What if anxiety and excitement were the same feeling—and the only difference was what you call it? Mindset shift, perception vs reality, anxiety vs excitement, identity shift, and nervous system rewiring—this video breaks down how meaning creates your reality and why your thoughts, labels, and beliefs may be keeping you stuck. In this conversation with David Shoup  @Mission.Freedom.0311  we explore how emotional reframing, PTSD recovery, and identity transformation actually work—and how to take control of your internal experience. 👉 You’re not reacting to reality. 👉 You’re reacting to the meaning you’ve given it. From reframing anxiety as excitement to understanding PTSD as a conditioned response (not a permanent identity), this video walks through how your brain, language, and focus shape everything you experience. We dive into: Why labeling anxiety differently can change your physiology How identity (“I am broken” vs “I am a warrior”) keeps people stuck The truth about PTSD as a conditioned response—not a permanent state How to consciously rewrite the “story” your brain is telling A simple 3-step framework to access your “warrior state” at will This isn’t about ignoring reality—it’s about understanding how your nervous system interprets it… and taking back control. If you’ve ever felt stuck in patterns of anxiety, fear, or past experiences, this will challenge the way you see yourself—and what’s actually possible.

You probably already know about General Order No. 03. This move by leaderships shows a much deeper problem. When “Good Standing” gets tied to a checklist and enforced immediately, compliance stops being routine and becomes leverage. Dropped this close to convention, it looks a lot like an intentional gate is being set on participation and representation. If you care about the direction of the California VFW, look through these shifty bureaucratic tactics and see the truth. I am running for California VFW State Commander to spearhead a true revitalization of this organization, but I need YOUR SUPPORT to do it. Link: www.guymcdermott.com Can I count on you at convention?