"One of the most inspiring and life changing stories you will ever experience. And for me, it was just the beginning of so much more..." Candice Alger, CEO Giant Studios - recent film work: Avatar, Tintin, Real Steel
When you've been broken and are staring into the abyss, your mind can take you to strange places. Life becomes a twisted tale. Who Am I? is the psychosomatic trip I took as I was slipping over the brink of sanity. Thankfully, it was a journey that led to purpose, hope, and a life of peace and joy.
But to find life I'd have to stare down the barrel of gun, survive a tragic jet crash as a US Marine, suffer bullying and abuse, fight off hallucinations and demons and worse, and lay down every night to eerily lucid dreams that seemed more real than life itself.
Who Am I? is told from the point of view of the little child inside me who wanted to live when I wanted to die. I call him Samuel. Samuel's magnificent journey is mine, and it's probably a lot like yours. More than you would admit at least!: )
Writing Who Am I? helped exercise my own demons and I have seen it give thousands of others like me hope. May reading it help you open the door to a new life. We usually remain stuck because the fear of the unknown is greater than the fear we are living. Who Am I? more than anything gives hope that anyone who has been crushed by the trauma of life can live again, and the many more of us who just muddle don't have to muddle. We can find a life of peace and joy.
We have one life, live free!
About the Author: "Meet the man they call an Angel." Jeannie Crofts, WISH-TV, Indianapolis Silouan Green is the country's preeminent speaker on PTSD and brokenness, creator of The Ladder UPP, writer, and musician.
Over the last 5 years alone, Silouan has looked into the eyes of thousands suffering from PTSD and brokenness. With over 200 speaking events under his belt in that time, there is no one more experienced and committed to lifting the veil of PTSD and helping those who have faced the monster like himself walk out of the darkness. It is a mission that began almost a decade ago.
A tragic jet crash while serving as a US Marine followed by a whole host of complications and medical conditions descended Silouan into the hell of post traumatic stress disorder (or PTSD), depression, suicidal impulses, long-term pain, and a completely shattered life. It was here, staring into the abyss, that he was given a choice, continue down the same devastating path, or live free. He chose to live free.
It began by buying a motorcycle and guitar after selling everything else he owned. As he learned to play the guitar and write songs he became more adept at riding the motorcycle and on the day he was disability discharged from the Marine Corps he took off on an epic two-year trek. He rode for over 30,000 miles and packed a lifetime of adventure into just 24 months.
He met his wife on that trip and she joined him for almost 8,000 miles of the journey! Camping on the rim on the Grand Canyon, pitching a tent in Yellowstone surrounded by Buffalo and Elk, they trailblazed over mountain passes and many more incredibly vistas. Since then, they've been married 15 years and have eight children whom they home school! The adventure continues as they raise their children with a spirit that life was meant to be lived with meaning and purpose, each day an opportunity for something amazing.
Silouan wrote his memoir Who Am I? and created the Ladder UPP life skills program to give people around the world hope and a plan to truly make the most of their life. Silouan has worked at Walter Reed, with the US Marines, the Army, the National Guard, Willow Creek Community Church and various other groups, organizations and mental health professionals. He speaks to first responders around the country for the world's #1 public training agency, PATC.
Visit silouan at www.silouan.com and on facebook.com/silouangreen & twitter.com/silouangreen.
