Mikal Vega's guest appearances

Mikal Vega

Borne the Battle

The Squad Room

Aubrey Marcus Podcast

CG Garage

Wealthy Wellthy Podcast

Pawn Chick Radio

Sex, Jokes & Rock N' Roll

Vinny Roc Podcast

Conscious Community Podcast

REELTalk with Audrey Russo

The After Action Review Podcast

The Only One In The Room  

Shawn Ryan Show

Michael Broderick

Jason Feifer

Robb Wolf

Travis Christofferson

Tait Fletcher

Tim Kennedy

Peter Sage

Mark Bell

JJ Pinter

Shawn Stevenson

Max Martini

Mark Sisson

Ryan Michler

Jennifer Marshall

Ben Greenfield

OwlTail

Scott Slaughter co-host and producer of The Only One In The Room has a short and casual, yet deep conversation with our guest Mikal Vega right after the show.Special Thanks to our Sponsors:Best Fiends: Join us and the millions of Americans who are already playing this game. Download Best Fiends for FREE on The Apple APP store or Google Play. That’s friends without the R, Best Fiends.Voyage et Cie:Voyage et Cie's curator Melanie Apple has cultivated a passion for notable moments using the sense of smell. Voyage et Cie is the ultimate luxury blend of travel, fragrance, and design. Each original fragrance is created by Melanie, 100% organic and natural which will transport you on a journey. Visit https://www.voyageetcie.com/ and enter the code: theonlyone to get your 10% off your purchase!Don't miss our new Friday series On My Nightstand.Be sure to join our Facebook Group for the most up-to-date info on guests, episodes and more.You can also DM us on Instagram @theonlyoneintheroom or email us via the website at www.theonlyonepod.comAlso visit the website for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like live events, appearances, featured articles and more.We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Slaughter co-host and producer of The Only One In The Room has a short and casual, yet deep conversation with our guest Mikal Vega right after the show.Special Thanks to our Sponsors:Best Fiends: Join us and the millions of Americans who are already playing this game. <a href="https://bestfiends.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download Best Fiends</a> for FREE on The Apple APP store or Google Play. That’s friends without the R, Best Fiends.Voyage et Cie:Voyage et Cie's curator Melanie Apple has cultivated a passion for notable moments using the sense of smell. Voyage et Cie is the ultimate luxury blend of travel, fragrance, and design. Each original fragrance is created by Melanie, 100% organic and natural which will transport you on a journey. Visit <a href="https://www.voyageetcie.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.voyageetcie.com/</a> and enter the code: theonlyone to get your 10% off your purchase!Don't miss our new Friday series On My Nightstand.Be sure to join our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheOnlyOneInTheRoomPodcast/?epa=SEARCH_BOX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> for the most up-to-date info on guests, episodes and more.You can also DM us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theonlyoneintheroom/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@theonlyoneintheroom</a> or email us via the website at <a href="https://theonlyonepod.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.theonlyonepod.com</a>Also visit the website for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like live events, appearances, featured articles and more.We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Scott Talks To Mikal Vega

Imagine being a Navy SEAL and being deployed to Iraq to serve your country. Twenty-two-year combat veteran and Vital Warrior nonprofit founder and CEO, Mikal Vega, was set to deploy yet again when he was called to another type of duty, one that allowed him to be closer to his son.But what would you do if that child you loved so much tragically died when he was a young adult? Would you numb yourself with chemicals and shut the world out? Or would you heal yourself through the power of different modalities and realize that your son’s death might actually be a gift from the infinite?More From Mikal Vega:Visit: https://www.vitalwarrior.orgCheck out his course Vital Warrior (LIVE attendance possible if in L.A area)Finding Mikal Vega:Instagram: @mikalvegaTwitter: @mikalvegaSpecial thanks to our sponsors:Best Fiends: Join us and the millions of Americans who are already playing this game. Download Best Fiends for FREE on The Apple APP store or Google Play. That’s friends without the R, Best Fiends.Voyage et Cie:Voyage et Cie's curator Melanie Apple has cultivated a passion for notable moments using the sense of smell. Voyage et Cie is the ultimate luxury blend of travel, fragrance, and design. Each original fragrance is created by Melanie, 100% organic and natural which will transport you on a journey. Visit https://www.voyageetcie.com/ and enter the code: theonlyone to get your 10% off your purchase!Be sure not to miss Scott Talks on Wednesdays, our Sunday release called Sunday Edition &amp; our brand new series On My Nightstand releasing on Fridays by subscribing to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Join our Only One In The Room Facebook Group if you'd like to ask a question of any of our upcoming guests for this series. Also visit the website www.theonlyonepod.com for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like featured articles and more.We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show!All of us at The Only One In The Room wish you safety and wellness during this challenging time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine being a Navy SEAL and being deployed to Iraq to serve your country. Twenty-two-year combat veteran and Vital Warrior nonprofit founder and CEO, Mikal Vega, was set to deploy yet again when he was called to another type of duty, one that allowed him to be closer to his son.But what would you do if that child you loved so much tragically died when he was a young adult? Would you numb yourself with chemicals and shut the world out? Or would you heal yourself through the power of different modalities and realize that your son’s death might actually be a gift from the infinite?More From Mikal Vega:Visit:<a href="%20https://www.vitalwarrior.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.vitalwarrior.org</a>Check out his course <a href="https://www.mindbodyonline.com/explore/fitness/instructors/mikal-vega" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vital Warrior</a> (LIVE attendance possible if in L.A area)Finding Mikal Vega:Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mikalvega/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@mikalvega</a>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/mikalvega?lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@mikalvega</a>Special thanks to our sponsors:Best Fiends: Join us and the millions of Americans who are already playing this game. <a href="https://bestfiends.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download Best Fiends</a> for FREE on The Apple APP store or Google Play. That’s friends without the R, Best Fiends.Voyage et Cie:Voyage et Cie's curator Melanie Apple has cultivated a passion for notable moments using the sense of smell. Voyage et Cie is the ultimate luxury blend of travel, fragrance, and design. Each original fragrance is created by Melanie, 100% organic and natural which will transport you on a journey. Visit <a href="https://www.voyageetcie.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.voyageetcie.com/</a> and enter the code: theonlyone to get your 10% off your purchase!Be sure not to miss Scott Talks on Wednesdays, our Sunday release called Sunday Edition &amp; our brand new series On My Nightstand releasing on Fridays by subscribing to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Join our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheOnlyOneInTheRoomPodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Only One In The Room Facebook Group</a> if you'd like to ask a question of any of our upcoming guests for this series. Also visit the website <a href="https://theonlyonepod.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.theonlyonepod.com</a> for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like featured articles and more.We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show!All of us at The Only One In The Room wish you safety and wellness during this challenging time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Mikal Vega Is The Only One Who Realizes That The Death Of His Son Was A Gift From The Infinite Episode 94

Mikal Vega is an accomplished actor, Kundalini Yoga teacher and founder of the nonprofit, Vital Warrior. In this episode of Borne the Battle, Vega discusses his struggle with military transition, finding treatment for his PTSD, discovering alternative therapies, and founding a nonprofit with the goal of sharing what he has learned.Vega served 22 years in the Navy as an EOD specialist and SEAL. He found his purpose as a shield for people who couldn’t protect themselves. During a mission, an IED hit his vehicle and the damage from the blast resulted in severe cervical trauma. That trauma changed the course of Vega’s life.Only later did he realize the extent of his injuries when he began to struggle in his civilian life and personal relationships. Instead of crumbling under the weight of injury and PTSD, Vega channeled his recovery successes into helping other Veterans and their families. Vital Warrior is a non-profit organization and therapeutic system designed to help Veterans and their families to destress, heal and gain strength from their experiences without the aid of prescription drugs. His goal? Putting a brick and mortar Vital Warrior studio outside every military base.When Vega transitioned to civilian life and dealt with post-traumatic stress, he took up the practice of Kundalini Yoga. Now, he shares the practice and other techniques that helped him to heal with his clients. Vital Warrior takes a discipline-oriented and regimented approach to yoga practice, which Vega teaches in Venice, CA, where he offers free classes to Veterans. Vega empowers his students to reject the victim mindset and take responsibility for their health.In this episode, Vega discusses: His experience with injury and a path to healing. The reasons he left the military after 22 years. How he got to where he is now. His Hollywood career as an actor, director and producer. Directing motion-capture filming for Activision during the COVID-19 pandemic. Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:Army Veteran Phillip Edward Bonner. Mentioned in this episode:  Borne the Battle Episode #140: Danny Chung, Marine Veteran, Microsoft Chief of Staff of Military Affairs.   Borne the Battle #221: Air Force Veteran Mark Harper, President and CMO, We Are the Mighty.   The Hurt Locker: Grocery Scene.   Motion capture directing for Call of Duty franchise.  SAVE LIVES Act allows VA to soon provide COVID-19 vaccinations to all Veterans, their spouses and caregivers VA strengthens PTSD claims process training

Mikal Vega is an accomplished actor, Kundalini Yoga teacher and founder of the nonprofit, <a href="https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/81703/actor-mikal-vega-combats-post-traumatic-stress-through-vital-warrior/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vital Warrior</a>. In this episode of Borne the Battle, Vega discusses his struggle with military transition, finding treatment for his PTSD, discovering alternative therapies, and founding a nonprofit with the goal of sharing what he has learned.Vega served 22 years in the Navy as an EOD specialist and SEAL. He found his purpose as a shield for people who couldn’t protect themselves. During a mission, an IED hit his vehicle and the damage from the blast resulted in severe cervical trauma. That trauma changed the course of Vega’s life.Only later did he realize the extent of his injuries when he began to struggle in his civilian life and personal relationships. Instead of crumbling under the weight of injury and PTSD, Vega channeled his recovery successes into helping other Veterans and their families. Vital Warrior is a non-profit organization and therapeutic system designed to help Veterans and their families to destress, heal and gain strength from their experiences without the aid of prescription drugs. His goal? Putting a brick and mortar Vital Warrior studio outside every military base.When Vega transitioned to civilian life and dealt with post-traumatic stress, he took up the practice of <a href="https://ramayogainstitute.com/video-collection-vital-warrior/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kundalini Yoga</a>. Now, he shares the practice and other techniques that helped him to heal with his clients. Vital Warrior takes a discipline-oriented and regimented approach to yoga practice, which Vega <a href="https://www.vitalwarrior.org/kundalini-yoga-for-veterans-active-duty-or-first-responders.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">teaches in Venice, CA</a>, where he offers free classes to Veterans. Vega empowers his students to reject the victim mindset and take responsibility for their health.In this episode, Vega discusses:<ul> <li>His experience with injury and a path to healing.</li> <li>The reasons he left the military after 22 years.</li> <li>How he got to where he is now.</li> <li>His <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3819620/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hollywood career</a> as an actor, director and producer.</li> <li>Directing motion-capture filming for <a href="https://www.activision.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Activision</a> during the COVID-19 pandemic.</li> </ul>Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:<ul><li>Army Veteran <a href="https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/85149/veteranoftheday-army-veteran-philip-edward-bonner/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Phillip Edward Bonner.</a> </li></ul>Mentioned in this episode:<ul> <li> <a href="https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/58878/borne-the-battle-140-danny-chung-marine-veteran-chief-of-staff-microsoft-military-affairs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Borne the Battle Episode #140: Danny Chung, Marine Veteran, Microsoft Chief of Staff of Military Affairs</a>. </li> <li> <a href="https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/81447/borne-battle-221-air-force-veteran-mark-harper-president-mighty/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Borne the Battle #221: Air Force Veteran Mark Harper, President and CMO, We Are the Mighty</a>. </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx-fnR5G1cs&amp;t=44s" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Hurt Locker: Grocery Scene</a>. </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/how-call-of-duty-black-ops-cold-war-was-made-from-home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Motion capture directing for Call of Duty franchise</a>. </li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5649" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SAVE LIVES Act allows VA to soon provide COVID-19 vaccinations to all Veterans, their spouses and caregivers</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5650" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">VA strengthens PTSD claims process training</a></li></ul>

#236: Treating PTSD w/o Pharmaceuticals w/ Navy SEAL Veteran Mikal Vega, Actor, Producer, Director, Yoga Teacher

How are you dealing with all the fear and anxiety in our uncertain times? We talk this week with former Navy Seal Mikal Vega, who has been to the brink and back. He shares with us some of the practices that saved his life. The traditional route fighting depression with SSRIs failed him, so he found what worked for him-- modalities like Kundalini yoga, sensory deprivation tanks, acupuncture, massages, and meditation.   Whether in a war zone or at the grocery store, the easiest and cheapest way to handle stress is to learn how to properly breathe so that you can down-regulate your nervous system. Breathing is something that we certainly for granted and yet is so powerful.   We covered a lot of ground in this episode, including  His definition of being a warrior How everything starts and ends with love-- the universal truth What it’s like to be on the front lines  How do you deal with intense levels of fear every day  How to come back from life-threatening injuries and the emotional trauma associated with them  How he found peace amidst all the chaos in his life    Mikal Vega is a combat veteran that served 22 years within the Naval Special Warfare (Navy SEAL Team) and EOD (bomb squad) communities. While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and while manning the turret of an HMMWV, an IED detonated dangerously close while returning from an otherwise uneventful mission. The injuries sustained included severe cervical trauma, ulnar nerve damage, and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI). He has since created The Vital Warrior Program to help active military and retired veterans find peace and deal with their PTSD. He has created an album that is available on your favorite streaming platform called Vital Warrior.   Enjoy this Episode with Mikal Vega!

How are you dealing with all the fear and anxiety in our uncertain times? We talk this week with former Navy Seal Mikal Vega, who has been to the brink and back. He shares with us some of the practices that saved his life. The traditional route fighting depression with SSRIs failed him, so he found what worked for him-- modalities like Kundalini yoga, sensory deprivation tanks, acupuncture, massages, and meditation. Whether in a war zone or at the grocery store, the easiest and cheapest way to handle stress is to learn how to properly breathe so that you can down-regulate your nervous system. Breathing is something that we certainly for granted and yet is so powerful. We covered a lot of ground in this episode, including <ul> <li>His definition of being a warrior</li> <li>How everything starts and ends with love-- the universal truth</li> <li>What it’s like to be on the front lines </li> <li>How do you deal with intense levels of fear every day </li> <li>How to come back from life-threatening injuries and the emotional trauma associated with them </li> <li>How he found peace amidst all the chaos in his life</li> </ul> Mikal Vega is a combat veteran that served 22 years within the Naval Special Warfare (Navy SEAL Team) and EOD (bomb squad) communities. While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and while manning the turret of an HMMWV, an IED detonated dangerously close while returning from an otherwise uneventful mission. The injuries sustained included severe cervical trauma, ulnar nerve damage, and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI). He has since created The Vital Warrior Program to help active military and retired veterans find peace and deal with their PTSD. He has created an album that is available on your favorite streaming platform called Vital Warrior. Enjoy this Episode with Mikal Vega!

183 - Warrior Spirit with Mikal Vega

Mikal Vega spent many years on the SEAL Teams and is now in Hollywood grinding it out this career! Check him out and all the amazing work he is also doing for Veterans after service with Vital Warrior Non Profit.   Check out the music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/vital-warrior/1475304582

Mikal Vega spent many years on the SEAL Teams and is now in Hollywood grinding it out this career! Check him out and all the amazing work he is also doing for Veterans after service with Vital Warrior Non Profit. Check out the music: <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/vital-warrior/1475304582" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://music.apple.com/us/album/vital-warrior/1475304582</a>

Mikal Vega joins me on the Podcast

Interview By Janae Jean &amp; Spencer Schluter – Vital Warrior Logo For our latest podcast interview, we had the pleasure to speak with Mikal Vega who is the founder of the Vital Warrior. Mikal is also a former Navy SEAL, an actor, a director, a producer and a musician. He currently serves as the military advisor on NBC’s The Brave and is recording an album of mantra music. During this conversation, Mikal touched on the causes and long-term effects of trauma, reclaiming our creative power, coming from a place of service and the importance of being true to yourself.   Vital Warrior aims to treat PTSD, fight stress and accelerate healing without pharmaceuticals for military veterans, first responders and their families. Their mission is to “restore military and civilian veterans to their inherent state of health and vitality by providing access to a unique fusion of therapies that focus on the mental, emotional and physical spectrum of stress and trauma recovery.”  You may reach Mikal via Instagram and Twitter @MikalVega and on Facebook @MikalAVega. You can connect with Vital Warrior at VitalWarrior.org and on Facebook @VitalWarrior.Org or by phone at 310-529-9175. They encourage you to connect with them to learn about free Kundalini Yoga (in-person and online) and other healing modalities available to you if you are a veteran, first responder or family member.  The following article is only a brief part of our in-depth conversation. To hear the full interview, scroll to the bottom of the page, or subscribe to the Conscious Community Podcast on iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, TuneIn and YouTube.  Spencer: To start off, would you like to tell us about your background? Are you a military veteran yourself? Mikal Vega Mikal: I am. I didn’t start out on a typical path for the military. I wasn’t a giant jock in high school. I was a glee club type guy with a hot pink vest and top hat. I got bullied a lot, but I was just like pure creativity. That’s all I wanted to do throughout junior high and high school.  I sang, I danced, and I performed at a national level with the school. I did what I knew from my father; he was in the military and I wanted to be like him. So that’s what I did. I joined the military when I was 17 and stayed for almost 22 years. I spent the first nine years of that in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (E.O.D.) community and became a senior E.O.D. technician, that’s the Bomb Squad. From there, I went into the SEAL team. I did multiple tours to Iraq. It was great; the experience was great. I wouldn’t change it for anything and because of those experiences, I wound up back in that creative space. Due to combat-related injuries, I was medically discharged in 2012 from a roadside bomb in Iraq. The irony is not lost on me; the bomb squad guy got hit by a bomb. But, I’m fortunate, it was all these internal things that I was initially over-medicated for. The bigger danger was that they were just trying to figure out what this whole PTSD thing was. It was a lot of experimentation…and it led to me almost being killed by over-medication. So, after the medications almost did me in, I revolted against that system, and I started to do things that helped me feel better that I remembered using for performance reasons—one of which was myofascial release or Rolfing. It’s tissue work that’s kind of like torture, but they don’t ask you any questions. S.S.: Deeply penetrative work… We actually interviewed a gentleman [Everett Ogawa] who learned from Ida Rolf who does a variation, Integral Bodywork. M.V.: It was highly effective. I kind of like the intensity of it. So, I started doing that and from that, I found acupuncture; from that, I started learning about the meridians and chakras; and then I found out about yoga and this Kundalini energy and the meditations I could do. Ever since I found Kundalini Yoga and a lot of things came through that have always been there. It’s something that we all have; this awareness and this ability to integrate life’s experience. Janae: I wanted to ask you about what they are doing now in the military to deal with PTSD. I know they with a resilience program with Dr. Martin Seligman, the founder of the Positive Psychology movement. They were testing it in the Army to avoid drug use, they were using gratitude. Are you familiar with that? M.V.: There’s a video on YouTube called Let There Be Light (1946.) It’s a video from World War II and how they discovered in the military then that the pills don’t work. That psychiatry isn’t effective. These guys who were completely frozen up, and they use creativity to heal themselves. J.J.: So, they were using music and art? M.V.: All that stuff. So, absolutely, we are doing that. S.S.: There’s an interesting story I heard in another interview with you. Is Mikal the name you were born with? M.V.: No. I was born as David Fritsch. I did a legal name change, and it’s a spiritual name for me. So, when you go through SEAL training, you have a swim buddy that goes with you. My first name, Mikal, is a contraction of my swim buddy’s name, Michael Koch, who was the first person to ever put their dreams secondary to mine to be able to help me. He was killed in Iraq doing what he loved to do. That was to protect people. He was one of the most talented people I had ever met. My last name Vega… Vega was the North Star. The star that guided the Three Wise Men to Christ, and it will become the North Star again once declination shifts. Aurora is my middle name and that means “light.” It’s inside the two names signifying inner light. This name change came from this practice and this ability to meditate. It came through loud and clear that I was supposed to do this. I didn’t even understand it really at the beginning. It was really awkward for me. It was just a change. Like any spiritual name, it was the milestone of changing purpose in life. Now that purpose is to use my creative talents to uplift and inspire others to discover theirs and do the same thing for others. That’s it; nothing more, nothing less!   Janae Jean serves as editor, social media manager, recipe columnist and podcaster for Conscious Community Magazine. She has an extensive background in new media and music education. She is also the founder of Perennial Music and Arts, an arts education and healing center based in downtown Geneva, IL. Visit www.janaejean.com and www.perennialmusicandarts.com for details about Janae’s upcoming classes, lesson information, workshops, shows, articles and projects. Spencer Schluter is the advertising account manager, social media manager and podcaster for Conscious Community Magazine. His experience includes visual communications, advertising, social media, marketing, public relations and business development. Visit www.yggstudios.com for more information about his freelance design and consulting work. He is also a master level Reiki and traditional Chinese Qigong practitioner.

Interview By Janae Jean &amp; Spencer Schluter – <a href="https://consciouscommunitymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-14-at-6.23.42-PM.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Vital Warrior Logo For our latest podcast interview, we had the pleasure to speak with Mikal Vega who is the founder of the Vital Warrior. Mikal is also a former Navy SEAL, an actor, a director, a producer and a musician. He currently serves as the military advisor on NBC’s The Brave and is recording an album of mantra music. During this conversation, Mikal touched on the causes and long-term effects of trauma, reclaiming our creative power, coming from a place of service and the importance of being true to yourself. Vital Warrior aims to treat PTSD, fight stress and accelerate healing without pharmaceuticals for military veterans, first responders and their families. Their mission is to “restore military and civilian veterans to their inherent state of health and vitality by providing access to a unique fusion of therapies that focus on the mental, emotional and physical spectrum of stress and trauma recovery.” You may reach Mikal via <a href="http://instagram.com/mikalvega" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/mikalvega" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> @MikalVega and on Facebook <a href="http://facebook.com/mikalavega" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@MikalAVega</a>. You can connect with Vital Warrior at <a href="http://VitalWarrior.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">VitalWarrior.org</a> and on Facebook<a href="http://facebook.com/vitalwarrior.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> @VitalWarrior.Org</a> or by phone at<a href="http://&lt;a href=”tel://3105299175”&gt;" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 310-529-9175</a>. They encourage you to connect with them to learn about free Kundalini Yoga (in-person and online) and other healing modalities available to you if you are a veteran, first responder or family member. The following article is only a brief part of our in-depth conversation. To hear the full interview, scroll to the bottom of the page, or subscribe to the Conscious Community Podcast on iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, TuneIn and YouTube. Spencer: To start off, would you like to tell us about your background? Are you a military veteran yourself? <a href="https://consciouscommunitymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Image-1.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Mikal Vega Mikal: I am. I didn’t start out on a typical path for the military. I wasn’t a giant jock in high school. I was a glee club type guy with a hot pink vest and top hat. I got bullied a lot, but I was just like pure creativity. That’s all I wanted to do throughout junior high and high school.  I sang, I danced, and I performed at a national level with the school. I did what I knew from my father; he was in the military and I wanted to be like him. So that’s what I did. I joined the military when I was 17 and stayed for almost 22 years. I spent the first nine years of that in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (E.O.D.) community and became a senior E.O.D. technician, that’s the Bomb Squad. From there, I went into the SEAL team. I did multiple tours to Iraq. It was great; the experience was great. I wouldn’t change it for anything and because of those experiences, I wound up back in that creative space. Due to combat-related injuries, I was medically discharged in 2012 from a roadside bomb in Iraq. The irony is not lost on me; the bomb squad guy got hit by a bomb. But, I’m fortunate, it was all these internal things that I was initially over-medicated for. The bigger danger was that they were just trying to figure out what this whole PTSD thing was. It was a lot of experimentation…and it led to me almost being killed by over-medication. So, after the medications almost did me in, I revolted against that system, and I started to do things that helped me feel better that I remembered using for performance reasons—one of which was myofascial release or Rolfing. It’s tissue work that’s kind of like torture, but they don’t ask you any questions. S.S.: Deeply penetrative work… We actually interviewed a gentleman [Everett Ogawa] who learned from Ida Rolf who does a variation, Integral Bodywork. M.V.: It was highly effective. I kind of like the intensity of it. So, I started doing that and from that, I found acupuncture; from that, I started learning about the meridians and chakras; and then I found out about yoga and this Kundalini energy and the meditations I could do. Ever since I found Kundalini Yoga and a lot of things came through that have always been there. It’s something that we all have; this awareness and this ability to integrate life’s experience. Janae: I wanted to ask you about what they are doing now in the military to deal with PTSD. I know they with a resilience program with Dr. Martin Seligman, the founder of the Positive Psychology movement. They were testing it in the Army to avoid drug use, they were using gratitude. Are you familiar with that? M.V.: There’s a video on YouTube called <a href="https://youtu.be/uiD6bnqpJDE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Let There Be Light (1946.)</a> It’s a video from World War II and how they discovered in the military then that the pills don’t work. That psychiatry isn’t effective. These guys who were completely frozen up, and they use creativity to heal themselves. J.J.: So, they were using music and art? M.V.: All that stuff. So, absolutely, we are doing that. S.S.: There’s an interesting story I heard in another interview with you. Is Mikal the name you were born with? M.V.: No. I was born as David Fritsch. I did a legal name change, and it’s a spiritual name for me. So, when you go through SEAL training, you have a swim buddy that goes with you. My first name, Mikal, is a contraction of my swim buddy’s name, Michael Koch, who was the first person to ever put their dreams secondary to mine to be able to help me. He was killed in Iraq doing what he loved to do. That was to protect people. He was one of the most talented people I had ever met. My last name Vega… Vega was the North Star. The star that guided the Three Wise Men to Christ, and it will become the North Star again once declination shifts. Aurora is my middle name and that means “light.” It’s inside the two names signifying inner light. This name change came from this practice and this ability to meditate. It came through loud and clear that I was supposed to do this. I didn’t even understand it really at the beginning. It was really awkward for me. It was just a change. Like any spiritual name, it was the milestone of changing purpose in life. Now that purpose is to use my creative talents to uplift and inspire others to discover theirs and do the same thing for others. That’s it; nothing more, nothing less! Janae Jean serves as editor, social media manager, recipe columnist and podcaster for Conscious Community Magazine. She has an extensive background in new media and music education. She is also the founder of Perennial Music and Arts, an arts education and healing center based in downtown Geneva, IL. Visit <a href="http://www.janaejean.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.janaejean.com</a> and <a href="http://www.perennialmusicandarts.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.perennialmusicandarts.com</a> for details about Janae’s upcoming classes, lesson information, workshops, shows, articles and projects. Spencer Schluter is the advertising account manager, social media manager and podcaster for Conscious Community Magazine. His experience includes visual communications, advertising, social media, marketing, public relations and business development. Visit <a href="http://www.yggstudios.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.yggstudios.com</a> for more information about his freelance design and consulting work. He is also a master level Reiki and traditional Chinese Qigong practitioner.

Vital Warriors: Mindfulness for Veterans – Interview with Mikal Vega

Burgess Owens

Michelle Cretella

Joining Audrey for this week's REELTalk - MA is about to consider legislation that would make it illegal for licensed therapists to engage in conversion therapy for minors…And the Canadian Pediatric Society’s new guidelines now state that it’s normal for children to change their gender every day…Have we lost our minds as a society…and does this border on child abuse? Dr. MICHELLE CRETELLA, President of the American College of Pediatrics, will be here to answer this and more! PLUS, It’s always awesome to have fellow actors on the show…but how much better when they’re heroes who have served nobly in our Armed Forces. MIKAL VEGA is a former Navy Seal, having served our nation for over 22 years. He’s now an actor, writer, producer and director. And the founder of Vital Warrior...and he'll be with us to share about all his work! AND, The NFL continues to plummet in popularity…have they destroyed their brand beyond repair? And the black family has been devastated…is it the fault of white racists or the Liberal policies of the Democrat party? Super Bowl Champion BURGESS OWENS will be back with us to share about this and more! PLUS, I have a special guest joining me in a few minutes to discuss NoKo…author of Echo in Ramadi, MAJ Scott Huesing will be here to share his knowledge! In the words of Benjamin Franklin, "If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately." Come hang with us...

REELTalk: Former Navy SEAL Mikal Vega, Dr. Michelle Cretella and Super Bowl Champion Burgess Owens

My friend Mikal Vega pops by The Commo Shop studio to chat about his career with US Navy SEALs, his first job in Hollywood on The Transformers films, and his non-profit Vital Warrior. We also talk about how little I know about pop culture, which is weird since I'm a nerd. Help support the show and get EXCLUSIVE content by becoming a Patreon patrons! Support the podcast in different levels! $1 a month makes you a Private, $5/ mo puts you in the E-4 Mafia, and it goes up from there! Check it out and Support at http://www.patreon.com/thomtran

My friend <a href="https://twitter.com/MikalVega" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mikal Vega</a> pops by The Commo Shop studio to chat about his career with US Navy SEALs, his first job in Hollywood on The Transformers films, and his non-profit <a href="https://www.vitalwarrior.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vital Warrior</a>. We also talk about how little I know about pop culture, which is weird since I'm a nerd. Help support the show and get EXCLUSIVE content by becoming a Patreon patrons! Support the podcast in different levels! $1 a month makes you a Private, $5/ mo puts you in the E-4 Mafia, and it goes up from there! Check it out and Support at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/thomtran" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.patreon.com/thomtran</a>

Ep. 72 - Mikal Vega

My guest is the Founder and CEO of Vital Warrior. He is a 22 year combat Veteran and retired Navy Seal. He has personally walked the tough road from trauma to recovery after suffering a combat-related injury from an exploded IED that went untreated for many years. Through a series of healing modalities that became the basis of his recovery, my guest realized he could help his fellow veterans and their families with this unique system of recovery.  Vital Warrior's Mikal Vega! To learn more about Vital Warrior visit www.vitalwarrior.org Also check out their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/vitalwarrior.org This episode is brought to you by The Java Can and The Seabag Locker Coffee, go to www.theseabaglocker.com and www.thejavacan.com. Use Promo Code "AAR" and save 10% at BOTH sites!

My guest is the Founder and CEO of Vital Warrior. He is a 22 year combat Veteran and retired Navy Seal. He has personally walked the tough road from trauma to recovery after suffering a combat-related injury from an exploded IED that went untreated for many years. Through a series of healing modalities that became the basis of his recovery, my guest realized he could help his fellow veterans and their families with this unique system of recovery.  Vital Warrior's Mikal Vega! To learn more about Vital Warrior visit <a href="http://www.vitalwarrior.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.vitalwarrior.org</a> Also check out their Facebook Page at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/vitalwarrior.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/vitalwarrior.org</a> This episode is brought to you by The Java Can and The Seabag Locker Coffee, go to <a href="http://www.theseabaglocker.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.theseabaglocker.com</a> and <a href="http://www.the/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thejavacan.com</a>. Use Promo Code "AAR" and save 10% at BOTH sites!

Episode 45 - Mikal Vega of Vital Warrior

Mikal Vega is a retired Navy SEAL, a 22-year combat veteran and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG/AFTRA) actor and philanthropist. He has personally walked the tough road from trauma to recovery after suffering a combat-related injury from an exploded IED that went untreated for many years. Mikal only realized the extent of his injuries year later when he struggled in his daily life and in his personal relationships as a result of both physical injury and a disconnection from purpose. Through a series of healing modalities that became the basis of his recovery, Mikal realized he could help his fellow veterans and their families with this unique system of recovery. He uses his career successes to promote VitalWarrior.org, a non-profit he founded that utilizes his proven system of stress mitigation that facilitates hormonal modulation through non-pharmaceutical methodologies helping veterans and their families recover from wartime trauma. Mikal’s newest movie, Navy Seals vs. Zombies, was just released this October.

Mikal Vega is a retired Navy SEAL, a 22-year combat veteran and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG/AFTRA) actor and philanthropist. He has personally walked the tough road from trauma to recovery after suffering a combat-related injury from an exploded IED that went untreated for many years. Mikal only realized the extent of his injuries year later when he struggled in his daily life and in his personal relationships as a result of both physical injury and a disconnection from purpose. Through a series of healing modalities that became the basis of his recovery, Mikal realized he could help his fellow veterans and their families with this unique system of recovery. He uses his career successes to promote <a href="http://VitalWarrior.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">VitalWarrior.org</a>, a non-profit he founded that utilizes his proven system of stress mitigation that facilitates hormonal modulation through non-pharmaceutical methodologies helping veterans and their families recover from wartime trauma. Mikal’s newest movie, Navy Seals vs. Zombies, was just released this October.