ABOUT THIS EPISODE
You can survive something and still carry it with you for years.
In this deeply honest episode of Another Million Miles Podcast, Danielle sits down with Jimmy Lee Armel, former U.S. Army Ranger, combat veteran, speaker, and founder of the Knot Lucky Foundation, for a conversation about PTSD, trauma, addiction, mental health, healing, identity, and finding purpose after survival mode.
After multiple combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Jimmy returned home carrying wounds that couldn’t always be seen. He opens up about PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, addiction, depression, suicidal thoughts, and what happened when the military identity that had given his life structure and purpose was suddenly taken away.
For Jimmy, surviving was only the beginning.
This conversation explores what it looks like to stop simply pushing through pain and begin facing what you’ve been carrying. Jimmy shares his journey through some of his darkest moments, the role faith has played in his life, his experiences seeking healing, and how he began rebuilding an identity and purpose beyond combat.
Today, that purpose has become service.
Through the Knot Lucky Foundation, Jimmy creates opportunities for veterans and active-duty service members to experience connection, camaraderie, and time on the water through offshore fishing. What began as part of Jimmy’s own journey has grown into a mission to help others know they don’t have to navigate theirs alone.
Because surviving something isn’t the same as healing from it.
And while your story may look nothing like Jimmy’s, there’s a question in this conversation for all of us:
What are you still carrying from something you already survived?
If you’ve been living in survival mode, struggling with your identity after a major life change, or trying to find purpose after a difficult chapter, this episode is an honest reminder that healing and personal growth don’t require you to become who you used to be. Sometimes they ask you to discover who you are now.
In this episode: PTSD and trauma recovery, veteran mental health, addiction and recovery, traumatic brain injury, identity loss, finding purpose, faith, resilience, healing, personal growth, and rebuilding your life after trauma.
Learn more about Knot Lucky Foundation and its mission to support veterans through fishing, connection, and community:
Knot Lucky Foundation Official Website : https://knotlucky.org/
Jimmy Armel on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jimmy.armel/
Knot Lucky Fishing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knotluckyfishing/
