“Surviving Self” with Shane Kruchten
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Shane Kruchten a U.S. Marine veteran and former MMA fighter spoke to Penn State students on Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Kruchten was invited and hosted by Turning Point U.S.A., a student-run organization whose purpose is to advocate for freedom and “limited government”.
Shane “The War Rhino” Kruchten and Turning Point U.S.A. decorated the lecture room with various posters saying: “Guns are Groovy,” “Don’t Drink the Commee Kool-Aid,” “#capitalismcures,” “#socialismsucks,” “I’m Pro-Choice. Pick Your Gun.”
Kruchten shared anecdotal stories of his life including his childhood, especially with his strong faith, how he joined the military, working for the campaign team during former President Trump’s years in office, his hardships and battles and his MMA fighting career.
Throughout his speech, he connected everything back to his faith in Christ and even explained he met with his Priest about joining the military, and he said, “you already know where God is leading you. God is telling you [to join the] military.”
Although, after his medical retirement from the military in 2005 he lost faith in God and struggled with addiction.
Kruchten battled with addiction and self-doubt so intensely that he attempted to take his own life when he heard, “‘it’s not your time,’” when he lost consciousness.
He shared with the crowd that there is “pain that hurts and pain that alters,” and the pain that alters should be embraced, and that is exactly what he did.
Kruchten began to rebuild his life and joined something he was passionate about; he worked for President Trump’s campaign where he would film campaign videos and then work in office during President Trump’s term.
The former MMA fighter shared his connection with the wrestling sport: he began at the age of 3. He would fight and donate all his earnings to wounded veterans, because of his construction company that served as his income.
He said, “I just like to fight, whether it is with this or this.” Kructhen compared fighting to having a purpose. He said he may sometimes fight people, but he is fighting for each day to get better, for his faith to grow stronger, and for him to become a better person.
Shane Kruchten, the politician, fighter, veteran and survivor, commanded a lecture room with his personal stories and shared pieces of advice along the way.
He is well-esteemed in all areas of his passion. He worked with President Trump, has 12 wins and 5 losses in his MMA career, served in Iraq and even after second-guessing his life’s worth he began a family and his own company.
Natalie Simone is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email nvs5790@psu.edu.
