Leaving the military isn’t just a career change — it’s an identity shift. In this deeply personal episode of The Military Wallet, Ryan Guina sits down with Dane Gibson, an Army veteran turned realtor, property manager, and entrepreneur, to talk candidly about transition, addiction, mental health, faith, and finding purpose after service.

Dane shares his journey from active-duty field artillery to struggling through civilian life, battling addiction, surviving suicidal thoughts, and eventually rebuilding his life through faith and real estate.

Note: If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, dial or text the helpline at 988.

Along the way, he explains how military discipline, resilience, and problem-solving skills helped him succeed in a commission-based business — and why real estate can be a powerful (but challenging) career path for veterans.

This conversation goes far beyond money and careers. It’s about identity, healing, and redefining success on your own terms — whether that’s through entrepreneurship, faith, or simply learning to live with less pressure and more meaning.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What Dane’s military transition really looked like after ETS
• How alcohol culture in the military followed him into civilian life
• Recognizing addiction, hitting rock bottom, and asking for help
• Why identity loss is one of the hardest parts of leaving the military
• How faith helped Dane rebuild his life and redefine success
• Why real estate can be a strong (but demanding) career path for veterans
• The realities of commission-based income and entrepreneurship
• How property management creates more stable, predictable income
• The military skills that translate best into business and real estate
• Financial lessons for transitioning service members
• Why success isn’t about money — it’s about waking up without pressure

⏱️ Episode Timeline

00:00 – Introduction
Ryan introduces Dane Gibson and his background.

00:43 – Army Service & Early Challenges
Life as a field artillery soldier in Korea and Fort Hood.

03:12 – Alcohol Culture & Coping Mechanisms
How drinking became normalized — and destructive.

05:47 – Transitioning Out of the Military
College, travel, and searching for identity.

11:28 – Rock Bottom & Suicidal Thoughts
A pivotal moment and asking for help.

15:49 – Camino de Santiago & Self-Discovery
Seeking meaning outside the military.

16:58 – Living at Home & Career Uncertainty
Struggling to translate military skills.

18:11 – Discovering Sales & Real Estate
Why real estate became a natural fit.

26:02 – Addiction, COVID, and a Breaking Point
The moment everything changed.

30:51 – Faith, Recovery, and Sobriety
A slow but lasting transformation.

32:51 – Money, Identity, and Losing Everything
Why tying self-worth to income fails.

36:11 – Redefining Success
Living with purpose instead of pressure.

39:23 – Real Estate Paths for Veterans
Sales, property management, building, and investing.

47:42 – Advice for Transitioning Service Members
Financial discipline, identity, and long-term thinking.

51:15 – Final Message
You’re not alone — help is available.

🎯 Who This Episode Is For

• Veterans struggling with transition or identity loss
• Service members considering real estate or entrepreneurship
• Anyone battling addiction or mental health challenges
• Military families supporting a loved one through transition
• Listeners seeking purpose beyond rank, income, or career