In this episode of From Battle to Business, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Reichert shares his powerful transformation from military leadership to servant leadership guided by faith. With over two decades in the Army and four combat deployments, Ryan opens up about facing addiction, discovering purpose through pain, and answering God’s call to serve others. Now a business owner, motivational speaker, and author, Ryan reveals how rock bottom was the start of something greater. If you’re battling inner demons, searching for direction, or striving to lead with purpose, this episode will meet you where you are—and move you forward.

What happens when a soldier’s battlefield becomes internal?

Ryan Reichert’s story is not just about discipline, deployments, or rank—it’s about redemption. After 23 years in the U.S. Army and facing combat’s external pressures, Ryan returned home to face a deeper war: addiction, identity, and faith.

This episode is a raw, honest conversation about recovery, reinvention, and what it means to truly lead—with humility, integrity, and obedience to God’s call. Dean and Ryan dive into the tension between structure and surrender, and how Ryan’s business and ministry work now stand on the same foundation: service.

Whether you’re a veteran navigating life after the uniform or a leader seeking more clarity, Ryan’s journey is proof that your lowest point might just be your launchpad.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership without purpose eventually leads to burnout.
• Faith can become your greatest operational strategy.
• Recovery is not weakness—it’s real strength.
• God doesn’t waste pain—He uses it as preparation.
• Your identity isn’t your title; it’s your testimony.

3 Quotes from the Episode:

Resources Mentioned:

• Our Protector Development: Ryan’s platform for coaching, speaking, and spiritual mentorship.

My Advice:

Don’t wait until your structure collapses to question your foundation. Ask now: Is the life I’m building rooted in truth, or in ego? Ryan’s story reminds us—when you surrender control, that’s when true transformation begins.

Connect with Ryan Reichert at

https://ourprotectordevelopment.com/

Connect with Dean Van Dyke at The Breakthrough Blueprint

https://www.deanvandyke.com

https://www.instagram.com/dhvandyke27/

https://www.facebook.com/thepillarsgroup/

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