Ep 69: A Legendary Cop Opens Up About Addiction, PTSD, and Redemption

What happens when the toughest battle isn’t on the street but inside your own mind?

In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with retired Sgt. John Kelly, national keynote speaker, law enforcement life coach, and author of Surviving Self-Inflicted Wounds. After surviving decades in law enforcement, John reveals how addiction, alcoholism, infidelity, post-traumatic stress injury, and suicidal thoughts nearly ended his life—long after the dangers of the job should have.

With remarkable honesty, John shares the lessons that transformed his life and the mission behind his “Sometimes Heroes Need Help” program. We dive into leadership, relationships, organizational culture, financial wellness, physical and mental health, and why true strength starts with personal accountability.

This isn’t a conversation about being a perfect cop or leader. It’s about becoming a better human being, asking for help when you need it, and giving others permission to do the same.

No scripts. No agendas. Just an honest conversation about failure, forgiveness, resilience, and the courage to keep getting up when life knocks you down.

Timestamps: 

01:31 About John Kelly

11:01 Work Ethic

14:56 Boston Roots

27:44 Career Beginnings

41:24 K-9 & SWAT

49:04 Warrior Mindset