We’re looking forward to introducing you to Crystal Romero. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Crystal, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
I stood up for soldiers struggling with alcohol and drug addiction and lost my career
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Crystal C. Romero, a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant and advocate for veterans’ mental health and moral injury awareness. After experiencing my own healing through psychedelic-assisted therapy, I now support Beckley Retreats by guiding individuals—especially veterans—through intake calls and preparation for psilocybin retreats in Jamaica and the Netherlands. My work is grounded in compassion, integrity, and the belief that no one should walk their healing journey alone. My personal mantra is Always forward.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was arriving on scene to support the Space Shuttle Columbia recovery efforts. I had no idea what would be asked of me, but I knew I needed to be there. Standing in the middle of that mission, witnessing the gravity of the moment, I realized I was born for this kind of humanitarian work as a soldier. It was an honor to serve, and it was the first time I felt the full weight and purpose of my role.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain in 2018 when Poshmark invited me to speak at their annual PoshFest conference. It was the first time I publicly shared my mental health struggles and acknowledged being a suicide attempt survivor. Instead of feeling shame, I chose to own my story. Speaking openly transformed my pain into purpose, and I realized that my honesty could help others feel less alone and more willing to ask for help. That moment changed everything.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that what matters most to me is helping veterans find their way through the darkness of mental health struggles. Not as a healer, but as a lighthouse someone who stands steady, shares lived experience, and shows others that there’s a safe path forward. They know that service, integrity, and community aren’t just values for me; they’re the way I move through the world.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope my daughters continue to tell the story of how I stood up for others just as Yvette Benavidez keeps her father, Medal of Honor recipient MSG Roy Benavidez’s legacy alive. My life as a soldier and an advocate has always been about protecting people who couldn’t protect themselves. If my girls carry forward the truth that their mother fought for what was right, served with heart, and never stopped standing up for others, that’s the legacy I want to leave behind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Travelsforchocolate.com
- Instagram: Travelsforchocolate
- Linkedin: Crystal C. Romero
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
