Marine Veteran Mike Damon owned his PTSD. He is using what he learned in his journey to create a guide for anyone to use to conquer their inner battles. The guide is written like guides in the military are written. The principles are easy to understand and implement. Listening to Mike talk about his vision and intent for what he is trying to do makes me believe that there is truly a way to go to 0 for Veteran Suicide.
Mike would like to thank all his friends and family who have supported him on this journey. He also thanks Nolan Motorcycle Helmets (https://www.nolan-usa.com/) for their support of Mike and the Vet Unite Motorcycle! A big thanks to Article Fifteen Brewing (https://articlefifteenbrewing.com/) in Weymouth, MA for allowing me to record there. I don’t drink, but Mike Damon can tell you it was cool to be served a refreshing brew during the interview by Jenn! Also wanted to shout out to Justin Cherman of Thank you Popcorn for the great snacks. You are welcome for Thank You Popcorn!
The good things keep coming for Oscar Mike Radio. Army Veteran Josh Hallet does video production. He did the video editing and masters for #185 with his company Boston Veteran Technology. This is big step because it is the first time I let someone make an episode. Thank you Josh and I am looking forward to doing great things together.
Note: The Star Wars Movie in the background was playing for customers of Article Fifteen Brewing. It is in no way to be considered part of Oscar Mike Radio’s production of #185.
Sponsor Information
Thanks to my sponsors Joyce Asack, Mark Holmes and Shaun Schubert for supporting Veterans!
Jim Tough has been a guest on Oscar Mike Radio in the past. Jim has a new outreach called, From the Edge to Thriving. This is built on people taking action with the challenges in their lives. Thanks for coming on again Jim, keep up the great work you are doing!
Sponsor Information
Thanks to my sponsors Joyce Asack and Mark Holmes for supporting Veterans!
If you have been watching the videos, you will notice that there have been changes to the logo. This is due to the work of Marine Veteran Mike Damon. Mike is the founder of Vet Unite – https://www.facebook.com/VetUnite/. He also owns and operates Last Call Designs. https://www.facebook.com/bvsigns/. I trusted Mike with Oscar Mike Radio, you can trust him too!
Jim Tough has been doing pushups for 600 Days to raise awareness about Veterans Suicide and the harm PTSD does to people. It is more than just pushups though, Jim relays an inspirational message to people who need to hear it. Sometimes these messages are a NCOs proverbial boot in the south end but they are from the heart. I have learned a lot from listening to the messages of the day.
Jim doesn’t do these for the attention. The goal is to get to a point where he doesn’t have to do them at all. The need is real. Please do not use a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Sponsor Information
Thanks to my sponsors Joyce Asack and Mark Holmes for supporting Veterans!
Credit – Irreverent Warriors – Nashville – Used by Permission from Andrew Farrer
Andrew Farrer reached out to me on Instagram about coming on Oscar Mike Radio. Come to find out he had met Scott Libby who has been on Oscar Mike Radio and asked if I would talk with him about the Nashville, TN Silkies Hike.
Irreverent Warriors was founded by Captain Donny O’Malley USMC Ret., and Sergeant Ryan Loya in 2015. They believed that humor could heal a person. https://www.irreverentwarriors.com/about/ Read the story about how this organization is using comradeire to prevent Veterans’ suicide.
Andrew went on a couple of hikes and wanted to do one in Nashville. He has been working since January to coordinate the hike in Nashville. Right now he has 150+ hikers signed up. He is working to make the hike a great experience and is already looking for ward to doing on in 2020.
The first part of this podcast, Andrew was candid about his situation and how he got to certain places in his life. In a way, this hike is a way to leave the past behind and turn over a new life.
Listening to Andrew talk, I can tell you that this is the reason to Oscar Mike Radio. Andrew had bad things happen to him and made bad choices, but he is looking stay sober and show other people that you can change your life at anytime if you put in the work. It is a great story, and I can’t wait to meet Andrew one day. He is Oscar Mike.
I could not wait to talk with Julie again because 2019 marked the 10th year anniversary of Wild Hearts Horses for Heroes. An anniversary like that is an amazing accomplishment for any non-profit.
One thing that must be said from the outset, I love getting to podcast in Julie’s barn. Every time I have done a podcast in her barn, I have learned something that made me better. This time was no different.
We sat down and I asked her about 10 years of doing Wild Hearts Horses for Heroes. For those who are reading this for the first time, Julie is the founder and CEO of Wild Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Program. Wild Hearts Horses for Heroes provides equestrian therapy to Veterans in need.
Julie explained why the 10th year Anniversary was so special to her and people who support the work. This year’s Gala is a way to reflect, but also celebrate the Veterans Julie serves.
There is a sense of excitement that comes through when Julie talks about her work. She isn’t just working with Veterans. Julie also works with the horses that serve the Veterans. She is always moving, and never still. That is what it takes to operate a non-profit that faces all the typical challenges of running a business. Julie makes it look easy.
There are thousands of non-profits in Massachusetts. Many do not get to three years of operation. Ten years of operation for any non-profit means something is going right. Even if you can’t attend the Gala consider supporting Wild Hearts Horses for Heroes.
Congratulations Julie, I can’t wait to see what is next.
“Under the Stars & Stripes” 10th Anniversary Celebration
Thanks to my sponsor Joyce Asack for supporting Veterans!
