Today Mike welcomes Chief Warrant Officer Mike Gonzalez, a United States Army veteran. He shares his story of starting from a challenging upbringing to a arriving at a distinguished military career and his subsequent battle with PTSD.

Mike joined the military in 1992 as an infantryman, eventually rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class. He later transitioned to becoming a warrant officer, which he humorously refers to as "the dark side."

He discusses how the events of 9/11 changed the trajectory of his military service, leading to deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. After 22 years in the Army, he retired and faced the challenges of post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite these difficulties, Gonzalez found healing through spirituality, family support, and professional help.

He now works as a government contractor, guiding soldiers through the deployment process at Fort Bliss, Texas, and actively serves as a peer mentor for those dealing with PTSD. Gonzalez emphasizes the importance of believing in something greater, maintaining a sense of humor, and giving back to the veteran community.

Ladies and gentlemen, veterans and military families, loyal listeners of the podcast, I want to share my profound gratitude and a deep sense of honor with you today to express our heartfelt thanks for your unwavering support, dedication, and commitment to our podcast have been nothing short of remarkable.

Each episode we've shared and every Sentinel’s story we've told has truly exemplified the spirit of resilience each wounded and injured post-9/11 Veteran and how motivated they are to overcome their disabilities through higher education leading to meaningful careers and successful lives. They have certainly earned a place at our nation’s table of abundance and opportunity by their service and sacrifice at our nation’s call.

As we reflect on the incredible journey of Season 1, we're reminded of the power of storytelling and the strength that comes from sharing our experiences. This podcast has become more than just a series of episodes; it has evolved into a community of listeners and supporters who share a deep respect for the wounded and injured veterans we support and a commitment to ensuring their success stories.

And now, as we eagerly look ahead, I am thrilled to announce that Season 2 of our podcast is set to kick off in early 2024. We have more stories to tell, more insights to gain, and more connections to forge. But in the meantime, I encourage each one of you to take a moment to revisit the episodes from Season 1 that you may have missed. The wisdom, the courage, and the shared moments of triumph over challenges are waiting for you to experience once again.

But our mission doesn't stop here. I urge you to extend the reach of our Veterans Never Stop Serving podcast by sharing it with your fellow veterans, military family members, friends, colleagues, and anyone who could benefit from the stories of resilience, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond of service of our Sentinels. Let's ensure that the support network we've cultivated grows stronger and wider, touching the lives of those who may be seeking connection and understanding.

In closing, I want to express my deepest appreciation to each Sentinel who has taken the moment to share their journey from impact to rehabilitation, returning home, transitioning to higher education, and onto their career objectives. Their stories of successful transitions from military life to fulfilling career dreams are powerful and inspiring and it is our mission to amplify the voices of veterans and foster this veteran community that Never Stops Serving.

As we eagerly anticipate the launch of Season 2 in 2024, let us continue to stand united in our commitment to our veterans. We hope you all will join us to listen to their stories and understand the after-service value they bring to our nation.

God bless our veterans, and God bless America.

Mike Conklin

On today's episode, Mike is joined by Captain Anthony T., a former Special Operations Soldier from the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Anthony shares his journey from military service to civilian life, highlighting the unique challenges and transitions each veteran faces. He discusses his decision to pursue education and eventually earn a JD/MBA from Northwestern University, utilizing the G.I. Bill benefits. Anthony worked in both law and investment banking, gaining valuable skills.

However, he found his true calling in helping entrepreneurs with growth strategy, financial planning, and fundraising as a fractional CFO.

The conversation shifts towards the current state of military recruiting, with Anthony addressing concerns about recent developments, such as exhaustion from endless wars, vaccine mandates, and shifts in messaging. Mike and Anthony stress the importance of educating the public about the military's role and opportunities for young people to serve.

Mike also discusses his role in guiding young individuals interested in military service and how veterans like Anthony play a crucial role in sharing their experiences and perspectives.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes Chris L., U.S. Air Force retired. He shares his incredible journey from serving in the military for a decade, including deployments with special operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, to his post-military life. Chris expresses his deep gratitude for the support from Sentinels of Freedom, emphasizing the importance of trust between veterans and those offering assistance. He credits them with helping him complete his bachelor's degree and pursue a Juris Doctorate, a path he initially hadn't planned on.

Chris opens up about his mental health struggles and the pivotal moment during a military exercise that led him to seek help. He recounts his experience with medication and its side effects, underscoring the importance of taking control of one's own recovery journey.

Transitioning from law school, Chris embarked on a unique career path as a dog trainer, finding immense fulfillment in helping dogs overcome anxiety and fear, skills he learned partly due to his law degree. He touches on the therapeutic power of dogs and how he plans to establish a 501(c)(3) organization to rescue, train, and rehome shelter dogs.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike Welcomes John Arroyo, U.S. Army retired to the podcast. John has an amazing story to tell, and he is also a wonderful and inspiring storyteller. He begins speaking about his childhood and the absence of a father figure and the vital role that his mother and grandmother played in raising him as a boy. He reveals how his search for affirmation as he went into his teens led him to gangs, drugs, and becoming a father at a very young age. Battling addiction, his sister stepped in and urged him to join the military, and in 1998 he did just that.

John tells the story of his time in the Army, battling fear of failure and anxiety to become a Green Beret. Coming home, he found himself falling into alcoholism and becoming like his father, being verbally abusive of his family. His wife suffered, his children suffered, and he had become an absentee dad.

He explains what events finally led him and his family to find help in the church. He graduated college and joined the officer program. And his injury was not what you may expect. It was not fighting in the sands of the Middle East, but being shot in the mass shooting at Fort Hood. He details the experience of making the choice to lay there and die or to get up and survive. Now he spreads this message as an inspirational speaker – to get up. Keep fighting even when you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. John now is starting a non-profit to continue to help veterans and others in their lives.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes Sandra Ambotaite, a former Army Staff Sergeant, to share her inspiring journey of selfless service, transition, education, and career growth.

Sandra was born and raised in Lithuania during the USSR era. Her path took a turn when she won the diversity lottery, moving her family to Brooklyn, New York. Overcoming language barriers and cultural shock, she eventually joined the military after encountering an army recruiter in her neighborhood. She served in Germany and deployed to Iraq, where she faced physical and emotional challenges.

Transitioning from the military was tough, especially after being found unfit due to injuries. Sandra pursued education, obtaining both a bachelor's and master's degree, with the invaluable support of Sentinels of Freedom. Her rewarding job with Operation Warfighter Program led her to help wounded service members in their transitions.

Sandra's story highlights the importance of belief, resilience, and community support in veterans' journeys, and underscores the dedication of veterans like Sandra and the transformative impact of organizations like Sentinels of Freedom.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Brian Taghadossi who is gearing up for his bar exams in California and Texas. Brian's story begins with his decision to join the Army at 19, feeling fairly confident that the country wouldn't be going to war anytime soon. But that changed in just a little over a year of his signup.

He recounts his deployment to Iraq, transition struggles, and the stigma around mental health that held him back for years. Eventually, Brian found the courage to seek help, leading to his remarkable transformation. He pursued law school, focusing on trial and appellate advocacy. Brian's goal is to work in a county veterans treatment court, offering fellow veterans the support they need.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes Bill Schnarr, U.S. Army Veteran deployed to Iraq in 2010.

Bill tells his story of transition from active duty, navigating challenges like PTSD, and finding a renewed sense of purpose through community service. He and Mike discuss the unique dynamics of the veteran community and the importance of support networks. Bill also discusses his involvement in collaborative projects, including efforts to enhance a veterans center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Bill expresses his gratitude and reflects on how the Sentinels of Freedom program played a pivotal role in his life and how he continues to pay it forward helping other veterans and at-risk youth.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes Sentinel Marlene, a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army and a wounded veteran who has graduated from their Bridge for Education Program.

Marlene shares her journey, beginning with her recovery from injuries sustained during her time in the military, her graduation from Texas State University with a bachelor's degree in recreation therapy, and her work as a therapist for the V.A. and nonprofit organizations. Her struggles with mental stability led her to transition to strength and conditioning training, becoming a personal trainer.

Recently, Marlene launched her own business, offering recreation therapy through personal training and strength and conditioning. She shares her future goals, including climbing Mount Everest, and her plans to pursue a secondary education degree in physical education for K-12 students.

Marlene expresses gratitude for the support she received from Sentinels of Freedom, especially during her education and the challenging process of launching her business.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.