This episode is part of a wider campaign for Veterans Day 2014 called Voices for Vets, in which more than 40+ podcasters have dedicated an episode of their show to interview a veteran or discuss veteran issues. Learn more.

“The symptoms [of PTSD] don’t have to equal ‘disorder.’ These symptoms are just human symptoms in response to war. But they can also lead to growth.” - Akshay Nanavati

Today’s guest is on a lifelong quest to traverse every country in the world, on foot, while raising a million dollars for his own non-profit foundation, Fearvana, which will partner with other for-purpose organizations to assist the global family with healing, both financially and spiritually.
Before that, Akshay Nanavati was born in India, spent time as a firefighter, he’s a veteran of the US Marines spending time in Iraq. He’s a journalist and photographer, and a mountaineer — clearly he’s an explorer curious about many things. On his website, he wrote something that I can’t possibly do better than, so I’m just going to put it here:
“I began the latest chapter of my life within the purity of nature. It will continue in the realm of humanity’s relationship to each other and the land beneath our feet. By exploring different cultures, engaging planet earth, and venturing into the depth’s of our capacity for evil, and good, I push forward in my endless quest to understand the human experience. “

A Quick Preview:

Akshay's background growing up, battling addiction and finding a place of belonging on perspective.
His experience in the Iraq War and his perspective of why Veterans become addicted to war.
His thoughts and feelings on being diagnosed with PTSD and why he neither believes that he has it nor that it's a "disorder."
How travel provided a space for recovery and a purpose in life.

Explore Further:

Existing2Living, Akshay's website
Existing2Living

Credits

Music credit: Intrepid Journey, by Aaron Static

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The post 135: Post Traumatic Growth with Akshay Nanavati appeared first on The Daily Travel Podcast.