63. Nick Goldsmith on combat, PTSD and the healing power of nature

Having completed six tours in the most hostile of environments, including four in Afghanistan, former Royal Marine Commando Nick Goldsmith was a broken man. Diagnosed with complex PTSD, Nick was paralysed with paranoia, shame, and as he describes it, survivor’s guilt. All a result of horrific experiences that saw him lose close friends in battle and become submerged in the other horrors of war. Oncew back in the UK Nick was initially lost in the military health system, eventually receiving the intensive psychiatric support he needed.But it was a very different type of therapy that accelerated Nick’s recovery and led to him supporting so many others who had been traumatised from serving in the armed forces and the emergency services. Nick and his wife Louise established Hidden Valley Bushcraft, where he teaches others to rebuild through a visceral connection with nature. Now, in his new book Rewild Your Mind, Nick shares his dramatic story and the practical techniques that helped him master the outdoors, and in doing so, master his past.Nick’s Crisis Comforts: 1. Change your environment. If you’re feeling stressed, go for that walk. No one ever went for a walk and came back feeling worse! 2. Listen… pick out the subtle things going on around you. Ideally, put a piece of music on. Music is a window to the soul and it has such an ability to evoke wonderful memories and feelings. 3. Food … evokes good memories. Make your favourite stuff you had on holiday in Greece, lamb kleftiko or whatever it is… Links:Nick’s website: https://www.nickgoldsmith.co.uk/ Buy Nick’s book: https://amzn.to/3oKPUbw Hidden Valley Bushcraft: https://www.hiddenvalleybushcraft.co.uk/ Woodland Warrior programme - https://www.woodlandwarriorprogramme.org/ Stream/Buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682 Host – Andy CoulsonCWC production team: Louise Difford, Ed Isaacs and Jane SankeyWith special thanks to Global