I first became familiar with Nick Koumalatsos when I listened to the audio version of his book Excommunicated Warrior: The Seven Stages of Transition. Nick Koumalatsos joined the marines 2000 and served for 12 years. in that time he served with 2D Force Reconnaissance, 3rd Reconnaissance Bn, and as a Marine Raider with 2D Raider Bn, Marine Special Operations Command.
Nick discusses the culture shock he experienced upon transitioning from the military, where he served for 12 years, to civilian life in this book. He is very honest about the struggles he faced as he battled pain from injuries, the symptoms of multiple TBIs (traumatic brain injuries), substance abuse as he sought to self-medicate, PTSD, and other health issues he faced from his time in the military.
His marriage ended and his relationship with his daughters became strained. He knew he had to find answers and help if he was ever to live a functional and fulfilling life. This quote from his website describes his approach to finding his way out of this downward spiral:
"For years, he was stuck with feelings of anger, indifference, and bitterness. Untl he finally decided to take action and apply the skills he learned as a Raider and got to work on solving his personal problems."
 As he began to find his way out of the he learned that there was no easy or fast fix. Combat and all that comes with it (injuries, seeing death, in some cases frequently, losing close friends and comrades, and so much more) takes a serious toll on the combat veteran. There is no way to simply erase or reverse years of physical, mental, and emotional stress. However, he also learned that this did not mean he had to live a life of misery and failure, trying to simply survive. There is hope for a life of meaning and purpose, there is a pathway to physical health, and there is joy in the journey.
The seven stages of transition that Nick describes are as follows -
Awareness - Recognize the need for change
Denial: Resisting the reality of the situation
Anger: Experiencing frustration and resentment
Bargaining: Seeking solace or compromise
Depression: Feeling overwhelmed by emotions
Acceptance: Embracing the new reality
Integration: Moving forward with purpose and growth
Nick offers a guide to a way through these stages of transition to a hopeful and fulfilling future. While this book is written from the perspective of combat veteran, the principles and wisdom it contains apply in other circumstances as well.
Nick is now married, and he and his wife are business partners. He enjoys a healthy relationship with his daughters. He is living a full life helping others find their way from difficult circumstances to health and purpose again.
To learn more about why I write, and why I share my life here, please read this post - Uniquely You, For a Purpose.
To learn more about the business services I offer including notary services, document authentication and more please see this post - Notary Solutions Plus - How We can Help You.
Comments