Warrior Side: Telling Stories That Heal
Diego Ugalde’s passion is palpable as he shares the mission behind Warrioreide, a storytelling academy designed to connect veterans with their own voices and the communities around them. During our conversion for Ep.44 of Mindbend, Diego opened up about the transformative power of storytelling and how it can be a tool for healing, connection, and even career advancement. With Warriorside’s largest event yet slated for March 29, 2025, at the House of Blues in San Diego, it’s clear this initiative is about more than just words—it’s about creating a lasting impact.
The Power of Connection
From the outset, Diego emphasized that the most powerful medicine isn’t something you take—it’s connection.
“The most change, the most actual physiological change patients experience is when they’re simply sitting and talking with someone who’s fully listening to them,” he shared. This insight has stuck with him through years of work in various forms of medicine, from pre-hospital care to psychedelics.
Diego believes storytelling is the ultimate form of connection. Whether recounting a life-altering moment or simply reflecting on the human condition, stories give people a chance to connect with others—and themselves—on a profound level. “It’s not just about making sound,” he explained. “It’s about creating a window into the experience I had for myself, so that you can connect with me.”
From Keynotes to Connection
The concept for Warriorside was born from Diego’s own experiences on the speaking circuit. Despite delivering powerful keynote speeches, he often felt a disconnect with his audience. A pivotal moment came after a particularly lackluster reception at a Las Vegas event. A friend suggested he restructure his story—switching the beginning and the end, reshuffling the middle—and the results were transformative.
“I gave the keynote in Alaska, and there were people crying, laughing, and I got my first standing ovation,” Diego recalled. “All I had to do was switch up the order of the story.”
This epiphany led to the realization that storytelling is a skill that can be learned, honed, and mastered. For Diego, the idea of equipping veterans with these skills became a natural extension of his own journey.
What Exactly Is Warriorside?
At its core, Warriorside is about transformation. The nonprofit organization offers veterans the tools and training to become elite storytellers, whether they want to pursue public speaking careers or simply communicate more effectively in their personal lives.
The program includes a two-week training course where participants delve into everything from stage presence to emotional awareness. “This isn’t just about storytelling academics,” Diego noted. “It’s about iteration, muscle memory, and connection.” Participants practice speaking in front of their peers, receiving feedback and refining their stories until they’re ready to take the stage.
Graduates of the program have the chance to perform at Warriorside events, such as the upcoming House of Blues showcase, and potentially advance to corporate-speaking opportunities. The training, Diego explained, is designed to be both deeply personal and professionally empowering.
Creating Space for Healing
One of the most powerful aspects of Warriorside is the safe space it creates for veterans to share their stories. Diego recounted a particularly moving moment during Warriorside’s first event at the Hotel Del Coronado. A veteran stood before the audience and revealed something he had never told his family: “It’s not that I don’t love you. It’s that I never loved myself.”
“That conversation had been hanging in that family for 20 years,” Diego said. “And Warriorside gave them the container to finally have it.”
The program isn’t just about trauma, though. It’s about the human condition in all its forms. As Diego put it, “We’re just giving the time and space for these conversations to happen. And that’s all that’s needed.”
Why Storytelling Matters
Storytelling, Diego explained, is an integral skill in nearly every profession. From sales to law to public speaking, the ability to craft and deliver a compelling narrative can be a game-changer. For veterans, who often have unparalleled leadership experience and unique perspectives, storytelling offers a way to translate their skills into new contexts.
“The real trick is understanding the connective points—how your experience applies to the civilian world,” Diego said. “The veterans who can bridge that gap are the ones who become the most powerful connectors.”
Warriorside aims to help veterans find those connections, equipping them with the tools to share their stories effectively and authentically.
The March 29th, 2025 Event in San Diego
On March 29, 2025, Warriorside will host its largest event yet at the House of Blues in San Diego. This ticketed showcase will feature stories from veterans who have completed the Warriorside training program. It’s a chance to witness the power of storytelling firsthand—and to be inspired to share your own.
Diego hopes the event will attract not just veterans, but people from all walks of life. “We want to inspire reconnection through storytelling,” he said. “It’s not just about hearing the stories—it’s about inciting the audience to reflect on their own stories and relationships.”
How to Get Involved
Warriorside is currently accepting applications for its training program, as well as donations and sponsorships to help fund future cohorts. Each cohort costs approximately $40,000 to produce, covering everything from training to event production.
“This is something that’s going to create real, lasting change,” Diego said. “When veterans leave our program, they’re not just good at telling one story—they’re equipped to tell great stories for the rest of their lives.”
For more information or to purchase tickets to the March event, visit warriorsidefoundation.org.
A Call to Action
Diego Ugalde and Warriorside are doing more than teaching veterans how to tell stories—they’re building a movement. By creating spaces for connection, healing, and growth, they’re proving that storytelling isn’t just an art—it’s a vital tool for navigating life.
Whether you’re a veteran, a supporter, or simply someone who believes in the power of human connection, the Warrior Side event on March 29th is an opportunity to be part of something transformative. As Diego put it, “Imagine telling your story from a place of deep connection. What kind of impact could you have?”
The stage is set. All that’s left is for you to show up and listen.