What happens when a U.S. Navy veteran, military professional, husband, father, and builder loses nearly everything?
And what happens when rock bottom becomes the place where a completely different life begins?
On this episode of The MisFitNation, we welcome U.S. Navy Veteran Matthew States, founder of Divine Chosen Ones and Soul Shine Struggle, for a raw and powerful conversation about veteran addiction recovery, faith, identity, mental health, resilience, homelessness, incarceration, and rebuilding a life rooted in purpose.
Matthew describes himself in three words:
Veteran. Survivor. Builder.
With more than 24 years of military and Department of Defense experience, Matthew served as a U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnanceman and later worked as a DoD contractor, aircraft mechanic, munitions professional, and ordnance specialist.
But his most important story began after the résumé stopped mattering.
Matthew faced:
• Alcohol addiction
• Divorce
• Homelessness
• Jail and incarceration
• Mental health struggles
• Losing nearly everything
At one of the lowest moments of his life, while staying in a homeless shelter, Matthew experienced what he describes as a come-to-God moment.
He chose a different path.
He began rebuilding his identity.
He started creating.
He built a business.
And eventually, he began helping others do the same.
Today, Matthew is the founder of Divine Chosen Ones, a faith-driven community focused on purpose, healing, recovery, and transformation.
He also leads Soul Shine Struggle, a recovery community created to help veterans overcome alcohol addiction, rebuild their identity, learn practical skills, develop financial independence, and create a life they are proud to live.
Matthew’s philosophy is simple but powerful:
“Recovery isn’t just about quitting alcohol. It’s about becoming someone worth fighting for.”
His mission is to help veterans achieve a sober lifestyle and brighter future by transforming identity, discovering purpose, developing practical life skills, and building lasting change.
🔥 In this episode, we explore:
• What Matthew’s real rock bottom looked like
• His turning point inside a homeless shelter
• Alcohol addiction and veteran recovery
• The connection between identity and lasting sobriety
• Why simply quitting drinking may not be enough
• Mental health challenges among veterans
• Faith, grace, and personal transformation
• Rebuilding after homelessness and incarceration
• The lessons military service taught him about resilience
• Brotherhood, accountability, and community in recovery
• Entrepreneurship after adversity
• Financial freedom and independence after rebuilding your life
• Why purpose can become a weapon against relapse
• The mission behind Divine Chosen Ones
• The vision behind Soul Shine Struggle
• Matthew’s developing 13-week veteran recovery program
• What he would tell the veteran who believes they are too far gone
Matthew’s story is not about perfection.
It is about rebuilding.
As he puts it:
“I know I’m not perfect, but God’s grace is greater than my mistakes.”
If you are a veteran, family member, person in recovery, or someone trying to rebuild after your darkest season, this conversation may be exactly what you need to hear.
👉 JOIN US LIVE and bring your questions.
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🔁 SHARE this episode with a veteran or family that needs this message
🔔 SUBSCRIBE to The MisFitNation for more conversations with veterans, survivors, leaders, entrepreneurs, and people who turned adversity into impact.
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