Archive - Resilient Is A Choice In The Face Of Adversity With Omar "Crispy" Avila

In today’s episode, Nick speaks with Omar Crispy Avila, who joined the U.S. Army in 2004 as an Infantryman and deployed to Iraq in 2006. 11 months later, his vehicle was struck with a 200 pound IED, resulting in burns to 75% of his body and an amputation of his right leg. Over the past few years, he has made huge transformations and discovered his fulfilling life purpose to help other people through his stories. 

Through his social media presence, Crispy portrays himself as a true, all American patriot. He expresses his love for America as a whole and the freedoms and opportunities the nation offers to so many. In this country, he is able to live his wildest dreams. Crispy came to America when he was just 7 years old and was granted citizenship during high school. In his home country of Mexico, citizens are not allowed to voice their opinions or own firearms to protect themselves. 

Crispy recounts his experience watching the attacks of 9/11 live in school just after he became a U.S. citizen. This marked a defining moment of Crispy’s life when he knew he wanted to serve his country. He turned down a football scholarship to join the Army one month after graduation and was deployed to Iraq very soon after. 

Crispy recounts a few attacks he experiences there, specifically the one of May 14th. Though he remembers feeling angry with God for letting his friends be killed, he was making his peace with him at this moment. Something inside of him told him to get up, that he wasn't going to die here today. With broken legs, third degree burns and partial blindness, Crispy was taken out of the area of attack. He was in an induced coma for 3 months and woke up in Houston to the news that his friend had died.  To date, Crispy has had a total of 105 surgeries. His doctors discovered cancer in his foot and brought in a specialist to take a look at it. Though they were able to remove it all, Crispy couldn't walk on his feet anymore. He pleaded with the doctor to have his leg amputated. 

Crispy has not always been in the place he is today, and spent much of this aftermath in a very dark place. It was the loving people he surrounded himself with who made him the man he is today. He shares the story of connecting with Chris Kyle. Discussing vulnerabilities, Nick points out that opening up is the best way to instantaneously connect with others on a meaningful level. Crispy believes he is a better person today because he was finally able to put his pride aside and find the courage to ask for help. 

Then, Crispy recounts the opportunity which led him to meeting and connecting with kids who also suffered from severe burns like his own. The organization Sons of the Flag helped him find his own calling in helping others. Sometimes people don’t need to hear advice, but just want to know that they aren’t alone. Crispy feels he gets more out of giving advice than anything he may get out of it. Crispy shares that while many people search for resilience, few really have it. Until you’re put in a situation, you’ll never know how you would react to it. 

In closing, Crispy shares his experience undergoing stem cell therapy and the miraculous ways it has changed his life by relieving chronic pain. Sharing vulnerabilities is really what the world needs right now and Crispy is living proof of it. 

Timestamps: 

0:00 - Nick introduces the episode and today’s guest, Omar Crispy Avila.

2:10 - What does patrio