I sat down with Eli Vazquez on The Self-Hype Podcast to talk about rage, trauma, masculinity, and how I found a way forward. This story’s for anyone who’s ever felt stuck in their own pain—and wants to turn it into something that lasts.
Thank you, Kris, for continuing to share your journey through suicidal ideation and how the VA was a primary source for mental health care and support. You’re not alone, sadly, and the mental health professionals at the VA are a main reason I’m still here too.
The policies aimed directly at dividing, defunding, and destroying the VA are despicable, yet unsurprising. Thank you for the efforts you’ve made to stop the bleeding and give us a place to stand on.
I wrote a set of poems because of this, I hope you enjoy this excerpt from the first - “small win” - and know that your efforts are not small in our eyes.
I would advise giving this a shot, seeking better places to listen to mentors looking to help others, not continuing the for-profit rage machine. Just one foot forward toward positive places as much as you can, and one day you realize you’ve moved the compass.
Thank you, Kris, for continuing to share your journey through suicidal ideation and how the VA was a primary source for mental health care and support. You’re not alone, sadly, and the mental health professionals at the VA are a main reason I’m still here too.
The policies aimed directly at dividing, defunding, and destroying the VA are despicable, yet unsurprising. Thank you for the efforts you’ve made to stop the bleeding and give us a place to stand on.
I wrote a set of poems because of this, I hope you enjoy this excerpt from the first - “small win” - and know that your efforts are not small in our eyes.
“
In a fight for all, no win is small.
A win to begin, saving lives of our kin!
A big win for all, that snowball does fall.
It’s where we begin, with a small win.
“
https://open.substack.com/pub/sickofthis/p/small-win
Thanks for telling your story Kris! I hope it brings hope and healing to other young men coming home from war!
Where can I find the book club info?
I would advise giving this a shot, seeking better places to listen to mentors looking to help others, not continuing the for-profit rage machine. Just one foot forward toward positive places as much as you can, and one day you realize you’ve moved the compass.