In college, I remember two of my buddies coming home from their deployments during the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), and it shifted the course of my life.
To start, these were two friends I went to high school with. One of them was in band with me, and yes, we had acne. My other friend was one of the best guys I knew, an all-around loyal friend. As high school ended, they both joined the Marine Corps and the Army. As for me, I was an immature kid, lost in what came next. I graduated as a high school bum with a 2.0 GPA. Neither of my parents went to college, so I was not exactly gunning for it either.
As time went on, I heard stories about my friends and what they were experiencing during their deployments. To make it about myself for just a second, I was inspired and wanted to join. Unfortunately, in my immaturity, I got into a fight and ended up in serious trouble. As a result, a Marine Corps recruiter told me they could not take me until everything was resolved. It took two years, so I did what any lost kid does and went to college.
Because I am a rockstar, I stayed in college for five years. Toward the end is where this story picks back up. I got a call that went something like, “So-and-so got hurt, but he is okay and coming home. We are having a welcome home party. Can you come?” My buddy had been hit by an IED and was now missing his leg.
Want to hear the craziest part? I went to his welcome home party, and he was smiling from ear to ear. His spirit was as full of life as it had always been. I still remember him saying, “I thank God it happened to me and not one of my brothers.” Let that soak in for a moment. Even writing this now gets me choked up reliving it.
My other buddy had just returned as well, and his story was different but equally compelling. His unit took heavy casualties, and he personally went through hell: being shot, blown up, and watching his friends sacrifice their lives for freedom. His scars were both external and internal. To attest to his character, he was up for a Purple Heart but refused it because so many of his buddies didn't come home. He felt that it was underserved in comparison. I spent a lot of time with him at the shooting range, where he would open up about those experiences. I mostly stayed quiet and listened. I could never relate, but I wanted him to know I was there for him like a brother.
Since that deployment, he gets notified each year of the suicides from his unit. It's hard to imagine surviving the environment of war and coming home to find yourself struggling with those types of thoughts. Too often these men and women are given pharmaceuticals to address this issue. A friend of my buddy was given this exact prescription, unfortunately he is no longer with us. We can and need to do better for those who need help.
These experiences shaped me and eventually led me to enlist in the United States military. After 10 years of service, I have now transitioned back to civilian life. Those shared experiences now drive me to fight the next battle we are all facing: brain health, mental resilience, and cognitive performance. In a world consumed by meds, I wanted to create another option to fight the war on brain decay.
Today, we are living in a world where brain fog, burnout, stress, and lack of focus are becoming the norm. High performers, veterans, entrepreneurs, and everyday professionals are all searching for ways to improve mental clarity, focus, memory, and overall cognitive health.
That is why I cofounded Thumos.
Thumos was built as a solution for those looking to move away from pills, energy drinks, and unhealthy coping mechanisms, and instead invest in natural brain health, nootropic supplementation, and long-term cognitive optimization. It is a brain health supplement we intentionally crafted to support focus, mental performance, clarity, and sustained energy without the crash.
We designed Thumos with eight clinically proven, properly dosed ingredients that support brain function, memory enhancement, and neurological health. Five of those ingredients are already naturally found in your body, making it a formula grounded in both science-backed nutrition and human performance optimization.
Alright, I will step off my soapbox.
Just remember, if you are struggling mentally, whether it is stress, burnout, or lack of clarity, talk to someone who is in a position to give you real guidance. Do not just talk to anyone. You are not alone. We all go through tough times.
Prioritize your mental health, brain health, and cognitive well-being.
Keep a smile on your face and push through the mud.
