Keith Dias knew his path to change began with a familiar face.
“I knew Dave from work, and I saw how much he had changed after Warrior PATHH,” he shared, recounting how his friend and coworker, once reserved and quietly frustrated, transformed into someone visibly more alive.
“Seeing him… he just looked like a whole new person,” Keith recalled. “I was like, ‘Dude, you look really good. You have color, you look alive – it was like a 180.’”
Warrior PATHH – Progressive & Alternative Training for Helping Heroes – is based on the science of Post-Traumatic Growth and that a positive psychological change can occur after experiencing significant trauma or crisis.
Friend, David Mahoney, is PATHH Team Lead at the Travis Mills Foundation.
Warrior PATHH, served at 10 locations throughout the United States, including the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat in Rome, Maine, is a 90-day, non-pharmacological, peer-delivered training program that begins with a 7-day intensive and immersive initiation. This is followed by 3 months of dedicated support, training, accountability, and connection from a team of trained combat veterans.
Keith's Service
Keith joined the U.S. Army at 23 in 2012 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2014.
Currently a police officer in Massachusetts, Keith has felt the lasting impact of his experiences well beyond leaving the military in 2016. With an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and a background in infantry, a career in law enforcement was a natural transition for him.
“It felt natural, but it came with its own struggles. After years of service, I realized it was time to find a way to manage everything better.”
When the opportunity to attend Warrior PATHH in February 2024 at the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat came, Keith initially hesitated but eventually leaned into the idea, spurred on by Dave’s transformation.
David Mahoney, PATHH Team Lead at Travis Mills Foundation
“I was struggling with PTSD, and I hadn’t cried since my son was born – nine years ago. I knew I needed help,” he said.
Arriving at PATHH was daunting, but Keith came in fully committed.
“Mentally, I was ready to go all out. I was going to make it work and do this at 110 percent,” he said, adding having an encouraging friend present, Mahoney, helped tremendously.
The experience was powerful.
“The meditation sessions stood out,” he said, laughing at his initial skepticism. “My wife had always practiced it, and I used to think it was nonsense. But after trying it, I saw the difference. It was about learning to communicate better too. By the second day, hearing everyone’s stories made me realize I wasn’t alone.”
Hearing the stories shared by the PATHH Guides was also a powerful source of encouragement for him.
Beyond Warrior PATHH
Keith returned home from the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine feeling renewed, his wife noticing a significant difference in him.
“She said I was actively trying to fix things,” he said.
However, life threw a curveball when an injury sidelined Keith.
“I’m slowly working back to where I was, one step at a time,” he said, adding that he recently returned to work after a months-long hiatus.
“I have to get back into my routine,” he said, adding that he’s eager to re-introduce wellness practices learned during initiation at the Retreat.
Reflecting on his journey, Keith offered advice for anyone considering Warrior PATHH: “It’s something everyone should try, not just veterans or first responders. It changes lives.”
The experience inspired Keith to consider future roles that might help others in a similar position.
“I’d love to work with veterans full-time, maybe even as a PATHH Guide. Being able to connect and help others find their own path would be meaningful.”
For Keith, the transformation continues.
“I don’t know where I’ll end up,” he mused, “but I know I’m on the right path.”