A willingness to heal myself led to a desire to serve others.

Being a Military Veteran is an honor that is often difficult to articulate, more so than many might understand:

• It encompasses more than just having served in one of the Armed Forces, fulfilling the oath we took to protect our nation from all foreign and domestic threats.

• It signifies the time we sacrificed with our loved ones and the toll it took on our well-being.

Upon leaving the service, no one warned us that our sacrifices would lead to challenges later on:

• We were unprepared for the realities of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), struggles with sleep, appetite, anger, and depression.

• Transitioning back to civilian life was a journey for which we received no guidance, and we were not informed that a significant part of our identity would fade away after our service.

In March 2020, the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic, leading many like myself to fall into a state of depression as my freedom to come and go was stripped away. This unexpected pause forced me to confront the emotional baggage I had long neglected and rather than shying away from my emotions, I embraced them, allowing myself to feel and heal.

I opened my eyes to the pressing need for support among fellow veterans facing similar emotional challenges. The veteran community requires substantial resources and assistance to navigate their struggles, prompting me to embark on a new path, ultimately leading to the creation of the Veteran Wellness Collection.