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

Hi Josh, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I don’t think my wife nor I had any intention of starting our own non-profit, especially not so late in life. That being said, we are not immune to the struggles many Veterans face post-service. Following my own time in service, memories of the past, friends that were lost in combat, and wondering if a new career would bring the same level of fulfilment and satisfaction often weighed on my mind. I had the opportunity to participate in a handful of different retreats for Veterans that were designed to address these concerns and while each offered guidance in different areas of my life, none of them really tackled the root of cause. Then, 8 Veterans that I served with throughout my career all committed suicide in a 6 week period. While devastated, my wife and I asked ourselves how could this happen but more importantly, what could we do to help? We went to work looking at programs I had attended to find their best attributes and said, “what if?”, what if we put together a program that provided injured Veterans a true, holistic approach to healing addressing multiple aspects of their wellbeing. In that moment, Deep Sea Valkyries was born with the mission of reducing Veteran suicides through the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other Combat injuries while introducing Veterans to healthy outdoor activities and assisting in their transition from servicemen to civilian.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My military career is not all that unique. I was fortunate to serve with some of the bravest men this world has ever seen and truly honored to call them brothers. While many of them paid the ultimate price for freedom it is in their memory that I work as hard as possible to make Deep Sea Valkyries a success. Following my own time in service, I looked for a career that would be challenging and personally rewarding. I had no real ambition to fly in the military but after I left the service I decided that I wanted to be a pilot. After my retirement, I returned to school, earned my degree in Aviation, became a flight instructor and taught others to fly for a year, was hired into a regional airline, built experience flying jets, and now work for a National Airline flying an Airbus A320. All this while running Deep Sea Valkyries and teaching others to dive. It is this collective experience that I am most proud of. While I may be a combat injured Veteran, I have not allowed my injuries to simply define me nor limit my capabilities and this concept is one of the tenets we teach during our retreats with Deep Sea Valkyries.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Anytime friends come to visit we take them down to Canyon Lake and out on the boat. People that have never been to Phoenix often have this perception of what it is like to live in the desert and that we are living in sand dunes. When we make the drive down to the lakes they are always in awe of the cliffs surrounding the area, the mountains in the distance, and the wildlife we often see. If it’s Spring Training time and given that I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, catching a Cubs game and then hitting up Portillo’s is a must and reminds me of home. Lunch in downtown Gilbert is always a good time whether its at Postinos, Joy Ride, Zinburger, or any of the restaurants popping up in that area. Durant’s for dinner is a special treat (if we really like our guests) but if we are staying on the East side of the Valley close to our house then grabbing a bite at Babbo or Steak and Stone followed by drinks at Pour Wine and Taproom or Flights next to Falcon Field never disappoints. While there are countless places to go dine, or relax and enjoy company with, one of the amazing things I show friends is how we can be on the lake in one moment, and then in the next be in the mountains up near Flagstaff or towards Payson. The diverse topography and landscape throughout Arizona gives it a unique beauty so many are unaware of.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are countless individuals that have made this program a success and would take countless articles to recognize them all so I apologize to those that are not specifically named. First and foremost, my wife Neysa who really makes this program a success. Without her, this would have only been a passing thought in a time of grief. To all the Directors, Board members, Staff and Volunteers, thank you for your work and passion in making this program a success. In particular, Jeff, Julie, Travis, David, Jay, Matt, and Felipe – you not only change lives but often, your work saves them without you realizing. I am blessed to not only know you and work with you, but to call you friends.

Website: www.deepseavalkyries.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsvalkyries/
Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/deep-sea-valkyries-inc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DSValkyries
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deepseavalkyries/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWeLG-_UrlfHhrF9jGoL4Og

Image Credits
Images by Deep Sea Valkyries

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