Publisher's Synopsis
Dana Manion is a 52-year-old retired combat medic, mother of three, and proud veteran of the United States Army. With two overseas deployments under her belt and nearly two decades of service, Dana has lived through the kind of experiences most can't imagine-both on the battlefield and in the quiet aftermath at home. Her story is one of survival, not just in war zones, but in the years that followed, as she's learned to navigate life with severe PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
After retiring from military service, Dana found herself in unfamiliar territory. Without the structure, mission, and camaraderie of the Army, she struggled to find her place in a world that moved on without understanding what she had endured. She realized how isolating it can be when no one around you truly gets what it means to wake up every day carrying the invisible scars of trauma. Through writing, Dana began to unpack her pain, rediscover her identity, and extend a hand to others who feel just as lost.
Dana's personal life has seen its own share of challenges. She has been married five times-each relationship a chapter of growth, heartbreak, and hope. She speaks openly about the difficulty of building lasting connections while battling mental health struggles, and the courage it takes to try again. Now in her fifth marriage, she remains hopeful that love can still be safe, healing, and real.
This book is not just a memoir-it's a lifeline. Dana's voice is raw, unfiltered, and real. She writes for the veterans who feel forgotten, for the women rebuilding after loss, for the mothers who are tired but still show up, and for anyone facing the messy, uncertain middle of life. Her journey isn't tied up in a neat bow, and she doesn't pretend to have all the answers-but she knows what it means to keep going, even when it hurts.
Dana's message is simple but powerful: you are not alone. Your past does not disqualify you from peace, love, or purpose. There is no shame in starting over-again and again, if you have to. Through her words, Dana offers connection, hope, and the hard-earned wisdom of someone who has fought for her life in more ways than one.
This is her truth. And she's finally ready to share it.
