The MIC Experience 2025. Veteran Health & Wellness. Delete LinkedIn. Psychedelics For Veterans?
I got back from the MIC (Military Influencer Conference) a few days ago, and after getting my stuff together, I filmed this video to talk about my biggest takeaway, which was unexpected in a lot of ways. When I first decided to go out there, I really thought I was going for networking, to expand our message here at Service Connected Wellness.
But what I came away with was really a deep feeling of gratitude and inspiration from this guy named Tyler Vargas-Andrews, whose message was that he’s never a victim. It was truly inspiring to see that and to hear him speak. I’m really grateful I was able to make it out and to meet some great people, Wear Blue: Run to Remember, Melinda and Ryan, the Warrior Rising guys. Overall, it was just a great event. I’m happy I went, but I also realized a couple of things.
In a big way, what we’re doing here at Service Connected Wellness feels even more bolded.
I feel like it goes over people’s heads that, sure, a career is important, and networking is important. But at these conferences, I think we tend to lean on those superficial ideas while completely missing the mark when it comes to veteran health and wellness. And right now, it’s just not there, and that’s okay. It’s okay because we’re going to build it, and we’re excited to do so.
In the video, I talk about how LinkedIn isn’t as important as your health. I’ve seen it so many times, from seminars to veteran organizations, where they want you to work on your resume or your LinkedIn profile to get a better job. And I’m like, “Hey, how are you going to get a better job when you’re a wreck, dealing with PTSD, migraine headaches, and everything else?”
I also talk about psychedelics. There’s a big movement right now with people opening locations for Veterans, and I think that’s good, whatever helps. But in my experience, psychedelics aren’t going to help you the way educating yourself about your own body will. I think we’re just replacing one substance with another instead of doing the deep work necessary to make a lasting change.
Finally, toward the end of the video, I give a spiel about how getting your health in order is of the biggest magnitude. If you stick around until the end, that’s awesome. And if you need anything from me or Katelyn, we’re just an email away.
And I definitely sent my LinkedIn into hibernation after filming this video, and listening to it myself. I have to pick my battles here, and manage my time and what I put my heart and soul into.
Chapters
00:00 Back From the MIC (Military Influencer Conference)
01:15 First Impressions in Atlanta
02:30 Meeting Wear Blue, Operation Headshot & More
04:00 Hearing Tyler Vargas Andrews Speak
05:30 “Never a Victim” – Tyler’s Message
07:00 My Take on PTSD and Why the Label Misses the Mark
08:30 The Hard Truth: Health Before LinkedIn
10:00 Posture, Breathing and Resetting the Nervous System
11:30 Why Veteran Wellness Isn’t at These Events
12:15 Final Shoutout and Closing Thoughts
#veteran #veteranwellness #vahealthcare #vadisability
I got back from the MIC (Military Influencer Conference) a few days ago, and after getting my stuff together, I filmed this video to talk about my biggest takeaway, which was unexpected in a lot of ways. When I first decided to go out there, I really thought I was going for networking, to expand our message here at Service Connected Wellness.
But what I came away with was really a deep feeling of gratitude and inspiration from this guy named Tyler Vargas-Andrews, whose message was that he’s never a victim. It was truly inspiring to see that and to hear him speak. I’m really grateful I was able to make it out and to meet some great people, Wear Blue: Run to Remember, Melinda and Ryan, the Warrior Rising guys. Overall, it was just a great event. I’m happy I went, but I also realized a couple of things.
In a big way, what we’re doing here at Service Connected Wellness feels even more bolded.
I feel like it goes over people’s heads that, sure, a career is important, and networking is important. But at these conferences, I think we tend to lean on those superficial ideas while completely missing the mark when it comes to veteran health and wellness. And right now, it’s just not there, and that’s okay. It’s okay because we’re going to build it, and we’re excited to do so.
In the video, I talk about how LinkedIn isn’t as important as your health. I’ve seen it so many times, from seminars to veteran organizations, where they want you to work on your resume or your LinkedIn profile to get a better job. And I’m like, “Hey, how are you going to get a better job when you’re a wreck, dealing with PTSD, migraine headaches, and everything else?”
I also talk about psychedelics. There’s a big movement right now with people opening locations for Veterans, and I think that’s good, whatever helps. But in my experience, psychedelics aren’t going to help you the way educating yourself about your own body will. I think we’re just replacing one substance with another instead of doing the deep work necessary to make a lasting change.
Finally, toward the end of the video, I give a spiel about how getting your health in order is of the biggest magnitude. If you stick around until the end, that’s awesome. And if you need anything from me or Katelyn, we’re just an email away.
And I definitely sent my LinkedIn into hibernation after filming this video, and listening to it myself. I have to pick my battles here, and manage my time and what I put my heart and soul into.
Chapters
00:00 Back From the MIC (Military Influencer Conference)
01:15 First Impressions in Atlanta
02:30 Meeting Wear Blue, Operation Headshot & More
04:00 Hearing Tyler Vargas Andrews Speak
05:30 “Never a Victim” – Tyler’s Message
07:00 My Take on PTSD and Why the Label Misses the Mark
08:30 The Hard Truth: Health Before LinkedIn
10:00 Posture, Breathing and Resetting the Nervous System
11:30 Why Veteran Wellness Isn’t at These Events
12:15 Final Shoutout and Closing Thoughts
#veteran #veteranwellness #vahealthcare #vadisability
![The Exhibit ft @DontJealousMe [Breakin' Convention Future Elements 2013 music video] by Upshot Films](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ywr8HmHmIhY/hqdefault.jpg "The Exhibit ft @DontJealousMe [Breakin' Convention Future Elements 2013 music video] by Upshot Films")
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Good stuff Marco, Tyler def is an inspiring Marine. Good to hear you made it out to the MIC.