Diminishing the Stigma of Trauma with Army Veteran John Krotec

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John Krotec is the founder of GreenZone Hero, an innovative company that changes the way that American businesses view veteran-commerce. Additionally, his Task Force Zen project (currently in the planning stage) will help those who suffer from traumatic events find programs that will help them recover without the stigma often associated with trauma. Furthermore, he is the host of the Straight Out Of Combat Podcast.

John Krotec – Foundational Path

John went about things differently than most.  He went to college first and although his dad was in the service for 28 years John had no intent to go into the military.  For that reason, John earned a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Florida State University.

At the age of 27, John made the decision to make a change and enlisted in the Army.  He was assigned to the 4^th Infantry Division at Fort Carson in a nuclear biological chemical company serving as decon for the 3^rd brigade.  John served for 3 years.

He did not have a real plan once he got out of the Army.  John was painting houses on the beach and contemplating starting his own business.  He was asked to come back but the Army was not taking anyone with prior service.  John re-enlisted in the Army Reserve.  The transition fell into place with no real plan.

“We say you gotta have a plan.  Sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t.  If your heart is in the right place sometimes things just fall into the right place.” – John Krotec

Healing the Pain

At 11 years old while on a neighborhood sleepover, John was assaulted by an older boy. Blaming himself and frightened by physical threats, John hid the traumatic event for over 40 years never talking about it with anyone.

Periodically over that time, he used alcohol to soothe his pain and to numb himself from the sickening memory. An automobile accident in 2012 caused the trauma to resurface. Immediately after the accident, John’s life began to spiral out of control.

Episodes of anger and resentment led to the selling of his small business and to the disintegration of his 20-year marriage. John was out of control. His overspending and anger led his wife Ann to begin divorce proceedings.  Consequently, by Christmas of 2015, John was in a crisis situation.

One particularly bad evening, he sought help from a suicide prevention hotline which led him to individual counseling and 41-weeks of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. He also visited a neurologist who was able to treat his medical condition, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with CBD’s, hemp-based prescription drugs.

“To hear the human side of what these men and women did and where they came from and how they were able to overcome the things that they witnessed, the things they took part in and the traumas they escaped and make that transition is the most inspirational thing I have ever done in my life.” – John Krotec

Podcasting is Storytelling

John believes that podcasting is an amazing platform to connect people and impart wisdom.  Sharing traumatic stories to help each other.  Using technology through an incredible venue to tell their story and as a result shows our combat veterans that they are not alone.

“Story telling is the human connection.”– John Krotec

To hear the rest of John Krotec’s transition from the Army to starting his own business and becoming an entrepreneur, download and listen to the rest of the episode.

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Check out these links for John Kortec

• https://www.greenzonehero.com/
• LinkedIn
• Email: john@greenzonehero.com
• Podcast: Straight Outta Combat

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