I had the pleasure to speak with a dear friend and United States Military Academy West Point Alumni, Erik Mineo

Let’s dive into Erik’s Story and learn he embraced his demons and found love through trauma.

[00:01 – 09:20] Opening Segment

• Erik talks about his background
• Erik shares his various careers after his years in the military

[09:21 – 35:12] Dealing with Trauma and Grief

• Erik talks about his childhood
  • the influence of his parents
• Enduring, learning, and finding love through trauma
  • His father got into multiple life-threatening accidents
• Erik talks about his ideals as a leader

[35:13 – 54:10] Coping with Trauma and Grief

• The transition back into society
  • Finding a healthy hobby
  • Struggles of coming back home from war
  • Applying his skills from the military to his daily life
• Erik talks about learning both from our own and other people’s experiences
• What lessons would you give your kid about Trauma and Grief?
  • Not being scared of it
  • Having awareness and establishing a relationship with Trauma

[54:11 – 01:03:18] A look back on his journey with Trauma

• Erik talks about his growth and the lessons he learned from Trauma
  • Being aware and acknowledging Trauma
• Erik shares his thoughts with his Haiku

[01:03:19 – 01:08:46] Closing Segment

• Final words of encouragement from Erik

Tweetable Quotes:

“Find Love through trauma.” - Erik Mineo

“Leadership is a Team sport. In the most chaotic moments, it’s not one person saying I’m the leader, follow me. It’s a single consciousness of that team coming together to accomplish the mission.” - Erik Mineo

“We’ve all seen and done things, and that’s just a part of what our experiences are. We can’t change those experiences, but we can learn from them.” - Erik Mineo

Resources Mentioned:

• Johns Hopkins University
• Asymmetric Warfare Group

You can connect with Erik on Linkedin, Instagram and Twitter or visit their website www.alphaechoproject.com

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to explode their business growth by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. Support our show, follow us on Facebook.

Guards Down Create a safe, culturally aware community for people of diverse backgrounds to find resources and support about living with PTSD and complicated grief. Many of us have dealt with it. Some are doing better than others. Let's share stories. Let's share tips and techniques that have helped. Let's inspire. Let's join together and help each other. Visit our Facebook Page to learn more.

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Alton McCallum was a Field Artillery Officer deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Overall, Alton served a total of 11 years in the military before opening up a critical mental health counseling center.

Let’s dive into Alton’s Story and learn how he overcame Trauma and become a mental health counselor

[00:01 – 05:06] Opening Segment

• Alton talks about his background
• After his time in the military he helped other veterans with his mental health counseling center
• Alton talks about his Christian Faith

[05:07 – 16:06] Dealing with Trauma and Grief

• Religious and Spiritual struggle
• Entering the mental health field
  • The influence of his Family
  • His desire to help others in his community

[16:07 – 32:26] Coping with Trauma and Grief

• Alton talks about the Fight or Flight mindset
• How to help yourself and your community
  • Dealing with stress and sadness
• Supporting and being supported by your community

[32:27 – 46:25] Moral Injury

• The meaning of Moral Injury
• Compassion towards others and yourself
• Alton talks about Spiritual pain and well-being

[46:26 – 01:01:11] Getting Professional Help

• When to seek out professional help
  • The 3 things that need to happen
• The support when dealing with Generational Trauma

[01:01:12 - 01:08:06] Closing Segment

• Final words of encouragement from Alton

Tweetable Quotes:

“We know that there is progress, but there is still a lot of work to do. We know that Justice is happening, but we also know that there are still injustices.” - Alton McCallum

“Talk to someone. It’s not a sign of weakness.” - Alton McCallum

“If we are by ourselves, no one can see what’s happening. And it causes us to be isolated and we start spinning and spiraling down.” - Alton McCallum

Resources Mentioned:

• West Point

You can connect with Alton on Linkedin, Facebook and or visit their website www.insight-cc.org

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to explode their business growth by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. Support our show, follow us on Facebook.

Guards Down Create a safe, culturally aware community for people of diverse backgrounds to find resources and support about living with PTSD and complicated grief. Many of us have dealt with it. Some are doing better than others. Let's share stories. Let's share tips and techniques that have helped. Let's inspire. Let's join together and help each other. Visit our Facebook Page to learn more.

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Today I had the pleasure of speaking with public speaker and family medicine physician at Great River Health System, Dr. John Thurman, Jr.

Let’s dive into John’s story about how recognizing that you have a problem and embracing the process is the beginning of healing.

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 – 04:07] Opening Segment

• John talks about his background
  • Born and raised in Medlin, Texas
  •  Went to medical school after serving in the army

[04:08 – 20:48] Dealing with Trauma and Grief

• I talk about cultural engagement and raising awareness of how different cultures deal and heal from trauma and grief
• John talks about his experiences dealing with trauma and grief
  • A cousin of his died in an accident, another one murdered.

[20:49 – 30:36] Coping with Trauma and Grief

• John talks about healthy and unhealthy coping skills he learned
• John weighs in on the subject of the cultural differences when dealing with trauma

[30:37 – 37:53] Recognizing That There’s a Problem

• John talks about the situations front liners are facing during this COVID-19 pandemic
• Things you can do to support a person dealing with grief and trauma
  • Recognizing there’s an issue that needs to be treated

[37:54 – 43:13] Overcoming the Journey

• John talks about the toughest part of his journey

[43:14 – 50:24] Getting the Right Help

• John shares his experiences with hurting others
• Is it okay for other professionals to get help?
  • It’s okay to seek help.

[50:25 – 57:54] Closing Segment

• What advice would you give your younger self?
  • “Relax man, the world whether I’m here or not, is gonna keep moving. So, enjoy it.”
• John shouts out to his friends, colleagues, and family
• Resources John would like to leave us with
  •  Addiction Treatment Services (ATS)
• Final words of wisdom and encouragement from John

Tweetable Quotes:

“Life goes on. You need to keep going on. You need to acknowledge and then you need to accept. But you must keep going on. Life does not stop.” – John Thurman

Resources Mentioned:

• West Point
• Iron Sharpens Iron Project
• Yellow Ribbon Program

You can connect with John on LinkedIn and Twitter

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to explode their business growth by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. Support our show, follow us on Facebook

Guards Down Create a safe, culturally aware community for people of diverse backgrounds to find resources and support about living with PTSD and complicated grief. Many of us have dealt with it. Some are doing better than others. Let's share stories. Let's share tips and techniques that have helped. Let's inspire. Let's join together and help each other. Visit our Facebook Page to learn more.

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Today I had the pleasure of speaking with an alum of the United States Military Academy West Point, Tiffany Montgomery.

Let’s dive into Tiffany’s story about how important it is never to feel sorry for yourself.

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 – 05:27] Opening Segment

• Tiffany talks about her background
  • Went to West Point – a military academy
  • Got a scholarship to attend medical school at Boston University
• Tiffany talks about getting into a car accident

[05:28 – 16:59] Dealing with Trauma and Grief

• Tiffany shares about growing up and not being taught how to deal with trauma
• Tiffany talks about dealing with PTSD in her childhood
  • Experienced sexual abuse
• The collateral damages from her trauma
• As a kid, how are you supposed to know what love is?

[17:00 – 20:35] How Trauma and Grief are Viewed in Other Cultures

• Tiffany shares her opinion about cultural differences in dealing with trauma

[20:36 – 35:56] Coping with Trauma and Grief

• Tiffany talks about how she coped with trauma
• Quick shoutout to our Facebook Page
• What are some of the signs that someone is dealing with trauma?
• Tiffany talks about the toughest part of her journey

[35:57 – 51:32] Hurting Anyone During the Process

• Tiffany shares about how she made amends with people she hurt while dealing with trauma
• What made you choose to correct that destructive behavior?
• Does one have to go through fire or dark times to come out of the other side in order to make a change? 
• Tiffany encourages that everybody should be proactive with mental health and physical health

[51:33 – 59:31] Closing Segment

• What advice would you give your younger self?
  • Never feel like the victim, never feel sorry for yourself
• Advice and coping skills Tiffany would teach her kids someday
• Tiffany shares some resources and ventures that are benefitting her
  • Quick shout out to the people who helped her
• Final words of wisdom from Tiffany

Tweetable Quotes:

“You need to fix you before you can be good for anybody else, but just because you have a mental illness doesn’t mean that you don’t need to also fix your behavior.” – Tiffany Montgomery

Resources Mentioned:

•  Boston Ski & Sports Club (BSSC)
• Alison Rhodes

You can connect with Tiffany online on Linkedin.

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to explode their business growth by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. Support our show, follow us on Facebook.

Guards Down Create a safe, culturally aware community for people of diverse backgrounds to find resources and support about living with PTSD and complicated grief. Many of us have dealt with it. Some are doing better than others. Let's share stories. Let's share tips and techniques that have helped. Let's inspire. Let's join together and help each other. Visit our Facebook Page to learn more.

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Today I had the pleasure of talking with entrepreneur, speaker, and US army veteran, Jas Boothe.

Let’s dive into Jas’ story of how learning to accept things as they are, will help you in dealing and coping with even the most difficult experiences in life. 

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 – 05:07] Opening Segment

• Jas talks about her background and how her journey began
  • Played basketball for Mississippi Valley State University
  • Studied mass communications in college before entering the army

[05:08 – 18:29] Dealing with Trauma and Grief

• Jas talks about her trauma and grief
  • Diagnosed with cancer
• Jas shares growing up dealing with trauma and cultural differences when it comes to coping 
• Jas talks about how she coped with the trauma
• Jas shares some words of wisdom that helped her move on 

[18:30 – 27:24] Putting on a Happy Face

• Jas talks about the changes in her life caused by the trauma
• Jas gives some great advice that you don’t want to miss!
• Quick shoutout to our Facebook Page
• I talked about a story with a friend

[27:25 – 35:00] Police Yourself First

• Jas talks about the toughest part of her journey
  • Managing her mental health, her family, and being an entrepreneur
• Making amends with the people you hurt
• Jas talks about getting professional help and how it’s been so far

[35:01 – 41:08] Culturally Sensitive Therapy

• Choosing the right counselor that works for you
  • May it be by race, gender, etc.
• Jas talks about her growth from all of her experiences
• Advice that Jas would give to herself and her kids about dealing with trauma and grief

[41:09 – 45:06] Closing Segment

• Jas talks about efforts her company is pushing through currently
• Final words of encouragement from Jas

 Tweetable Quotes:

“I did it for hope; to let people know that it does get better. Sometimes it may take hours, it may take days, but it does get better.” – Jas Boothe

Resources mentioned:

•  Final Salute, Inc.
• Move with a purpose (virtual race)
• Discharged

You can connect with Jas on Linkedin or visit her website https://www.finalsaluteinc.org/Home.html and https://womenveteranspeakers.com/ for more information on the advocacies that she represents.

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to explode their business growth by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. Support our show, follow us on Facebook

Guards Down help create a safe, culturally-aware community for people of diverse backgrounds to find resources and support about living with PTSD and complicated grief. Many of us have dealt with it. Some are doing better than others. Let's share stories. Let's share tips and techniques that have helped. Let's inspire. Let's join together and help each other. Visit our Facebook Page to learn more.

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Today I had the pleasure of speaking with the former military and NFL coach, Tony Coaxum

Let’s dive into Tony’s story of how important it is to never give up on yourself.

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 - 11:34] Opening Segment

• Tony gives a little bit of background about himself
  • He served in the military
  • He got a coaching job in the NFL and won a Super Bowl
• Tony talks about developing young talents
  • Difficulties of helping these kids during this COVID-19 pandemic
  • Do not worry about things that you cannot control
  • Maximize what you can maximize

[11:35 - 14:45] Dealing With Trauma and Grief

• Tony talks about dealing with grief growing up
  • He had a great support system and family
  • His mom joined the Navy
• Quick shoutout to our Facebook Page

[14:46 - 22:20] How Do You Cope Up with Trauma and Grief?

• Tony shares his experiences dealing with trauma and grief
  • He saw a young person passed away
• Tony talks about some of the coping skills that he had to learn along the way (healthy and unhealthy)
  • Placing blame on others
  • Doing physical things to relax
  • Getting close and reaching out to people

[22:21 - 27:20] How Grief is Viewed in Other Cultures

• Tony weighs on his views towards how different people deal with grief
• Tony talks about the toughest part of his journey dealing with grief as well as supporting someone
  • Feeling helpless

[27:21 - 32:33] Hurting Anyone During Your Process of Healing

• Tony shares his view of hurting someone in the process of healing
• Seeking help through mentors

[32:34 - 40:00] Closing Segment

• What advice would you give your younger self or your kids?
  • Never give up on yourself
• Tony talks about using his leadership skills
  • Quick shoutout to #LeadershipPlaybookCoach
• Final words of encouragement from Tony

Tweetable Quotes: 

"How can I tell people fight through the issues they’re going through if I don't do it." - Tony Coaxum

"Never give up on your goals. Always go for it and give it a shot because you never know where it's gonna end up." - Tony Coaxum

"Life is not just a straight line. Life's a bunch of curves and detours but the important thing is, keep pushing!" - Tony Coaxum

Resources Mentioned:

• #LeadershipPlaybookCoach
• leadershipplaybookcoach.com
• The Next-Level Income Book

You can connect with Tony online, follow him on Twitter.

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to explode their business growth by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. Support our show, follow us on Facebook

Guards Down Create a safe, culturally aware community for people of diverse backgrounds to find resources and support about living with PTSD and complicated grief. Many of us have dealt with it. Some are doing better than others. Let's share stories. Let's share tips and techniques that have helped. Let's inspire. Let's join together and help each other. Visit our Facebook Page to learn more.

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Today I had the pleasure of speaking with the Entrepreneur, podcast host, and founder of the Next-Level Income, Chris Larsen.

Let’s dive into Chris’s story of how seeking the right help can help you cope up with grief.

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 - 04:16] Opening Segment

• Chris talks about his background and journey into real estate
  • He did cycling races
  • Grew his single-family portfolio into a multifamily property

[04:17 - 11:48] Dealing with Trauma and Grief

• Chris talks about dealing with grief and PTSD growing up
  • His father passed away when he was 5
  • Having the right support group to help you
• Chris shares something interesting about him
  • Cycling helped him gain confidence
• Quick shoutout to our Facebook Page

[11:49 - 18:01] Positives and Negatives of Losing Someone

• Chris weighs in on the subject of losing someone
  • When you get knocked down, you gotta get back up
• Chris talks about the day he quit racing
  • His friend passed away

[18:02 - 23:24] Overcoming Your Own Thoughts

• Chris talks about his thought process of dealing with pain
  • Instead of looking at problems, be grateful

[23:25 - 31:30] Getting The Right Help

• Chris talks about his experience with therapy
  • Doing exercises, diet, and meditation
• Chris gives a piece of advice that you can do to help yourself
  • Develop and maintain routine

[31:31 - 34:44] Closing Segment

• A quick plug to Chris's podcast. Check out Nextlevelincome.com to know more
• Final words of encouragement from Chris

Tweetable Quotes: 

"Stay strong, keep holding on. You are here for a reason and that your life and what you do have a purpose" - Chris Larsen

"The most challenging points of our lives, they define us. They allow us to either fall down and stay down or they allow us to get up and get stronger." - Chris Larsen

Resources Mentioned:

• The Next-Level Income Website
• The Next-Level Income Podcast
• The Next-Level Income Book (Amazon)

You can connect with Chris online or listen to his podcast https://www.nextlevelincome.com/podcast  and visit his website https://www.nextlevelincome.com/ to know more about investing opportunities.

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to explode their business growth by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. Support our show, follow us on Facebook

Guards Down Create a safe, culturally aware community for people of diverse backgrounds to find resources and support about living with PTSD and complicated grief. Many of us have dealt with it. Some are doing better than others. Let's share stories. Let's share tips and techniques that have helped. Let's inspire. Let's join together and help each other. Visit our Facebook Page to learn more.

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Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Sergeant 1st Class and serving for 17 years in the US Army, Tres Artis.

Let’s dive into Tres’ story of dealing with trauma and finding a way that works for you.

[00:01 – 2:44] Opening Segment

• Tres talks about his background and experiences in the army
  • Served 5 tours
    •  3 to Iraq, 1 to UAE and 1 to Afghanistan

[02:45 – 10:57] Dealing with Trauma and Grief

• Tres shares about being diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Tres talks about dealing with depression and anger issues
•  How it felt like for Tres growing up
  • He thought he had the worst childhood
  • Realized he had a good support system growing up when he was older
• Tres talks about the worst things to do when dealing with trauma
  • Thinking “seeking help is a sign of weakness”
  • You want to be seen as independent

[10:58 - 16:25] Having a Good Support System

• Tres talks about what helped him in dealing with trauma
  • The importance of “ME” time
  • Having someone who listens and supports you
• The transition of going back to being a civilian
• Quick shoutout to our Facebook Page

[16:26 - 25:09] The Healing Process

• Tres talks about hurting others while he was healing
• Keep on fighting for his family
• Tres talks about how possibly losing his family affected him
• Tres shares about not getting professional help
  • Sought someone he can trust and be comfortable with

[25:10 - 35:02] Closing Segment

• What advice would you give your younger self?
  • “I would tell myself to stay focused and get as much knowledge as he can”
• What lessons or advice would you give your kids about dealing with trauma?
  • “Don’t deal with it by yourself, you are not alone, talk to somebody”
• What resources would you share with somebody to help them?
  • For military: “take advantage of military life counselors”
  • For civilians: “Seek some type of counseling and find one that works for you”
• Final words of wisdom and encouragement from Tres to people dealing with similar circumstances as him
• A quick shout out from Tres

Tweetable Quotes:

“You are not by yourself. You are not alone. Somebody cares about you. You are worthy. You are meant to be here” – Tres Artis

Resources Mentioned:

• The Body Keeps the Score
•  Military and Family Life Counseling

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to explode their business growth by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. Support our show, follow us on Facebook

Guards Down Create a safe, culturally aware community for people of diverse backgrounds to find resources and support about living with PTSD and complicated grief. Many of us have dealt with it. Some are doing better than others. Let's share stories. Let's share tips and techniques that have helped. Let's inspire. Let's join together and help each other. Visit our Facebook Page to learn more.

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Today I had the pleasure of speaking with former US Military founder of Stronger Leaders Stronger Profits, Sean Patton.

Let’s dive into Sean’s story of how trauma affected him and continuously fighting against it.

[00:01 – 5:26] Opening Segment

• Sean shares a little bit about his background
  • Served in the military
  • Got his MBA after and now owns a martial arts company
• A quick shout out from Sean
  • His company and social media accounts. See below for links

[5:27 – 16:04] Dealing with Trauma and Grief

• Constantly switching environments can cause trauma
  • How living a specific lifestyle seems normal but actually is not when you get out of it
• What helped you cope up during your military life?

[16:05 – 26:55] What’s the Hardest Thing You Had to Deal with So Far?

• Sean talks about the hardest things he had faced so far
  • Transitioning out of the military
  • When he got out
• Getting into a bad and abusive marriage
  • Resulted in PTSD
• Quick shout out to our Facebook Page
• Dealing with losing team members

[26:56 – 33:13] Breaking the Habit of Recklessness

• Sean gives advice regarding reckless behaviors that you would want to hear
• I talk about mending my relationship with my ex-wife

[33:14 – 42:31] Dealing with Survivor's Remorse 

• Sean talks about the deaths of his platoon members and team members
  • Facing the guild of losing close people
• Sharing his stories to others
• Reflecting back on all those people during hard times

[42:32 – 45:48] Closing Segment

• What advice would you give to others about to or going through what you went through?
  • “It’s okay to not be perfect, it’s okay to grieve, it’s okay to cry, it’s okay to get help”

Tweetable Quotes:

“What you do is not who you are and you have to find a way to develop who you are outside the function that you serve” – Sean Patton

“When things get hard, you have to realize that pushing through and having gratitude for every day and making every day count” – Sean Patton

You can connect with Sean through linked in, Facebook and Instagram or visit his company websites strongerleadersstrongerprofits.com and legionjj.com

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to explode their business growth by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. Support our show, follow us on Facebook

Guards Down Create a safe, culturally aware community for people of diverse backgrounds to find resources and support about living with PTSD and complicated grief. Many of us have dealt with it. Some are doing better than others. Let's share stories. Let's share tips and techniques that have helped. Let's inspire. Let's join together and help each other. Visit our Facebook Page to learn more.

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Today I had the pleasure of speaking with former Navy Veteran, and now a financial advisor, Donte Smith.

Let’s dive into Donte’s story of how therapy helped him in coping up with trauma.

[00:01 – 05:35] Opening Segment

• Donte talks about his time in the US Navy and a little bit of himself
  • Was in the navy’s medical corps for 5 years

[05:36 – 14:35] Dealing with Trauma and Grief

• Donte talks about how he grew up in a broken family
  • His parents separated when he was young
  • Mother remarried and separated again
• Shares a traumatic story from his childhood
  • Witnesses his mother get abused by his father
• Why the medical field?
• Donte shares some advice for aspiring medical corpsmen in the navy
  • Record everything

[14:36 – 23:15] Getting the Right Help

• Donte talks about getting therapy
  • Choosing the right therapist
• Quick shoutout to our Facebook Page
• Donte gives some advice for individuals with similar experiences
  • To people who wants and needs therapy
  • It starts with voicing out anything

[23:16 – 27:05] Closing Segment

• Final words of advice from Donte and me

Tweetable Quotes:

“Your mind is a dangerous place to play in by yourself.” – Donte Smith 

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future. If your only friend and you judging yourself, that’s your future. If your friends are no better than you, then you’re stuck in that area.” – Donte Smith

You can connect with Donte on Instagram, @dontesmith.

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to explode their business growth by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. Support our show, follow us on Facebook

Guards Down Create a safe, culturally aware community for people of diverse backgrounds to find resources and support about living with PTSD and complicated grief. Many of us have dealt with it. Some are doing better than others. Let's share stories. Let's share tips and techniques that have helped. Let's inspire. Let's join together and help each other. Visit our Facebook Page to learn more.

Support the show