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OnThe Verywell Mind Podcast, Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews experts, authors, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life.

Meet Craig Grossi

Craig Grossi is a marine corps veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart. While serving in Afghanistan, he came across Fred, a stray dog.

The two bonded during Craig’s time there. And when Craig’s deployment was up, he decided to bring Fred back to the United States—something that wasn’t allowed. He shares how he got Fred back to the United States and the cross country road trip they took together in his first book,Craig and Fred.

His new book,Second Chances, shares their newest adventure. Craig and Fred spend time with prison inmates who are training service dogs. Craig started a writing group with some of the incarcerated inmates and he quickly learned that many of these men were a lot like him—they’d just made some poor choices that led to their incarceration.

Why Craig Grossi Is Mentally Strong

After his deployment, Craig wanted to be “fine.” He spent time traveling the country and trying to enjoy life again. He even wrote his first book. But, an angry outburst made him realize that he wasn’t fine. And he needed professional help. Hereached out to a therapistand began treatment—something that wasn’t easy to do.

His willingness to seek help, share his experience, and help other people are all hallmarks of incredible mental strength.

What You’ll Hear on the Show

What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength

Craig talked a lot about how he had certain resources in life that probably kept him from making decisions that might lead to incarceration. He had a good childhood and financial stability, for example. Many of the men who were incarcerated didn’t have those things.

The environment plays a huge role in mental health. If you’re lacking basic necessities or you’re in a toxic environment, your psychological well-being will be affected.

Surrounding yourself with supportive people, living in a situation with fewer temptations, and having resources to meet your basic needs are essential to being your best.

Craig made it clear that everyone makes mistakes. And sometimes, people who didn’t have the information, resources, and skills in the past, can do better when we give them what they need.

Quotes From Craig

Craig GrossiThere is always something that you can be grateful for, even if it’s just the air in your lungs and the blood in your veins. That’s enough to be grateful for.

Craig Grossi

There is always something that you can be grateful for, even if it’s just the air in your lungs and the blood in your veins. That’s enough to be grateful for.

More About the Podcast

The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, pleaseleave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too.

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