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Veterans Finding Purpose Through Sports
Manage episode 480718564 series 3443898
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What happens when a veteran leaves military service and loses their sense of purpose and community? In this riveting conversation with Tony, an Air Force veteran and representative from Our Veterans Network (OVN), we explore the life-changing power of sports in veteran recovery.
Tony shares his journey from Pennsylvania to serving in England during Desert Storm, forming bonds with fellow servicemembers that continue to sustain him decades later. But the heart of this discussion centers on how OVN is revolutionizing veteran support through athletics rather than traditional therapy alone.
"If I didn't have jujitsu and MMA, I'd be right back to drugs and alcohol," confesses one Army Ranger who found salvation through combat sports after struggling with addiction. Another veteran who rides dirt bikes after losing his leg in Afghanistan explains, "I need that adrenaline rush." These powerful testimonials reveal why sports provide such effective healing – they offer structure, purpose, and community that mirror military experience.
From professional MMA fighters who approach each fight "like a mission" to motocross riders who call their sport "throttle therapy," OVN's 70 ambassadors reach thousands of veterans annually. They're not just athletes; they're lifelines for fellow veterans navigating the challenging transition to civilian life.
The most touching revelation? How these sports transform veterans beyond physical health. "When I got into jujitsu, I found a family there," one veteran shares. "I'm a better father, a better friend, a better husband because of my sport."
Discover how OVN connects with veterans through music, motorsports, martial arts and more, creating pathways to purpose that traditional therapies sometimes miss.
Show support- https://opvetnow.org/
And on Instagram
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and by Radio Influence.
Chapters
1. Introduction to OVN Collaboration (00:00:00)
2. Tony's Military Background (00:01:40)
3. Desert Storm and Lifelong Bonds (00:04:54)
4. OVN's Mission for Veterans (00:09:04)
5. Music Therapy and Veterans (00:16:25)
6. The Transition Challenge (00:21:50)
7. Sports as Meaningful Therapy (00:29:00)
8. The Ambassador Program (00:36:15)
9. True Victory and OVN Partnership (00:41:38)
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