Episode 69 - Terrance Kosikar

Terrance Kosikar has led a roller coaster of a life. From gang banging on the streets of LA to working as a first responder at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. We talk about his darkest times, responding to the luge fatality and how a simple tractor tire saved his life. Now he runs Camp My Way, helping fellow first responders and soldiers use nature to overcome PTSD.

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I was the first responder to a fatal accident during an event at the Whistler Sliding Center during the Winter Olympics in 2010. Although I was well trained in a myriad of life saving techniques, I was not prepared to deal with the emotional impact sustained when those techniques were not enough. As a result of the fatality, I developed Post Traumatic Stress Injury ( ptsd ) that launched me into a very costly downward spiral.

During several years of severe depression, anxiety, nightmares, and substance abuse, I lost my family, my career, and nearly my life. Pushed to my breaking point, I found salvation within. Escaping to the back-country near Lillooet, BC, I found peace and purpose in mother nature’s beauty and simplicity. Many others who have suffered from PTS have not been so lucky.

It is my mission in life to help people who are suffering from PTS overcome this terrible injury. We will be offering a series of week long introspective nature retreats at Camp My Way. These trips will give people suffering from PTS – Mental Health and Substance Abuse challenges an opportunity to leave their real world problems behind, and to find themselves in some of the most beautiful terrain in the world. In my experience, this has proven to be an incredibly effective method to help manage my life .

Camp my way website: 

www.campmyway.com