The Iraq vet redefining mindfulness, one bourbon at a time
Iraq War veteran Fred Minnick has found a unique path to managing PTSD through what he calls 'taste mindfulness,' using bourbon tasting as a meditative practice to ground himself and reconnect with life. He shares this approach during events promoting his book, Bottom Shelf, which details his journey from combat trauma to healing through sensory awareness. Minnick's method, inspired by therapy and mindfulness techniques, encourages focusing on the intricate flavors and sensations of bourbon as a form of mental presence and emotional regulation.
- ▪Fred Minnick is a U.S. Iraq War veteran who struggled with PTSD after returning from deployment in 2005.
- ▪He discovered mindfulness through therapy and adapted it into 'taste mindfulness' using bourbon tasting as a meditative practice.
- ▪Minnick's latest book, Bottom Shelf, recounts how bourbon and sensory focus helped him recover from trauma.
- ▪He conducts bourbon tasting dinners across the country to promote mindfulness and share his personal healing journey.
- ▪Minnick credits his wife and VA therapy with saving his life during his most difficult postwar years.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
National The Iraq vet redefining mindfulness, one bourbon at a time April 30, 20265:00 AM ET Quil Lawrence Iraq war combat veteran Fred Minnick hosts a bourbon tasting dinner at Cordelia, a restaurant in Cleveland's historic district, as part of a tour for his new book, Bottom Shelf: How a Forgotten Brand of Bourbon Saved One Man's Life. Dustin Franz for NPR hide caption toggle caption Dustin Franz for NPR Stay up to date with our Politics newsletter, sent weekly. Fred Minnick was forever changed by his tour to Iraq over two decades ago. Like many veterans, it took him a while to find the best way to cope with what he would learn was PTSD. Vets often find a new sense of peace and purpose that helps them heal; it can be charity work, or sports or gardening or yoga. Minnick found bourbon.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at NPR — News.