Michael O’Connor

I served eight years honorably as an Airborne Infantryman, with deployments to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. Today, I’m married to an incredible woman and a proud stepfather to two great young men.

I’m also a recovering alcoholic, now three years sober.

I first came across Guardian Community at a veteran networking event. At the time, I had been struggling with anxiety, depression, and past trauma. It was affecting my relationships, and I found myself becoming more isolated.

Connecting with Guardian was easy and natural. They paired me with a coach who fit my schedule, and each week we spent an hour talking through what was going on in my life and working through practical solutions. Over time, I built a strong connection with my coach—I consider him a good friend. He’s there when I need him outside of our sessions and continues to inspire me with how he lives and serves others.

Since then, I’ve seen real change. I’ve become more active in my community, joined a life group and Bible study for the first time, and genuinely enjoy being part of both. My stepsons are thriving in school and have recently won regional awards, and my wife continues her meaningful work as a grief counselor.

I’m incredibly grateful for Guardian Community and the support I’ve received. I’m looking forward to continuing this journey with them.