“I was terrified, but my desire to get better was far greater.” Shane, a former member of the 5th Special Forces Group; one of the most decorated active-duty United States Army Special Forces groups. With a multitude of deployments, Shane’s time was nothing short of active. Like many, he wasn’t fully equipped or prepared for everything he saw and…
Exercise is a powerful tool for individuals recovering from substance abuse and PTSD, helping to regulate stress hormones, improve mood, and build resilience. However, not all fitness programs are suitable for those with trauma histories. Trauma-informed fitness creates a safe, empowering space where movement supports emotional well-being and recovery. By prioritizing safety, autonomy, and emotional regulation, trauma-informed exercise helps manage PTSD symptoms, reduce addiction cravings, and foster mental resilience.
“I understood, with chilling clarity, that if I allowed myself the temptation of taking the easy path, by reaching for a bottle, pills, or anything of the kind, it would inevitably be a choice that would lead to my own death, whether by an overdose, or by my own hand, I simply would not survive…
“When you wake up, you won’t remember any of this. You won’t remember getting kicked out of the restaurant, having a stranger sign your bar tab because you couldn’t write a fucking tip…you won’t remember getting back to the room, and throwing me headfirst into the mirror. You won’t remember, trying to kill me.” Words…
Hannah Edwards*, a Connecticut Police Officer, lives quietly with her service K9, Thor. An Army Veteran, who transitioned into the life of Law Enforcement, she has a lot of life to look back on. “Most mornings, everything seems normal, and I’m able to function through everything as it should be. Other mornings, the only thing…
2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” Growing up, Denise faced challenges that would have brought anyone to his or her knees. Raised with six siblings (five brothers and one sister), a Veteran father who battled PTS after a career as a medic…
Every day, someone who has been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) will feel heightened levels of unrest due to fluctuating levels of triggers or stressors; from loud parties and fireworks, to relationships, jobs, and traffic jams. Whether out and about, gathering with family and friends, or at your child’s sporting event,…
Warrior (n) a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage or aggressiveness. Trauma (n) a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. For years, Brandon* attempted to numb the inevitable flashbacks of what he’d experienced during his 20 years in the military (to include time in SOCOM), with bourbon; shoving them to the back of…
“I wanted to be a Sniper for as long as I can remember,” recalls Justin Collins*. “Ever since I was in elementary school, I wanted to do the stuff they showed ‘heroes,’ doing.” A child of two veterans, Collins enlisted when he was 17. “I had barely graduated, and two weeks out of high school…
“He ruined what was supposed to be the best night of our lives,” remembers Noelle Cosette*. “My wedding day, is a day that will forever sit in my memory as a night my husband almost killed me – and he doesn’t even remember getting dressed that day because he was so high.” Five years ago,…
