Operation Healing Heroes

In this episode of OHH – Feel the Heal, Jay Garstecki sits down with Jerry Shaffer, co-chairman and CEO of The Red Star Foundation. Jerry shares his journey from serving in the United States Marine Corps to leading a mission focused on supporting families of veterans and first responders lost to suicide. This powerful conversation sheds light on the impact of loss, the need for connection, and why...

Air Force and National Guard veteran David Vargas joins Jay for a conversation about service, transition, and the unseen battles many veterans face after the uniform comes off. David is President of Pinellas County Veterans Association.

In this episode of Feel The Heal, Jay sits down with Navy veteran and Gold Star father Larry Jackson. Larry shares his own military journey, then opens up about the life and service of his son, Ben — an Air Force airman stationed in Japan who tragically passed away in an accident. Larry reflects on Ben’s surprise visit home just weeks before his death, a moment that would later inspire the creatio...

Keith and Javier are the production crew for Operation Healing Heroes TV show that airs on The Discovery Channel. Keith and Javier dive deep into the production process of a 30 minute TV show. They geek out talking gear and touch on the editing process.

Victoria Phillips served on Active Duty in the United States Army and began her healing journey in March 2022 after connecting with Operation Healing Heroes and Take A Vet Fishing. Through experiences like undergoing a stellate ganglion block, learning about the role of vitamins and supplements with her chiropractor, and taking small but meaningful steps forward, she continues to focus on growth a...

Joey, a student at Moody Bible Institute and youth leader, opens up about his journey into ministry and his calling to serve children who have lost a parent in military or first responder service. Together, Jay and Joey talk about faith, trauma, and the difficult questions Gold Star kids often face — including why bad things happen to good people. Inspired by their experience filming an Operation...

U.S. Army Special Operations Veteran and President of the non-profit organization The Sparta Project, serving combat veterans and first responders suffering from PTS. Although Josh no longer wears a uniform, his commitment to serving others has never changed.

Scott served in the Army as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, is a two-time Amazon bestselling author, a certified nutrition coach and physique athlete coach, is currently the Vice President of Compliance for Groome Industrial Services, the CEO of nValliant, the founder of About Face Fitness, and is honored to serve as the COO and board member for Project Healing Heroes.

A clinical psychologist who is both a combat veteran and a former first responder himself, Dr. David Tharp founded Project Healing Heroes in 2016 to facilitate resiliency and reintegration for other combat veterans, service members, first responders, and their family members as they serve our nation both at home and abroad. Through his own experiences and clinical work, he recognized that PTSD and...

Dan Jarvis is a U.S. Army combat Infantryman, former Deputy Sheriff, and founder of Healing the Hero, a nonprofit Christian ministry devoted to ending the cycle of trauma and suicide among active duty, veterans, first responders, Gold Star families and immediate family members. Born into a Navy family, Dan’s life of service started early and spanned two wars. He led combat missions in Iraq and Afg...

Join me as I talk to Travis Bennett, a United States Army National Guard veteran that served from 2013 - 2019. Travis shares his story of struggles with addiction, suicide attempts and RECOVERY!

Join me as Travis Schmidt - United States Marine Corps Veteran - shares his story of difficulties in the service and an even MORE DIFFICULT time AFTER the service....His battle with drugs and alcohol almost cost him his life, but thanks to a spouse and two children - who he LOVES DEEPLY - he is now 15 months sober!

Join me as Bruce Ellens - A United States Air Force Veteran shares his story of Alcohol Addiction and struggles - before finding The Eagles Healing Nest - which provided a path of healing and hope!

Join me as I talk to US Navy Veteran - Mike Dunfee. Mike struggled with "reintegrating" into civilian life - after the military... After several DUI's, prison sentences, and considering SUICIDE, Mike was able to turn his life around - by finding an organization called "The Healing Nest" in Minnesota. Today, Mike is living " a good life" (in his own words).

Join me as I talk to Damien about his 12 year career in the US Army & Army National Guard. Having served one tour in Iraq (2008 - 2009) Damian was struck by an IED that left him with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). Damien still struggles today, but found the COURAGE to share his story - and ask for HELP!

Join me as I talk to Dr. Joseph Dituri who is currently 30 feet below sea level (for his 57th day out of 100) for "Project Neptune 100" ! A study on the effects of Biomedical research and Hyperberaric Oxygen - as it relates to Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS).

David Michaels is a United States Navy Veteran who also served in the Army National Guard. David has over 25 years of service to our country - with 11 deployments - and continues to "Give back" to out veterans and their families today - by offering FREE TRP Therapy sessions - through 22 Zero.

Join me as I talk to US Marine and Air Force Veteran - Rob Blanchar. Learn about Rob's 31 years in service! Rob was in the Marine Corps from 1974 to 1978 and then served in the Wisconsin Air National Guard from 1984 to 2011. Rob also did 4 tours to Iraq in 2004, 2006, 2007 & 2009. In addition, Rob and his family co-founded our nonprofit - Take a Vet Fishing, NFP.

Join me as I learn about the HEROIC life of US Army Veteran - Domingo Martinez. From an early age, it seemed like Domingo was climbing an "uphill battle" - but he never saw it that way... He continued to press forward until the pain and mental anguish became too much - and ALMOST broke him. His faith and family (wife) kept him alive and today he is thriving to help other veterans who are strugglin...

Join me as I talk to US Marines Veteran - Scott Medlin. Scott served from 2001 - 2007 as a radio control operator and deployed two tours in Iraq. After his service to our country, Scott served for an additional 15 years in law enforcement. Scott continues his journey today - as a motivational speaker in the law enforcement industry. Scott has a YouTube podcast called "The Code 10 Mindset" and is t...

Join me as I discuss two deployments (one to Iraq and one to Afghanistan) with US Army Veteran - Dan Jarvis. Dan shares his story of loss, anxiety, depression and his contemplation with suicide... after years of trauma. TODAY, Dan founded 22 Zero - a nonprofit organization that helps TREAT Post-Traumatic Stress. Understand how TRP and EMP Therapy can "detach" the emotions - from the trauma. If you...

Join me as I talk to Eric Ryan Anderson, an 8 year US Marine Corps veteran who took his love and passion for horses and guns, and created "Spirit Equine Therapy". After competing on Top-Shot, Eric started his own nonprofit organization that helps veterans struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress - find the HEALING POWERS that horses can deliver. If you would like to contact Eric and learn more about...

Join me as we talk to Matthew Landis - A United States Air Force Veteran who shares his struggles of trauma and addiction - that started when he was just 9 MONTHS OLD! It took YEARS for Matthew to figure out the path to recovery, but he is now thriving and looking to help others who have addictions and suffering. Matthew watched the movie "WILD" - and THAT is when he understood the natural healing...

Join me as I talk to US Army Veteran- Bill Brockman. Bill spent 15 years active duty in the Army and an additional 5 years in the National Guard Reserves. Bill deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Bill shares the "real life struggles" with Post-Traumatic Stress - and the organizations that he's found to be helpful - for "making tomorrow better than today".

Join me as I talk to Dr. Marion Constantinides, a US Navy Veteran who currently uses Applied Kinesiology to heal the mind AND the body - of Post-Traumatic Stress.