We had the good fortune of connecting with Blake Richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Blake, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After getting out of the military, I had a very hard time reintegrating back into society. This is something a lot of Veterans have struggled and continue to struggle with after getting out of the service.

Being able to easily find the resources that can help address our hero’s mental health challenges is extremely important and yet is something that continues to contribute to the high Veteran suicide rate in our nation.

Having been at a low point in my life, I got the motivation, courage, and reengaged my faith to face my battles head on. I got back on the right path, founded Help Our Heroes and work hard to help keep other heroes from going down that same path through the nonprofit

In 2019, Help Our Heroes was founded to help give our heroes (Veterans, military service members, first responders, caregivers, and their families) “hope” through advocacy, outreach, and support.

Even when we are at the lowest point in our lives, it is important that we do not give up hope. That is why we strive to empower our heroes and honor their sacrifices.

Through Help Our Heroes, we advocate to help raise awareness on the challenges our heroes face; forge strategic partnerships; facilitate collaboration with legislators, community leaders, and advocacy groups; provide direct support to our nation’s heroes; in order to produce comprehensive support legislation that is passed at all levels of governance.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Help Our Heroes, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, may still be in its start-up phase, but it has already made a significant impact on Veterans, first responders, and their communities through advocacy and fundraising. Founded in 2019, this organization was born out of my personal passion and purpose to address a critical issue that touches us all—suicide.

The journey to establishing Help Our Heroes was anything but easy. Personally, I’ve faced my own suicidal crisis before joining the Marine Corps, and I know firsthand what it feels like to believe there is no hope. This profound experience has driven me to never give up on hope and to help others struggling with their mental health challenges.

For over 17 years, I grappled with an undiagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI). Despite the frustration and pain, I held onto the belief that there was a solution out there for my condition. The path was unpredictable and filled with countless setbacks, yet my faith never wavered.

In February 2024, I had the opportunity to undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to treat my post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), TBI, migraines, and headaches. From the second treatment of 40, my life transformed. I am now off all medications and feel “normal” again.

Living with the symptoms of an undiagnosed TBI while founding Help Our Heroes was one of the most challenging periods of my life. I struggled to read and focus, constantly forgot things, experienced irregular mood swings, elevated anxiety and depression, and endured minimal sleep along with other TBI and PTSD symptoms. Despite these overwhelming obstacles, I remained committed to my mission.

Every day that Help Our Heroes’ mission was delayed, another 47 Veterans took their own lives. This sobering reality motivated me to push forward, no matter how tough the journey was. I was driven by the urgent need to prevent these tragedies and make a difference.

Help Our Heroes is dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges our heroes face, forging strategic partnerships, collaborating with legislators, community leaders, and advocacy groups, and providing direct support. We aim to produce comprehensive support legislation at all levels of governance.

Knowing that Help Our Heroes is making resources like HBOT, employment training programs, financial aid, service dogs, faith-based initiatives, and other essential services accessible to Veterans, first responders, and their communities is what excites me. These resources are crucial for mitigating mental health challenges, suicidal ideation, homelessness, and social and economic reintegration.

Balancing HBOT treatments with a full-time job was a blessing that allowed me to continue building Help Our Heroes. As we move forward with its relaunch, I am more determined than ever to ensure that no hero feels alone in their battle. The journey has been tough, unpredictable, and differentiating, but it has shaped Help Our Heroes into a beacon of hope for those who need it most.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
isiting Kansas City without indulging in our world-renowned BBQ is simply not an option!

Our first stop has to be Jack Stack BBQ, where the tender and juicy burnt ends (aka meat candy) will blow your mind! Then, we’ll dive into the smoky flavors of Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Gates Bar-B-Que, Q39, Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque, and my local favorite, Crazy Good Eats.

Next, we’ll immerse ourselves in history at the National World War I Museum and Memorial, followed by a leisurely stroll through the elegant outdoor shopping district of the Country Club Plaza.

For art lovers, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a must-see, along with the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

An iconic spot not to be missed is Union Station, the site of two unforgettable Super Bowl parades in the last five years. Here, you can explore Science City and the Model Rail Experience.

Sports and attractions are also a highlight! We’ll visit the Kansas City Zoo, catch a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium, or experience the electric atmosphere of a Chiefs football game at Arrowhead Stadium.

No trip to Kansas City is complete without sampling local brews and enjoying some shopping. A tour and tasting session at Boulevard Brewing Company is highly recommended, followed by dinner and drinks at Char Bar, the perfect spot to unwind and savor the flavors of the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I owe everything to God and to my wonderful, amazing, saint of a wife, Lindsay. I couldn’t have reached this point in my journey without her steadfast presence through all the highs and lows. The sacrifices and mental health challenges that come with building a nonprofit are immense. Adding to that, dealing with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an undiagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI) was the “cherry on top.” Through it all, Lindsay has been my rock, constantly encouraging me to keep going and never give up.

I also want to recognize my family, who have always believed in me and my purpose. Your unwavering support has been invaluable.

To everyone who has walked this path with me, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your faith in me fuels my determination every day, and together, we are making a difference.

Website: https://helpourheroes.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/helpourheroes/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559312252170

Image Credits
Mitchell Plyler, VFW Post 2661, Annie Stanfield

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