In this powerful episode of Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn, we sit down with Lyubim Kogan—a Winter Olympian, NYU Stern graduate, 9/11 survivor, and founder of WingsForHeroes.org—to explore his extraordinary journey from Soviet-era Afghanistan to Wall Street, and ultimately to creating a paragliding-based healing program for amputee veterans.

Lyubim shares stories that span continents and crises: growing up during war, surviving 9/11, learning the true cost of freedom, and witnessing how trauma manifests across borders. Discover how Wings for Heroes provides wounded veterans with transformative flight experiences, redefining purpose, joy, and recovery through adrenaline, camaraderie, and nature.

This episode tackles:

✔️ Veteran mental health & PTSD across countries

✔️ The birth of Wings for Heroes in Turkey

✔️ Real stories of amputee veterans finding hope again

✔️ The global failure—and potential—of systems meant to support warriors

✔️ What it truly means to keep a promise to those who served

If you're a veteran, know a veteran, or just want to hear what real service looks like beyond the battlefield, this is an episode you won't forget.

🔗 Learn more: https://wingsforheroes.org

🎥 Watch the full interview on YouTube

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms