Create Your Own Light

Finding Post Traumatic Purpose

De: Travis Howze

Narrado por: Travis Howze

From taking human life to being assigned to the body recovery team of nine brother firefighters, including one of his best friends, US Marine, former police officer and firefighter Travis Howze was plagued with extreme post-traumatic stress, depression, and survivor's guilt from a lifetime of very traumatic exposures dating back to early childhood. Victorious in the fight for his very own life at just three months old, his struggle to survive was just the beginning. Years later, he would defeat the very silent and deadly killer, PTSD, but not before it caused massive carnage and collateral damage to his personal and professional life.

From class clown to professional stand-up comedian and speaker, Travis’ unbelievably gripping, uncensored autobiography is a must-listen that takes you on an emotional roller-coaster ride through the eyes of an emergency responder. Follow Travis through countless horrific events, from funny stories inside of the firehouse, patrol car, and marine corps, to stand-up comedy stages and the dark places first responders have to go to in their mind to survive. This true, hard-hitting story is about staying in the fight. It’s about never quitting, always getting up, doing the things you love, and how the power of perspective, attitude, ownership and acceptance can lead to life-changing personal growth and a more purposeful life.

©2020 Travis Howze (P)2021 Travis Howze

A must read!!

This is a great book i could not put it down, I cant recommend this book enough this its a must read!!

Authenticity

My husband and I saw Travis live in Raleigh last week. My husband found out about him first as he is also a Marine and firefighter and had already read this book. My husband would send me episodes of Travis’ podcast to listen to. Once we saw him live I knew I needed to read his book as well and it didn’t disappoint. I think all firefighter and military spouses should read this book and/or the podcast episodes. Yeah it’s dark and it’s raw, but it’s so beneficial. 10/10 highly recommend.

Raw unfiltered emotion

This book is full of a life which any first responder understands, but it brings a reality to front page; Mental Health and the necessity of being able to talk!

Captivating

Hard Truths and phenomenal delivery of the occurrences of everyday human suffering in society!! Thank you for all that you continue to do!!

moving

As a first responder's wife, whose hubby is facing PTSD it was an emotional and eye opening read to listen to very similar experiences. I think as a spouse of someone going through something similar it's important to try to understand their pain the best we can in order to support them in any way possible. Some chapters made me laugh while others moved me to tears. So much of your story is so parallel to my husband's in the fire service. I'm happy to have read/listened to it and look forward to your next book and hope you tour through Greenville again so we can meet again, since last time we hadn't discovered the PTSD side that had been bottled up for so long.

A Must Read for any 1st Responder

Every scenario has a reaction to the thoughts and actionable results that are determined by layered responses to a reactive situation. The human being within us does not ever stay constant throughout the evolution of a 1st responder's career. The expectations to never change from who we were to who we have become is many times uncontrollable. Thank you for sharing your story and relating it to our own.

Unbelievable.

As a first responder, this book hit home from the very first chapter. I am also involved in our local peer support. This will be a must-read for our team.

Great Perspective

I’m new to the fire service and don’t necessarily know much about the history of it all. I heard Travis on the Getting Salty Podcast (as I’m trying to take in as much fire service as possible). He’s just a genuine no BS guy that has been subject to a ton of trauma. I never even thought that my 2+ years on duty had any impact on me, but through this book and same his titled Podcast it has opened my eyes to changes I’ve been feeling. Thank you for the perspective, the insight and the motivation to stay on top of the mental health of myself and my crew.

Highly Recommend this

I don’t think I can recommend this book enough, especially for anyone who’s been thru traumatic events or works in a high stress environment. I love that Travis narrates his story. A Very good listen. I can’t even imagine how many peoples he’s helped thru the years.

Must Read….

This is an amazing book that hits home on so many levels. I laughed, I cried (some parts it was even an ugly cry🫣) but all joking aside this book hit my heart and made me feel understood.