Live the Life Podcast with Toni Mattson
How can I feel closer to God? How can I feel inspired, encouraged, and fulfilled? How do I create more space in my day to live a life that really matters? A life with purpose and meaning? How do I create my peace and protect it? How can I grow personally and spiritually?
If these questions roam in your beautiful brain, then you’ve come to the right place.
Live the Life is a practical, roll-up-your sleeves, workshop-style podcast for women who yearn to live a more meaningful life. Each weekly episode is packed with how-to, step-by-step strategies to create the life you’re dying to live.
Empowering women to rediscover their passion, redefine what matters, and recapture time to live a life of purpose is MY passion.
I’m a Midwest gal, a speaker, writer, encourager, a peace-claimer, change-maker, and lover of all things God, family, horses and hope. I’m a founder of Trinity Equestrian Center - Wisconsin’s Leader in Equine Assisted Therapy, specializing in veterans with PTSD.
For two decades, I’ve traveled the US and Canada appearing as a panelist, guest, and key-note speaker on radio, TV and Podcast programs. I’ve spoken at colleges, seminaries, churches, at international conferences, and business development workshops. I’ve testified four times before the WI State Senate and Committee on Veteran Affairs on behalf of veterans with PTSD.
I encourage women to fearlessly ask the provocative question – "What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life on?" And then I go about helping them answer and achieve it. No matter your season in life, what you do, or what you hope to do – I want this podcast to be for you!
We’ll cover topics like: faith, growth, peace, life, death, clarity, simplicity, health, purpose, Veterans, and oh my gosh — so much more! We’ll dive deep into things that bring value to our lives, help us focus and flourish, and set us up to live the life God created us for. And every last episode of the month is Q&A Day, where I invite you to send in their burning questions. I’m so excited you’re on this ride with me! So Mount Up ~ Put your heels into ‘er… this is the “Live the Life” Podcast!
Live the Life Podcast with Toni Mattson
Brave Beyond Service: Part 2 | Strong Outside. Struggling Inside.
You’re doing all the things. Showing up. Keeping it together.
But inside? You’re barely hanging on.
In this episode of Brave Beyond Service, we’re naming what so many female veterans carry silently—PTS, anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion—and the shame or stigma that tells you to keep quiet about it.
You’ll hear real stories from women who look strong on the outside but are unraveling inside. We’ll talk about the invisible pressure to smile through it, the fear of asking for help, and why healing doesn’t require you to tell your whole story—just to be honest about where you’re at.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why emotional and spiritual pain still gets minimized
- How trauma and transition show up long after service ends
- What it means to stop pretending and start healing
- Gentle, doable steps to begin releasing what you’ve been holding
- How horses, faith, and honesty can create space to exhale
Guided Reflection:
Grab a notebook or even the back of a receipt.
You don’t have to write it all—just start with one question that speaks to you:
• What have I been carrying that I haven’t named?
• What emotion have I been pushing down?
• What would it sound like if I gave myself permission to be honest—just for five minutes?
You’re not here to perform.
You’re here to heal. In your time, in your way.
This episode is raw, real, and full of permission:
To stop pretending.
To start telling the truth.
To finally breathe.
Because you are brave beyond your service—and brave enough to heal.
Resources for the Road: Episode 2
If you’re ready to take a next step—here are a few places to begin:
- VA Women’s Mental Health Services – Specific programs created just for women
- Vet Centers – Confidential, community-based support
- Wounded Warrior Project – Warrior Care Network – Trauma-informed care for PTS
- National Center for PTS – Women Veterans Section
- Trinity Equestrian Center – If horses are your way in, we’re here. You’re always welcome.
Or reach out to me directly at tonimattson.com or by email at toni@tonimattson.com