The War We Don’t Talk About: Healing Moral Injury with Eric Donoho
On this episode of The Breakout, we dive into one of the hardest, yet most inspiring stories ever shared on the show, the journey of Eric Donoho, a decorated U.S. Army veteran, author, and advocate for mental health and moral injury awareness. Listen to the full episode here.
Eric’s breakout moment didn’t happen on a battlefield, it happened at his kitchen table in 2015, when years of trauma, guilt, and grief nearly ended his life. In this powerful conversation, Eric shares how a near-suicide, a life-changing realization, and one act of faith helped him find peace, purpose, and a mission to serve others. His story is a raw, honest look at leadership, resilience, and the emotional toll of service, but also a masterclass in hope.
Meet Eric Donoho: From Combat Veteran to Advocate for Healing
Eric Donoho is a Purple Heart recipient, keynote speaker, and author of Canyon of Hope, a memoir about survival, faith, and the long road to healing after war. He has dedicated his life to helping others understand and recover from what he calls moral injury, an often-misunderstood emotional wound that traditional PTSD treatments can’t heal.
Through workshops, talks, and his work with nonprofits and veterans’ organizations, Eric helps service members, families, and communities reconnect to purpose through empathy, faith, and service. Follow him on Instagram @ebdonoho.
Breaking the Silence: Understanding Moral Injury and Emotional Recovery
When Eric returned from Iraq, he was carrying invisible wounds. Despite years of counseling, he wasn’t getting better. “By December of 2015, I found myself at the kitchen table I had built, with a Glock in my mouth, trying to end my life,” he shares. But when the gun failed to fire, his life took a different path.
That near-death moment, followed by the devastating suicide of his platoon sergeant, became the spark that led Eric to rediscover faith, connection, and meaning. He describes moral injury as an “injury to the soul or spirit”, not just a clinical condition. It’s the loss of belief in one’s own goodness, in humanity, or in something greater, the kind of pain that can’t be treated by medication alone.
As Eric explains, moral injury “manifests all the same symptoms as PTSD, except it does not get better with traditional treatments.” It requires reconnection, compassion, and faith, in ourselves and in others.
Climbing Back to Purpose: From Suffering to Service
Eric’s healing began when he attended a No Barriers Warriors program, a journey that took him into the desert and up three mountains. It was there, during a recurring nightmare and a prayer he didn’t expect to say, that he finally let go of anger and opened himself to faith again.
That moment of surrender turned into action. A mentor once told him:
“When adversity hits, take all that negative energy and do something good for someone else.”
Eric did exactly that. After the loss of his close friend Brent, he decided to channel his pain into helping others. What started as a mission to deliver eight wheelchairs to a children’s center in Nepal has grown into over 1,000 wheelchairs distributed, transforming not only lives abroad, but his own healing journey at home.
Strategies for Healing and Resilience
Eric’s approach to recovery is grounded in service, self-awareness, and small, consistent choices. His message for anyone struggling is simple but profound:
- Take action, even in pain. Channel your suffering into helping others — it transforms despair into purpose.
- Reconnect to faith or meaning. Whether spiritual or personal, belief in something greater gives strength when logic fails.
- Build accountability. Find a trusted friend, counselor, or mentor who you can check in with regularly and help you stay grounded.
- Choose service. Volunteering, mentoring, or giving back to your community builds gratitude and emotional resilience.
Eric’s Inspiring Takeaways
- Moral injury isn’t weakness; it’s a human response to experiences that break our sense of right and wrong.
- Healing starts with one choice, one act of faith, and one step toward helping someone else.
- Service can be the bridge between despair and peace.
- “Everything starts with a choice. We make choices the minute that we wake up in the morning to the minute that we go to bed. If you find yourself in a life you don’t like, start by looking at the little choices you’re making, and whether you’re serving someone other than yourself.”
Summary & Reflection
Eric Donoho’s story is more than survival, it’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of service to heal the deepest wounds. His journey reminds us that resilience is a practice, not a trait. Healing happens when we face our pain, reconnect to meaning, and choose to keep moving forward.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or moral injury, Eric’s message is clear: you are not alone, and there is always a way forward.
Listen to The Breakout for more from Eric Donoho, including his insights on faith, service, and the untold emotional battles veterans face every day.
About The Breakout
Dive into transformative tales of personal growth with The Breakout podcast by Abbracci Group’s thought leaders, Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther. Join them bi-weekly as they chat with inspiring guests who offer practical insights on breaking boundaries, boosting confidence, and living boldly. Subscribe today to listen to upcoming episodes filled with inspiration, motivation, and practical advice to help you unleash your full potential — and join our Breakout community.
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