Braving the Wilderness Within — A Turning Point Toward Healing
There wasn’t one dramatic rock bottom moment for me. It was slower than that — quieter. I was functioning, smiling, doing the “I’m good” routine even when I wasn’t. But the truth? I was so far from myself, I didn’t even recognize the man I was pretending to be.
One night, I picked up Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown — and it cracked something open in me.
“True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.”
That hit hard. Because I realized I’d spent years trying to hide what hurt instead of healing it. I wasn’t being who I was... I was surviving.
From Numbing to Growth
Like many veterans, I carried invisible wounds — PTSD, anxiety, TBI. And I managed them the best way I knew how at the time: with alcohol. It dulled the pain, sure, but it also dulled me. It kept me disconnected from my purpose, my people, and myself.
That night was a turning point. I didn’t just want to stop hurting — I wanted to start living again. That’s where the idea of post-traumatic growth became real for me. Not just getting through the pain, but using it to grow stronger and more aligned with who I truly am.
Rediscovering My Strengths
As I started doing the work—therapy, journaling, walking in nature—I realized the qualities that made me a good soldier hadn’t left me. They were buried under layers of pain and self-protection.
The discipline, loyalty, drive, sense of mission… they were still there. I just needed to reconnect with them in a new way. That realization was huge: I wasn’t broken. I was rebuilding.
The Power of the Positive
One of the principles we live by at The Montana Institute is The Power of the Positive. It’s not about ignoring the hard stuff—it’s about focusing on what gives life meaning and momentum.
For me, that meant creating small, consistent practices:
Replacing numbing with presence
Moving my body to process emotions
Writing things down—even if it was messy
Saying yes to connection, even when it felt scary
Healing in Community
None of this happened in isolation. I had to drop the “I’ve got this” mask and let people in. Healing doesn’t happen without belonging, and that’s exactly why I believe so deeply in spaces like the TMI Summer Institute.
It’s not just another event. It’s a space where people show up for real conversations, real growth, and real community. It’s the kind of place where you’re reminded you don’t have to go it alone.
Keep Becoming
Today, I’m still on the journey. I still have hard days. But now I have tools. Systems. People. Purpose.
If you’re in a tough spot right now, or you feel like you’ve lost yourself somewhere along the way—know this: You're not broken. You're becoming.
And the wilderness? It may feel lonely, but it’s not empty.
Keep going. Keep becoming. And if you’re ready for connection and community, join us at the TMI Summer Institute. I’d love to see you there!
Keep Rockin'
Dave
