Matt Domyancic a Medically Retired Officer, SWAT and Chaplain

Former Police Officer and Strength Coach, Police Chaplain, Spiritual Director, Peer Support and Wellness Advocate

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• About Matt Domyancic

Today we're checking in again with our friend Matt Domyancic, the Tactical Chaplain. A medically retired police officer with patrol, SWAT, peer support, and academy instructor experience—plus time as a D1 strength coach at Yale and Georgetown—he now serves as a chaplain, spiritual director, and wellness advocate for first responders. Matt brings a proactive, no-nonsense approach to mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health: think breath work, cold plunges, journaling, and building resilience before the breakdown hits. His insights on discipline, self-awareness, and viewing challenges as growth fuel are exactly why he's a recurring voice here on Normalize PTSD.

We dove into the tough-guy stigma around actually feeling your feelings and how I've been learning to cut myself some slack instead of chasing perfection every day, and why surrendering control during life's curveballs can lead to weigh more meaning than grinding harder. 

I shared how Matt's wisdom flipped my rucking walks from "not hard enough" into mindful adventures (like spotting a legit shooting star that lit up the entire sky), and we swapped stories on ditching old self-medication habits for proactive stuff like breath work, nature, and jiu-jitsu that actually lightens the load instead of piling on more "emotional baggage." 

We wrapped up teasing monthly check-ins, deeper dives into spirituality, and Matt's dream of building chill retreats where high-achievers can go to slow down, get vulnerable, and just be because turns out, the real win isn't always flooring the gas in the Ford Raptor; sometimes it's cruising in the Jeep and enjoying the view.

Resources Mentioned:

• Therapy/Spiritual Direction: Psychoanalysis, contemplative prayer, mindfulness practices.
• Wellness Tools: Meditation, breathwork, journaling, cold plunges, saunas, sensory deprivation floats, fasting (water fasts), nature immersion, jiu-jitsu/yoga for tension training.
• Retreats/Programs: Boulder Crest (post-traumatic growth), Save A Warrior, Protectors Peak, Mighty Oaks; silent retreats; non-medicine warrior retreats; faith-based options.
• Books/Concepts: Carl Jung's depth psychology; "How to Talk to Your Angels" (inspired Matt's surrender); Lt. Col. Grossman's "Pain shared is pain divided."
• Lifestyle Shifts: Cut toxic habits (e.g., alcohol, over-training); prioritize family, community over resume-building.

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of this community and would love your help in growing our reach. A like and share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter would mean the world to us. I’m always looking to connect with veterans and first responders with PTSD who have found ways to improve their quality of life—your story could help shorten that journey for others. If you support, provide services for these groups, or have extensive knowledge of available benefits, I’d love to chat and share your insights with the community. Let’s work together to make a difference.

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