Dave Campisano is the founder and president of 22Mohawks, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit with a simple and radical idea: shared challenge builds belonging, and belonging saves lives. Twice a year, Dave's team flies 20 veterans and first responders to the X35 Airborne School in Dunnellon, Florida, where strangers arrive from all walks of life and leave as a community — connected, seen, and looking out for each other.
In this Veterans Day conversation, Dave explains why the jump itself is only the beginning. The real work is the connection that forms around it: people who may be carrying PTSD, isolation, or silent pain finding a group where they belong. His team is now working with researchers to build the evidence behind what participants keep telling them — that the experience gives them purpose, something to look forward to, and, in their own words, saved their lives.
Dave also shares the personal loss that shapes his message. After his good friend John Hatfield died by suicide, Dave wrestled with anger — at John for not reaching out, and at himself for not reaching out first. His takeaway is for anyone listening: become the person it is safe to be vulnerable with, because speaking openly about our struggles gives everyone around us permission to do the same.
If you are a veteran or first responder, or you love one, this episode is an invitation to find your people — and a reminder that nobody has to carry this alone.
Read Dave's article, "Beyond the Jump: Building the Evidence for Connection, Belonging, and Veteran Suicide Prevention"
Learn more about 22Mohawks
And if you or someone you know is in crisis in the U.S., call or text 988 any time.
