Episode 20: War vet, former first-responder Ryan Mains on PTSD

Ryan Mains is an Iraq War veteran and a former firefighter of 14 years who just recently won his disability pension case, in light of PTSD forcing him out of his career. Even more recently, on May 22, 2021, he took on a 115K - one kilometer for every firefighter who completed suicide in 2020. It's an annual fund- and awareness-raising run called Run for Our Lives, which Ryan and his wife, Danielle, started in the summer of 2019.

But Ryan was only able to completed about 95 of those kilometers because of overwhelming heat and humidity that left paramedics unable to find a vein while trying to administer an IV at an aid station.

We talked about the insurmountable challenge, and the reality that him admitting enough was enough, that it wasn't safe for him to keep running, was the perfect example of the message he's been pushing: It's OK to not be OK.

To hear more of the Mains' story, check out Episode 13 of the podcast, which stars Danielle. Her perspective on the partner's role in recovery is invaluable.

Our conversation with Ryan was presented by DUI & Behavioral Health Counseling Centers, which has offices here in northern Illinois – in Sycamore, Plano, and Crystal Lake. If you suspect you or someone you love has a problem with drinking, drugs, mental illness or anger, call 815-895-9000 today and set up an evaluation. Visit duisycamore.com for more information.