Life & Work with Shawn Banzhaf

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Banzhaf.

Hi Shawn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I spent 21 years in the Army National Guard. That time, I served in combat in Iraq from 2006-2007 during a very volatile and dangerous few years of the war. My job was to find IEDs (improvised explosive devices) before they blew up on the convoy I was helping to protect. It was intense. We lost one Soldier during our deployment to an IED. The trauma of war never leaves a person who has been a part of it, but the story doesn’t stop there. Since we returned, my unit has lost 4 Soldiers to suicide. Both of these issues drove my passion for doing something to help this cause. I felt since I survived, I should help my brothers and sisters work through those traumas. Currently, I have authored a book called The 5Ls: A Practical Guide for Helping Loved Ones Heal After Trauma and work as the Associate Director of Student Success and Academic Innovation for the Pat Tillman Veterans Center at Arizona State University. I use my skills and abilities to help young veterans work through the transition from active duty into the world of higher education, helping them heal from their trauma and fighting against the suicide rate of 22 veterans a day.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course, the road has been tough. I struggle with my post-traumatic stress. Quite a few months after deployment, I was suffering pretty badly. I had a hard time sleeping in my bed. It was too big, too far away from the house’s exits in case of emergency. I had difficulty driving, especially at night, always alert for what might blow me up. I was numb, startled easily, and didn’t want to be anywhere close to large crowds or heavy traffic. A lot of that has gone away for the most part but not all of it, and it was now 15 years ago. I always say that I will never be pre-war Shawn again, only post-war Shawn. Now I have to do the things I can to be the best version of myself every day. It takes people who love me and willing to stand next to me through the struggles. I could not have walked this road without my wife, kids, and friends.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As I said before, I work with student veterans at the Pat Tillman Veterans Center at Arizona State University and am a published author. More than that, I specialize in the motivational speaking and sharing my ideas for living a good life through the 5Ls framework I have developed. I am very proud of this and have been able to help many people along the way. Along with helping students, I am also the Arizona State Universities Staff Council President. I preside over 200 elected staff council members, committees, and committee chairs. I also teach a couple of courses at the university. I am a certified suicide prevention specialist, an accredited Enneagram personality practitioner, and a senior trainer and consultant for Culturally Intelligent Training and Consulting here in the Phoenix area, which helps companies develop strategies for DEI. One of my proudest moments here as of late was envisioning, developing, and putting on our ASU Staff Council first ever DEI conference, where 1000 attendees heard from 25 presenters about how to affect change in your sphere of influence in DEI.

Had we love to hear about your fond memories of growing up?
I would have to say my playing days in Jr. High and Highschool. I had great friends with great memories on the field, the court, and the wrestling mat!

Pricing:

• 11.99

Contact Info:

• Website: shawnbanzhaf.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnbanzhaf/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawnbanzhaf1/
• Twitter: @shawnbanzhaf
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe-_acQr9P3vDG6nLtzIjJg