Veterans should not have to leave the country to heal. Next week our team will be in Washington DC advocating for veteran legislation and access to alternative modalities that are already changing lives. For nearly a decade we’ve stood up for veterans exploring cannabis, movement, mindfulness, community, and innovative therapies when few others would. We’re bringing real stories into rooms where decisions are being made. Send the team good vibes as we head into the snake pit.

You’re not weak. You’re carrying weight most people will never understand. The negative self talk. The memories. The emotions that hit out of nowhere. That’s not weakness. That’s lived experience. Don’t let your mind run the narrative. The past doesn’t get to decide who you become. Have some grace for yourself. If you’re showing up, you’re doing more than you think. Progress isn’t loud. Healing isn’t linear. Surround yourself with people who see you, push you, and hold you accountable. Growth is messy. Shame has no place in it. If you’re ready to build something different, step into a community that gets it. Join Balanced Veterans Network. Free app. Or join free on our website BVN.vet

This is what building balance actually looks like. Not theory. Not talk. Practice. Real veterans doing the work every day long after the uniform comes off. This is what we stand on inside Balanced Veterans Network. Balance is built not found. Most people slow down at 65. John sped up. In this story John MacBean walks through the full arc from joining the Army in 1978 as a forward observer to figuring out who he needed to become after service. No filter no cleanup just lived experience. He gets into what transition actually feels like, letting go of the drinking culture and hardened mindset, breaking patterns that don’t serve you, building daily habits that actually move the needle, sleep, nutrition, and what you feed your mind, and getting out of your own way and taking action. There’s a moment where he talks about helping a friend dealing with severe night terrors after combat and it lands. Simple takeaway don’t wait to get help. At 65 John is still competing at the Arnold Classic, tied for 5th in the world in his class and still chasing number one. That’s not motivation that’s discipline over time. This is what balance actually looks like. Not perfect. Not easy. Consistent. And done alongside people who hold the standard with you. Watch it take something from it then go move your body. If you’re ready to get around people who are actually doing the work step in at BalancedVeterans.org or BVN.vet. Free access real community real tools. Watch John's full story on our YouTube channel: youtu.be/qzkJndhgag0 #powerlifting #balanceisbuilt #balancedveterans

We’ve all heard the message by now. Mental health matters. So why does it feel like the more awareness we push, the deeper the problem gets? Awareness without action doesn’t change outcomes. Talking about it isn’t the same as doing something about it. Are you ready for something different? It’s not easy. Nothing that actually changes your life is. And no one is coming to do the work for you. You have to show up. Daily. We can connect you to tools. We can introduce you to people who are walking it out. But the responsibility is yours. If you’re serious about growth and want to be around people who are building something better Balanced Veterans Network might be a place worth stepping into

We’re giving away 3 pit tickets to see Morgan Wallen at Soldier Field this June 20,2026. Yeah, sure Morgan Wallen and Ella Langley are the hook. But this is about something bigger. Balanced Veterans Network is in a new chapter. We’re focused on real stories, real growth, and giving veterans access to tools that actually help them build a better life after service. Movement. Mental wellness. community. accountability. No fluff. No recycled narratives. Every $25 donation gets you entered to win. That money goes straight back into what we’re building. More veteran stories. More access. More opportunities for people who are actually doing the work. If you’ve been rocking with us, this is a way to be part of it. 
If you’re new here, this is a pretty good place to start. Donate. Enter. Share it with someone who would want in. Hit the link for official rules and details: (Link in bio)balancedveterans.org/morgan-… — Concert Details:
Morgan Wallen live at Soldier Field in Chicago
Special guest Ella Langley
3 pit tickets | June 2026

BVNs Acting Executive Director offers insight to the Washington Blade about the importance on veterans having safe access to cannabis. washingtonblade.com/2023/04/… #cannabis #veterans #VeteransDeserveBetter #bvn

Balanced Veterans Network (BVN) and Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) share personal stories and the work they are doing for veteran advocacy and the importance of alternative therapies at the National Cannabis Festival in Washington, DC. youtu.be/Xsyw8atlAO0

BVNs acting Executive Director Jen Baxter chats with the I’m F.I.N.E podcast about the benefits of cannabis for veterans. Check out I'm F.I.N.E. on RedCircle! redcircle.com/shows/62b4097b… #redcircle