Michael Martinez grew up in San Diego and started getting into trouble as a teenager before turning his life around and heading to Hawaii for college. His goal was to serve and protect — but his past made getting into law enforcement a challenge. While waiting to be accepted, he worked animal control in San Diego County before finally joining the San Diego Police Department. Within his first two years, Michael was involved in three officer-involved shootings, an experience that led to severe PTSD, alcoholism, and a complete personal breakdown. This episode dives deep into the reality behind the badge — the trauma, the toll, and the long road to redemption. Michael opens up about how he rebuilt his life, saved his family, and learned that asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s survival.

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