163: The True Cost of Liberty | Braxton McCoy

Guys, if you listen to just one of my podcast, please make it be this one. Today, I am joined by my friend and fellow soldier, Braxton McCoy. He and I served in Iraq together in 2005-2006. One day we were playing softball together and the next day, I hear he's been hit by a suicide bomber with multiple fractures and life-threatening injuries to himself and others. I didn't fully realize the extent of his injuries until this interview.

This one is raw, it's truthful, and it's extremely insightful when it comes to one soldier's perspective of war, responsibility, obligation, and liberty. We talk about the truths and fallacies of PTSD, overcoming the demons of war, how a near-death experience changes your perspective, and the true cost of liberty.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

• The true and great cost of liberty
• One soldier's story of surviving a suicide bomber
• The truths and fallacies of PTSD
• Overcoming the demons of war
• Finding new purpose in life
• Why heroic soldiers don't consider themselves heroes
• The power of writing down your thoughts and stories
• Living for yourself and others
• The after-effects of surviving a near-fatal suicide bomber
• The power of responsibility and obligation
• How near-death changes your perspective

BRAXTON MCCOY

As I mentioned before, I have my friend and fellow soldier, Braxton McCoy on the show today.

We've lost touch over the past 10 years or so since we served together in Iraq but when I found out he had written a book about our experience and, more specifically, his experience in Iraq, I knew that this would make for a powerful conversation.

After more than a decade of physical therapy and more surgeries than I care to think about, Braxton has regained most of his strength and rebounded emotionally from an extremely traumatic situation.

He has twice served as National Advocate for the Army Wounded Warrior Program, and twice as Veterans' Advocate for the Coalition of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans in the District of Columbia. His four years as an advocate were focused on getting veterans back to work, as a meaningful way to outflank Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In 2013, Braxton McCoy started Warrior Employment Project, a non-profit designed to connect veteran families-in-need with CEO's and CIO's leading to the veterans' employment.

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Shownotes: http://orderofman.com/163

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