Ken Falke helps veterinarians. Overcoming PTSD through fitness

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has become a common term and many people have a direct or indirect connection to it. Whether it's a veteran or abuse Victim who suffers directly from it, or it's a family member you know, the effects can be life-changing. While the initials and symptoms associated with PTSD are well known, the other side of this coin should be discussed more as this conversation can change lives for the better.

The letters on the other side of this coin are “PTG,” which stands for Post-Traumatic Growth. The principle behind PTG is that the person struggling with the trauma can overcome that struggle and find ways to thrive or grow - either physically or mentally. In short, a serious negative can be turned into one or more promising positives.

Ken Falke is someone who has helped many people achieve PTG. The 21-year Marine veteran became involved in this cause because he heard a lot of conversations about PTSD, but he didn't hear too many solutions that could make a long-lasting difference.

“We don’t believe traditional mental health care works for the population we serve,” Falke said. “The system is simply broken.”

Ken Falke is the founder and chairman of the Boulder Crest Foundation, a nonprofit organization Falke founded with a mission to help veterans, first responders and their families “rediscover hope, purpose and faith in the future.” There are three facilities under this organization - a retreat site in Arizona and another and a research institute in Bluemont, Virginia. Falke and his wife actually donated 37 acres of their own land to create the Virginia site. Falke's commitment to helping people achieve PTG goes far beyond donating land to start this endeavor. He co-wrote a book with Josh Goldberg called Struggle Well and remains dedicated to the study of PTSD and PTG.

"That's really what we focus on and explain to people. Although trauma can be debilitating at first, it shouldn't be in the long run. They should learn from it and become better versions of ourselves," explained Ken Falke. “We are committed to changing the way mental health care is delivered,” Falke said. One way his team fulfills this commitment is by having veterans and first responders, along with their immediate families, stay at one of their retreats for a week. Boulder Crest, the nation's first privately funded wellness center for combat veterans, provides a cabin, food and services at its locations free of charge to those it serves. The Goal: Help those entering Boulder Crest learn and achieve PTG levels so they can overcome PTSD in both the short and long term.

“The science of post-traumatic growth suggests that what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger,” Falke shared. The term's originators are Richard Tedeschi and Laurence Calhoun of the University of North Carolina - Charlotte, and their research originally focused on families who have lost children to cancer. Falke's efforts at Boulder Crest are proven to help those who have worked in the armed forces and first responders.

“We focus on four areas – mind, body, spirituality and financial wellness,” he said. The visual graphic they use to explain this is a triangle with a ball in the middle. The three corners are mind, body and financial well-being. The sphere in the middle is spirituality. The team at Boulder Crest does this through a variety of programs they offer, which are also free.

All four are equally important, but many of the successes that many Falke guests have seen came first Focus on the body through movement and fitness. Many of the veterans with PTSD who end their active careers do not pay as much attention to this component.

“These are men and women who, at least most of them, were very fit before they took off the uniform,” he shared. Because of this, they can be affected by numerous other problems such as weight gain and other health problems that can cause even more problems later in life. That's why Boulder Crest has plenty of activities that focus on exercise, like gardening, archery, hiking, and fitness classes like TRX, which they partner with, band workouts, and yoga sessions. Why TRX, bands and yoga? These methods are challenging, but these forms of exercise are easier to set up and do anywhere, anytime. This will both eliminate an excuse and empower the people Falke serves because they can fulfill the commitment without having to go to a gym.

"Things like TRX and bands, that's both simple and vertical. Then the goal in yoga, especially for aging vets, is not how much you can curl or bench press. It's about being able to bend over and tie your shoes."

The focus on physical improvement in their PTSD can be transferred Improving self-confidence which can then improve spirituality and perhaps even financial well-being by improving career prospects.

"Our bodies are designed to heal themselves. When you exercise, there are great chemicals that can be released by the brain, and all of these things help with depression and anxiety."

Boulder Crest even has a fully staffed kitchen. Prepare healthy meals during guests' stay can be an important step in helping people develop their own nutritional strategies that they can implement upon their return home.

“Our chefs take a course here called “Food is Medicine.” We believe that if you put the right nutrition into your body, it will be worth it," Falke said. "If the food you eat is junk, then it won't work."

At the entrance to Boulder Crest there is an arch that reads “Thank You, Heroes.” As a veteran himself, he wants everyone who enters to know that he, his board and the staff who work there all value the service they have provided to our country. Another homage featured throughout the property is a famous quote associated with warriors.

“We must remember that one man is very similar to another and that the best is the one who has been educated in the most rigorous school.” – Thucydides

Falke's efforts have already had a positive impact on the thousands of people they have served, and they are preparing for more in the coming weeks.

"We have a great track record. We measure scientifically and try to compare this to traditional methods. We believe this is three to five times more effective than traditional mental health care."

If you or someone you know is a veteran or first responder who can benefit from the services Boulder Crest offers, or for more information about the Boulder Crest Foundation, go to www.bouldercrest.org.