Charles Smith
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Charles Smith

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Charles Smith is a testament to resilience, having overcome profound challenges to build a life of purpose and fulfillment. Born into a legacy of his father's nursing homes in Worcester, MA, his world shattered at age three when unforeseen circumstances stripped away everything, nearly leaving his family homeless—until his grandfather swiftly built a new home. Tragedy struck again with his mother's overdose death at age five, followed by his father's passing at age eleven in Van Horn, Texas, where he held his hand in farewell. Orphaned and grief-stricken, he couldn't speak for over half a year. Rescued by his uncle, he left behind his unlivable home and beloved dog, Max, relocating to Massachusetts. There, he endured life as the family black sheep, raised by those who despised his father, fueling childhood trauma that bred anger, isolation, and addiction to cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana as a young teen and adult. At 20, the military offered a fresh start. Basic training at Fort Benning served as a brutal detox, revealing his inner strength. Stationed at Fort Carson, he drove a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, surviving a turret explosion at the National Training Center that caused a traumatic brain injury. Deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for six months of riot control, he honed skills in discipline and high-pressure security before exiting service. With degrees in Criminal Justice and Human Services, he worked for about a decade as a private investigator and security consultant. In his 30s, cancer claimed his uncle and grandfather a month apart, plunging him into deep depression, self-harm, and a suicide attempt with sleeping pills. Friends intervened, leading to hospitalization at VA Brockton Mental Health and homelessness in Boston. VA shelters shifted his perspective, revealing he wasn't alone. Diagnosed with PTSD rooted in his mother's death—undiagnosed for decades—he embraced recovery, maintaining sobriety for over 30 years while managing Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for 50 years through martial arts, meditation, exercise, and helping others. As a peer specialist, he supports fellow veterans. Today, as an author of multiple self-help books like "10 Homes in 11 Years," he shares his story through motivational speaking, inspiring thousands across 85+ countries as a resilient phoenix and lighthouse of hope. A proud father and devoted family man, he cherishes the bonds that ground him and is deeply proud of his country, honoring its values through his life and work.
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