Mental health, military life, trauma & leadership under fire: How a Royal Marine became an Actor

Beyond The Battlefield

Mental health, military life, trauma, and leadership under fire — this is the untold reality of life in the Royal Marines.

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Tip Cullen, a man who’s spent 30 years in service with the Royal Marines, from the harshest frontlines to the highest levels of leadership. A battle-hardened veteran, Tip has completed countless operational tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other war zones, rising through the ranks to become a Royal Marines officer.

This isn’t just a conversation about military service — it’s a raw and unfiltered look at the brutality of modern warfare, the mental health battles that follow, and the strength it takes to survive and lead in one of the UK’s most elite fighting forces.

Tip shares what it’s really like to operate at the pinnacle of performance in the Royal Marines, the harsh realities of combat, and the tough mindset required to endure relentless physical and mental pressure. He breaks down the sacrifices, the brotherhood, and the emotional cost that’s rarely spoken about outside military circles.

We also dive into his latest project - Sunray: Fallen Soldier, a film he stars in and helped bring to life. This film is more than a story - it's a tribute to 'our people', as Tip calls them: Royal Marines, soldiers, and veterans who’ve seen and experienced the darkest parts of war. The film was created to raise awareness around PTSD, trauma, and mental health - topics often ignored but deeply embedded in the lives of those who serve.

Tip opens up about life after service, the challenge of finding purpose outside the military, and why storytelling through film became his next mission. Sunray isn’t just entertainment - it’s a message, a warning, and a memorial to the struggles we carry long after the battle ends.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s served, is serving, or wants to understand the real cost of leadership, combat, and survival.

Topics Covered:

Royal Marines life and leadership.
Combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Military mental health and PTSD.
Veteran transition and life after service.
Brotherhood and loss.
Creating Sunray: Fallen Soldier.
Trauma, resilience, and the healing power of storytelling.

#RoyalMarines #MilitaryLife #MentalHealth #PTSD #AfghanistanVeteran #IraqWar #SunrayFallenSoldier #VeteranStories #Leadership #TraumaRecovery #BeyondTheBattlefield #CombatVeteran #MilitaryBrotherhood #VeteranSupport #LifeAfterService #MilitaryTrauma #BritishArmedForces #WarFilm #FunctionalHealth #Resilience #WarriorWellness #MilitaryMindset