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Excommunicated Warrior: The 7 Stages Of Transition
As human beings, we will inevitably go through a life-changing event at some point in our life. It could be losing a job of 20 years, finalizing a divorce, being forced to retire early because of an injury, or leaving the military. These life-changing events can have disastrous effects on us and the people around us. Some of us never work through these events and end up unhappy and stuck in life. This happened to Nick when he left a 12-year career as a Marine Raider with the Marine Corps Special Operations Unit. For years, he was stuck with feelings of anger, indifference, and bitterness. Until he finally decided to take action and apply the skills he learned as a Raider and got to work on solving his personal problems. The Excommunicated Warrior takes you through the journey of Nick’s transition out of the Special Operations as he attempted to reintegrate into the civilian world. Through this journey, he identified 7 different stages of transition. Nick quickly realized that these 7 stages were something most veterans had to go through and he launched a non-profit that focused on helping the nation's veterans transition out of the military. Soon, Nick started developing steps to work through the stages, all aimed at the military community. However, through various speaking engagements, it became clear that Nick's ideas about the 7 stages of transition applied to anyone, not just veterans. The stages applied to anyone that had gone through a life-altering event. This book outlines the 7 stages and how you can use them in your life. In short, the book is for anyone who has gone through a life-changing event and refuses to be a victim of circumstance. Anyone who decides to never quit, never surrender, and always move forward.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2018
85 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 19, 2020
Great for anyone in a life transition.
This was a fast, informative book. I read it in one day. I found it to be accurate and genuine regarding the stages of transition that many people experience in their lives. This book should be recommended reading for all combat troops or police officers who are moving toward civilian life.
This was a fast, informative book. I read it in one day. I found it to be accurate and genuine regarding the stages of transition that many people experience in their lives. This book should be recommended reading for all combat troops or police officers who are moving toward civilian life.
November 17, 2018
I started my transition out of the military almost two years ago and this book is the most enlightening thing I have read about the subject.
February 14, 2020
I can't recommend a book that stigmatizes mental health treatment.
This a pretty great book right up until the last chapter, "3 Steps to Happiness Recipe for Success" where the author packages up his playbook to getting your life on track. Unfortunately right there the book got dangerous with “medications as a temporary means of therapy”. I have a low tolerance for stigmatizing mental and behavior health and treatment.
I'm generally a big fan of memoirs. There is a lot to like about this book. The author's pain and frustrating with the systems comes across as honest and well founded. This also makes the book's message of the buck stopping with you and fixing yourself all the more powerful. The book seems to offer a lot of helpful advice and steps to succeed at the overwhelming transition from military to civilian life.
I hope that a future edition will improve that section. There are some misogynistic sayings in the book that could also benefit from being cleaned up to match his goal of this being a resource to service woman too. I'd be happy to re-review it after.
This a pretty great book right up until the last chapter, "3 Steps to Happiness Recipe for Success" where the author packages up his playbook to getting your life on track. Unfortunately right there the book got dangerous with “medications as a temporary means of therapy”. I have a low tolerance for stigmatizing mental and behavior health and treatment.
I'm generally a big fan of memoirs. There is a lot to like about this book. The author's pain and frustrating with the systems comes across as honest and well founded. This also makes the book's message of the buck stopping with you and fixing yourself all the more powerful. The book seems to offer a lot of helpful advice and steps to succeed at the overwhelming transition from military to civilian life.
I hope that a future edition will improve that section. There are some misogynistic sayings in the book that could also benefit from being cleaned up to match his goal of this being a resource to service woman too. I'd be happy to re-review it after.
December 17, 2018
In the book Nick says "You might not be a veteran, but I'm willing to bet that you can still find some use in this."
I found a lot more useful and actionable takeaways that just "some!"
Written in an honest first-person tone, Nick's style is all about authenticity - it's written by a former warrior who has transitioned into civilian life and that's exactly how it reads - not like an overly polished work. The cadence and language is what makes it authentic - it reads not like a book but as if you were talking to Nick in person.
As an entrepreneur who has experienced both personal trauma and professional failure I saw MANY synergies and similarities between his 7 Stages of Transition and those of the path of someone committed to and living an entrepreneurial lifestyle.
Also, his 3 Steps to Happiness are COMPLETELY actionable and no matter who you are or what your situation there are gems to be applied to your own lifestyle starting immediately! I already wrote down a number of changes I plan on making to my 2019 schedule and adapting some personal habits and rituals for.
I'm a big fan of military non-fiction and personal stories and Nick's book is one of the best I've read in years - I recommend it to anyone who is not only a fan of the genre, but anyone seeking real, honest, actionable self-improvement and personal/professional development content - its firing on all cylinders.
I found a lot more useful and actionable takeaways that just "some!"
Written in an honest first-person tone, Nick's style is all about authenticity - it's written by a former warrior who has transitioned into civilian life and that's exactly how it reads - not like an overly polished work. The cadence and language is what makes it authentic - it reads not like a book but as if you were talking to Nick in person.
As an entrepreneur who has experienced both personal trauma and professional failure I saw MANY synergies and similarities between his 7 Stages of Transition and those of the path of someone committed to and living an entrepreneurial lifestyle.
Also, his 3 Steps to Happiness are COMPLETELY actionable and no matter who you are or what your situation there are gems to be applied to your own lifestyle starting immediately! I already wrote down a number of changes I plan on making to my 2019 schedule and adapting some personal habits and rituals for.
I'm a big fan of military non-fiction and personal stories and Nick's book is one of the best I've read in years - I recommend it to anyone who is not only a fan of the genre, but anyone seeking real, honest, actionable self-improvement and personal/professional development content - its firing on all cylinders.
September 17, 2019
I was never in the military, but have deep compassion for our veterans that we should not be losing our heroes that keep America protected and free and that help so many other countries from suicide (Average of 22 commit suicide a day... I repeat.. each day we lose 22 veterans to suicide). They need our understanding to be there for them. This book gave more insight how one Marine Raider was able to overcome these struggles and tools used that can even help civilians that are going through big changes in their lives that this book is a good read for anyone. I encourage you to read and tell others so we can help and not loose such good people trying to comprehend everything in life thrown at them as they deal with all the changes they have to go through when coming home.
October 18, 2019
Powerful stuff!
I rarely sit down to read a book. After hearing Nick as a guest on my favorite podcast, promoting his book, I had to give it a try. I read the whole book in 2 days! Having just retired from law enforcement after 24 years of service, I felt like this book was written about me. I was going through the exact same thing Nick went through. It was nice to know that I was not alone and I learned a great deal from this book. This book is not a military story, rather a story about embarking on a huge transition to the unknown. I would highly recommend giving it a read. It may just help you get through the tough days like it did for me!
I rarely sit down to read a book. After hearing Nick as a guest on my favorite podcast, promoting his book, I had to give it a try. I read the whole book in 2 days! Having just retired from law enforcement after 24 years of service, I felt like this book was written about me. I was going through the exact same thing Nick went through. It was nice to know that I was not alone and I learned a great deal from this book. This book is not a military story, rather a story about embarking on a huge transition to the unknown. I would highly recommend giving it a read. It may just help you get through the tough days like it did for me!
May 14, 2020
I highly recommend this book if you are preparing for a major life transition. Very motivating. Language is a little rough, but many applicable and relatable skills. Technically, it's a self help book, but pretty intense and worth the read. Even if you are not military or law enforcement, the ideas are universal for anyone in any type of major transition. There is a section where he talks about owning your "stuff" and not numbing it. He also talks about doing whatever it takes to meet your goals and get out of a downward spiral.
March 7, 2020
No matter what decade you served this book is for you, if you did not serve this book is for you. First responders this book is for you. Men, this book is for you. Women this book is for you. This book is for every adult, why, because this book is about life transitions and how the author recognized and dealt with major life transition. A great read that I recommend for any adult.
August 28, 2019
Great book!!
Reading this book helped me to understand what is going on in my head. Inwill definity recommend this book to others who are struggling and are wondering why.
Again this is a great book.
Reading this book helped me to understand what is going on in my head. Inwill definity recommend this book to others who are struggling and are wondering why.
Again this is a great book.
November 15, 2019
Thanks Nick
Having returned from two tours of Iraq after the initial invasion, I didn’t think I was suffering from ptsd. But then I lost by job and then my wife. It took me years to recover. I did, I just wish I read your book earlier, it would have helped.
Take care brother.
Having returned from two tours of Iraq after the initial invasion, I didn’t think I was suffering from ptsd. But then I lost by job and then my wife. It took me years to recover. I did, I just wish I read your book earlier, it would have helped.
Take care brother.
February 2, 2020
Book is mega good
A well laid out map of a wonderful process to understand and face transition! Reading about his story and struggles has given me the desire to face and overcome my own obstacles and it could help you too!
A well laid out map of a wonderful process to understand and face transition! Reading about his story and struggles has given me the desire to face and overcome my own obstacles and it could help you too!
December 23, 2018
First book I've read in a while.
Great book, very insightful. Helped me realize quite a bit about my self and my own transition out of the Marine Corps for the past 2 years.
Great book, very insightful. Helped me realize quite a bit about my self and my own transition out of the Marine Corps for the past 2 years.
June 26, 2019
Worth every chapter.
Not a single page was wasted reading this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone, even non military personnel.
Not a single page was wasted reading this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone, even non military personnel.
December 1, 2022
Amazing
Just the book I needed to understand I wasn’t the only one feeling crazy and alone. Recommend to anyone transitioning from any life decisions
Just the book I needed to understand I wasn’t the only one feeling crazy and alone. Recommend to anyone transitioning from any life decisions
February 17, 2025
Great read. Loved the insights. Thanks Nick.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews