After a bit of a hiatus, the Veterans Lounge Podcast has finally managed to put out a fresh new episode!

My guest here in episode 7 is Army veteran Robert Simmons.  Robert reached out to the podcast sometime ago and shared quite an interesting story pertaining to his experiences with the Veterans Affairs hospital.  At first, I was not entirely comfortable with the idea of sharing his story, but after thinking about it, I came to realize the challenges Mr. Simmons was trying to make public were ones that many veterans could relate to.  

Plus, the veterans lounge was always a place where one of our own could vent and get these types of issues off their chest and maybe get some help along the way.  So, in keeping with that idea, it only made sense that Robert should be able to tell his story, and be heard.

#veteranstories #veteransfirst #bettertogether

When you commit 24 years of your life to something, that something becomes part of your identity.  However, when that sense of identity is suddenly removed, the feeling of loss can lead us down a perilous road from which many do not return.

This was the case for 24 year Army veteran Farron Dozier.

Late in his career, Farron’s health mysteriously began to fail.  Finding the reason behind his diminishing health would take several years, but he would eventually learn that he was a carrier of the Sickle Cell trait.  Unfortunately, the new knowledge would be bittersweet for Farron.  Because it would immediately solve the mystery behind his health issues, but also bring his career in the Army to an abrupt end.

The years that followed would put Sergeant First Class (retired) Dozier through the gambit of emotions that come with a loss of identity, bouts of depression, thoughts of suicide, strengthening his mental health education, reimagining his future, and finding a new passion to invest his time and military experience.

#veteranstories #veteransfirst #bettertogether

Episode available on Monday, September 6, wherever you listen to your podcasts, and on YouTube after 10 a.m. 

https://youtu.be/PJOHfpDlGs0

Will Ryan's military experience included a period on active duty and some years in the Air National Guard.  Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, and with little notification, his Air Guard career would be cut short, and he quickly found himself unemployed. 

Lucky for Will, he would found a veteran community that provided him counsel and career advice.  Where he found it is rather interesting.  Under the umbrella of the 501(c)3 non-profit called Military & Veteran Gamers (MVG) mvgcharity.org.

Tyler Hairston was someone who grew up in the rough neighborhoods of Long Island, New York.  He knew he needed to take control of his future, and he felt the Marine Corps could do that for him.  Unfortunately for Tyler, he entered into a struggle with depression that would threaten his life, then his career.  Following his separation, his challenges continued as he struggled to find footing within civilian life.  He would bounce back, however, and now finds himself refocused on community and the sport he fell in love with as a high schooler.  Lacrosse.

When Marek Rudak immigrated to the United States from communist Poland as a teenager, he had already experienced some of life's most difficult challenges. Marek fell into an abusive home following the death of his father, and when he reunited with his mother, he never felt like he fit in. So he did what many young men do. He tried to prove his worth through his accomplishments; and he's accumulated quite a few. Regardless, although he's managed to overcome some demons, Marek admits he still wrestles with a few. His trials are what led to his writing a book called "The Love Driven Man."

#veteransfirst #veteranstories #bettertogether #veteransnexus

Ian Braddock entered into the Marine Corps with an ambition to be part of something "greater" than what he was experiencing in his home state of South Carolina. His time in the Marines concentrated his sense of purpose and helped him realize his purpose in life which was to become a lawyer. Today, Ian is pursuing that goal, while also spearheading a non-profit organization which he founded called the Veterans Nexus Foundation.

#veteransfirst #veteranstories #bettertogether

In this, the first episode of the Veterans Lounge Podcast, I take a moment to go into more detail about the mission of the podcast, share some information about my friends at the Veterans Nexus Foundation, and also give a brief introduction into my own personal story.

#veteransfirst #bettertogether #veteransnexus

You can watch this episode on YouTube @ noon on Monday, July 19th https://youtu.be/l0S_6q0rwkE

Podcast featuring the stories of military veterans. To help, support, and encourage other veterans in their transition to civilian life.