Serendipitous

When I think of the "why" I started this adventure, I would say: “it started in an idea.” When I was a young Marine serving in Iraq, I was fortunate to see the world from a new set of eyes. I saw the beauty in the chaos... and eventually saw the same beauty in Afghanistan. I tried to look for the beauty in the chaos more and more. Eventually I was introduced to the Pacific Crest Trail. I fell in love with the idea of an epic hike across the country. I heard of the all the amazing stories of trail magic and trail angels and I wanted to be a part of something special. It has been a goal of mine to do the trail in my lifetime.

Fast forward over a decade later. Already got out of the military with over 11 years of service and doing 8 deployments. Struggling with PTSD and TBI after getting out, I didn't have direction and didn't know how to ask for help. I eventually got the help I needed through the VA and Veteran organizations like the Semper Fi and American Fund and the Wounded Warrior Project. I found that direction to peace in my own chaos.

I got more involved with Veteran organizations and causes to help Struggling Veterans. I used my lived experiences to help others that had the same struggles as myself. One day I was offered an opportunity to go through a VA Peer Support Specialist Course sponsored by the Semper Fi and America's Fund. The course allowed me to understand how to talk to struggling Veterans.

This became a catalyst to helping others. I eventually pursued being a Social Worker. I found that this profession would allow me to connect Veterans to equitable, adequate and appropriate resources and services. Working with other Veteran organizations allowed me to network Veterans quickly with a more reliable success rate.

In pursuing helping others I realized there was a need for service providers especially in the realm of Mental Health. I got my graduates degree in Behavior Mental Health to understand how to treat Veterans that suffer from Mental Health issues. After graduating grad school, the pandemic started. There were so many people struggling with isolation; which exacerbated existing mental health conditions. I saw a flaw in organizations and systems to address these issues. I watched the suicide rate rise in communities across the country and in the Veteran community. So, I took what I knew through lived-experiences, working with others and academics and started multiple online platforms to start peer support communities.

Most of these communities started off with one question that drove the session. These questions or topics started off with questions like:

-How do you deal with stress?

-What is your greatest fear?

-How are you doing; how are you really doing?

These groups started out with Veterans just sitting around a fire sharing stories of their lives. I eventually started them with communities members suffering from disabilities. It brought people together. It created support with individuals with similar experiences. It gave people hope.

My life has been filled with random opportunities, these opportunities led me down a path into helping others where I can. Revisiting the idea of the Pacific Crest Trail, I put the Idea out the Facebook and most of my friends supported me while some told me about other Veterans doing these journeys across the country. One of my old USMC bosses was doing a trip across the country to help support recovery and identifying Missing in Action servicemembers from our previous wars. I was excited for him. I asked him if he needed any support, He told me to come and walk with them. With all the work I do helping others; I ask the community to help me with my efforts. With the kindness and generosity of others I have been able to do good work in the community. I have to ask myself who would I be and what would I stand for if I didn't say yes to this request. So, I immediately agreed.

At the time that was already 5000+ miles. Shortly after I was asked to participate in a 100 miles on the Colorado Trail with a bunch of Veterans. This was exciting. I would be able to get to hangout with a bunch of Veterans, tune up the legs and start this epic adventure.

When I talk about Serendipitous; I feel like this is a spiritual calling to serve others. using my background to make a change and impact in the community where I can. So here is to the calling of sore legs, a long trails, great stories and an adventure of a lifetime.

Shino.