In June 2023, Benjamin Mello, a soon-to-be retired law enforcement officer and Army veteran, took a transformative step by attending the Warrior PATHH program at the Travis Mills Foundation in Maine. Warrior PATHH (Progressive & Alternative Training for Helping Heroes) offers a unique approach to addressing post-traumatic stress in veterans and first responders, using a non-medical, peer-driven methodology. For Benjamin, this experience turned out to be life-changing.
From Law Enforcement to Culinary School
Having spent a career in law enforcement, Ben was at a pivotal moment in his life. He started his police career in 2015, serving as a patrol officer and in specialized roles such as field training officer, SWAT team member, and firearms instructor. Prior, he’d completed tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, serving the Army and National Guard for 13 years.. While he always assumed he’d retire from law enforcement closer to the age of 60, it turns out that retirement was closer on the horizon than he originally envisioned. Currently 41 years old, Ben decided to use the GI Bill to enroll at Johnson & Wales University to pursue his long-time dream of becoming a chef. Culinary school had been a part of his future plans, but Warrior PATHH accelerated that decision.
“It was just like—I have this chance to do it earlier now, why not?” Mello shared. “That’s life.”
Finding Warrior PATHH
Benjamin heard about the Warrior PATHH program through a close friend, David Mahoney, also in the field of law enforcement and PATHH Team Lead at the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat. Initially, Benjamin didn’t know much about the program but was drawn in by the concept of addressing trauma and personal growth through a peer-led, non-clinical approach.
“I think one of the things that were most appealing was the non-medical approach to the whole thing,” Mello explained. “More of a community focus, in getting warriors together. Because we don’t talk to each other, you know?”
This resonated deeply with him. Being in law enforcement and the military, Mello understood the culture of silence that often surrounds trauma in these professions. Warrior PATHH helped him break through that barrier.
Building New Foundations
Warrior PATHH training revolves around personal development exercises, and for Benjamin, two in particular made a lasting impact. First, meditation—a practice that he initially approached with skepticism—became a daily routine.
“Even skeptics end up liking the [meditation],” Mello said. “Me being one of them, I still try to practice that every day.”
The second major takeaway was learning how to have difficult conversations. In his career and personal life, this skill became invaluable, allowing him to communicate more effectively and build healthier relationships.
Perhaps the most emotional moment for Mello came during an exercise known as the “Life Walk.” This exercise invites participants to reflect on their life journeys and the changes they want to make moving forward.
“You kind of examine your life and see how you want to move forward,” Mello said.
Lasting Connections and Ongoing Growth
Benjamin’s Warrior PATHH experience didn’t end when the week-long initiation at the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat did. The bonds he formed with his class have continued to flourish, with the group staying in touch through regular chats and updates.
“We still talk probably a couple times a month,” Mello said. “We try to provide that same support that we did while we were together at PATHH.”
Additionally, the training includes 90 days of virtual following up after initiation.
Mello’s family has noticed the difference in him since attending the program. His wife, initially surprised by his new meditation routine, has been incredibly supportive, and even his children have noticed the change in the household’s energy.
“The kids say I talk to the sky when I do it,” Mello joked, referring to his meditation practice.
Encouraging Others to Take the Path
If there’s one thing Mello wants people to know about Warrior PATHH, it’s that the program is the real deal.
“It’ll change your life,” he said. “You don’t have to live a diminished life. It’s still going to be a struggle, but you don’t have to do it alone.”
“Struggle Well” is a term used by the Boulder Crest Foundation, which developed Warrior PATHH training. It means to actively engage with and learn from difficult experiences, transforming personal struggles into positive growth and strength.
“Everyone is going to struggle,” said Mahoney. “It’s imperative to learn to ‘Struggle Well.’”
It also utilizes the concept of Post-Traumatic Growth to navigate challenging situations and emerge stronger from them; essentially, it’s about finding resilience and positive transformation even in the face of adversity.
For Mello, Warrior PATHH provided not only the tools to handle life’s struggles but also the community and support system to make meaningful changes. His advice to others? Take the leap. It could change your life in ways you never expected.