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Some heroes wear uniforms, while others create sanctuaries for healing. In this powerful conversation, we meet JJ, founder of Ripple Retreat and a veteran with 27 years of military service who transformed his own trauma into a mission of recovery and hope.

After surviving four close calls during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, JJ faced another battle with alcoholism that nearly ended in suicide. Standing atop an Australian high-rise ready to jump, a sudden memory of his fallen friend Commander Murphy Sweet became the intervention that saved his life. Now six and a half years sober, JJ has built something remarkable - a non-alcohol retreat center where 75% of profits go directly back to the community.

The episode takes us through JJ's unforgettable "sock story," where seconds spent turning socks right-side out before laundry literally saved him from being killed by mortar fire in Baghdad. This thread of seemingly small moments creating life-changing impacts runs throughout JJ's philosophy: "Pause, love yourself, and be aware of your ripple."

We explore the challenging reality of military service, from writing death letters before redeployment to confronting PTSD after coming home. JJ's work with the Valor Circles program helps veterans navigate these emotional battlefields, while his weekly "Ripples of Recovery" meetings celebrate sobriety milestones rather than just focusing on the daily struggle.

As JJ prepares to begin teaching and leading men's support groups through the Academy, his vision becomes clear - creating spaces where authentic connection and vulnerability can flourish. His ambitious plan to open Ripple Retreat officially on the 20th anniversary of his friend's death speaks to the transformative power of honoring our pain by helping others heal.

What ripple will you create today? Listen, reflect, and perhaps discover how your own challenges might become someone else's salvation.

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We're thrilled to announce the launch of Contagious Smile Academy! This passion project represents years of experience transformed into over 100 practical courses designed to support trauma survivors, special needs families, veterans, and anyone seeking personal growth during challenging times.

The Academy features specialized collections including the Safe Haven Phoenix Center for trauma recovery, Stucco Squad for special needs support, Valor Circle for veterans, and our Social Media Playbook sharing how we've grown from zero to millions without a marketing team. What makes these courses unique is they're created by someone who truly understands - Victoria has undergone over 100 surgeries throughout her life and developed many courses while managing chronic pain, hearing loss, and the challenges of being an amputee with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

Our upcoming webinar on July 13th brings together remarkable experts and survivors including Susan, who established the first rape crisis center in the country after her niece was murdered by an ex-boyfriend on campus. You'll also hear from attorney Whitney Knoxley, whose comeback story will leave you inspired, and former detective/judge Chris Callahan. We're offering free tickets through Eventbrite (search "best of the best for July 13th"), with options at $2.50 and $5 that sponsor access for those who cannot afford it.

We believe deeply in accessibility - when leaving domestic violence, "you have what's on your back, what you can carry, and your kids." That's why we've kept courses affordable and offer scholarships to those in need. One in four women experiences abuse, and you never know when these resources might be needed by someone you love - or even yourself. Your support through "buying a coffee" on our website helps ensure no one is turned away.

Ready to explore courses that might make you laugh, cry, or see things in a completely new light? Visit acontagioussmile.com and click the Academy tab, or go directly to acontagioussmileMN.co. Join our community of resilience, healing and growth - where paying it forward today creates support for tomorrow.

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The raw power of lived experience drives everything behind A Contagious Smile, and in this candid episode, Victoria and Michael reveal exactly why they've dedicated their lives to supporting abuse survivors. Fresh off receiving three prestigious awards—including Best Transformative Trauma Advocate for Domestic Violence from Insider Weekly—the couple shares how their platform continues to expand through media features in the New York Times and Good Morning US.

Victoria delves into the darkest moments of her abuse survival story with unflinching honesty. "I can tell you that from someone who lived on a floor in the bathroom because I wasn't allowed to have an ice pack, when I had a shattered face, broken nose, dislocated shoulder... it is so ungodly frightening to do that and feel like I'm going to die here." This visceral understanding of what survivors experience at 1AM when frantically searching for help drives their commitment to being available whenever someone reaches out—even in the middle of the night.

The episode delivers a bombshell announcement: Victoria's biological father, whom she refers to as her "sperm donor" and has been no-contact with for years, will be appearing as a special guest on an upcoming episode. For listeners familiar with Victoria's books "Who Kicked First?" and "Nart Nart, Who's There?", this promises to be an extraordinary conversation addressing deep family trauma.

Beyond personal stories, Victoria and Michael announce the launch of their comprehensive Contagious Smile Academy featuring over 100 courses designed for survivors, supporters, and even those who cause harm but want to change. Through their scholarship program, they ensure financial barriers don't prevent access to healing resources. As Victoria powerfully states, "Those scars are not your success stories—those are your failures," directly addressing abusers while offering pathways toward accountability and transformation.

Have you been searching for voices that truly understand the journey from victim to survivor? Listen now and discover why this podcast has become a lifeline for those who've felt alone in their darkest moments. Then visit acontagioussmile.mn.co to explore their academy and join a community where healing happens every day.

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