Andy McNab – SAS to Hollywood. Life, Legacy and New Veterans app

From SAS to Hollywood: Andy McNab on Life After Service, Risk-Taking, and Supporting Veterans with the WeServed App

In the latest episode of Pad Wives Assemble, we had the honour of speaking with Andy McNab, former SAS soldier, bestselling author, and media mogul. Andy’s incredible journey — from growing up in foster care to becoming one of the most celebrated figures in the British military — is a testament to resilience, courage, and taking risks. In our conversation, Andy reflects on the challenges of transitioning from the military to civilian life, the skills he recommends veterans should upskill in before leaving service, and his exciting new venture, the WeServed app.

We talk about Andy’s unique upbringing, his personal stories whilst serving, and his ever growing successful career as a best selling author to producing and consulting on Hollywood films. Did you also know that Andy is a diagnosed psychopath? Yep, of course we had to find out more about this and his book “The Good Psychopath” which was an interesting topic to say the least. “We had 12 nutribullets at one point because I knew, okay they are sad or angry I need to make a cup of tea, or buy a present”, you are probably wondering what an earth we are rambling about? Well – go and listen to the full episode with the links down below.

“Everything Was a Bit of a Punt”
Andy’s career has been defined by bold decisions and calculated risks. Reflecting on his experiences, he admits, “Everything was a bit of a punt.” For Andy, taking risks was part of the adventure — from joining the army at 16 with a reading age of 9-11 to navigating the entertainment industry in Hollywood.

“I went to about 9 different schools as a kid, and I didn’t really give a shit about education. What I wanted was to get money, to get a car etc… all that good stuff”

Andy explained how joining the Army was actually a short cut for him as he ended up in juvenile detention, which during the time was known as “The short, sharp, shock” Andy explains. Ultimately they had some serving soldiers who showed a video on what life in the British Army could look like. After seeing the video of a Helicopter pilot, what joining the Army meant was not having to go back to the Borstal system so the decision to join was a pretty easy one.

Andy’s philosophy on risk-taking and “everything being a bit of a punt” is something he’s carried into all areas of his life. When he left the army, he took another leap of faith by transitioning into the world of writing and media. And later, his move into Hollywood films and working with none other than the very famous Robert De Niro, but if you want more on that, you will just have to tune in to the full episode – available on Spotify and Youtube.

The Skills Veterans Need Before Leaving the Army

One of the key aspects of our conversation was discussing the new app that has been created by Veterans for Veterans of which both Andy and Bels who joined him, for this episode are Founders of https://we-served.com/

We asked the burning question that many wonder when their time in service comes to an end is, what skills should they focus on to transition into a Civilian career, and how do their skills in the forces transfer?

For Andy the skills he believes veterans should focus on developing before leaving the army is about preparation — ensuring that you have a broad skill set that can transfer to civilian life, using the resources the Army can provide for you to get those skills.

“First of all when people are getting out, there is so much information given to them” “One of the things I have found over the years that really works, is 3 things that are really so simple. No matter what you’ve chosen to do, you’re on time, you turn up with the kit or information you need, and you do the best job possible” Andy exclaimed passionately, he also mentions that these 3 simple things are all things that we use everyday in the Army.

Agreeing with the 3 simple steps that Andy gave, we were all in agreement that nowa days in ‘Civi Street’ these things don’t always happen. “Nobody really does that, there is always a reason why… or an excuse” he mentioned following with “These things don’t go un-noticed”

Supporting Veterans: The Vision Behind the WeServed App

Andy is now focusing on a project close to his heart: WeServed, an innovative app designed to support veterans transitioning from military life back into civilian life. The vision behind WeServed is simple yet profound — to provide veterans with everything they need in one easy-to-use platform. From managing GP appointments and accessing job upskilling resources to finding discounts and support networks, WeServed aims to make the transition as smooth as possible.

“The app was created by people who’ve served, for people who’ve served,” Andy explains. The services and support the team have built into the app — from health care to career advice — are designed to help veterans hit the ground running and find what they need quickly.

One of the app’s co-founders, Bels, also joined the interview to share more about WeServed’s development. “We wanted to create something that is a family, a community and it is just that” Bels says.

Which for us being spouses is so important as we get to experience first hand the bond that our husbands have with their colleagues whilst serving. So we definitely understand it can be a shock when the time comes to leave. In agreement Andy gave a very simple but powerful statement – “You served, we served, we get it.”

The Bottom Line: Life After Service

Andy’s journey from SAS soldier to Hollywood and beyond serves as a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, taking risks and embracing new opportunities can lead to extraordinary results. He’s lived the mantra of “everything was a bit of a punt,” and we think it is safe to say that it has most certainly paid off, wouldn’t you?

For those transitioning into civilian life, we believe Andy’s advice is clear: Make sure you’re building a toolkit before you leave. Don’t be afraid to take risks, but make sure you’re prepared. The more you can learn and the more you can adapt, the better your chances of success.

Now, with the WeServed app, veterans now have a powerful tool to help them on their journey, ensuring they have the resources and support they need every step of the way.

If you’re a veteran or know someone who has served, WeServed is definitely worth checking out. For more insights from Andy McNab and Bels on how this app can support veterans, be sure to listen to the full episode of Pad Wives Assemble. Whether you’re transitioning from military service, or simply curious about how risk-taking, storytelling, and how the weserved app all intersect.

This conversation is one you don’t want to miss!