Social 333 Podcast, Ep. 77: Military Veterans Living Their Best Life Abroad | John Davis

Host: Chris D. Bentley
Guest: John Davis
Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of the Social 333 Podcast brings together host Chris D. Bentley and guest John Davis, a combat veteran turned international advocate for American veterans living abroad. Davis shares his journey of moving overseas after his military service, discussing how this shift transformed his mental health, finances, and overall quality of life. The conversation delves deep into topics like PTSD, the challenges veterans face stateside, the benefits of moving abroad, and specific advice for veterans considering relocation. The discussion is raw, practical, and filled with moments of camaraderie, insight, and a shared mission to support those who've served.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

John’s Background and Motivation to Move Abroad

• Combat Veteran Origins

  • Grew up in Iowa; served two tours with the 101st Airborne in Afghanistan.
  • Medically retired after an injury. Receives a pension that, as he puts it, makes him “poor in the United States or rich abroad.”
  • Quote: “America was built for veterans to survive, not to heal.” (02:25, John Davis)

• Mental Health and Environment

  • Notes the toxicity and stress prevalent in U.S. society.
  • Advocates for changing one's environment as a critical step in true healing after military service:
    • “It’s hard to thrive or heal in toxicity.” (02:20, John Davis)

Veteran Healthcare Experiences Abroad vs. the U.S.

• Breaking Down the VA System’s Shortcomings

  • John contrasts the long wait times and perceived incompetence at U.S. VA facilities with “top notch healthcare” abroad.
  • “When I first got out... I was struggling. I called the VA, had to wait over three weeks... That doctor wasn't even there that fucking day.” (03:33, John Davis)
  • Specialized veteran clinics now exist in places like the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Thailand—serving only American veterans.

• Better Outcomes Overseas

  • Highlights cost-effective options: “English-speaking doctors for like a thousand dollars a year.”
  • Emphasizes: “If you change your environment, you can change your life.” (04:09, John Davis)

Struggles with PTSD and the Power of Affirmations

• The Silence Around PTSD

  • Both Chris and John share personal moments of dark times and the isolation many veterans feel after service.
  • Quote: “When the lights were off and no one was there, it got pretty dark.” (05:05, Chris Bentley)

• Affirmations as a Tool

  • John wrote “365 Days of Veteran Affirmations”—using “military language and creed” for resonance.
  • “When you change the things you say to yourself inside your own mind, it's gonna change your whole world.” (07:42, John Davis)
  • He also sends affirmations directly to fellow veterans and has YouTube content dedicated to such encouragement.

Religion, Spirituality, and Mental Wellness

• Statistical Insights
  • Veterans identifying as religious show lower rates of PTSD, suicide, substance abuse, and divorce.
  • “If you believe in something greater than yourself, it's going to have a positive effect.” (09:10, John Davis)
  • Supports Christian/mens’ groups while noting all belief systems can offer grounding and connection.

Veterans in Paradise: Living Abroad as a Pathway

• The Movement Abroad

  • 15,000+ U.S. veterans currently in the Dominican Republic alone.
  • John describes how an impulse trip became a permanent move due to better sleep, less anxiety, healthier eating, and immediate community (10:55–12:00).
  • The initiative “Veterans in Paradise” offers resources to veterans considering a relocation.

• Financial Health and Community

  • “You can take $4,000 a month and make yourself a top 1% earner in a lot of different other countries.” (12:54, John Davis)
  • Talks about organizing giving-back efforts (toy drives, school supplies) in host countries—veterans find purpose through community service internationally.

Logistics of Moving Abroad for Veterans

• Residency, Visas, and Staying Legal

  • Countries like the Dominican Republic allow extended stays for a small exit fee; others (Colombia) provide visas for steady income ($1,000/month).
  • “A lot of veterans don’t know that you can get your benefits abroad.” (14:37, John Davis)
  • Many federal retirees—from law enforcement to other government roles—have made similar moves.

• Family Life and Safety

  • Contrary to expectation, many families (not just single men) relocate.
  • International schools often provide better education; safety abroad is often more predictable than in the U.S.
  • “American violence is incredibly random... violence abroad is more targeted and confined.” (19:28, John Davis)

Daily Life and Culture Shock

• Adventures and Gratitude

  • Everyday life abroad is full of unpredictability, restoring “curiosity and sense of wonder.”
  • “Whereas the United States, I felt myself just discovering more stress and anxiety every day.” (21:00, John Davis)

• Gratitude for American Privilege

  • Host Chris reflects on travel overseas:
    • “I’m so thankful I have running water... and being able to take a hot shower twice a day and having electricity...” (21:11, Chris Bentley)
  • John emphasizes the difficulty for young Americans to afford property, the traps of debt and consumerism, and his newfound happiness with less material possession.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Impact of Changing Environment:
  “Financial health is mental health and your environment also plays a lot into it.” (02:11, John Davis)

• VA Care Abroad:
  “You can get top notch healthcare outside the United States. I’m talking everything you could ever want, English speaking doctors for like a thousand dollars a year.” (03:00, John Davis)

• Affirmations and Mindset:
  “When you change the things you say to yourself inside your own mind, it's gonna change your whole world.” (07:42, John Davis)

• Benefits of Faith:
  “Veterans that identify as being religious, kill themselves less, are Medicaid less or alcoholics less, get divorced less... If you believe in something greater than yourself, it's going to have a positive effect.” (09:08–09:14, John Davis)

• Cost of Living Abroad vs. U.S.:
  “$4,000 a month... top 1% earner in a lot of different other countries, as opposed to United States where you have to make… like $800,000.” (12:56, John Davis)

• The Tragedy of Normalized Veteran Suicide:
  “America has gotten so used to veteran suicide that it’s just normalized. It's almost like Taylor Swift or baseball and veteran suicide, it's just a part of our culture so much.” (13:24, John Davis)

• Life Overseas:
  “Anything is possible. There's endless amounts of adventure and opportunity, and I'm constantly learning and discovering. Whereas the United States, I felt myself just discovering more stress and anxiety every day.” (21:00, John Davis)

• Letting Go of Materialism:
  “When I got less stuff was when I got more happy, when I got away from like consumerism and materialism and started focusing on stuff.” (22:07, John Davis)

Important Timestamps

• 02:11 – Financial health’s role in mental health for veterans
• 03:00–03:45 – Comparing health care abroad to U.S. VA system; frustrations and breakthroughs
• 05:05 – PTSD, suffering in silence, and mental health struggles post-service
• 07:20–08:00 – The value and personal impact of affirmations for veterans
• 09:08 – The grounding effect of faith and community for veterans
• 10:55–13:30 – John’s first move abroad, the genesis of Veterans in Paradise, benefits seen in others
• 14:37–15:52 – Benefits eligibility, visas, and practical relocation advice
• 19:28 – Safety differences: U.S.A. vs. abroad
• 21:00 – Rediscovering adventure and gratitude overseas
• 22:07 – Minimalism and escaping the debt trap

Resources & Contact Information

• Veterans in Paradise: veteransinparadise.com
• John’s Blog & Books: johnhdaviswriter.com
  • Book: Veterans in Paradise
  • Book: 365 Days of Veteran Affirmations (Available on Amazon or free digital by request)

Closing Notes

This episode is a candid, energetic, and heartfelt look at the bold option of moving abroad for a better life after military service. John Davis is a passionate advocate for mental health, living with intention, and leveraging one’s American benefits in unconventional but rewarding ways. For veterans—or anyone—questioning whether the only way forward is through struggle, this episode is a roadmap and ray of hope.