Community Member shout out Alex Dumchenkov
We love to see members in our community thriving and making a difference! Meet Alex, a Marine Veteran we met at one of our retreats in 2022, he’s training to run the New York Marathon while raising funds and awareness for Visionary Veterans!
His next race dates are April 6th, and May 17th.
Check out his incredible story below!
“I am living proof that no matter how far you fall, it’s never too late to rise again and make a difference.”
My name is Alexandr Dumchenkov, and my story is one of resilience, transformation, and the relentless pursuit of purpose. I am an immigrant who came to the United States at the age of 11, brought here by my single mother to build a better life in Rockland County, NY. After the tragedy of 9/11, I felt an unshakable call to serve the country that had become my home. Driven by patriotism and a desire to help others, I joined the United States Marine Corps, serving honorably with two combat deployments to Iraq as an infantryman.
But the battles didn’t end when I returned home. The trauma of war and the pain of childhood abuse haunted me, leading me down a dark path of self-destruction. I struggled with alcohol and drug abuse as a means to numb the pain. I lost my way—dropping out of college, losing a family I tried to build, and even facing the depths of despair that led me to attempt suicide. I felt disconnected, broken, and lost, a shadow of the person I once was.
During this dark period, I also faced the heartbreaking loss of fellow Marine veterans to suicide. Their absence weighed heavily on me, fueling my determination to find a way out of the darkness not just for myself but for others like me. It was a wake-up call, a reminder of the urgency to heal and help others heal.
Yet, my story didn’t end there. By the grace of a Higher Power I choose to call God, I found the strength to fight back. I reached out for help, embracing the guidance and compassion of others who had walked similar paths. My spiritual journey led me to Visionary Veterans, where I discovered a powerful passion for breathwork and meditation. This practice became a lifeline, teaching me how to manage stress, reconnect with myself, and find peace amidst the chaos.
Today, I stand as a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit. I have completed an intensive cybersecurity certification and boot camp. I’ve rediscovered the strength of my body through daily yoga, trail running, and swimming. I’m training for the NYC Marathon in November 2025, running distances I never thought possible, and preparing for a long-distance swim. I express my soul through poetry, serve my community, and raise awareness for Visionary Veterans, dedicating my marathon training and run to raising funds and inspiring others to heal.
I no longer drink, smoke, or use drugs. Instead, I channel my energy into a life of purpose and service. My mission is to help other veterans find their passions, rediscover their spirits, and embark on their own journeys of healing. I am living proof that no matter how far you fall, it’s never too late to rise again and make a difference.
You can follow his running progress here https://strava.app.link/VQ775neetPb
Alex is also a poet, you can find some of his work on YouTube.
The Burning Desire
We are very grateful to Alex! Stay tuned for updates of his progress.
