🏮Pain into Purpose: Kevin's Story of War, Recovery PTSD & Fighting for Vet's with Addiction

In this powerful episode of TGI Now Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Christoffersen, a resilient veteran whose life story is a testament to overcoming unimaginable challenges. Born in 1987 in Izhevsk, Russia, Kevin spent his early years in an orphanage before being adopted at age 5 by an American family and growing up in California, where he excelled in sports like soccer, baseball, swimming, cross country, track and field, karate, and tae kwon do. His path took a dramatic turn on September 11, 2001, when he and his family were at the Pentagon during the attack—an event that inspired his decision to join the U.S. Army in 2006 while still in 8th grade at the time. Deployed to Iraq in 2007 as part of "the Surge," Kevin served in a personal security detail (PSD) unit, protecting Baghdad International Airport as a machine gunner, driver, and backup medic. Returning home in 2008, he was medically discharged due to severe hearing loss, but the invisible wounds of war—including a profound battle with PTSD—led to struggles with drugs, alcohol, and two suicide attempts between 2009 and 2013. Seeking recovery, Kevin completed a six-month program and relocated to North Carolina for a fresh start