SUMMARY:
James Pond, MA, began his current career path, after serving 8 years in the US Marine Corps and 10 years of corporate sales experience. In 2005, James and his family established a charity to help restore the lives of young girls rescued from sex trafficking in Cambodia. After a successful career of working on human trafficking issues in over ten countries, James found a deep passion to serve the needs of veterans and began mentoring young veterans in developing their lives outside of the military. He comes to Veteran’s PATH with a personal connection to the veteran community and a passion to make a difference.
Veteran’s PATH delivers free programs that are changing veterans’ lives. Their programs combine scientifically proven meditation and mindfulness-based tools, outdoor and physical activities, and veteran peer support and leadership. They help veterans share what they have been carrying in isolation, find self-acceptance, community and camaraderie—in order to heal and reintegrate into society with a new sense of possibility and purpose.
IN THIS PARTICULAR EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
James’ journey from the USMC to Cambodia to Veterans PATH
Applying military skills to post-military endeavors
The lack of purpose and meaning in a veteran’s post-military life
The history and development of the Veterans PATH program
Connection with other veterans
Follow on services after a “mountaintop” experience
Integrating clinical mental health counseling with adjunctive and alternative therapies
Misconceptions about meditation and how it can benefit veterans
The neurological impact of mindfulness
Helping Veterans to connect to the positive things in their service, while also leaving behind the bad habits we acquired while in the service
LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Mindfulness for Beginners: Reclaiming the Present Moment—and Your Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn
How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind by Pema Chödrön
Headspace Website: Meditation Made Simple
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Do you want to check out Duane’s latest book, Combat Vet Don’t Mean Crazy? Check it out by finding it on Amazon.
