Breaking the Silence: What It’s Really Like as a Woman in the Military - with Colleen Maclean

This episode can also be found as audio only on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. We have decided to release the video footage here to reach even more people. In this powerful episode, I sit down with former Air Force life support fitter Colleen Maclean. She shares her journey through a decade of military service, including deployments and the challenges faced as a woman in a male-dominated field. She opens up about her experiences of sexual assault and PTSD and the long path to mental health recovery, detailing how she eventually found empowerment and reclaimed her identity through experiences like bodybuilding. Her candid story offers deep insights into resilience, the importance of seeking help, and the transformative power of reconnecting with one's true self. This episode is a beacon of hope for anyone facing adversity, showing that it is possible to reclaim your autonomy and feel comfortable again in your own body. About Colleen Maclean: Colleen Maclean served for 10 years in the Royal Australian Air Force and is now helping other veterans as a lived experience advocate. After her time in the military, she has done multiple projects and specialised in social media content creation and strategy, event planning and talent management. Next to that, she is also a passionate bodybuilder and model. Colleen’s Instagram:   / the_adventurous_muse   Colleen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-m... Need help? Here are some resources you might find helpful: Veteran Victim-Survivor Organisation Athena Project Australia: https://www.instagram.com/athenaproje... Open Arms - Veterans & Families https://www.instagram.com/openarmspee... Sexual Assautlt Centre https://centrumseksueelgeweld.nl/en/ Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode 00:38 Meet Colleen MacLean: A Veteran's Journey 01:45 Early Military Experience and Responsibilities 04:45 Challenges of Being a Woman in the Military 12:47 Facing Sexual Harassment and Assault 22:31 Seeking Help and Overcoming Trauma 29:31 Life After Military Discharge 30:48 Starting a New Journey: From Social Media to Project Management 31:17 Struggling with Identity After Leaving the Military 32:36 Rediscovering and Embracing the Veteran Identity 33:30 Finding Purpose in Helping Other Veterans 36:07 Applying Military Skills to Civilian Life 41:53 Bodybuilding: A Path to Empowerment and Femininity 47:44 Advice for Women in the Military 50:01 Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts