The Warrior Within

Own Your Power to Serve, Fight, Protect, and Heal

By: D.J. Vanas

Narrated by: D.J. Vanas, Kevin Basik

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

A transformational guide to getting yourself right in order to accomplish the work you were meant to do, from speaker, former U.S. Air Force officer, and member of the Ottawa tribe D.J. Vanas.

When faced with an important job, and people depending on you to do it, most of us will give and give until there’s nothing left. But running on empty, even for a worthy cause, only sets you up for failure in the long run. To persevere on the path to success requires more than sheer fearlessness and willpower. It requires what D.J. Vanas calls the warrior spirit, the kind of strength that looks outward but comes from deep within.

Drawing inspiration from Native American philosophy and tradition, The Warrior Within outlines a new model for personal power in the face of overwhelming chaos. A true warrior is not the toughest or bravest person in the room. A true warrior is committed to self-mastery, knows how to navigate change and disruption, transforms setbacks into opportunities for achievement, refuses to quit, and most importantly, always fights for something bigger than the self. With a vast array of stories and examples, from vision quests to treacherous hikes to veterans and service providers at the front lines, Vanas shows how to apply these principles to transform how you show up both for yourself and those around you.

More than an empowerment manual, The Warrior Within is a call to accomplish the world-changing work you were meant for by tapping into the power of the warrior spirit.

This audiobook includes a bonus interview by Dr. Kevin Basik--Director, National Medal of Honor Institute.

©2022 D.J. Vanas (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Warriors, as Air Force Veteran D.J. Vanas shows us, are not the square-jawed, broad-shouldered, two-dimensional characters we so often watch on the screen. They aren’t fearless, are rarely brilliant, and lose as often as they win. But in his thoughtful The Warrior Within, Vanas captures the essence of steadfast courage, self-discipline, and resilience that describes those among us who embody the true warrior spirit.”—General Stanley McChrystal, retired, author of Risk and Team of Teams

"The powerful lessons imparted in these chapters will inspire strength, confidence and motivation, so that you can deliver your best in the worst of circumstances—while keeping your sanity and health! I encourage every healthcare giver to read The Warrior Within, for they truly serve, fight, protect and heal every day, often at their own expense."—LeAnn Thieman, author of the Chicken Soup for Nurse’s Soul series and founder of SelfCare for HealthCare®

"I highly recommend The Warrior Within! Through great storytelling, D.J. Vanas shares an often overlooked element of leadership ... taking care of yourself. Our beautiful Anishinaabe teachings emphasize balance in all things. Being a warrior means recognizing your needs and honoring your gifts. Way to go, D.J.!"—Angeline Boulley (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) New York Times bestselling author of Firekeeper's Daughter

Everything but the Chicken Sink!!!

D. J. Eagle Bear Vanas has found a narrative that uses his story grounded in his Native Traditions and from those he's met along his journey to help guide our own. Lessons are about fighters vs warriors, my medicine bag, sideways yesses, time as the unreplenishing resource, Trey's surf competition and quitting vs surrendering, worriers vs warriors. Vanas helps reframe the internal dialogue of setback obstacles and failure into moments of reflection, growth, building strength and resilience - EVERY nugget has resonance with moments of triumph and struggle in my own journey. His message of how Warriors lead a life of calling to serve their tribes and communities and that the greatest tribute may be to earn the title of Elder in recognition of a life passing on wisdom and strengthening others.
I enjoyed his audio version which he reads so edutainingly and features a bonus interview with Dr. Kevin Basik where they add context and Vanas reflects on some of his most challenging days of his own. Full of nuggets -- all but the Chicken Sink (a little Easter egg for you as you engage in the book).

Thank you Mr Vanas. I will return to this text in moments of reflection as I ascend my own journey - a summit with no mountaintop.

Learn your war cry

Overall, I was very satisfied with the content of the book. I love the simplicity and authenticity of the author’s delivery.

One thing that definitely stuck out the most for me was the idea of mastering my own war cry when things get tough. I would personally recommend this to everyone.

The true warrior spirit...

In The Warrior Within, the reader will find a unique look at many time-tested principles to harness the necessary inner strength to take on the chaos of life. The author’s ability to present these principles from his unique perspective as a Native American and USAF veteran opened my own eyes (as a native of Turtle Island) to the extraordinary warrior spirit found in the Native American culture. The author confronts the skewed view of “warriors” popularized by TV, movies, and video games of today, revealing the true description of a warrior spirit. DJ does more than share useful and practical principles…he has lived them throughout many challenges in his own life. This book will help you ignite (or re-ignite) your own warrior spirit, regardless of the current crucible in which you may find yourself. I highly recommend the audio version, which includes an informative, deeper conversation with the author. Great read!

Boring could of been an email

The author has some good things to say, but it’s way too long way to drawn out it could’ve basically been a memo instead of an entire book. If you’re clinically depressed, you might get something out of this, but if you’re just a functioning adult move on.