In this episode of the Warrior Alliance Spotlight, hosts Scott Munn and Tug Cowart sit down with Dawn Churi, Executive Director of Blaze Sports. Born from the legacy of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games, Blaze Sports has evolved into a premier organization dedicated to empowering veterans and individuals with physical disabilities through adaptive sports.

Dawn discusses the critical role of "sport as medicine," explaining how activities like wheelchair basketball, archery, and even pickleball are used to combat PTSD, isolation, and physical limitations. Learn how their partnership with The Warrior Alliance provides a holistic safety net for veterans, addressing everything from mental health to housing.

Tune in to hear inspiring success stories, including how one veteran went from a devastating diagnosis to cycling 100 miles, proving that recovery is a team sport.

In this episode of the Warrior Alliance Spotlight, hosts Scott Munn and Tug Cowart sit down with Dawn Churi, Executive Director of Blaze Sports. Born from the legacy of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games, Blaze Sports has evolved into a premier organization dedicated to empowering veterans and individuals with physical disabilities through adaptive sports.
Dawn discusses the critical role of "sport as medicine," explaining how activities like wheelchair basketball, archery, and even pickleball are used to combat PTSD, isolation, and physical limitations. Learn how their partnership with The Warrior Alliance provides a holistic safety net for veterans, addressing everything from mental health to housing.
Tune in to hear inspiring success stories, including how one veteran went from a devastating diagnosis to cycling 100 miles, proving that recovery is a team sport.

This show takes a deep dive into what actions are working to support success after service for America’s Veterans.  Learn more about The Warrior Alliance impact, the VA and state efforts to improve Veteran care, and Veteran Service Organization’s free programs and services.

This show takes a deep dive into what actions are working to support success after service for America’s Veterans.  Learn more about The Warrior Alliance impact, the VA and state efforts to improve Veteran care, and Veteran Service Organization’s free programs and services.

Working to support success after service for America’s Veterans

The Warrior Alliance Spotlight

Welcome to the multi-media platform that combines radio, podcast, video, and live stream programming to drive awareness and outreach to service members, Veterans, and their families. The Warrior Alliance Network's shows will educate, entertain, and provide resources to XTRA 106.3FM's audience. Be sure to tune in every Saturday from 11am to Noon on XTRA 106.3FM for a new show featuring Veteran care subject matter experts and Warriors that will inspire listeners with their stories and educate them about programs and services available to Warriors and their families!

Welcome to the multi-media platform that combines radio, podcast, video, and live stream programming to drive awareness and outreach to service members, Veterans, and their families. The Warrior Alliance Network's shows will educate, entertain, and provide resources to XTRA 106.3FM's audience. Be sure to tune in every Saturday from 11am to Noon on XTRA 106.3FM for a new show featuring Veteran care subject matter experts and Warriors that will inspire listeners with their stories and educate them about programs and services available to Warriors and their families!

Education on Porgrams and Services Available to Veterans

The Warrior Alliance Network

Welcome to the multi-media platform that combines radio, podcast, video, and live stream programming to drive awareness and outreach to service members, Veterans, and their families. The Warrior Alliance Network's shows will educate, entertain, and provide resources to XTRA 106.3FM's audience.

Be sure to tune in every Saturday from 11am to Noon on XTRA 106.3FM for a new show featuring Veteran care subject matter experts and Warriors that will inspire listeners with their stories and educate them about programs and services available to Warriors and their families!

Welcome to the multi-media platform that combines radio, podcast, video, and live stream programming to drive awareness and outreach to service members, Veterans, and their families. The Warrior Alliance Network's shows will educate, entertain, and provide resources to XTRA 106.3FM's audience.
Be sure to tune in every Saturday from 11am to Noon on XTRA 106.3FM for a new show featuring Veteran care subject matter experts and Warriors that will inspire listeners with their stories and educate them about programs and services available to Warriors and their families!

How Adaptive Sports Save Lives: Inside Blaze Sports Atlanta (1996 Paralympic Legacy)

Legacy of the Games: How Blaze Sports is transforming Veteran Recovery through Adaptive Athletics

U.S. Army Cavalry Scout and Purple Heart recipient David Kendrick Jr. shares his powerful journey from being shot by a sniper in Baghdad at 20 years old to becoming a national mental health advocate, NAMI ambassador, author, and speaker. He opens up about survivor’s guilt, PTSD, opioid addiction, and a suicide attempt—and how therapy, community, and purpose helped him rebuild his life.

In this episode of “Success After Service” on The Warrior Alliance Network, David discusses:

- The Father’s Day mission in Iraq that changed everything

- Healing from life‑threatening injuries and invisible wounds

- How NAMI and the NAMI Homefront program support veterans’ families

- Turning pain into purpose through advocacy, his memoir “Cavalry,” and the Lion Speaking Agency

- Practical ways veterans and families can recognize warning signs and seek help

 

If you’re a veteran, family member, mental health professional, or supporter, this conversation offers real insight, hope, and tools for navigating life after service.

U.S. Army Cavalry Scout and Purple Heart recipient David Kendrick Jr. shares his powerful journey from being shot by a sniper in Baghdad at 20 years old to becoming a national mental health advocate, NAMI ambassador, author, and speaker. He opens up about survivor&rsquo;s guilt, PTSD, opioid addiction, and a suicide attempt&mdash;and how therapy, community, and purpose helped him rebuild his life.
In this episode of &ldquo;Success After Service&rdquo; on The Warrior Alliance Network, David discusses:
- The Father&rsquo;s Day mission in Iraq that changed everything
- Healing from life‑threatening injuries and invisible wounds
- How NAMI and the NAMI Homefront program support veterans&rsquo; families
- Turning pain into purpose through advocacy, his memoir &ldquo;Cavalry,&rdquo; and the Lion Speaking Agency
- Practical ways veterans and families can recognize warning signs and seek help
&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re a veteran, family member, mental health professional, or supporter, this conversation offers real insight, hope, and tools for navigating life after service.

David Kendrick Jr.’s Journey Through PTSD, NAMI, and Success After Service

Success After Service: Purple Heart Veteran David Kendrick Jr. on PTSD, NAMI, and Life After War

Army Green Beret veteran and Special Forces medic Chris Jacobsen shares his journey from post-9/11 enlistment to 16 years in Special Forces, deployments across the globe, and the tough transition back to civilian life. He explains how volunteering and mentorship with the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) helped him rediscover purpose, and how he now serves as Southeast Regional Coordinator empowering veterans and mentoring youth in character and leadership. Hear insights on mental health, life after service, community, travel, and why giving “service after service” can change lives for veterans and their families.

Army Green Beret veteran and Special Forces medic Chris Jacobsen shares his journey from post-9/11 enlistment to 16 years in Special Forces, deployments across the globe, and the tough transition back to civilian life. He explains how volunteering and mentorship with the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) helped him rediscover purpose, and how he now serves as Southeast Regional Coordinator empowering veterans and mentoring youth in character and leadership. Hear insights on mental health, life after service, community, travel, and why giving &ldquo;service after service&rdquo; can change lives for veterans and their families.

Army Green Beret and Special Forces medic Chris Jacobsen joins the Warrior Alliance Spotlight to share his powerful story of service, sacrifice, and life after the military.

From Green Beret to Mentor: Chris Jacobsen on Veterans’ Purpose, Transition & the Travis Manion Foundation

Army veteran Jeremy M. Walker joins Success After Service to share his powerful story of enlisting at 16, earning a Bronze Star for Valor in Afghanistan, overcoming injury and PTSD, and redefining purpose after a 22-year military career. He explains how founding Helmets to Boots helps veterans and their families navigate transition, mental health, VA benefits, and entrepreneurship, and why community partnerships like The Warrior Alliance and the Atlanta Black Chamber are critical. Hear candid insights on identity after taking off the uniform, turning pain into service, and using leadership skills to build businesses, strengthen communities, and prevent veteran suicide.exposureninja

Army veteran Jeremy M. Walker joins Success After Service to share his powerful story of enlisting at 16, earning a Bronze Star for Valor in Afghanistan, overcoming injury and PTSD, and redefining purpose after a 22-year military career. He explains how founding Helmets to Boots helps veterans and their families navigate transition, mental health, VA benefits, and entrepreneurship, and why community partnerships like The Warrior Alliance and the Atlanta Black Chamber are critical. Hear candid insights on identity after taking off the uniform, turning pain into service, and using leadership skills to build businesses, strengthen communities, and prevent veteran suicide.exposureninja

From Bronze Star to Helmets to Boots: Jeremy Walker’s Powerful Veteran Transition Story

Legacy of the Games: How Blaze Sports is transforming Veteran Recovery through Adaptive Athletics

In 2 playlist(s)

The Warrior Alliance Network

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips