Battle Harder

Surviving His Brother: An Army Veteran’s Journey Through Loss & Purpose

Rob wheeler Season 2 Episode 2

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Army combat veteran Scott DeLuzio deployed to Afghanistan — at the same time as his younger brother.

Only one of them came home.

In this episode, Scott breaks down what most men never talk about: the moment grief turns into survivor’s guilt, how anger and isolation quietly take over, and why the transition out of uniform can feel like losing your identity overnight. He also shares the turning point that forced him to get help, why therapy became a long-game decision (not a quick fix), and how he rebuilt purpose through fitness, fatherhood, and creating the Drive On Podcast to help other veterans who were silently drowning.

If you’re a veteran, first responder, or man carrying weight you don’t talk about—this conversation will hit you in the gut, but it will also give you a path forward.

⚔️ OPERATION RELENTLESS (CALL TO ACTION)

If you’re tired of surviving and you’re ready to rebuild your discipline, identity, fitness, and purpose—
Apply for Operation Relentless (90-Day Comeback Plan) → Link in bio

🔗 CONNECT WITH SCOTT

Website / Podcast Hub: driveonpodcast.com
Book: Surviving Son (Amazon)
GWOT Memorial Foundation: gwotmemorialfoundation.org

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Cold Open: “Only one of us came home”
00:20 — Who is Scott DeLuzio + why this story matters
01:30 — Why Scott joined after 9/11 (and why he didn’t go officer)
04:10 — Deploying while his brother is deployed too
06:45 — The day Scott finds out his brother was KIA
09:40 — Survivor’s guilt: “I failed my job as the older brother”
13:05 — Anger, numbness, and the spiral after loss
16:30 — Why Scott got out (injury, mindset, and not being the leader he needed to be)
21:10 — Identity loss after service: the “light switch” moment
26:00 — Refusing help at first (and why that’s common)
30:20 — The turning point: “I don’t like who I’m becoming”
35:10 — Therapy, healing, and what actually helped over time
40:00 — Fitness as protection, purpose, and longevity
44:30 — Why Scott started the Drive On Podcast
49:10 — Surviving Son: why he wrote the book and who it’s for
54:20 — Would he do it all again? (powerful answer)
58:10 — The GWOT Memorial Foundation mission
1:01:20 — Scott’s definition of Turning Pain Into Progress
1:03:00 — Final message to veterans who are struggling

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