Sarah Wilkinson: Gold Star Wife & Veteran Mental Health Advocate

It's hard to imagine how life could possibly go on when someone who has everything to live for commits suicide. How do you respond to such a tragedy? In this week's Team Never Quit Podcast, our guest, Sara Wilkinson, Gold Star wife of Navy SEAL Chad Wilkinson, speaks candidly about her military family life, her love for Chad, and raising their children on her own. Sara is determined to reduce the stigma surrounding the silent epidemic of Veteran suicide and bring awareness to its warning signs and triggers. She brings honor to Chad's legacy, and discusses the importance of fitness, and living large, despite what life brings.

In this episode you will hear:

• My whole life I moved around. I attended 15 schools before I graduated.
• [For the military guys] it’s really hard to hop off the hamster wheel unless someone tells you to hop off. And no one tells you to hop off.
• I was a Crossfit trainer and I opened a Crossfit gym in Virginia Beach.
• Men and women can all suffer from Blast Waves, PTS, PTSD, etc. It’s really important to educate spouses and first responders on the ways that little things may be signs of something way bigger happening.
• In a partnership, it’s our job to care for one another.
• If someone is exhibiting symptoms of PTS, PTSD, etc. the only thing you can do is manage the symptoms. It comes down to focusing on sleep.
• Everybody’s mind is affected by the life they’ve lived.
• Ask yourself - What are the things you need to function optimally?
• How do we transition veterans from an operative status to living life independently, regardless of their history?
• I want my kids to know that this is a chapter in their story, and they have their whole life ahead of them. It’s a backpack they carry that they’ll never put down. But they’ll do some amazing things in their life.
• Your kids are always watching you. The way they watch you and observe you is the biggest responsibility you have.
• My motto: Live big.

Support Sara:
CHAD 1000X website: https://chad1000x.com
Sara Wilkinson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarawilkinson7/?hl=en
The Step Up Foundation: https://www.instagram.com/thestepupfoundation/?hl=en

Follow Us:
https://www.instagram.com/marcusluttrell/
https://www.instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush/
https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/

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