How Swimming Helped Mike Ergo Battle PTSD

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As a marine, Mike Ergo fought in the 2nd Battle of Fallujah during the war in Iraq. The fighting was so intense, he figured he wouldn’t make it home alive. But he did.

When the celebrations ended, the feelings that he kept inside in combat, were now coming out unexpectedly and taking a toll on his life.

This is the story of his spiritual journey home. Where an invitation from another veteran to join a group swimming from Alcatraz to San Francisco went from being “the dumbest idea I’ve heard in a while” to a transformative moment.

Mike recently earned the title of Ironman at the Triathlon World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. He honors the friends he lost in battle by wearing the names of all 29 on his jersey.