Dan joined the Army at 19, serving with the 1st Infantry Division and 66th Military Intelligence Group before being recalled after 9/11 and deployed to Afghanistan.

Working in military communications, COMSEC, and satellite communications (SATCOM), Dan supported American and coalition forces while traveling throughout Afghanistan on communications missions.

After returning home, Dan transitioned into the defense industry, launched his own consulting business, and eventually moved overseas with his family.

But despite his accomplishments, stress, workaholism, and alcohol were taking a toll.

Then came a difficult night in Huntington Beach.

When police officers approached Dan, several recognized the signs of a veteran in distress. Instead of treating him like a criminal, they offered to take him to the VA and help him get support.

One officer, also a veteran, shared his own experience and helped Dan understand something he had struggled to accept:

It's okay to get help.

Dan believes that encounter may have changed the direction of his life.

Erik and Dan discuss recognizing PTSD triggers, learning healthier coping strategies, navigating treatment, and why connecting with other veterans can make all the difference.

Sometimes the person who changes your life is another veteran who simply recognizes the signs.

Dan Siwak is a U.S. Army and Afghanistan veteran specializing in military communications. He served with the 1st Infantry Division and 66th Military Intelligence Group.

Following military service, Dan worked in defense communications, launched a consulting business, lived in the Philippines, earned a history degree from Arizona State University, and now works in private security in Southern California.

Want to be a guest? Contact support@vig-sec.com

Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and major podcast platforms.

Fire Support: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1961989204
VSSBooks: https://www.vssbooks.com/
VSS Defense & Security: https://www.vig-sec.com/

Website: https://www.vig-sec.com/
Email: support@vig-sec.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS
Instagram: @realeriklawrencevss | @erikthehiker

This episode shares personal experiences and is not medical or mental health advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

Veterans in crisis can call 988 and press 1 or text 838255.

Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases through them may support the podcast at no additional cost.

#DanSiwak #VeteranWellnessPodcast #VeteranMentalHealth #PTSD #AfghanistanVeteran #ArmyVeteran #VeteranSupport #LifeAfterService #ErikLawrenceVSS

CJ shares what it was like growing up around the Special Forces community, watching his father repeatedly deploy, and trying to understand why the man who returned home sometimes seemed emotionally distant.

He reflects on the challenges his mother faced raising three children, the unusual childhood experiences that came with growing up around Special Forces operators, and the lasting effects of feeling disconnected from his father.

But CJ's story doesn't end with childhood.

After serving in the Air Force as a nuclear weapons technician, CJ began confronting his own mental health struggles and recognizing how his upbringing had influenced his adult relationships, trust, and sense of identity.

Sometimes the hardest part of coming home isn't leaving the battlefield behind. It's learning how to be present for the people who missed you.

Guest Bio

CJ Schwalm is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served as a nuclear weapons technician (2W2X1).

The son of Special Forces veteran Eric Schwalm, CJ grew up experiencing the challenges of frequent deployments and military family life.

Want to Be a Guest?

Interested in sharing your story on the Veteran Wellness Podcast?

Contact Erik at support@vig-sec.com

Mentioned in This Episode

Fire Support:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1961989204

VSSBooks:
https://www.vssbooks.com/

VSS Defense & Security:
https://www.vig-sec.com/

Connect with Erik Lawrence

Website: https://www.vig-sec.com/
VSSBooks: https://www.vssbooks.com/
Email: support@vig-sec.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eriklawrenceVSS
Instagram: @realeriklawrencevss | @erikthehiker

Disclaimer

The views and personal experiences shared in this episode are those of the host and guest and are provided for informational purposes only. Discussions of mental health, childhood trauma, relationships, and treatment are not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 in the United States.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, it doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support the continued production of the podcast.

#CJSchwalm #VeteranWellnessPodcast #MilitaryFamilies #SpecialForces #MilitaryKids #VeteranMentalHealth #MilitaryLife #VeteranStories #Fatherhood #VeteranSupport #ErikLawrenceVSS

Eric's military career began as a teenager and ultimately took him through the Army, Military Intelligence, Special Forces, the Air Force, Special Tactics, and assignments around the world before retiring after more than two decades of service. Along the way, he served with organizations including 3rd Special Forces Group and the 720th Special Tactics Group before eventually turning his experience and passion for the defense industry into Soldier Systems Daily.

The conversation also explores transitioning out of the military, maintaining structure after service, building a business, learning to unplug, navigating the VA, adapting to change, and why the discipline veterans relied on during their careers can become just as important after the uniform comes off.

Eric Graves is a retired U.S. military veteran whose career spanned more than two decades across the Army and Air Force, including extensive experience within the Special Operations community. After leaving military service, Eric worked in the defense industry before turning Soldier Systems Daily, a website he originally started as a personal project, into his full-time business. Today, he continues to cover innovation throughout the defense industry while sharing lessons learned from decades of military service, entrepreneurship, and his own journey toward better long-term health.

Connect with Eric Graves

Soldier Systems Daily
https://www.soldiersystems.net

Instagram
@ssd.collection

Featured Resources

📖 Fire Support
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1961989204

📚 VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

VSS Defense & Security
https://www.vig-sec.com/

Website
https://www.vig-sec.com/

📚 VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

Email
support@vig-sec.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS

Instagram
@vigilantsecurityservices
@erikthehiker

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and personal experiences shared in this episode are those of the host and guest and are intended for informational purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your own health and medical decisions.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, it doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support the continued production of the podcast.

#VeteranWellness #VeteranHealth #SpecialOperations #MilitaryVeteran #SoldierSystems #VeteranLife #MilitaryTransition

Years later, some of those experiences started catching up.

In this episode of the Veteran Wellness Podcast, Erik Lawrence reconnects with longtime friend and fellow Special Forces veteran Mike Green for a conversation about military service, contracting, blast exposure, TBI, alcohol, injuries, recovery, fitness, family, and what happens when the body and mind finally start keeping score.

Mike's Special Forces career included service as an 18C Special Forces Engineer Sergeant and time with 7th Special Forces Group. He later spent approximately seven years contracting, worked in government service, and eventually built Green Ops, which provides firearms training and has worked with civilian, military, government, and law-enforcement students.

Mike recalls repeated exposure to explosives and overpressure, including his time as a breacher. He also describes teaching vehicle-ramming techniques where he could be involved in dozens of impacts during a single training day. At the time, much of it seemed normal. Years later, he began looking differently at the accumulated effects of those experiences.

Mike also talks candidly about life after leaving the military and moving into overseas contracting. The brotherhood and operational tempo continued overseas, but returning home was different. Drinking became a form of self-medication, his health suffered, and he eventually realized he needed to rebuild structure in his life. One of the things that helped was taking the schedule he'd lived by on a military team and creating one for himself.

Guest Bio

Mike Green is a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, former 18C Special Forces Engineer Sergeant, instructor, government professional, and founder of Green Ops.

His career has included service with 7th Special Forces Group, antiterrorism instruction, overseas contracting, government work, and firearms training. Today, Green Ops provides open-enrollment firearms training while also having supported government, military, and law-enforcement clients.

🌐 Green Ops
green-ops.com

Mentioned in This Episode

Fire Support
Fire Support on Amazon

VSSBooks
VSSBooks.com

VSS Defense & Security
VSS Defense & Security

Erik Lawrence VSS on Facebook

📚 VSSBooks

📧 support@vig-sec.com

This episode includes personal experiences and discussion of TBI, mental health, alcohol use, fasting, nutrition, and other wellness practices. The conversation is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your own health and medical decisions.

If you’re in crisis, call or text 988.

#VeteranWellnessPodcast #SpecialForces #GreenBeret #Veterans #TBI #VeteranHealth #VeteranWellness #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranStories #GreenOps #ErikLawrenceVSS

But years of pounding across the water came with a cost.

In this episode of the Veterans Wellness Podcast, host Erik Lawrence sits down with his longtime friend Isaac to talk about the side of military service that often doesn’t show up until years later.

Isaac describes operating Mark V Special Operations Craft in brutal sea conditions, taking repeated impacts for hours at a time, and eventually dealing with the cumulative effects of traumatic brain injuries. What started as mood changes and depression eventually became frightening memory problems, including forgetting family experiences, driving the wrong direction with his child in the car, and struggling with everyday decisions.

After leaving the military, things got worse.

Isaac found himself drinking heavily, struggling with depression, and reaching a point where he says he no longer wanted to exist.

Then he did something that ultimately changed the direction of his life:

He asked a friend for help.

That conversation began a healing journey that Isaac says included psychedelic-assisted experiences, meditation, community, and eventually becoming an instructor with The Wisdom Dojo.

Today, Isaac isn't just working on himself. He's helping other veterans navigate their own healing journeys through meditation, integration, and community.

GUEST BIO

Isaac Smit is a U.S. Navy Special Warfare veteran and former Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC). During his career, Isaac operated high-speed special operations craft and worked within the Naval Special Warfare community.

The Wisdom Dojo
Meditation • Integration • Community

The Wisdom Dojo

Vigilant Security Services®
Vigilant Security Services

Books by Erik Lawrence
VSS Books

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS

Instagram
@vigilantsecurityservices
@erikthehiker

The Veterans Wellness Podcast shares personal stories, experiences, and opinions for educational and informational purposes only. Discussions involving traumatic brain injury, PTSD, mental health, psychedelics, medications, fasting, supplements, meditation, or other wellness practices should not be considered medical advice.

Some substances discussed in this episode may be illegal or restricted depending on jurisdiction and may carry serious physical or psychological risks. Always consult qualified medical and mental health professionals before making decisions regarding your health or treatment.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or considering suicide, call or text 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Some links associated with the Veterans Wellness Podcast may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, the show may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

#VeteransWellnessPodcast #IsaacSmit #SWCC #NavalSpecialWarfare #Veterans #VeteranWellness #MentalHealth #TBI #PTSD #Meditation #WisdomDojo #Military #SpecialOperations

Erik shares his journey from joining the Army at 17 and entering Special Forces, to working in conflict zones around the world, including Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq, and spending more than two decades across military service, government work and private contracting. He talks openly about the intensity of that life, the identity and purpose that came with it, and how difficult it became to simply switch it all off and return home.

As Erik explains, coming home could sometimes be harder than leaving.

The same focus, toughness and survival patterns that helped him operate in conflict zones followed him back into civilian life. He and Randy discuss the toll that lifestyle took on relationships and family, the difficulty of losing your team and mission, and the cycle of hitting bottom, rebuilding, and eventually realizing that what worked in one chapter of life may not work in the next.

The conversation also dives into traumatic brain injuries, blast and breach exposure, veteran health, recovery, alternative wellness approaches, and Erik's own experiences searching for answers when traditional approaches weren't enough for him.

But underneath all of it is the reason the Veteran Wellness Podcast exists.

Erik talks about seeing the same pattern repeatedly among the people he served alongside: “We're too tough, we don't tell people we're hurt, we don't ask for help.”

Connect with Erik Lawrence

Website
https://www.vig-sec.com/

VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

Email
support@vig-sec.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS

Instagram
@vigilantsecurityservices
@erikthehiker

Xtreme Couture GI Foundation
https://www.xcgif.org/

nstagram
@realrandycouture
@xcnatch

Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

Mentioned in This Episode

Fire Support
Amazon

Fire Mission
Coming Soon

VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

VSS Defense & Security
https://www.vig-sec.com/

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and personal experiences shared in this episode are those of the host and guest and are intended for informational purposes only. Discussions of treatments, therapies, supplements, psychedelic substances, and other wellness approaches reflect personal experiences and perspectives and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your own health and medical decisions.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, it doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support the continued production of the podcast.

#ErikLawrence #RandyCouture #VeteranWellness #SpecialForces #VeteranHealth #TBI #VeteranMentalHealth

After serving in the Marine Corps, Jack joined LAPD in the late 1990s, working patrol and narcotics before transferring to Oceanside Police Department. His career eventually included investigations, federal task forces, surveillance, supervisory roles, and major criminal cases.

For years, the stress felt normal. Jack worked 60 to 80 hours a week, lost fellow officers, carried survivor’s guilt for roughly 25 years, drank to cope, and believed being tough meant absorbing whatever came next.

Then, as a friend told him, “the shadow walks you down.”

Jack began recognizing himself in veterans and Special Operations personnel speaking publicly about trauma, depression, blast exposure, and years spent operating at a high level. Eventually, he realized he needed help.

Jack discusses therapy, medication, breathing exercises, meditation, and transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, which he jokingly calls “brain zapping.” But he is clear that no single treatment fixed everything.

GUEST BIO

Jack Reed is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and retired law enforcement officer with nearly three decades of service. After the Marine Corps, he served with LAPD and Oceanside Police Department in patrol, narcotics, investigative, supervisory, and federal task-force roles.

📚 FEATURED RESOURCES

📖 Fire Support
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1961989204

📚 VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

VSS Defense & Security
https://www.vig-sec.com/

CONNECT WITH ERIK LAWRENCE

Website
https://www.vig-sec.com/

📧 support@vig-sec.com

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS/

Instagram
@vigilantsecurityservices
@erikthehiker

CHAPTERS

00:00 - When the Shadow Walks You Down
01:15 - Meet Jack Reed
01:58 - Joining the Marine Corps
05:04 - From Marine to LAPD
09:59 - Starting Over at Oceanside PD
13:24 - The Hidden Cost of Police Work
19:13 - Survivor’s Guilt & Trauma
20:30 - When the Shadow Catches You
22:20 - Realizing Something Was Wrong
25:27 - When Treatment Fell Apart
29:45 - Finally Saying “I Need Help”
33:28 - Learning How to Heal
34:57 - TMS & “Brain Zapping”
37:52 - Feeling Like Himself Again
39:01 - Building a Healing Mindset
42:57 - Retirement, Isolation & Losing Your Team
45:27 - Asking for Help Is Not Weakness
51:27 - Rebuilding Physical Health
57:25 - Recognizing a Struggling Teammate
1:01:43 - Long-Term Trauma in Law Enforcement
1:07:01 - Take Care of Yourself While There’s Still Time

DISCLAIMER

The views and personal experiences shared are those of the host and guest and are for informational purposes only. Discussions of PTSD, depression, anxiety, medication, TMS, alcohol use, suicide, trauma, and other health topics are not medical advice or recommendations for treatment. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding your health and medical decisions.

Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases may help support the podcast at no extra cost to you.

#VeteranWellness #MarineCorps #LawEnforcement #FirstResponderMentalHealth #VeteranMentalHealth #PTSD #TMS #PoliceWellness #TraumaRecovery

Geo shares his journey from joining the Marine Corps at 17 and earning a place in a Scout Sniper Platoon to deploying to Afghanistan and participating in the push through Marjah. During that deployment, the vehicle he was resting in struck a roughly 40-pound IED. Despite debilitating headaches and other symptoms afterward, Geo did what many service members have done: he kept going.

Guest Bio

Geovanny "Geo" Bautista is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served as a Scout Sniper and deployed multiple times during his military career, including combat operations in Afghanistan. After surviving an IED blast, traumatic brain injury, major brain surgery, and a difficult recovery, Geo returned to operational status and ultimately completed Scout Sniper School before transitioning out of the Marine Corps in 2016.

Today, Geo openly shares his experiences with combat, TBI, mental health, transition, treatment, and recovery in hopes that other veterans recognize the signs earlier and understand they don't have to navigate those challenges alone.

📚 Featured Resources

📖 Fire Support
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1961989204

📚 VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

VSS Defense & Security
https://www.vig-sec.com/

Connect with Erik Lawrence

Website
https://www.vig-sec.com/

📧 Email
support@vig-sec.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS/

📷 Instagram
@vigilantsecurityservices
@erikthehiker

Chapters

00:00 - I Thought I Was Doing Great
00:52 - Meet Geovanny “Geo” Bautista
03:02 - Joining the Marine Corps at 17
06:30 - Scout Snipers & the Push Through Marjah
10:19 - The IED Blast That Changed Everything
12:46 - Ignoring the Signs of TBI
15:08 - I’m Never Asking for Help
18:35 - Combat, Mistakes & a Second Chance
25:11 - You’re Going to Need Brain Surgery
28:38 - The Lowest Point of Geo’s Life
30:32 - Fighting His Way Back to Sniper School
33:04 - Leaving the Marines & Starting Over
35:19 - When the War Followed Him Home
40:07 - Searching for Another Way to Heal
43:22 - The Experience That Changed His Direction
46:51 - The Treatment Was Only the Beginning
48:33 - Consistency Is Accuracy
50:06 - Healing Himself Changed His Family
55:27 - Take the First Step

Disclaimer

The views, opinions, and personal experiences shared in this episode are those of the host and guest and are intended for informational purposes only. Discussions of mental health treatments, psychedelic substances, traumatic brain injury, and other medical topics reflect personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice or a recommendation for any specific treatment. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding your own health and medical decisions.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, it doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support the continued production of the podcast.

#VeteranWellness #MarineCorps #ScoutSniper #VeteranMentalHealth #TBI #PTSD #VeteranRecovery #AfghanistanVeteran #VeteranHealth #MilitaryTransition

Randy shares the unlikely path that took him from joining the Army in 1982 as an air traffic controller, to discovering his potential as a wrestler while serving, competing at the highest levels of amateur wrestling, and eventually stepping into the early days of mixed martial arts when the sport was still fighting for legitimacy.

He reflects on the Wild West days of the UFC, fighting for a world championship in just his fourth professional fight, the brutal lessons that forced him to adapt, and what decades of wrestling and MMA taught him about taking care of the body and brain.

Guest Bio

Randy Couture is a U.S. Army veteran, six-time UFC champion, UFC Hall of Famer, former collegiate and Olympic-level wrestler, actor, and longtime advocate for the military community.

After serving in the Army from 1982 to 1988, Randy continued his wrestling career before becoming one of the pioneers of mixed martial arts and one of the most recognizable champions in UFC history.

Today, Randy continues giving back through the Xtreme Couture GI Foundation, which supports wounded veterans and their families. His work is driven by a simple message reflected throughout this conversation: veterans should never have to wait until they hit bottom before asking for a hand.

Connect with Randy Couture

Xtreme Couture GI Foundation
https://www.xcgif.org/

📷 Instagram
@realrandycouture
@xcnatch

Connect with Erik Lawrence

Website
https://www.vig-sec.com/

VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

Email support@vig-sec.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS/

📷 Instagram
@vigilantsecurityservices
@erikthehiker

Chapters

00:00 - Randy Couture: “I Heard You're Famous”
00:10 - Joining the Army and Becoming an Air Traffic Controller
01:30 - Discovering Wrestling in the Military
03:51 - Leaving the Army and Going Back to College
05:23 - From Wrestling Coach to Professional Fighter
07:01 - The Wild West Days of Early MMA
09:54 - Getting Paid More to Fight Than Coach
11:51 - Fighting for a World Championship in His Fourth Fight
15:25 - Randy's Hardest UFC Fight
18:46 - Learning, Adapting, and Coming Back Better
21:14 - Moving From Heavyweight to Light Heavyweight
25:58 - Brain Trauma, Fighting, and Taking Care of the Body
30:37 - Visiting Troops in Iraq
32:19 - TBI and the “Suck It Up” Mentality
34:57 - Why Asking for Help Takes Courage
35:36 - Why Randy Started Helping Veterans
38:35 - Breaking Down the Walls Around Asking for Help
40:25 - Using His Platform to Reach Veterans
41:00 - Being a Good Human and Helping Each Other
44:29 - Challenging Old Narratives Around Recovery
48:12 - Randy's Own Health Journey
54:29 - Recognizing When You Need Help

Disclaimer: 

The views, opinions, and personal experiences shared in this episode are those of the host and guest and are intended for informational purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your own health and medical decisions.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, it doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support the continued production of the podcast.

#RandyCouture #VeteranWellness #UFC #VeteranHealth #VeteranMentalHealth #MMA #XtremeCouture

In this episode of the Veteran Wellness Podcast, Erik Lawrence sits down with retired Army veteran Ash Hess, whose military career took him from Iraq and Afghanistan to rewriting the U.S. Army's official marksmanship doctrine.

Ash shares how real-world combat exposed the gap between training and reality, the experiences that led him to rethink how soldiers should fight, and how those lessons ultimately helped shape the way hundreds of thousands of soldiers learn marksmanship today.

The conversation goes far beyond shooting.

Ash reflects on leadership, combat deployments, military culture, fitness after service, discipline, and why helping the next generation of soldiers may be the most important mission of his career. From rewriting Army doctrine to rebuilding his own health after retirement, this episode is ultimately about continuous improvement, responsibility, and leaving things better than you found them.

If you enjoy conversations about veteran wellness, leadership, resilience, military history, and lifelong growth, be sure to subscribe and join us for future episodes.

Guest Bio

Ash Hess is a retired U.S. Army veteran, combat leader, instructor, and author who served multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. During his military career, he helped develop and rewrite the U.S. Army's marksmanship doctrine, influencing how soldiers across the Army are trained. Today, he continues educating military members and civilians through writing, instruction, and leadership focused on practical skills, readiness, and lifelong learning. 

Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

Connect with Erik Lawrence

Website
https://www.vig-sec.com/

VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

Email
support@vig-sec.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS

Instagram
@vigilantsecurityservices
@erikthehiker

Chapters

00:00 - Meet Ash Hess
01:52 - Why He Joined the Army
05:11 - 9/11 Changed Everything
08:37 - The Firefight That Changed His Thinking
13:30 - Rewriting Army Marksmanship Doctrine
20:51 - The Importance of Military Manuals
28:26 - Combat Injuries and Hearing Loss
32:59 - Life After the Army
35:51 - Losing Weight and Rebuilding His Health
41:38 - Discipline Over Motivation

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and personal experiences shared in this episode are those of the host and guest and are intended for informational purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your own health and medical decisions.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, it doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support the continued production of the podcast.

#VeteranWellness #Army #Marksmanship #AshHess #MilitaryLeadership #Veterans #ArmyTraining #Leadership #MilitaryHistory #Resilience

In this episode of the Veteran Wellness Podcast, Erik Lawrence travels to Sedona, Arizona, for an in-person conversation with Joy Soto about the experiences that led her to juicing, colonics, fasting, dietary changes, and eventually opening Sedona SuperHuman Juice.

Joy shares how lifelong digestive struggles led her to research different wellness practices and experiment with changes in her own life. When her husband began making fresh juice for her each morning, she started sharing it with clients. Soon, they were asking if they could buy it, helping plant the seed for her business.

The conversation explores Joy's philosophy around fresh cold-pressed juice, eating more fruits and vegetables, digestive health, fasting, colonics, liver flushing, and what she calls “living within your digestive capacity.”

Guest Bio:

Joy Soto is a wellness entrepreneur in Sedona, Arizona. Her experience with lifelong digestive challenges led her to explore nutrition, fresh juicing, colonics, fasting, and other wellness practices.

She later founded Sedona SuperHuman Juice, focusing on fresh cold-pressed juices and plant-forward foods while helping make fruits and vegetables more approachable and practical in everyday life.

Connect with Joy Soto & Sedona SuperHuman Juice

Sedona SuperHuman Juice

Website: sedonasuperhumanjuice.com

📍 Visit:
40 Soldiers Pass Rd., Suite 16
Sedona, AZ 86336

📞 Phone:
928-641-8622

Email: tracy@sedonasuperhuman.com

Sedona SuperHuman Juice offers fresh juice along with personalized juice cleanse programs and wellness catering.

Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

Connect with Erik Lawrence

Website:
VSS Defense & Security

VSSBooks:
VSSBooks

Email:
support@vig-sec.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS

Instagram:
@vigilantsecurityservices
@erikthehiker

Disclaimer

The views, opinions, wellness practices, and personal experiences discussed in this episode are those of the host and guest and are provided for informational purposes only. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet, fasting practices, supplements, or healthcare routine.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, it doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support the continued production of the podcast.

#VeteranWellness #JoySoto #Juicing #Wellness #Sedona #DigestiveHealth #HealthyLiving #ColdPressedJuice #Nutrition #PlantBased

In this episode, Erik Lawrence sits down with longtime friend and fellow veteran Kit Cessna for a deeply personal conversation about service, sacrifice, family, physical fitness, mental resilience, and the lessons that remain long after the uniform comes off.

Kit's military career took him from the U.S. Marine Corps to the Army's 2nd Ranger Battalion, Delta Force, and Special Forces. After retiring from the military, his service continued through law enforcement, including years with the Baton Rouge Police Department SWAT team.

Erik and Kit also discuss what happens to the body after decades of pushing through injuries, the old military culture of hiding medical problems, staying active as you age, and why physical fitness remains just as important for the mind as it is for the body.

Guest Bio:

Kit Cessna is a retired U.S. military veteran whose career included service in the Marine Corps, 2nd Ranger Battalion, Delta Force, and Army Special Forces. Following his military retirement, Kit continued serving through antiterrorism training and law enforcement, including 11 years with the Baton Rouge Police Department SWAT team as an operator and trainer.

Today, Kit continues to embrace an active, service-oriented life while sharing lessons learned through military service, law enforcement, fatherhood, loss, fitness, and decades of experience.

Mentioned in This Episode

Fire Support
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1961989204

VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

VSS Defense & Security
https://www.vig-sec.com/

Connect with Erik Lawrence

Website
https://www.vig-sec.com/

VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

Email
support@vig-sec.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS

Instagram

@vigilantsecurityservices

@erikthehiker

Chapters
00:37 - Introduction and Background

02:42 - Military Journey and Experiences

08:30 - Transitioning Between Services

11:43 - Injuries and Recovery

15:22 - Law Enforcement and Getting Shot

18:28 - Katrina and Its Aftermath

23:12 - Leadership in Crisis

24:58 - Mental Resilience and Coping Strategies

29:48 - Quick Hits and Tactical Operations

32:28 - Life Challenges and Personal Growth

34:08 - Transitioning to Public Works

35:40 - The Importance of Physical Fitness

40:11 - Functional Fitness and Manual Labor

44:03 - Coping with Injuries and Recovery

48:47 - The Dangers of Sedentary Lifestyles

53:02 - Consistency in Nutrition and Exercise

55:43 - Diet and Nutrition Transformation

01:00:22 - The Moral Obligation to Stay Fit

01:02:24 - Cultural Perspectives on Fitness

01:06:06 - Advice for the Younger Generation

01:09:50 - The Importance of Mentorship

01:12:40 - Reflections on Life and Happiness

#VeteranWellness #DeltaForce #ArmyRangers #SpecialForces #Veterans

From Desert Storm to Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, the Horn of Africa and conflicts spanning more than 30 years, Eric describes himself as a “walking history book” of military experiences.

But some of the hardest lessons came after the missions.

In this episode of the Veterans Wellness Podcast, host Erik Lawrence sits down with fellow Special Forces veteran Eric Schwalm for a wide-ranging conversation about combat, leadership, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, family, identity, recovery, and what happens when the person who comes home isn’t the same person who left.

Eric began his Army career as a 19D Cavalry Scout before moving into Special Forces. He served as an 18D Special Forces Medical Sergeant, later took on the 18F role, became a team sergeant and troop sergeant major, and eventually crossed over to become a warrant officer after 19 years of service. His Special Forces career was spent primarily with 5th Special Forces Group.

Eric and Erik discuss lessons learned in war that no classroom could fully prepare them for, including the complicated realities of working with partner forces overseas and understanding that alliances and objectives can change.

Eric explains why he believes someone suffering a head injury may be the least qualified person to determine whether they’re actually okay. That subject becomes deeply personal as he describes undergoing a comprehensive behavioral-health evaluation and realizing just how much he had been struggling.

Despite being able to project that he was okay, internally he had reached a point where he knew: “I’m in trouble.”

Eric talks about post-traumatic stress, TBI, recognizing patterns of recovery, giving yourself grace, therapy, physical training, family relationships, aging, retirement, finding purpose after service, and accepting that significant experiences can permanently change who you are.

🎙️ WANT TO BE A GUEST? Contact Erik Lawrence:
support@vig-sec.com

📚 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Fire Support:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1961989204

VSSBooks:
https://www.vssbooks.com/

VSS Defense & Security:
https://www.vig-sec.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS

Instagram: @vigilantsecurityservices | @erikthehiker

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

The Veterans Wellness Podcast shares personal stories, experiences and opinions for educational and informational purposes only. Discussions involving TBI, PTSD, mental health, combat-related injuries, therapy, medications, physical training or other wellness practices should not be considered medical advice. Individual experiences with TBI, PTSD and recovery can vary significantly. Always consult qualified medical and mental health professionals regarding diagnosis, treatment or changes to your healthcare. If you or someone you know is in crisis or considering suicide, call or text 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

#VeteransWellnessPodcast #EricSchwalm #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #VeteranWellness #TBI #PTSD

In this episode of the Veteran Wellness Podcast, Erik Lawrence sits down with longtime friend, retired Delta Force operator Joe Vega for an honest conversation about the physical and mental toll of military service, the lessons learned from decades in Special Operations, and why today's soldiers don't have to repeat yesterday's mistakes.

Drawing from experiences that include the Battle of Mogadishu, made famous by Black Hawk Down, Joe shares firsthand stories of combat, leadership, injuries, recovery, and the culture that often kept operators from reporting injuries until it was too late. More importantly, he explains what he believes needs to change to better protect the next generation of service members.

If you enjoy conversations about veteran wellness, leadership, resilience, and lifelong health, be sure to subscribe and join us for future episodes.

Guest Bio

Joe Vega is a retired U.S. Army Delta Force operator and former Ranger with more than 30 years of military service. Throughout his career, he served in Special Operations around the world, advised military organizations on tactical operations and emerging technologies, and remains passionate about improving the health, readiness, and long-term well-being of today's warfighters by sharing lessons learned throughout his career.

📚 Mentioned in This Episode

📖 Fire Support
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1961989204

📚 VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

🌐 VSS Defense & Security
https://www.vig-sec.com/

Connect with Erik Lawrence

🌐 Website
https://www.vig-sec.com/

📚 VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

📧 Email
support@vig-sec.com

🌐 FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/ErikLawrenceVSS

📷 Instagram

@vigilantsecurityservices

@erikthehiker

Chapters

00:00 - Lessons Learned: Injuries, Medical Records, and Mental Toughness

01:13 - Changing Operations and Technology Support

01:13 - Training, Fitness, and Adapting with Age

01:23 - Recollections of Military Camaraderie and Intensity

02:21 - Background: From Puerto Rico to the Military

03:43 - Joining the Rangers and Special Forces

06:21 - Transition from Rangers to Delta and 30-Year Career

07:12 - The Bond of Brothers in Combat

09:45 - Lessons Learned: Injuries, Medical Records, and Mental Toughness

14:21 - Changing Operations and Technology Support

15:37 - Tactical Operations: CQB, Robots, and Drones

23:11 - Injuries in Combat: Gunshot Wounds and Recovery

28:39 - Medical Records, Injuries, and the Cost of Silence

34:03 - Living with Pain and the Impact on Life

38:35 - Training, Fitness, and Adapting with Age

Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, it doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support the continued production of the podcast.

#VeteranWellness #DeltaForce #BlackHawkDown #SpecialOperations #VeteranHealth #Leadership #MilitaryHistory

If you enjoy conversations focused on veteran wellness, resilience, leadership, and lifelong health, be sure to subscribe and join us for future episodes.

Guest Bio:

Scott Lamorte is a retired U.S. Army Green Beret who served in Afghanistan and has spent years navigating the long-term effects of combat injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other serious health challenges. Through sharing his experiences, Scott hopes to encourage meaningful conversations about resilience, recovery, and taking an active role in one's own health.

🎙️ Want to be a guest on the Veteran Wellness Podcast? 

Contact Erik at 📧support@vig-sec.com

🛒Check out Spooky

https://www.spooky2-mall.com/product/spooky2-central-generatorx-kit/ref/533

📖 Fire Support
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1961989204

📚 VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

🌐 VSS Defense & Security
https://www.vig-sec.com/

🌐 Website
https://www.vig-sec.com/

📚 VSSBooks
https://www.vssbooks.com/

📷 Instagram
@vigilantsecurityservices

@erikthehiker

@healthy_store

⏱ Chapters

00:00 - Sharing Experiences and Inspiring Others

00:25 - Military Experience and Initial Injuries

03:20 - Long-Term Health Consequences and Mental Health

06:23 - Exposure to Environmental Hazards

09:14 - Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Journey

12:21 - Alternative Healing Modalities

15:07 - The Power of Positive Attitude and Faith

18:20 - Sharing Experiences and Inspiring Others

25:31 - Vision Recovery Journey

28:26 - Exploring Alternative Healing Methods

31:10 - Meditation and Neuroplasticity

32:46 - Challenges with Medical Professionals

35:14 - Cancer Awareness and Personal Experiences

36:46 - Detoxification and Preventative Health

38:34 - Environmental Impact on Health

40:55 - The Importance of Proactive Health Management

43:59 - Understanding Diabetes and Its Complexities

45:25 - Weight Loss Journey and Health Challenges

48:10 - Recognizing Health Issues and Seeking Help

50:14 - Experiences with Medical Emergencies

52:08 - Military Medicine and Health Awareness

52:55 - Chemical Exposure and Health Risks

57:53 - Advocacy for Health Awareness and Change

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988.

Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, it doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support the continued production of the podcast.

#VeteranWellness #GreenBeret #Veteran #TBI #CancerRecovery