Soldiers and Vets Using MMA for PTSD
“The human side of war is heartbreaking” – Todd Vance. It’s called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a stressful event in your life that leads to feeling crippled psychologically, and unable to move on. Unfortunately, 20% of war veterans are victims of PTSD and one of its most challenging mental symptoms include the feeling that the world is a very dangerous place. “I was too afraid to leave the house,” said combat veteran Terrance Williams, in a shaky voice.
So what’s the solution? Pills?
“The Veteran Administration gave me Xanax, Ambien, etc…” says Todd Vance, another Army veteran from our last decade of war. As a result, “I would sleep walk, checking all the blind spots;” Also, I was losing so many friends to suicide after battling in Iraq that I stopped going to funerals altogether.
Vance had reached his breaking point.
After learning rigorous workouts were helping vets battle PTSD, “I started the POW MMA in 2010: Pugilistic Offensive Warrior Mixed Martial Arts, a nonprofit program to treat the lasting scars of fighting,” Since it’s nonprofit, the program has a list of sponsors such as Bad Boy and Iron Fist Athletic.
Some of the benefits include veterans being able to relate to one another and releasing aggression in a healthy and disciplined manner. “Mixed Martial Arts gives me an influx of endorphins, in a positive way” says Army Infantry Veteran, Jordan Myer, “I love it!” he adds with a smile. Whereas, Jason Kang reclaimed his life through MMA: “I was hopeless, thinking of committing suicide,” he says with a sense of desperation. “I was drinking and taking drugs” However, POW MMA gave him a new lease on life. Beginner, Paul Neely hopes POW MMA would put an end to his nightmares and mood swings. “It’s humiliating to start crying in public, but I can’t keep it inside either, seven years are enough”
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“The program allows them to fight through hardship and build a positive life,” Vance says. “The group started to bond after class; for example, they started having smoothies instead of going to bars,” says Vance with a sense of pride. Some have gone on to get good jobs”
He concludes, “MMA creates an environment of trust, vulnerability and inner strength. My ambition is to have the POW MMA program within a 30 mile radius of every VA hospital, nationwide”.
Vance’s POW MMA improves the lives of veterans and how they deal their adversities. MMA is a great structured outlet and community and more soldiers should be encouraged to transition to MMA when they come home.
Works Cited
- Bullock, Jillian. “How MMA Helps Veterans Cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” The MMA Zone. N.p., 31 Jan. 2015. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.
- “Mixed Martial Arts Program Helps Vets Battle PTSD.” CBS Los Angeles. N.p., 31 Jan. 2015. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.
- Thomas, Luke. “HBO’s ‘Real Sports’ Explores Veterans Using MMA to Treat PTSD.” MMA Fighting. N.p., 24 June 2013. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.
- “Volunteers/Staff.” POW San Diego. N.p., 1 Jan. 2015. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.
ALAN DER OHANNESSIAN
Writer/Blogger
Aspiring Tennis Pro Official