Chad Calahan

Author
Chad Calahan

Chad Calahan

Author of "Torque & Trauma: Fixing More Than Machines". A memoir of a retired U.S. Air Force mechanic who survived childhood abuse and carried its weight into adult life. Through raw reflections on trauma and PTSD, Chad reaches out to other men fighting similar internal wars—showing them they’re not alone, and that healing is possible.

His brother Brad Calahan, is the author of "My Brother, My Shield: A Memoir of Survival, Brotherhood, and Breaking the Cycle". A stark, unfiltered narrative from a younger brother raised in a home defined by abuse, neglect, and silence.


Books

Torque & Trauma: Fixing More Than Machines

In this raw and revealing non-fiction work, Chad Calahan delves into the lasting echoes of childhood trauma and its profound impact on adult life, with a lens on his 20-year career in the Air Force. Blending personal experience with hard-earned insight, the book explores how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shapes the mind and body, often...

My Brother, My Shield: A Memoir of Survival, Brotherhood, and Breaking the Cycle

Two brothers. One shield. A childhood no one should survive.

My Brother, My Shield is a raw, unflinching memoir of childhood abuse and the bond that turned pain into resilience. Through nights of fear and days of determination, B. L. Calahan recounts how he and his brother learned to protect each other, rebuild trust with the father they were...

Praise

Torque and Trauma is a memoir that speaks to your soul. Calahan discusses what he has experienced both good and bad and how he has overcome the speed bumps of life. He shows that men are allowed to feel emotion, allowed to discuss their feelings and grow through pain. He is an inspiration to our family and friends! I am so proud that he shared his story and that I am a part of it. ❤️

– Terra Calahan

This memoir is a raw and deeply moving account of childhood trauma, told with honesty and courage. The writing is unfiltered yet full of reflection and resilience, turning painful memories into a story of survival and growth. It’s a powerful read that offers comfort, perspective, and inspiration to anyone who has faced adversity.

– Brad Calahan

Torque and Trauma is unlike any memoir I’ve read before. Chad Calahan writes with the grit of a veteran and the openness of someone who has lived through pain but refuses to let it define him. His story moves between the unforgiving pace of life on the flightline and the hidden battles that come with PTSD and unresolved childhood wounds. What struck me most was Calahan’s honesty. He doesn’t sugarcoat the toll of trauma, nor does he present healing as a simple or quick process. Instead, he shows the reality—the setbacks, the anger, and the courage it takes to keep moving forward. For men especially, who are so often told to stay silent about their struggles, his voice is both relatable and deeply necessary. This book is not just about the military or PTSD—it’s about resilience, facing the weight of the past, and daring to believe in the possibility of healing. Calahan’s willingness to be vulnerable gives others permission to do the same, and that is what makes Torque and Trauma such a meaningful read.

– Gene Butcher

Events

My book, “Torque & Trauma,” will be FREE on Amazon from Saturday, December 13th through Wednesday, December 17th.

That’s right—FREE. Because apparently the universe decided that after everything I’ve survived, the least I could do is give away my life story like it’s a clearance bin DVD at Walmart.

Download it, read it, or just let it rot in your Kindle library next to the other self-help books you swore would fix you.

It also makes a fantastic Christmas gift, especially for people who gave...

Author Nation is a large multi-day conference in Las Vegas for independent and hybrid authors, created as the successor to 20BooksTo50K, and designed to help writers develop both craft and business skills. It features 90+ expert-led sessions on storytelling, marketing, publishing, business, and productivity, a major industry expo with service providers, and extensive networking opportunities. The event also includes social activities and reader-focused events like book signings. It is widely...