What happens after elite performers come home from years of high intensity missions?

In this episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with clinical psychologist and researcher Dr. Chris Frueh to unpack the powerful concept of Operator Syndrome, the collection of physical, psychological, and neurological challenges many high-performing warriors and operators experience after years of operating at the edge.

Dr. Frueh has spent decades studying combat veterans, special operations forces, and high-stress performers, and his work challenges many common assumptions about trauma, PTSD, and resilience.

This conversation goes deep into:

• The real science behind Operator Syndrome

• Why elite performers often struggle after their careers

• The misunderstood connection between trauma, performance, and identity

• How decades of combat deployments affect the brain and body

• What warriors, leaders, and families need to understand

If you're interested in elite performance, military psychology, leadership, resilience, or the human cost of operating at the highest level, this conversation will challenge how you think about trauma and recovery.