1 Mile 1 Veteran

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 h...

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...

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 t...

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.

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 busine...

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 ins...

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 "Photogra...

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...

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 p...

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,...

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 hi...

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 t...

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. ...