Former British Army soldier and Military Cross recipient Brian Wood joins Ben Shephard and Andrew Tracey to talk about masculinity, vulnerability and what real toughness actually looks like – starting with the war crimes allegations that turned his life upside down.

After being accused of serious offences following his actions in Iraq – claims he always denied and was ultimately cleared of – Brian opens up about the toll of years under investigation, the impact on his mental health, and the reality of fighting a very different kind of battle back home.

Drawing on his experiences in combat – and the aftermath that followed – Brian explains why strength isn’t about shutting down, but opening up. We discuss trauma, the pressure men put on themselves to ‘hold it together’, and why learning to talk might be one of the hardest – and most important – skills a man can develop.

We also get into leadership under fire, the role of movement and endurance in rebuilding resilience, and why ‘movement is medicine’ has become a cornerstone of Brian’s life beyond the military.

If you’ve ever questioned what it really means to be strong, this one will stay with you.

Chapters
00:00 – Ultra challenges & making adventure accessible
01:47 – Introduction to Brian Wood (Military Cross recipient)
04:58 – Early life: football dreams to Army career
06:00 – Joining the Army & frontline training
08:36 – The Battle of Danny Boy (Iraq, 2004)
10:03 – Close combat & life-changing moments
12:54 – Living with trauma after combat
14:26 – The Iraq inquiry & false allegations
18:40 – Media pressure & mental health struggles
25:00 – Writing the book & BBC drama adaptation
28:40 – Life after service: endurance & purpose
29:29 – “Movement is medicine” explained
32:55 – Arctic expedition challenge breakdown
35:56 – 25 marathons in 25 days for charity
39:03 – Why purpose matters more than distance
42:25 – Impact beyond fundraising
44:13 – Ultra for Charity initiative explained
49:14 – Simple advice for mental & physical health
52:42 – Role models, masculinity & vulnerability
56:08 – Pride, service & family legacy
01:00:32 – Quick fire questions
01:02:03 – Advice to his younger self
01:03:00 – Dead hang challenge

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