After losing her husband in a tragedy that rocked the military, Barb struggled with finding her own will to live. Were it not for her love of her four children, she may not have accepted the help that came her way, and Grief may have claimed another victim. But instead, she began to realize her Will was mightier than she’d believed, and she began to turn the table on Grief.Today she is an award-winning author, compelling keynote speaker, and co-host of the popular podcast American Snippets.Barbara is a firm believer in extracting value from experience, and using that value to create a life that is rich in beauty, no matter the odds. Barb Allen: https://barballenspeaks.comInstagram:  @BarbAllenSpeaksFacebook: @BarbAllenSpeaksBooks:Front Toward EnemyHow To Woo A WidowConnect and follow us on:Instagram @OzzieMartinezJrFacebook @OzzieMartinezJrTwitter @OzzieMartinezJr Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-post-traumatic-survival-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Within weeks of graduating from high school, Christa met the man that she hoped would be her soulmate at the age of 18. Confident that she was a good judge of character and capable of making wise decisions, she found herself a victim of sex trafficking within a month of moving thousands of miles away from home. As she endured years of sexual assault and abuse from her boyfriend and other men, she never dreamed that her life could get any worse— until she was slammed into the side of a firetruck when she was riding passenger on a motorcycle. When doctors painted an ugly picture of life for Christa as a quadriplegic, she quickly decided to create her own future instead of letting others do it for her.Christa Cairus: Instagram:  @Roll_andSparkleBooks:Beautiful Survivor: Escaping the StatisticsTurning Adversity into GlitterConnect and follow us on:Instagram @OzzieMartinezJrFacebook @OzzieMartinezJrTwitter @OzzieMartinezJr Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-post-traumatic-survival-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Growing up, Jason had one dream - to serve as a Phoenix Police Officer. Inspired by his brother and the tragic loss of a local law enforcement hero, Jason worked persistently towards his dream. After serving four years in the Air Force, at the age 26, Jason achieved his goal to work on the streets of Phoenix as a rookie police officer. Then, only 14 months into what was supposed to be a life-long career, Jason's life took an unexpected, dramatic and, at the time, tragic turn.On the night of March 26th, 2001, a taxi cab crashed into the rear of Jason's patrol car. Upon impact, Jason's car burst into flames, trapping him inside with temperatures reaching over 700 degrees.Through a series of miraculous and fateful circumstances, Jason survived the crash and ensuing physical and emotional catastrophe. He suffered severe burns to over 40% of his body which drastically altered his appearance. He has undergone more than 50 surgeries just to have the ability to accomplish simple daily tasks we often take for granted. Jason's journey chronicles his fight for life, his triumph over tragedy and the inspiration that enables him to continue to overcome unimaginable adversity. His personal narrative exemplifies that the power of the human spirit can never be underestimated or extinguished. His story is also a testament of true love and the dedication Jason and his wife have in their commitment to honor their family and the vows of marriage in good times and bad.  His story is one of life, rebirth and transformation. Jason represents the human experience at its very best - an ascent from despair to describing himself as the luckiest person alive!Jason Schechterle: www.burningshield.comInstagram:  @schechterle_jasFacebook: @JasonSchechterleSpeakerTwitter: @schechterle_jasConnect and follow us on:Instagram @OzzieMartinezJrFacebook @OzzieMartinezJrTwitter @OzzieMartinezJrInstagram @PostTraumaticSurvivalFacebook @PostTraumaticSurvivalTwitter @ThePTSPodcast Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-post-traumatic-survival-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ray “Cash” Care is a Navy SEAL veteran with multiple tours and other numerous overseas security details. Upon leaving SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two (SDV-2), Ray turned his passion and SEAL Team experience to the world of self-improvement and team building. He has become an accomplished fitness expert and speaker on topics ranging from fitness and building high functioning teams to organizational transformation. Ray’s approach has been featured on The History Channel “The Selection,” Discovery Channel “The Ultimate Solider Challenge” and the BBC “Ultimate Hell Week.”Ray is the Founder of CONQUER, a leadership and team building program designed to push you physically, mentally and emotionally for individuals to break through personal barriers. With over twenty-five plus year of fitness experience and numerous certifications, Ray’s extensive experience is both real-world and instructional.Between his experiences in the SEAL Teams and being featured on television, Ray has become a mindset and team building expert. CONQUER highlights his seven-principle program that is accessible to all individuals looking to lead and change their mindset to achieve winning results.He has also starred in Captain Philips with Tom Hanks and was selected by The United States Navy as the ambassador to be featured in the “Indoctrination” film showed to all recruits at the Great Lakes Naval Recruit Training Command (The Navy’s Only Bootcamp). He also works with several charities especially with the Danny Dietz Memorial Fund, in which Ray was Danny Dietz Sea Daddy (Mentor).He is married with two beautiful children.Ray Cash Care: www.frogmindset.com Instagram:  @raycashcareFacebook: @frogmindsetTwitter: @navysealraycareYoutube: Frog MindsetConnect and follow us on:Instagram @OzzieMartinezJrFacebook @OzzieMartinezJrTwitter @OzzieMartinezJrInstagram @PostTraumaticSurvivalFacebook @PostTraumaticSurvivalTwitter @ThePTSPodcast Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-post-traumatic-survival-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Operation WetVet is a Veteran run 501c3 nonprofit out of Miami, FL. We are dedicated to serving Combat Wounded Veterans suffering from P.T.S.D. (post-traumatic stress disorder) and T.B.I. (traumatic brain injury) create new memories in a safe, calming environment centered around camaraderie, fishing and other water activities.We have a program specifically designed for Combat Wounded Veterans who have P.T.S.D. It is called Project Therapy at Sea. With Project Therapy at Sea, our mission is to get Combat Wounded Veterans that suffer from P.T.S.D. together to enjoy a fun day of fishing along with a highly qualified counselor to assist with any questions that the veterans may have. Generous donors are the key to our success and make it possible for Operation WetVet to provide Veterans with much needed assistance. If you would like to Donate please click on the link in our BIO or go to WWW.OPERATIONWETVET.ORGOperation WetVet:  Instagram:  @operationwetvetFacebook: @operationwetvetTwitter: @operationwetvetConnect and follow us on:Instagram @OzzieMartinezJrFacebook @OzzieMartinezJrTwitter @OzzieMartinezJrInstagram @PostTraumaticSurvivalFacebook @PostTraumaticSurvivalTwitter @ThePTSPodcast Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-post-traumatic-survival-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a night out in 2014 with who she thought were her friends, 21 year old Mandy Horvath was involved in an incident where she was struck by a locomotive, severing her legs just above the knee . The doctors initially thought she had tried to kill herself, and by the time she could explain the situation, it was too late to test her for date rape drugs. Mandy shares her story of becoming a double amputee, struggling with alcohol, almost ending it and how she is turning it all around for the better now!Mandy Horvath www.lifeproofbionicwoman.comInstagram: @LifeProofBionicWomanFacebook: @LifeProofMandyHorvathConnect and follow us on:Instagram @OzzieMartinezJrFacebook @OzzieMartinezJrTwitter @OzzieMartinezJrInstagram @PostTraumaticSurvivalFacebook @PostTraumaticSurvivalTwitter @ThePTSPodcast Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-post-traumatic-survival-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caregiver turned widow of U.S. Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal technician Ron Condrey (Ret.), Nicole Condrey is using Ron’s love, energy, and inspiration to propel her to new heights following his suicide. She shifted focus from her career as a U.S. Diplomat to focus on Ron’s challenges with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). The two became professional skydivers with Team Fastrax: “America’s Skydiving Team” after Ron retired from the Navy in 2017. Ron’s struggles with TBIs tragically resulted in him taking his life in 2018. In a quest for new purpose, Nicole found herself in an unexpected realm: politics. With Ron’s spirit at her side, she now serves as the Mayor of Middletown, Ohio (population ~50,000) and recently made the U.S. Parachute Team, scheduled to compete at the World Skydiving Championships in Siberia, Russia in 2021. Nicole recently accepted a position on the Veterans Advisory Board of Concussion Legacy Foundation, which partners with the Boston Brain Bank, to lead the research of TBIs.Connect and follow us on:Instagram @OzzieMartinezJrFacebook @OzzieMartinezJrTwitter @OzzieMartinezJrInstagram @PostTraumaticSurvivalFacebook @PostTraumaticSurvivalTwitter @ThePTSPodcast Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-post-traumatic-survival-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Brown is a retired, decorated 20-year FDNY firefighter, a survivor of the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, a first responder to the 1993 terrorist attack on the WTC and a veteran of the New York Urban Search & Rescue Task Force team that responded to the 1995 terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City. Tim lost 93 of his friends on Sept. 11th, including his two best friends.⠀⠀His last assignment in the FDNY was Rescue Co. 3 in The Bronx. He served several years in Mayor Giuliani’s Office of Emergency Management. Tim spent two years on special detail to the federal government, serving as a special assistant to the Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Anthrax terrorist attacks in 2001-2002 where he was a founding member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.⠀Connect and follow us on:Instagram @OzzieMartinezJrFacebook @OzzieMartinezJrTwitter @OzzieMartinezJrInstagram @PostTraumaticSurvivalFacebook @PostTraumaticSurvivalTwitter @ThePTSPodcast Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-post-traumatic-survival-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura Vendetti comes from a long line of combat veterans dating back as far as the American Revolution. Her father and grandfather served in WWII, and her brother was in most every conflict between 1992 and 2006 as a C 17 pilot. While not a veteran herself, she found herself in a fight for her life in 2018 with breast cancer, a diagnosis she first walked out on and went to Europe instead. She firmly believes the warrior mentality she fought with upon returning from the trip came both from her DNA, the principals her father taught her about life, and the combat veterans she serves as a VA volunteer. A hairdresser by trade and a veterans volunteer by passion, she is working on a SUP certification in order to take veterans with TBI out on excursions, as well as a Mermaid Certification for personal fulfillment and the opportunity to bring joy to adults and children alike! In addition to instigating a music program and teaching self-esteem classes to the children of St. Mary’s Home in Mobile, AL for 6 years (that were abused, neglected and abandoned), Laura has emceed a variety of events in the past several years to include Wounded Warriors In Action, Downs Syndrome Society of Mobile, AL, and numerous events for Gulf Coast Blues Society, which she founded. She has given her testimony three times for Victory Health Partners, the clinic that sent her on the path to wellness, and continues to speak on their behalf. She hopes to continue to have those speaking opportunities to educate people about cancer, and available treatments. You can connect with Laura on Facebook and Instagram.Connect and follow us on:Instagram @OzzieMartinezJrFacebook @OzzieMartinezJrTwitter @OzzieMartinezJrInstagram @PostTraumaticSurvivalFacebook @PostTraumaticSurvivalTwitter @ThePTSPodcast Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-post-traumatic-survival-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since Robert Rubenstein first opened, Rubenstein Law in 1988 as a plaintiff’s personal injury firm they have grown to over 45 attorneys in 8 cities across Florida. Rubenstein Law has grown from a leading auto and slip and fall accident firm in Miami to being recognized across the state for their personal injury practice handling all types of injury and accident claims. Today, they represent clients throughout the state in all manner of personal injury claims including product liability, catastrophic injuries, premise liability, medical negligence & nursing home abuse, child injury and dangerous drugs cases in addition to auto accidents and slip and fall injury cases.For more information please visit: WWW.RUBENSTEINLAW.COMConnect and follow us on:Instagram @OzzieMartinezJrFacebook @OzzieMartinezJrTwitter @OzzieMartinezJrInstagram @PostTraumaticSurvivalFacebook @PostTraumaticSurvivalTwitter @ThePTSPodcast Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-post-traumatic-survival-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.