In 2006, with less than one year on the job as a firefighter / paramedic in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Stephen was exposed two traumatic pediatric death calls in a period of 60 days. These calls in his first year had a profound effect on his life. Injured by the traumatic nature of these events, more calls continued to stack upon themselves through the years as the pain, anger and despair set in. After living with undiagnosed PTSD for over 10 years, help finally arrived for Stephen.
With much encouragement from his family and friends, Stephen attended a retreat in Salt Lake City where he began to do the deep intensive work needed to heal his unresolved trauma. As the pain eventually subsided, Stephen chose to medically retired from the fire service. This however was not the end, but only the beginning. From the depths of much pain and hurt, a new mission birthed in Stephen’s heart.
Today Stephen is the founder and CEO of the IH2 Foundation, a foundation dedicated to providing a holistic healing path for first responders and their families who suffer from trauma, PTSD and its related symptoms. Together with a wonderful staff, he is helping first responders heal the hurt and shame that often comes from the life as a first responder.
Regardless of your standing or position in life, we all suffer from something that keeps us from living and being who we are meant to be. Life is more than just surviving. It's possible to learn to thrive and become all of who we are meant to be.
Today Stephen speaks across the country to a variety of audiences (schools, churches, organizations) on topics ranging from PTSD, trauma, depression and anxiety to creating cultures that help people win.
