In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Dion Jensen, Founder of the Lion Academy, Protecting Women Global, and Success for Soldiers. From being born in Changi, Singapore as an Army brat in 1974 to serving in Bosnia with the New Zealand Army, to protecting the British consul general in northern Iraq where six armed intruders burst through the door at 2 AM, Dion shares his transformation journey from warrior to the world's first Suicide Solution Summit creator.
He discusses trauma recovery, crisis leadership, organizational wellbeing, and why most suicides today aren't about trauma, they're about value and identity. Dion also opens up about losing his closest mate 18 years ago which sent him into a PTSD spiral, and the powerful moment he performed a haka with Gandhi's people in Malaysia's Gujarati community.
Whether you're a veteran struggling with transition, a corporate leader trying to genuinely support your people's mental health, or someone navigating your own dark moments, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on the mirror framework (looks, language, likability, legitimacy), the suicide math equation (when value of being dead exceeds value of being alive), the think-feel-do triangle, and why adaptability is the most underrated skill in business today. Let's explore what's "Inside the mind of a Human Strategist and Crisis Leadership Expert."
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Website: https://dionjensen.com/
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TIMESTAMPS:
(01:09) Introduction
(02:58) PTSD Spiral
(03:39) Speaking Journey
(05:44) Starting The Lion Academy
(07:54) Maori Culture & Movies
(11:38) Environment Shapes You
(13:25) Beauty of Growing Within the Military
(15:28) Trauma & Fear
(18:10) Following his Father's Footsteps
(19:59) Natural Calling
(23:05) Vivid Memories as a Soldier
(25:28) Kids are a Society's Marker
(27:00) Identity & Creating Value
(27:45) Legality of Suicide in Singapore
(31:32) Challenges & Telltale Signs
(32:11) Mental Health Compass
(36:10) Inner Mana & Empowerment
(38:22) Darkest Time
(43:18) Writing The Good News Book
(44:36) Misconceptions around PTSD
(47:00) Protecting the British Counsel General in Northern Iraq
(48:51) Carrying Residual Experience
(54:08) Rebranding to the Confidence Coach
(59:25) Culture & Nuance
(01:04:27) Insecurities
(01:05:15) Advice for Young People
(01:08:49) Three-Pronged Approach
(01:11:45) Making Peace with the Mirror
(01:14:44) 'Selfish' as a Positive Word
(01:18:48) Rapid Fire Questions
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.
#MentalHealth #CrisisLeadership #PTSD #TraumaRecovery #SuicidePrevention #Veterans #Leadership #CorporateWellbeing #Singapore #NewZealand