Pasha Palanker: Facing Fear, Building Strength, and Leaving a Legacy of Impact

Sep 11, 2025

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Pasha Palanker is a decorated U.S. Army veteran, speaker, and passionate advocate for mental health in the veteran community. Honored with the Bronze Star for Valor, Pasha’s extraordinary journey includes surviving a suicide bomber attack during combat and overcoming the invisible wounds that followed. After navigating his own battles with anger, identity loss, and post-traumatic struggles, Pasha found purpose in helping others climb out of darkness. Now, he shares his story nationwide, impacting thousands by speaking authentically about resilience, mental wellness, and living a life of meaning beyond military service.

Takeaways:

Healing Begins with Presence and Support: Sometimes the greatest help for someone struggling is not advice, but simply being there with love and understanding.
It Takes Strength to Seek Help: Reaching out for support, whether through a psych ward visit or therapy, is a true display of courage—not weakness.
Rewriting Purpose After Service: Transitioning from military life often means finding new purpose and challenges—embracing new missions, new hobbies, and a fresh sense of identity is crucial for a successful and fulfilling post-service life.

Sound Bites:

“You don’t have to be Superman, Superwoman 24/7. It’s okay to not be okay and to seek help for that.”

“I had to go so deep inside of myself and learn about myself in order to come out, and now I’m genuinely curious about other people and how to connect.”

“You can’t hold onto the life that’s behind you—find something new and meaningful to challenge yourself with after the uniform comes off.

Connect & Discover Pasha:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pashapalanker/?hl=en

Website: https://www.pashapalanker.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pasha-palanker-89141a13a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pashapalankerpublic/

Speaking: Liberty Speaks

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