What does it really take to become an elite soldier—and what does it cost?

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Ryan Yates, a 10-year veteran of the British Army, to uncover a story of resilience, trauma, and redemption.

Growing up on a council estate, Ryan always dreamed of becoming a soldier—but his journey was anything but straightforward. From struggling to fit in at a high-end secondary school surrounded by wealth, to failing Army selection at just 15, Ryan’s path was filled with rejection, doubt, and setbacks.

But at 16, everything changed.

Against the odds, Ryan not only joined the Army—he went on to attempt selection for an elite unit at an age and experience level almost unheard of. Facing brutal physical and mental tests, and competing against seasoned soldiers, he pushed himself beyond limits most never reach.

In this episode, Ryan opens up about:

* The reality of modern warfare

* Losing friends in combat

* Operating in high-risk environments, including Iraq

* Encounters with ISIS during his close protection work

* Ignoring the warning signs of PTSD

After leaving the military, Ryan faced a different kind of battle—losing his identity, spiraling into self-destruction, and even attempting to take his own life.

Now, he’s turned that pain into purpose.

Ryan is the founder of The Veterans Army, a charity dedicated to supporting ex-servicemen and women struggling with mental health, transition to civilian life, and finding purpose again. Through his work, he’s helping others fight the battles many never see.

This is not just a war story—it’s a story about survival, brotherhood, and rebuilding from rock bottom.

Ben Hassan’s life is something you won’t believe. Known today for his viral TikTok catchphrase “click click bang bang”, his past tells a very different story.

Abandoned by his mother at just 18 months old and raised by his grandmother, Ben grew up surrounded by violence, rejection, and instability. With no relationship with his father and suffering abuse from his mother’s partners, his early life pushed him down a dark path.

By 16, Ben was sentenced to 7 years in prison for armed robbery and kidnap.

In this episode, Ben opens up about:

• ​ Life inside prison and segregation
• ​ Serving time alongside notorious gangsters like the Richardson brothers and Charlie Kray
• ​ The reality of jail violence
• ​ His battles with mental health and being sectioned
• ​ How he turned his life around after prison

Now a successful figure in the jewellery business and a rising TikTok personality, Ben uses his platform to inspire change and share the truth about crime and consequences.

This is a raw, honest, and powerful conversation you don’t want to miss.

In this powerful and deeply emotional episode, Koa shares his untold story of childhood grooming, sexual abuse, addiction, crime, and ultimately redemption.

As a young child, Koa was groomed and abused by two teenage boys—an experience that shaped how he understood relationships growing up. Believing this behaviour was “normal,” he carried that confusion into his teenage years while battling inner pain and trauma.

Koa began drinking alcohol at a shockingly young age—even walking to school with beer. What started as alcohol use quickly escalated into drug experimentation, and by his late teens, he made a life-changing decision: to fully immerse himself in the world of drugs.

To sustain his addiction, Koa turned to crime—robbing drug dealers and becoming caught in a dangerous cycle of violence, prison, and survival.

In this raw conversation, Koa opens up about:

- Childhood trauma and its long-term impact

- Addiction and early exposure to alcohol and drugs

- Crime, violence, and time in prison

- The cycle of getting clean and relapsing

- His journey toward recovery and helping others overcome addiction

This is a story of pain—but also resilience, growth, and hope.

⚠️ Viewer discretion advised: This episode discusses sensitive topics including abuse and addiction.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone.

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