An estimated 22 veterans per day commit suicide. In 2016, Leslie Irby was battling depression and anxiety that was connected to her service while on active duty in the United States Navy. She explored ways to combat her emotional trauma through traditional medicine and did not find the help she needed. Instead, Leslie turned to an unorthodox form of treatment - a thru-hike on the 2,650- mile long Pacific Crest Trail. There are millions of veterans who suffer from depression, anxiety, physical disabilities, PTSD, and other wounds that people may never hear about. These questions were the springboard for Climb Four and our goal is to provide a kit of the essential pieces of gear to make the backcountry more accessible to the men and women who need it most. CLIMB4 is a heartfelt, passionate attempt to make a positive impact on the veteran community and to bring down the veteran suicide rate.
Colin Jandt is a former Army Ranger Sniper, and Army explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician. Hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving overseas, Colin charges forward with a passion for helping veterans and a steadfast determination to rise above the challenges presented by a traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and adjusting to life after an abrupt end to his over-achieving service in the United States Army.This is his story. Let's hear him tell it.Hike. Climb. Heal.https://www.climb-4.org2020 VA Annual Report on Veteran Suicides:Click here or visit https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2020/2020-National-Veteran-Suicide-Prevention-Annual-Report-11-2020-508.pdf
Bianka is a Navy veteran and currently responsible for all grant writing for CLIMB4. A survivor of military sexual trauma (MST), Bianka's story is one of resilience, fortitude, and serves as testimony to the fighting spirit of those who refuse to give up. An amazing person with a shared passion of helping her fellow veteran community, Bianka's light shines brightly for those who find themselves in the throes of circumstances which seem overwhelming.This is her story. Let's hear her tell it.Hike. Climb. Heal.https://www.climb-4.org
Matt Allen is a former Army Infantryman and member of the 82nd Airborne. After joining the Army at age 19, Matt served three combat deployments - including 12 months in Iraq, and a combined 15 months in Afghanistan.Leaving the Army after almost eight years of service, he soon realized something was off. Looking for help, and guided by a friend, Matt found the help he was searching for.This is his story. I'll let him tell it.[CLIMB4 Houston, TX Raffle - The Workshop (East End)]Click here or visit https://www.instagram.com/p/CHMA8eWpPOd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link[CLIMB4 Veterans Day in Honor of Navy SEAL Chad Wilkinson]Click here or visit https://www.instagram.com/p/CHL5OyzJE-q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link@the_workshop_east_end@climb4_[Warrior Angels Foundation]Click here or visit https://www.warriorangelsfoundation.org/[JAMA article on Testosterone Deficiency]Click here or visit https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2749876[CLIMB4]Visit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.orgDonate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donate[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf* Update on 2020 VA Suicide Report: https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/veterans-affairs-suicide-report-delayed-until-later-in-2020
Andrew is a Navy veteran and long-time friend. He and I have known each other for over 10 years now. We were in BUD/S together and in SEAL Qualification Training together. Life had other plans in store for Andy.Listen in as he talks about his time in the Navy, his transition to being a civilian, and his newfound life as a husband and father.[CLIMB4]Visit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.orgDonate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donate[The Fallen Outdoors]Visit the website (click here) or visit https://thefallenoutdoors.com/[The Pygmalion Effect Journal articles]https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780120644551500051https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9780470479216.corpsy0761[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf
Cody is a Navy veteran and RIVRON crewman. Cody sustained injuries to his head resulting from motorcycle crash one fateful evening. Miraculously surviving his injuries, doctors said he would never recover from his coma.Until he did, and his life has been forever changed and in ways he continually becomes conscious of daily.Cody did more than just recover from the coma ... I'll let him tell the story.[CLIMB4]Visit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.orgDonate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donate[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf
Former Navy FMF Corpsman Mark Nicolas joins me to talk about his experiences in Fallujah and life after the military.[Organizations mentioned during the show]Warrior's Heart (Strength through healing) - https://www.warriorsheart.com/Fallujah Awakens: Marines, Sheiks, and the Battle Against Al Qaeda - https://www.amazon.com/Fallujah-Awakens-Marines-Sheikhs-Against/dp/1612511287[CLIMB4]** CLIMB4 Fundraiser (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/funVisit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.orgDonate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donateApply for hiking/camping gear (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/apply[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf
Former Army Infantryman Jason Mace, featured in Sebastian Junger's war documentary film "Restrepo," joins the show to speak about his experiences in the Korengal Valley, as well as continue the dialogue on PTSD, substance use, and helping to make an impact on veteran suicides.[Organizations mentioned during the show]Warrior's Heart (Strength through healing) - https://www.warriorsheart.com/[A Historical Examination of Military Records of US Army Suicide, 1819 to 2017]https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2757484[CLIMB4]** CLIMB4 Fundraiser (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/funVisit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.orgDonate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donateApply for hiking/camping gear (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/apply[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf
"A Life of Contrast." Melissa is a Marine Corps veteran, former police officer, and beauty pageant winner holding a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Sciences and currently pursuing her master's in Systems Engineering. Not to mention, she has a heart of gold and a determination to give back to her fellow veterans.[Melissa Matis]Follow Melissa on Instagram (@melmasterflash), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/melly.matis), and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melmatis/)[Organizations mentioned during the show]Samaritan House: https://samaritanhouseva.org/Virginia Gentlemen Foundation: https://www.vagentlemen.com/Hiring Our Heroes (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation): https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/hiring-our-heroes[CLIMB4]Visit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.orgDonate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donateApply for hiking/camping gear (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/apply[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf
Terence S. is a former Marine, Iraq War Veteran, and all-around great guy. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with him, as I always do.Enjoy!
Jason is a former Army officer and Obstacle Course Race endurance athlete. He aims to raise $50,000 for donations along his journey to compete in the Guinness Book of World Records OCR: World's Highest OCR at Mt. Kilimanjaro.[GoFundMe]Donate to Jason's GoFundMe (click here) or click the pop-up link on the CLIMB4 website (https://www.climb-4.org)[CLIMB4]Visit the CLIMB4 website (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.orgDonate to CLIMB4 (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/donateApply for hiking/camping gear (click here) or visit https://www.climb-4.org/apply[Jason Wood]Follow Jason Wood on Instagram (@jfloydwood), or ObstacleEdge (https://obstacleedge.com/user/jasonwood/)[Organizations mentioned during the show]World's Highest OCR: https://www.worldshighestocr.com/Wine To Water: https://www.winetowater.org/The Mission Continues: https://missioncontinues.org/[VHA Veteran Suicide Statistics - 2019]2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
