Over the years I have been a big advocate for the mental health suffering community and specifically, alternative methods of healing to help those suffering.  I personally have gone through years attempting to ‘fix’ my condition of PTSD and the more I relied on the promoted system of healing (medication, psychologist, psychiatrists), the worse I became.  Even going down paths of trying newly accepted measures like marijuana.  I was 15 years clean and when Covid-19 happened, with little support and a very addictive personality, I was at the 2nd lowest point of my life.  Veterans Affairs helped me financially while I was going through school for my next planned career (firefighter) but once I changed course to pursue being a small business owner, there was no support in site and only attempts to force me into a direction I did not want to go.  I knew deep down and from past experience, healing comes from an individual choice to get better and what path you’re being ‘pushed’ or ‘forced’ to pursue, might not be the right direction for you.  The point is, everyone heals differently and has different “healing mechanisms (HMs)” in their lives that will bring success. 

From years of suffering and hardship I found those personal HMs that worked for me but started to let go and make excuses the more I did.  First being, giving back to my community and others.  The pandemic kinda ruined a lot of crap for all of us and with little personal support, I started holding resentment and anger, rather than being there as a leader expressing inspiration and joy.  Luckily I did have some people who helped take over certain ventures I founded and through those people I felt reinvigorated and blessed.  Shawn Weimer and the ‘YQR VetRun’ partnering with the ‘First Responders Run’ for me was really a moment of hope.  Deep down helping out has always been one of my personal HMs and from my experience, this HM is a means for many great souls to heal.  Second healing mechanism and probably my personal most important one is running!  Running might be an oversimplification but the constant pursuit to understand what my body and mind was capable of, brought successes in the other aspects of my life.  This HM brought mental/physical health, energy and happiness to where the responsibilities and day to day activities weren’t a headache but rather easily achievable life challenges in a world of much larger ones.  It changed my life finding this HM!