Veteran transition, Air Force leadership, mental health, entrepreneurship, and personal growth take center stage in this powerful episode featuring retired Chief Master Sergeant Mary Polanco 🇺🇸🎖️. After 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, Mary discusses the challenges of identity, purpose, and rebuilding life post-service. Hear how her struggles with depression led to a mission of helping others through Live and Lead Well LLC.
📌 CHAPTERS:
0:00 – Intro: Transition is More Than a Career Shift
1:26 – Meet Chief Mary Polanco 🇺🇸🎖️
4:27 – Growing Up and the Decision to Join the Air Force
10:32 – Mental Health Crisis at the Top of Her Career
18:16 – Deconditioning From Military Mindsets
27:53 – Loss of Purpose and Rebuilding Identity
40:20 – Entrepreneurship and Building Live and Lead Well LLC
45:10 – Fixing the Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
1:09:00 – Final Advice on Transition and Reconnection
1:12:45 – Contact Info & Closing Remarks
🎙️ EPISODE OVERVIEW:
In this episode of The Strategic Veteran Podcast, host Adam Peters has an authentic and vulnerable conversation with Mary Polanco, retired Chief Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force. Mary served 23 years at the highest enlisted levels, including as Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Air Force Resilience Directorate. But at the apex of her military career, she faced crippling clinical depression and anxiety. Her experience served as a catalyst for change—personally and professionally.
From rediscovering her values to launching a successful business and pursuing a doctorate in leadership psychology, Mary shares how veterans can successfully navigate their military-to-civilian transition. This episode is a masterclass in emotional intelligence, post-service healing, and redefining purpose outside the uniform.
✨ KEY DISCUSSION POINTS:
• What deconditioning from military life truly looks like
• Mary's journey battling depression while in leadership
• The unspoken emotional toll of leaving the service
• The limitations and needed reforms of TAP programs
• How entrepreneurship has helped reclaim identity
• Building a supportive veteran community through service
🎖️ MILITARY EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS:
• Branch of Service: U.S. Air Force 🇺🇸
• Retired Rank: Chief Master Sergeant
• Key Role: Senior Enlisted Adviser, Air Force Resilience Directorate
• Career Span: 23 Years
• Additional Roles: Security Forces, Optometry, PME Instructor
💼 EXPERTISE / CIVILIAN SUCCESS:
• Founder & CEO, Live and Lead Well LLC
• 2x Business Owner
• Doctoral Student in Leadership Psychology
• EQ Certified Coach (360 and 2.0 assessments)
• Speaker, Author (“Your Final Debrief”)
• Supports leaders, veterans, and organizations with emotional intelligence, leadership development, and transition coaching
#VeteranTransition #AirForceVeteran #MentalHealthMatters #MilitaryToCivilian #Entrepreneurship
