I attended "The Sparta Project" around February 2019. It was a very difficult task as most of us women wore a mask of protection against each other and the world.
It took a few days of familiarity...and the healing process began to take on some momentum.
Jsin, one of the members of "Sparta" remarked he was concerned for our group as it took us so long to start to let go and show some vulnerability.
Once I was able to be somewhat vulnerable, the healing process began, I accepted this, started having fun and have been healing consistently ever since.
Generally, I am a very transparent person but I was unable to share in group. I cannot watch someone in pain without wanting to hold them and take away their pain.
Sparta taught me among other things how to meditate and I already knew how to pray in a way that works for me.
After I finished "The Sparta Project", Amy, one the operations officers, suggested to whomever via social media to apply for "Hurricane Island Outward Bound School for Veterans".
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School for Veterans in Portland Maine...camping and canoeing retreat...after a rigorous application process, approved my participation.
At this point, I was well on my way towards healing and being comfortable in my own skin in a way that I had not experienced before. I am/was extremely peaceful within myself.
The Sparta Project prepared me for what was to come in Portland, Maine...amazing healing and spiritual revelation.
I shared in group on a beautiful river/lake full of natural rocks, tears, and healing. The colors of the trees on the island were hues that were Godly...nothing like I have ever seen or experienced before. Yes... red, orange, yellow and even browns were illuminating. It was cold AF but the 9 of us with 2 instructors made it happen. If the world were to end...I would want this little tribe on my side.
I had a 54 year old disgusting memory...as a 3 year old living in a cabin with an outhouse in Jackson, Ms. that was way too alive still. I would not use the outhouse for over 3 days and outside was like "The Blair Witch Project".
One night I had a vision and God came to me to let me know all was OK. Eventually with love of my tribe, vulnerability and openness...I was able to overcome and have several significant breakthroughs.
Because of my vulnerability and openness, I was able to influence a set of 25 year old twins as well as others to have significant breakthroughs as well.
I allowed my light to shine, I unconsciously gave others permission to do the same. I showed my liberation from fear and my presence at the Outward Bound Hurricane Island School retreat freed others and showed them that not only is vulnerability OK but it is necessary for a magical life.
I am joyful, grateful and full of love and giving. I am at peace and my life is magical. Thank you to "The Sparta Project". I learned how to live in a sick society in a healthy way that works for me.
The SPARTA Project isn’t just an organization that provides a service, it’s a place many call home.
It’s a community of individuals looking to rediscover purpose and heal from wounds and the experiences that have broken the spirit and have stolen parts of the soul.
SPARTA provides a community that offers safety, support, compassion/empathy, understanding, education, and a sense of tribe and camaraderie.
The curriculum allows individuals to explore and rediscover themselves, reconnect with their passion and purpose and jumps starts the path of building the lives we deserve and living life to our fullest potential.
After volunteering to help on a few occasions with the Equine portion of the program, I was able to witness first hand how beneficial Sparta was for those who participated. It was amazing to see people interact before working with the horses versus after. Participants appeared to be more open and present as they shared their experiences afterwards. It's amazing what we can learn from theses majestic animals especially for those individuals who may have difficulty in their personal lives and relationships. I can appreciate the value of such programs for myself and the Equine experience is only one amazing and helpful reward Sparta has to offer.
My story begins in 2016 when I meet the team from SPARTA.
My mental health had got to a point where I had little selfworth and suffered severe anxiety and depression.
I had spent years with very vivid nightmares and flashbacks and drank myself to sleep most nights.
I didnt see a future for myself outside of service to my nation (Australia) untill I meet to wonderful group of men and women from SPARTA, the way they helped each soldier find some peace within themselves was truly remarkable. There is no single aspect of SPARTA that is the golden ticket, but instead it opens our eyes to what we can do on an individual and community level.
I truly recommend putting some skin in to the game.
The friends and relationships I have experienced due to SPARTA is priceless.
To those that take the step, Godspeed.
I absolutely CANNOT say enough GOOD about the work that this organization and its member do and what they have done for me. I was a part of the first all female cohort and I can’t begin to explain the way my life started to change just within that week. For the first time in YEARS I not only knew I wasn’t alone and that I wasn’t the only one walking around with the battle scars I carried inside, I FELT IT, it was pivotal. My life changed dramatically for the better that week and I will always be grateful for what the SPARTA Project has done for me.
After 14 years of active duty military service, I came to SPARTA feeling hopeless. I didn't know what to expect but what I got was a team of providers. Providers that have personally seen and lived through my type of trauma, no issue was too big or to small. Every exercise done at SPARTA had a purpose and was rooted in a lesson that challenged every idea that I had about myself and those around me. I hands down recommend the SPARTA Project to any of my fellow service members everywhere that I go.
I've had the honor of volunteering with different Cohorts on their Equine Day lead by Cheyenne Price. It is incredible to see this whole team in action and being there to assist them and the participant's getting to know and working with their horses.
This is a group of talented people who help provide positive life changing experience to all Veterans, Active Duty and First Responders.
It changed my life for the better. Where I met great people and made good friends. I now pay it forward to people who are on the path I was.
My problems did not start until I had left the military. I struggled to work out who I was and how to cope in society. I stopped competing in triathlons and withdrew from family and friends. The most upsetting thing was taking the anger out on my wife Fay. I didn’t understand what was going on with me and it seemed everything I was doing was hurting people around me, especially Fay and my two young boys. I try to be a decent person. The last thing I want to do is upset someone I love but the “invisible wounds” of PTSD affect not only the soldier or veteran, but also those around them.
I was trained to fight and be a strong man, so when I come home suffering I wouldn’t talk about it or ask for help. Fortunately one of my closest ex –military friends understood what I was going through and assisted me to enroll in the SPARTA Project. I was very humbled to be given an opportunity from this charity to attend a course with people who have been through the same situations and suffered similar emotions.
P.T.S.D. is a psychiatric term used by mental healthcare professionals. The term is highly stigmatising. SPARTA taught me to look past the term and unleash the power within to overcome the traumatic experiences of war. The choice is simple, take control of the P.T.S.D. and courageously look for answers to resolve it or accept the experiences of war. Don’t spend years in suffering detached from love, joy, happiness and hope. Never give up. It may be hard at first, but as long as you want to live and move forward, it will get easier. It just takes time. It’s not a day thing…it’s a lifetime thing.
I have been inspired to continue on this journey by my wonderful supportive wife, who’s support and care I will never be able to repay and my mentors and fellow Warriors from SPARTA, their passion, sense of duty and unselfishness have allowed me to start to love life again. My mission now is to say this is who I am, this is what I have been through, I can own it. There is a way out, fight your demons and take it, you do not have to go through the pain and torment that I have endured. When you are fighting a battle where the wounds are invisible, true courage is letting others see them. If I can save just one life, prevent one person from committing suicide, then it is all worth while.
The SPARTA Project is a 5 1/2 day retreat for veterans and first responders suffering from the effects of PTSD. The three providers, Cheyenne Price, Michael Salonius and Philip Folsom are the best at what they do in their specific fields of healing.
There really are no words that can explain how amazing this program, and the providers truly are. Cheyenne, Dr. Mike, and Philip are some of the most loving and caring people I have ever met. I am blessed with having the honor of having been treated by them, working with them, and being friends with them. I don't know where I would be without them, and this program. They truly care about you and your well-being before, during, and after you attend the program.
The whole team of providers, behind the scene people, the alumni and supporters are an amazing group of people. It take a loving community to help spread the healing and I believe the whole Sparta family does that. I have had the privilege to see the providers in their element and they have such a gentle and calming way of connecting with people on a genuine and personal level which helps start the healing process for those that go through the 5 day retreat Sparta offers.
The team that works tirelessly for this organization are some of the best people I've had the pleasure of meeting. I'm honored to consider this organization a home. Nothing could be more noble than serving warriors who have served us.
As a Veteran, I had some real pass issue, costing me 2 marriages and to become estranged to my family. After the program I have reconstructed my relationship with my family and my ex wife. I am great that they have help change me, after years of treatment with VA., I was losing all hope.
I was blessed with the opportunity to work with these talented people a while back and witnessed first hand the life changing experience they provided to everyone. Please help this organization get to the top!
As a retired U.S. Military veteran I've struggled with PTS(D)for years and upon return from my 4th combat tour, I was searching for hope in a life in which I felt became hopeless. The Sparta Project is the answer & the providers are world class. I thank you, my family thanks you for putting that meaning and purpose back into my life and allowing me to continue to serve my brothers and sisters.
