I’m Matthew Heneghan — a Canadian author, speaker, and decorated former paramedic living with PTSD. But more than that, I’m a storyteller. And I believe that even the hardest chapters in life deserve to be heard.
I spent over 17 years serving others — first in the Canadian Armed Forces with 1 Field Ambulance, and later as a frontline civilian paramedic. I’ve stood in silence beside flag-draped caskets, carried the weight of fallen friends, and held the hands of strangers on their worst days. In 2017, after years of cumulative trauma, I was diagnosed with PTSD and left the profession I once thought defined me. But leaving the uniform didn’t mean abandoning my purpose.
Writing became my lifeline — a place to process, to honour, and to heal. In 2019, I published my first memoir, A Medic’s Mind, which was met with critical acclaim. Since then, I’ve continued to write, speak, and advocate for mental health awareness, veteran support, and addiction recovery. My follow-up book, Woven in War, now resides in the Canadian War Museum as part of their oral history project, In Their Own Voices.
I’m the host of Unwritten Chapters, a podcast that ranks in the top 5% globally — a space where I share real stories about trauma, growth, resilience, and the messy beauty of being human. My work has been featured by CBC, CTV, and national media outlets. In 2024, I was awarded the B.C. Medal of Good Citizenship, followed by the King Charles III Coronation Medal and soon, the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.
Beyond awards, I believe in showing up — for my family, my community, and those still fighting battles they can’t always explain. Whether it’s speaking to students through the Memory Project, volunteering at local events, I try to lead with compassion, not ego.
This site is home to my words, my voice, and the stories that shaped them. Some are painful. Some are redemptive. All of them are real. If you’re here, thank you for reading. You’re part of this story now.
— Matthew
Author Matthew Heneghan 