in honesty.
• Pivoting doesn’t mean failure; it means evolution.

1. Military Exit – Left the service and entered civilian life unprepared emotionally.
2. Business Attempt #1 – Opened a retail shop but carried unprocessed trauma into it.
3. The Fall – Marriage, business, and identity unraveled at once.
4. The Breakthrough – Realized emotional suppression was killing him.
5. Mission Rebuilt – Launched GreenZone Hero and Straight Outta Combat Radio.
6. Full Alignment – Built Task Force Zen to help others turn pain into mission

“I wore the mask so well, I forgot who I was underneath it.”

“Just because we’re tough doesn’t mean we’re okay.”

“Pain is not the enemy—it’s the invitation.”

“You can’t business your way out of brokenness.”

“The most courageous act is telling your truth when silence feels safer.”

📚 Resources Mentioned

• GreenZone Hero – A platform honoring veteran-supporting businesses.
• Straight Outta Combat Radio – Podcast featuring combat veterans telling their raw, real stories.
• Task Force Zen – John’s current mission to bridge masculinity, trauma healing, and peer support.

As someone who’s lived through and led through chaos, I can tell you—systems won’t save you if you’re not willing to face the storm inside. Don’t just scale the business; build the human behind it. The operational blueprint is important, but the personal one? That’s where the battle is won.

Connect with John Krotec at

https://neomasculinity.solutions/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkrotec/

Connect with Dean Van Dyke at Stop Being the Bottleneck in Your Own Business

https://www.deanvandyke.com

https://www.instagram.com/dhvandyke27/

https://www.facebook.com/thepillarsgroup/

If you enjoyed listening, then please take a second to rate the show on iTunes.

Every podcaster will tell you that iTunes reviews drive listeners to our shows, so please let me know what you thought, and make sure you subscribe using your favorite podcast player. It means a lot to me and to the guests.