The Old Paratrooper Podcast

In this episode of The Old Paratrooper Podcast, Chris Binch sits down with PJ, former Royal Marine, firefighter, hostile environment instructor, anti-poaching consultant and founder of the veteran-run clothing brand Gibraltar Trading Company (GTC).From growing up in Essex to earning his green beret, PJ shares his journey through Royal Marines training and military life. He speaks openly about serving during a quieter operational period, missing the opportunity to deploy to Afghanistan or Iraq, and why honesty about military service matters.After leaving the Marines, PJ joined the fire service, where he discovered a different set of challenges. Chris and PJ discuss the politics, workplace culture, management and frustrations that can come with life in the emergency services, alongside the camaraderie and experiences that make the job so rewarding.But the conversation takes a deeply personal turn when PJ opens up about the sudden and unexpected death of his younger brother at just 25 years old. A devastating loss that changed his perspective on life and ultimately influenced some of the biggest decisions he would ever make.Determined to make the most of the time he had, PJ travelled the world, stepped away from a secure career and took a gamble on a small business that began with selling stickers online.That business became Gibraltar Trading Company, a growing veteran-run clothing brand built around community, military humour and the philosophy of "Stay Wavy" — learning to ride life's ups and downs rather than allowing them to defeat you.This is more than a conversation about military service or building a business. It's about loss, perspective, taking risks, finding purpose and having the courage to change direction when life doesn't go to plan.An honest conversation about service, grief, resilience and turning an idea into something bigger.🎙️ The Old Paratrooper Podcast — Real People. Real Stories. Real Conversations.Interested in supporting the podcast ??? The check out the merch range on the link below.https://theoldpara.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooekmN5nuMemozCBSlXndH8wu7y8z-c_pbTYvpezFBuFwRsjuieEx British military? struggling with your hearing ? Click the link below to see if you’re eligible for compensation.https://veterans-for-veterans.co.uk/affiliates/chris-binch#veteran #britisharmy #viral #veteran #britisharmy #viral #royalmarinecommando #motivation #parachuteregiment #interview #military #algorithm #youtubeshorts #facebook #instagram #mentalhealthawareness #TheOldParatrooperPodcast #BritishArmy #IraqWar #Veterans #UltraMarathon #Endurance #MentalHealth #Resilience #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranMentalHealth #Survival

One moment he was a soldier fighting in Iraq. The next, he was engulfed in flames, trapped inside a burning armoured vehicle, fighting for his life.For former British Army soldier Karl Hinett, life changed in a matter of seconds.Drenched in petrol and surrounded by flames, Karl experienced a level of terror most of us could never begin to imagine. Trapped with nowhere to escape, he suffered devastating burns that would change his life forever.But surviving the fire was only the beginning.What followed was a gruelling journey through physical pain, rehabilitation, mental battles and the challenge of rebuilding a life after unimaginable trauma.For many, simply surviving such an ordeal would have been enough.But Karl wasn't finished. Not even close.Rather than allowing his injuries to dictate what he could achieve, Karl went on to push his body and mind to extraordinary limits.From running ultramarathons to taking on some of the world's toughest endurance events, Karl has continued to challenge himself in ways that would test even the fittest individuals.Marathons, extreme-distance running, gruelling endurance challenges and events that demand relentless physical and mental determination became part of his journey.A man who once fought to survive inside a burning vehicle went on to test the very limits of human endurance.From fighting for his life to pushing himself beyond limits most people would never dare approach.But behind the medals, achievements and extraordinary physical resilience is another story. The psychological scars of war, the impact of trauma and the battles that don't simply disappear because the physical wounds have healed.In this episode of The Old Paratrooper Podcast, Karl opens up about the day he was engulfed in flames, the terrifying moments that followed, his recovery, the mental battles and how endurance sport became such a significant part of his life.We discuss war, survival, severe burns, mental health, ultramarathons, resilience, purpose and what it really takes to rebuild yourself when life has been turned upside down.This isn't another motivational story about being tough.It's about a man who has experienced unimaginable pain, stared death in the face and refused to let that moment write the rest of his story.An extraordinary individual whose journey demonstrates that resilience isn't about never suffering. It's about what you choose to do in the face of that suffering.🎙️ The Old Paratrooper Podcast Presents: Karl HinettHe survived the flames. Then he went looking for his limits.Interested in supporting the podcast ??? The check out the merch range on the link below.https://theoldpara.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooekmN5nuMemozCBSlXndH8wu7y8z-c_pbTYvpezFBuFwRsjuieEx British military? struggling with your hearing ? Click the link below to see if you’re eligible for compensation.https://veterans-for-veterans.co.uk/affiliates/chris-binch#veteran #britisharmy #viral #veteran #britisharmy #viral #royalmarinecommando #motivation #parachuteregiment #interview #military #algorithm #youtubeshorts #facebook #instagram #mentalhealthawareness #TheOldParatrooperPodcast #KarlHinett #BritishArmy #IraqWar #Veterans #UltraMarathon #Endurance #MentalHealth #Resilience #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranMentalHealth #Survival

Is it unconscious bias, or is it racism? And where exactly do we draw the line?FULL PODCAST ON THE LINK BELOWhttps://youtu.be/ZU-zOcPhcvE?si=cNQcj3Pu5sfnxaYfFormer SAS soldier and bestselling author Chris Ryan joins The Old Paratrooper Podcast for a conversation about one of the most divisive subjects in society today.We explore unconscious bias, racism, personal experiences, stereotypes and how our upbringing and life experiences can shape the way we see others.Are we sometimes too quick to label people? Can someone hold an unconscious bias without being racist? And have we reached a point where people are afraid to have honest conversations for fear of being judged?It's a subject that often divides opinion, but that doesn't mean we should shy away from discussing it.At The Old Paratrooper Podcast, we believe in open conversations, challenging perspectives and allowing people to make up their own minds.What's your opinion? Is there a clear difference between unconscious bias and racism?Let us know in the comments. Keep it respectful.Subscribe to The Old Paratrooper Podcast for more honest, unfiltered conversations.Interested in supporting the podcast ??? The check out the merch range on the link below.https://theoldpara.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooekmN5nuMemozCBSlXndH8wu7y8z-c_pbTYvpezFBuFwRsjuieEx British military? struggling with your hearing ? Click the link below to see if you’re eligible for compensation.https://veterans-for-veterans.co.uk/affiliates/chris-binch#veteran #britisharmy #viral #veteran #britisharmy #viral #royalmarinecommando #motivation #parachuteregiment #interview #military #algorithm #youtubeshorts #facebook #instagram #mentalhealthawareness #sas #ChrisRyan #SAS #UnconsciousBias #Racism #TheOldParatrooperPodcast #Debate #MilitaryPodcast

FROM D-DAY TO THE RHINE – THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF WW2 PARATROOPER PETER LOVETTAt 101 years old, Peter Lovett is one of the last surviving members of a generation who fought through some of the most brutal battles of the Second World War.In this very special episode of The Old Paratrooper Podcast, Chris Binch sits down with Peter to hear his extraordinary story of courage, sacrifice and brotherhood.Peter landed on Juno Beach during D-Day, serving with No. 7 Assault Beach Group before volunteering for the legendary 9th Parachute Battalion.His remarkable military career took him through the fighting in Normandy, the freezing conditions of the Battle of the Bulge, and the historic airborne assault across the Rhine during Operation Varsity.On VE Day, Peter was in Germany, where he encountered Soviet forces at Wismar. His service didn't end with the war. He went on to serve in Palestine, Germany, Cyprus and Egypt before beginning another chapter of his life as a police officer.Peter speaks openly about the realities of war, losing comrades, close encounters with death, and the professionalism and brotherhood that made the Parachute Regiment what it was.These aren't stories from a history book. This is history told by a man who lived it.It was an absolute honour to sit down with Peter, not just as a podcast host, but as a former Paratrooper meeting one of the men who helped forge the regiment's legendary reputation.Every Man an Emperor.Please like, share and subscribe to The Old Paratrooper Podcast to help preserve the stories of this extraordinary generation.Interested in supporting the podcast ??? The check out the merch range on the link below.https://theoldpara.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooekmN5nuMemozCBSlXndH8wu7y8z-c_pbTYvpezFBuFwRsjuieEx British military? struggling with your hearing ? Click the link below to see if you’re eligible for compensation.https://veterans-for-veterans.co.uk/affiliates/chris-binch#veteran #britisharmy #viral #veteran #britisharmy #viral #royalmarinecommando #motivation #parachuteregiment #interview #military #algorithm #youtubeshorts #facebook #instagram #mentalhealthawareness #sas#PeterLovett #WW2 #ParachuteRegiment #DDay #BattleOfTheBulge #OperationVarsity #MilitaryHistory #TheOldParatrooperPodcast

Seconds to make a life-or-death decision. Years to answer for it.Former Metropolitan Police firearms officer Tony Long joins The Old Paratrooper Podcast to discuss his career in armed policing, the shootings that left three people dead, and the decade-long legal ordeal that ended with his acquittal at the Old Bailey.From his childhood and early ambitions to brutal Hendon training, foot patrols and the world of the SPG, Tony describes his journey from naïve recruit to trusted “thief taker” and firearms officer.00:00 — Meet Tony Long02:21 — A surprising family discovery05:48 — Joining the Metropolitan Police12:12 — Hendon: old-school police training18:55 — From detective ambitions to firearms27:01 — Early days on the streets40:14 — Informants and police intelligence53:57 — Dark humor under pressure59:08 — Joining the firearms unit75:26 — The Northolt siege89:07 — The armed robbery operation103:39 — The mental switch before a shift115:51 — The operation that led to trial129:53 — Split-second decisions, judged later139:55 — The Old Bailey trial and acquittal149:31 — Lethal Force and final reflectionsWe explore:• Firearms training in the 1970s and 80s• Informants, intelligence and policing before modern technology• Fear, respect and dark humour within old-school police culture• The pressure of deciding whether to pull the trigger• Investigations, a murder trial and the lasting mental tollBlunt and unfiltered, Tony shares his perspective on lethal force, accountability and living with decisions that cannot be undone.📖 Tony Long’s memoir, Lethal Force, is available on Amazon.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lethal-Force-Life-Controversial-Marksman/dp/1785033948Subscribe to The Old Paratrooper Podcast for honest conversations with veterans, emergency responders and people whose experiences deserve to be heard.Interested in supporting the podcast ??? The check out the merch range on the link below.https://theoldpara.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOooekmN5nuMemozCBSlXndH8wu7y8z-c_pbTYvpezFBuFwRsjuieEx British military? struggling with your hearing ? Click the link below to see if you’re eligible for compensation.https://veterans-for-veterans.co.uk/affiliates/chris-binch#veteran #britisharmy #viral #veteran #britisharmy #viral #royalmarinecommando #motivation #parachuteregiment #interview #military #algorithm #youtubeshorts #facebook #instagram #mentalhealthawareness #sas #police