Today’s guest is Chad Starr, an Army Veteran and advocate for youth mental health and suicide prevention. Chad and I talk about his time in the military, how he has taken steps to care for his own mental health, and what life has been like since transitioning out of service for him and his family. Chad also opens up about the death of their 12-year-old daughter to suicide, and the inspiring work he does now to help prevent future loss. As a disclaimer, this episode will discuss suicide, which ma...
Oct 05, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Dr. Erika Gonzalez is an Air Force veteran with 10 years of service as a Medical Officer. She is not only the CEO and President of South Texas Allergy & Asthma Medical Professionals but is also the Chairwoman for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as well as the founder of the nonprofit, Con Corazon. We talk about her family’s legacy in the Air Force, what it is like now to be a leader in the civilian sector, and her heart to expand health care access and education to underserved ...
Oct 03, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Jonathan Garvey is a former Marine and the co-founder of the philanthropic clothing line, Pancho’s Blanket . Growing up as a missionary kid in Mexico, he always had the heart to serve others. After two deployments to Afghanistan, Jonathan returned home, got his degree in business, and continued his life of service. We talk about how his dream of being a marine became a reality, how his faith was tested but ultimately helped him persevere, and the work he does now by providing jobs for artisans a...
Sep 28, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Patrick DeBusca is the Director of the Honolulu Vet Center in Hawaii. He is a clinical social worker and veteran family member who has always been interested in the overall health and well-being of others. We talk about how he got involved in social work over 30 years ago, how mental health is a family affair, and the valuable resources available at vet centers across the country.
Sep 26, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Brad and Regena Kowitz are the husband and wife team behind TrailRecon, an off-roading and overlanding YouTube channel that inspires viewers to get outdoors and have great adventures. Before becoming YouTube influencers, Brad and Regena both served as Navy Corpsmen, where they met, fell in love, and started a family. We talk about their time in service, how they turned a hobby into a family business, and the importance of finding a community and creating new memories.
Sep 21, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Brian Niswander is the founder of military-transition.org. He served 27 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves as an Intelligence Officer before using his skillset to become a leader in the civilian sector. After hearing the same questions from service members transitioning out of the military, Brian saw and met the need for resources and guidance during this process. We talk about what inspired him to join the Air Force, the best tips for a smooth transition into civilian life, the most ...
Sep 19, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Dalanie Franklin is a combat veteran that uses photography as a form of healing. After being medically discharged from the Army for injuries sustained during his service, Dalanie struggled to adjust to civilian life. Through photography, he found a way to focus on the present moment and experience peace, and now creates that opportunity for other veterans as well through his meetup group “Photography is Medicine.” In this episode, we talk about his military service, how photography became a mind...
Sep 14, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Tatiana Abasolo is the Lead Clinician at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Child & Family Service in Mililani, Hawaii. The clinic provides behavioral healthcare services and case management resources to active duty, veterans, and their families. Tatiana has been Air Force Reservist since 2004, serving as an Aerospace Medical Technician. We talk about how she became a reservist, how her deployments inspired her to get involved in military mental health, and mindfulness exercises t...
Sep 12, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Alim Shabazz is an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and is the 2nd Vice Commander of AMVETS Hawaii. He is also a former bodybuilding champion, currently holds two Guinness World Records, and is the owner of For Fathers Fitness and Big Tire Bootcamp. We talk about what motivated him to get involved with the Coast Guard, the link between physical and mental health, how functional fitness prepares you for life, and the importance of having a community that checks in on each other.
Sep 07, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Kimberly Flack is an Air Force veteran, mother, fitness expert, and business owner. This interview covers a lot - Kim shared about her own military career, her fitness journey, and how she got into coaching. And she also opened up about the traumatic event that impacted her family three and a half years ago, when she also lost her veteran husband to suicide. This is a raw and vulnerable interview, and I appreciate Kim being willing to come on the show and share, as we support each other through ...
Sep 05, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Meet Devin Woods, the associate director of the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System. He served 15 years in the Army, with multiple rotations leading Soldiers during Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom-Philippines. We talk about his time in service, the different emotions he started experiencing after transitioning out, how he learned to pivot, and how the VA saved his life. Through his own journey, Devin shares how he has found happiness and fulfillment and also ta...
Sep 05, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Do you want to live a healthy and fulfilling life after the military? Or are you looking to support a loved one who served? As a combat veteran who struggles with PTSD and suicidal thoughts, I’ll share my journey so far and the tools that have kept me alive. From mental and physical health to relationships and professions, we’ll cover the basics of addressing a balanced life. You will also learn the meaning behind the name “1 Mile 1 Veteran” as we work together to build this community that suppo...
Sep 05, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Welcome to the 1 Mile 1 Veteran podcast. Here, us veterans come together to figure out how to build a healthy and purposeful life after service. In the military, we were filled with energy and fueled by a higher purpose. We pursued triumph with utmost seriousness and a deep belief in our abilities. So, we know greatness, hope, and possibility are within us. Defying the odds was our way of life. We made our people proud. We made ourselves proud. To live a thriving life after service, we have to t...
Aug 17, 2022•1 min
