Life presents difficulties in ways we never would have predicted. There are those who flee them. Others, like Deon, head-on—whether it is swimming with sharks, surviving the battlefield, or reconstructing a life following military service. His narrative goes beyond bravery to include attitude, fortitude, and discovering a new direction once the uniform is off.
Swimming with Sharks
Most people get terrified just thinking about swimming with sharks. Deon? He embraced it. Not because he’s fearless, but because he’s learned the power of a steady mind.
The nurse sharks around him weren’t looking for a fight. They were just there, moving through the water as they always do. The real danger wasn’t the sharks—it was panic. If you thrash around, you get bitten. If you stay calm, you get to experience something incredible.
That’s the kind of mindset Deon carries everywhere. Life will throw chaos your way. How you react makes all the difference.
Military Life
Joining the infantry is not for the weak. Deon served in some of the toughest conflicts, from Liberia to Sierra Leone. He wasn’t behind a desk. He was on the front lines. The kind of job where hesitation can cost you everything.
Discipline wasn’t just a word—it was survival. Every mission, every decision, every step was about trust. Trust in training. Trust in teammates. Trust in instincts honed through relentless preparation.
War changes people. It teaches sacrifice, camaraderie, and the weight of responsibility. But it also takes a toll that doesn’t just fade when the fighting stops.
Mind Zero
There’s a saying in the military: Zero your mind.
It means letting go of what’s out of your hands. You missed a flight? You lost a chance? You took a hit? You can’t change it. Move forward.
That’s easier said than done, of course. But for Deon, it’s the only way to live. If you waste energy stressing over what’s already lost, you lose twice. Instead, acknowledge the setback, learn from it, and find a new path forward.
This mindset isn’t just for soldiers. It’s for anyone who’s ever faced failure, rejection, or unexpected loss. The quicker you accept, the faster you can rebuild.
The Struggle of Coming Home
Leaving the military isn’t as simple as hanging up the uniform. The battlefield follows you. The memories don’t fade overnight.
PTSD isn’t just a phrase in a psychology book—it’s waking up drenched in sweat, hearing echoes of a warzone in everyday life, and carrying the weight of lost brothers. For a long time, Deon tried to handle it alone. He didn’t talk about it. He didn’t ask for help.
But silence is dangerous. Eventually, he found the right people to talk to. Counselors, mentors, those who understood. Step by step, he learned to reconnect—to life, to people, to a world that didn’t operate on military rules.
Healing isn’t instant. It’s work. But it starts with admitting you need it.
Teamwork and Brutal Honesty
The military tells you are only as strong as the person right next to you. One person failing affects the entire team.
It is not different in life. Surround yourself with those who speak the truth—not only what you want to hear. Indeed, men, you cannot grow without help. Real friends challenge you. They call you out when you’re wrong. They push you to do better.
Deon lives by that. Whether it’s in business, friendships, or personal growth, the right people will make you stronger. The wrong ones will let you sink.
Final Thoughts
Courage isn’t just about facing fear. It’s about mastering your mind when everything feels out of control. It’s about finding purpose, even when the mission changes.
Deon’s narrative reminds us that you always have the capacity to rise anywhere—underwater, on the battlefield, or at rock bottom. You only have to start the process.
🦉 Listen to the full episode of Wise Owl Talks: Mind Zero
