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Ripples of Recovery: JJ's Journey from War to Sobriety Independance Day Special, Trigger Warning
Manage episode 492642726 series 3408004
Content provided by Victora Cuore; A Contagious Smile, Who Kicked First, Domestic Violence Survivor, Advocate, Motivational Coach, Special Needs, Abuse Support, Life Skill Classes, Special Needs Social Groups, Victora Cuore; A Contagious Smile, Who Kicked First, Domestic Violence Survivor, Motivational Coach, Special Needs, Abuse Support, Life Skill Classes, and Special Needs Social Groups. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Victora Cuore; A Contagious Smile, Who Kicked First, Domestic Violence Survivor, Advocate, Motivational Coach, Special Needs, Abuse Support, Life Skill Classes, Special Needs Social Groups, Victora Cuore; A Contagious Smile, Who Kicked First, Domestic Violence Survivor, Motivational Coach, Special Needs, Abuse Support, Life Skill Classes, and Special Needs Social Groups or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Some heroes wear uniforms, while others create sanctuaries for healing. In this powerful conversation, we meet JJ, founder of Ripple Retreat and a veteran with 27 years of military service who transformed his own trauma into a mission of recovery and hope.
After surviving four close calls during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, JJ faced another battle with alcoholism that nearly ended in suicide. Standing atop an Australian high-rise ready to jump, a sudden memory of his fallen friend Commander Murphy Sweet became the intervention that saved his life. Now six and a half years sober, JJ has built something remarkable - a non-alcohol retreat center where 75% of profits go directly back to the community.
The episode takes us through JJ's unforgettable "sock story," where seconds spent turning socks right-side out before laundry literally saved him from being killed by mortar fire in Baghdad. This thread of seemingly small moments creating life-changing impacts runs throughout JJ's philosophy: "Pause, love yourself, and be aware of your ripple."
We explore the challenging reality of military service, from writing death letters before redeployment to confronting PTSD after coming home. JJ's work with the Valor Circles program helps veterans navigate these emotional battlefields, while his weekly "Ripples of Recovery" meetings celebrate sobriety milestones rather than just focusing on the daily struggle.
As JJ prepares to begin teaching and leading men's support groups through the Academy, his vision becomes clear - creating spaces where authentic connection and vulnerability can flourish. His ambitious plan to open Ripple Retreat officially on the 20th anniversary of his friend's death speaks to the transformative power of honoring our pain by helping others heal.
What ripple will you create today? Listen, reflect, and perhaps discover how your own challenges might become someone else's salvation.
Chapters
1. Introduction to JJ and Ripple Retreat (00:00:00)
2. JJ's Experience with Academy Courses (00:05:52)
3. The Recovery Journey and Giving Back (00:11:26)
4. Military Service and PTSD Challenges (00:21:38)
5. The Life-Saving Sock Story from Iraq (00:26:52)
6. Trauma Recovery and Healing Pathways (00:34:04)
7. Building Community and Men's Support Groups (00:42:24)
8. Military Service Value and Life Lessons (00:49:11)
9. Final Thoughts on Self-Love and Impact (00:57:01)
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