ITCM Amaury Ponciano returns to the show to discuss various topics, including his book 'Anchored in Resilience'. He also touches on sensitive subjects such as sexual assault and family dynamics. Amaury shares his motivation for writing the book and challenges in discussing certain aspects of his life. He recalls the reactions of family members to the book and the importance of sharing one's truth. Amaury shares his experiences with relationships and cultural identity. He has a crazy story about how he ended up between a mother and daughter. He discusses the fear of African Americans he had growing up and how his time in the military helped him overcome those biases. Amaury reflects on his relationship with his brother and the challenges they faced growing up. He also discusses the abusive stepfather his mother was involved with and the impact it had on their family. Amaury shares his perspective on American culture and how media influenced his perception of different racial groups. Amaury talks about his experiences growing up in the Dominican Republic and his early connections with American culture through entertainment. The conversation then shifts to the culture and leadership within the Navy, with the gang discussing the changes they have observed in the expectations and trust placed on first classes and Chiefs. Some relationships are toxic, some are great - he reflects on many of them. Is watching porn cheating? The life of a young Sailor is filled with fun and chasing that one lover who ain’t feeling you like that. It’s always one of those. Amaury also opens up about the sexual assault he experienced and how it affected his self-esteem and relationships. Amaury's experiences shaped his approach to fatherhood, as he strives to be a loving and present father to his children, especially his daughter. Closing the conversation, Amaury discusses the importance of intention and purpose in his personal and professional life. He shares how he has cultivated a strong and positive relationship with the mothers of his children, emphasizing the importance of respect and communication. Amaury also talks about his role in promoting warrior toughness and resilience in the Navy and the need for a culture shift in how we approach mental health. Congrats on the book, Amaury! Thanks for the motivation and inspiration! Good luck preparing for and executing your retirement. Remember to follow the ‘Permission to Speak Freely’ podcast on TikTok, Facebook, Discord, Instagram, and Twitter, and subscribe on YouTube. To have your “Do Better” reviewed on a future episode please contact us at [email protected].

Keep up with the ‘Permission to Speak Freely’ podcast on our social media and YouTube - https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

Get in touch with ITCM Ponciano:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/amaury.ponciano

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amauryp17/

Buy the Book:

Paperback - https://www.amazon.com/Anchored-Resilience-Overcoming-Adversity-Awareness/dp/1662947216

Audiobook - https://www.audible.com/pd/Anchored-in-Resilience-Audiobook/B0DBMQ4VXY

Previous ‘Permission To Speak Freely’ Episode:

Permission To Speak Freely Ep 44 | The One About 12 October 2000 (Feat. ITCM Amaury Ponciano) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC8J07jElis&t=847s&ab_channel=PermissionToSpeakFreelyPodcast

Additional Credits:

PTSF “Theme Music” - Produced by Lim0