TONIGHT IT'S MIKEL & FRIENDS LIVE FROM COSTA RICA FOR "DON'T LEAVE YOURSELF BEHIND!" WITH WARRIORS FOR LIFE (WFL)!

Drop in TONIGHT with Volunteer and Army Veteran Mikel Burroughs for the "BURLEY'S WARRIORS" edition of Warriors for Life (WFL) Online, presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV).

We are asking everyone to share who we are and what support that Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) is providing via WFL. If you know someone who is a veteran, first responder or a family member/caregiver, please ask them to join us for at least one meeting so they can learn more about what we do and how they can share their wisdom with others who may be able to learn from them.

TONIGHT's Topic: "DON'T LEAVE YOURSELF BEHIND!"

Join Mikel & Friends TONIGHT LIVE from Costa Rica as we discuss the mental health importance "Don't Leave Yourself Behind!" We hope you'll join us!

To be there for others while never leaving yourself behind means practicing sustainable empathy. It is the balance between supporting someone else’s well-being without sacrificing your own mental stability.

KEY COMPONENTS OF THIS BALANCE

Boundaries as Self-Preservation: You can listen and offer support, but you must establish limits on your time and emotional labor. Setting boundaries ensures you don't reach a state of compassion fatigue, where you become too emotionally drained to help anyone, including yourself.

The "Oxygen Mask" Principle: Much like airline safety briefings, you must secure your own mental health first. If you are struggling with burnout or depression, your ability to provide genuine support to others is compromised.

Active Support vs. Enmeshment: Being "there" means offering a shoulder or resources, not taking on the other person's emotions as your own. Enmeshment occurs when your mood becomes entirely dependent on their progress, which is a sign you have "left yourself behind."

Knowing Your Scope: Recognize that you are a friend or family member, not a professional therapist. Part of not leaving yourself behind is knowing when to refer someone to professional help so the responsibility of their recovery doesn't rest solely on your shoulders.

SIGNS YOU ARE LEAVING YOURSELF BEHIND

- Feeling resentment toward the person you are helping.
- Neglecting your own sleep, diet, or hobbies to manage someone else's crisis.
- Feeling guilty when you take time for yourself.
- Experiencing physical symptoms of stress (headaches, exhaustion) due to another person's situation.

By maintaining your own mental health practices—such as therapy, exercise, or downtime—you ensure that your support for others comes from a place of strength rather than depletion.

Our Vision at Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) is simple: "Where Hope, Support, and Healing come together!"

We encourage you to join us, Everyone is Welcome, Everyone Matters, You Matter to Us, so Talk to Us! — invite a friend!

Warriors for Life (WFL) Peer Support Network Online "Burly's Warriors" edition, presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — (TONIGHT), January 17, 2026 @ 4:30 PM PT, 5:30 PM MT, 6:30 PM CT, & 7:30 PM ET

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/ [login to see] 7
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Remember: Warriors for Life (WFL) Online, presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) meets on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays — (7-days) a week. Every week stay connected on Friday Mornings with "Coffee with Kim" and Monday Mornings for "Cup O' Joe" with Derrick at 8:00 AM CT.

“Everyone Matters, Talk to Us!"— Army Veteran Mikel Burroughs

Thank you,

Army Veteran Mikel Burroughs,
Founder & Volunteer Facilitator, Warriors for Life (WFL),
& CEO, Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV)

REMINDER:
"Warriors for Life (WFL) doesn't prescribe any medications, we are not medical professionals, and you should always follow your Primary Provider's guidance and prescribed regimen of treatment. This is strictly group peer support, topics, and information sharing."


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - “Honor & Respect Always — Warriors for Life!” - - - - - - - - - - - - -


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