The first time I met Chris was through livestreaming on Blab nearly two years ago. He is dynamic, has an incredible sense of humor with a powerhouse personality, and we've had lots of amazing conversations from PTSD to mindset and relationships; from brainstorming livestream and podcast ideas, to just sitting around with a couple of our mutual online friends having beers and laughing.

A little bit about Chris

Ripka is a combat veteran and is very active in "vets helping vets" through the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. A father of two, he just recently celebrated his 18th wedding anniversary.

He just barely retired his no polish no bull podcast Raw & Real with CJ Ripka after two years and 100 episodes and in early May, 2017 he and Line Brunet launched their show

^{Can you guess which one is "grit" and which one is "grace"?}

Why the #payitforward post?

Well, a couple of weeks ago Chris was riding on the interstate when he "heard a ping and metal on metal grinding afterwards". I'm not a motorhead but it doesn't take much to realize that's a bad thing. Something broke, got crunched, and probably mucked up the engine pretty good.

Here's the thing...

This is his primary mode of transportation but it's also his therapy. We all have at least one thing that soothes the wild beast within us. For me, it's writing. For Chris, it's riding.

Without his motorcycle, it's hard to participate in the CVMA events. You see, riding might be his therapy but he also uses it as a vital tool to #payitforward by riding thousands of miles through the Black Hills and all through Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota to raise funds and awareness for veteran causes and VA Hospitals. CVMA also helps sponsor patients who can't afford treatment. This is Chris's way of saying, "Hey, I got you."

^{Deployed around 1999}

He battles with PTSD and he'll say it's not as bad as it used to be.

Well, I know there are good days and bad days. My husband is a combat veteran too. I've had to duck a few wild punches while he sleeps. I've witnessed the cold sweats and seen him in the throes of a nightmare. Sometimes there are certain sounds, smells, or sights which transport him back to some hell he's been through. It's those brief moments he's almost catatonic and literally there again.

Maybe this post isn't just about Chris. Maybe it's the fact that I have two boys in Marine Corps bootcamp and grew up an Army brat. Maybe it's my love of veterans, especially ones who served in combat situations, that give them a special place in my heart.

I would really love to see the Steemit community say, "Hey, Chris. I got you."

There are several options to help out

• This is a #payitforward post. All liquid funds will be forwarded directly to Chris toward his motorcycle repair fund after post payout.
  ^{Consider upvoting generously and share this out on your social media platforms. Resteem if you are so moved.}
• Visit his fund me page and make a direct donation.
  ^{To date he's only got one sponsor. Facebook is letting him down. (Surprised? umm... Nope.)
  Hopefully Steemit will pick him up!}
• Visit his links that I've included within the post and subscribe to his YouTube channel.
• Write your own post and donate the funds.

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FYI - I swiped these photos from his Facebook account without first seeking his permission. You are more than welcome to scoot back to FB and tattle on me. You can find him on Grit & Grace TV.

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Let's see some Steemit love!

Maybe it will give that stubborn curmudgeon a reason to join us. Fingers crossed.

Projects and people still on my #payitforward list

• @hamburger-saint - Please follow the #hamburgersaintproject tag in honor of fallen soldier Sgt. Michael Barkey
• @girlbeforemirror - She's home from the hospital but our support on her posts are greatly appreciated.
• @thecrazygm - He was back in the hospital last week. Unfortunately it doesn't look like surgery is going to happen to alleviate the chronic pain from his broken back.

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