Kelly’s rise to national attention began in November when fellow veteran Brandon Bieron was seen reviewing Kelly’s resume on his mobile phone during a Jonas Brothers concert. Jen Wilson, seated behind Bieron, recorded the moment and uploaded it to TikTok with the caption: “Scott Kelly, your resume was being reviewed at a Jonas Brothers concert tonight. Good luck.”
Within days, the video amassed more than 50 million views and generated widespread public support for Kelly. The Jonas Brothers themselves acknowledged the incident online, joking about the situation while extending best wishes for Kelly’s career prospects. Despite the viral attention, Kelly was not actively searching for employment and was already working in a position he enjoyed.
The viral clip ultimately helped Kelly reconnect with Bieron, who manages Reimer Home Services in the Buffalo, New York region, a company known for employing veterans. Kelly later invited Bieron to appear on his podcast, “At the Water’s Edge,” which examines national security and geopolitical affairs through what Kelly describes as an insider perspective.
Kelly’s story quickly spread through national media outlets, including Military.com. The attention culminated in an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” where Kelly discussed the viral incident alongside the Jonas Brothers.
Speaking to Military.com on Tuesday, Kelly revealed plans for a three-part podcast series scheduled for PTSD Awareness Month in June. The series will examine modern treatment approaches for PTSD, including research initiatives connected to Emory University, where Kelly is preparing to complete an Executive Master of Business Administration degree.
Kelly said the series will explore treatment accessibility, evolving care models for veterans, and growing research into psychedelic-assisted therapies for PTSD.
According to Kelly, the project will closely examine how emerging treatments can transition from experimental approaches into widely available medical solutions. He specifically highlighted growing interest in psychedelic substances such as ibogaine, which have become a significant area of discussion within veteran communities seeking alternative mental health therapies.
Interest in psychedelic treatment research intensified after President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month encouraging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to expand access to psychedelic therapies.
Kelly stated that Emory University is participating in related research efforts through collaboration with the Heroic Hearts Project, an organization assisting veterans seeking psychedelic treatment programs, many of which currently operate outside the United States.
He explained that the podcast series will investigate how the veteran community began embracing psychedelic therapies for PTSD treatment and how such treatments could eventually become mainstream, accessible, and formally integrated into broader healthcare systems.
Kelly emphasized that PTSD affects veterans from multiple generations, including those who served during World War II as well as soldiers deployed repeatedly to Iraq and Afghanistan. He stressed that the condition is treatable but does not resolve without intervention.
He also noted that treatment outcomes vary significantly among individuals, making it critical to identify personalized treatment pathways instead of forcing veterans to cycle through multiple unsuccessful options.
Kelly served in the U.S. Army from 2012 to 2022 and medically retired with the rank of captain. Following his departure from military service, he said he became increasingly aware of widespread misconceptions surrounding veterans and PTSD, particularly within civilian corporate environments.
Kelly explained that many people automatically assumed he suffered from psychological issues because of his Special Forces background and combat service in Afghanistan. He said such assumptions often influenced workplace interactions and created misconceptions regarding his behavior and employability.
He added that many civilians mistakenly associate PTSD with violence or emotional instability, despite those perceptions being largely inaccurate and frequently rooted in poorly informed but well-intentioned beliefs.
Currently residing in Syracuse, New York, Kelly said he particularly noticed these misconceptions after relocating to an area with a relatively small veteran population.
Unlike many military personnel who come from families with military traditions, Kelly said he was among the first in his family to join the armed forces. His parents had no military background.
After leaving the Army, Kelly entered a professional environment where he was one of very few combat veterans from the Global War on Terror era. He described how being introduced primarily as “the Special Forces guy” often shaped public perception before colleagues had the opportunity to know him personally.
Kelly also reflected on the challenges of transitioning into civilian life, especially because he had originally intended to complete a full military career before being forced into medical retirement.
He described the transition as emotionally difficult, saying the military had been his lifelong ambition since childhood and that determining his future identity after retirement became a significant personal challenge shared by many veterans.
Kelly later experienced another professional setback after appearing on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Although he said he had received approval to take leave for the appearance and did not criticize his employer publicly, JMA Wireless terminated his employment shortly after Christmas.
Rather than dwelling on the dismissal, Kelly established Gray Zone Advisory, a consulting firm that helps businesses navigate geopolitical risks and global developments affecting commercial operations.
Kelly explained that many veterans underestimate the value of their military experience in industries and regions with limited veteran representation. He said his expertise in international relations, military operations, and business administration enabled him to identify an underserved consulting market in upstate New York.
He pointed to the region’s proximity to Canada and New York City as factors increasing local businesses’ exposure to global political and economic developments. According to Kelly, even small businesses are increasingly affected by international events, creating demand for geopolitical risk analysis and strategic guidance.
By combining his military service, advanced education in international relations, and business administration training, Kelly said he was able to build a company addressing a growing and previously underserved market need.
Kelly’s transformation from an anonymous Army veteran to a nationally recognized advocate underscores the growing public conversation surrounding veteran mental health, post-military transition challenges, and the urgent push to modernize PTSD treatment for former service members across the United States.
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