Bianka is a Navy veteran and currently responsible for all grant writing for CLIMB4. A survivor of military sexual trauma (MST), Bianka's story is one of resilience, fortitude, and serves as testimony to the fighting spirit of those who refuse to give up. An amazing person with a shared passion of helping her fellow veteran community, Bianka's light shines brightly for those who find themselves in the throes of circumstances which seem overwhelming.

This is her story. Let's hear her tell it.

Hike. Climb. Heal.

https://www.climb-4.org

Matt Allen is a former Army Infantryman and member of the 82nd Airborne. After joining the Army at age 19, Matt served three combat deployments - including 12 months in Iraq, and a combined 15 months in Afghanistan.

Leaving the Army after almost eight years of service, he soon realized something was off. Looking for help, and guided by a friend, Matt found the help he was searching for.

This is his story. I'll let him tell it.

[CLIMB4 Houston, TX Raffle - The Workshop (East End)]

Click here or visit https://www.instagram.com/p/CHMA8eWpPOd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

[CLIMB4 Veterans Day in Honor of Navy SEAL Chad Wilkinson]

Click here or visit https://www.instagram.com/p/CHL5OyzJE-q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

@the_workshop_east_end

@climb4_

[Warrior Angels Foundation]

Click here or visit https://www.warriorangelsfoundation.org/

[JAMA article on Testosterone Deficiency]

Click here or visit https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2749876

[CLIMB4]

Visit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org

Donate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donate

[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]

2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf

* Update on 2020 VA Suicide Report: https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/veterans-affairs-suicide-report-delayed-until-later-in-2020

Andrew is a Navy veteran and long-time friend. He and I have known each other for over 10 years now. We were in BUD/S together and in SEAL Qualification Training together. Life had other plans in store for Andy.

Listen in as he talks about his time in the Navy, his transition to being a civilian, and his newfound life as a husband and father.

[CLIMB4]

Visit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org

Donate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donate

[The Fallen Outdoors]

Visit the website (click here) or visit https://thefallenoutdoors.com/

[The Pygmalion Effect Journal articles]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780120644551500051

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9780470479216.corpsy0761

[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]

2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf

Cody is a Navy veteran and RIVRON crewman. Cody sustained injuries to his head resulting from motorcycle crash one fateful evening. Miraculously surviving his injuries, doctors said he would never recover from his coma.

Until he did, and his life has been forever changed and in ways he continually becomes conscious of daily.

Cody did more than just recover from the coma ... I'll let him tell the story.

[CLIMB4]

Visit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org

Donate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donate

[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]

2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf

Former Navy FMF Corpsman Mark Nicolas joins me to talk about his experiences in Fallujah and life after the military.

[Organizations mentioned during the show]

Warrior's Heart (Strength through healing) - https://www.warriorsheart.com/

Fallujah Awakens: Marines, Sheiks, and the Battle Against Al Qaeda -

https://www.amazon.com/Fallujah-Awakens-Marines-Sheikhs-Against/dp/1612511287

[CLIMB4]

** CLIMB4 Fundraiser (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/fun

Visit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org

Donate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donate

Apply for hiking/camping gear (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/apply

[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]

2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf

Former Army Infantryman Jason Mace, featured in Sebastian Junger's war documentary film "Restrepo," joins the show to speak about his experiences in the Korengal Valley, as well as continue the dialogue on PTSD, substance use, and helping to make an impact on veteran suicides.

[Organizations mentioned during the show]

Warrior's Heart (Strength through healing) - https://www.warriorsheart.com/

[A Historical Examination of Military Records of US Army Suicide, 1819 to 2017]

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2757484

[CLIMB4]

** CLIMB4 Fundraiser (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/fun

Visit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org

Donate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donate

Apply for hiking/camping gear (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/apply

[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]

2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf

"A Life of Contrast." Melissa is a Marine Corps veteran, former police officer, and beauty pageant winner holding a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Sciences and currently pursuing her master's in Systems Engineering. Not to mention, she has a heart of gold and a determination to give back to her fellow veterans.

[Melissa Matis]

Follow Melissa on Instagram (@melmasterflash), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/melly.matis), and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melmatis/)

[Organizations mentioned during the show]

Samaritan House: https://samaritanhouseva.org/

Virginia Gentlemen Foundation: https://www.vagentlemen.com/

Hiring Our Heroes (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation): https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/hiring-our-heroes

[CLIMB4]

Visit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org

Donate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donate

Apply for hiking/camping gear (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/apply

[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]

2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf