This week’s episode brings you the incredible, first-hand account from Donna Michaels, a US Navy veteran turned police officer – all the while suffering horrifically from depression, nightmares, and PTSD, yet embracing every day of her life with passion and courage. Donna went from victim to solution – she’s now on a relentless mission to stop PTSD suicides.

She also authored the book, Courageously Broken - her journey to hell and back.

Donna has quite a story to tell, including the candid memoirs of her military life, her association with Navy SEALS, becoming a cop, the dark years of her life, and her unbelievable recovery.

In this episode you will hear:

My career didn’t pan out anything like I thought it would as a teenager.
The last thing I ever thought I’d be is a cop. I didn’t even like cops.
In the Navy, I wanted to go where the action was.
It was tough, but I volunteered for this shit, and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna walk away from it as a quitter.
Women are equally different.
The teams (Navy SEALS} are elite for a reason.
I love the idea of helping people.
In law enforcement, I could be part of the greater good.
I won’t be a bitch, unless someone really, really forces me to be one.
I made up my mind that I was either gonna get my shit together or put myself out of my pain.
The suicide rate among veterans and first responders is a lot higher than people realize.
I want to let those who’ve been through hell understand that there are options for them. They just need to know where to look.
Once you hit rock bottom, you’ve got nowhere to go but up.
Everybody goes through some traumatic event in their life.
I want to teach others that there’s hope. Otherwise, I went through all this shit for nothing.
I want to be known for inspiring someone to get the help they needed.
Never quit.

#647 : Hannah Merrick and Craig Whittle of King Hannah