In Today's episode of Urban Valor, we have Guest Army veteran Chris Cleland. Growing up in El Monte, California, Chris found himself in trouble, leading to an arrest for grand theft auto. But he turned his life around by joining the Army Infantry, a decision that took him on several deployments to Iraq.

You'll get to hear first hand the challenges Chris and his unit faced, especially their encounters with IEDs. He shares his stories from Baghdad, one in particular, where Chris's unit was distributing toys to local children. Tragically, during this act of kindness, an explosive event occurred, resulting in the loss of 27 lives, including many children and Army Specialist Benyahmin Yahudah.

Chris also opens up about the mental health struggles that many veterans face. Including his own experiences and how he's now dedicated to helping other veterans adjust to life after service, discussing the need for support and understanding for those who've served.

Do NOT miss this POWERFUL New Episode of Urban Valor! 

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This weeks episode from Urban Valor features Robert Wood. Born in Bellflower, California, and raised in Buena Park, Robert's life was forever changed when his mother saw his bullet-riddled car on the news. Faced with a life-altering decision, Robert chose the path of Valor, enlisting in the Marine Corps over moving to Mexico or attending college out of state. His life in the military saw him become a skilled Radio Operator with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance, where he became good friends with Jaime Nicholson, a fellow Marine. We find ourselves taking an emotional in this episode as Robert recounts Jaime's untimely death, a loss deeply intertwined with the challenges of mental health after military service.

Post-Marines, Robert's service continued as a firefighter at Camp Pendleton, confronting the harrowing reality of active-duty self-inflicted deaths.

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From the small town of Bloomville, Ohio, Maranda Moon's early life was fraught with challenges. Her journey to the Marine Corps stands as a powerful testament to resilience and courage.

Maranda's childhood was marked by financial hardship and a critical father, driving her to seek a new beginning. Enlistment became her escape route to California, a dream sold to her by Marine Corps recruiters. Yet, the dream was not without its shadows. Maranda's story darkens as she faces the grim reality of an abusive marriage within the Marines, highlighting the struggles that some service members endure.

After her service, Maranda set herself on a path of personal healing and growth. She turned to exercise and alternative medicine for strength and peace, eventually starting her own business centered on medicinal mushrooms. Her goal is now to assist others in improving their physical and mental health.

Do NOT miss this POWERFUL New Episode of Urban Valor! 

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This week’s Urban Valor episode features Marine veteran Prime Hall. Prime grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas on North Padre Island. He battled his way out of a troubled childhood, attended military school to refine his discipline, and unexpectedly developed street smarts. Through his sit down with Urban Valor's Josh Gutierrez, Prime overcame an extensive criminal history to earn his spot inside the Marine Corps and, eventually,  earned his way into the Marine Special Operations Command. He shares his harrowing experiences in combat, including an Afghan insider attack, and sheds light on the daunting challenges of transitioning back into civilian life as a combat veteran. Prime is a Co-Founder of Deep End Fitness and The Underwater Torpedo League, which focuses on optimizing human performance in and out of the water.

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Welcome back to Urban Valor, where we have the incredible Marine veteran, Byron Rodgers, joining us once again!

In this episode, Byron shares his remarkable life experiences and discusses the profound belief that he has been divinely protected throughout his journey. His stories include a chilling childhood encounter when intruders broke into his family's home, a near-death experience in Iraq after surviving a massive IED blast, a haunting incident where he mistakenly believed a comrade was dead and zipped him up in a body bag, and the heart-pounding moment when he unknowingly picked up a live IED that could have torn him apart. Byron also reveals the extraordinary religious experiences he encountered while serving overseas. 

Join us in this episode to hear all about Byron Rodgers' extraordinary life and the role of faith played in his incredible journey. 

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In this week's Urban Valor episode, we sit down with Marine Veteran Annika Hutsler to discuss her remarkable journey. Annika's story begins in Aurora, Colorado. Her life took a turn after high school when she decided that college wasn't for her. Inspired by a fellow student, she made the life-changing decision to join the military.

Around the halfway mark of her boot camp, she began experiencing a lot of foot pain. Little did she know, this pain would lead to a life-altering discovery - an unexpected tumor in her foot. This shocking diagnosis ultimately led to her becoming an amputee, challenging her physically and emotionally.

She didn't let her disability define her; instead, she became an elite sports athlete, participating in various adaptive sports. Moreover, she ventured into the world of modeling, breaking barriers and showcasing that disabilities don't limit one's potential, despite being a Marine amputee.

Don't miss this extraordinary conversation with Annika Hutsler.

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After witnessing the aftermath of 9/11 firsthand, more than the devastation, what stood out was the unyielding unity on 9/12, showcasing the resilience of the American people. You won't want to miss this week's Urban Valor episode!

Kevin served as a Motor Transport Mechanic in the Marine Corps for 6 years. But life after service wasn't exactly what he thought it would be. After receiving an honorable discharge, Kevin, his wife and their 4-year-old son, faced one of life's harshest realities - homelessness.

Even when faced with dire circumstances, Kevin's spirit never wavered. His determination, ambition, and sheer willpower set him on a path of success! Today, he stands tall as a successful barber, a true example! From serving his country to conquering adversity. He never gave up! 

If you're looking for an uplifting tale of triumph over challenges in pursuit of a better life, you don't want to miss this episode!


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In this week's gripping Urban Valor episode, we listen to the extraordinary life of Coast Guard veteran, Juan Reyes. Born and raised in Colombia, Juan’s brave trek to the United States is a story of courage and resilience.

At just 8 years old, Juan and his mother started the long trek from Colombia to the United States with the help of Coyotes. Their journey took them to a terrifying stay at a house in Panama, under constant threat from drive-by shootings. Despite these hardships, Juan and his mother successfully escaped to the United States, demonstrating determination and hope for a better life!

Juan would go on to enlist in the US Coast Guard. Working with law enforcement interdiction teams, he played a crucial role in anti-drug smuggling operations. Juan's courageous efforts helped to significantly hinder narcotics traffickers using vessels for their illegal activities.

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Welcome to this week's Urban Valor episode, where we introduce you to the remarkable journey of Army veteran Hector Bravo. From Brawley, California, Hector enlisted in the Army's infantry to escape the confines of his small town. He was deployed to Iraq from 2004 to 2005, facing intense combat during the Iraqi insurgency and enduring the painful loss of close friends.

Upon returning home, Hector battled heavy drug and alcohol abuse, but his story takes a powerful turn. He chose to seek help, starting a journey of personal transformation that led him to prioritize his family over his career. 

Join us as Hector Bravo shares his story of service, sacrifice, and redemption, demonstrating the incredible resilience of the human spirit. Subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest episodes.

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In this week's Urban Valor episode, we're joined by Marine veteran Christopher Cendana. Hailing from Fremont, CA, Chris's journey into the military was inspired by his best friend and the uncertainty he faced after high school. He enlisted in the Marine Corps, specializing as a Diesel Mechanic. Chris shares his experiences from two deployments to Iraq, including a tragic incident where he was compelled to engage with an Iraqi family, resulting in heartbreaking consequences.

Following his military service, Chris found his calling with Six Feet Above, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting and supporting veterans and service members dealing with mental health challenges through the therapeutic medium of skateboarding.