Join InVisible InCourage Podcast host and IDA CEO, Wayne Connell as he speaks with retired US Army Colonel and Invisible Disabilities Walk & Roll Legend, Christopher Kolenda about his Honor Ride in 2022. Chris biked across the US, visiting the gravesites of the six fallen paratroopers from his unit who were killed while serving in Afghanistan. Join IDA in May 2023 at walkandroll.org.
Col. Chris Kolenda (Ret) is a warrior-diplomat, combining assertiveness, statesmanship, and wisdom to help his clients gain dramatic wins. A West Point graduate, internationally renowned combat leader, and retired Army colonel, he was a trusted adviser to three 4-star generals and two Secretaries of Defense, Chris became the first American to have both fought the Taliban as a commander in combat and negotiated successfully with them in peace talks. Alan Weiss has selected Chris for his consulting Hall of Fame.
Chris is passionate about helping CEO’s and consultants to get good at getting better, developing their subordinates, build winning teams, and make the pivotal decisions that create sustainable growth. He is the founder of the Strategic Leaders Academy where he works with extraordinary leaders to make very small changes that create massive impact. His unique warrior-diplomacy has been featured in the New York Times bestselling books, including The Outpost by Jake Tapper. His contributions have also been cited in the world’s leading newspapers and on television. He also writes life-changing books and bikes for great causes.
In 2022, Chris biked 1,689 miles, visiting the gravesites of the six fallen paratroopers in his unit who were killed while serving in Afghanistan and known as the Fallen Hero Honor Ride. Chris’s efforts raised awareness and funds for veterans’ mental health.
But Chris wasn’t riding only for those six men. Some survivors could be entering the most dangerous days of their lives. Since his deployment, his unit has lost more of troops to suicide and substance abuse than to enemy fire. Post-traumatic stress, midlife crisis and feelings of emptiness are a potentially deadly combination. That’s the reason Chris established a foundation to raise money to help his unit’s veterans and their families.​​
Learn more about Chris at strategicleadersacademy.com/
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ABOUT THE INVISIBLE DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION:
IDA is changing the way the world sees disabilities. Our mission is to encourage, educate and connect people and organizations touched by illness, pain and disability around the globe.
We bring awareness, education, support and resources through our websites, programs, videos, pamphlets, books, radio and television interviews, events, online support, social media and resources! Here are some of the awesome programs we launched: The National ID Initiative, Invisible Disabilities Week, Invisible Disabilities Community, Invisible No More Campaign, Invisible No More Show, InVisible InCourage LIVE, the Annual IDA Awards Galas, Love IDEAS Summit, Brain IDEAS Symposiums, Invisible Heroes, Programs 4 People, Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign and more!
We have also produced over 200 KZfaq videos featuring personal stories, organizations, special guest speakers, conferences and events! We love to honor individuals and organizations making a difference with the Annual IDA Awards, as well as highlight stories, endeavors, blogs and events of people living with invisible disabilities around the world during Invisible Disabilities Week!
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